Assignment: Interview a Classmate and Report on What You Learned

Our second writing assignment was to interview a classmate and ask questions about their native country and their background. This was a further challenge insofar as the students would get a large amount of information they were unfamiliar with, and then have to organize that information into two or three paragraphs. As a class we discussed good questions to ask which would make the information easier to organize. Again, the student responses were very successful, thoughtful, and colorful.

Alina from Ukraine by Tsering Lhamo

   Alina is my classmate and she came from Ukraine. She had to come here leaving her family behind. Her father sent her here because in the Ukraine there is war. In class she told me a little about her background.

   In Ukraine, education is free for all kids until 17 years old but then if you want a degree, you have to pay a lot. Kids in her country start school at the age of six. Also medical treatment is not free, Some medical attention is free or you can get some help from the government, but if you need more, then you have to pay yourself.

   I wondered if she wanted to go back to her country because she didn't choose to come here. She told me here she has more opportunities. Alina has been in Connecticut for six months and she is taking a class to improve her language. She is working here and she told me back in her country it is very hard to get a job that you really want. We got to talk a little bit about each culture and it was so nice to learn new things. I'm happy to have a classmate like her.                   

Ukraine

My Classmate from the Oriente in Ecuador by Paola Arevalo

    Nataly is from Ecuador. She tells me she is from a region called the Oriente located in the east of Ecuador. Oriente does not have seasons but the climate is temperate. She has a favorite river called the Upano. 

   Their typical clothing is a top and skirt for both genders. Oriente is a place of very friendly people. A typical food is Ayampaco. It is a roll of food wrapped in a leaf, and there is a drink called Guayusa with many flowers inside. Nataly says the Oriente is a good place for vacations.

Upano River

My Classmate from the Sierras of Ecuador by Nataly Morales

     Paola and I are from Ecuador but she is from a different region. I am from the east side of the country, and she is from a region in the middle of the country. The climate in her region is cold due to the mountains that contain snow. 

     The people of this region are white-skinned. Men's clothing is pants, shirts and ponchos, and the women wear a skirt, blouse and a poncho. Some of the things that grow most in her region are apples, corn and onions. 

     A popular place in her region is the Cathedral and Flower Square. In the Flower Square you can see all kinds of flowers.

     The traditional food to eat is guinea pig with potatoes and white corn served with rice accompanied with the traditional drink of this region which is Pitimas made of red flowers.

        

Flower Square

My Classmate From Tibet by Alina Chubata

    I had a small trip to Tibet. I have a classmate. Her name is Katrina. She is from Tibet. I have never been to Tibet, but Katrina told me a littel bit about her country, some food,and some traditions.

    Barley is a popular plant in the territory of Tibet and beyond. In this country people cook some dishes from barley. One of these dishes is named Tsampa. This dish is eaten for breakfast in Tibet with butter and green tea.

    The second most popular dish is named Momo. It is a steamed dumping filled with vegetables, sometimes fried until golden brown. Momo is traditionally served with three sauces: soy, garlic, and chili. Traditionally people in Tibet eat food with hands or chopsticks. They do not use a fork or spoon.

    In Tibet the popular religion is Buddhism. I do not know much about this religion, but Katrina told me about one holiday. In Tibetan "Lhabab Duchen" in translation is "Festival of the Descent from Heaven". Lhabab Duchen is an important holiday in Buddhism. This holiday means Buddha comes to earth. When Buddha was born his mother died after 7 days. His mother was in Heaven. When Buddha grew up, he returned to Heaven to teach his mother and other gods. After 90 days (about 3 months) he returned to earth. When she told me about her country, I felt like I had been on a small trip. Thank you very much Katrina!

Tibetan Momo

My Classmate from Haiti by Mona Baquero

     Haiti is a country that believes it's freedom is very important. On Januay 1st, they celebrate their independence with squash soup, music and festivals.

In Haiti a person is free to choose the person that they love and they want to live for the rest of their life. A real problem in Haiti today is the amount of crime, there's kidnapping, robbery and extreme poverty. But it's not an impediment to liberty to be who they want to be and grow up their goals.

    Also it's good to know that they have Haiti's national dish: beef or goat become tasso, while pork becomes griot. Their religion is primarily Catholic, although in some instances it's profoundly modified and influenced through syncretism. All this information shows us that Haiti is a country where people can choose what they want to do live their dream.

Independence Day in Haiti

Assignment: Describe A Person You Admire

 Our first class assignment was to write a paragraph describing a person the student admires. As the teacher, I expected short paragraphs with little description, because some of these students were writing paragraphs in English for the first time. Several students wrote essays rather than a paragraph, and all students understood the need for both self-editing and teacher editing. We are off to a brilliant start!

MY SISTER by Alina Chubata (Ukraine)

   For me my sister is like my second mother. I remember my childhood. I was always left with my sister. She was like a babysitter for me. She was not always happy that she had to sit with me. I have a very warm and friendly relationship with my sister.

   My sister is older than me. She has a very nice name, 'Adriana'. She is of short stature with long black hair and brown eyes. When in real life you see the two of us, you would be surprised because outwardly we are very different. My sister has a family with her husband and two great sons.                                              

Adriana and Alina

     For me, she is dependable and caring. I always like to spend time with her. I tell my sister about everything, because I know she always gives me good advice. Sometimes there are situations in my life that I don’t dare to do something. My sister will always push me and support me. I respect her very much and always listen to her. Because only my sister can comfort me in a difficult moment in my life.

MY BOYFRIEND by Paola Arevalo (Ecuador)

    My boyfriend, Juan Carlos, is there for me all day. He brings me flowers many days. He always asks me how I am. Juan Carlos worries about me. He cooks after work. He hugs me all the time. Sometimes he invites me to eat out. He is always affectionate with me. I like to spend my free time with him.

Juan Carlos and Paola

MY FAVORITE PERSON by Nataly Morales (Ecuador)

    Martha is my mom and she is very important and valuable to me. She is a hard worker. She always cares about me. She is tender. She always encourages me when I need it. She is an excellent cook. She is a woman who never gives up. She is simply an excellent mother and fighter. She is my warrior. 

My Simply Excellent Mother

MY SISTER by Mona Baquero (Colombia)

     Gina Baquero, my older sister, is one of the most patient individuals I've met. Her way to success has been through deternimation, love and perserverance. It's evident to everyone how she applies a level of patience not only to her personal aspirations, but also to the lives of those around her.

Leidy's Sister Gina

    When she first met her husband, they decided to journey to Australia. It wasn't an easy decision. Through effort they obtained all the necessary documents and received their legal residence. After ten years together they have shared experiences and challenges, and they have welcomed a beautiful baby into their lives. My sister has achieved all the good things in her life because of her patience and love that she brings to all things.

                                 by Joanne Taverne (Haiti)

MY SELFLESS DAD by Tsering Lhamo (Tibet)

     My dad is the most selfless man I have ever known in my life. He married my mom when he was 29 and my mom was only 18. When they got married they didn't really have many yaks to depend on for their survival. Nomads in Tibet earn their living by herding yaks and sheep. But when my parents got together, they had only (2?) yaks. So my dad worked very hard and did his best to get more yalks for the family. 

    But then one day he suddenly changed his mind and ended his nomadic life because he loved his children so much and he didn't want us to continue life like him. He realized that giving his kids education was more important than anything. He gave up nomadic life and moved us to a city called Lithang to put his kids in school. He was not an educated person but at that time he already knew education was very important to change his kids' lives.

    I remember my dad received an award for sending his kids to school every year. In my country at that time there were few people who gave up their nomadic life for the kids to send the children to school. People at that time thought going to school was a waste of time, especially for the girls. Now back in my country, most people my age are uneducated. From the bottom of my heart I really thank my dad for sending us to school, especially me as a girl. I'm so lucky to have a dad like him in my life.                                       

Tsering's Selfless Dad

     My dad never put me to work. He always let his kids go to school and really didn't tell us how hard his life was. When kids my age helped their parents work on the farm, he always told us to study. Traditionally Tibetan people had two ways to earn their living - one is a nomad living with animals and the other is a barley farmer.

     My father always tried his best to get us new clothes for the coming year. And I don't remember my parents ever had new clothes to wear in the new year. Twenty years ago my people loved wearing expensive jewelry at New Year and important holidays but my dad always told us education is the most valuable thing in people's lives. Educated people are the richest people, my dad told me most of my life.

    My dad is an ordinary but great person. He not only cares about me, but also had a profound impact on me growing up. He taught me a lot and gave me the knowlege to choose the right path. My dad is a person who gives love to his children silently. By my dad's side I can always be a child.