COLLEGE Black Hawk ESL NEWSLETTER

English as a Second Language Program

PROGRAMESL DESCRIPTION: INTERMEDIATE ESL: The ESL program is an academic program designed for non- Students who enter this level have decided to begin academic native speakers and international students who need English or vocational programs. All reading, writing, speaking, listening, skills to participate in American society, to enroll in vocational and sentence structure activities are taught in the context of a or academic programs at the college level, or to enter or advance variety of academic disciplines. Students study the simple sentence in the workplace. Students will attain and refine language and from a linguistic perspective, write paragraphs using all rhetorical study skills as well as deepen their knowledge of U. S. culture modes, write college essays, give 5 to 10 minute oral presentations, through a series of specially designed courses in sentence structure, use the computerized library resources, listen to academic lectures reading , writing, speaking, listening, pronunciation, and conver- and take notes. sation. Students have access to computer, video, and lab equipment through the Independent Learning Center. Individual and group Courses of this level: ESL 061 Simple Sentence Structure tutoring can be arranged free of charge for any student needing ESL 063 Reading I help. Students may also participate in college clubs and attend ESL 065 Writing I all extra-curricular activities. ESL 067 Listening/Speaking I ESL 069 Pronunciation and Conversation TESTING: Students do not need to present a TOEFL (Test of English as a ADVANCED ESL: Foreign Language) score to enter Black Hawk College’s ESL Students in this level advance their language skills and knowledge program, but students should have a beginning knowledge of the academic culture so that they can enter academic classes of English equivalent to 430 or 117 on the TOEFL to move or vocational programs. They study complex sentence structure, through the program efficiently. If the student has taken the write documented academic essays and research papers, read a TOEFL, he/she should report the score to the ESL Coordinator, variety of texts from many disciplines, read a novel, listen to lectures for this and other test scores will help place the student accurately and take notes, and give 10—15 minute speeches. Students at in the program. Before class registration, all first-semester students this level participate in a number of special projects. They create will be given the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency. an ESL newsletter that is distributed campus-wide; listen to lectures The test is composed of three segments: given by Black Hawk College professors, and interview professionals 1. Michigan Test of Aural Comprehension (listening) in their chosen fields. Students take field trips related to class 2. Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency readings. (grammar, vocabulary, reading) 3. Writing Sample (composition) Courses of this level: ESL 073 Reading II ESL 075 Writing II Placement on the test is as follows: L COMM 105/ESL 072 60 or below beginning level Essentials of English/Grammar II 60 to 69 intermediate level L COMM 100/ESL 078 70 to 80 advanced Communication Skills/ 80 or above academic program Listening/Speaking II

* All of these courses are offered at Black Hawk College. PROGRAM PROFILE: L Students attend classes 5 days per week. The average class size Students receive 3 transferable credits for each of these is small and the average course load is three hours each day. courses. Students are given daily assignments as well as special projects that are completed outside of class. Students take the equivalent of 12 credit hours for a full class load. Upon finishing the program, For more information contact: students receive a certificate of completion at the spring graduation Ann Bollati ceremony. English as a Second language Coordinator 309-796-5183 Black Hawk COLLEGE

ESL NEWSLETTER A publication from Spring Semester 2005 English as a Second Language Students April, 2005

TRIO’s Program programs are Talent Search, Student Support By: Marlen Perez and Upward Bound, which are now within the Some students finish high school fearing TRIO Program. TRIO is federally funded, the idea of hard work in college. Getting into providing academic support services to eligible college can be at first very stressful for those students with the goal of assisting students in who are not used to a lot of graduating from Black Hawk College and homework. I think this is one transferring to a four-year school. of the reasons some people Juanita Zertuche, pictured below, is one do not go to college; in the advisors who registers students for TRIO. addition, some high school She also helps teachers discourage students by students who warning them college work is too hard. What want advisors or students might not know is that there are tutoring help. programs that help them improve their study Zertuche thinks it skills. is important to To be more specific, at BHC there is an come to the advising center located in Building 1. It is Student Success Center if students are having called the Student Success Center. This center problems with studying in general or with a has many services like academic advising, specific class. The Center’s mission is to help tutoring, basic computer and study skills the students in every way so they reach their assistance, financial aid and scholarship most important goal: graduation from college. applications and advising, and equipment loan Every student, who is a first-generation programs (computers, calculators, etc.) college student, is eligible for the TRIO The tutors at the center are available to program; the students can register for the help all BHC students. The tutors are familiar program, but it has a limited space, so anyone with course requirements; tutors can also interested must go quickly to get information suggest studying techniques. There is no cost and register. Students can go to the Student for this advising. The hours to get help are Success Center and have all their questions from 8:00 to 3:00 Monday to Friday, and 9:00 answered about this program. Students who to 11:00 on Saturdays. (On Saturdays, there is are accepted into the program can receive the only help with math.) The Learning Skills benefits until they graduate. Specialists are Sue Smith, Jaime DeLeVere A student of Black Hawk College, and Juanita Zertuche. Florencia Vargas, thinks “TRIO is very helpful In addition to because it helps improve my English, and a the services, the student can get more knowledge about this Student Success culture.” Center has a program Anne Bollati, English as a Second called TRIO. This BHC students with a math tutor Language Program Coordinator, knows that program has existed the TRIO program is state funded. This for 20 years. It started with one program, then provides services for first generation college after a while, BHC included two more. The students and a tutoring center. She thinks it is 1 a good program because many students have my American boyfriend sufficiently even a hard life since they have to work though I have been here for four years,” Hiroko and go to school, and they need Ikeda said. She came to the USA on April 14, extra help. 2001. Although all of the Japanese get English Knowing about all these education throughout junior high school and services can help a student. It is high school, they must work really hard to important to keep in mind, in case accurately learn the language. somebody has trouble with studying and needs Also, driving is a daily life challenge for extra help. There is a place to go. the Japanese. At the beginning, Japanese students feel stress while they are driving because the rules of the road in the USA are completely different from the rules in Japan. In Japan, people drive on the left side of the road while Americans drive on the opposite side “Ladies Second” from the Japanese. Megumi By: Nari Ota Yasue, who is an “Amazing,” this is the word I used when I international student at saw the American rivers, landscapes and BHC, said, “I practiced buildings. The huge scenery impressed me, driving for 1 hour each day “This is the USA,” I said to myself. When I first to get used to the American came, I understood the USA only on the driving rules when I came here because I surface from what I could see. However, since almost got into an accident with driving on the I came here, I have faced other difficulties wrong side.” Another student, Masako because culture is hidden from my eyes. Yoshizawa, who has been in Moline since April Entering other foreign countries requires 14, 2001, said, “I don’t like the American use of cultural adaptation. Adapting to a new culture the measure of a mile instead of a kilometer. I doesn’t mean losing one’s own culture. No one didn’t know the difference between the two. wants to break with his Since the day that I first came here, I have own culture. Adapting to misunderstood it.” a new culture is to In my case, when I came here, US coins create a new culture, accumulated in my room because I would just which blends both the use dollars at the supermarkets because I native culture and one’s used to get tired of own. All international counting those students will have culture shock, but it will be unfamiliar coins. For the different depending on their native culture. Japanese, almost all There are a lot of interesting stories. As for the daily life creates Japanese, they need to accept many hardships. differences because the American culture is so Encounters with Americans are also different from their own. As a result, the stressful, particularly for the Japanese. On my Japanese experience many life transitions. first school day in BHC, I said, “Hello, teacher,” Since May 20, 2004, the day when I first to my teacher in Grammar 1 class. However, stepped onto American soil, I have found that the teacher answered, “Nari, you can call me the American culture and the Japanese culture Peggy.” At that time, I felt strange about it are dissimilar. because I had never called teachers with the To start with, entering the USA, the teacher’s first name before. In Japan, students Japanese, who are students at BHC (Black have to say, “teacher,” or say,” teacher,” with Hawk College), have faced difficulties with the teacher’s last name. Also, the Japanese many aspects of American culture: language, usually use formal conversation style with older driving rules, food and others. For the people, even if they are friends and Japanese, language is the first challenge. classmates. Using correct conversation style English grammar, speaking and writing are is very important to impress people. In completely opposite from Japanese. Learning contrast, in American conversation, people the language is the most difficult adjustment don’t often use formal style like the Japanese that Japanese students have to make. “Still do. Also, being greeted by a stranger is very now, I can’t tell everything that I want to say to common everywhere in the USA. “I was 2 surprised when one man whom I had never Immigrant seen said, “Hi,” to me,” Hiroko Ikeda said. This By: Luis Duran is unusual in Japan. And, hugging and How hard it is to talk English handshaking sometimes make the Japanese To understand when you come feel uncomfortable. In addition, in Japanese Here and don’t have friends communication, people are supposed to be And are alone. proper. As Hiroko Ikeda said, “Americans are sometimes too outspoken. They don’t like to be How hard it is to live in America proper when talking, so I try to say everything I And learn another language think to my American boyfriend.” Just making And get a job without talking small talk with Americans can cause Their language and don’t understand. discomfort to the Japanese until they get used to it. How hard it is to go to school The different eating habits in the USA And know the answer and can’t and Japan also require the Japanese to adjust. Say it … or try to and Megumi Yasue said, “American eating habits Everybody laughs. were the most difficult thing for me to adapt.” It’s the truth. The typical Japanese meal of rice, vegetables and fish is rather bland. In contrast, American food includes lots of meat with strong flavors. However, the Japanese can eventually adapt by blending new eating habits with more familiar "Never Give Up" ones. “I eat meat By: Akondo Kpandja more than I used There are multiple problems people have to in Japan, but I still eat vegetables and rice,” when they leave their hometowns for other Megumi Yasue said. The Japanese don’t lose countries. How do people feel when they are their own daily habits, but make new ones, taken apart from the places they grew up? which are mixed. George Tounou, 33, one of my friends from The aspect of American culture the Togo, who has been living in the Quad Cities Japanese guys don’t like is “ladies first.” In for four years, told me once, “It is very difficult American society, “ladies first” is the important to live in the US, and I underwent many rule between women and men. Masako difficulties when I came here.” The US is an “El Yoshizawa said, “This is a great American Dorado” for many people around the world, habit; American guys open doors and bring me even Europeans, yet every individual who my stuff. I want Japanese guys to do the same comes to the US follows a process that is thing as Americans do.” In Japan, the spirit of bitter-sweet. “ladies first” doesn’t exist. In Japan, it’s “ladies Coming to the US in December 2003 was second.” a happy event for me even though I only knew The cultural encounters make American about this country from what I had seen on TV. life interesting for Japanese students. It’s hard I first felt cheerful, for it was the first time I had to decide which American cultural habits left my country, and it was a good opportunity Japanese should accept or not in the USA, and for my family and me. Discovering a country which Japanese cultural habits they should that I had learned about in keep even when they are living in the USA. school was a very great When we figure this out, we will have a moment for me because I was “second” culture as well as a second language. curious to see the beautiful places shown on TV through singers’ clips or in movies. I landed in Philadelphia, where I discovered one part of what I used to see on TV — spacious, specialized shops such as Khol’s, JC Penny and wonderful recreational 3 parks like I had never seen before. In brief, I tomorrow." Since then, each semester I was satisfied to be here. choose more classes in order to finish quickly. Despite the fact that I discovered what I One thing that is making me feel better is expected to see, which made me think about a that I have been making some friends from good future, I was also disappointed and sad other counties and some American friends. about some realities encountered in this These friends encourage me to do my best country. Not only did I discover some contrasts and not to give up. In addition, my ESL from my views about American society, but I teachers, who are our first advisors, usually found that it would not be easy for me to get listen to us and give us advice. used to the way people do some things. Even though life is not easy in the US, In this country, I found the other side to success is possible if one strives. Those who this society: the poverty. I used to work in a are likely to give up are the weak ones in this factory in Rock Island, and I have remarked society. I have encountered some difficulties, that most people there are poor. I had never and it is normal. I will not give up! seen this kind of poverty even in my country where people support each other materially and morally. These American poor people were mostly drugs users, so I asked myself, “Is their poverty linked to the use of marijuana?” Today, I am still trying to get the answer to my question. Another adjustment I faced was the food. Restaurants serve food out of this world, but the prices are not affordable for every individual. For this reason, I am confined to eating only at home. In addition, I have noticed By: Shi Yi Ng many people handicapped by weight, and as I I have been living in America for two and am worried about becoming like them, I avoid half years. Sometimes, I feel so tired of fast food that Americans like very much. American food. This problem also happens to Another terrible adjustment for me was most international students who come from the fact that my college diplomas that I had Asia. They always have a hard time figuring gotten after great sacrifices were useless when out good food in America because the food in finding a job in the US. Moreover, I was scared Asia and America is very different in terms of about the fact that I did not cooking, ingredients and health value; as a speak English well and result, different food culture can be a problem did not understand for Asian students trying to enjoy their life in what Americans America. said. I was, First, in Asia, the typical way of cooking is however, hopeful usually to steam and boil; for example, in Hong and knew that I could reach my objectives Kong, "dim sum" is a because as I said to myself, "Schooling is more very popular food. Most difficult for me to attain in my country than of the "dim sums" are here." like ravioli; "dim sum" In order to fit with American culture, I has more than three started going to school, for the real place to hundred different learn about a culture is at school. The biggest kinds, and over seventy percent of "dim sums" problem with attending school is having to are steamed. Furthermore, Asians like to boil work full-time. It is very hard because their food, such as some seafood and sometimes I feel tired, but I have to finish my vegetables. In Japan and China, people like to homework. This is the opposite compared to add a lot of seafood and vegetable to noodles my country where parents take care of their in broth. In contrast, Americans often deep fry offspring until they finish their studies. I also and barbecue their food. For example, Luke is said to myself, “Life is a choice, and one can an American who studies in Black Hawk make some sacrifices today in order to gain 4 College. He thinks deep frying and barbecuing Asian foods are much healthier than America are the best cooking methods because they foods. For example, produce tasty food that is convenient. The Chinese food is foods that American usually deep fry are pork, steamed, boiled, or stir- fried chicken, french fried potatoes and onion fried rather than deep rings. Americans deep fry almost any food. fried. It is not like Also, barbecue is a cooking method which American foods which can be full of oil. Some Americans like to use very much. Americans experts analyze that too much oily food can often barbecue hamburgers, sausages and cause cancer and heart disease. Moreover, the ribs; for this reason, sometimes, American food Japanese diet contains far more seafood, is too oily and dry for Asians to have everyday; particularly raw fish. Furthermore, a traditional hence, Asian students often feel bored with Japanese meal might begin with unsweetened American food. tea, followed by tofu or soybean cake served Second, Asians and Americans use with raw fish, radishes, boiled vegetables and different ingredients to steamed rice that contains the proper nutrition cook their foods. When for a day. Many American foods have little preparing Korean, nutrition but contain too many calories and fat. Chinese, Japanese Today, America has many people who are and Vietnamese food, overweight because of the junk food. My chefs use a bunch of Japanese friend, Yoshiki, has stayed in ginger, hot sauce oil, America for two years. He has gained 20 sesame oil and soy sauce. Also, Asians like to pounds in America. He realizes that he always use pig and cow's organs, like lungs and has American fast food, which causes him to stomachs, for cooking soup. The soup contains be fat. If you have a meal in McDonalds which organs that are disgusting to Americans, but contains a Big Mac, french fries and a most Asians don't feel disgusted at organs at chocolate milkshake then, you get 1220 all, and the soup is pretty delicious for them. calories total in that. It is too much for a person My grandfather is an example. He always buys in a day; consequently, many Asian students a lot of chicken organs to eat. He likes avoid American restaurants. chicken’s organs more than chicken meat. In conclusion, food is one problem that By comparison, Americans use a lot of bothers many Asian students in America. In my cheese, ketchup, opinion, Asia mustard and sour international students cream. Cheese is can buy ingredients in a especially a very big city for a time that important ingredient they can make their own for their food. It is not hard to figure out where food. Actually, having a cheese is found in American food. We can find different country’s food is it on hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, soups and not a bad thing because we can pastas. Much of American food can't be learn about different countries through their without cheese, but many Asians don’t like foods since each country's food has it own cheese. My friend, Kit, who comes from Korea, history and evolution. I hope that I can try more feels nauseous when eating too much cheese. different kinds of food in the future. This situation is just like Americans not liking animal organs; thus, Asians and Americans WXWXWXWXWXWX are afraid or uncomfortable with some of each other's foods. Therefore, in America, in some small towns which do not have many Asians World Class Soccer living there, it is hard to buy the ingredients for U.S and B.H.C that are suitable for Asians because many By: Kossi Ayikey Americans never use the ingredients which When I was in Africa, soccer was my Asians use, so most Asian international favorite sport. I often watched soccer matches students have a hard time finding their own on television or went to the stadium. Although I food in America. was a student, I took soccer so seriously that In addition, health value is another my parents could not stop me playing it. I problem for Asian students living in the U.S. played for all the schools I attended and in the 5 community leagues. Because I was good After the interview, I noticed that enough, I played on the Togolese Junior Americans do not understand much about National Team. I was about to leave school so soccer. Most Americans have grown up with that I could play soccer as a professional basketball and football. This is why they often career. I was on a project to think soccer is a woman’s game. Football, be transferred to Germany to apart from the United States, is called soccer play in the soccer league, but while American football is called rugby in the the Togolese Federation rest of the world, but only the rules are Association could not afford changed to respond to Americans’ desires. to send me. Soccer, the king of all sports, is very Kossi holds one of his When I had the chance demanding on all the athletes. Soccer is also a soccer trophies. to come to America, I difficult game, for it demands physical activity thought I could continue such as running, kicking the ball playing soccer, so I brought with me the with much energy, giving necessary things I needed to play soccer in precise passes to a partner, America; unfortunately, I have realized that and controlling the ball. Americans do not play soccer much and I am Protecting the ball from the not even able to watch soccer on television. opponent is the most difficult. Soccer players Since I have been in the Quad Cities, every also sometimes get so dangerously hurt that summer I play soccer with Africans, and they cannot continue their soccer career. For Mexicans. We even go to Chicago to play example, Van Bastin played for Milan in Italy, soccer matches. I have also played on a and he was hurt during the Europe champion Latino team, Guerriero, but there was only one league match by Basil Boli, who played for American among us. With Guerriero, we have Marseille in France. Van Bastin was the best won two consecutive tournament cups. scorer of the Milan team, and since that match, One day, when my friends and I were he cannot play anymore. Because of this, only talking about sports at work, men used to practice soccer professionally, but football and basketball were women were recently introduced to the game, the only games Americans and the first Women’s World Cup was held in liked. They did not like soccer, 1991. and I wanted to know why, so I When I refer to the world soccer events, talked to many Americans about the United States has participated in the World soccer, but they did not know the game. They Cup, and I can tell American teams have an did not even want to talk about it, but I important place in the world. It is interesting interviewed John Bostic, one of my coworkers that America has strong men’s and women’s to find out why soccer is not as important to teams capable of competing in the world Americans as it is to people elsewhere. tournaments, for they have already performed Kossi: What do you think about football and wonderfully during the World Cup events. soccer? America hosted the John: Football is more interesting to me than 15th Soccer World Cup soccer. in 1994. Kossi: Why do you think so? Before the John: Football is rougher than soccer, and tournament, there soccer is boring. were soccer leagues Kossi: Between football and soccer, which do in the country, but the you prefer and why? game was played Kossi poses with his Togolese teammates. John: I prefer football to soccer because I mostly by the Latinos was born with it. and schoolboys. On June 18th, 1994 during the Kossi: Did you watch the men’s and women’s first round of the tournament, the United States world soccer games? and Switzerland scored 1-1 at the Detroit John: No. stadium. America had its ticket for the second Kossi: What do you think about American men round after it beat Colombia 2-1. After the and women soccer teams? match, Andres Escobar, the Colombia John: I know American women soccer team is defender, was shot because he scored a the best. deadly goal against his own team, and that

6 favored the United States to qualify for the States future stars. For this reason, American second round. This round was a tough match coach Sigi Schmid is working hard on for the United States. The United States met preparing male under-twenty players for the Brazil, which had during that match, Romario next soccer generation. He has already found and Bebeto, the wild players of the Brazilian Freddy Adu, who is currently compared to team. Alexi Lalas, at that time, was the best Pele, who is the world’s best player. He also American defender. Some of the good found Marvell Wynne, Dany Szetela, and American players were Cobi Jones, Thomas Eddie Gaven, who are the strongest in the Dooley and Tony Meola. I admired their skillful team. In order to get more players, soccer play. Brazil usually has a strong team, but it should be introduced into school leagues in only beat the United States with a solitary goal, order to draw out the best future players. which means that it did not win the match The under twenty-soccer players can be easily. Although America was eliminated from found especially in colleges, and Black Hawk the tournament, it played a wonderful game. If College is one. At Black Hawk College, I have more Americans were playing soccer, the U.S. heard of a soccer team, and Mr. Willie N. would have gathered a strong team who could Seward is the coordinator. I think it will be have gone further in the 15th World Cup. fabulous to find some players at the Black America again has a very Hawk College to play on the national team. In strong women’s team with great spite of his busy schedule, Mr. Seward and skillful players like accepted my interview and gave me his Mia Hamm, Michelle opinion about football and soccer. Akers, Lorrie Fair, and Kossi: Are you interested in soccer? Kristine Lilly. The Mr. Seward: I did not have the chance to play American team played in soccer when I was young, but I the first Women’s World found out as an adult that I am Cup in China in 1991 and won the good at it. championship. In 1999, the United States held Kossi: What do you think about the Third World Cup, for the second time. The football and soccer? women’s team won the cup from China during Mr. Seward: Both are very tough games a penalty shot on 5-4 at the Rose Bowl because they take a lot of running. In Stadium. Among the American female team, addition, just as football, it takes much Mia Hamm is the player I adore, for she is not physical effort, strength and stamina only a skillful player, but also a helpful partner to play soccer, and the only difference on the field. She also displays all her energy is soccer players do not wear pads. for the team to win, and this makes her the star Kossi: Do you know why most Americans are of the team. Although I am not a woman, she not interested in soccer? has been my role model. Unfortunately, Mia Mr. Seward: Americans are not exposed to Hamm and Michelle Akers have retired along soccer; it is only played in gym with their coach. I ask myself what will the centers and in schools. People have to female soccer team become without a coach. choose, and football is well-known and Will the next coach do as great a job as popular. Dicicco Tony did during the 1999 World Cup? Kossi: What do you do for the BHC soccer An article in the February 16th edition of the team? Quad City Times states, “April Heinrichs is Mr. Seward: I serve as an adviser for the resigning as the U.S. women’s soccer coach, teams. six months after leading the team to an Kossi: How were the teams formed? Olympic gold medal.” America has to look for a Mr. Seward: A student came into my office new female soccer team coach as soon as one day and suggested there be a possible to keep the team in shape before the women’s soccer team. She got various next tournament session begins. girls connected, and the girl’s team was America must start formed. I met a male student who preparing its strong and wanted a men’s soccer team. energetic youth to substitute The teams raise their own players for the current team and funds by selling pizza, having to prepare them as the United car washes and other things.

CHINESE NEW YEAR By: Hui Yu I remember the 2002 Chinese New Year was the last New Year’s Eve celebration I had before I came to the U.S. My family gave me a lot of money which represents good luck. After a large dinner with family, I met my Kossi: It is a good thing to see America friends. We rented a private room participating in the World Cup and sang Karaoke, danced, and ate tournament. What can America do to a lot of delicious snacks. improve its soccer level? The Chinese New Year is the Mr. Seward: Soccer must be introduced into most important and widely celebrated holiday schools for kids to get started with just for the Chinese people. Families and friends as it is at BHC. get together to say goodbye to the old year It will be very interesting as Mr. Seward and welcome the New Year. Unlike the introduces intramural college soccer American New Year which begins on January tournaments in the Quad Cities. The purpose 1, the Chinese New Year starts on a different of the Black Hawk College Soccer Club is not day each year between January 1- 15 due to just to play soccer, but to serve as a means of the Chinese calendar. physical fitness for the students and for the Beside the dates being different, the community, and to create friendships. There Chinese New Year and American New Year are many students in the college, and if have different decorations. The Chinese New everyone decides to join the soccer club, the Year’s Day decorations are normally red. For school will have the best team in the Quad example, most people will wear red clothes on Cities. New Year’s Day; even businesses Soccer should occupy an important place hang red decorations. In America, in the United States. I there are many colors displayed, want to encourage all and Americans wear brightly Americans to get colored hats and blow whistles at involved in soccer midnight on New Year’s Eve to events in order to form signify the coming of the New Year. strong American The New Year activities and festivities teams capable of are also different. In China, we have fireworks competing in the whole at midnight and eat foods like dumplings, fish, world. I predict that America is going to be the beef and Chinese vegetables. There is always future site of soccer just as Europe is now and lots of cooking. Big meals are definitely a part the next World Cup in the United States will be of New Years Eve. Parties are everywhere. In as famous as the Super Bowl. America, it seems that mostly young people celebrate New Year’s Eve, whereas in China people of all ages celebrate. In America, people usually just have fireworks in the big cities, and usually people don’t cook a big dinner until New Year’s Day. The most fun for Chinese children during the Chinese New Year celebrations is to get Lucky Money from older family members. The lucky money is usually put in a red packet, which most people believe will bring luck to both the receiver and giver. I remember my cousins and I were always happy because we could get almost 400 U.S. dollars worth of

8 Lucky Money from our grandparents, aunts, Instructional Programs, wants to make other uncles, and parents’ friends every New Year. schools involved in the Festival. They want to In China, dinner typically begins at 6 have the Festival each year at a different o’clock on Near Year’s Eve. In my school. For example, one year the Festival family, we always light would be at Augustana, the next year at firecrackers and say good Western Illinois University. Local high schools wishes before we begin eating. could host the Festival too. According to For example, I always say to my Galbraith, the administration wants to make grandparents, “In the New Year I these changes because they think that the hope you become healthier and purpose of the Festival has changed. They happier.” This is a common type of wish given think the International Festival needs new to older people by younger people. I always things to add to it. eat a lot of food because my grandparents are Anne Bollati, ESL Program Coordinator such good cooks and always serve delicious at Black Hawk College said, “The International food like fish, beef, pork, chicken, and many Festival means a lot to me different kinds of vegetables like Chinese because when the Festival cabbage, celery, cauliflower, and leek. After we started back in 1993, I was finish dinner, we also have fruits like oranges, sitting with a group of six apples, pears and some desserts, especially students. They came up with cake. We often then watch a New Year’s the idea to make the celebration show on TV. International Festival. The first In conclusion, even though the Chinese year was the most surprising for New Year and American New them because they did not Year are very different, I like know if people would come. them both. I like the Chinese However, over 300 people came the first year. New Year celebrations Moreover, more and more people came as the because I always get a lot of years went by. Last year, over 1, 000 people lucky money. I like American came to the Festival”. New Year because my The students who began the Festival American host family always cooks a lot of wanted to have the opportunity to show that delicious American food. While Christmas they had a presence on campus, and they seems to be the most important holiday in wanted America, the Chinese New Year is the most others to popular holiday in China. I hope some day I learn new can invite my friends to come to China to enjoy things the biggest holiday in the Chinese culture, the about Chinese New Year. various cultures. The main [\[\[\ purpose for holding the Festival was to get money to The History of the help students to begin studying at college, especially those who are in ESL classes. International Festival At the first International Festival, the By: Florencia Vargas-Hernandez “The Black Hawk College International students performed (the Quebradita) a Festival has occurred for 11 Mexican dance from the north of Mexico. The years but unfortunately there Japanese students made up a comedy; is not going to be one this women from Argentina organized a fancy year,” said Myrna Galbraith, dance, which is the Tango. People from the International Student and different countries made all the food in the Scholar Program Transition Black Hawk College kitchen. It was full of Coordinator. “The college is people since the students had to find their own planning to make some volunteers to help with the selling of food and changes to the program.” Dr. the various performances. Victoria Fitzgerald, Dean of

9 Thanks to this Festival over 25,000 dollars has been given to students to help them Nari: He is from Japan. He with their education. Black Hawk College has been living in the Quad gives $100 City area for ten months. dollars to each He likes playing soccer and watching movies in his free student. In the time. Nari would like to get International an Associate Degree. Festival. People participated Marlen: She is from Mexico. from different She has been living in the countries as China, Mexico, Honduras, Japan, Quad Cities for three and many more. People from the areas around months. She likes to read here are waiting for the International Festival. books mostly in Spanish, The students from Black Hawk College want to listen to music, play have a Festival in which more and more people basketball and jog. Marlen would like to become a can participate. kindergarten teacher.

Shi Yi: He is twenty years ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ old. He comes from Hong Kong (China). He has been

living in the Quad Cities for

two and a half years. Shi Yi Kossi: He is from Togo likes to listen to music, play (West Africa.) He has been video games, research in living in the Quad Cities for the Internet, and watch three years. Kossi likes to basketball and soccer matches. play soccer, watch movies

and listen to music. He would

like to major in Nursing. Akondo: He comes from

Togo (West Africa). He has

been living in the Quad Cities

for a year. He likes to play

soccer, Scrabble and watch Florencia: She is from Mexico. hilarious movies. Akondo She has been living in the would like to get his Associate Quad Cities for seven years. Degree in Nursing. Florencia would like to become

a nurse.

Luis: He is an international

student from Mexico. He Hui: He comes from China. lived in Moline for six years. He has been living in the He likes drawing pictures Quad Cities for two years and playing soccer in his and a half. Hui likes free time. He wants to computers, cars, eating major in auto mechanics. Chinese food and biking. (Luis is a level six (Writing I)

student whose poetry made us want to include him in our newsletter.)

We hope you have enjoyed our newsletter, which was put together in our Writing II class with Karen Hindhede, our instructor. We would like to thank Anne Bollati, ESL Coordinator, for assisting with the revision process and Sheryl Gragg, Support Staff, for her editing and computer savvy skills. 10

English as a Second Language Program