While writing my introductory letter, I was reminded of how my transition to the United States was as well as my experience learning the language. Every time I try to remember my struggles, I become more persistent and at the same time have the desire to achieve more goals in my life. I really believe that every situation that happens to you, shapes you in different ways. Coming to this country without speaking English and be able to overcome the language barrier made me realize how determined I am. Knowing I was able to overcome the struggle of learning English, I know I am able to overcome any challenges that my classes in college might present.

Writing the introductory letter was beneficial for me because I used it as a reflection about what I want to do with my life. During my writing process I created to drafts. I printed the first draft and I went to the PAL center so that an English tutor could check it. I meet once a week with my English tutor so he can give me feedback on my writing assignments. When my tutor was revising my paper, he told me that I needed to move the paragraphs in order for the paper to sound much better. The structure of my paper was developed as follows; first paragraph I introduced myself with my name and how I struggled learning English. In the second paragraph, I mentioned the goals that I want to achieve. In the third paragraph, I started giving a little story of how my passion for medicine started and why I decided to major in Biology. In the last paragraph  I mentioned how the English for the Science course can facilitate me to achieve my goals. When my tutor told me to move my paragraphs he also revised my grammar mistakes. After I rearranged my paragraphs and edited my paper I printed another draft. I went once again to another English tutor to check my paper and get more feedback. I read my paper silently one more time before submitting my paper.

When I was writing the letter I had my audience very present in my mind. I was trying to make the letter as detailed as possible so my audience would have a greater understanding of who I am. In the process of writing this paper I felt very comfortable and successful when I was describing my goals. I really knew what I was going to write the first time the prompt was assigned. I felt successful when I was writing the letter because I wanted to let my professor understand how I struggled learning the language since, I come from another country. If my professor notices that I made a grammar mistake or I did not address my argument in an understable way, he will understand that English is not my first language. I decided to tell my struggle with English because I see that this class will help me to improve my writing skills. Improving my writing skills will make it easier for me to obtain internships in the future.

There are two course learning outcomes that I feel that I addressed when I was writing this assignment. The first learning outcome is, “ Enhance strategies for reading, drafting, revising, editing, and self-assessment”. The second learning outcome is “ Negotiate your own writing goals and audience expectations regarding conventions of genre, medium and rhetorical situation”. I addressed the first learning outcome when I made two drafts in order to revise it and have my tutor take a look at it. I addressed the second learning outcome when I followed the outline and the questions that my audience( professor) asked me to respond. Knowing the learning outcomes that I addressed in this class will help me to improve my writing process and follow my professor’s expectations.

I really liked the introductory letter assignment because it gave me an opportunity to introduce myself to my professor and let him know what I want to gain from his class. I think every professor should give this assignment in order to meet their students and see every student’s expectation about the class. Although professor get to know the students when they participate in class by, assigning them an introductory letter will help the professor know their ups and downs and the goals that they want to achieve. Writing an introductory letter makes students realize that their professor really care about them.