Carmen does not know English, but all of her classmates do. Carmen feels sad and alone because she does not understand the kids, and they do not understand her. Some of them make fun of her accent. She points out that they also have an accent.

Carmen teaches her little sister Lupita English, and she teaches the kids at school Español, solamente un poquito. Su maestra, Sra. Csoki, enseña Inglés. Carmen aprende los palabras en Inglés: bathroom (el baño), yellow (amarillo), please (por favor), y good morning (buenos días). Carmen es muy feliz para las linguas Español y Inglés. 

Carmen Learns English by Judy Cox, 2010

We have ESOL classes at the Grand Concourse Library, and I am glad that so many Bronxites are devoted to learning English in order to make their lives easier. 60% of Bronx residents are Hispanic, and my Spanish has definitely improved over the last seven years.

• Judy Cox's web site
• English as a Second Language books
• Mango Languages database