Writing and Reading Process I

I have to begin saying that my experience as a reader was not good. Let’s start talking about my childhood...

When I was a little girl my dad used to give me some books and usually he read them to me. He did not need a special date to give me that kind of presents because he really enjoyed spending his time reading and he wanted me to experiment what he felt. I could say it was very exciting for me. I really enjoyed reading with him or pretending to read because that stage began when I did not know how to read.

I continued growing up listening and reading those amazing stories but the most important thing was that I could share time with my father. One day everything changed.

My dad had to travel to Venezuela so I stayed with my mom and my brother that meant no more reading new books, there was nobody to read with, share the stories or listening any story. Then I did not read anymore because the only person who gave me the books, who shared that “special thing” with me was not there. That could sound stupid but it was what happened.

Later when I went to school it was very difficult for me because obviously I had to read but this time that will be different. Those texts were not interesting to me, on the contrary they were boring and I just read what I had to. There was no motivation just a grade to past the subject. That situation continued even when my dad come back I did not really pay attention to that and I continued with my academic reading that was very poor and superficial.

I wanted to start with that because that shows how my experience is nowadays.

Writing and Reading Process II

If I don’t feel comfortable reading in Spanish it would not be different in English. Contrary to this it would be even much harder.

First, most of the time, when I read in English it is because there are no more options. Once in a while I try to read a book of my interest but it is difficult for me and takes me too much time. 

I start reading the whole text making interferences about the meaning of the words that I don’t understand trying not to translate.

I know that it could be tedious but in my opinion if I don’t try to comprehend what I read by myself I am never going to be able to do it because all the time I am going to need a translator by my side when I read. Obviously I don’t feel comfortable because I think I am losing many details so I have to read again. I look for the meaning of those words and finally I make the last reading trying to comprehend what I already read.

On the other hand when I read in Spanish I have to be very concentrate to understand with the first reading but it depends too on the topic, if it is interesting to me I can do it quickly and I can understand what I read.

Now talking about writing, I really don’t like to write, that is the worst part I feel insecure I have to think a lot to find the “perfect” words to say something, I go around and around before to go to the point and sometimes I can’t go to the point. Express my thoughts in words is a very hard work, I just don’t like to write! In fact I try to avoid all the things that involve writing.

Clearly it is more difficult for me reading and writing in English.

Writing and Reading Process III

I know that reading and writing skills are very important most in academic aspects and I have to focus on that. 

During this semester I had to read and write a lot and that was a challenge for me but I can say that those activities were the trigger to continue with my process.
 

I would say that the most interesting activity was the short stories because I had to read, summarize, write my opinion and made a discussion of it, obviously that forced me to made face to all my fears and insecurities and that let me know that I have to create a habit of reading and writing because that is the only way I could improve those skills, by practicing, and I really want to do it!