Storming the Gates of Grammar

Published: April 13, 2021

GU's Michael Gonzalez tells thestory of a 16-year-old boy in Guanajuato,Mexico, who refused to let tough economiccircumstances destroy his vision for a betterfuture.

A costly visa to the U.S. was outof the question, but he felt hopeful whenhe connected with a coyotea smugglerpaid to guide undocumented immigrantsover the border. The boy crossed nearTijuana. After a treacherous week lost inthe surrounding hills and canyons withlittle more than the clothes on his backand a container of water at his side, doubtovertook him. When the opportunity arose,he hitched a ride back to the border andreturned to Guanajuato.

Later, he tried a second time and succeeded.Connections led him to Chicago, where hesecured work at a supermarket. Each nighthe prepared for the next day by washing theone shirt he owned and hanging it to dryover the tub. His first paycheck went towarda T-shirt, underwear, pants and a haircut.

The boy, now all grown up, will addanother chapter to this story next May whenhis son Michael, a first generation universitystudent, graduates from GreenvilleUniversity with a major in Spanisheducation.

Michaels dad gained legal residence underthe Immigration Reform and Control Actof 1986. Michaels mothera native ofGuadalajara, Jalisco, Mexicosecured a visawhen she was 24. To Michael, they modeleddetermination and bravery in their youthand dedication and self-sacrifice as parents.

What was the hardest part about leavingMexico? Michael once asked his mother.

Having to adapt to the language, she said.

Michael has made it his business to helpothers push through language barriers. Thisyear, he began teaching a class in GU's University Pathways program, an intensiveEnglish language course that preparesstudents for university-level skills.

All of my students are from China, saysMichael, who counts it a privilege to buildrelationships as he teaches. At Level 1,students limited skills often mask bolddreams and plans they cannot fully express.At Level 5, however, confidence to detailtheir desires takes hold.

Michael knows that words and sentences arethe building blocks of conversations, andconversations are the basis for relationships.Its hard for him to imagine Jesus teachingin Matthew 25 to welcome the strangerwithout conversation being part of theprocess.

This is something we all need to do becauseit is what we are called to do, says Michael.We need to experience new things andlearn from others because at the end of theday, it prepares us for what is to come.

And, what is to come?

Michael quotes Revelation: A greatmultitude that no one could number, fromevery nation, from all tribes and peoples andlanguages, standing before the throne andbefore the Lamb, clothed in white robes,with palm branches in their hands.

His ready response dignifies the daily drill oftenses, pronouns and pronunciation. It givesa glimpse of language at its fullest.

Hear Michael share his journey and inspirations:

A version of this story originally appeared in theSummer 2019 RECORD.

University Pathways

Quantum Leap

Teaching English as a Second Language - MA

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