My first vivid memory of writing goes back to elementary school, when I was placed in the ESOL program. At the time, I did not fully understand why I was there because I spoke English fluently and had no trouble communicating in class, however due to the fact I am Latina/Hispanic, I was automatically placed into the program. As a child, I did not question it too much. I assumed the adults knew best, even though I felt confused about being separated from other students. I remember wondering what ESOL actually meant for me and why I was treated differently when I felt just like everyone else.
What I did not realize then was that this placement would play a major role in shaping my relationship with writing. ESOL was not simply a support program or an extra class during the school day. It became the first space where writing felt natural, consistent, and personal. In that classroom, writing happened every day. It was not something reserved for major assignments, tests, or end of term projects. Instead, writing was woven into our daily routine, which made it feel familiar rather than intimidating.
We wrote persuasive pieces, creative stories, entertainment-style narratives, and personal reflections about our own lives. Sometimes we wrote about our families, our traditions, or moments that mattered to us. Other times we were asked to imagine stories or share opinions. Because writing happened so often, it never felt overwhelming. There was no pressure to produce something perfect right away. Instead of worrying about grammar or spelling mistakes, I learned to focus on getting my ideas down on paper. The more I wrote, the more confident I became, and the fear of making mistakes slowly disappeared.
A big part of that positive experience came from my ESOL teacher. She was patient, encouraging, super sweet and genuinely interested in what we had to say. Rather than immediately correcting every error, she focused on our ideas and our voices. She made it clear that what we thought mattered. Her classroom felt safe, and because of that, I felt comfortable taking risks in my writing and experimenting with different styles. I was not afraid to try something new or share personal thoughts because I knew I would not be judged.
In that environment, mistakes were treated as a natural part of learning. We were encouraged to revise, improve, and try again instead of feeling embarrassed or discouraged. Writing became a way to express myself rather than just another school requirement. Finishing a story or essay felt like a real accomplishment, and receiving positive feedback made me want to keep writing. For the first time, writing felt empowering instead of stressful.
As I grew older, especially in high school, my relationship with writing began to change. Writing became more structured and more focused on grades. Assignments came with strict requirements, specific formats, word counts, and rigid guidelines. Creativity felt limited, and there was often only one “right” way to complete an assignment. Instead of writing because I wanted to, I was writing because I had to. This shift took much of the enjoyment out of writing and made it feel more like a task than a creative outlet.
During that time, writing sometimes felt frustrating and repetitive. I became more focused on meeting expectations than on expressing my thoughts. Even so, my ESOL experience stayed with me. I knew I was capable of writing well because I had already experienced success in an environment that encouraged confidence and creativity. That early foundation helped me push through moments when writing felt difficult or uninspiring.
Nowadays, when I reflect on my strengths as a writer, I always trace them back to ESOL. What started as a placement I did not understand eventually became one of the most meaningful parts of my educational experience. ESOL was never about fixing my English or correcting who I was, it was about giving me space to grow, practice, and find my voice as a writer. It taught me that writing does not have to be perfect to be valuable.
Those early writing memories remain some of my most important. They remind me why writing can be powerful and personal. Writing allows people to tell their stories, share their experiences, and be heard. Even now, when writing feels challenging, I think back to that classroom where my ideas mattered more than my mistakes. Writing only has to be honest to matter, and that is a lesson I first learned in an ESOL classroom.
