By Nelson Baguma Greetings, I'm Nelson Baguma from Kampala, Uganda. My educational journey, like that of many immigrants, navigates through diverse landscapes—beginning in the vibrant classrooms of Kampala and eventually finding its way to the bustling hallways of an American high school. This journey isn't just mine; it mirrors the experiences of countless non-native English speakers striving for success in unfamiliar educational terrains.
When I was five, my school journey started at Profla Primary School in Kampala, Uganda. School in Uganda is quite different from the U.S. Instead of jumping straight into grades, kids go through three years of kindergarten, which mixes fun activities with learning. It’s like a warm-up for school, designed to make kids curious and excited about learning.
After kindergarten, you dive into primary school, which lasts seven years. The first few years are super important because that’s when you learn the basics of English and Math. These are the building blocks for everything else you learn later. The idea is simple: get really good at the basics so that harder stuff makes sense later on. It’s like building a strong house—you need a solid foundation.
When I moved to the U.S. at 17, I realized school here works very differently. For immigrants and kids learning English as a second language (ESL), school can feel like being thrown into the deep end of a pool. Instead of starting with basics, students are often put in classes based on their age. Imagine being asked to write essays or read Shakespeare when you’re still figuring out how to write proper sentences or do basic math. It’s tough!
While the system means well, it sometimes skips over teaching the basics. This can make it hard for students to catch up or feel confident in their learning.
This is where technology comes to the rescue! Today’s tech tools, like learning apps, online videos, and fun educational games, can be a huge help. They let students learn at their own speed. If someone needs more time to master the basics, they can use these tools to catch up before moving on to harder stuff.
For kids like me who moved to a new country or are learning a new language, tech can make a big difference. These tools can fill in the gaps, helping students build the strong foundation they might have missed. And it’s not just about language—technology can also bring in stories and lessons from different cultures, making school more exciting and inclusive for everyone.
Looking back, I’m so grateful for the strong start I got in Uganda. It taught me how important it is to learn the basics first. My experience shows why it’s so important to help students, especially immigrants and non-native speakers, start with a strong foundation.
By using technology, we can make learning fairer and easier for everyone. Tech can help teachers and students work together to make sure no one gets left behind. It’s like giving everyone the tools to build their own strong house of knowledge.
The future of learning is all about adapting and making education better for every student. With tech on our side, we can create schools that celebrate everyone’s differences and give every kid a chance to succeed. Let’s make learning fun, fair, and full of opportunities for everyone!