Diversity - Lone Star College

For more information, call 281-312-1578 or go to Kingwood.LoneStar.eduDiversity: The Intensive English Program Newsletter is published once a semester.

DiversityThe Intensive English Program Newsletter Volume 7, No. 2, Fall 2008

Contents

Why I Need English ............... 1

This I Believe ............... 4

What I Like Most About the U.S. ............... 8

What I Live Most About My Country .............12

An Inspiration in My Life .............16

ESOL Faculty Profile .............20

An Unforgettable Childhood Memory .............21

ESOL Schedule Spring 2009 ..... 22–24

Why I Need English

Editor's Note: The Intensive English (ESOL) Program at Lone Star College - Kingwood was founded in August 2001 to help immigrant and international students living in the community to learn and improve their English. One of the goals of the ESOL Program is to promote intercultural understanding and diversity on campus and in the community. Diversity: The ESOL Student Newsletter plays an important role towards this goal. This issue of the Diversity has several themes. This I Believe, inspired by a program of the same title on the National Public Radio; Why I need English, What I Like Most about the US; An Inspiration in My Life; What I Like Most about My Country. I hope you will enjoy reading these great stories. If you have any comments about the newsletter, please e-mail Masoud Shafiei at [email protected].

Anhthu Le Jackson, Vietnam, Writing - Advanced English is a very popular language. Many countries around the world are using English to communicate. I live in the U.S. where English is the main language. I want to improve my English so I can go to college. I want to be better in communication and be more confident when I speak English. Before I can get into college, the first thing I need to do is improve my English because I have to pass an entrance test. Second, I cannot do well in class if I do not understand the teacher. Besides that, I have to be able to read and write fluently so I can study from books and do homework. I remember the time when I first came here. My English was terrible; I could not speak, listen or write well in English. My husband helped me translate it. I could not do anything by myself. I felt so useless. Now I am able to do everything by myself. I feel more confident than ever when I speak English. Even though it is better than before, I still want to improve my English so I can reach my goals and have a better life in the future.

Blanca Gladys Moreno, Colombia, Writing - AdvancedIn my life I have made some changes to get the best opportunities. When I decided to leave my country, the principal purpose was to change my professional life. I met new challenges, and the most important was learning the new language. Twenty-five years ago I arrived in this country. I had a student visa and studied English for one and a half years, but then, unfortunately, my savings were depleted and I had to look for a job. Because of my student status I could not find a job in a big company. I took a job in a small place, but there I did not use my knowledge of English, and I did not practice it. My life took a big change, but my goal was not to give in. I felt frustrated, but the only person that could make the change was I. It was time to make a major change. I made a new decision; I had to change jobs, and the only way was to begin studying again.Presently, I have a good job. I can realize my goals, and I have new challenges. However, if I want to progress in this country, I have to improve my English further. To be a good professional, in my case, I can say knowledge of another language is very important and it puts me in a good position. I can also show to myself that when I have challenges, I can progress. I feel I am attaining my goals. With skills in English, I have many opportunities for the best jobs.

Why I Need English

Fany Castillo, El Salvador, Writing - AdvancedTo learn and to improve the English language is hard for various reasons. Many students of ESOL have to work; on top of that, some of them are working mothers. So they must go to work, go to school, and, in whatever free time they have, they must study. With such a lifestyle, it is easy to feel exhausted. There are moments that you feel like you want to leave everything, you want to quit. In those moments the remembrance of an innocent, sweet smile from my children fills me with strength, and I remember that I have reasons to improve my English and carry on with the accomplishment of my goals. The first reason for which I need to improve my English is to have good communication skills and understanding in my daily life. It is so necessary to communicate well. For example, what would happen if I had a meeting with my children's teachers and I did not understand what they said? The second reason I need to improve my English is because I want to earn a college degree. Now classes are taught in English; therefore, I must learn the language well to be able to present myself at college level. Finally, the most important reason for improving my English is that my kids are watching me; their eyes are upon me. Whether I succeed or fail, they will be watching me, and they will learn either to fail or to succeed. To sign up for a class is the easiest thing. To continue until the end is a challenge that I must surpass.Learning English has been hard, and it might get even harder, but I do it with love, and I love to learn and to improve my English. Because I have goals to achieve, improving my English is just the first step of the journey. If I ever want to get anywhere in life, I must take that step towards my goals, give my best, and get the best out of it. These are the reasons why I need to improve my English'.

Gudelia Cavero, Peru, Writing - AdvancedI am currently enrolled in my last level as an ESOL student at Lone Star College - Kingwood. Students like me who want to improve their future life have found some advantages from learning English such as better jobs, better lifestyle and retirement.Studying will permit me to get a better job. It is well-known that immigrants who study English will move up quickly in the workplace. For example, I came here ten years ago, and I had never studied English. Then I enrolled in the first level of ESOL classes at Lone Star- Kingwood. At that time I was working cleaning offices. Now I have a better job. Although I have a good job, I would like to finish my actual certificate in international business.Improving my job skills would give me a better lifestyle. I know that studying is hard, but I will get a better job and, consequently, a great lifestyle. For instance, with a good income, I would buy a new house. In addition, this will also enhance my social status around my workplace.Finally, if I continue studying, I will retire healthy and comfortably. With a better job I will have more money to save for that time. Perhaps I can even travel and enjoy visiting family, friends and other places. In sum, I am sure that I will get a good job, lifestyle, and comfortable retirement if I finish my ESOL and other English classes.

Margarita Flores, Puerto Rico, Writing - AdvancedI feel that living in the United States is a privilege, and residing here, one should learn to speak, read, and write the English language as much as possible. By using English, I can succeed in this country in multiple ways. First, I can achieve greater success in my career goals, which is a requirement of many employers. I can communicate better in all aspects of everyday life: for example, in the grocery store, the bank, or handling any telephone business without difficulties. Also, by learning English better I can go much further in school with my educational goals. My most important reason for learning to be proficient in English is that I will truly be bilingual, which is an accomplishment that many people do not ever achieve. By learning the English language, I can be proficient in English and Spanish. This will make me proud of myself, which is my ultimate goal.

Jesus Ortega, Mexico, Writing - AdvancedWhen I first came from my native country to the USA, I challenged myself to learn the English language. Being in the United States has been the most beautiful experience I have had in my life. The reason why I had to improve my English was because I wanted to succeed in this country professionally, and in order to study in this country you have to know English - the language that is spoken in the US. I also wanted to learn English because I wanted to communicate with the American people and people of other cultures who know English. Knowing English is fun, and it also opens the door for the people who want to improve their lives because it facilitates the communication with American people.

Lucia Juarez, Mexico, Writing - AdvancedI want to be a fashion and merchandise designer. That has been my dream since I was ten, but in this country it is hard to go to college if you do not speak and write correct English. The grammar is so hard and confusing to understand for native speakers, and it is even harder for us -- non-native speakers. But nothing is impossible when you really want to be someone important in this life. When I came to the United States for the first time, I was sixteen. I did not speak English, so I went to high school but did not learn the language like I needed to. That is why I am improving my English now. Sometimes it is hard for me to go to college because I have twins, and they go to school. I have to help them with their homework, and I have to do mine, too. Sometimes I go to bed late from doing my homework, and I have to get up early to go to work; but if you want to be someone in this life, you have to sacrifice. I hope one day my dream comes true and I will be a fashion and merchandise designer. I just ask God for good health and a job, and I will work so hard improving my English to make my dream come true. I know that if I have a good future, my daughters will have a better one, too. I believe in myself because my twins love me, and that is the most important thing.

Petra Castrejon, Mexico, Oral Communication - High BeginningI’m a student at Kingwood College. I need to improve my English to get a better job.I don’t want to use any interpreter when I call the doctor or when I have to answer the telephone. I have lost many opportunities because I don’t speak English very well.

Why I Need English

Maria Flores, Mexico, Writing - AdvancedThe English language has existed since the colonists arrived in America. They brought their language and their culture, too. English is the official language of the United States. For immigrants, knowing the language gives the best opportunity to progress in this country.Many jobs pay more money to people who speak two or more languages. When they speak and write English, they receive the best promotions in their jobs to positions such as president, vice president, manager, supervisor or other leaders of the companies, stores or businesses. Also, some businesses prefer people who speak and write in both Spanish and English because in most of these businesses many of the customers are Hispanics. That is why it is very important to learn more than one language because it is easier to find a good job, especially in this country. In addition, I need to improve my English because I have two children, and sometimes I need to help them with their homework or I need to read some notes which their teachers send to me. For example, one day one of my kids had a problem on the bus, and the bus driver sent a note to me; she explained the problem in that little note, but I couldn't read it because my English was very poor. Also, English is very important when attending the meetings with their teachers or going on class trips with them. When my kids were young, I didn't understand the language very well, but now I can, which makes the trips and games I attend more fun. However, I still need more and more English in my daily life.In conclusion, in this country the English language is the official language, but there are millions of immigrants who arrive here without the knowledge of the English language even though we need to speak English in our jobs and the schools. That is why I need to improve my English very well. I hope one day I will be a good speaker and a good writer as well.

Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, Mexico, Oral Communication - High Beginning For me, not knowing is a barrier that limits my possibilities to advance and improve my future. In my country, there are very good offers and options to continue enhancing a person's education, but knowing English is a requirement to succeed. My goal is to break this language barrier and reach beyond where my eyes can’t see. With the help of my teachers at Kingwood College, the Penn family, my classmates and the people of this nation, I will certainly achieve it!

Emelda Cartagena, Honduras, Oral Communication - High BeginningI need to improve my English because I want to help my children with their homework. I want to have better jobs and I want to be an example for my family. It’s very important for me. If I am bilingual, I can get more opportunities in my life. I’m so happy to study English in this college. I think I’ll be able to help some people later to learn English.

Yris Herrera, Venezuela, Oral Communication - High Beginning I want to speak English because I need to communicate with other people. My first language is Spanish. I come from Venezuela. I have lived in Houston for two years. My husband and my daughters speak English and so do all my neighbors. I need to improve my English for my future and my family’s, and to be able to serve this country.

Quynh Pham, Vietnam, Writing - AdvancedWhy do I want to improve my English? There are several reasons. First, English is considered to be the most common and important language of the world today. A great number of people understand and use English in every part of the world. Before, English was spoken mainly in England, America, and Australia, but now it is spoken in many countries. Especially in my country, Vietnam, English is known as a second language. We do not speak English as a first language or in normal communication, but we do have to learn English at school. It is one of eleven main subjects. The second reason to improve my English is that English helps us to widen our knowledge. Most of the books are written in English. Moreover, with knowledge of English we can travel anywhere. Being good at English, we can go to other countries to exchange cultures. We can learn more about others and let them learn more about our country. The third reason to study English is that it helps us have chances to reach great jobs. When we apply for a job, we will have more opportunities if we are fluent in English. Finally, if you learn English, you can easily obtain more knowledge from many parts of the world. You can also make more friends and understand others. For all these reasons, I want to improve my English.

Laura Tilley, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateWe just came back to the United States. I know this is the right time to improve my English. I want to start a new career in the medical field. I plan to become a nurse. I really need to work hard in my ESL classes, so I can improve my English skills. We are happy to be back. We were living in Macae Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for three years, and in Villahermosa Tabasco, Mexico, for one year. My husband works for Halliburton in the oil business, so we were internationals for four years. My family and I are happy to move back to Houston, Texas.I am ready to work on my English, so I am now in ESL classes at Kingwood College. I am taking writing intermediate, reading high intermediate ESL, and Algebra for regular English speakers. These classes are going to help me pass the Compass test. This is a good chance to develop my English. A new career is going to give me more self-esteem, pride, and income. The medical field is interesting, so I am thinking of becoming a nurse and have a new degree. Being a nurse will be a wonderful option. I am very happy to be taking these classes and getting ready to get another degree in my life. ESL is the right decision for me.

Hilda Gonzalez, Mexico, Oral Communication - High Beginning I came to this country 9 years ago. This country has given me a lot of good things and some bad experiences. What I like about here is that there's no discrimination for any kind of work that I do to make my life better. I decided to come to school because my job requires for me to learn English, but I don't regret it because I can get to be free and not depend on other people. I am thankful for all the opportunities this country has given me. Mary Heredia, Mexico, Oral Communication - High BeginningI want to study English until I can speak it perfectly because it is a principal tool to improve and reach our goals and because I am tired of asking my children for help and be deaf-mute when someone talks to me and I do not understand them. I would also like to be able to answer what they tell me or ask me. §

This I Believe

An Ngo, Vietnam, Writing - AdvancedI am a timid person. I was always afraid of the dark. When I was a child, I used to live in small town. I remember one day, my father told me to go to the store and buy something after dark. I was afraid that my father would punish me if I didn't do what he asked me to do, and I didn't dare to tell him that I was scared of the dark. So I only stood in front of the house and cried. As a child, I thought there were ghosts in the dark, and I imagined ghosts following me in the dark. When I got older, I became a person who always worried about everything. After I graduated from university in my country, I got a job. I often thought that I couldn't do the job as well as other people could. I used to become nervous when I was talking with my boss. I would even get nervous when I made conversations with someone I felt uncomfortable with.When I came to the United States, I felt worried about adapting to the new environment, new people, and new culture. Besides, my English was not good, so I didn't feel confident to communicate with others. I felt as if I was in trap. Finally, I decide that I should adjust to the new environment. If not, I would live the rest of my life in worry. I did not want to worry and be anxious. The first thing I did was to register for English classes in Kingwood College. I knew that I needed to improve my English that's the first step for me to become more self-confident. Step by step, I have felt better. And now, I can talk to and understand everyone in English. I feel more confident. I recognize that instead of avoiding things that make me anxious, facing reality and tackling what worries me can help me overcome my problems.

Olga Tchoubko, Russia, Writing - High IntermediateI believe that all people are created equal. It is estimated that there are over six billion people living on our planet. There are two genders of people with different colors of skin and hair. There are many races and nationalities. People of the earth speak numerous different languages, but we all have so much in common that all of our differences can be put aside.The theory of evolution and, in particular, of human development explains how pre-historic tribes originated on the African continent and then migrated in many directions to form what we know now as major races. People's skin adjusted to their surroundings and changed color and textures; hair color changed as well as some other attributes of human bodies. Modern science can prove that DNA, which is the underlying formula of all living beings, is common across all races and nationalities. All people have red blood and interchangeable internal organs, based on certain criteria, but regardless of race and gender. §I have met people from many continents and countries when I traveled from Russia to the United States. People from different parts of the world do not look the same on the outside. Every single person is very unique. Regardless of differences, I strongly believe, based on my personal opinion and on scientific facts, that all people are created equal.

Sara Perez, Colombia, Writing - AdvancedWe were four in my family: my mother, two siblings, and I. My mother washed and ironed clothes for other people to live and support us. She paid rent for one room in a house and we lived together in that space. We woke up at 4:00 am in the morning. My mom made the meals for the day and we got ready for school. In our little room, there was not any place for mess: dishes, clothes, shoes, books, and everything had to be clean and in its place. We lived in many houses. In some of them during the day, we had to be quiet and do not get out of our room (just to go to the bathroom) because the owners did not want to disturbed and we did not have access to the rest of the house. My mother was very proud of us because of our good grades in school. She encouraged us to study by saying that we had to be the best because school was our job. We developed the capacity to produce our best with a few resources. That happened from the time we were little children until I was eighteen years old when I started to work. At that time, my mother and I were able to rent a small house for us. Finally, we were more comfortable and our lives got a little better.I learned the meaning of "discipline" in those difficult times of my childhood. Discipline means training of the mind and character to produce obedience and self-control. I believe this is true and I believe that as long as we live we will need the discipline to pursue our dreams. I am not a celebrity now, I am a regular person but I know that many victories in my life did not come due to luck. I am sure that my efforts and discipline helped me to obtain my goals.Many people do not win the challenges of their lives because they are not determined enough. You need to increase your own ability to get the desired results. This ability is in your mind and consists of being organized, keeping focused, deciding to work hard every day, being careful with your priorities, being calm and avoiding being anxious or worried. Do not give up and go through the adversity with an open and positive mind and attitude. Life is fulfilling of challenges, raise yourself, discipline your mind and go for it.

Chih Yao Hsu, Taiwan, Writing - Advanced There is a saying in my country: When you are at home, you depend on your parents; when you are out, you rely upon your friends. I finally realized that after I came to the U.S. I was always alone and didn’t have any friend. I guess it could be very hard for people who stay in a foreign country not to have any friend. Luckily, I met some good friends in college. They are all very nice and have helped me a lot with many things. For example, some of my friends let me stay in their house while my house was flooded by hurricane Ike. I am really thankful for their help. Without them, I wouldn't be able to write this journal. Nevertheless, sometimes we all meet bad friends who only want to take advantage of you. We should be very careful on choosing a real friend, the friend who has a strong sense of honor and justice. In the end, I have to say that friendship cannot be a one-way relationship, but both persons have to contribute in order to make a good relationship. I believe that you will receive the same as you treat your friends, and this has always been my theory of how to determine a good friendship.

This I Believe

Laura Davidson, Belgium, Writing - AdvancedAcupuncture is not just putting needles in someone's body. I believe it is more than that. Many people think you must be crazy if you let a doctor put needles into your body. And then the doctor definitely must be a charlatan, right? Does that sound familiar with your opinion? I'll try to change your mind. Well, acupuncture is a part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. They approach "being sick" in a totally different way. They treat the body as a whole that involves several “systems of function”, generally named after anatomical organs but not directly associated with them. If you go to an acupuncturist, he will both listen to your body and mind because he sees that as a whole. The doctor will look at the shape and color of your tongue and feel your pulse to make a diagnosis. Next, acupuncture is just not putting needles somewhere in the body by good luck at random. It's actually a very specific place. They see health as a condition of balance of yin and yang within the body. Particularly important in acupuncture is the free flow of Qi, a difficult-to-translate concept that pervades Chinese philosophy and is commonly translated as “vital energy”. The Qi is a kind of invisible energy in your body, which is translated in being sick if it doesn't flow well. The Qi is flowing through 12 main meridians, and the acupuncture points are located on those 12 meridians. And putting those needles in those specific places helps to get the balance back. Well, maybe you're thinking this is nonsense, but I really believe in it. I've been treated with the traditional Chinese Medicine all my life, and I've never had a bad experience with it. I don't get the flu very often and I am sure I'm living a healthy life. It doesn't solve every problem, but it's worth trying it. For instance, if your leg is broken, you can't get away with the acupuncture. In that case you have to go to a hospital. But for other kinds of pain, it can definitely mean something. Just try it!

Genoveva Arrasolo, Mexico, Writing - AdvancedI believe in generosity. Giving brings a great satisfaction to both the giver and the receiver. Life brings us many opportunities to give on a daily basis. I see those opportunities around me all the time. Many times I do not have to look so hard for the right time to give. Opportunities to give come to me in different ways. Sometimes they come through celebrations; other times they come through disasters, but mostly opportunities to give come due to poverty.Special celebrations give me the opportunity to give something to someone who can enjoy the gift. For example, if the celebration is a wedding, I want to give something to the couple for their new home. If the celebration is a birthday, I want to give a more personal gift so that the person will feel happy to receive it.When a disaster, like an earthquake or hurricane, happens, it gives a great opportunity to give. We help others without knowing who they are. For example, when hurricane Ike hit Texas, it was nice to see the help coming from everywhere around, even from other countries. Also, neighbors were helping one another, and different organizations were helping the people who were affected too. Giving to the poor is also important. I give from what I have, and sometimes I give things that I do not need anymore. There are times I make a sacrifice to help others that have less than I do.To conclude, in my personal experience helping other people by giving a gift makes me feel good. A gift may not necessarily be something expensive, but I can be invaluable to others. I believe it is better to give than to receive. If you have had that experience before, I am sure you agree with me.

Signe Madsen, Denmark, Writing - AdvancedI believe in "Sex and The City" because it has been giving me so many fantastic experiences. To those who do not know what "Sex and The City" is, I can tell that it is a TV series about four single women who live in New York and they all look for love. The main character is Carrie Bradshaw who has a column called "Sex and The City" in the New York Times. Every week she writes about her own and her friends' experiences with men, relationships, friendships, fashion, etc. The show has been going on for many years, but the last episodes came in 2003 and this year the long awaited movie version of "Sex and The City" came out. I remember the first time my friend introduced me to "Sex and The City". It was when I was attending my boarding school. I remember we watched ten hours of "Sex and The City" in just one weekend and since then I have been totally addicted to it. One thing I like about it is the issues the women deal with. It is issues like relationships and friendships and that is something I can relate to, for instance, after a breakup, after a fight with your best friend or when you fall in love. I remember once I just got through a very hard breakup and the last thing I wanted was to accidentally bump into him on the street. As you probably already guessed, I did. I was very upset the rest of the day, so I decided to just stay home and watch "Sex and The City". Coincidentally Carrie was in the exact same situation as well and the way she described her emotional condition and how she felt about it was totally like mine. It really helped me to understand how I was feeling. Another thing I really enjoy and admire in "Sex and The City" is the fashion. The women have the most beautiful and cool clothes, shoes and accessories I can ever think of, and they spend a lot of money on their style. You will see clothes and shoes from all the hottest designers in the world and if there is something I love; it is fashion. I love dresses especially and the women's style in "Sex and The City" has inspired me a lot when I shop. Of cause I cannot afford all the expensive designer clothes but I am very good at copying their style just with cheaper clothes. My biggest wish is a pair of Manola Blanic sandals which is Carrie's favorite shoe brand. Every time I shop I always ask myself, "Would the women in "Sex and The City" wear this?"The last and probably best thing about "Sex and The City" is the friendship the women have. I love seeing how they support and help each other whenever something good or bad happens to them. It reminds me a lot of my friends and how I feel about them. Sometimes I try to imagine what it would be like without my friends. Not to have anyone to call when I am happy or if I am upset. No one to fight with and afterwards say "I am sorry, you know it's just because I love you". No girls-night-out and no one to watch a movie with. I cannot even think about how that might feel. Therefore, I took my very best girlfriends to the premier of "Sex and The City" and we had a fabulous night with big dresses and four thousand other women. "Sex and The City" has cheered me up on a rainy Monday or on a Sunday with terrible hangovers. Right now I just cannot wait to go to New York; the city I fall asleep with every night after watching an episode.

This I Believe

Ismar Sosa, Venezuela, Writing - Advanced I believe in peace for the World. Peace is a simple word, but it has a great significance. How many countries in the world are at peace? How many people can live in mental or physical peace? Why is it so difficult to keep peace around the world? These questions have complicated answers. I believe in the human necessity of living in peace.Peace should be mandatory for all the countries around the world. God created the world with the purpose of preserving human life. It is unbelievable when peace does not exist. War, nuclear weapons, kidnapping, terrorism, robbery, and killing are like long arms that attack peace. Many people suffer the consequences of living without peace. It is no fair to live in a world where people continuously fight for basic needs such as liberty, food, security, health, and justice. For example, people in the Middle East do not have a future. They can not expect to live more than one week because they do not have peace in their country. In addition, some governments spend a lot of money in nuclear weapons with the excuse of defending their sovereignty. Another example, some groups use kidnapping as a way to express their political views no matter how long, when, and who is affected. In this sense peace becomes a right for everybody. Peace should be a priority. National constitutions should include peace for all citizens. All governments should work to include this right that brings a lot of happiness. Our founding fathers were aware about the significance to provide peace to people. But in our days this right is not a priority. Sometimes, leaders do not contribute to living in peace. They are focused to achieving more control, but no more peace. In this sense, many governments want to change their constitutions to gain more power without offering a real peace in their country. The result is simple to see, nobody lives in peace. Finally, peace should be of the most priority among countries. Peace does not occur simply with words or deals; the world requires real actions toward progress. Happiness will be provided to people when governments understand the importance of peace in the world. This I believe.

Thais Mendoza, Venezuela, Writing - AdvancedOne of the most important things in life is friendship. It plays a significance role for me.Many things can come and go, but friendship is always present. In my life I have had many friends. Some of them have grown up with me, and I have known some others later. I have classified them in different ways. For example, the counselor who gives me advice when I have any trouble is my friend. Also, there are the ones that spend the worst moments of my life beside me. Then, there are my funny friends. Theyoften make my life enjoyable and pleasant. Or friends that support me to reach my goals. They encourage me to make things happen in my life. All of them remain in my memory. Therefore, I strongly believe in friendship. I believe in sharing good or worst times with my friends. They help me keep my belief alive.

Rubiel Rodriguez, Puerto Rico, Writing - Advanced My family and I have been travelling ever since we left Puerto Rico. We have been to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Native American camps, the hot springs in northern New Mexico and to the white sands of New Mexico. Traveling has brought my family together has given me opportunities to experience something new. I believe that if people have the chance to travel they should. I'm glad that my parents have taken me to all these places because I feel that each time we travel we become closer to each other as a family. For example, sometimes I did not get along with my brother because we didn't want to share things with each other. However, when we went camping in the Grand Canyon we had to share a blanket because we didn't have enough blankets. Travelling is also good for the mind because it lets you experience the unexpected and lets you see new places. For example, when I went to Cochiti pueblo in New Mexico I experienced many dances different from those that I knew. For example, I watched the Native Americans dance, the dance of the rain. It was both interesting and scary watching them dancing around a big fire and hopping over it. Unfortunately not everyone has time to travel, but if you have time I recommend not spending it on working overtime; travel instead. I believe that travelling will bring your family closer. Also you will do activities that you have never done before and you will share some good moments. Zarghona Jahan, Afghanistan, Writing - Advanced After graduating from high school I was very excited about following my dream of going to college, but instead I got married to my husband. When I met my husband, I felt that he was a very nice and respectful person. Since we got married, I have found that he has good manners, and he has treated me very well all these years. I was the youngest in my family, and all of my other siblings were married and were leading happy lives. At that time, my father, who was in his sixties and was diagnosed with cancer, wanted to see me happily married before anything happened to him. One day, he arranged a meeting with a family that I did not know about. Three days after that meeting, I had found out that my father was looking for my future husband. Before I knew it, I was engaged to a person I barely knew. He lived in the United States, and I was in Afghanistan, thousands of miles away. Everything happened very fast, and a few months later, I was married. At that time, the Afghan government was not giving exit visas to anybody going out of the country because there was a civil war going on. So I was left with no choice but to flee the country illegally and cross the border to the neighboring country, Pakistan. I lived in Pakistan for about one and a half years because I had to wait for the immigration paperwork to be done. When they were done, my husband came to Pakistan to marry me. On the day of the "Nikkah," I saw my husband for the first time. The "nikkah" is an Islamic wedding ceremony. At first I was kind of worried about my husband. What would happen if I didn’t like him? I am sure he might have had the same feelings about me. It has been about sixteen years since we got married and started living in the U.S., and we have had a lovely life together. This November we will be celebrating our seventeenth wedding anniversary, and hopefully it will stay this way forever. I have realized that after having an arranged marriage we have love and respect for one another. I am very happy, and my husband and I have four wonderful children together. Being in an arranged marriage has not been so bad after all.

This I Believe

Melanie Freyer, Germany, Writing - AdvancedCooking is always a pleasure for me, even if it is just for a quick simple weekday meal. Sure it takes time but on the other hand it provides you with some benefits. I believe in cooking for several reasons and some of them I would like to point out in the following part. First I like cooking because it is a sensual business. If you cook, mostly all of your senses are involved. For instance, if you are going to bake a vegetable pizza, you look at the different colours: the green of the zucchini, the red of the tomatoes, the white of the onions, the orange of the carrots or the yellow of the corn. Furthermore, you can smell the characteristic smells of every one of those ingredients; for example the sour smell of the yeast or the fragrant smell of the herbs like oregano or rosemary. Because you hold and touch the ingredients, you also feel the texture. For instance you feel the softness of the dough while kneading it or you feel the smooth peel of the bell peppers or the dull surface of the zucchini when you slice them. Because of this sensual aspect, cooking has a relaxing or calming impact on your mood. If you are in a grumpy mood, try to bake a cake. If you've had a hard day, prepare a tasty dinner. Next I'd like to point out that cooking gives you the chance to be creative. If you cook a dish, no matter whether it is something new or something you've done before, you create something. You change the ingredients by peeling or cutting or mashing them. You decide what shape or size pieces should have, how long something needs to be boiled or how to season the dish. It is always a challenge to manage it in the right or better way. Finally, I believe in cooking because meals made from scratch just taste better and cooking provides you with a broader variety of dishes. If you cook your own dishes, you can use fresh ingredients and that improves the taste a lot. Just think of a canned beef stew compared with one that is made from scratch with fresh meat, fresh vegetables and herbs. However, even if there are some pretty well-tasting precooked meals in the stores, a dish cooked by your own tastes just differently and is something special. For example, my mother used to cook a pork stew with rutabagas and potatoes and seasoned with allspice. All the family loved that dish. Neither have I eaten that kind of stew anywhere else nor have I found any similar recipes. This particular dish comes from my grandmother's family. Over the years it is cooked in the same way by her, my mother and now by me and it tastes exactly how it used to. So by cooking, you get special tasting food that you cannot simply buy in a store or order in a restaurant and mostly it tastes better than precooked frozen food.Cooking is a versatile business; it is more than just preparing something to eat. For me cooking is always like a daily break while I can get in touch with nice looking and smelling ingredients as well as be creative by preparing a tasty and special meal that will be enjoyed by my family or my friends.

Anna Panuelo, Micronesia, Writing - Advanced I believe in vacations even though a vacation isn't always relaxing. Family vacations can be relaxing, adventurous and joyful. They provide us with a special time to be together, play games with each other, and have different experiences with each other from those at home. There is nothing as much as fun as traveling with family and experiencing the world through their eyes. Even traveling to places you have been many times before can be a lot of fun. Family vacations can also turn out to be unpleasant with children, family wrangling and bad weather. Yet, vacations are a great way for families to spend time together.

Claudia Angeles, Mexico, Writing - Advanced While I was growing up together with my three older brothers, I was putting into practice all the values that my parents were teaching me along the years. Every day my parents tried to inculcate me important values in order to protect me, help me be successful, and maintain a great relation with our family and the society in which I grew up. I can make a large list of important values that my parents taught me in my childhood that have enriched my life like effort, loyalty and hope. But the best value that my parents have given me is the value of love. A proverb says that love can move the mountains; love can move the entire world. Also, a wise and admirable author wrote that love can do everything; love can help us tolerate everything; love never disappears; love will always exist.To become a better person, I adopted this value, and I have been practicing it all my life. I remember with happiness some things that I loved when I was little: my bald pink doll, which I lost in a flood; my blue and little tricycle which I can't remember what happened to; my cute and tiny chair which has my name on it and which I still have; my lovely grandmother who every Sunday afternoon gave me chocolate cookies; and my funny and nice neighbor who always invited me to her sons' parties.I smile when I remember all the good things that I loved in my childhood. These were usually simple things. But while I was growing up I started to love different things that were more important and more complicated. Starting to love people and friends has sometimes been very difficult, like when my grandmother, who took care of me, passed away, or when my family moved to another city, and I had to leave all my friends. I learned how to love my family and friends, but I never learned what to do if I have to leave the people who I love or if someone passed away, like when my best friend died from cancer after our university graduation. When these difficult things happened, my parents always told me that people have to take the risk of love, no matter what can occur. Sometimes love hurts, but it shows us that we have feelings and have the capacity to give and receive love. One thing I am sure about is that there is something inside every person to push or motivate to feel love for others. Giving and receiving love can make every person's life happy and full of beautiful things. This is the most beautiful value that people can have and practice. This is the reason I believe in love. §

What I Like Most About the United States

Gloria Aragon, Nicaragua, Writing - IntermediateI like the United States for many reasons. It has many job opportunities for immigrants who want to advance and obtain a better future for their families. Many people from different countries come here because they cannot find better jobs and opportunities in their own countries. I think that the education of this country is the best one. It is obligatory for parents to send their children to school without regards to race and religion. I think this country has the best schools.In this country, many people come from different countries, because they may need surgery. This country has advanced technology, medicine, and hospitals. We enjoy many things that are offered in the U.S.A. I like its tourist places, the beaches, casinos, and parks for children and adults.The U.S.A. has a strong economy in the world. Our constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. We can speak about our faith without persecution. Women have the right to speak their mind. These are the reasons why I live in this country. I love the United States of America.

Josefina Chiccoli, Italy, Writing - High BeginningI like a few things about the United States. I like how many different ethnicities live here. I like how proud people are to be American. I like the passion you can see in its politicians. I like how the law's power is respected. I like how things are organized here. But what I like the most about the United States is that anything you want to do seems easy to do.

Balbina Monrroy, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningOne of the things that I like most about the United States is the education. First, education is free from Kindergarten to high school in the United States. On the other hand, Mexico doesn't have free education. Second, schools have school buses and this fact is a blessing for the families who live in United States. Third, the education is open to all ages. For example, I'm coming back to school at my age. In conclusion, the education in United States provides a better life for everybody.

Selven Wolelmal, Micronesia, Writing - High BeginningFor me, the United State is the home of the world's most exciting and beautiful cities, some truly amazing people and environments, a strong sense of regionalism, and some of the most approachable states in the world. First, I like the education in the United States because it is provided mainly by the government. One example is Lone Star College. I like this college because students and teachers are friendly. I also like the priority given to sport, clubs and activities by the schools, the community, and the students themselves. Second, I also like it here because there are many time jobs available in the United State. It helps students to earn some money from a part-time job to pay off their studies.

Ingrid Yepes, Colombia, Writing - High BeginningWhat I like most about the United States is the security because in Colombia there is so much insecurity. The opportunities here help you get ahead, and help your children get ahead in life and have a better future. It is due to good education. Also good job opportunities are available here. The commodities that you live with here in this country, such as air conditioning, are available to everyone.

Sonia Calzini, Italy, Writing - High BeginningIt is difficult to explain what I like most about U.S. but I will try. When I was a teenager, I heard a different kind of music in my house. My brother was trying to play the guitar and sang a song of Elvis Presley in English. He told me the name of the singer and that it was rock, a new sound of America. I was not sure if I liked it because for me the sound was terrible. When he finished, I heard the record and the sound was beautiful. I started to dance and in that moment I found America. I started to listen to rock, jazz and country music. In the meantime my brother stopped playing the guitar and everybody was happy for that. Another thing that I like about this country is how the Americans produce films. The stories are interesting, and sometimes they make our dreams come true. But the most important things for me are the sense of humor, young minds and also handy people. These qualities make this country work.

Jiao Liu, China, Writing - High BeginningActually I didn't know very much about the U.S. before I came here. And also my English has been very bad all along. In the end of last year, I had to come for several reasons, but I'm glad I came here. People are very friendly here. There are a lot of trees here. And the thing that I like most is I can meet people from all over the world here. For example, in my class at Lonestar College, there are people from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, China, Japan, Korea, Italy, Poland, and so on. Sometimes we talk about one thing, and we can understand many different ways of doing something. It's really interesting. We can learn about many different cultures in our ESL classes. There are many people from all over the world in the US, so we can buy almost everything from all over the world in the stores. When I want to buy presents for my family, I need to pay attention to make sure is it made in China.

Sandra Alatorre, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningThe things I like the most about the United States are the security in the cities and the cleanliness of the streets. I like the food, and I like to eat Shipley Donuts. The United States has many good things, such as opportunities for employees, a good economy, and many shopping malls. I like the idea of learning a second language because it gives me more opportunities in society. I know that life and the opportunities in the United States may be better than in my country. The bad things are that I miss my family, my friends, the food, and my culture.

Deysi Velasquez, El Salvador, Writing - High BeginningI like the United States because it is a country with freedom of speech and many opportunities. It is a blessed country. I thank God that I live well. I love the United States because God chose this country for my children to be born in. My wish is to one day be a citizen of the United States. God bless America.

Mary Cavazos, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningWhat I like most about the U.S. is that it is a rich country with many opportunities for all people. You can study whatever you want. I also like the security that the government provides and the fast help of the firemen, paramedics, and police. Another thing I like is the public services such as gas and water. You never have problems with them. I also like the clean streets and the clean yards.


Ursula Molski, Poland, Writing - High BeginningOne of my favorite things in the United States is the standard of living. We make more money than in the country of my birth. We may buy bigger houses, and travel more around the world. Also, I like the flexibility in the high schools and universities. The students can select study subjects and class times. The third thing I like in U.S. is that the services are well organized. I can handle much official business on the phone, by mail or using the Internet. In the United States, there is less bureaucracy than in Poland.

Yolanda Gonzalez, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningI like a lot of things about the United States. I like the pretty homes, the big stores and the museums and parks. But what I like the most about this country is that I feel safe. I can go to the streets and not be scared. There are good policemen and people are nice. I can make many friends and go to the park with them. Since we live near Houston, we have many museums and important hospitals. The hospitals are some of the best in the world. Also, no matter your age, you can go to school and you aren't discriminated against in your job. Also, one can meet interesting people from around the world. I think they came to this country with the same dream as mine.

Moses Sandoval, Colombia, Oral Communication - High IntermediateSince I was a little boy, I have heard from my parents and friends what a marvelous country the United States is. Now, years later, I actually have the opportunity to live here and I have realized firsthand what a great place it is. It is an amazing country not only for its beauty but also for its abundant tourist attractions like Las Vegas, Hollywood and Walt Disney. In addition, it is an organized society with good economic opportunities, free market and higher living standards.I was in Las Vegas four months ago. People there never sleep, every location is open 24/7, and the attraction is endless. There are thousands of places in the States that attract millions of tourists every year from every nook and corner of the world. Besides casinos, there are great shopping centers, zoos, theaters, rollercoaster, grand prix and museums that people can visit with their children. In addition, you can visit the Mojave Desert, the Hoover dam. You can ski enjoying the beauty of the snow-covered mountains. That was the first time my children had ever seen snow.This country has another good thing, which is systematic planning. Everything is organized so well that you could see in all areas. For example, the financial system allows every body, rich or poor, to build a credit history and helps them to increase their acquisition power. This system allows providers to review, analyze the financial habits of the people and help them to get money necessary to obtain a house, buy a new car or develop a business.The infrastructure of this country is amazing. People obey the traffic rules. Security is another important feature of this country. Most places are safe where you can leave your house and cars unlocked and nobody would steal or damage your properties.Finally, it does not matter what your occupation is. If you are motivated and have a goal, you for sure can make your dreams come true. I believe that the United States is one of the friendliest countries in the world. I want to live the rest of my life in this country and build a better future for me and my family.

Pei Xi Mei, China, Writing - High BeginningMy feeling at reaching the U.S.A. for the first time was that it looks like China's great northern wilderness. I felt so-so. It was the present academic environment that led me to like the U.S. The U.S.'s present economic depression has already influenced the whole world. Education gives one a chance to build oneself, study and change during an economic depression. It is a very worthwhile choice.

Rocha Altagracia, Nicaragua, Oral Communication - IntermediateWhat I like the most about the United Stated is that we have freedom of speech and equal rights. There are job opportunities and also opportunity to learn the language, go to school, and get a degree and get a very good job. I would like to travel all over the United States. I want to go to New York City and see the beautiful sky-scrapers. There are so many choices of food in this country. I am amazed to see how clean the streets are and how organized this country is. I also like the fact that homes, office buildings and shops have central air-conditioning. The last but not the least, I really like American people. They are nice and always smiling. This is a great country to make a living in.

Jorge Lozada. Ecuador, Oral Communication - IntermediateIn my country, if you want to open a checking account or credit card, you need to provide a lot of information about yourself. It gets more complicated if you are under the age of 18. In my country, when you need a loan, interest rates are usually very high and you have to pay back your loan in a short period of time. In many cases to get a loan is almost impossible. If you are a 20 year-old young man and you want a loan to buy a car, the bank will say that you are crazy. The banks in my country never see your credit reports because these documents do no exist. Here, in the United States, it is easy to open a checking account. In this country having a credit report is important and your bank can help you to build your credit history. If you are careful, getting good credit is possible and in a short time you can buy a car or a house. You do not need to fill out a lot of papers to obtain a credit card or to open a checking account in the bank. This is what I like about this country. If you can control your debts, you can have a good life.

Enrique Zabala, Venezuela, Oral Communication - High IntermediateIf you are a hard working person who likes to look ahead, chase dreams, have a better future for you and your loved ones, the United States is the right place for you. Since I started to work in this country I have been able to accomplish many goals in my life that in my home country it would not have been possible. Here, I can afford to give my daughters better education and a better life. I also like to socialize with my American co-workers and be part of this society. I have also been recognized by my supervisor for my hard work.There is definitely more than one reason to like this country. I have visited numerous beautiful places. I like the beautiful beaches with blue water, green farms, lakes, and rivers, recreational parks, stadiums and historical museums. From busy shopping malls with super sales, crowded highways to the skyscrapers in downtown, I like them all. I always have an interesting story to tell my friends and relatives in Venezuela. That is why I like this place so much.


Audio Franco, Mexico, Oral Communication, High IntermediateWhat I like the most about the United States of America is the opportunity that this country gives you to really accomplish your dreams. A strong job market, credit opportunities, advanced education, and affordable housing are just a few of the advantages this country has to offer. I consider myself a fortunate professional for becoming a participant and beneficiary of these economic and social trends. Financially speaking, there is really no comparison between the lifestyle we can enjoy here compared to the lifestyle in my country, Mexico.“The pursuit of happiness,” as some people call it, is what has attracted so many immigrants from other countries to stay in the United States. They realize the opportunities and advantages that they do not have in their native countries such as better salaries, credit flexibility, and affordable housing as described above. This has created an incredible flow of immigrants trying to reach “The American Dream.”

Flore May Largo, Philippines, Oral Communication - High IntermediateLiving in this country was pretty hard for me because I am far from my family and friends, but after awhile I got used to it. There are a lot of things I like about this country but the thing I enjoy the most is the environment. In the shops they have self checkout which is new to me because we don't have that in my country. The ambience of the restaurants here are awesome. I was amazed the way they serve food. Last summer, we went to a water park called "Schlitterbahn" .We really enjoyed it. They have different kinds of slides and pools. I think people here are fascinated by sports, especially football. I am starting to like it too by watching football games on T.V. I have also watched games in the stadium. I got tickets from the company where my husband works. It was very comfortable because we were sitting inside a booth where they served delicious food. The culture here is different compared to my country. In my country every meal we have is accompanied with rice but here in the U.S.A, people eat baked potatoes instead of rice. Another thing I like about this country is that people here are very friendly.

Ignacio Acevado, Mexico, Oral Communication - High IntermediateThis great country is full of interesting people from many different parts of the world from where they bring different cultures and different thoughts and ideas. What I like the most about this country is the opportunities I have here. It is a place where our dreams can come true, and where we can get good jobs. You can get job training and get better at your job. You can improve your life. We can go to school to improve our skills, knowledge and move up to a better lifestyle if we work diligently. I have the opportunity to go to any college if I want and get a better job. I can even start my own business. This is a very good place to live. You only need to have a positive attitude, good manners and respect for laws.

Lesya M. Piampracha, The Ukraine, Oral Communication-High IntermediateI was born in the Ukraine, but I live in the United States now. I live with my husband and my daughter in a new house. We live in Kingwood, Texas. I like my life here in the U.S.with my family. My family is the most important part of my life. I love spending time with my family. We travel all over the U.S. I also like trying new recipes when I cook for my family. When I see how happy they are, I feel happy too. I love my house with a big yard. I enjoy green trees and red roses in my yard. I say to myself, ''What a wonderful life!'' Also, I like looking at the blue sky and puffs of white clouds on a bright sunny day. I love the American people. They always say: "Hi, How are you? How are you doing? How do you do?'' It feels nice. They are friendly people.I like my English class at Kingwood Lone Stars College. I am in a class with very interesting classmates. They are all from different backgrounds and different countries. Our teachers are very kind and nice. I think, my English is getting better everyday. I am meeting new friends here. I am happy in USA, and I love USA, but I will never forget my old life in the Ukraine.

Oscar Hernandez, Mexico, Oral Communication - High IntermediateI have been living in U.S.A. since 1999. What I like the most is the freedom of expression and the independence to do what you want to do. In the U.S. you have a lot of opportunities. You can be anything you want to be and also do anything you want to do.I came to this country to succeed. I want to make money so I can help my family in Mexico. They are in need of money. I also want to make money to help out my parents to build a nice home in Mexico. By living in this country and working hard, I can help them with their expenses like paying bills, etc. I like it here because it is a friendly country. For example, when there is a disaster like a hurricane, the government is always there to render help with supplies, food, water, ice, and medical needs. FEMA is one example. FEMA helps people who are affected by a hurricane. I also like the US because when we get sick there are hospitals where we can go to and get free medical help.


Carmen Grifaldo, Mexico, Oral Communication - High IntermediateThe United States is beautiful. It has amazing modern architecture and different cultures, and its economy is stronger than that of Mexico and other countries.Large highways are designed by smart people here. The engineers planned, designed and constructed them remarkably. I like the highways because driving is easier here than in my country. In this country we can find people from many cultures. They bring their traditions, food, and dresses. That's why we can enjoy different kinds of food like Italian food, Chinese food, Mexican food, etc.In United States we have freedom because we can speak about politics and we can criticize the government if we don't like something. We can have different views and that is alright. We can do wherever we want as long as we don't hurt others. Also, the economy in this country is better than Mexico's and other Latin American countries'. However, right now, economy is not as good as it was before. Some people have lost their homes, and some don't have work and the gasoline price is higher. But life is still better here.

Lesly Rodriguez, Puerto Rico, Oral Communication - High IntermediateI was born in the “Enchanted Island” of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans often call this Island Borinquen which comes from the word “Boriken”. It's an indigenous Taino name. Puerto Rico is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean. The people of Puerto Rico are also American citizens. Since I was a little girl I have been traveling a lot. I have been to many places like Florida, New York, Chicago and Nevada etc. When I was growing up, I always thought of living in the United States and wondered what it would be like. Well, today I live in Kingwood, Texas, with my husband and my six-year- old daughter. My husband and I love this country. We like how friendly and law-abiding people in this country are. We like the democracy and the American organization system. People are so patriotic, but when needed, they are always ready to help out the poor and needy people in other parts of the World.Every state in the United States has something beautiful or something unique to offer. The River Walk in San Antonio, Texas; the Grand Canyon in Colorado; the Glaciers in Alaska are great places to visit. There are many beautiful National Parks with beautiful animals for people to look at and enjoy.One thing I like the most is taking road trips between the states. I like the way the freeways are configured. I especially like the fact that there are always places to eat, rest and spend the night in a safe place near the freeways. Police always check the roads to protect people from accidents.

Josefina Milagros Medina, Peru, Oral Communication - IntermediateIn this country there are many opportunities for my family. For example, my husband has a good job, and my sons are studying in school. My older son studies in Kingwood College. He wants to become an engineer. My younger son is studying in Kingwood high school. They speak English fluently. My husband speaks English well, too. It is very important for me to speak English because I have started to work. Kingwood College gives me the opportunity to learn English. That is what I like about this place. In Peru, I have a little store. My brother-in-law manages the store for me. In Houston I have found many good products for my store. I export good quality materials to my store in Peru. I am happy because I can do business from this country to help my family. I hope in the upcoming election people will elect a suitable candidate who will be a good president of the United States of America. In Kingwood, my neighbors are very polite. They help people when they can. Last week, when hurricane Ike was passing through Houston, some neighbors were buying generators. They came to my apartment and they offered us help to recharge our cell phones. I was grateful and touched by their kindness. I like this country because people can find jobs regardless of their differences in language, race or age. I will always be grateful to God for the United States of America. §

Deysi Valasquez

What I Like Most About My Country

Jenny Barillas, Venezuela, Writing - IntermediateVenezuela has a diverse geography: beaches at the Caribbean Sea, Mountains in the Andes, plains, etc. This variety also offers a wide range of weather conditions, from extremely hot conditions to very low temperatures all year round. There is something for each taste. Have a look at what I will present to you and then you decide which area you will like the most. Let me begin by saying that the best thing in this part of the world is that there are very limited natural disasters, such as hurricanes, that could cause severe damages to the cities. Venezuela has a coast in the Caribbean Sea with an extension of about 1,200 miles with tropical weather all year round and white sands and warm waters that offer excellent places to enjoy the beach any time of the year. The water has a terrific transparent blue and green color. Margarita Island is on the eastern side of the country in the Caribbean Sea. It is a wonderful island to spend a vacation where you can enjoy not only the beaches but also the seafood restaurants, great hotels, casinos and night clubs. One of the most amazing areas without question is the Amazon region, where such areas as La Gran Sabana, a plain located 1,000 miles above sea level with an average ambient temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the tallest waterfall on earth "Angel Fall" and spectacular flat top mountains called "Tepuys". A Tepui (or Tepuy) is a table-top mountain (mesa) found only in the Guayana highlands of South America, especially in Venezuela. Some of the most outstanding tepuis are Autana, Auyantepui and Mount Roraima (the highest and most famous one, on the border tripoint of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana). The Cordillera Andina, a mountain system in South America, begins in western Venezuela where the Pico Bolivar Bolivar Mountain is located with 5,003 metros of height offers to the visitors snow all year round and has "Teleferico de Merida", the tallest cable car in the world. Tourists can get a lift in one hour from the city of Merida to "Pico Espejo," which is a section close to the top, but is not the top of the mountain.

Beely Okan, the Philippines, Writing IntermediateThe Philippines is a vibrant and colorful place to live in. Our culture is known for its hospitality and friendliness. We have many beautiful places to explore and visit. The standard of living is very low compared to that of other nations. However, I would like to live and retire in my own country. Filipinos are hospitable and friendly. We value friendship more than material things. Most are gentle and family oriented. These are the reasons why they are generous and receptive to guests and visitors. You will be surprised by the beauty of nature. The beaches have crystal clear water. There are rocky mountains that I love to climb. You can see water falls, volcanoes, caves, valleys, and oceans. If you love adventure, hiking, and climbing, this is the right place for you. People can have a high quality of living with a very low cost. Fruits and vegetables are cheap. Foods and drinks are everywhere on the island. Busses, tricycles, and jeepneys are the most common public transportation with a nominal fare. Living in provinces is cheaper than bigger cities.I really want to spend the rest of my life in this country. We share common goals and respect our fellow country men. There are 7,107 islands to be explored. You can live a simple life, so come, see, and stay for a while. This is the place were most oversees Filipino workers are dreaming of living after retirement.

Maria Rosa Varnis, Peru, Writing - IntermediateMachu Picchu is a Peruvian treasure for the world for many reasons. It is a historical city of the Incas civilization or empire. It has amazing architecture and archeology. The location gives Machu Picchu the ideal complement to say how wonderful it is. For all these reasons, Machu Picchu is a treasure for Peruvians to feel proud.The Incas civilization was the biggest culture in South America. That civilization expanded fast. The Inca was a supreme government. The most beautiful teens were selected to be a "—usta," the virgin princess or Inca's wife. The Incas civilization was the strongest, most intelligent, ordained, and amazing culture.The Incas architecture was designed in accordance with the government system. The Inca had the best location - always in the highest area. The town or "plebeian" area was always in the lower area. The materials used to build the houses or temples were special granite stones. The most amazing thing in the Incas architecture was the stone's union and sizes that still survive.The Machu Picchu location was built in the highest part of a mountain (around 3600 msnm), where the jungle starts in Cusco. Why did the Inca always like to build in the highest areas? Because they believed that the "Sun" is a GOD. They want to be near it.Machu Picchu is a treasure for Peruvians to show the world the Incas culture or empire. Machu Picchu was nominated on June 7, 2007 by UNESCO to be a new wonder of the world and patrimonial culture of humanity.

Xiaoyan Sherry Xie, China, Writing - IntermediateI miss my hometown, Shanghai. It is not only because I grew up there, but also because it is a flourishing, beautiful, and comfortable place. There are also many bargains that can save us money.Shanghai is a flourishing and beautiful place. There are many spectacular buildings. They include modern and European classical styles. There are beautiful museums, restaurants, and shopping centers with neon lights that are very pretty like those in Las Vegas. For people’s safety, some shopping streets do not allow cars to pass through. Shanghai is definitely a city with a lot of gorgeous sights.Shanghai is a good place for saving money. People could save money in different ways. First, China does not have sales tax. Second, people do not need to pay service fees. People receive services from restaurants, salons, taxis, etc. They do not need to leave tips. Third, people do not worry about high priced gasoline because there is a developed public transportation system. Buses reach almost every place in the city and trains are very convenient if you want to travel long distances. Most people travel by public transportation that costs less than driving.People have comfortable and easy lives in Shanghai. In Shanghai, most middle class families have maids. These maids are paid by the hour and most families need them for cooking and cleaning their homes. Therefore, those middle class families can enjoy tasty dinner right away when they come home from work. There is no yard in most residences, so on weekends, people do not need to spend time taking care of their yards. They can totally relax, watch movies, go shopping, dance, have parties, or do whatever they like to do. In conclusion, Shanghai is a very nice place to live. I hope, after several years, I will visit Shanghai often or live there for several months each year.


Jaypee Navata, Philippines, Writing - IntermediateI come from a poor country. But even though it's poor you still have lot of places to visit.It has several kinds of waterfalls and beaches. When I was in my country, my friends and I used to go to the beach every summer. We went to Boracay beach in June 2007 before I left. We packed a lot of food and we went swimming. You can see the amazing waves and blue water. You can feel the fresh air, too. After that my mother and I went to the water falls to get some fresh water to drink. My mother brought some dirty clothes. She washed them by hand and I helped her. The water was so beautiful; it was cold and it looked like there was ice in it. I really loved that place. I miss it my friends and especially my mother. And that's what I love most about my country.

Maria Eugenia Padilla (Maru), Mexico, Writing - IntermediateI really love my country because we retain part of history that we formed as an independent and sovereign nation, free from slavery. My country retains many pieces of art about our ancestors. These pieces of art remind me how our ancestors built all these big constructions by hand. Actually, we have many beautiful colonial buildings, houses, and churches in addition to the Mayan ruins. Another place that my country saved as a national reserve park is called Xcaret. It receives a large number of foreign visitors. Many people from all over the world like to spend their vacations in some of these places. All these beautiful and exotics places that you will never forget can be found in my country. I really love all these valuables monuments. I am a proud Mexican citizen.

Kristina Kostova, Bulgaria, Writing - IntermediateWhat I love most in my country is the Black Sea on Albena. It`s a very nice, beautiful place with a lot of tourists during the summer. On the Black Sea we have a wonderful city called Albena. There are many hotels on the beach. I like to walk on the beach during the night because it has many lights. There are usually movies shown at outdoor movie theatres, and they attract a lot of people. Every year during the summer I visit Albena with my friends. I miss my lovely city with the most beautiful sunshine and soft sand.

Marina Calzini, Italy, Writing - IntermediateMy country is Italy, and I think that is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It's hard to speak about only one thing that I love about Italy. I love a lot of things, such as the people, culture and history, food, places and our language. What I like the most is the food. We are famous for our food. Every region and city has its typical food and wine. We eat good food in restaurants but we also eat very well at home, because we cook a lot of particular food and we cook with vegetables of our gardens, so it is more healthy and fresh. We start cooking when we are children with our grandmothers. Normally the grandmother starts teaching us how to cook a cake and pizza, because it is easy, fun and tastes good! Then we learn sophisticated dishes, such as "lasagne", "cappellettii" etc. We will remember these moments in the kitchen forever. For the Italian the food is not only food but is something special, a culture.

Kiana Rios, Puerto Rico, Writing - IntermediatePuerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, we have many places to visit and different things to see. However, today I want to let all of you know what I love most about Puerto Rico. I love the museums, the costumes, and the climate. However, what I really love are the people and Christmas in my country. The people in Puerto Rico are very special; they are very friendly and cheerful. They celebrate all the holidays. If I am having a BBQ in front of my house, I can assure you that in less than 30 minutes I am going to have five people minimum. We enjoy talking with our neighbors, making food, making jokes, watching TV, or doing different things to have fun. In Puerto Rico, you get to know all your neighbors. In Christmas, families get together and celebrate all night long. The people in Puerto Rico enjoy doing "Parrandas." The parrandas usually begin after 10 pm in order to surprise and awake the sleeping friends. The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music, and dance follow. The party goes on for an hour or two, and then everyone, including the owners of the house, leave to parrandear someone else's house. At the last house probably around 3 or 4 in the morning the homeowner offers the traditional chicken soup that we call "Asopao" and then the party is over. Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico begin very early in December and do not stop on December 25th. The celebrations can continue into the middle of January if you consider the ‘’octavas and octavitas’’. We also celebrate the three king's days. On the evening of January 5th children go outside with scissors and shoe boxes to cut grass for the camels. I am going to tell you the truth; I always did this. After that, we go to bed and the next morning those boxes are filled with gifts, sweets, money, and wonderful things. We also have traditional Christmas food such as pasteles, lechÛn asado, arroz con dulce, tembleque, and coquito. Nowhere else is Christmas celebrated like in Borinquen. That is why Christmas and the people are what I love the most in my Puerto Rico.


Brenda Villasenor, Guatemala, Writing - IntermediateI'm from Guatemala and it's a beautiful Country. There are many things that I love, for example the nature, volcanoes and a city that has a lot of story. Its name is Antigua Guatemala. Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities. It's a magical and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped more than 100 years ago. Because of its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings, strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancients times. It also has ruins. Antigua Guatemala offers colonial history, cultural activities which include art gallery exhibits, and cultural tourism in general. Its setting is majestic, nestled between three dramatic volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Antigua hosts the largest celebrations for Lent and Easter. The history of the processions dates back to the early 1500s and began with the arrivalof Don Pedro de Alvarado from Spain. While many are attracted to the solemn religious fervor, others enjoy the beautiful "alfombras" (sawdust carpet) that are made along the processional routes. I'm proud to be Guatemalan and that city is fascinating. That's why I love it.

Lixin Sun, China, Writing - IntermediateI cannot say how much I love my country. In China people just stay home and can buy anything they want from home. If you are hungry but don’t want to cook, you can just make a phone call to a restaurant and tell them what you want to eat. In 30 minutes they will come to your house and deliver the food. If you want to go somewhere, you can take the bus everywhere. People don’t need to drive a car. If you have a car it is too much trouble when you need to find a place to park. If you are a little rich you can take a taxi. I lived in Shen Zhen for 8 years. This city had a big street full of restaurants that have seafood which is alive. I love my country every much.

Saul Zuniga, Mexico, Writing-IntermediateI love Mexican food. My mom makes some typical plates from my country. Mole is one of my favorite plates served with rice and tortillas. My grandmother makes the best mole that I have ever had. When I visit her she always makes me mole. I really miss all kinds of food from my country.

Kate Kasprzyk, Poland, Writing - IntermediatePoland is a beautiful country, but there is one part of it that I like the most. The region where I am from has the Polish Mountains "Tatry." This region is called "Podhale." This area is famous for trekking in the mountains and the spectacular view. My fondest childhood memories are from walking there with my father. In the winter we enjoyed the snow-covered landscape. In the summer we had picnics among the wildflowers. We would see deer running through the bushes. In the fall the trees looked like they were on fire, with all the vibrant colors of yellow, orange, and red. In this mountain region you can see highlanders, the mountain people wearing their traditional clothes. These people are shepherds and make their living producing goat cheese and wood clothes. You can count on them to help you in any way. They are very friendly. If you are lucky to get invited to their bonfires, it will be a truly unforgettable experience. They sing, dance, and cook over the bonfire. Many people visit this region to find peace, quiet, and to get away from the busy city life. You can be there one on one with nature. For me, this is the most special place in my country.

Ana Lucia Salcedo, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateI am from Mexico and for me it is very special for several reasons. I live in Tamasopo, which is a touristic attraction. It is very beautiful and comfortable. Tamasopo has some amazing waterfalls, and the weather is very cold. Besides the waterfalls, Tamasopo also has some caves that are very interesting. Outside the caves there are big roots of big trees. I like the month of July because in this month my family celebrates a dance called Guapango, which is a typical dance in my town. Also this is the time when all my family comes to Tamasopo from different cities in Mexico.

Lisai Goenaga, Cuba, Writing - IntermediateCuba is the most beautiful country in the world. I like Cuba for many things. Firstly, Cuba has tropical weather for almost all year. Many people say that Cuba has an eternal summer. The weather is always wonderful, except when there is a tropical storm, or a cold front, and in worse cases a hurricane. This characteristic of the climate allows people to go to beaches. Cuba is a large and narrow Island, so all the people live less than thirty minutes from a beach. The Cuban beaches are beautiful, the sand is white like snow, and the water is blue and warm. I also like the Cuban people because they are very pleasant. Their houses' doors are always open, and you can have a nice time without an appointment. When you visit a friend, you are served the Cuban coffee. It is very dark with much sugar and it is served in a small cup. In December, the International Festival of Cinema is celebrated in Havana. At that time you can go to the movies and meet the actors, directors and producers personally. You can vote for a film for a popularity prize. After that you can dance to the Cuban music. In levees of Havana there are many musical groups, and the people dance salsa around them. All Cuban people know how to dance salsa, from children to old people. I don't know what made Christopher Columbus to say this when he discovered Cuba, "This is the most beautiful country that human eyes have seen," but I agree with him.


Cynthia Citlalli Mariscal, Mexico, Writing - Intermediate.I love my country because it has a lot of places to visit. Mexico City is the capital of my country. Also, it is one of the largest cities in the world. The most famous Mexican people live in Mexico City. There are many hotels. Also there is an adventure park called Six Flags. People can go there with their families and enjoy the attraction. Quintana Roo, another state in Mexico, has a very beautiful beach. Cancun is the name of the city and there are many big hotels. A lot of tourists visit that beach because it is wonderful. Also in Jalisco there is a beautiful beach called Puerto Vallarta. Michoacan, another state, has beautiful cities. Morelia is the capital of the state and there is a beautiful cathedral. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Also there are many historic buildings, and every night people can take a tour to visit the whole city. There is a guide who explains the history of the city. In Michoacan, there is also a very important port called Lazaro Cardenas. It is also a city and it is important because of its infrastructure and also because it is close to Asian countries. Actually, there are very good opportunities to find a job there. These are my favorite places in Mexico. I love my country because I have different options for visiting, relaxing, or just having fun. Tibaire Torres Melendez, Venezuela, Writing - IntermediateVenezuela is a country located in north of South America. We have the influence of outside countries; consequently, when you go there you can find mixed races. That makes the people so pleasant to talk to and share with people from others countries. If you are from another country you will be welcomed to Venezuela because people there love to know about other cultures. We have a lot of immigrants from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and some other countries. Most of them came during and after World War II. In general, most Venezuelans received them with open arms, showed them solidarity, friendship, and enough support to let them have a complete life out of their countries. It is a fact that Venezuelans have smiles on their faces, a very good sense of humor. Venezuelans are very friendly, and that makes us special people.

Rahad Hossain, Bangladesh, Writing - IntermediateI have a special love for my native Bangladesh because of its natural beauty that includes the tea gardens, lakes and green valleys. First, the natural beauty of Bangladesh is what makes it special to me. Bangladeshi mountains are covered by green grass and trees. Also the country has some huge and beautiful rivers. Our tea gardens are some of the most beautiful tea gardens in the world. The beauty of Bangladesh can also be seen in its beaches. Cox-Bazer beach is one of the longest beach in the world. Many people go there to relax. Tourists and other visitors come to the beaches in the summertime when the weather is very comfortable. If I close my eyes, my memory still helps me to remember my country's beauty because I have a special love for my country. Samantha Sanchez, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateMy country is Mexico, I was born there and I'm proud to be a Mexican. We have different kinds of food in each state but all of them are delicious and unique to the region. My country has a lot of beautiful places all with wonderful nature and beaches. There is a lot of history in my country like the important mesoamerican civilizations: The Olmec, The Mayas, The Teotihuacan, The Zapo-tec, The Toltec and the most important the Aztecs. México is one of the best countries in the world. We have everything you're look-ing for, nice places, delicious food, nature, history and great people.

Rosana Leal, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateFor me it is so difficult to say only one thing about my country. Mexico has so many beautiful places. From north to south, Mexico has something special. For instance, the people of Mexico make you feel welcome. Mexico is the birthplace of some of the best known cultures. How can I forget the crystalline turquoise waters from Yucatan and the amazing Mayan temples? The archeological sites are all well worth a visit. Each state has delicious and different foods of unique flavors. These are just a few things that I like about my country.

Yuling Yuan, China, Writing - IntermediateI love Chinese ancient traditional handicrafts. When I was in China, I liked to visit museums, especially the Imperial Palace in Beijing. It used to be a royal palace, but today it is a museum. This was the latest dynasty palace of China. Everybody can walk in this grand group of buildings to see what how the Royal family lived. They owned the most beautiful things all around China. Those things show us ancient Chinese people's diligence and wisdom. Around China, archeologists still continue to discover a lot of things from ancient dynasties. Those fine, elegant and smart things make me to sigh with emotion. I love the ancient Chinese handicrafts because they let me get connected with the ancient Chinese culture. It is like I can feel and touch the past. Karen Gomez, El Salvador, Writing - IntermediateMy country is a land of amazing contrasts. It is the smallest country in Central America. What I love most about it is the beauty of its nature, its tropical climate, its cone-shaped volcanoes, its tranquil mountain lakes, the beautiful sunsets on the beaches, and its palm trees. All the restaurants are built very close to the edge of the ocean, and their sea food is delicious. In addition, their ethnic dishes are very tasty, too. Pupusas, which are thick handmade corn tortilla filled with beans, cheese and pork meat is one of the typical meals and the most popular throughout the country. My country has a colonial architecture in and outside the cities. I also love the warm friendship of the people. All of these things are only found in El Salvador. That is why I love my country very much.

Chia Ying, Taiwan, Writing - IntermediateI have eaten many kinds of food in my country. I like the Chinese food most and that's what I love about my country. Now, I am going to introduce my favorite Chinese foods that I love. The first one is "Tapioca Milk Tea." There are a variety of drinks in Taiwan, but this drink is the best selling among those. The drink is made from little tapioca balls that are boiled in black sugar and dropped in the milk tea, which tastes great served cold or hot. The most important thing is that you only have to pay TWD25 and you can have a rich flavor that you never had before. The second one is "Oyster Omelet," which consists of an omelet with a filling primarily composed of small oysters. Starch is mixed into the egg batter, giving the resulting egg wrap a thicker consistency. Putting some sauce on this dish makes it even more delicious. The last one is "Fried Buns." These delicacies come with either a vegetable filling of cabbage and mushrooms or a meat filling of pork and scallions. It is really delicious, but be careful when biting a fresh-cooked bun, lest you get burned by the hot juice inside. Chinese food is the most delicious food. If you have an opportunity, you should try it.

(Continued on page 22)

An Inspiration In My Life

Isis Vasquez, Honduras, Writing - High IntermediateAn unknown event can change your life's expectations. One day I went to a seminary and there was this young man, talking and motivating all the people there. While he was giving his speech, time stood still for me. This wonderful young man has made a change in my expectations and my life's desires. I really admire him, and also I have a huge respect for him.It was some years ago that I met this man, Jose Maria Deras, very well-known as CHEMA DERAS. He is the kind of person whom everybody knows because of his sympathy and his good common sense. He is always encouraging people to be better in their lives. He is a man who had had the honor of sharing his point of view with very important people, such as the president and ex-presidents of my country (Honduras). Also, he has his own corporation, in the business world of publicity, and rental containers. Because he is a very kind boss, he is always trying to help his employees and make them feel comfortable in their jobs.Now that I know how other people motivate us, I want to be someone like my friend, someone who has made me see life with a different view: to desire and reach my goals, hopes and dreams, and to have news goals and new desires after I achieve the first ones. I think when we admire someone it is because this person has been very trustworthy with us and a very good friend.

Janina Geise, Germany, Writing - High IntermediateI have a friend whose name is Marie. She is a very talented and self-confident person. She does things I could never do. She inspires me because of her courage to stay in a developing country for one year and also because of her different talents. We met each other on the first day of school. Everything was new for both of us. Since that day we've been best friends. We took the same classes, but we were different. She was the girl who never had to study. She would listen to the teacher and she understood everything. I had to learn a lot to get to know things. Another part is her musical talent. She can play the guitar and piano. It's amazing that she had enough time to do all these things. I had to concentrate on learning for school. Marie only read a little bit in the books and then she was ready for the exams.This year we finished school. We both decided to go abroad. I decided to go to the USA as an au pair. My friend Marie decided to go to India for one year. I am really proud that she decided to do it. I mean, we live in two different "worlds." Marie stays in a small village without electricity. She teaches kids in school, and helps them to get a better life. When she has a day off, she visits a small town with an Internet cafe. She has time to meet some other international workers. That really is inspirational for me. I could never do this, living in a small village without any other social contracts. I am really glad to be her friend.

Carolyn Mikhael, Syria, Reading - IntermediateI admire Mother Theresa because she spent her life helping sick people and feeding poor families. Mother Theresa left her home to live in another country. Her satisfaction was to heal and feed sick and hungry people. She asked for no reward for her service. She had a strong faith and she did not discriminate.

Kwan Leung, Hong Kong, Writing High - IntermediateThere are many ways how people inspire you in your life. The person who has inspired me the most is my father. He doesn't talk much, but he will show you in his work. He always keeps his word. My father inspired me the most when I was a kid, and I learned a lot from him.My father inspires me at his job. When I was younger, my father always went to work, no matter if he was sick or not. When he was working, he would always tell me examples of how to do the job and share with me some things related to life. He was always joking on the phone with other people and he was having fun at work every day. My father always keeps his word. He doesn't just tell people he will do something. He will do it immediately. He doesn't lie at work. If he says it's a deal, then he will never change the price even if the price of materials goes up higher. He always keeps his promise to the family like he was at work.My father is a cool guy. He is very honest and keeps his family in peace. He is a hard working man. He always takes care of his business friends. My father inspires me in those two ways. He wants me to be better than him when I grow up.

Daniela Mocofan, Romania, Writing High - Intermediate In my childhood I saw a little girl that inspired me to do everything to the edge of perfection, and I looked up to her to challenge myself as much as I could. I saw this girl on TV during the Olympic Games in Montreal. Her name was Nadia Comaneci, and she was 14 years old. Nadia Elena Comanici was born in November 12, 1961, in Onesti, a small mining town situated in Moldova, Romania. She was the older of two children of Gheorghe and Stefani Comaneci. She was the first person who had a perfect score of "10" in an Olympic gymnastic competition. In fact, the scoreboard in Montreal was not designed for a perfect 10. Instead, a”1.00” was displayed on the scoreboard. Two days later, Nadia received more and more gold medals for her performance in the Olympic Games. By the time the Olympics ended, she had earned seven perfect tens, bringing her a total of five Olympic medals. After the Olympics Games were finished, Nadia returned to her country where the people went to the airport to meet her with flowers and gifts. In my country Nadia inspired many girls to practice gymnastics; the girls wished to become a new Nadia. In November 1989, Nadia Comaneci emigrated to the U.S. after she crossed the Romanian-Hungarian border illegally. Twenty years after her glory in Montreal she married an American Olympic Champion, Bart Conner. Now, Nadia and her husband own the “Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy.” Also, she supports the Nadia Comaneci Gymnastics School in her hometown in Romania. She speaks five languages and is a commentator of gymnastics competitions for several television networks. Although she had everything in her country, she preferred to emigrate and to start a new life in the U.S. After 30 years when I first saw her, I also started a new life. Nadia Comanici inspires me to keep going in my new life even though sometimes it is hard and unusual. When I started my new life in the U.S., I didn’t know anything. My goal is to have a perfect 10 or more, the same as her. Everyday I am closer to reaching my goal of the perfect 10.


Tania Pinedo, Mexico, Writing High - IntermediateWhy do most people get inspiration from someone from their family? Perhaps because our family members are the ones who have helped us and given us the bases for a good life. It is not the exception with me. Every single day I get inspiration to continue my life from my parents. This is especially true when I remember that my parents have worked so hard to give me the best opportunities in my life, like helping me to get my green card to live in the United States. For instance, they spent a lot of time and money to get their American citizenship. Now they are helping me with my English classes and to settle in my life in Houston, TX. These kinds of things give me the inspiration to be the best person I can be everyday. They have given me strong bases and values, like how to be a patient, respectful and responsible person, because they provide an excellent example.My parents have been married forty years. One day, I would like to have forty years with my husband, too. I would like to be able to solve all the problems in my family in the correct way like my parents. Because they have given me so many opportunities, I don't like to cheat or disappoint my parents, just like my sister. She is studying for a master's and she has two children and takes care of them very well. She has been married for fifteen years. I think she has never disappointed them.

Reiko Minami, Japan, Writing - High IntermediateI am a lazy idealist. I want to get a good job! I want to be successful! I want to have a good character! I want to keep my healthy and have good figure! Some people can stand up by themselves and start to move towards their goals with their own strong plans, idea and will. But I, I usually shrink into the inside of myself and prefer to do nothing. When I think of the long way that I have to persevere to reach the goal, the aim is Everest-high and that intimidates me Once I decided to start jogging and doing yoga for my mental health. I bought a lot of books and I read them all. But there was not a day when I could actually open the door and step out into the cold winter day to jog. Not a day could I spare the time to sit down and start to practice the “fire breathing.” This dilemma between “thinking and doing” had lasted more than three years until I finally enrolled myself in a yoga course and in a fitness club. After that, things went much easier. I went to the fitness center everyday after work, and I started to master the breath technique to control my nerves. The gym seemed to me like a lighthouse which guided me to achieve the goal. As I first arrived here in Texas, I felt again as if I were thrown away into the endless dark ocean. I wanted to live a significant life in these four or five years, but I did not know at all how I should start. Again, the summit is too high and the way to it seemed endless. After a lot of lazy thinking days, I decided to take English lessons, not causal private classes or those offered for free in a community center, but classes given by a legitimate institute. So I am here in your class. I have been able to get out of the usual vicious circulation. You are a teacher who inspires me a lot. I have started to find the aim to learn English again and gradually I am seeing what I can do here in the U.S. When I look back at my life, I see a lot of lights that guided and helped me in every occasion. Each of them means very much to me and it always connects me with a positive memory. I thank them all.

Dicson Leon, Venezuela, Writing High IntermediateHave you been thinking about how important it is to have some inspiration in your life? Or who are those people that were able to inspire you? The inspiration for me to become a better person everyday come form my parents, teachers and sports trainers. My parents have always been a source of inspiration for me. My parents had a good education and good principles. So they could give me all the tools to be strong and consistent. Also, they showed me the steps that I have to follow to be a better person. For instance, being honest, respectful, responsible and humble are good qualities to live in a correct way.My teachers and my sport trainers were able to influence me to be a better person, too. They were able to encourage me to reach my goals and showed me principles as my parents did. Once one of my trainers told me, "If you want to be better, fight for it, put all your heart in what you want." I kept those words in mind, and I have tried to do my best always. Words can change lives! However, I consider that inspiration is related to our ability to make decisions because you can feel inspired by someone, but you have to make the decision to make the difference in what you want to be or do. Those decisions could implicate sacrifices of things that you like to do or sacrifices of your time. To finalize, inspiration to become a better person is a good thing. People like parents, teachers and trainers can give us the courage to reach our comprehensive goals. They can guide us to make better decisions in our lives, and they can provide us the inspiration that we need to persevere in what we want.

Lenka Novotná, The Czech Republic, Writing - High IntermediateEveryone can say "wow" to my dad's talent. He is such a great musician and a real expert in music theory, even if he hasn't studied it at the university. He has played in a bluegrass band for almost twenty years. This band is not only very successful in the Czech Republic, but also in the United States. My dad inspires me in many ways, but the strongest one is music.When I was a little girl, my dad sent an application to a music school, and I started to attend a flute class. Thanks to my dad, I was really glad to attend this class, so later I started to take a piano class to further my abilities. My dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps, and his help aided me a lot. He paid for the music school for me, and I gave it back to him by practicing and trying to be better and better at it.Now, my dad and I can share our favorite music, and we also can play and sing together. When my dad plays something on any instrument, I quite often have ideas of how it could sound a little bit better. Sometimes I'm wrong, at least according to him, but from time to time he is surprised about what a good idea I have. This is how my dad inspires my music sensation. He sort of teaches me what is good and what is wrong in music, and then I can use it in my own business without his help.I think I inherited some talent from my dad, and I could exploit it quite a lot because he supports me in everything that concerns music. I can also extend my talent by taking the inspiration from him. Now, at this time, we can talk about music more than before when I was a little girl. It's true that from time to time we argue about something, but I can't complain about my dad; he brought something extraordinary to my life for which I'll be thankful forever.


Yasmin Leon, Venezuela, Writing - High Intermediate Since I got married, my husband has been my inspiration. Why is he my inspiration? This is because he has taught me many things that I had not appreciated before due to my fear. He taught me that I must always be optimistic when I confront problems. When I have a problem, he always tells me, “Think and resolve. Do not worry; with that you do not resolve anything.” He has taught me that the family is the most important. We have to be responsible, and we must try to educate our children in the best way. It is important for him to give them a good example. Also, he has taught me that we can feel happy, and when people are around us, they can feel happy too. He always tries to be happy and jovial. He jokes when we are worried about something. And he thinks that the best way to resolve a problem is with a positive attitude and a calm head. Sometimes, I think that without him, I could not do anything because together we have been able to resolve big problems during our twenty-seven years of marriage. For me, the most important thing in my life is having a person that helps me to see life in the best way.

William Contreras, Mexico, Writing - High IntermediateI have a friend who has really impressed me since I met him. His name is Carlos, and he is the same age as I, nineteen. I know he will become an interesting person because he is interesting now. This way, he might impress anyone. He taught me in no time where my problems were, something I would not have discovered without his help. I have known him for only about six months, but it has been enough time to learn a lot about life.One day he asked me to join the staff group for a national event. I accepted. He was going to be the leader. During four days I saw the meaning of leading. He was always one step ahead of anyone else. He was always solving a problem that would have happened later. Even when he was tired, he did the job, and a well-done job. Banal attitudes do not go with him. It was really rich for me being part of the event's staff.Also, while the event was going on, I had problems with a partner. Carlos had a chat with me about that. He told me why I was wrong. That was hard; no one enjoys hearing about their own mistakes. I assailed him with an evil look. I was irate. After a while I recognized I was in the wrong and that my behavior was not right. So I tried to fix the troubles, and all went better with this partner.Other things happened, but all of them made me realize life is not black or white; no one is completely bitter or sweet. When you have a goal, you cannot let anything demoralize you. And I learned this with the help of a sharp-minded person. This is my friend, Carlos.

Maria Garcia, Mexico, Oral Communication - IntermediateMy inspiration is to be a good person who is in contact with God. This is the most important thing. I want to be able to help my family the best that I can. This is why I want to learn English. I want to help other people speak English, too. I had an experience with a person that I really loved. She was my neighbor. She was an old lady, and she already passed away. The way we communicated was by writing and reading. She wrote down the things she needed from me, and then I answered to her with my poor English.

Marisela Rodriguez, Mexico, Writing - High IntermediateMy sister has been more than just a sister. After knowing her very well for more than six years, she has become the person that inspires me day by day because of all the goals she has achieved and also because of her positive personality. When I moved to the U.S., I started to know my sister and all that is around her life, so I realized that I have a great sister because she is always looking forward. She knows that if she wants to have something, she has to work for it without leaving her family or values behind.Since she came to the U.S., she has done her best for her family and for herself. She worked for several years and helped her husband to have and maintain what they have now. They own two restaurants, and they have had good luck with the business, but she is not only interested in that. She also cares about her nineteen year-old son, her fifteen year-old daughter and her little son, who is two. She thinks of what she would like for them to have or do in their future. She also thinks about me and gives me advice, but not as a sister, more like a best friend.In conclusion, my sister inspires me every day to have a better life and to be an excellent person. My sister has taken care of me and supported me more than anyone else. She has become my mother, my sister, my confidant, and my friend. I would like to be like her, always looking forward and not stopping in just one place and staying there. Thanks to her and her inspirational personality, I know that I have to move on a little bit more everyday and that I have to put more balance in my life of what I have, what I would like to have, and what I can have.

Lorena Lopez, Venezuela, Writing - High IntermediateWhen I was a little girl, I had a good childhood. I always felt protected by my parents and brothers. I was very happy because my mom was my model of a woman. She was the only woman around me, and she performed her role with excellence. For that reason, she inspires me in different ways. First, I learned from my mother honesty and confidence. One day in my country of Venezuela, I went with my mother to the supermarket, and the cashier gave her more change than what she paid, and she told the cashier, "This money is not mine." So the cashier told her, "Oh, thanks! It was my error." I asked my mom, "Why did you do that?" She answered me, "Because that money is not mine." Since that moment I knew the meaning of the word honesty. I learned that concept from my mom. I learned about confidence from my mom because I saw her self- esteem. She could talk in front of many people, and I have never seen her nervous.Second, my mom inspires me in her ability to cook good dishes. When I came to the United States, everything was new for me, and I started to make my own food. For that reason when I am making something, I think about my mom: How did she make this dish? And, then I try to make the dish similar to my mom. Of course, if I can not make it, I call her on the phone, and she explains the recipe to me.In conclusion, I know one's mother is special for a majority of people. However, my mom is a big part of my life. She always inspires me to be a good person, and I learned from her how to be confident and honest. Now, I am a housewife, so it is hard for me sometimes, but I always remember my mom's advice, and I try to follow it.


Zhiling Liang, China, Writing - High IntermediateI have a simple family. My mother is a homemaker. She cooks food for us, and she takes good care of the house. My younger brother is naughty sometimes, but he is also a good boy. He is good at playing basketball and the guitar. However, my father always sets a good example for me. He inspires me a lot and he always gives me or other people good advice. My father is a talkative person. I still remember my best friend Ming, who was in a bad mood one day. She had a quarrel with her family. She left her home and came to my house. I didn’t have any ideas how to cheer her up. After my father found out, he came and talked with us. It surprised me that my friend felt better after she talked with my father. She decided to go home and fix the problem with her family. After several days, she told me that I was so lucky to have a good and humorous father.Sometimes, my father gives me the courage to overcome difficulties. One day, I fell off the bicycle, so I came home with black and blue arms. I was crying to my father, and I asked him to drive me to school. I wanted to quit learning how to ride a bicycle. I thought it was very difficult for me. But my father said: “Dear, I can help you today. But as you know, someday, I will leave you. You have to face life by yourself. Don’t give up. Go for it.” After one week, I finally knew how to ride a bicycle. Even though, my arms and legs were black and blue, I learned that I have to face the problem by myself.I love my whole family, but my father is the most important person in my life. He is a good example for me of all time. Even though I do not live with my parents now, I still remember my father’s words.

Desyana Dewi, Indonesia, Oral Communication - IntermediateI was in a dilemma after I had my second child. Do I continue my job as a secretary in a big Drilling Services company, or do I stop my job and start to take care of my family with my own hands? In my country, every household could have a live-in nanny or maid, even a driver. I used to have them all to help me run my house and take care of my children while I went to work.If I was selfish and just thinking about my career, I might have chosen to be a career woman whom always went to work every morning with a nice suit and always smelled good and felt different than a stay-at-home woman. My mother reminded me about everything she had done when she was young. She was a stay-at- home mother, but she was very educated, charming, and a happy woman. She owned a catering business, and she was busy, but she could still keep an eye on her children.I decided to quit my job that I enjoyed very much to be a full-time mother and wife until we moved to the USA 6 years ago. Since we came to the USA, things have changed a lot. There are a thousand things I can learn about life. I have a lot of inspiration to do anything without sacrifice at all. Women here are very strong and very independent. I have learned good lessons from them beside my beloved family.

Daniela Villareal, Venezuela, Oral Communication - IntermediateEvery day when the sun rises, I recognize that I have a new opportunity, a reason to continue my life, and follow my dreams. I am in peace because God inspires me. I have energy, hope, and faith. Nothing is missing because I am complete in him. I am thankful to God because I can be a successful person. I do not have to complain about anything. I have everything that I need, and my body is whole. I have no illnesses or diseases. I have a shelter and a bite of food every day. My family is fine, and I have a lot of friends to keep me company. If I find myself in a terrible situation, a helpless human, I know that everything will be fine because my strength comes from the Lord, material things are not all in life.

Qing CAO, China, Reading - IntermediateMrs. Anne's class inspires me a lot. This is my second year of college, and I didn't do too well at my second semester here. Therefore, I decided to take more classes. That's why I chose ESL. It is much better than my other classes that I am taking right now. First of all, the ESL class is much easier to understand. Mrs. Anne is such a nice instructor and talks clearly, and I have a great time in her class. Second, we talk about more things than in other English classes, like life, school, work, and this makes the class more interesting. For instance, we talked about Ike, what we were going to do before the hurricane, and what happened after the hurricane. Who has power, and who doesn't have power? That gives us a lot of information about what is happening outside of the class. Third, ESOL classes prepare me for other classes. It was really hard for me to pass other classes because I still didn't know a lot of English. I am not in a hurry, so I would like to take more ESOL classes.

Thelma Miranda, Mexico, Oral Communication - IntermediateMy family inspires me the most because they support me with everything, and they help me with anything that I need help with. Especially, my children are the ones that inspire me the most because I do everything that I can possibly do for them to make them happy. They inspire me to do things that I never thought I would be able to do in my life, like starting to learn English and to be able to help them with their stuff. They make me bring out the best of me every day, and they make me feel very happy with my life.

Jorge Ochoa, Colombia, Oral Communication - IntermediateAn inspiration for me is the workplace. This place is like a second home. It is where you share a big part of your life with people close to you, and some of them can be good friends. Here, several dreams may come true. One of my most important goals is professional success through this place. I have a Bachelor in Business Management, and I know people need to feel comfortable, secure, respected, and recognized in all the possible ways. People need truth, justice, and respect by other people Consequently, people can develop experience and be capable to promote their abilities with excellence. In addition, a strategic vision to respond to the needs of the modern businesses is needed. The major objective is to offer products and services to


clients with aggregate value and to generate a profit. We live in a competitive environment, and we need a position oriented toward the making of decisions. In conclusion, the workplace can be a central point in the life of many people around the world. All of us know that this great place is not easy to find by all people. However, if we look for it carefully, we can find it.

Roxana Eduardo, Argentina, Writing - High IntermediateMany people do different things in their lives that make them feel happy, or creative, or things that inspire them. But, do you know what or who inspires you in your life? Who inspired you when you were a child, or who or what is inspiring you now? In my case, I have different people who inspired me, but my mother was the most important. When I was a child, I always wanted to play with my friends, and I didn't know exactly why I needed to go to school, but my mother taught me how important it was for my future. She always encouraged me to reach my goals. She couldn't go to school like other people because she had to work, but it was not

an impediment for her. She studied later a profession and reached her goals. When I was confused or tired, I always thought of her words, of her hard work to be a better person. It made me feel complete. Some years ago, in my country when I was studying my last month in college, I lost my inspiration! I couldn't find my way. I was not sure about my career, or about my future. I didn't know what I had to do. Unfortunately, my mother was not with me anymore, and it was really difficult for me to continue without her help. I don't know when, or how, but my inspiration returned to me, maybe because my mother's words always are in my mind. Her words, memories and actions inspired me in that hard moment, and in each moment in my life. The inspiration in our life is so important like love, breathing, or eating. Without it you are lost. Inspiration motivates your life, and it is really easy to find it. You do not have to look for it far away because maybe it is near you, like my mother! So now, can you answer the question? Do you know who or what is your inspiration? Don't be afraid to search on your own. It is there, and it is wonderful to find it.§

Miguel Reina

If you asked Melissa Silva as a young person if she ever thought that she would be doing what she does now, the answer is a resounding ënoí. Growing up as a child in Oklahoma was the beginning of her life adventure where stories of travel abroad, books like Haji Baba of Isphahan, and her own third grade project on Switzerland formed in her a curiosity about other peoples and places. Much of her young life she studied music and French. During her junior year in college, she still hadn't found her niche, but a semester abroad in places like Taiwan, India, Egypt, and Morocco brought college to an end with a degree in English emphasizing International Literature. It had also hooked Melissa. She began studying Chinese; its tonal quality appealed to the musician in her and the characters and history of the "middle kingdom" were beyond fascinating. Melissa completed a Masterís Degree in English with the major Teaching English as a Second Language. By then she had studied Chinese at Monterey Institute of International Studies and Beijing Languages Institute and had spent nearly a year and a half teaching ESL at Qinghua University in Beijing, traveling

Featured ESOL Faculty: Melissa Silva

to the farthest corners of China in the post-Mao era. She came home to eventually marry a Ph.D. student from Colombia and learned Spanish to teach to her two sons. Traveling to South America with her family and to her father-in-law's farm as often as possible has also taught her how to grow, pick, and dry coffee and cacao, how to raise cattle on a mountainside, and has shown her unfathomable beauty. At home, the Silvas have a basset hound and a bloodhound, a rabbit and a hedgehog. In the future, Melissa and her husband hope to build a green home that will sustain itself with solar and wind power and make use of the latest in eco technology.

An Unforgettable Childhood Memory

Melissa Rosibel Lujan, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningIt was one o'clock in the morning when I left my country, and one of those who I left behind was my grandmother. My grandmother's eyes looked at me with love, telling me, "I want to see you again," I could never imagine so much pain. Part of my life went with her. She was like my mother, while my mother was absent. She never let go of my hand. I remember a lot about our time together; we used to talk about everything from her childhood to when she became engaged to my grandfather. I always asked about my mom when she was a little girl. She always said my mother was a good daughter and she always helped her. That day we hugged much and I told her that I wanted her a lot. The times I talked to my grandmother, she used to tell me, "When are you coming?" and I said, "I want to see you" and I always said, "Soon." During our last conversation, she cried and I told her that this breaks my heart and I told her that I wanted to see her again. One day we were all busy. My mother was at work, I was in class and we all had a daily routine that day, but the least we expected was that call. My grandmother was dying. My life was paralyzed and I told myself not to go back to see her. I could not believe that I went with promises and mixed feelings. My mother traveled to see her, too. The agony she was carrying was so strong on the inside, but her life and the pain was remarkable. My grandmother died. My tears ran so fast; the pain was so strong that there was nothing that could calm me down. The only thing I wanted was to go back and see her alive. While my heart cried, I had to be strong and the voice of God came and told me that wherever she is, she is happy.

Josefina Milagros Demedina, Peru, Writing - High BeginningI have five sisters and one brother. I was very happy in my childhood because my mom was always with us. My mom was a seamstress and my father was a mechanic. They worked hard. I remember my mom's loving and caring voice. She made us cakes and delicious food. She never left us alone. She was always with us. She made dresses for my brothers and me. I had many friends when I was in high school. My mom taught us to cook, to clean the house, and to do laundry. She said to us, "If you want to go to the movies, first you have to clean the house or do the dishes." I remember my childhood with love because it was a nice time for me.

Maria Luisa Sanchez, Mexico, Writing IntermediateWhen I was 8 years old, a sad thing happened in my life. My brother and I found a metal box. We were very happy when we found it. We showed it to my dad. This is a day that I will never forget.One day my brother and I were playing in the woods. We started to play hide and seek. As I was looking for him, I tripped. I looked down and there was something sticking out of the ground. It was a metal box. We were very happy to find something in the woods. It was like treasure to us. We tried to open it, but we could not. We ran home and showed it to our friends. They thought it was cool that we found a box. We showed the box to our dad. He opened the box and found family jewels. He showed it to our neighbors to see if it belonged to anybody. One of the ladies said it was hers. She got very emotional. She had been missing that box for many months. Someone had stolen it from her house. They called the police and they started investigating. The cops found out that four teenagers had committed the crime and they had to go to jail. I will never forget that one of them was my dad’s best friend's son. This made me wish that I had never found the box.

Blanca L Martinez, Mexico, Reading-High BeginningMy unforgettable childhood memory is when I got selected for a scholarship to study ballet in Cuba. When I was eleven years old, my two older sisters and I had been attending ballet classes in Mexico City for two years , but in Mexico, there was not a complete professional ballet training at that time and the training had to continue outside Mexico, for example, in France or the U.S.A. That was unaffordable for my parents. That year, 1975, Cuba gave scholarships to Mexican students. I thought I was not the required age, but I went to the eliminations surrounded by 700 older students. My family thought that even if I wasn't selected, it was good practice. What a surprise it was when the letter of acceptance came for my oldest sister and me! That day started my professional career as a ballet ballerina for the National Company of Dance (Compania Nacional de Danza) in Mexico City, which wouldn't end until 21 years later. I was the starring Prima Ballerina in many productions for years. These memories will be with me all my life.

Carlos Ruiz, Mexico, Writing - High BeginningOne of my most unforgettable moments in my childhood was when I was with my grandfather and grandmother in the 1980s. Every weekend I needed to wake up early before 5:00 a.m. because my grandparents were waiting for me and the wagon was ready to go to their little ranch. We arrived at 6:00 a.m. and I helped my grandfather from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Later, I took my reel and my rifle and went to a little lake near a small house that my grandparents owned. At noon, when the sun rose, I went back to the small house with fish, rabbits, doves, or quail and my grandmother was waiting for me to see if I caught something and then she cooked them. All the food was cooked with charcoal because the little house did not have gas or electricity and charcoal makes a delicious flavor. After dinner, I went for corn and watermelon. At 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., we went back to the town and I finished my day very happy. I will never forget those moments in my life. My grandfather was a good man and loved the outdoor life and I will never forget him. This is the reason I like fishing, hunting, and the outdoors life.In memory of my loving grandfather, Desiderio Ruis (1904-1995) §

Ursula Molski


Monica Sanchez, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateMexico is a country that has everything, is rich in beaches, is rich in agriculture, is rich in oil, and rich in history. I love my country. It has cities with buildings old and new. We have all types of weather; there are places where it is cold and places where it is hot. The food is very different in many states. Each state has its typical dish. My state, Tamaulipas, is famous for a dish called the Tampiqueña served with enchiladas, beans and little pieces of banana. There are many beautiful beaches in the state of Quintana Roo. We also have the Caribbean Sea in the state of Baja California. Finally, I love my country because the people that were born in México are friendly.Elena Guerrero, Peru, Writing - IntermediateI love everything about Peru: The people (especially family and friends), food, traditions, customs, climate, and others. We have exceptional natural beauty and architecture. Peru is a country very rich in traditions and customs because of our ancestors. We have many holidays and Peruvian people have a particular desire to celebrate special days. We like to listen to music and dance a lot. The people who live in different regions in Peru are completely different in the food, the way they dress, the way they talk, and their customs and traditions. Each region of our country, the coast, the mountains and the jungle have different folkdances. All of them are wonderful, and the rhythm of the music invites you to dance and sing; if you are not familiar with the custom, don't worry about this because you will still have fun at the celebrations. The last

thing that I love is an emblematic drink called Pisco Sour. It's a strong alcoholic drink, but it is sweet, refreshing, and authentically Peruvian. These are the reasons I love my country.

Maria Carmen Serrano, Mexico, Writing - IntermediateMexico City is known as one of the largest cities of the world. It has many beautiful and important places. One of them is Forest of Chapultepec. It has a zoo with many animal species. Also, it has a lake and many restaurants. The people enjoy going to the Forest of Chapultepec because they can do a lot of activities. The Forest of Chapultepec has many free shows in the summer. For example, people can participate in bicycle racing. Kids enjoy different activities that are specifically for them. They can ride on boats on the lake and give food to the ducks. Normally, old people like to go to Chapultepec because it reminds them of their childhood. Another place in the forest is the famous Castle of Chapultepec. This place is rich in culture because it is hundreds of years old. Several Mexican presidents lived here. Also, it has the famous House of Mirrors. You can see your body in different forms. Everybody enjoys it there because it is very funny. Near the forest, there are many important museums. For example, you can find the Anthropology Museum, Natural History Museum, The Moderns Arts Museum, Rufino Tamayo Museum, and others. Each museum has special things and different cultures. Tourists like to go to the museums because they want to learn about the history of Mexico. The museums in Mexico are appreciated around the world. §

Communication for Workplace I (64) CCOMG. 2100073, KC201, 93089 MTWTh 8:30-10:20 amCommunication for Workplace II (64) CCOMG. 2100148, KC202, 93090 MTWTh 8:30-10:20 amCommunication for Workplace III (64) CCOMG. 2100456, KC203, 93092 MTWTh 10:30-12:20 amCommunication for Workplace IV (64) CCOMG. 2100562, KM204, 93796 MTWTh 10:30-12:20 am

Communication for Workplace I (64) CCOMG. 2100073, KC205, 93094 TTh 7:00- 8:50pmCommunication for Workplace II (64) CCOMG. 2100148, KC206, 93095 TTh 7:00- 8:50pmCommunication for Workplace III (64) CCOMG. 2100456, KC207, 93096 MW 7:00- 8:50pmCommunication for Workplace IV (64) CCOMG. 2100562, KC208, 93099 MW 7:00- 8:50pmEnglish For Healthcare Professions (48) CCOMG. 2100674, KC209, 93101 TTh 7:00- 8:20pm

16-Week Classes (Start Date: 1/12/09, End Date: 5/10/2009)

Communication for Workplace I (64) CCOMG. 2100073, KC211, 90391 MTWTh 8:30-10:20 amCommunication for Workplace II (64) CCOMG. 2100148, KC212, 93097 MTWTh 8:30-10:20 amCommunication for Workplace III (64) CCOMG. 2100456, KC213, 93098 MTWTh 10:30-12:20 amCommunication for Workplace IV (64) CCOMG. 2100562, KM214, 93798 MTWTh 10:30-12:20 am

CONTINUING EDUCATION ESOL COURSES - SPRING 2009

Course Name Course Number Day/Time

(Continued from page 15)



Language Skills Workshop (48) - Gramamar

ENGL. 0308, 29001, 85092 CENGL. 3100558, 29001, 93175 F 10:00-11:20

Developmental Reading II (64)

ENGL. 0305, 21E01, 85151 N/A MW 8:00-9:50

Developmental Reading II (64)

ENGL. 0305, 29E01, 85153 N/A S 10:00-11:50

ESOL Oral Comm – High Beginning (96)

ENGL. 0343, 21001, 85097 CENGL. 3004301, 21001 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Oral Comm – High Beginning (96)

ENGL. 0343, 21002, 85098 CENGL. 3004301, 21002, 90439 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Oral Comm – Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0344, 21001, 85099 CENGL. 3004401, 21001, 90443 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

EESOL Oral Comm – Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0344, 21002, 85102 CENGL. 3004401, 21002, 90445 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Oral Comm – High Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0345, 21001, 85103 CENGL. 3004501, 21001, 90447 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Oral Comm – High Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0345, 21002, 85111 CENGL. 3004501, 21002, 90448 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Oral Comm –Advanced (96)

ENGL. 0346, 21001, 85115 CENGL. 3004601, 21001, 90450 MTWTh 8:30-9:50

ESOL Writing High Beginning (96)

ENGL. 0353, 21001, 85116 CENGL. 3005301, 21001, 90451 MTWTh 10:00-11:20


ENGL. 0353, 21002, 85120 CENGL. 3005301, 21002, 90452 MTWTh 10:00-11:20

ESOL Writing Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0354, 21001, 85122 CENGL. 3005401, 21001, 90458 MTWTh 10:00-11:20


ENGL. 0354, 21002, 85123 CENGL. 3005401, 21002, 90462 MTWTh 10:00-11:20

ESOL WritingHigh Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0355, 21001, 85125 CENGL. 3005501, 21001, 90469 MTWTh 10:00-11:20

ESOL WritingHigh Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0355, 21002, 85126 CENGL. 3005501, 21002, 90473 MTWTh 10:00-11:20

ESOL Writing Advanced (96)

ENGL. 0356, 21001, 85127 CENGL. 3005601, 21001, 90478 MW 10:00-12:50

ESOL Reading High Beginning (80)

ENGL. 0337, 21001, 85129 CENGL. 3003701, 21001, 90426 MW 11:30-12:55TTh 11:30-12:25

ESOL Reading Intermediate (80)

ENGL. 0338, 21001, 85146 CENGL. 3003801, 21001, 90429 MW 11:30-12:55TTh 11:30-12:25

ESOL Reading Intermediate (80)

ENGL. 0338, 21002, 85148 CENGL. 3003801, 21002, 90432 MW 11:30-12:55TTh 11:30-12:25

ESOL Reading High Intermediate (80)

ENGL. 0339, 21001, 85149 CENGL. 3003901, 21001, 90436 MW 11:30-12:55TTh 11:30-12:25

ACADEMIC ESOL COURSES - SPRING 2009


Course Name CREDIT Number CE Number Day/TimeCourse Name Credit Number CE Number Day/Time

(More >>)

Acknowledgements: I would like to thank our ESOL student contributors, ESOL faculty, and Pam Clarke and Designs in Print intern Hannah Carter for their collaboration and assistance. Copyrights@2008: Lone Star College - Kingwood is the copyright holder of the materials in the Diversity. Any use of the materials in this newsletter is only allowed with permission from Lone Star College - Kingwood.

Course Name CREDIT Number CE Number Day/TimeLanguage Skills Workshop (48) ENGL. 0308, 21801, 85017 CENGL. 3100558,21801, 93173 MTWTh

1:30-2:50

Course Name CREDIT Number CE Number Day/TimeLanguage Skills Workshop (48)

ENGL. 0308, 21802, 85044 CENGL. 3100558, 21802, 93174 MTWTh 1:30-2:50 pm

Developmental Reading II (64) ENGL. 0305, 22E01, 85815 N/A MW 6:00-7:50 pm

ESOL Oral Comm. High Beginning (96)

ENGL. 0343, 22001, 85829 CENGL. 3004301, 22001, 90441 MW6:00-8:50 pm

ESOL Oral Comm. Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0344, 22001, 85830 CENGL. 3004401, 22001, 90446 MW6:00-8:50 pm

ESOL Oral Comm. High Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0345, 22001, 85832 CENGL. 3004501, 22001, 90449 MW6:00-8:50 pm


ENGL. 0353, 22001, 85835 CENGL. 3005301, 22001, 90453 TTh6:00-8:50 pm


ENGL. 0354, 22001, 85837 CENGL. 3005401, 22001, 90464 TTH6:00-8:50 pm

ESOL Writing High Intermediate (96)

ENGL. 0355, 22001, 85840 CENGL. 3005501, 22001, 90475 TTh6:00-8:50 pm

ESOL Writing Advanced (96)

ENGL 0356, 22001, 85841 CENGL. 3005601, 22001, 90481 TTh6:00-8:50 pm

ACADEMIC ESOL COURSES - SPRING 2009 (continued)



Course Name Credit Number CE Number Day/Time



16-Week Classes (Start Date: 1/12/09, End Date: 5/10/2009) (continued)

Diversity - Lone Star College

Documents

Transcript of Diversity - Lone Star College