Elvis Lojano 

Kevin Kudic

English 110

09/28/2025

                                                            The start of a new world 

      Soccer’s popularity and outrageous atmosphere has always been an engaging experience in our family to enjoy and watch. Bringing us together as well as teaching my family lessons: don’t celebrate too early and have faith till the end even if things seem impossible. Since a very young age I have always enjoyed watching soccer or as I call it “footy”. The love and admiration towards soccer has helped me master English as a secondary language and play soccer itself. As a Hispanic, I was taught Spanish. Going into elementary school I was forced to learn English at any cost due to communication and education expectations. 

       At the start of kindergarten, I met classmates who had common interests. We all interacted with one another, but our language barrier was an issue for me, as I really didn’t understand English as much and couldn’t speak it properly yet. As time went on, my English became decently better in understanding. One morning during class, I overheard my classmates discussing their games they needed to play, which was every Saturday in a local team they played in. That same afternoon I came rushing home to tell my parents if I also could join the team even though I never played before. The first day of practice was roughly one of the hardest days I’ve been in because my classmates weren’t the same as in school, it was much different. Once again, the language barrier was preventing me from fitting in with the rest. I felt left out but that never stopped me from trying to do what I love. I always had my mom’s support no matter how complicated stuff got. Each day of practice I understood the basic instructions and communication words I needed to know in English. Phrases like “man on”, ”pass“, etc. Little by little without knowing it, I began to master English. From phrases to complete sentences I managed to master English as a second language. All to improve my communication in a sport I really love and idolized since a young age. 

  But not everything was pretty and fun. Along the process, I felt like I didn’t fit in. The thoughts of not being able to speak the same language as everyone else led to wanting to quit and no longer show up to practice, just how I felt in school when my English wasn’t very good. No matter the issue, I chose to face my problems and practice when I had a chance by myself so I could improve and become an expert and master the language and the skills of the sport . At the age of 8 my English was perfectly fine as well as improving my soccer skills because I was always a passionate player when it came to the sport. At that time becoming one of the best players of the team. It was such an accomplishment for me, since two years ago I knew nothing compared to what my other teammates already did.I no longer felt that I had to fit in. I felt like an example of someone that never gave up and always pushed to do best. 

       To this day, I play soccer on a daily basis and use my communication skills to communicate with my classmates, teammates, and my elders for anything that’s needed. I have become a person who depends on communication skills in order for me to be successful and anything I want to do or learn. I went from a kid who didn’t know anything about what he wanted to someone who knows what he wants in the future through learning new stuff and building a strong personality and character. Like my parents say, it’s never a good idea to give up on dreams because not everyone starts at the same time and not everyone finishes at the same time. Everyone succeeds at different times.