Just yesterday we did a seminar discussion on our whole MYP journey. Looking back, I’ve been staying in ELL for over 2 years. It’s a bit astonishing to know I’ve stayed in this class for so long, and a bit frightening and sad that this is going to end soon… 😭
ELL has a huge prestige among ELA, including me. Before I entered ELL in 7th grade, I always considered it as a fearful place full of “student scholars” and “smart people” who excel in all subjects, particularly English. 😰ELL kids had this coolish vibe, and ELA kids often admired upon them and thought of them as the real life model student(literally!). This is the reason that I’ve hesitated in entering ELL in G6, even though I could’ve. Looking back, I wish I had joined ELL earlier, for reasons that I will mention in below. 🥲
I remember feeling both excited and nervous when I first stepped into the ELL classroom—excited to challenge myself and being in a new environment but also nervous about whether I could keep up with the expectations. ELL surprised me as the direct opposite of what I imagined it would be. I thought it would’ve been a stubborn, boring class where the “professor” would blah blah blah and the student would listen. I was completely wrong. 😋
First of all, ELL isn’t a normal English class, where you learn all the textbook stuff like Grammar & Vocabulary from ELA. It’s a fun class studying English Language and Literature, where every student joins together as friends rather than students, which could be reflected in our seminar discussions (we score when we talk and participate). 🙃
I love how everyone can fully be themselves in ELL. In other classes we are good (sometimes not so good😝) students, but in ELL we are more of an individual. It has this lively atmosphere that allows us to present our personality to its fullest extent, sometimes even changing who we are.
Speaking of which, I came to ELL introverted and quiet, always sitting in the corner, listening to the extraverted ones speak in a seminar and always scoring a 2. However, once I found out the class was not as serious or rigid as I thought it would be, I loosened up and began to try out things that I found intimidating before, such as speaking multiple times in a seminar discussion and making friends in ELL (and occasionally, drawing in my notebook😏). I’m really glad my English speaking skills improved (especially in seminars– now I can get as high as 6, 7, or 8!! 😍) while I was having fun at class.
Studying poetry, Animal farm, Shakespeare, and HHGTTG has been hard and tough throughout MYP, but I’m really glad that I survived the challenges and became a better self. It’s bittersweet to think that this chapter is closing and that I would not be able to see princess Terrett in G9. ELL has been a constant in my MYP experience, and the thought of moving on feels like leaving behind a safe and familiar place. At the same time, I’m grateful for everything it has given me—skills, memories, and a stronger sense of self.
Thanks to all ELL students who studied along side with me (special thanks to Serena, Tania, and Lily, my ELL mates & partners🤓). Thanks to Dr. Terrett, who’s encouraged me to become a better person. 🥰
PS: I would like to mention that Serena’s help has been really nice and supportive in ELL. As a native English speaker, she is very extraverted (which she strongly disagree on but is true) and often dragged me along when she’s improving (academically or in terms of drawing… 🫣).
PPS: Give Serena a like on every single one of her blog post! She deserves it.🥹👍