English Language Center Insights - April 2013

English Language Center Insights A Newsletter for and about our Students and Faculty

Student Performers at the International Dinner (See p. 3 for details about the event)

April/May 2013 Teacher Feature – Meet Lara Olson Interview by Miyang Yoo

Save the Date Final Celebration Dinner May 4th, 4:30-7pm at the Winona History Center Grades Grades, Certificates, and Transcripts will be available on May 6th.

Summer Classes May term classes: •

May 13th – June 13th.

Summer classes: •

July 1st – August 9th

1. Could you tell me about you?

I am Lara Olson. I am a teacher for ELC and Waldorf elementary school. 10 years ago I decided to be a teacher for English and Music.

I sometimes write music, working with music and spending a lot of time for music. Now I’m teaching in the ELC and Waldorf school in Lacrosse, teaching German. In 2009 I came here as a teaching assistant for German. I met a man in Lacrosse and got married in 2011.

2. When do you start teaching ELC student?

Last summer. At that time I had a lot of fun and memory.

3. We almost done this semester, How was this semester?

It was a good semester. I learned a lot of things: mixture of culture, and meeting new student. I had fun.

4. What's your Summer plan?

I am going to travel to Germany with my husband. Then visit family, friends, work on music and go to different cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Hanover, Austria Vienna.

http://www.winona.edu/elc

April/May 2013

Congratulations to the Student of the Month: Jisun Huh!

Written by Karla Krause This semester, I have come to know Sun as a student in my writing class. I have nominated her as student of the month because I think she makes a great role model for her peers in our writing class.

A role model is a person who shows us and has characteristics that we admire and would like to acquire. I believe there are several examples of how Sun demonstrates her desire and passion in being a serious English language learner.

Sun is always on time for class and ready to practice writing with her computer prepared on her desk. She is usually even a few minutes early. During the class, Sun listens carefully and takes very thorough notes. I am sure she uses her notes later to revise her essays. In class, we often do a lot of group activities. Sun works well with all the students in the class. I have observed her in being a good group leader and taking charge of the situation. Additionally, I have observed her as being an active and contributing member to groups.

Sun also works well independently, concentrating and focusing her efforts into her own writing task. However, upon request by either her peers or me, she is always cooperative in putting aside her own work to help another student better understand the writing task. In doing this, Sun actually develops more knowledge and language to describe and reflect on her writing.

Sun really made an impression on me this semester while working on her persuasive essay. She was the only student in the class who even considered taking the minority side of the argument -regardless of how challenging it would be. Furthermore, when I mentioned to students they may want to visit the tutor, although it was not required, Sun responded by saying, “No, I have to.� Students like Sun make awesome role models for other students because of how demanding they are on only themselves. I trust her actions and her dedication is noticed by many teachers and students. Sun is likely to greatly improve her English language skills this semester in large part because of the high standards she sets for herself. As a result, she is even a role model for me!

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http://www.winona.edu/elc

From the Director, Dr. Holly Shi Dear students, Although we woke up recently with snow on the ground, there is no mistake that it is the end of April and summer is right around the corner!

While you are making summer plans, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some tips of how to keep up with your English and what opportunities we have in summer for you.

If you can, take ELC summer classes. This summer, we have a May class from May 13 to June 13 and then a sixweek program starting July 1st. If you are tittering near the exit line of the ELC, I would like you to consider the 6-week ELC program. This may allow you to start the university degree program in Fall ‘13; that is IF you are NOT too far away from “successful completion” of the program. You may want to wait till the end of the semester when your fall status report is available or talk to Katie or Conan before making the decision.

If you plan to visit your family and friends or travel elsewhere, please keep in mind that you MUST use English whenever you can. If you cannot find someone with whom you can practice English, do it anyway with yourself! Make a list of good summer English books to read. Watch CNN, or keep in touch with your friends online using English language sites. Keep a journal in English to remind you later of what you do in Summer ‘13. Call your ELC friends, talk to him/her in English, of course, or write a letter to your favorite ELC instructor. There are many things you can do; you just need to be mindful of the opportunities. Do not let your English take a “vacation.”

Remember to share your experiences with your friends at home; tell them about this university and our ELC programs. Be our ambassadors and represent this university well. Finally, wherever you are and whatever you do, be safe and have a great summer! ~Holly Shi

April/ May 2013

ELC Students Participated in the International Dinner April 6th, 2013 Written by Joseph W. Reed th

On April 6 , 2013 the International Club held the International Dinner in Talbot Gym for over 250 guests. 80+ international students put on a program of food and performances that featured some very brave current and former ELC students. I would like to give special mention to Jisun Huh, Gao Xiaoyuan (Emily), and Nadia Fanou Tosse for their spirited dancing. It makes the ELC staff very proud to see our students volunteering to participate in events that connect them with other WSU students and the Winona community.

International Dinner photos are on pp. 1-­‐3.

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http://www.winona.edu/elc

April/May 2013

Rock Climbing Trip at Sugar Loaf – April 26th Hosted by OERC – For more summer activities visit: http://www.winona.edu/outdoor/

“ To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation” Written by Noor Almayad

You should read The Alchemist because Santiago meets many famous people, he is interesting and the story reflect my life.

In The Alchemist Santiago meets many famous people. First he meets Gypsy. She told him about his future, so he decided to go to Egypt to find his treasure and his love. He also meets a man from his home country of Spain. Santiago trusts this man, but the man was a liar and stolen his money. Santiago need it money so, he worked for crystal merchant. The merchant is a good man and helped Santiago by letting him work for one year. All of these famous characters helped Santiago even though some bad and some are Good. They make you want to keep reading.

Another reason why you should read The Alchemist is because Santiago is an interesting character. One of the main reason why he is interesting is because he is falling in love. We want to read The Alchemist because we are excited about the love story. Their story is interesting because Santiago tells Fatima he loves her and he ask Fatima to marry him. Fatima tells Santiago to follow his dream and she will wait for him. We like reading about love. A movie or book without love is boring.

Santiago is interesting because he is a free man who can see the world. His goal is to follow his dream, find his treasure and to become rich. The reader is able to be interested in Santiago’s story because of love, and his goal.

Finally you should read The Alchemist because it is help you reflect in our life. I learn things from Santiago. He taught me to be a thinker, patient, courageous. I also reflected on my life. When Santiago was in Egypt. Because I have been to Egypt, when I read the Story I remembered the pyramids. It is a beautiful place.

Lastly I reflected on my dreams to finish school and have a better job I hope to be as determined to achieve my dream, as Santiago was to achieve his. When you read it you can reflect on your life to. You should read The Alchemist to see what you learn from Santiago, and what reflect for your life.

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Unit 3 Essay：Synthesis Written by Yan Gu The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an amazing book. This book introduces Santiago who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. So he leaves Spain to literally follow his dream. “Tale of the Two Dreamers” is from the Borges Jorge Luis ’ A Universal History of Infamy, this Chapter talk about A man (Maqrabi) work very hard to realize the ideal, want make more money. Kao Kalia Yang, author of The Latehomecomer, wrote a story about refugee immigrant families. These are basically three different types of books. I know some people will find it hard to believe they all have similarities, and also have differences, but it's the truth.

Frankly speaking, “Tale of the Two Dreamers” and The Latehomecomer have more common points with The Alchemist. Firstly, the characters all have dreams in the three books. In Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, Santiago dreams of becoming an alchemist. In the “Tale of the Two Dreamers”, the following quote is an example of the Maqrabi’s dream, the Maqrabi said to the captain: “ I was ordered by one in a dream to go to Isfahan, for my fortune awaited me there”(page 116).

In The Latehomecomer, Kao Kalia Yang did chase the American dream through education. Beginning in a classroom for English Language Learners, she struggled to find her voice in her adopted country’s tongue. Secondly, the characters all like learning in the three books. According to The Alchemist, the reader see Santiago learn when he “learned that the most important text in the literature of alchemy contained only a few lines, and had been inscribed on the surface of an emerald” (page 81). The Maqrabi in “Tale of Two Dreamers” is similar to Santiago because he is learning too. In The Latehomecomer, Kao Kalia Yang is also learning. When she moves to America, she is very thankful to have the chance to learn the new language.

There are differences between The Alchemist, “Tale of the Two Dreamers” and The Latehomecomer. Firstly, they believe differently: they think, conceptualize, perceive, understand, and comprehend differently. The Alchemist’s Santiago believes in God. For example, the reader sees Santiago’s belief in God when he says, “Every second of the search is an encounter with god” (page 132). In the “Tale of the Two Dreamers”, the Maqrabi believes in Allah. According to “Tale of the two Dreamers,” this is idea is shown by this quote, “And thus Allah brought abundant blessing upon him and rewarded him and exalted him. Allah is the Beneficent, the Unseen” (page 116). In The Latehomecomer, Kao Kalia Yang believes in the United States and American government, because America give them a safe and beautiful home, giving them a chance to accept education and knowledge. Secondly, the three characters’ quests are different. In The Alchemist, Santiago’s quest is to apply principles of alchemy to his own life. In “The Tale of the Two Dreamers”, the man wants to meet Allah, and to understand how to get much money. In The Latehomecomer, Kao Kalia Yang was determined to make more efforts to learn English, and was eager to become an English writer of the experts.

Overall, “Tale of the Two Dreamers” is the least inspirational of these books. “Tale of the Two Dreamers” inspired me to have a dream because when you have a dream, it gives you motivation for the future. The Alchemist is a simple, fairy tale-like, story. This book inspired me to believe that once I discover my dream, I should go after it. I think this is the second most inspirational book. I think The Latehomecomer is most inspirational book. At the end of The Latehomecomer, we can see Yang is a successful writer. She told us many historical stories, and let us know why many Hmong family immigrants come to United States. She tries her best to live her dreams by challenging herself. These three books can touch millions of people and give them optimism to achieve their goals through hard work, perspiration and positive attitude.

Work Cited Borges Jorge Luis, (1972). Tale of the two dreamers..

A Universal History of Infamy.

Coelho,Paulo. (1988). The Alchemist.

Yang ,Kao Kalia. (1980).The Latehomecomer: a Hmong Family Memoir.

Congratulations Elisenda Xifra and Matt Ernster on your upcoming graduation!

The ELC will always be grateful for your hard work and wonderful attitude!