Losing a Mind

Min Li Wu (Joyce)

Level 6

Final draft

Feb.28, 2007

Losing a Mind

Do you think only the blind people lose? I am not blind, but if I live in the same place in my entire life, I won’t say I lose. I had lived in China for twenty-six years before I immigrated to America. Living in China where I was familiar with everything nearby made me feel comfortable, for I grew up in China, and I used to live in the environment where I didn’t feel strange. Therefore, facing my new life in a new country, I appeared to be anxious because of the different language, lifestyle, education, and relationships. If everything of America was China, I will not feel that I have lost my language, experience, and traditional culture in this new land.

Communication is the most important between people. I always spoke in Chinese in my old country. However, I have seldom talked with people in English in new place because I lack knowledge of English. Never shall I forget the English lesson in English class three years ago. On that day, when my teacher came into the class, the first thing she wanted us to do was go to the blackboard and say something about ourselves. When it was my turn, I felt so shy and fearful because I had never done this in my class in China. Besides, I had to speak in English. I didn’t dare to say a word when I stood in front of the class. At this time, my teacher said kindly, “Don’t be afraid. No one will laugh at you. I believe you can do it. Have a try.” At last, I introduced myself in poor English. “Where was my courage” I asked myself.

Not only language is lost, but also career. Some people have found a better job in this new city, but I have not. Working positions between China and America are completely different. Can you image a woman who works with computers and documents at a comfortable office in China, and then one day she works as a waitress in America? That woman is me. I felt 360 degree of change. I even worked in a restaurant for getting some experience in America without pay. My first day of work, I didn’t hear clearly the instructions for waiter that we should go into the kitchen through one door and out using another. So when I took a few glasses of water to guests from the kitchen, I went to the wrong door and collided with my co-worker who was coming in. Even though I graduated from college in old country, I have been a novice in America. Education is necessary for me to find a better job as the same career before. I was really exhausted working in a physically demanding job.

My mood and attitude have changed with the new circumstance. My important traditional customs have lost since I moved to this new country. I can’t adapt quickly to the new customs in U.S. The day I looked forward to cerebrate was coming, but I couldn’t feel Spring Festival’s atmosphere in America even though I live in Chinatown. There were people bought flowers to decorate their house from Flower-Market street, children smiled happily for the red envelope, people prayed for luck at the temple, the relatives cerebrated together appeared in my mind. It is undeniable that I will miss what I used to enjoy in my old country.

As you know, the things that I lose were left strong impression in my memory. I know that for many people who live in a new place, they will lose something like me. I hope that everything is the same in a different country is impossible. People who want to make their new life in a new country need to find a balance. I am trying to overcome the conflict, so the loss will be less and less. I hope one day I will feel comfortable in this new country, and become more experienced.

The Effects of Divorce

Carey Cao

ESL Level 6

March 20, 2007

The Effects of Divorce

In recent years, one in three couples who get married gets divorced. Don’t be shocked by the figure of divorce. Day after day, the number of divorces is increasing. Freedom of divorce is the other side of freedom of marriage. Marriage is a beginning of happiness, but when couples are in an unhappy marriage, they will get more painful. If they want to get rid of that pain, they will choose divorce. Divorces bring disadvantages to both lives of children and couples, but they also bring advantages for couples’ lives.

First, parents who get divorced bring many disadvantages for their children. Parents teach their kids through language. Also parents’ actions are examples for the kids. Each action can affect children how they grow up. If the children had lived in the environment where parents always argued, the children lack the care and tenderness that a family should have. When parents are divorced, the kids may often feel that parents abandoned them. The children could get anxious and depressed. Those emotions interrupt children’s regular study, and children can’t concentrate on studying, so their grades many drop. When the children see other classmates who get love and care from parents, the children would envy them. Also, they might get hurt from other classmates. Other classmates would say that this child was abandoned and the children don’t have mother or father. Those words can seriously harm for the children’s self-respect. Another effect is that divorce would affect children’s love life in the future. The children may have their own unhappy experience with marriage or love. If the children grow up and face their own love, they would be easy to doubt and fear. They may be fearful because they don’t want to the unfortunate thing to happen twice in their lives.

Second, divorce also brings many disadvantages for couples themselves. Divorced men lose their wives. At the same time they lose the habits that prevent their healthy. They may get terrible mood from facing the lonely lives, so they may drink alcohol or smoke to relieve their pain. They may become less restrict by families and get less care from their wives. They may play day and night. The time of their eating may become disordered. Their clothing may be unorganized. They may not pay attention to their image. As we can see, divorced men could form bad habits that affect their health. The effects of divorce are also on women. They didn’t get finance from husbands and just have their children. Women have to work harder than before to support themselves and family. At the same time, they pay more attention to taking care of their children. They may burn out by the pressure. In some cases, women work hard, and their temperament maybe change extremely bad. Sometimes, they would shout loudly with their kids or hit their kids. After the matters passed, women would apologize and cry to their children. Divorced women may also lose control at the similar situation. Their minds easily become out of control.

Third, for divorced couples, they can get chances to start new lives. After their divorce, they become single and will more enjoy their single lives. Before they married, they had single life and never had experience about married life. They couldn’t figure out what is happy in single life and didn’t make full use of or enjoy single life. If a couple is divorced and they become single again, they will have freedom to do everything they want without considering their spouse. When they were in the unhappy marriage, they would never see clearly what problems existed and who made those problems. They thought the problems were caused by their spouse and they were always right. Therefore, after divorce, they have new chances to be introspective and realize who they are. Divorced couples can learn how to love themselves. When they were in love, they would care more about their spouse. For example, when women were married, they would spend less money on dressing or make-up to save money to support families and spare with husbands’ responses. When women are single, they just spend tons of money on themselves.

In brief, the reasons for couples saving their unhappy marriages are that divorce can hurt kids and couples had been love each other. Don’t continue an unhappy marriage because it will cause more pain. Without doubt, divorce is the best way to end up unhappy marriages. Divorces change some people’s lives. For the couples, the influences are varied. If the couples overcome the pain of divorce, they should have a more wonderful future.

Two Different Pedagogies

Rolando Hernandez
04.23.07

Two Different Pedagogies

Throughout the world, the English language is a universal idiom that people should study. We could ask ourselves is this idea true or false? There are a lot of people studying this language in order to take advantages of the world. Some of people are going to different schools such as University of Chicago, Harold Washington, and other schools to study English. People receive personal English classes in their homes. Other people prefer to be studying self-taught through books, audio books and others methods. However, how many of these people reach their goal? Each person has a different process to learn a new language but a good pedagogy, many hours of English class and a nice surrounding can help students to learn English very well.

First, a good pedagogy can help students to learn English very well. When I took The Intensive Tutorium English program, I could see that the strict pedagogy was making me crazy. For example, each week they gave us an assignment such as conversations with native people, summaries of several readings, radio, TV listening, and free writings. In fact, each activity was worth several points, allowing the teacher to evaluate our semester. However, at Harold Washington College, the pedagogy is a little bit more relaxed. For example, the teachers give us less homework. Also, we have more time to deliver it. Also, at Harold Washington College, we have personal and free tutors who help us to clarify our grammar doubts very well. In fact, if you want to improve your English skills, the writing laboratory is open many hours per day, but it is up to you to take advantage of it. For example, I am reviewing the grammar in essays twice a week.

Second, many hours in the English class can also help to student to learn English. In the Intensive English Tutorium program, the students have to study twenty hours per week. During these hours, we review four areas of the English language. From 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m, the class is about grammar and reading. During this time, students should practice some exercises in order to improve their grammar and reading skills. In the second class that starts at 5:30 p.m, the students can improve listening and speaking skills. These classes are so interesting because every day you can share ideas with different classmates. Similarly, in the listening class the students can listen to video, and radio programs. In fact, they share whatever they hear and compare with their classmates how listening skills are developing. Nevertheless, at the Harold Washington College, the students have fewer opportunities to share our ideas during the classes because we spend twelve hour per week as opposed to twenty a week. In fact, we see each other only two days per week. So, this schedule makes it more difficult to mingle with classmates. For example, some of my classmates have to go to other classes. After my class, my friend Kamil takes math class, so it is impossible to practice my English with him.

Third, a nice surrounding can help the student to learn English. During my two semesters in The English Tutorium Intensive program, I could see the advantages of a nice surrounding. For example, during the breaks, the students can meet each other. Sometimes, you can talk in the cafeteria, in the gardens and other places. Likewise, you can practice your English with people who are in the upper levels. Moreover, in the classroom, I sense a nice surrounding because the teacher encouraged to remember us that we had chosen to come here. So, in classroom, the students must not speak in their language. In fact, each day the teacher assigned us a different partner in order to create a professional surrounding. Also, during the tests the teacher spends two minutes to give clear instructions. After that, no one can say anything until everyone finishes their test. In contrast, at Harold Washington College, the students have fewer opportunities to practice their new language with their classmates. There are several reasons. Sometimes, the students speak in their own language during the class. Likewise, during the tests, the students ask questions to the teacher, who may answer their questions loudly in such a way that the other students lose concentration. As well, some students are so quiet or they do not like to share ideas, even when the teacher tells us one week before to prepare for some subject. Then, when we meet for five minute sessions with our partners, they are not so productive.

I believe that each person has a different process to learn the English language. However, a good pedagogy, many hours in the English class and nice surrounding are important elements that should help to the students to learn English language as well. All schools should share the objective of giving the students these elements in order get all necessary English skills, but if the school does not promote them, you should be prepared to make your own study plan.

Teenagers and Adults

Kevin
19 March 2007
LEVEL 6

Teenagers and Adults

Time elapse, how many people would yearn the years they were young? We are all busy at our life. As an adult, when I recall my childhood, funny things appear in my eyes. I can’t go back to before, but the memory has been engraved in my brain. It’s interesting to compare your teen life and your adult life. We will see the great differences between a young boy and an adult. I felt that the thoughts, behavior and responsibility have changed when the people grew up.

Our thoughts in our mind have some basic diversity. After we become adults, our thoughts develop at the same time. They learn knowledge from books when they are young. Also, their thoughts become complex after they walk in the society. For example, adults always mask themselves to different people. They try to hide what they are thinking about. Perhaps you hate to talk to one of your colleagues, but you have to because you must keep the good coaction’s relation. Of course, sometimes they feel tired of pretending; they lose the true face of themselves. They even don’t know which is the true face for them. For so many adults, they are keen to go back to their childhood because they are tired of a hypocritical world. On the other hand, the teenagers are infantile. For instance, I was mad about watching cartoon, but I didn’t understand why my mother always disallowed me to watch that interesting TV. They are interested in everything from the society with curiosity. They lack of judgment in their age. Therefore, they neither know what is true nor what is wrong. That’s why many teenagers are eager to be an adult as soon as possible.

The behavior of adults changed gradually when they grew up. Adults are allowed to get into a club, and they can also drink. Also, most of the adults care what they do. For example, when they have a party or a meeting, they always made themselves up or choose the best clothes for the occasion. They want to give others a good impression because they care about others’ impression. However, most teenagers don’t care what they look like and others’ opinions. If we try to educate a teenager with our experience, they won’t be patient to listen. Moreover, teenagers don’t understand what love is. A lot of children even always scold their parents because they don’t know how much love their parents have given them. In my family, I couldn’t have a girlfriend when I was young. Most parents in China believe that it will bring bad effect in student’s studying if they fall in love. All parents have the same love on their children, especially when they are young. As we see, many advertisement focus on the children. Some parents even coddle their children, let them do nothing housework at home.

As adults, we have more responsibility than teenagers. At first, we have the law duty in a society. We must know something about the law in our country. If we break the law, we will go to the jail. For example, we can’t say we don’t know the law to the judge if hurt someone. As an element in a society, we need to vote for our country. In a family, we have responsibility to work. We need to support ourselves, even to make money for our family. In contrast, most teenagers don’t need to work except studying; they just ask money for their parents. A lot of teenagers have carefree life. They never worry about their future. Most of them have no consciousness about what they will be or what they will do. Their most important responsibility is going to school.

These are the ways that the adults have changed when they grew up. Teenagers and adults are two different roles in our lifetime. For teenagers, they should be careful about what they do because what they do maybe affect what they will be. For adults, it’s glad to think about our childhood and we don’t need to regret what we did because we can’t change anything for our past.

Music for Tea Time or Whisky Bar

Luis Gimenez
April 14, 2007
Level 6- Essay – Differences #2
Jazz Music/ Classic Music

Music for Tea Time or Whisky Bar

What style of western music you do think is going to be more important in the 21st century, Jazz or Classical music? Historically, Europe had has a big influence on western music over the centuries, but in the new world “America”, the new sounds developed became really important for music. In the beginning of the 20th century in the U.S., African-American people started to develop their own musical expression, and from Blues music they found the origin to create several styles that were going to influence the world as European classical music did in the past. Today, we have two very important and recognized gerres of music, Jazz and Classical. The music’s world is grateful to enjoy of the characteristics around the origin, the instrumentation and the concerts of Jazz and Classical Music.

The history about these two gerres of music is the history of western society, and how it was developed could be a comparison of two continents. The origin of Jazz started with African-American people who began to develop a new kind of sound with roots in Blues music. Jazz music was the sound of Black people who have left the cotton fields, and now were looking for a better life living in big cities like New Orleans, where it was born. On the other hand, classical music has centuries of history, and it was developed with the progress of the European monarchies. Accordingly, classical music has so many periods of evolution compared to Jazz. Nevertheless, the sound of New Orleans has expanded all around the U.S. getting new sounds, and crossing the globe helped for the communication’s Medias development. For example, people like the trumpeter and composer, Louis Armstrong had the opportunity to show his talent in many countries around the world or sell records in others cities. On the contrary, the most genius composer of classical music “Mozart” never traveled outside Europe, and he always played in the monarchy circles where it was the only place where a recognized musician would play.

When you are listening in a record play Jazz or Classical music, sometimes you think about how its sounds come together, and what particular kind of instruments they are playing. There are some differences between the instrumentation of both styles, but it is what makes special each one. Jazz music is considered popular music, and it is in the instrumentation that we can find a contrast with classical music. In Jazz, the musicians usually play electrical instruments, and there are not too many players on stage unless it would be a “Big Band”. For example, in Jazz there are instruments that we are not going to find in Classical music as drum, keyboard or electric guitar. The progress in classical instrumentation started with a few instruments like clavichord or flute, and small concerts for a selected audience. However, the evolution of Classical music had so many types of formations and now we have orchestras, quartets of strings, symphonies or solo concerts. In fact, the roots of classical music have a big implication with old monarchies lifestyles.

People who are thinking about going to a Jazz concert know what kind of place they can find. It is the same situation with classical concerts. When you want to see a Jazz concert or classical music, there are different places to go, and the options are very interesting to find the best place for each style. Jazz concerts regularly are in small Jazz clubs like you can find in a city like New York. Also, the environment of the concert is like an everyday bar with people listening music in a spontaneous atmosphere. On the contrary, the environment of a classical concert is normally formal, and many institutions use this music in official events. As a reflection of the style, there are places for classical music that are historically prepared to keep a high quality of the sound, and provide comfort to the people who are attending, like auditoriums or theaters. For example, the best place to play a concert, whichever gerre is always going to be in a place set up for classical music like the Chicago Auditorium. In addition, people have their own opinion of what a concert sound should be the best for a good performance.

The relationship between theses two gerres of music have been reflected in society, and today’s society can give us the opportunity to explore both sides of music evolution. In the history of our society, the musical expressions of immigrant and life styles are the perfect example to find our own roots. Consequently, the importance of Jazz and Classical music is the main point of this comparison because it shows us where we come from. Finally, the magnificence of Jazz and Classical music began with the sophistication and simplicity of two gerres of music, and two different expressions. A lot of people likes both, Jazz and Classical music because quality and beauty are present in these gerres. Consequently, you can have your middle week whisky with “Duke” Ellington in some bar or enjoy an English tea with a piano concert of J.S.Bach, or of course having all together in a Chick Corea album.

Kelly high school vs. Harold Washington College

Jose Grimaldo
4/26/2007
Final draft

Kelly high school vs. Harold Washington College

When you were little your parents always told you that you need to go to college and graduate high school. College is so different from high school my experience in both of those places are so different from each other. I also heard from my soccer coach to wait for college before I make any choose he said I will have the time of my life. I had more fun in Kelly high school then Harold Washington College. Hardy in college is a new life when you heard your name at graduation you knew that your high school life was coming to an end that the second and a new life began. There were a huge different in between Kelly high school and Harold Washington college works. Couple of the most important things differences between Kelly high school and Harold Washington College is freedom, location and spending time with friends

One of the differences are in both of the schools is the freedom they give you. In Kelly High School, you couldn’t leave the classroom without asking first. You need to wear an ID for sectary reasons. When you were absent from school, you need to call the school and let them know or take a note and show the rest of your teachers so they can sign it. At Kelly there was class every single day from 8am to 3pm. On the other hand, at Harold Washington College you could leave any time you felt like it. The student doesn’t have to call or take a note to the teachers. You have class every other day, and you just need to go to school four times a week, but not spent all day there. Although, you just go a couple of time a week, the classes are more demanding.

The second difference is the location of the both schools. Kelly High School was just a couple of blocks away from my home. I didn’t have to take any transportation to get to school, only when I felt lazy to walk there. I would after run into somebody I knew on the way to school. I knew that I could go home any time I want because it wasn’t far. However, Harold Washington college is downtown I have to wait for the train to get there. One of the things that I don’t like is waiting for it in the cold. If it were close to my home, I would just walk there instead of taking the train and waiting. One of the great things I like is coming downtown I like been here because there always somewhere, and you see different people everyday.

The last difference is your friends in Kelly, I used to hang out with my friends after school all the time. Before and after school we hung out by my locker. We all knew each other since our freshman year in the soccer team. A lot of people love to hang out with us because we were doing something new to get everybody attention in the school. We were there for each other all the time for god and though times. On the other hand at Harold Washington College not all of my friends came because they went to a four year university. Moreover, I don’t get to see a lot of my friends that come here because we have different schedules. Some of them that come here they dropped out and gotten a job. It’s harder to meet people in college because it’s a huge school students might start a different time or don’t have class the same day as you.
Therefore, when your parents tell you that you had to go to college and finish high school they don’t know about the life those places have. Some they will have the time of their life in college. To other like my self had to the time of my life in high school. I didn’t care that much about the freedom that I have now. I got spend a lot the time with my friends and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. In high school, you’re going to have those memories about your friends, prom, graduation and other events. When you heard your name has been called in gradation you knew that life was over, but the memories life forever and that is something priceless.

Every exit is an entry somewhere else

This quotation has an important meaning to me because it remains me of several times when I had to make some significant decisions in my life. The attitude to be positive is very important to me because if I feel that I’m in a situation that is difficult, immediately and thinks that I can go through it. However, I have learned that when you are in a crossroad in life, you have to decide witch one way to go. It doesn’t matter how bad can be the result If we see it like a new opportunity or challenge. I remember when I had to decide between living in Argentina or go to Europe, and had a really hard time to make a decision because my decision will involve a lot of people. As a result, I went to Barcelona to start my new life, and I had to leave all my friends, family and memories to go forward and adapting in a new city. Now, I can say that my first experience has helped me to be stronger and capable to adapt myself when I moved to The U.S.

Luis Gimenez

One can not step twice into the same river

This is true. If we made a mistake in life we shouldn’t make the same mistake.
That Is ho we get experience in life. Stepping into the same river twice always happens
to me. When. I was teenager and my parents told me everyday not to do the same mistake
over and over, I never listened. Like when I was with my friend and they always liked to
be in trouble. One day we were on the corner of the street where I used to live, that was in
Mexico. The police were patrolling the streets and when we saw them we whistled at
them. That made the police really angry. We did it over and over until they caught us.
Now that I’m older, I think about it. I shouldn’t have done it, but I never listened to my
parents. Now I remember their advice and I try not to fall into the same mistakes.

Daniel Cifuentes

Living Day by Day

“One day, one lifetime” is one the quotations from Zen Buddhism that caught my attention. First, it is a truly short quote although it can have a huge meaning. I interpret it as every day of your life is important, and you need to live it as it would be the last one. Sometimes people have a bitter life. Most of their time they are angry like a lion when someone tries to take their cubbies. Others don’t care about anything and leave their stuffs for the next day. Why do we have to leave things for tomorrow when they could be done today? What about if in your life if there is not a next day? We never know when it will be our last day in the world; therefore, you should leave every day like as it would the last one, enjoy your moments with your family, and let them know how much you love them because you don’t know if next I would have the opportunity to do it. Try to be content and enjoy what you have. Just live every day as it will be the last one.

Lissa Gaitan

I’m not young enough to know everything.

Young people have great eagerness to know everything because they lack of experience in their life. They are not shamed to ask questions. As the people grow up, they can make their minds up about something. They begin to think something by themselves instead of asking others. They think that will be a stupid if they ask others something about they don’t know. They pretend that they know something that they don’t know, but the kids won’t. Someone doesn’t like asking questions because they are shamed. That were not the only reasons they know less than they were young. Also, when people grow up, they have lots of affairs to handle. They try to escape from the questions. They don’t want to take time to think about the problems they encounter.

Kevin

One day, one lifetime

I feel identified with this quotation because it is one style to live the life the best you can. Many diverse occasions life seems to be hard with us, but not always life is as hard as it seems. It depends on the side that you focus on. So if you take it like that, you could give your best at work, with your family and majority of the hard circumstances through your life. Consequently, you could be sufficiently strong to carry on your life and direct it in a best way. Some time ago, I received dirty trick from life. My daughter had a horrific accident in kindergarten which leads her between life and death. I went through depression and I needed to get some therapy because I used to protect my daughter as best as I can, so I couldn’t understand why she had has that unexpected accident. Finally, with that accident I understood that life could end in a blink of an eye. So I decided to live each day the best as I can. Of course it is difficult, but it brings you pleasant rewards.

Rocio Rodriguez

The more you know, the less you understand

This saying I think is very similar to a Spanish language said, “Solo se que no se nada” (I just know that I don’t know nothing), by Socrates, the most known Philosopher ancient Greek. Sometimes you could know something, but it’s not enough to know or understand. Never ended. Everyday we have to learn something new. While more you know, more questions are generating in our mind, and after all you will recognize that it’s just a little bit that we know about it. Socrates said, that he doesn’t know anything to understand the universe, and he gave a lesson to the world. Socrates was considerate a most intelligent and said that he doesn’t know, when he was suppose to know. Nobody knows anything. Everyday in our life is a new page, a new world. Everyday we learn something new, no matter how much you know.

When I came to Chicago, I never had imagined that me, a woman who had studied before, could learn more. Actually I still keep on learning more every day and that makes me happy, very much.

Doris Torres

One day, one lifetime

In my opinion, I was thinking every day need to be happier than yesterday. I don’t know what day I am going to die. I should try new things and do something that I will not feel something still behind my back. We should live in a happy day instead to be sad and thinking too much of annoys thing. Or else, I will be regretting what I didn’t do when I die. No one should be ruin their day to some kind of unhappy and annoy things. I know everyone should try to be happy in our life. For example, I wake up, go to school, come home after school, doing homework, eat, and sleep for every boring day. However, there are some surprise moments, like my brother give me a present, friends call me out to shop/eat and more. So, we should live in a happy day to welcome more surprise moments to make our life happier.

Teresa Mei