We’re still in the middle of Chinese New Year! It started last Saturday, and it will continue until February 24th.
We sat down with Literacy Zone Counselor Melody and evening ESOL teacher Qian Hua to ask them about the holiday.
After you watch the video, take the quiz to test your knowledge.
This is a post from Movie Class teacher Janel:
Watch the movie preview below and then take a quiz about it to test your comprehension and your English. The preview is for a movie about immigrants called In America. Watch and listen carefully – you may have to watch it more than once!
If the movie looks interesting to you, and you’d like to watch it, it’s available for free at the New York Public Library. Click here to take a look!
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!
For Thanksgiving, many people talk about what they’re thankful for. We asked some Adult Literacy Program students and staff members what they’re thankful for, and this is what they said:
What about you? What are you thankful for? Leave a reply!
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.
Well, we spoke to Rob, using your questions. Rob had also answered a lot of them already online. Here’s a video of the Work Readiness class interrogating Rob. After you watch the video, take the quiz to test your understanding!