A Bus Story

I just arrived in the United States one month ago. Honestly, I am still not used to living in the United States.
One morning, I wanted to go to school by bus. I got up early and I waited for a bus. After a few minutes, the bus arrived. There were many people in the bus. I stood inside the bus. A woman was standing beside me and she had a big bag. When I was about to get off the bus, the woman was in my way. I couldn't go to the bus door. I tried to pass her, but I couldn't. So, I spoke Chinese to her politely, but she had no reaction. I spoke to her again, but she still didn't understand me. Finally, I tried to move her bag. Suddenly, the woman turned around and spoke loudly to me,"Say excuse me and don't push my bag. " I said "Excuse me"and "Sorry"in English to her immediately. This time I spoke in English. She moved her bag out of my way. So that I could get off the bus. I realized that I should have spoken English to the woman instead of Chinese. Again, I realized that I am in the United States, not in China any more.

Hello, Classmates

This is my first post.

I promised the teacher that I would send him an email. And I did.

Now I am promising that I will write a story for you. And I will.

Land by Leo Tolstoy

Land is recorded in 3 parts: (Click each part to play)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 (I'll post it after we discuss the third part in class)

Tomorrow, Saturday

I think I will sleep late on Saturday. When I wake up, I will eat breakfast. After that, I will do some homework for my morning teacher. I will try to write a letter to my teacher. It is hard for me to write. I have trouble with my grammar, but I will do it.

I will go visit my daughter in Union City. After that, I will return home and go to sleep.

by Muoi Tan

This Saturday

I hope I will wake up late on Saturday. After I wake up, I'll brush my teeth, wash my face and get dressed. Then, I'll go to the supermarket to buy some meat, vegetables and fruit to make lunch for my family. After lunch , I will clean my room, wash clothes and cut the grass. In the evening, I'll visit my brother.

by John Wen

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Saturday. I will wake up early because I will go to an autoshow in Alameda. This is the biggest autoshow in the Bay Area. People can drive new cars on the special road. I will drive a Hummer for the first time. Then I will drive other cars. I think I will spend the whole day at the show. I hope I have a good day tomorrow.

by Hui Neng

My Favorite Relative

My mother is my favorite relative. She is 59 years old. She is strong and average height. She is a housewife and a nice mother. She always is kind to people. Her education was very limited, but I respect her more than anyone. When I have any trouble, I always ask for her advice first. I love her personality.

by Su Ling Li

My Favorite Relative

Uncle Berhane is my favorite relative. He is my mother's brother. He is a businessman and a hard worker. He gave me advice. He lives in Eritrea. He is 50 years old and married. He has two sons and two daughters. He is tall and strong. I like him very much.

by Yonas Woldesillise

Space Star (part 2 continued)

This is the end of the story!!!

Read the previous post first!!!

Space Star (part 2 )

St

Start Part 2 here!

Listen to Space Star (part 2 continued) after you listen to this post.

Space Star (part 1)

Please forgive my reading mistakes.

This is the first time I recorded a story for the Internet.

Like all of us, I need more practice speaking to an audience.

Leave comments if you would like me to record Space Star (part 2).

Hiring a New Administative Assistant

Today we listed to a podcast about hiring a new administrative assistant.

You can read the transcript by going to the ESLpod.com website.

Here is a list of words and idioms from the podcast:

• Administrative assistant
• Gave notice
• Could not have happened at a worse time
• Busy time of year
• Nothing I could do
• Right away
• Want ad
• Classified
• Applications
• Interviews
• Narrowed it down
• Resume
• Experience
• Working at
• Telecommunications
• Looked promising
• Dressed professionally
• Seemed personable
• With confidence
• Sounded like
• Perseverance
• Drawbacks
• Chatty
• Seemed disorganized
• Capacities
• Candidate
• Rough around the edges
• Earnest
• Eager
• Air of someone who had
• Corporate environment
• Seemed bright
• Easy to get along with
• Did strike me
• As shy
• Nervous
• Two options
• Give it some more thought

I hope you have time to review these new words and idioms over the weekend.

Hiring a New Administative Assistant

Today we listed to a podcast about hiring a new administrative assistant.

You can read the transcript by going to the ESLpod.com website.

Here is a list of words and idioms from the podcast:

• Administrative assistant
• Gave notice
• Could not have happened at a worse time
• Busy time of year
• Nothing I could do
• Right away
• Want ad
• Classified
• Applications
• Interviews
• Narrowed it down
• Resume
• Experience
• Working at
• Telecommunications
• Looked promising
• Dressed professionally
• Seemed personable
• With confidence
• Sounded like
• Perseverance
• Drawbacks
• Chatty
• Seemed disorganized
• Capacities
• Candidate
• Rough around the edges
• Earnest
• Eager
• Air of someone who had
• Corporate environment
• Seemed bright
• Easy to get along with
• Did strike me
• As shy
• Nervous
• Two options
• Give it some more thought

I hope you have time to review these new words and idioms over the weekend.

Concept Map

This is a concept map.

What (who) is a the center of the concept map?

How can a concept map help us write a paragraph?

How about a joke?

Sometimes we need a good laugh.

Click here to hear a joke.

Hi, Classmates

I am happy when I study with you.

Do you know where I am from?

Can you guess how old I am?

Do you know my favorite color?

Listen to English on the Internet

In our afternoon class, we often listen to English on the Internet.

You can listen to English poems at The Writer's Almanac.

ESLpod is a good place to build your vocabulary and improve your listening skills. Click here to read the scripts of the stories we heard in class.

Yes/No Questions (Simple Past Tense)

Yes/No Questions (with the verb to be)

She was late for class.

Question
Was she late for class?

Yes/No Questions (not the verb to be)

I went to the store yesterday.

Question
Did you go to the store yesterday?

Learn Geography

Click on this link:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm

to play an internet game and learn US geogrraphy.

While you are at it, click here:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Mexico_Geography.htm

to learn about Mexican Geography

Study Groups

Today we met in study groups of four or five students to review the test.

• Each group received one copy of the test.
• The students discussed each test question.
• The students didn't write on the test paper.
• They took notes.
• The teacher asked them to speak English only.

Do you think that study groups are an effective way to learn English?