My Hometown by Di MIng

Millions and millions of years ago there was small bay on the east coast of China. Silt was deposited on the bed of the bay and formed a beautiful fresh water lake named West Lake surrounded by land.

A thousand years ago people built their homes there. They built my home town, Hang Zhou City. It is famous for its water.

New Years Resolutions

Click here to listen to our New Years Resolutions

Rules for Our Classroom

Please follow the rules for our classroom.

1. Speak only English!
2. Don't eat anything in Room 101!
3. Don't smoke in Room 101!
4. Don't talk on your cellphone. Please put your cellphone on "vibrate"!
5. Come to class on time! Class begins at 12:30.
6. Respect everyone in the classroom, including your teacher.
7. Don't sleep in class ....
8. Don't drink anything but water in this classroom.
9. Bring your binder, notebook and pencil every day!
   

Thanks

Phong Chau's Gift

I bought cloth and I made a pair of pants for my friend's baby. My nephew had twin girls and I gave bangles for the new twins.

Fang's Gift

I gave a necklace to my friend's baby five years ago.

My friend Yeau liked the necklace very much and she felt happy.

Later I bought a children's book for her to teach her baby to read. Now we meet each other very often.

Ming Tao's Gift

I gave a novel book to my friend Sheng last year on his birthday.

My friend Sheng likes to read novels very much. I knew he would like this book.

After I gave him the book, he felt very happy. I think maybe he will become a famous writer in the future.

Sanjoo's Story

In 1996 I worked for the Democratic Party in Burma. The police came to my house and asked me about the Democratic Party. I never answered them. I only told them that I did not know anything.

A few months later, the police came to my house again. I was very lucky because I was not home. I was at a friend's house. Two hours later, my mother came to see me. My mother told me, "You shouldn't come back home. You must run away. "

One day later, I went from place to place. After a month, I met my friend, Anil. Anil was my best friend. Now he is my husband. We are social workers together.

if we go back to Burma maybe the police will kill us or put us in jail.

Now that we are safe in the United States, we are fine. Sometimes I miss my mother and friends. I am very sad. I haven't seen my mother for ten years. Sometimes I call my mother, but I only listen. I can't talk because the telephone is tapped. The police always watch my mother.

I cry now because my mother is old.

Letter from Sanjoo

Dear Sir Richard,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

First off, all I would like to say is my heartfelt regards to you. I will be thankful to you in my entire life. I have learned many good things from you. I believe that it will be very helpful in my life.

Where ever I go, I will never forget you. You will be in my memory. I will miss you always. You are my best teacher and friend. I always pray for your good health.

When you teach you make us very happy in our class. There are many activities and fun during our class. This all will be good memories in our lives. I believe that all of my classmates will never forget you.

With love and best wishes to you.

Respectfully,

Your student,

Sanjoo

The Gift of the Magi

Listen to this classic Christmas story by O'Henry.

Read the story.

Use these flashcards to improve your vocabulary.

Take a vocabulary quiz.

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).