You might expect that staff at a newspaper are pros when it comes to the English language.
I mean, we literally get paid to communicate.
But for me, English isn’t my first language.
I started learning it when I was 7, but I didn’t really use it much until I moved to the States at 21 from China.
I wrote my undergraduate thesis in Chinese, and when I went to graduate school as a future designer, I didn’t practice writing in English that much either.
Luckily, my title is designer, not reporter, so our readers and editors only have to tolerate my grammar and vocabulary mistakes every now and then.
So the fact that you’re reading this story right now is thanks to my professional and word-loving colleagues. Before it reached you, editors have already read and helped to rewrite it countless times.
My English-learning journey is still very much ongoing, and I get help from all of my colleagues every day. My English learning truly benefits from working at The Item.
I visualize our reporters’ stories, and through that, I learn not just the language but also the culture. Their stories always reach me fully polished and ready to publish. I don’t sit in the reporter’s chair, so I can’t tell you exactly how much effort goes into each piece — but I see it: the meetings, the phone calls, the endless interviews. Sometimes they go back to a recording over and over again, just to find the perfect quote. And as I read their stories, I grow — fast.
I’ve also learned a lot from laying out Page 1. Every weekday, we have a traditional afternoon “in front of the screen” meeting to discuss it. You might spend five seconds reading a headline, but my boss, editors, and reporters could spend 20 minutes debating whether to use “unveil” or “reveal.” I don’t always catch the subtle differences between words like that, but I love watching these language experts polish every detail. Those small moments — those subtle choices — are what make our paper shine. And my vocabulary quietly grows right alongside them.
One thing I love about The Item is that we’re all encouraged to wear multiple hats and try new things.
One of the graphic designers, Matteo Valente, isn’t just great at visual storytelling — he’s also a talented lifestyle writer. He’s interviewed local artists in Lynn, written their stories beautifully, and helped them promote their work.
Art Director Sam Deeb majored in design and marketing, but now he knows AP Style inside and out and always jumps in to save the day when pages need editing fast.
I’ve grown quickly surrounded by these hardworking and brilliant colleagues. They’ve taught me not only English, but also patience, consistency, and the spirit of never stopping, never settling.
And even now, at lunchtime, I still need their help — not with grammar this time, but with deciding what kind of cheese or spaghetti to order.
Honestly, I just feel lucky that my career started here at The Item, surrounded by people who teach me something new every single day — in English and in life.
