1.

Life Before and After Celac

Have you ever wondered about your progress? In my case I can say that there is a before and an
after Celac. I think that every day people want to be better version of themselves, a lot of people are
looking for new thing to learn and continue to develop. I remember the day I decided to study
English at UNM and I had a lot of questions like, if the teachers will be really good, if I will have
Spanish speaking classmates or if they will be from all over the world, if I will be able to learn fast,
among other things. Today I consider that my decision was one of the best I have ever made in my
life.
Teachers are really good. Before I started de class I was thinking if I will can understand to my
teachers or If They have patient with the students. I started one day after begin class, and I received
an email from my teacher of writing to give me the welcome. I felt very well and like him other
teachers also welcome me when I arrived in their class. So, they are friendly and about the teach is
professional, when I don´t understand something, I can ask, give us confident and is so good for I
can develop more, they are exigent but I consider that is good for all students to learn more each
day.
I have friends from all over the world. This is amazing, before Celac I thought just I can do friends
who speaking Spanish and maybe this was unfair to me, but now I can have friends in anyplace if
all speak English. I have friends Korean, Chinese, France, Indonesian, among others and this is
really awesome! I remember the first time when I share with my Chinese friend was very hard
because I cannot understand nothing, but now I feel the difference because now we can share more
and speak much better.
I improve my skills learning in Celac. Before, I had a little scared to told English with someone, for
example when I bought something I needed someone I can help me because I felt the people don’t
understand me and maybe I don’t understand too. So, now I can say I have more security in myself
for communicating with other people I can understand more when the people speak and I can
answer, for me is a big way to develop. And I am sure I will can have more opportunities in my
professional life.
In summary, exist a before Celac where my life was really good but exist an after Celac and I can
feel is better. I think this is a special time in my life, great opportunity for learn with our teachers,
about other cultures of my friends and will be a better version of me.

2. My life before CELAC was challenging with respect communication, I could not travel to U.S
for my process whit emigration but, I had to speak in English because I worked whit my husband in
Guatemala during many trips where, I worked whit many volunteers who could only speak English
and I could don’t understand anything in English So, that was my motivation for learn English in
CELAC. Another reason to learn English was to be able to communicate whit members my husband
family who don’t speak Spanish.
Another reason of learn English can communicate whit customers in the Salon because only the
people speak English.
In this process in CELAC I find people whit different people of different countries whit similarities
ability and motivation to learn English, and I feel more confidence in the learning process also, I
could communicate whit my mother in-law during the birth of daughter Violeta.
Whit respect to Guatemala I think that I will help more now that I can some speak English but,
unfortunately I have not returned.

My life after CELAC is more comfortable because for my: is an important opportunity can explain
what to want to say in English, in CELAC I could learn what where not have the exactly verb I can
explain with different verb.
Learn English after in CELAC also, is the big opportunity for to meet different accents in English.
In summary : my life after CELAC Is a new world because, is important to understand the
important person in my life, is important too because is it’s a good tool to communicate whit the
rest of the world
My life after CELAC is a good way and opportunity of work in U.S I am aware that this process
only just starting. I am feel grateful to have an opportunity like this.

3.Before CELAC, I suffered from an enormous workload even though I didn’t have any particular
goal. After entered my colleague, I had to do a lot of studying and assignment. During studying the
major I was almost dead. Because it was too hard for me.
At the end of the second year, I took a leave of absence from colleague. And my parents ask
me to how about going to the USA for taking a break and learning English. So, I registered CELAC
and started to stay here.
After CELAC, I improved my English skills also, I became more confident in English.
When I arrived in US first, I don’t like to speak in English. If someone speaks to me something, I
always don’t answer and just smile. I usually didn’t say any words. Now I don’t hesitate to speak
English. Also, I improved my English speaking.
I experienced more cultures. There is only one big single culture in South Korea. But when
I came here, I experienced so many different cultures and I feel here is much more freedom than
South Korea. And this makes more positive person.
I learned that there isn’t a right way to live a life. Before CELAC I always worried about
my future and feel anxious. However now, I become stable and feel comfortable. After this
semester, I have to go back to Korea, but I will keep this memory in my mind.

4. My life before and after Celac has been a new change in my life that taught me a lot. There have
been a lot of good things. Learning about new learning habits has been quite refreshing and things I
used to do before Celac, did not help me and my personal growth, but now, this has changed. I want
to make known all the things I have come to experience on this path.
I remember before Celac I could not understand an English speaker, I didn't understand anything
that they wanted to say, this meant that I could not have a conversation with them. Now in Celac, I
can understand English speakers, I can understand even more what they are trying to tell me and not
only this, I can also understand instructions. Now I can start a conversation with them or with
someone who speaks English.

Also, I have learned new learning habits, like reading again. When I was a child I used to read a lot,
but I gave up that great habit. Now, here in classes, I have been able to improve all this and take up
again this great habit. Reading in English is very helpful, you learn new vocabulary and you learn
how to have a better conversation with someone else and, above all, the importance of grammar.
And I learned something that has helped me a lot, in classes I have learned a lot about how to better
structure a sentence at the moment of writing it.

Before I had no idea of the importance of being constant in something, but now I understand it
better. This is something I learned at Celac because learning English is something that I want to
improve more and more, and clearly for this, you need to be constant and it is something that I want
to keep improving on, to get a better result.

In conclusion, my life has changed and it has been a good change. The way I can now hold a
conversation in English makes me feel proud and confident thanks to Celac, the importance of
being constant in something to keep improving more and more. And above all, meeting new people
from other countries made me expand my knowledge. There is nothing like being able to speak a
new language, and English is even better.

5. As a french native who always lived in France my english communication skills was
limited. As well as my perception of others cultures even though I leaned a few things in
school in my childhood. Learning english is really different and difficult when you are in a
country where it’s not the official language, but CELAC gave me the opportunity to expand
and improve my knowledge of the english language, to discover new cultures and be more
open-minded.

My life was very different before I started at CELAC. I struggled with English
communication, which made it difficult for me to connect with others. I discovered that I
spent the majority of my time alone, which led to emotions of isolation and loneliness. My
confidence level was another facet of my life that altered after attending CELAC. I used to
be rather cautious and hesitant to speak up, but CELAC created a secure and supportive
environment that enabled me to take an active role in debates and events. This boosted my
self-esteem, and I now feel more at ease sharing my thoughts and opinions. However, after
enrolling in CELAC, my life took a significant turn. I was able to considerably increase my
English language skills, allowing me to express myself more effectively and interact with
people. After attending CELAC, my thinking has also altered. I now have a broader
perspective on things, allowing me to see beyond my personal experiences and better
understand the world. I am more open to new ideas and cultures, and I value diversity
more than ever before.

My CELAC experience was incredibly beneficial. Cultural immersion is an excellent

technique to learn about a new language and culture since it allows you to completely
immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of the location you are studying. I gained a
deeper grasp of American life through engaging in cultural activities and events, which
certainly made me feel more comfortable and confident in my daily interactions.
Developing new hobbies and interests is also a great approach to immerse oneself in a new
culture. Reading American literature and viewing American movies are excellent ways to
learn about the country's history, ideals, and culture. It can also help you develop your
language skills by introducing you to new terminology, idioms, and expressions that you
may not encounter in more formal language learning situations. My time at CELAC was
clearly transformative, since it not only helped me enhance my language abilities but also
helped you grow as a person. I was able to get a broader view on the world and become
more confident and outgoing by moving outside of my comfort zone and embracing new
experiences. These abilities will be useful to me in both my personal and professional lives.

Lastly, the learning experience at CELAC was outstanding. The teachers were extremely
knowledgeable and experienced, and the program was well-structured and fascinating. I
learnt not only the language but also about American history, art, and literature. The
classes were interactive, and the lecturers were always accessible to provide further
assistance and support. I really enjoyed the cultural programs and excursions that allowed
me to explore and appreciate America's variety.
In conclusion, attending CELAC was an incredible experience that changed my life in so
many ways. I discovered people from all around the world with different cultures and I am
grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow, and I would recommend CELAC to anyone
who is experiencing language and cultural challenges.

6. I have always wanted to go to a university. My dream came true. I found the Celac program at
UNM. My life has changed in many ways since I went to the Celac.

My world was small before I went to the Celac and I only had a few Chinese friends. After I went to
the Celac, I had the friends from all over the world . We did not understand each other on the first
day of school. My new friends and I began talking, joking and laughing after few weeks of the
Celac class. This was the most amazing feeling in my life.

I was afraid and shy talking to strangers before Celac. When I would be in the grocery store people
would aways want to me repeat my questions because they did not understanding my questions.
Now I do not have to repeat to them again and I feel more and more confident.

My English improved at the Celac. I went to many schools to learn and improve my English,.
American High School and CNM were included in my studies. Those schools kind of did not work
for me but all my friends have told me that my speech had changed after I went to Celac,and they
said, my English is now more formal and respectful.

I has learned how to write essays including cause-effect, comparison, argument, problem-solution
and reaction essays. I also have learned lots of academic words to build better sentences.

My life is truly different. I have more friends than before. My English has improved and I am not
afraid to talk with strangers. This semester is almost finished. I will return in the fall semester.

7. Last year, I decided to go to the University of New Mexico to take a language class to improve
my English level. So I joined the CELAC (Center for English Language and American Culture)
program. Now, I have been studying English for almost three months, I found that I had changed,
such as learning methods, personality and living habits.
First of all, in the past, the way I learned English was to listen to the teacher explain to me in class
with Chinese, no one around me spoke to me in English. But now, the teacher teaches in English.
Teachers and classmates communicated with me in English. I started to be able to communicate
with people in English!
For another, before I come to the CELAC, I live in a city with a fast-paced life. I only have to wait a
few minutes at most when I take the bus and subway. So I am a very impatient person, I hate the
feeling of waiting. However, when I want to go somewhere and need to take the bus in the
Albuquerque, I often have to wait half an hour for the bus, sometimes up to an hour. So I learned to
wait, and my patience has gotten a lot better.
Finally, my lifestyle has also changed. In China, I usually skip breakfast, almost every day is a
takeout order. And I often go out for late-night snacks in the evenings, I enjoyed eating barbecue
very much. But when I come to the American, I eat breakfast every day and have also learned to
cook. I can cook different dishes now. Of course, I also broke the habit of going out for a late-night
snack, it is very inconvenient.
Anyway, I have changed a lot after I participated in the CELAC program. I became able to
communicate with people in English, more patient and more independent. I like to be more
independent and brave. I hope we can to be the person we want to be, to have our own life.