B.A Spanish
I am Nkocy Fletcher, a Foreign Language Educator at Bishop’s High School, Tobago. My career in teaching began in September 2018 quite fortuitously, but I am very pleased that I was given that opportunity to impart learning to young Tobagonians at my alma mater. I had never contemplated, upon leaving secondary school, at the age of eighteen (18) years old, that my first occupation would be in the field of education, though I considered it quite possible. However, the opportunity presented itself and as recent university graduate, I could not afford (quite literally) to let the opportunity pass.
At Bishop’s High School, I was exposed to languages under the tutelage of Mr. Cornwall, Mrs. Arnold, Ms Frith, Ms. Dann, and Mrs. James-Stewart and their instruction ignited my passion for foreign languages and fuelled me to pursue tertiary-level studies at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus. There, I read for the B.A Spanish with Minor in International Relations and was able to graduate, thankfully, with First Class Honours. Presently, at twenty-four years (24) old, I am pursuing a Master of Education (Concentration in Curriculum) where it is my hope to positively affect curriculum development especially for foreign language students.
My university studies were funded initially through a loan that my mother was able to secure from a notable Credit Union on the island of Tobago and this enabled me to begin my studies and covered areas such as tuition, accommodation, books and transportation (being a Tobagonian by birth). As I approached the end of my first-year studies, I received a call that would make my academic journey less uncertain, financially. This call came from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and I was notified that I had been conferred with a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Additional Scholarship in Modern Languages (based upon my C.A.P.E performance). I was ecstatic. That call was what I referred to as an “act of God” because thereafter, I was able to secure academic prizes that also boosted my ability to be able to cover all the expenses associated with university life. These were the Sylvan Bowles Bursary and the Republic Bank Prizes for Academic Excellence (for which I was a two-time recipient).
My tenure at the University of the West Indies, was not only one filled with news of impending success but was punctuated with periods of self-doubt and other challenges. I remember distinctly one episode that would forever be etched indelibly in mind.
This episode happened after attending my first Spanish Literature course, one faithful Friday afternoon. I was so overwhelmed with not being able to understand my lecturer (a Spanish Native) given the pace at which he spoke. I wondered whether I could have succeeded at that level and questioned whether God had brought me this far for me to fail. It was in that moment that I remembered one gospel song penned by Vashawn Mitchell “Turning Around For me” and spent the rest of evening pondering on its words and assuring myself that this period of difficulty would be short-lived because God would never have brought me to this situation if he thought I was not prepared.
Support systems are important at the university level and the Almighty God was my chief source of support. It is through faith in him and his mercies that I was able to remain grounded in periods of difficulty and to successfully complete my studies. Additionally, Shirley Fletcher, my mother, was a source of constant reassurance and help during our almost daily telephone conversations and by whose savings I was able to begin my university studies. I must express gratitude to my extended family, my aunts and cousins whose calls were a source of welcomed comfort during extended period of not being able to see them physically and whose pastries and dishes were greatly appreciated in times when I was too busy or fatigued to make myself a meal. My church family (members of the Church of God 7th Day) were another system upon which I relied for support and whose prayers and constant encouragement via messages and calls were always appreciated. Finally my friends at university, so numerous to mention, but especially Lorenzo London, Kern Grant, Kelsey Joyeau, Phillip Joseph, Kimberly Adams and Jonathan Alexander and my other Tobagonian colleagues who provided much needed relief after intense periods of academic devotion.
Languages are fantastic. Languages open you to new worlds, new experiences, and new cultures.
To anyone that is thinking about studying languages, DO IT!
It is just not enough in today’s competitive job environment to be monolingual; instead, one should boost their employability by being able to communicate in multiple languages. Additionally, let no one tell you that languages can only lead you to only one area of endeavour.
Languages can be used in Marketing, Education, Interpreting, Translating and Sports.
Do your best and never let anyone say that you cannot achieve what you have set out to accomplish because it always seems impossible until it is done.
I wish you the best!
Je vous souhaite la meillure!
Les deseo lo mejor!
