Esperanza De La Vega - Language, Literacy and Culture

Esperanza De La Vega, an associate professor at Portland State University, shares her journey from a non-English speaking kindergarten student to a bilingual educator. She recounts her early challenges with language barriers and the importance of maintaining her native language at home, thanks to her mother's insistence. These experiences shaped her passion for bilingual education and her career teaching immigrant children, where she found joy and community in the classroom.

What was Esperanza De La Vega's main challenge when she started kindergarten?

• Understanding math concepts

• Learning to read

• Making friends

• Speaking English

How did Esperanza's mother respond to the teacher's suggestion to practice English at home?

• She agreed and started speaking English at home.

• She decided to maintain Spanish as the home language.

• She hired a tutor for English lessons.

• She moved the family to an English-speaking neighborhood.

What did Esperanza realize about language and culture during the teacher's visit to her home?

• That English was more important than Spanish

• That there was a conflict between language, culture, and schooling

• That her family needed to move to a different school

• That she should forget her native language

What aspect of her teaching career does Esperanza find most rewarding?

• The joy and community with her students

• The high salary

• The opportunity to travel

• The chance to work alone

What type of students did Esperanza primarily teach?

• High school seniors

• Students with disabilities

• Newcomer and immigrant children

• Advanced English speakers