Learning to Read and Writing Learning to read and write a foreign language involves knowing the writing process, writing methods, the larger elements of writing, and the smaller elements of writing. Reading and writing in English allows the student to compose, narrate, describe, argue and structure essays according to the most appropriate spelling and grammatical requirements. My ambition in learning the English language is to significantly improve my writing and reading of the language. In this essay I have elaborated on my experience based on the language barrier. My first language, Arabic, is not a globally spoken language, so it is necessary for me to learn to read and write English. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In learning the English language, I struggle to do several things so that I can improve my English. I also have a set of personal instructions and guidelines to help me as I continue to perfect my English. For starters, I'm not afraid of making mistakes. It is my confidence that pushes the people around me to correct my mistakes as I make them. In the text on Douglass's story there are painful truths that one must encounter when learning a new language. (Cohen 23) It is true that we occasionally make mistakes and lack confidence when learning a foreign language. The necessary security is achieved when all the people around them speak the foreign language that the person is struggling to learn. (Clement, Dornyei, and Noels 417) Since I am surrounded by English speakers, I have been consistent in learning to speak the language. The best way to learn a language is therefore to speak it. It's true that practice makes perfect. I am practicing regularly through my study plan which pushes me to study the English language. I have always stuck to my study plan as I spend a lot of time trying to read skills and concepts in the English language. My friends were helpful as they made sure I followed my study plan. Even though I interact and have relationships with them, the amazing thing is that they do not disappoint when it comes to my study plan. In Douglas' story it is noted that we should not only focus on what we know, but also on what friends know. (Cohen 23) They avoid interrupting me and instead offer assistance where they can. My friends help me practice my English writing, reading, speaking and listening skills. Thanks to the help of friends, I have a notebook of new words that I encounter daily. I continue to leaf through the notebook so I can master the new words. In a newspaper article about the foreign language, classroom anxiety leads to the learning of several new words as the student is anxious about speaking and writing the language. (Hortwiz, Hortwitz, and Cope 125)While studying the English language, I gave myself a long-term goal that I am focusing on. My long-term goal is to speak the English language fluently, write without grammatical errors, and learn to listen to people who speak the language. In the meantime, I've been able to learn what works best on the journey to learning the English language. I find passive constructs in newspaper articles which also help me construct sentences. Finally, I was able to read graded readers whose books are written basically for my level. In an article in 50 Essays a Portable Anthology, I am reminded of a personal experience where I couldn't understand anything in class due to the language barrier. In Fredrick Douglass Learning to Read and Write, Douglass is noted as coming of age.