Amanda E.

Valdivia

3/17/2024

Los Angeles Pacific University

ENGLISH 420: Language Acquisition Autobiography

 In my earliest years, speaking and being spoken to were fundamental aspects of my

development and daily interactions. From the cooing conversations with my parents to the

playful exchanges with siblings and relatives, verbal communication formed the cornerstone of

my early social interactions. As a product of divorced parents, I vividly remember language and

communication being different in each home. One particularly memorable aspect of my early

language development was the bedtime stories my mother would read to me. Some nights, before

going to bed, I would eagerly await the soothing sound of my mother’s voice telling tales of

adventure, imagination, and wonder. These instances not only ignited my passion for books and

storytelling but also instilled in me a profound reverence for the influence of language and

literature since early childhood.

My mother prioritized language and literacy in various ways, placing a strong emphasis

on communication skills, in both English and Spanish, and the value of reading. Speaking

Spanish and English in my home at a young age offered numerous benefits, ranging from

cognitive and academic advantages to cultural enrichment and stronger familial ties. It had

equipped me as a child with valuable skills and perspectives to prepare for success in an

increasingly interconnected and diverse world. My room specifically, was always filled with

books, ranging from classic children's stories to educational materials. My mother encouraged

regular reading habits by providing access to a diverse array of books and fostering a supportive

environment where curiosity and exploration were celebrated. My mother would take my brother

and I to the library and also supply us with funds to use at our school scholastic book fairs.
 Although my mother fostered a sense of encouragement and delightfulness when

involving communication, my father was quite the opposite. Living in a verbally abusive home is

like walking on eggshells every day. The constant barrage of insults, yelling, and criticism

creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety that never seems to dissipate. I feel like I'm always on

edge, never knowing when the next verbal attack will come. The words spoken to me cut deep,

leaving wounds that are not visible but hurt just as much. Each derogatory remark chips away at

my self-esteem, leaving me feeling small and worthless. I begin to believe the negative things

that are said about me, internalizing them until they become a part of how I see

myself.Communication becomes a challenge in this environment. I find myself hesitant to speak

up or express my thoughts and feelings, fearing that they will only be met with ridicule or

dismissal. It's easier to stay silent, to avoid drawing attention to myself and inviting further

criticism.

Growing up in this environment, my vocabulary feels limited at times. I struggle to

express myself clearly, stumbling over words and phrases as I try to articulate what I'm feeling.

Conversations become a minefield, with every word carefully chosen to avoid setting off another

round of verbal abuse. I thrive in my ability to express myself through journaling, when I can

examine my thoughts prior to verbalizing them.

Overall, living in a verbally abusive home can profoundly impact your emotional well-

being and linguistic development. It can create lasting scars that affect your self-esteem,

communication skills, and ability to form healthy relationships(Sylvestre, Audette & Bussières,

Eve-Line & Bouchard, Caroline, 2015). Seeking support from trusted individuals, therapy, and

interventions aimed at promoting emotional healing and healthy communication can be crucial in
overcoming the effects of verbal abuse. I’m blessed to have a mother who incorporated open-

communication and therapy into my early childhood, as well as encouraging me to continue to

seek therapy into my adulthood.

Upon contemplation of these experiences, I come to understand the significant influence

they've exerted on shaping my connection with language and communication. From the earliest

moments of my childhood, speaking, being spoken to, and engaging with books and stories were

integral components of my upbringing, laying the foundation for a lifelong journey of learning

and discovery. As mentioned before, language in an abusive home can profoundly impact a

child's language and literacy development, leading to difficulties in vocabulary acquisition,

expression, social interaction, self-esteem, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. It

highlights the necessity of offering assistance, intervention, and secure surroundings to children

enduring abuse, in order to alleviate the enduring impact on their language and literacy

abilities(Sylvestre, Audette & Bussières, Eve-Line & Bouchard, Caroline, 2015).

Growing up in a calm, loving home with healthy communication and a love for books

likely nurtured my own passion for learning and literacy. The positive language model such as

my mother and enriching verbal interactions with her, sparked my interest in teaching children of

the same background due to relatedness and compassion for children alike. Being raised in a

household that revered books and esteemed reading likely instilled within me a profound

recognition of literature's ability to educate, motivate, and profoundly impact lives.

As a teacher, I will strive to share this love for books with my own students, creating engaging

literacy-rich environments where reading is celebrated and storytelling is always encouraged, as

my mother encouraged it in my home.

My own struggles with communication and self-esteem stemming from verbal abuse

could motivate me to become a teacher who actively promotes positive communication skills and

fosters a sense of confidence and self-worth in my students. I plan to prioritize activities and

discussions that encourage open dialogue, active listening, and constructive feedback, helping

my students develop the tools to navigate interpersonal relationships and express themselves

effectively. I believe witnessing both healthy and un-healthy communication and loving

relationships in my family may have shaped my understanding of the importance of positive

interpersonal connections in a learning environment. I plan to aim to create a classroom

community characterized by trust, cooperation, and mutual respect, where my students feel

emotionally supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

 References:

I. Sylvestre, Audette & Bussières, Eve-Line & Bouchard, Caroline. (2015). Language

Problems Among Abused and Neglected Children: A Meta-Analytic Review. Child

Maltreatment. 21. 10.1177/1077559515616703.