Letters to the School Board from FremontAdultSchool,
Intermediate High ESL. Lisa Braley’s Class in Room 18.
(The students typed these letters. Some letters have been edited for grammar by the teacher and may have been corrected by students. Some have not. We did these letters very quickly in order to have them for the meeting on 1/27/2010. However, we have been and are continuing to work on a unit that teaches letter writing and sending a letter to an editor of a newspaper about a current issue is one of the important tasks. These letters were specifically for the board, but we still intend to create and send letters to the editor in the near future.)
Last names have been omitted from these letters.
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Bhajan M__. I am from India. I was farmer in my country. I didn’t study English in my country. When I came to the united states four years ago, I didn’t understand any English and I didn’t know how to write; read; or speak English .
I have been going to Fremont adult school for four years now, starting at the bignnning level. when I come to the class I ididn’t understatnd how speak to the teacher but now I have improved my English skills. I feel more confident now and my reading, writing and speaking are improved.
I think the e,s,l program are very impotent at the Fremont adult school for the adult people. My son jaspreet was study same esl teacher at the Fremont adult school for four years ago . after he got his GED certificate at the AdultSchool he studied at OhloneCollege. Now he is a student at San joseStaetUniversity After one and half years he is going to getting engineering degree. My wife is supporting us now because I was laid off.
Bhajan M__.
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am from Mexico; I decided to come to school, because I wanted to improve my English. I didn’t feel confident to communicate with others at my work, and everywhere else. I’ve been coming to school since March 2009, I have improved my reading, listening, and writing since coming to school. Before starting at FAS I knew very little. This class helped me a lot in many ways. For example, some times in my job at Macy’s, I need to leave notes to for my boss. Now I feel more confident about explaining things in writing. Also at my other job I work at Panda Express as a cashier and I think I know how to talk to the customers. And give them better customer service. Now then I did before.
Caty R__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
THIS IS MY STORY
My name is David H__. I’m from Mexico I have been here in U.S.A for over 5 years .My first day here was very difficult a lot of the people just spoke English.
I found my first job in a restaurant called Oliver garden .All the people spoke English but my friends told me you need to go to school to speak English in my job. I saw one beautiful server but the problem was I didn’t speak English, so I came to E.S.L. and started learning English. Later I met with her and she is my wife now.
But this is not the biggest problem because she had learned Spanish already she told me you need to meet my parents .When she told me this I thought I really need to go back to school.
Now I take classes with my wonderful teacher .she is very good. I try to come to this class every day because I learn English and can understand better , I have more communication at my job and with my wife. I will go to colleges and be a resident soon.
Thank you so much teacher Lisa you are very nice.
David H__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a student in FremontAdultSchool since last September, attending in two ESL programs, ESL computer lab and regular ESL program. In this short time the benefits and improvement on my English and Computer skills has been so notable, that my family tells me in a short time I will be able to work.
I am learning a lot of vocabulary, correct pronunciation and computer knowledge. The excellent ESL program and the competence and dedication of the teachers make possible the students prepare well and fast in English and computer, both so necessary to incorporate us to this country.
All of this benefits for immigrants with an affordable price for everybody. This program was free in the past, now we are paying a reasonable price. An increase may be possible but keep it in a reasonable cost. Most immigrants don’t work or have one or two low level jobs to support family.
Now, UnifiedSchool District proposes an important budget reduction to the AdultSchool, and this will affect our ESL program and our life and future in this country.
I want to move the UnifiedSchool District to re-consider your cutting plan in ESL Adult Program, because immigrants are the most Fremont population, and we need incorporate to the country and the economy.
Thank you,
Dilcia S__
From Venezuela
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Gelin C__. I am an ESL student at FremontAdultSchool. I am writing this letter to express my thank to school about that I get your a lot of help.
I was a teacher in my native country, but I could not speak English well, and knew a little about U.S. Five years ago, I went to Fremont. I couldn’t do anything, so I almost stayed at home all day. I was sad and terrible indeed.
About two years ago, my friend tell me that you miss a wonderful chance to go to Fremont adult school. By my friend’s advise, I started going to Fremont adult school. I took some classes, from Sharon, Susan, Parveneh, Lisa and others. They are all very excellent and friendly teacher. They taught me how to speak, read ,listen and write English not only. But also they often encourage me with strongly confidence.
Gelin C__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I’m Haiying T___.I have studied English at FremontAdultSchool for about 1 month. I could hardly hear what others said and always misunderstood their meaning. However, great advances has been made since I’ve been at this campus. I know clearly there is a crisis in finance and the district may propose to cut the budget of FremomtAdultSchool and cut off the number of teachers .But could you please consider my opinion.
Personally speaking,I can go to university after graduating from this school and get a good job then.High salary to me, high tax to government. Furthermore,I am familiar with the American culture from my teacher. At the beginning, I’m almost unacquainted with anybody but our teachers treat us patiently,gentally and give us too many chances to communicate. They give friendly impression to us. Now I always say to my friends who are in China that the American are so kindness.
In case of community,someone who don’t accept education and have no job may stole,rob,destroy environment and so on. I think great moral cultivation most depending on nice education that this school can give us.Quality of the nation will be lifted if all of foreigners have ESL education background.We will get along with each other.One additional reason,the fee is so cheap for us that we can afford.
Financial problems will be over and could you please think it over. There will increase the unemployment rate.
Best Regards,
Haiying T__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Jaime R__ J__. I from Mexico I have been here 3 years. In my native country I went to the university and graduated as a Dental Surgeon but I cannot do this work have due to many reasons, but especially because my English is no good enough. I started studying in this school in Sept 2009 and now I feel more confident,
because I have been improving my English. Maybe someday I can work in my field here.
Thank you,
Jaime R__ J__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Jia L__. I am 24 years old. I come from China. I have studied English in adult school for one month. I have more confidence since coming here.
First, at adult school I have learned speaking and writing English. I have gained skills and ways to study English. Before I went to adult school, I am sky to talk to somebody. I’m afraid of calling with strangers in English. But now if I listen carefully, I can understand what the person tall to me. I think this is the most obtainment after study in adult school. Now I go to school for four days a week. And the other days I review my course at home.
Second, I believe that a lot of people maybe the same with me. They’re new immigration and they need to learn English to live here. For me, I came to American for less than three months from China. If I go to collage I will pay too much more tuition fee than the native students. At present I have no enough money for studying in collage. So this school is the most comfortable place for me at the beginning that I came to the USA. I can know new classmates from different countries and get a lot of interesting knowledge. I pay a little tuition fee in here but experience American culture everyday! Thank AdultSchool! Thank American!
Sincerely,
Jia L__
February 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a student in FremontAdultSchool, I have been in this country for 23 years and I have been working as a babysitter all these years. I had my 6th head surgery six months ago because I suffer from hydrocephalus. I can’t work right now, so I’m taking this opportunity to try to finish my high school. I never thought how much I would learn from coming to school again, I’m taking English and Computer classes and the teachers that I have are incredible with me.
When I came from Mexico, I thought it was hard to learn another language but with the help from the school teachers, I would never have achieved the goals that I had in mind since I came from Mexico City. Please, if my comment will be helpful to your decision in the school budget cuts, I hope a lot of teachers and students from (FASD) will be less worried about the school future.
Respectfully,
Maria S__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a student in FremontAdultSchool. I have been here for a year and four months, I came back to ESL classes after six years. I studied for two years at 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. I had two Certificates about my English improving in 2005-2006.
Now, I’m feeling more confident about improving my English. I can go to a doctor’s appointment, I can tell a doctor all my symptoms I don’t need to have someone translate. I can make a dentist appointment for my husband about the dentist put a crown next month.
I can support my family. Thank you teacher for teaching me English. It is an excellent program for immigrants. Then help me about get a new job.
I am concerned about the AdultSchool is very interest program. I don’t believe this problem should close the school because education is very important in the world, because the people communication is the best way to be Peace.
Thank you,
Name: Maria E__ V__
From: Peru
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Marta R__. I am El Salvadorians and my first language is Spanish. I remember when I starting to study English at my school, when I was 16 years old. I can say that all my life I have been trying to learn English. I learned grammar, writing, reading, but my pronunciation was not good. I love the English language.
When I made a decision to come to this country, one of my challenges was speaking English well and fluently. When I arrived here, one of the first things I did, was to investigate where I could study English, and my friend talked to me about FremontAdultSchool. I have studied English here since 2003 but after 2 years I stopped. After that I took long distance classes, for about six months. I had a good experience and nice teachers, but I needed more conversation. In 2009 I went back to school in the morning, because I had many problems with my communication. I felt afraid, especially on the phone, when somebody called me or I had to make a telephone call. Now after four months, I have coming to school, I feel more confident with my English at on the phone and wherever I go. I love to study English here because there are professional teachers and the most important, is they are very patient and enjoy their job. I like too, because I have the opportunity to know different people with different cultures.
Thank you for your attention to my testimonial, and I hope has been considered in your decision.
Sincerely,
Marta R__
Native country: El Salvador, Central America
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a student at FremontAdultSchool. I moved from my country since June 2009, when I arrived here I registered in FAS , I had a serious problem with speaking ,listening and writing English, but to day I can have better communication. I can speak English, I can understand.
So I am very happy. This improvement in learning English is the result of registration. In FAS and the helping of polite and hard working teachers of FremontAdultSchool.
Masihollah T__.
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a new immigrant here. I think FAS is very import to every new immigrant. We can make friends here, and we can improve our English. In addition, the teachers are all have great patience and experience in teaching ESL students.
I am worried that if there’s no FAS,I will not have a place to take the citizenship class. Then I will have no confidence in passing my citizenship test.
Miao-Ming L__, 57, Taiwan
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Panxin Y__. I am an undergraduate from China. I have studied ESL at FremontAdultSchool about one month. Hear that, the govermont will further cut education budget. I am very worried about for this news. In my opinion, I think AdultSchool is very important to many immigrants.
There are many immigrants come to America every year. Majority of them couldn’t speak English very well. Me too! For example, I studied Advertising and Graphic Design in China. I want to get a job in future. But my English is very poor and I couldn’t go to college in America now. I need study English as possible. AdultSchool helped me. Teachers teach me the basics of English vocabulary and grammar and advanced from beginning to proficient level. I have learned communication skills from other students. I make a lot of friends at school. I have gains confidence to speak the new language.
I understand that the government’s decision can help cover the budget deficit. However I don’t think this decision is a long-term. I am love AdultSchool so much! So I hope the governor can’t cut to education budget of AdultSchool.
Sincerely
Panxin
January 26, 2010
Dear School Board,
I am a student at FremontAdultSchool. I am against FUSD cut down adult education expenditure.
Adult education is important. I have studied English for 4 years at FremontAdultSchool. I have learned the basics of English vocabulary and grammar and advanced from the beginning to middle level of English. Because I have learned the basics of English and I completed my citizenship class at FremontAdultSchool. I passed my interview and I became an American citizen in 2008.
To sum up, I hope FUSD don’t cut down 10% education budget.
Sincerely,
Shouxian L__
January 27th 2010
Dear School Board,
I am Snehal V__ from India writing to express my feeling about this class. In my opinion, having ESL class is so much expensive in other colleges. FremontAdultSchool is affordable for anyone. It is available to any one coming to the United States. I consider the efforts of ESL class and other education in providing a very good place for immigrants. For example, we came here and that time did not speak good English. Also I hesitate to speak English but after attending this class I can speak anyone.
From last three months I am attending this school I make so many friends from different counties and also different age, language. I just want to share that before attending this class I never go alone out because afraid to speak English but now I can go anywhere. I like this school procedure like; they took first test from people and then decide which class he should attend because of this you can not waste your time to do all class sessions. In ESL class we also learn American pronunciation which is very helpful to us in the future.
Thank you for giving your time to read this letter. I hope you understand our feelings about this school. This school will bring miracle in our life. Because of this school we feel confident.
Thank you,
You’re sincerely,
Snehal V__
January 27, 2010
Dear School Board,
My name is Soad M__. I am Egyptian .I came from Egypt to U.S. last year. Here I learned how to schedule an appointment with my doctor and to explain my symptoms to him or her. I also learned something useful about nutrition. After that, I tried to change my habits. I learned how to keep ore bodies healthy. Before I came to F.A.S. I couldn’t even answer the phone but now I’m becoming more confident in my English communication skills. I answer the phone and if the person was talking too fast or unclear, I can ask him or her to speak slowly and clearly. I practice English every day in F.A.S. It helps me to improve my English. I can’t imagine if I didn’t learn English and learn how to speak. My life would turn into a jail because I couldn’t go shopping, I couldn’t talk or understand anyone. At F.A.S. I meet many classmates with different languages and cultures. Now I have a lot of knowledge about life in different countries. Thanks to all teachers Susan, Lisa and Rochelle . They help me to memorize English and improve my skills.