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There are hundreds or perhaps thousands of languages that people use to communicate in the world. Every country has at least one language and often several languages that their people speak. As much as I admire the beauty and sounds of other languages I am so thankful that I know English. I am grateful that I can read, write and communicate with others using this great language.

I probably love English so much because it is the first and only language I have ever been taught. Perhaps everyone in the world feels as proud of their language as I do of English. I hope everyone loves studying and learning new things about their native tongue like I do about English. My language has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. When I was young I loved hearing English spoken around me and to me by my parents and older siblings. As I grew, I loved learning new sounds and new words to speak. There was nothing quite like those early years of learning to read English, however. I would ask my parents to sit with me for hours on end while I poured over any book I could get my hands on. I would struggle through sounds and words until I could get them just right.

Knowing English has given me the great privilege of learning new things. Throughout my school years and into my adult years I have become a person who constantly has books checked out of my local library. I have a stack of books on my nightstand just waiting to be read. I even love to read the English dictionary to learn new words that I have never heard or spoken before. I guess the sky is the limit when it comes to what I can learn because I know English. I simply cannot imagine my life without the abilities I have to read, write, think and speak in English.

I have grown to become really appreciative of the education I received as a child. In many countries around the world education is not valued very highly. A lot of countries only teach boys to read or write their language. Can you imagine the United States if none of our women knew how to read or write English? I cannot. Everything about our culture would be different. Women would be kept from doing most professions or from establishing their identity apart from men. As a woman, I am so glad that I grew up with the ability to learn English just like the men.

I hope all of you reading this will learn to appreciate English like I have. Do not take your understanding for granted, but let your English skills lead you to learn about all there is to know in the world. And, if you're daring, you could even start learning another great language.