Loyan Learns English

    By Saida

    Loyan Learns English cover image

    01 Dec, 2023

    a young boy with a backpack on a street with other children walking by him and a building in the background

    Once upon a time, in the vibrant city of Mogadishu, Somalia, lived a 2-year-old boy named Loyan. Loyan was a curious little boy who loved to explore the world around him. He was eager to learn English and his family was more than willing to help him.

    a woman sitting at a desk with a book and a notebook in front of her and another woman standing behind her

    Every morning, Loyan's babysitter Vera would come over. Vera was a patient and kind lady who was fluent in English. She would bring her bag full of books, flashcards, and games to make learning fun for Loyan.

    a young girl and a young boy sitting at a table with a notebook and pen in their hands and a bowl of cereal in front of them

    Vera started teaching Loyan the names of different fruits in English. She would show him a flashcard with a picture of a fruit and then say its name. Loyan would giggle and try to repeat the word, his little tongue tripping over the unfamiliar sounds.

    a woman and a child are standing in a living room together, one is wearing a blue and yellow outfit

    Loyan's favorite fruit was the banana, or as he learned to say, "banana". He would clap his hands in joy every time he correctly identified the yellow fruit. Vera was delighted with his progress and encouraged him to learn more.

    two women sitting on a chair next to each other holding a book in their hands and smiling at the camera

    In the afternoons, Loyan's aunt Anisa would visit. Anisa was a jovial woman who loved to tell stories. She would sit Loyan on her lap and weave tales of far-off lands, always incorporating the new English words Loyan was learning.

    a woman and a child are sitting on a rug reading a book together in a room with bookshelves

    Anisa would make up stories about a magical apple tree or a mischievous orange monkey. Loyan would listen with wide-eyed wonder, soaking up the new words and the rhythm of the English language.

    two children in colorful clothing standing in front of a basket of fruit on a table in a room with a window

    One day, Anisa brought a basket full of fresh fruits from the market. Loyan was excited to see all the fruits he had been learning about. He started pointing at them and trying to name them in English.

    a couple of kids standing next to each other holding an apple and an apple slice in their hands,

    "Apple!" Loyan exclaimed, pointing at the shiny red fruit. Anisa laughed and clapped her hands, "Very good, Loyan! You're becoming quite the English expert!" Loyan beamed with pride at his aunt's praise.

    a couple of kids standing next to each other in a room with a book shelf and a stove top oven

    Over the next few weeks, Loyan learned more fruits - grapes, mango, pineapple, watermelon, and many more. He enjoyed the challenge and the new words rolled off his tongue with increasing ease.

    a woman sitting on a couch with two children in front of her and a basket of eggs on the floor

    Soon, Loyan could name all the fruits in the basket in English. His family was amazed at how quickly he was learning. They praised him for his efforts and Loyan felt proud of his achievement. It was the beginning of his journey into the English language, a journey filled with fun, fruits, and lots of laughter.