Confidence: Key to Learning English and Overcoming Obstacles as an Immigrant

By Norma Fuentes, Intercambio Director of English Programs

The Role of Confidence in Learning English

As an immigrant from Mexico, I know that learning a new language always presents challenges, which can intensify for those facing barriers such as legal status, housing, work, and health. However, there is a crucial factor that can transform this experience: confidence. Feeling welcomed, accepted, and embraced by a community can elevate your confidence and empower you to reach your full potential.

My journey learning English was born from my aspiration to do more for my community beyond physical hard labor. I have faced times of self-doubt and worry about being criticized for my English, fearing it might not be good enough for others. But then I remember how far I have come and all those who have inspired me and shown empathy for my desire for personal growth. People along the way who have believed in me and my potential gave me great confidence, and that will always drive me to continue.

My hope is to inspire others to do the same and to provide a model for our children.

Individual Factors Affecting Confidence

As we all do, each student attending an Intercambio class has their own history and current distractions. Here are a few of the factors that can affect a student’s confidence.

• Past educational experience. Does this student feel like they are smart and capable of learning? Maybe they had a bad or very little previous formal education. Maybe they struggled in school when they were younger.
• Emotional resilience. Do they have an easy time bouncing back from emotional challenges? Or does it sometimes take longer to recover after encountering setbacks or negative people or comments?
• Current positive reinforcements. Does this person have a community or family that is supportive, complimentary, and loving?
• Health conditions. Is this person experiencing temporary or permanent health challenges, perhaps without access to healthcare, affecting their ability to focus or confidence?
• Feeling valued. Does this student feel valued by the world around them? Are they receiving messages that they are not wanted in a job, a house, a country, a community? By keeping these and other factors in mind, we can better understand and support our students’ learning process.

For example, we once had a student who attended Intercambio classes for over six years, starting at Level 1. She left our class because she was being ridiculed and made fun of for taking English classes and not learning fast enough. It broke our hearts to see her go, knowing the immense potential she had.

She stayed away for some time but eventually returned, realizing that her desire to speak and read English was stronger than the negativity she faced. She acknowledged that while some people wouldn’t support her personal growth, there would always be others who saw her true value.

After this transformative experience, she began to share openly with others that she was taking English classes. Her courage and perseverance encouraged others, and it paid off! Today, she is a successful business owner who has completely blossomed in the food industry. Her journey is a testament to the power of confidence and the incredible things that can happen when we believe in ourselves and pursue our dreams, no matter the obstacles.

As teachers and supporters, we can’t know what struggles English learners face, so it is vital that we encourage and inspire confidence in Intercambio students.

The Importance of a Supportive Environment

Joining any new community is just plain hard. It can take a lot of emotional energy just to navigate a new neighborhood, school, or workplace, not to mention a new country. Immigrants might feel insecure for many reasons when they move to a new place. They may feel unsure of how to act in social situations, confused by new government processes, unwelcome, or even unsafe. Finding a place where you feel welcomed and accepted can make a huge difference in building confidence and learning English more easily.

Intercambio takes a relationship-first approach to English language, giving teachers and students opportunities to learn from each other. Immigrants are the experts in their own lives and their own experiences. They have so much to give and teach. Our connection-based curriculum is designed to build confidence and support English learners.

Communities, educational centers, and organizations that offer an inclusive and supportive environment create a safe space for immigrants. In these places, emotional and social support reinforces confidence, facilitating the learning of English and other skills necessary to integrate and thrive in the new society.

For me, Intercambio has been such a place. Here, I gained the confidence to prove that I can learn a new language. At Intercambio, doors have opened to me, showing not only what is possible, but also motivating me to encourage others.

Being an Example for Our Children

I remember the first time I attended one of my daughter’s parent-teacher conferences after learning English. I turned to her and said, “I can understand your teacher!” The pride I felt in that moment was immense, not just for myself but also for my daughter, who smiled with pride, too.

Children observe and learn from their parents’ actions. By facing fears and working on the confidence to learn English, parents not only improve their own lives but also inspire their children. Showing them that it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve goals reinforces the idea that with effort and determination, they can achieve any objective.

Through my journey, whenever I encountered someone who was patient with my English or encouraged me, I felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude. Those moments reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this journey and that there were people who saw my efforts and wanted to help me succeed.

Confidence is a vital component in learning English for immigrants. Overcoming obstacles such as legal status, housing, work, and health is easier when you have a supportive environment. By strengthening confidence and serving as role models, immigrants not only improve their future but also that of our children and community, demonstrating that dreams can come true with effort, perseverance, and a support team.

Teach or learn with Intercambio! If Norma’s story inspires you, we invite you to become a volunteer teacher or join our English classes.