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.

Our final Student of the Month for 2012 is Ally Li. Ally has been with us since 2009 – but, sadly, she recently had to stop coming to classes because she got a job. Her new job is with Project Hope. Two other students, Charles and Xing, also got jobs with Project Hope.

Ally is a great student, and she participates a lot in class. We’re sorry to be losing her, but we’re happy that she found a job that allows her to help other people!

Watch a video interview with Ally below, then read a story she wrote. Afterwards, you can take a quiz to test your comprehension.

Karma: The Owl That Saved My Life

by Ally Li

Years ago, I drove to another town for vacation. It was a wonderful small town with a beach, in the south of China. A man walked behind me when I hung out on the beach. He carried a bag and said to me: “I have an owl here. Do you want to buy it?”

“No,” I answered without hesitation.

But he didn’t go away, even as I sat on the beach facing the ocean. I still felt he was lingering nearby. After a while, he came and sat in front of me and opened his bag. Suddenly, pity welled up in my heart when I saw the owl: what beautiful eyes, even though he was suffering!

I began to haggle with the man. I got a good deal at last. I took the owl and drove to the hill and sought out a clearing. I cut off the cord on his feet, and then I released him.

I haven’t forgotten that scene and how gorgeous it was! The owl stretched his wings. He didn’t fly away immediately but circled around above me once, twice, three times… then he flew across the sky.

“Good luck and be careful, baby! Don’t fall into the trap again!” I stood and watched him until he disappeared from my sight.

It was getting dark and foggy when I was on my way home. The street lamps were broken. I couldn’t see anything clearly. However, I could tell the road was slippery and that I could skid. The brake was seized up in a flash. My car lost control and rushed at the railing. My mind was momentarily empty and frozen just then. For I don’t know how long, the car was spinning in the highway. It circled once, twice, three times and then stopped in a middle place, a bridge. I could see the Pearl River under it.

A thought came to my mind: The owl just saved my life!

Everyone say hello to our November Student of the Month, Lisa Zhou from E4. Below is an interview with Lisa and a story she wrote about her son. Congratulations, Lisa!

Don’t forget students, do your homework, come to class every day, ask questions, study hard – and the next Student of the Month could be YOU!

My Shining Son

The correct decision of people who come to America have various purposes; religion, democracy, freedom and family reunion. Families want to make more money to pursue a better life, etc. I came to the United States completely for my son.

Read More »

Every month, we here at the University Settlement Adult Literacy Program choose a student who shows great enthusiasm and effort in their English classes and name them our official Student of the Month.

Our first Student of the Month for the 2012-2013 school year is Lisa Szeto.

Lisa’s teacher, Ken Sharpe, who teaches class 3B, nominated her. Lisa also takes part in Michael’s Book Club and June Foley’s Advanced Writing class.

Lisa is an excellent student, and she has a great sense of humor.

Watch a video of an interview we did with her, read some of her writing, then take a quiz to test your knowledge:

When I Was a Child

By Lisa Szeto

When I was a child, I lived in a village of Hong Kong. My family was very poor, and my parents didn’t have enough money to buy unnecessary supplies. For instance, we used wood to cook, and used a kerosene lamp.

I remember my elementary school teacher—his position was that of principal and teacher. If students didn’t do homework or were out of control, he used a stick to hit students, so all students were afraid of him. His face showed no smile and he was very serious. He also taught Chinese and simple English. In that period, all the teachers and parents could give corporal punishment and nobody called the police.

This was my childhood.

Our last Student of the Month for this school year is Benli Wang, also known as Charlie. He’s in Class 2C. His teacher Rob said he was a great student, and so he nominated him.

In the video below, Benli is interviewed by Class 2B – some of them are his former classmates. After you watch the video, you can read a short story Benli wrote about getting sick. After that, you can take the quiz to test your knowledge. Congratulations, Charlie!

Close the Window

By Benli Wang (Charlie)

I live in a small apartment in New York City. My bed is near a window in my room.

One night last December, I forgot to close the window when I went to sleep. That night, the weather changed suddenly. After midnight, the temperature dropped down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the weather report, it was the coldest day that winter. So I got cold.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt very uncomfortable. I had a headache, I had a fever, and my throat was sore. I ached all over. I couldn’t even go to work that day.

I had to go to the hospital and see my doctor, Mrs. Hong. She checked everything, including my throat, blood pressure, urine, and temperature. Then she told me, “You just caught the chills. Not a very serious matter. Don’t worry.”

She gave me some medicine and asked me to drink more warm water, and to get more rest in bed, as well.

According to the doctor’s advice, I did it. Two days later, I felt much better. Everything in my body returned to normal.

After that day, I have never forgotten to close the window.