Challenges of nonnative speakers in a global economy

Nonnative speakers  of all different culture are facing challenges as they try to fit in the strange land that they do not have their personal belongings.  As they face the new path of their life, mixed up emotions of fears, doubts and worries how they will compete in a global economy that seem to be dominated by a single language. It is a cultural shock for them, thinking that in this foreign land they step their feet  for a new beginning and leave their footprint on the culture they left behind. Full of uncertainties, that one has to take a step to see what is the future holds in the land where they got lost. To find, to seek and to learn in their best ability to conquer the fear that they are facing. 
When I came to America, I am full of hope, dreams and ambitions. That is all I have... but the truth is I do not have anything with me. No family, no relatives and not a single friend. It is so sad to leave everything behind me to seek for a better future. Having that courage and brave that I carry in my heart....I told to myself there is no turning back. I am ready to face all the trials and challenges. To start with, I met some people on my own nationality to get acquainted and have some connections. It is nice to meet some people of my own heritage because I do not feel home sick.  In the long run, I felt inside me that  my socialization is limited. I want to have friends too outside of my culture but I am intimidated to converse fluently in English. Not that I do not speak and understand English, I am just scared to be criticized with my accent. Nor I can not converse fluently in a long conversation. I am limited to short and simple English conversation. As it goes, things get more complicated because I have to find a job. I finished Accounting as my major but surprisingly there is not too much job available from where I lived. If there is any, being not fluent in English is my greatest disadvantage. Of course employer will hire somebody that can relate and communicate better in an office set up. I dropped my ambition to work in Accounting firm. So then, I have to look for another option that probably having skill will help me to find a job. There  is always shortage in nursing, so I went to school and took Certified Nursing Aassistant then worked my way up to LVN. As a foreign student, I am a little slower as compared to the other student when it comes to comprehension because English is my second language. I refused to be a leader in  laboratory experiment because it takes a lot of coaching and team leading. So that limits my intellectual ability to share my ideas and knowledge.
English language is the main tool on the global economy. We are talking in the field of science, technology, computer, business, commerce, trade and international travel. This is the language that conquers all nations. Educations standards of teaching are basically in English language. Books, encyclopedia, dictionary and bible are mostly written in  English. In this modern technology, we use computer world wide. People from all walks of life are benefited from the Internet communication service. It is rare that every country has its own language of interpretation. People of different nationality shares their interest, opinion and ideas with one language in the Internet. Our trade and commerce are not limited to our own product. We have imports and exports policy written in English for all business people who wants to sell their products.
English have great impact in our global economy. It reaches out people around the world to connect and build our economy. It is in English language that we have a greater understanding that no matter where we came from, we share a common interest to improve every one's livelihood.

Writing for an Audience

All writing has to serve a certain purpose.  It is designed to reach the mind of the reader. "Think about your audience", we are writing for them. It is the writer's goal to have a connection with the reader.  You want to share your knowledge with the purpose of bonding with the mind of your reader. Does it serve a common purpose? Normally, people have different ideas and beliefs. But as a writer, when we present our ideas we can help them to understand our stand point and incorporate it. Linda Flower believe, that a good piece of writing closes the gap between the writer and the reader. I strongly agree with that.
When we are writing, we have to analyze our audience. We all came from different levels and categories.  It is important to consider the reader's knowledge, their attitude, personal or professional needs. Having different perspective is the most difficult part for the writer. But for the sake of serving it's purpose to the audience, we tend to weigh things to minimize the differences.
When we share our knowledge, regardless of what we think, the center of our main goal is the reader. Whether our purpose  is to share what we know, we also have to consider the reader's knowledge regarding the issue.Writer should know the reader's needs and what they can learn from the article. And it is the writer's best abilitly to inform and educate the reader.
We view our concepts with different things. We associated words in different perspective just like others give meaning to it. In Flower example, the image of the lake includes fishing, water skiing, stalled ouboards, and lots of kids catching night crawlers with flashlights.  In my own experienced , lake is where my family enjoys swimming, boating, knee boarding, tubing and picnic on the shore during summer. As I mentioned , we have a different attitude in one concept. But as a writer, we just present our image hoping our reader will see the other side of the picture and understand your point.
Bridging the gap between the writer and reader is not easy.  In some situations, the writer has to compromise his status in accordance to job's requirement. Like Flower example of a writer in a TV program, the writer only propose for a program that meet the needs of the consumer and pass the guideline of the station. Some TV station and media have regulations to protect the reputation and credibility of the organization. Their ideas are limited to give respect of their job.
As a student, we are writing for the purpose of passing and meeting the requirement. We were given a thesis to research, analyze and think critically. We learn, develop and discover our ability in writing in a way that our teachers expect us.  There is a reason behind for following and learning the curriculum that is assigned to us. 
Good writers does not only express and share their knowledge. They bind their mind and heart  to the reader's interest. Whether their goal is to influence, educate, inform or for personal aspirations. Their self worth as a writer give only meaning when the reader understand where they are coming from.

"Everybody's Dream"

"America" the land of freedom, liberty, equality and richness. People in other land wants to come here in America. An "Everybody's Dream" that people want to experience. I am so fortunate that I fulfilled my own dream of being an American Citizen. My friends and relatives are so jealous because I am living the Filipino Dream, enjoying the richness and beauty of America. So, are they right?

"I Have a Dream" famous speech of Martin Luther King was an eye opening for all the people that live here in America.  He delivered his speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1963. The location made a great impact because it connects his speech after one hundred years ago. Where he stood in front of the symbolic statue of  Abraham Lincoln who signed the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1, 1863. The proclamation freed many negro slaves from captivity. It pronounced the acceptance of black men into United States Navy and Army. It gave hope for all black people. But after one hundred years later, in commemoration of the proclamation Martin Luther King stood up and voiced out the unchanging world.  The proclamation promise is still a promise.The black people were still looking for freedom, liberty and suffering from inequality. A lot of people came from many different places and touched by his speech.

"Language that inspired change" that many who heard the voice of  Martin Luther King regardless of race realized the inequality among American people. I may not be aware how bad was black people been treated on those days. It surely brought a big change in the lives of many black people. As I observed now, regardless of nationality everybody has the equal opportunity to vote, work and  practice their rights. A very good example is Barrack Obama being the first black President in United States. That means majority of the American people voted for him. He was not  discriminated because of his color. He won in his candidacy with fair judgement. People trusted his knowledge and ability to lead this country. Equal opportunity is observed in many business establishment and government offices. We have many black people serving our country in the military, many of them are leaders. There is no segregation of where we have to live and where to go. Nobody is discriminated in regards with education. As a student we share the same class room with everybody else. We are all  dining in the restaurant and enjoy different kinds of entertainment. Mixed nationality goes to the church and pray together. Laws were written for everybody. All are obligated to follow the law of the Constitution, nobody is exempted. Everybody is judge fairly and recognized. In media, everybody has the freedom of speech. We all can write and voice our plea. We are not restricted to enjoy our freedom.

Martin Luther King's dream is every body's dream. It is true that "America is the land of the free". All minorities enjoyed the independence, liberty and equality. We are all given the same opportunity like everybody else. I myself  is having that opportunity to work and treated fairly. My husband is a white, he recognized my culture and traditions. He respected me and my family. His parents treated me like their own children. I was accepted with his circle of friends and family.

All that dreams came into reality. People from all walks of life regardless of race, color, culture and nationality enjoyed America's freedom. Martin Luther King's plea for "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is what we have in America. From generation  to generation it affects lives of many leaders and citizens. We are all given the opportunity to practice our rights. To stand, fight and live to the belief of what Martin Luther King had started.

Language Barrier

Language is the most difficult problems that  foreigners are experiencing when they visit other country. Different nationality, beliefs, culture, traditions and most importantly language. You feel like a total stranger not knowing of what to do first. Guess what! Communication is the key for finding and adapting yourself to the new environment. If you do not know the language, "goodluck' is  all I can say. Being able to communicate is an essential part of our daily tasks. In our daily interactions having good communication skills is critically linked to words and language. Not being familiar with the language could have some disadvantage to have a comfortable living.
My mother only finished elementary grade and lived in the Philippines all her life. She is a dressmaker working at home with her antique pedal sewing machine. Customers paid her a little amount of  money to made them custom gowns and dresses. No patterns and instructions to follow, it's all in her imaginary creations. My father finished high school. As he grew up, he works in a construction and later in a beer manufacturing company as an electrician.  Most of us in the Philippines find opportunities in other country to work. My dad sacrificed to be away with the family and worked in Saudi Arabia. Fifteen years of working in a foreign land was a challenge,  most specially learning Arabic. Most of his co-workers are Filipinos and he learned most of the translation through them. With his little English knowledge, it helped him to learn more of the Arabic language because some Arab speak English. Daily interactions using Arabic and mostly English language help him to adapt in the environment. He was able to practice Arabic and English well. My parents did not have a formal education on their chosen career but successfully supported our family.
Immigrants biggest problem is "language barrier". My parents migrate from the Philippines to United States in their late 50's. Having a little English educational background is very traumatic for them. They can talk and write English,  but very limited. During the first few years we have to accompany, guide and translate for them on their interviews. Being in the medical field, I helped them a lot with their doctor's appointment. I filled their medical history as well as symptoms and medical allergies. This would help the doctor to have a correct diagnosis and treatment for them.
My parents have a little savings from what my dad earned in Saudi Arabia. But to support their daily living, it will be not enough. We helped them a little bit at the start but fortunately my dad found a job. He was able to passed the interview and got hired as a dishwasher. First few weeks we dropped and picked him up at work, then he rode his bicycle. After learning the directions and his way, he managed to take the bus. My mom on the other hand, stayed home and  took care of my friends children. With their little earning it help them to support their daily needs.
On their daily lives, Tagalog which is the Filipino language is still their preference even now that they lived here in America.  They are more comfortable to speak it at home. They can understand each other well and they can express more of their feelings. But because of the reason to survive, they learned and practiced English language. They adopted the policies, rules and regulations to become a good American citizen. They realized the importance of  English language in all areas of their life.  They are able to obey those laws wholeheartedly, because ignorance in not an excuse in any legal system. They have a good communication with my husband who is an American and my kids. They gain a lot of  friends and respectfully talk to them in English. Now, they can see their doctor on their own without me translating how they feel. My parents did not have a high education in English. But they did not limit themselves to learn and practice the language. I am so proud of them because they patiently adopted the culture, traditions, beliefs and most specially the language that we as a family could enjoy together.