When Francisco and his family move from Mexico to California in The Circuit, one of the biggest challenges they face is learning English. At home Francisco speaks Spanish with his parents and siblings, but in school it's all about knowing English and feeling confident with it. Speaking English also comes up when his family is trying to find work. In other words, every time they leave their house, English comes into the communication equation. With few people willing to help Francisco learn English, though, he's got his work cut out for him.
Questions About Language and Communication
- What causes language barriers in The Circuit? How do the characters work around these barriers? Are they ever impossible to break down?
- How is learning to communicate in English important for Francisco?
- Which non-verbal communication skills crop up in this book? How do they impact the communities we see?
Chew on This
Verbal communication is key. In The Circuit, Francisco needs to learn to talk in English just so he can fit in.
Communication comes in all shapes and sizes, and in The Circuit, Francisco finds all sorts of ways to get in touch with those around him.