Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Introducing Ourselves: Short Essay

Post your essay here before next Wednesday's class. Please also bring a copy on paper to class that day.

14 comments:

LINDA LIU said...

Headache or Fun?

English had been my big headache since I was grade 7. From year to year, when I watched people on TV pouring out English eloquently, I thought that would never be me. However, things have changed since I started learning English again in the adult learning school in Canada. I realized that I was in the wrong track of learning foreign language in my past experience. Nowadays, learning English is a fun for me.
My English study started from my first year in the middle school. At that time, I thought English was like the puzzle of grammar and vocabulary. Solving the puzzle makes “perfect English”. Furthermore, I was encouraged to practice compound and complex sentence, and use the” big word “as many as I can. As a result, I tried to make a long sentence which made me breathlessly read at one time. To native speakers, that would look awkward, but for me, I thought it was academic. Sometimes I was so confused why those native speakers don’t understand my English. Was their English worse than mine?
My understanding about English changed after I registered English courses in the adult learning center. In this school, I first learned the KISS principle, which totally reversed my attitude of using English. KISS is the short form of Keep it Simple and Straightforward. My teacher told me, “Everything should be as simple as possible, no fancy dancing word!” By practicing this rule, I feel myself as free as a bird because I don’t have to twist my brain making long sentences. Later on, my another teacher taught me the principle of “show don’t tell” which is challenging me now with all sensory words. Although my sentences are still somehow confusing my teachers, the fact is, I am improving and my headache is gone.
This term I am moving to English 11. I do have my expectation for this class. First of all, I want to develop my own style of writing which no one can repeat. Secondly, I wish I could learn more knowledge of poetry so that I could write my own poem and read it aloud to my classmates. The third one is easy to say but hard to fulfill : that is to get a good result in this course. There is a rumor about this course that no one can get A mark in the end of the term, because the curse is difficult and the teacher is strict. That really scares me, so I hope from this term, me, and my classmates together will make a change. We will make some A students in the class. If that really happens to me. I will hold my head high swaggering into English 12.
Like all the English teachers saying, “Learning English takes time.” I know I have a long way to go for learning English, but It is no harm hoping for the best. I even have a dream that one day I could be an ESL teacher, so that I could help the students who have similar experience like I had before. It will be a great pleasure to see that English learning is a big fun to me as well as to everyone else.

--541 words; third draft by Linda Liu

snow said...

Learning English in Canada

I have still remembered the embarrassment that nobody understood my English when I landed at Vancouver airport two and half years ago. At that moment, I knew there was nothing more important than learning English, otherwise, it was difficult to survive in Canada. I started my new life along with my English learning. Although the job was tough, and the journey was tortuous, fortunately, I have been on track for improving my English rapidly since I became a full time student. I believe that the better English will bring me a better future.

Looking back my English learning experience, I realized that the more I pay attention to, the more I gain. Because of my full time job once, I found the improvement of learning English was at a snail’s pace. Then I quit the job, and became a grade 10 of full time student at PALC in July of last year. After half year of learning, I have got a great benefit from going through a systematic study at school. I found English writing is no longer my headache, furthermore, I can read a fifty pages novel in one sitting without dictionary. Now, I am not only pretty satisfied with my progress, but also find a good fun from my learning.

This term, my English learning will meet a challenge. Because I have gone up to the English 11, and I will finish my Writing 12 by the end of this semester. I want to get good results. The four steps can help me to reach the goal. At first, don’t miss any class if possible; try to understand and memorize what the teacher teaches on the class. Secondly, don’t miss any homework and do it carefully. The third one, after the teacher corrects the mistakes of homework, remember them, and don’t make the same mistakes again. The last step is to read as more as I can. Following the four steps, I expect, my English learning of this term will be safely accomplished.

Striving for the perfect English, obviously, is the key to achieve my aim---opening my career gate in Canada. Although I stripped all my success which I had achieved in China, but the professional knowledge never disappears in my mind, and the strong thinking and learning abilities are still belong to me. Good English is the best way of building the bridge between my professional knowledge and my future career. Learning English is also the good way to learn Canadian culture. The more self-confident on my English, the better knowing Canadian society, and then my dream will come true.

Two and half years! Over the time I have learned English step by step, I found that my paces have become firmer and faster, and the power of my inner spirit has helped me to overcome many difficulties. I am extremely grateful to all of those, my teachers, my classmates and my friends, who give me a great help on my English learning. However, focusing on today and hoping for tomorrow, I believe I will fulfill my beautiful dream soon.


----518 words; third draft by snow

Zarmina said...

ENGLISH: THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT AND LANGUAGE
As we know learning any language takes a long period of time. People learn English in different ways; such as school, people, items and travel. Among languages and subjects, English is not only the most important subject in school, but also the most important language in the world. As for me, I am going to write about my experiences I have had while learning English, my expectation I have for this English course and how taking English will help me in the future.
First, I have been learning English for two years at Pearson Adult Learning Center. I have to say thanks to the wonderful teachers that have taught me with their great different methods. For example, during my previous English course we had assignments in and out of classrooms. The work, which we did in class with small groups, allowed us to have contact with other students who had different skills in English. That helped us to ameliorate our mistakes by learning from each other. Work that we did out of classroom also let us to connect with real English speakers in order to progress our English skills.
Second, my goal for this English course is to become comfortable with the English language, including reading, writing, grammar, and especially speaking. If that happens, it will have a great effect at my next course and future. This of course, will make me very happy. Although I am now in grade eleven, I still have problems with English. By this I mean I have difficulties in pronunciation and verb tenses. I know that most of the time I speak in present and past tense, which is not good. As I mentioned before, to be fluent in English is one of my dreams that I hope to make true as soon as possible.
Lastly, learning any second language can and will have many benefits in many different fields, possibly going far beyond what you would you imagine learning a second language could do for you. Completing the difficult task of learning English will not only make me capable of connecting and communicating with millions of people worldwide, but it will also open up many more opportunities for me to continue to further my education. When I finally have a good grasp of the English language, I will have access to almost unlimited resources for learning anything imaginable.
In conclusion, English, as a second language is not so easy to learn. But I am trying to learn English as a third language, and have some experience with both English and language education. I have great expectations for this English course. Hopefully, English will help me to succeed in my future. As I mentioned, learning English will open up many opportunities for you in the area of your career alone—possible promotion at your current job and potentially more exciting and higher paying jobs with future employers. With this in mind, can one really afford not to try to learn English as a second language?

---507 words; forth draft by Zarmina

sherry said...

Survival tool
English is became the most important for me since I moved to Canada. I feel so difficult to learn English not only in writing, but it also in speaking. English is like a great barrier cut my way in anywhere. So, after half year, I am aware that the first thing that I have to do is improve my English. Then, all the doors will open for me. Although it is a tough job, I must to overcome until I feel free living in Canada.
However, I had learned English for many years, and it dose not help me at all when I came to Canada. Even I didn’t know how to ask someone when I lost my way. So, my previous English experience vale is equal zero. The reason I think is that I learn English just doing some paper works, and the purpose for learning English is just for passing the course. If I could expected that I will immigrate to Canada, I think I would learn it well, and that my situation could be better than now. Therefore, I am very regret for that as I am waste the good time for learning the second language.
Since I came to Canada, in the first half year my life becomes so hard that I could not find any job because the language problem. Before I came to Canada, I think my English speaking will improve fast because I will have the environment to speak to someone else. In fact, it’s false. Thus, after half year, I decided to go to school to learn English. Now, I felicitate that I choose the right way. Since I have been learning English at PALC for one and half year, I think my English improve a lot. From level 7 to English 11, I am spent all my free time to learn English. I think it’s worthy. I will keep going to continue learning until my dream realize.
I have a dream that I could speak English fluently and writing an essay easily in some day, and I could like a bird flying in Canada. Therefore, I have to strive to learn English although it is a tough job for me. Since I have a poor memory for remember the new words, maybe I will take more time than others. But, I will never give up achieving my goal. I hope it will become possible that I could find my interesting job. If it is absolutely necessarily, I will go to some college in the near future.
Language is a tool, and accurately, it’s a survival tool for a new immigration. So, learning English is vital for me. I believe that my dream will come true if I would persistent to learn English.

Qin said...

Experiencing Challenges
“Gazing at the ocean and sighing”, is a Chinese idiom. It is mostly used to indicate being able to do nothing but sigh in the face of a huge task. Learning English is a huge task, including going to school, listening to the radio, reading the newspaper, and watching TV. I am exhausted by these things. But, I still can’t see a little improvement. I often say, “Learning English is not within my power.”
Recollecting the process of learning English was described by me as “tribulation”. In the first year of my university, English was my required course so that I had to take it whether or not. In the university, my first English teacher was a Mathematics professor. He used a ratiocinative method to teach English. Although he was conscientious, we felt insipid. I unskillfully recited the words and read the texts, so I thought that the English course was the most uninteresting in my all courses. After my university, my English skills were only limited to reading the simplest articles. For my jobs, I began to study English again by self pace. I bought many books, tapes and CDs, but they were useless.
When I got my immigration pages, I gladly said, “The chance of learning English comes.” Only two week after I arrived in Vancouver, I registered for the English course in the PALC. In the first year, I felt depressed in the classroom. Although I paid attention to listening in every class, I only understood less than the forty percent. I clutched at some key words to help me understand, but I couldn’t separate these words from each sentence. One year ago, I first took English 11. My first class was terrible because it challenged my English skills too much. Actually, as a truant of English 11, my feelings were gloomy. Nowadays, I have chosen the English 11 again so that I ceaselessly encourage myself to build up my confidence. Sometime, I say to myself, “English is different from other courses; don’t worry about marks. Your aim is to improve.”
One by one the challenges have come. English speaking skills are also my trouble. In the past, I was worried that the teachers would ask me the questions in the classroom. When the teachers’ gazes swept over me, I was tense. I prayed that the teacher wouldn’t ask me. In English11, I will push myself to open my mouth. To conquer my shyness will be an important task also. I wish that I could listen to English like Chinese, and I desire that I can express correctly my opinions in English.
“A foolish old man who removed the mountain”, is another Chinese idiom. It is the best to express my determination because it describes an indomitable will.
463 words, fourth draft by Qin

Rita said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
molly said...

Learning English

Learning English has always been my dream. In the country where I came from it determined the level of your social status. It is for that reason that I want to experience the changes that English will bring to my life.
While I have experience numerous embarrassments learning English, I will tell you of one that will always remain in my memory. About 8 years a go when we move to Canada, I went to a corner store to buy toothpaste. I asked the sales woman if they had that item. She told me bluntly that they did not sell it and advised me to go to the gas station. I decided to look around the store. I found the toothpaste in the first aisle by the right. But I was too embarrassed to tell her that I had found it. I left the store looking lost and feeling disappointed that my English was not good enough. Ever since I have determined to study English. I would not let that experience stop me from achieving my dream.
My expectation for English 11 is to improve my vocabulary. I find it difficult to put my thoughts into writing. This happens mostly when I am writing a quiz or an examination. My brain goes blank. I guess the fear of failing overcome all my preparation for the exam. To be even more specific, my main weakness is writing an essay. Maybe writing a short story in the class might help me to improve more. I would definitely like to excel in English 11.
Taking English will help me to have self-esteem. Although Canada is a multi-cultural country, the official languages are still English and French, while English is the most commonly spoken language. Therefore, it makes sense to be able to speak English fluently. It means enroll in college or universities where I eventually want to go. I believe that college or university graduation will guarantee me a good job. It will better my life and improve my status in the society. What a great accomplishment! English is necessary not an option.
Eight years have passed; I have more episodes of learning English in a fun way. Yet, my expectation for English 11 is to boost my vocabulary, and obtaining English 11 will help me achieve that goal of confidence in myself. I will keep striving to accomplish my dream. It will be worth it at the end, wouldn’t you agree?

Wazhma said...

The Importance of English as a Language


Nowadays, everybody dreams to speak English regardless of where they live around the world. Many parents would prefer their kids to attend English courses. While I had been living in Russia I did not feel I need to learn it, but immigration to Canada taught me the importance of it. However, learning English at the beginning was slow and boring, it is interesting now, and will have a big impact on my future in my new country.

My first steps in English were taken in the secondary school in Moscow, Russia with a slow pace which reduced my interest of learning. As a foreign language, we had it once a week and we started with the alphabet plus some basic words: mother, father, sister, and so on. My English language teacher was a Russian lady whose pronunciation was totally different from my Canadian teachers. I studied just to pass the tests not really to learn it. I would even yawn and fall asleep during the class. After the school, I went to the Medical University, and had no relation with English for six years. As you see, my English- learning experiences in the past were really uninteresting.

The boring English became interesting after I came to Canada. I went to Vancouver Community College with my poor and basic English. After a while I started doing progress. Now, being a student of grade eleven English at Pearson Adult Learning Centre, I have motivation of learning, writing, and speaking English. I am certain I am getting better by the end of each passing day. I learn English not just to pass the test as it was in secondary and high school, but to improve it to be able to speak fluently and express my ideas without fear. Moreover, it is my path to get my Canadian grade twelve certificate which is essential. I am concentrated on the language of my new home.

My English classes will help me to reach my goal in Canada. I am a foreign trained doctor, and my diploma is not accepted here. I have to evaluate my degree in order to be able to practice medicine in Canada. One and main part of my medical exam is English language test which I should be able to pass with relatively high marks. My profession, as a doctor, requires good communication and writing skills. The actions I am taking today will build my future. In order to make the future bright, I should work hard and non stopping. So, my English training is the main tool to become a Canadian doctor.

I have stimulus to learn the essential English which was boring for me in the past. I begin to understand people who were sending their kids to learn English in non English speaking countries. They might become immigrants as I did, and who knows what surprises life can bring?

Maryann said...

My Privilege
English has been one of my great and constant challenges, since I’m a non native speaker in the land of English speaking country. It seems never learning language, but nonetheless, I haven’t given up learning. I consider learning English as my life-long pursuit and viewing that as my privilege rather than obstacles.

Since I have lived in Canada for many years, I haven’t had much problem in communication, at least as an immigrant. However, I always have hoped to improve my English without paying much cost - thought that as time went on, it probably would be improved. Against my wish, it did not happen. I could not escape from my primary level to the next. I had been at a crossroad for a while, whether I should stay at where I was or got out of my comfort zone. Six months ago, “time”, a precious commodity in life, came up to me, so I decided to come to the PALC. Since then, I have gleaned useful English skills.

I expect few things from this class. First of all, I’d like to have fun while learning- getting to know the class mates: their cultures and backgrounds, so that I can enjoy the diversity in the class room. In addition, I’m willing to make a fool of myself - making lots of mistakes, corrections, and feedbacks. Hopefully, this course would embolden me to try out new vocabularies and different sentence structures which I haven’t dared to use them before, especially in public. I’m absolutely thrilled to be taught by Brad who is not a conventional but a fun and creative teacher.

After this course, I’d like to go on English 12 and writing 12. My goal, in the end is to use my English confidently and freely in speaking and in writing. I don’t have an unrealistic expectation - speak and write like a native. Rather I’d like to enjoy each progress I make from the courses, though it seems insignificant. Also I hope to graduate from my primary level and go into the next. If it’s possible, one day, I’d like to use up these gained skills for people like me whose first language is not English but having difficulties as they settle in a new country.

Nowadays, English is the most spoken language in the world, just like Greek was long time ago. Here I am and having an opportunity to learn the most wanted language in the world. I’m so grateful to have this privilege and planning to brush up my English as long as my brain allows.

432words

suzie said...

Oh English

"Oh English, you are my forever pain". That is one of my friend's saying. I agreed with him before. I, like many Chinese immigrants, have to say that I had learned English for many years. But when I stood in a real English speaking surrounding in my first landing, hearing lovely Vancouver's English coming from all directions, I felt I was standing in a big garden hearing morning birds singing and talking in an amazing bird langrage. It sounded beautiful, but I couldn't understand. Then I recognized that it is a important language what I need to understand for surviving in this garden city.
Recalling my first step of English study is funny. That was when I was in middle school, we started having English class. I would say that those English classes were really improved my Chinese skills. When the teacher tought us a new English word, we students would use some Chinese words to symbolize it for memory. We had tryed hard to find the chinese words which could not only pronounce similar to that English words but also had the similar meaning with that word. We brought Chinese dictionary into English class, and discussed the most suitable symbolization.Through the using of that memoring way, we remembered many English words as well as Chinese words. Our Chinese teacher was very thankful to our english studying. That was until when I entered into university, I started learning formal English. That four years English classes made me a basis of this common language.
I have studied again English in Pearson Adult Learning Centre since the fall of 2006. Generally I found myself getting interesting in English study. One day I read a sentence" The pie in the sky", and I was superised about its similar meaning with a same Chinese sentence; and another day, I read the words"sacrifical lump", which is totally the same one with Chinese saying, even the use of the same animal-sheep.Languages are relative each other, I like it.Through studying here, I gain some feelings of English; that is a part of feeling when I use Chinese, those words are colorful. So this term as a grade 11 student, I wish to expand my English feeling from colorful to alive. I decided to stay in my English teacher's silk web, using these silk to make a cocoon, then start my changing procedure toward a English speaking butterfly.
I used to admire those people who have many English words and sentences full in their hands. When they need them, just take them and print them out as easy as play. My goal, or my dream, is to reach at least half high of this extent. I hope I can find words beside my nouth when I say, and near my pen when I write. I want to have the same feeling of using Chinese and Using English.
"Oh English, you make me happy, and you make me worry". That is what I feel now. I know at my age, becoming a English bird is impossible. But By keeping on study, I believe I can get close to my goal. I hope that one day I can use English directly other than translate chinese into english.

Frank Jin said...

The Purpose of Studying English
By Frank Jin

Either in Canada, or in China, English Class is all an important foundational class for normal students and adult students. Some people study English just for passing examinations and getting certifications. However, some others look English as a tool, through it they can help their future life. I used to be the former, but now I am the latter.
Before I came to Canada, my English is described as dumb and deaf. I can only read and write because the tests of school just focus on it. I believed then that departing listening and speaking I can still learn English well. But I was wrong. I still remember the saying of one English teacher. He took starting a fire as an example to study English. When we plan to start a fire, we need three elements: atmosphere, temperature and raw materials of fire. We can not get the fire if we miss any of the three elements. It is same in studying English. Writing and reading are just like row materials of fire. Being out of listening and speaking-like atmosphere and temperature-we will never start the “fire of English”. This is why my English is still in elementary level after more the two decades’ hard studying in writing and reading.
The lack became more and more clear when I arrived in Canada. It is really impossible to daily life just by writing and reading. So, in my English course here, I really hope to develop my English evenly, especially in listening and speaking. At the same time, I also want to get a good result in this course and improve to Grade 12.
The purpose of studying is not only for the daily life, but for continuing a higher education background and creating a better job as well. A good English ability can enable me to get more and more professional knowledge and skills. It can enhance my competition power in the society. For this purpose, I need studying English more and more hard than before. Moreover, trying to practice and use it in daily life, studying and work. Let English become a part of my life.
The ultimate destination of studying English is not study it well, but to use it as tool. With a positive purpose and a right method, I am confident to improve my English with a great stride.

Najlaa said...

English is one of the official languages in Canada. It is necessary to the residents of BC to learn it because it will help them to achieve their needs. Therefore I have determined to learn English. After 3three years of studying at PAlC, I improved my language, attending English 11 and support my future.

First of all, I have got lots of advantages while going to English classes. Level 7 was my first class that I had attended PALC. At that time I didn’t know how to write a correct sentence. My determination leads me to improve my language in all way, writing, reading and spelling. From my experience at PAlC I can admit all teachers that I have met are helpful and patient while explaining or answering any question. Also, the improvement of my language helps me outside the classroom while speaking to people. Now, I can understand the language better than before. Lots of benefits I have got it while taking English classes.

Next, to pass English 11 I should work hard. Because I attend higher English level than the previous course, more works will be required from me. I expect myself to put more effort to hand in all my assignment on time. I expect more short stories and poems with sophisticated vocabulary. I should put lots of effort to learn how to use computer because it is great opportunity for me to be obligated to use it .Even though I don’t like computer, I will try my best. Studying with great effort, I should achieve to pass this level.

Finally, the progress of my language will improve my future. When my language is increased, it will change all my life. If I will have fluency speaking English, I will be more confident to talk to anyone without shame. English gives me support to protect my rights, and to solve all my problems. The understanding of the conversation with my neighbours, my family doctor, and my son`s teachers it will be more easier for me .when applying to a job my chance to be accepted is more increased with a fluently language.

I improved my English language, I am studying English 11 class, and I have lots of benefit to enhance my future. Most foreign residents of Vancouver learn English as a second language to communicate with the Canadian social to learn the rules and the law of Canada

Rita said...

Learning English
I always think learning English is very important for me, and try to find ways to learn. Through the years, I finally realized that it is more efficient when you know your expectation well and have a goal.
Although I had studied English as a second language for over ten years before I graduated from a college in China, in my first conversation class, I couldn’t understand most of the words that the teacher said. I struggled on, listening, speaking and using vocabulary, because I only read questions and wrote a little in the test in the school. It took me a whole year to get used to native speakers. Since I came to Canada, English is not only in text books, and it became to a living language for me. The desire to communicate with others gives me the motivation to learn English.
I expect that through taking English 11, improve my writing skill and expand my expression. With further learning, I hope I can read easier between the lines when I read. I believe that practice makes perfect. With many in and out class practices, I would file what I have learned in Communication 12, and learn more writing skills. I can learn from classmates, since we have chance to discuss in the class and put our works on the blog, I expect that after I take this course, I can write more naturally, and have fewer mistakes in the writing.
Taking English courses will help me improve my English. It definitely will make differences in the future. I have a dream that I will have a career someday. Better English will help my dream come true. As a mother, I hope better English could help me to understand my son more. My son loves his education here and absorbs everything in English. I don’t want to have a gap with him, because of my limited English understanding. With better English, many things could be easier for me, such as expanding my hobbies, making new friends, and traveling to other English-speaking countries.
I dream that one day English will not be a barrier for me, but a tool. I will work hard toward my goals and hope that I will succeed.

-375 words-

maria said...

English 11
February 18, 2009

A NEW LANGUAGE


Learning a new language is has been one of my goals in life. I began to learn English when I was in secondary school. Since then, I have continued studying English. I think I almost achieve my goal about learning English if I consider the past experiences in my classroom, the expectative I have now and how I visualize English will help me in my future.
English class was always my passion. When I was 15 year old, instead to have a party, I paid and English course in United States. The teacher was terrific, and I tried to do my best as a student. When the course came to the end, my classmates chose me to buy a present and a thankful card for our teacher. I went to the store, and I bought a beautiful card with a nice short legend, that I translated into Spanish: “friendliness to win everybody’s affection.” It was the perfect card for our teacher, I thought. When the day came, all my classmates signed the card and we gave it with the present to the teacher. At first, she was speechless and she blushed her face, than she began to laugh and said –it is the first time my students give a card like this- then, she read the legend out laud: “With Sympathy”. This was a shameful, but funny experience about my English classes. I would never forget it.
Pursuing my goal to learn English, I registered in English 11 course, where I expect to learn how to speak more fluent. It is easy for me to read and understand English, but not to speak fluently. Most of the times, while I am speaking, I began to structure the phrases in order to speak correctly. That makes me feel not confident about the way I talk. Besides, I expect to increase my vocabulary and the Canadian idioms. I expect to make different activities during the class with my classmates, where I can learn not only English, but about my classmate’s lives. Last, I would like to have fun; I always have thought that if we have fun while we are learning, we are not going to feel the class is hard and boring. I am positive that English 11 is going to improve my English and my life.
Although, learning English began as a hobby for me, it turned into a necessity in my life. When I came to Canada, I realized that if I want to succeed, not only professionally, but also socially, I needed to learn this idiom very well. I think the future caught up me, now I am living in Canada and is a priority to learn its language. The more I am training, more opportunity I have to find a good job in my professional field. As an architect, not only need to learn daily language, but technical terms. I am sure will be an asset to learn English as much as possible that will open me doors to have a better job and integrate into Canadian community where I live now.
As an immigrant, I thing the best way to succeed is learn the country language where you move into. Moreover, it the best way to be grateful with the country for receives us as immigrants, no matter where we come from. In this very moment, I am glad that study a foreign idiom was one of my goals in life since I was 15 years old. Ever since, I enjoyed English classes, and I had have the opportunity to continue learning something that passionately likes me and makes me happy, and most of all, English is, and it will be a great help in my near future, and one of my goals in life.

Maria de la Cruz

632 words