I Hate English read aloud

Summary

In the story 'I Hate English,' Maymay, a young girl from Hong Kong, struggles with learning English after moving to New York. While she excels in Chinese, she finds English isolating and difficult. Her journey unfolds as she helps others at the Chinatown Learning Center and forms a bond with a teacher, Nancy, who encourages her to speak English. Eventually, Maymay begins to embrace both languages, learning to express herself in English without losing her connection to Chinese. The story explores themes of language, identity, and cultural adaptation, highlighting the empowerment found in bilingualism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maymay is a smart student who initially struggles with learning English after moving from Hong Kong to New York.
• 😀 The story focuses on Maymay’s discomfort with English, especially its structure and pronunciation, which feels lonely and hard to understand compared to Chinese.
• 😀 Maymay finds comfort in speaking Chinese, and she excels at arithmetic and helping younger children with their homework at the Chinatown Learning Center.
• 😀 She enjoys being part of her community at the learning center, where everything happens in Chinese, including writing letters, playing games, and helping others.
• 😀 Despite her fondness for Chinese, Maymay has to write addresses in English to send letters to Hong Kong, which she finds frustrating.
• 😀 Maymay dreams about visiting Hong Kong and imagines a world where everyone speaks Chinese, but instead, she takes a trip with her friends to Jones Beach, where they all speak Chinese.
• 😀 When a new teacher named Nancy arrives to help Maymay with English, Maymay feels afraid and resistant to learning the language.
• 😀 Nancy uses storytelling to connect with Maymay, but the unfamiliar English words overwhelm her, especially when she doesn't know the translation for words like 'covered wagon.'
• 😀 A turning point happens when Maymay starts to speak English in response to Nancy's constant chatter, which leads to a breakthrough in her confidence and comfort with the language.
• 😀 By the end of the story, Maymay embraces both Chinese and English, realizing she can use both languages whenever she wants, and both are part of who she is.
• 😀 The story teaches the value of language learning, cultural identity, and the importance of communication and connection, regardless of the language spoken.

Q & A

Why does Mei Mei dislike English at the beginning of the story?

Mei Mei dislikes English because it is a difficult and unfamiliar language for her. She feels that the letters in English 'fight each other' and are not as harmonious as the Chinese characters she is used to. She also feels lonely because English is so different from her native Chinese.

What role does Mei Mei’s cultural background play in her feelings about language?

Mei Mei's cultural background plays a significant role in her resistance to learning English. She is very attached to her Chinese heritage and language, which she finds more fluid and easier to understand. Her strong connection to Chinese makes her feel uncomfortable and frustrated with English, which feels foreign and disjointed.

How does the Chinatown Learning Center impact Mei Mei’s perspective on language?

At the Chinatown Learning Center, Mei Mei feels more comfortable because everything is in Chinese. She helps others with arithmetic and participates in activities like playing games and writing letters in Chinese. This experience allows her to feel a sense of belonging and control over her language skills.

Why does Mei Mei find it difficult to learn English, even though she understands it?

Mei Mei understands English but refuses to speak it because she feels disconnected from it. She is not confident in using English, and her fear of losing her Chinese identity makes her resist engaging with the language, even though she can comprehend it.

What significance does the dream about Hong Kong and Yee Fong have in the story?

Mei Mei’s dream about Hong Kong and Yee Fong reflects her internal conflict between her cultural identity and the pressure to learn English. In the dream, Yee Fong doesn't recognize Mei Mei because she has lost touch with her roots. This symbolizes Mei Mei’s fear of losing her Chinese identity as she learns English.

How does Mei Mei’s relationship with Nancy, the teacher, evolve throughout the story?

Initially, Mei Mei resists Nancy’s attempts to teach her English and feels uncomfortable with the language. However, through Nancy's patience and persistence, Mei Mei slowly begins to open up. Eventually, Mei Mei has a breakthrough moment when she speaks in English for the first time, expressing her thoughts freely. This shift symbolizes her growing acceptance of both languages.

What is the significance of Mei Mei’s outburst where she says, 'I want to talk' in English?

The outburst represents a turning point for Mei Mei. It marks her decision to embrace English, not as something that threatens her cultural identity but as a tool she can use to express herself. Her willingness to speak English shows her growing confidence and her realization that she can maintain her Chinese identity while also adapting to American culture.

What does Mei Mei’s laughter with Nancy at the end of the story symbolize?

The laughter at the end symbolizes Mei Mei’s release of tension and her acceptance of both languages. She has overcome her fear and frustration, finding joy in communicating in both Chinese and English. This moment signifies Mei Mei’s growth in embracing bilingualism and her ability to navigate her dual cultural identity.

How does Mei Mei’s experience with English relate to the broader theme of cultural assimilation?

Mei Mei’s struggle with English reflects the broader theme of cultural assimilation, where immigrants often feel torn between retaining their cultural identity and adapting to a new culture. Her journey highlights the challenges of learning a new language while maintaining one’s native language and cultural practices.

What role do the other children at the Chinatown Learning Center play in the story?

The other children at the Chinatown Learning Center provide Mei Mei with a sense of community and comfort. They all share similar backgrounds and help one another in their own ways. Their support reinforces the theme of cultural solidarity and shows that Mei Mei is not alone in her struggles with language and identity.