contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

mario perez“Take the Test in Spanish!”iwas studying English at the Aguilar Library Center for two years. I learned tospeak, read and write in English, a little bit every day. At the same time, I wasworking in a restaurant as a salad man.One day, my boss asked me about the Food Protection course. I did notanswer. He told me that I had to pass that test if I wanted to keep my job. For oneweek, I was so scared that I did not know what to do.I searched on the Internet and found many practice tests. I studied veryhard. I took 15 practice quizzes over many weeks and months at the library. Iworked by myself. Sometimes my tutor helped me understand the questions.Sometimes I figured it out by myself. Finally, I decided that I was ready for thereal test.The day arrived. When I was in the testing room, I saw people from manycountries. The proctor was standing in front of the room talking about the test.He asked everyone to decide which language they wanted to take the test in,English or Spanish. Most people said English.He handed me the examination in Spanish. I told him I wanted to takethe test in English because I had been practicing in English for many months. Hesuggested that I take the test in Spanish.He told me thatI said again, “Please give me the test inEnglish.”I had to pass theThe man shouted at me. “You areTEST if I wantedHispanic, aren’t you? Take the test inSpanish!”TO keep my job.I was so scared and nervous becausethe man shouted at me and everyone was looking at me. He looked very angry.“Okay,” he said, “ I am going to give you the test in English, but you have to moveto another place in the room.”I looked around me. I was surrounded by American people. I thought,Finding Encouragement97mario perez