English Reflective Essay

Looking back and reflecting on my literacy journey I can say it was pretty interesting and uncommon. My literacy journey all started back in the country of Ghana when I was just about five years old. I grew up in a house with not just me, my parents and siblings, but with a couple aunties, uncles, and cousins. Had probably most of my best times growing up in that and made so many memories. I believe my cultural background and personal life had an impact on my literacy journey. As I get older in age I’m able to control how literacy is impacted and what I need to do for it to be not affected negatively. 

Growing up I was never really the strongest with literacy. The journey of my English literacy began in my formative years, where my earliest experiences with reading and writing were shaped by my environment, social interactions, and cultural influences. During this stage, most of my reading and writing tasks took place on the dining hall table, where my parents and teachers played important roles as literacy sponsors. They encouraged me to read and complete my assignments, even as I faced the challenge of speaking a different language at home. TV shows, video games, and national cultural programs heavily influenced my reading choices, allowing me to pick up vocabulary and sentence structures from media rather than books.  

In High School, I had increased independence and became more involved with English literacy. My reading and writing assignments moved to my room, where I could concentrate better, but social interactions with peers, teachers, and friends also had an impact on my literacy development. Social media and television became an important cultural influence, guiding my reading habits and exposing me to a variety of writing styles and stories. In the classroom, I was assigned more complex reading materials, such as essays and literature, which helped me improve my thinking. However, as an introvert, I found it difficult to express myself clearly, and I struggled with punctuation in my writing. Despite this, I developed a growing interest in reading and writing, which helped me to improve.

After high school, my English literacy development continued in more structured academic setting, like at the dorm or library, where I completed my reading and writing assignments. At this point, teachers and friends remain influential in my literacy development, as did the growing presence of social media and books in shaping my reading habits. Writing academic essays and assessing articles became a big part of my studies, providing new challenges such as handling lengthy articles and structuring my writing effectively. Although these assignments were sometimes stressful, using technology helped me simplify my research and writing processes. Teachers continued to guide my literacy development, providing helpful feedback and helping me improve my critical thinking abilities.

In conclusion, my English literacy journey has been shaped by a variety of factors, including my cultural background, family, and school influences and to the changing role of technology and social interactions. Each stage presented its own challenges, but with perseverance and support, I have grown into a a more confident reader and writer. As I grow, I am committed to improving my literacy skills, knowing that they will be useful in both my academic and personal lives.

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