The University Settlement Adult Literacy Program Student of the Month for February 2013 is Class 3C student Ma May. Here is a short autobiography she wrote:

I was born in Yangon, Myanmar. Yangon is the capital city. There are a lot of pagodas and monasteries. People are friendly and kind. Myanmar has three seasons. It doesn’t have snow. When I arrived in New York, I felt the weather was colder than in my country.

When I was in second grade, my family moved to a small town. Then I got a degree. I was a teacher in my town. I used to ride a bicycle to school. My school principal was very nice and students paid attention to me. I was very happy to live there.

When I got married, I moved to the city. I worked in a jewelry shop with my husband. I learned new things. I had a lot of experiences in the jewelry field. I loved it.

I immigrated to New York in 2008 with my family because we wanted to get a better life and education. Now I’m learning English at University Settlement so I can speak and write better. The United States has more opportunities than Myanmar, so my children and I can get a good education and jobs.

I like New York, but I want to go back to my country.

Now watch a short conversation between Ma May and her teacher Michelle. Afterwards, take a quiz to test your reading and listening comprehension.