English as a Second Language

I like ESL classes, because I am learning English.
When I moved from Honduras to USA, I started in level 1 and then moved to level 2, level 3, and level; four , and now I am in civic class. In civic class, I am learning about American culture and history. We also learn about American politics and its wars. There are also conversation classes where you can speak English.  When my ESL levels ended, I started GED classes to get my General Education Diploma. I am feeling good because my English is better.

Are you interesting in ESL classes?

These classes start on Monday June 11, 2012.

For more information-click here

http://www.durhamtech.edu/cgl/esl.htm

-Yimy

First time in the U.S.A.: Life in Puerto Rico

I arrived in Puerto Rico in December of 2006. It is a beautiful country. Over time I began to feel sad because it was the first time I lived outside my country, Panama, and more because I had no job.

But over time, I started working, and I got to know places and people. Puerto Rico is not so different from where I am from. They have more or less the same traditions of my country. They are very friendly. I
really liked living there except for that is a bit expensive.

Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking island. Legally it is bilingual, in the sense that both Spanish and English are official languages, Spanish being the native language spoken by the majority of the population.

Why Puerto Rico still is territory of United States?

During the Spanish American War between Spain and the United States, Spain wanted to end the war, and decided to cede Puerto Rico, Cuba, Santo Domingo, the Virgin Islands, Guam and other territories to this country.

Then the United States gave the opportunity to each of these territories to vote and decide if they wanted to be an American member of the union or remain independent.

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands decided to be part of this country, and the others decided to be independent.

Puerto Rico maintains a territorial status within the constitution of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States through the cases indicated that island belongs to Puerto Rico, but it is not part of the United States. So Puerto Rico is constituted as a territory of the United States to create the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth in English.
The debate over the political status of Puerto Rico has been a constant in many domestic areas (Puerto Rico), Federal (USA) and international (United Nations).

In the 2012 election, Puerto Rico will hold a national two-part referendum to decide whether its citizens want to remain a self-governing U.S. commonwealth, become independent, negotiate a new status with the U.S., or become the 51^st U.S. State.

Visiting Duke Gardens in Durham

Duke gardens is a beautiful place to have a good time no matter if you are alone or with your family including pets if you want. This place is good to relax and enjoy the environment.
The gardens are a beautiful place to see the most wonderful flowers and trees and there are interesting. If you go on weekends you can buy vegetables at the farmers market.
Is very important for the cities have a place for relaxation because its demonstrates if the people connect whit the environment the stress is out and the people can live a better life.
Spring is a time for growth and renewal in nature and enjoys the beautiful flowers this is also reflected in our body.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens provides a place where people of all backgrounds and ages come for beauty, education, horticulture, solitude, discovery, study, renewal and inspiration for more information you can visit this web site http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/education.htm

-Diana

Experiencing art in the United States

I have only visited a few states in this country; my first experience with art was when I had the pleasure of visiting Chicago for the first time. There were many places in this city that made me happy. I went to places like museums, Gardens, Zoos, and the Baha’i temple where people practice any religion, and Michigan Lake where you can walk by the breezy lakeside. In Chicago there is more culture diversity than in North Carolina. My first experience in Chicago was visiting at Art Museum, I had never seen pictures so old, and it was incredible!

When I was in New York I went to the Moma (Museum of modern art), it is a popular museum there, at that time the Van Gogh's exposition was there, and he is my favorite artist. I loved it. I imagined how he had painted a lot of work, because these pictures reflect all about his feelings. I didn't know about art until I met my husband, he is a sculptor, and every day he lives with it.

-Yirla

Why is the USA called AMERICA?

One of the most interesting things that I have experienced in the USA is people of the USA call their country 'AMERICA'. Just AMERICA! Not USA. The teacher in my ESL class often says 'America' or 'American people' to refer to the USA. Even the students from other countries just say 'America'. I wondered why. In my thoughts, America includes North and South and Central America as well. So, I asked the students from South American countries if they are not angry about that the USA hogs the 'America.' But, to be astonished, they showed no anger.

I read an article which a Korean man wrote. The man, who was a visiting scholar at a university of the USA, went on a field trip to Argentina. He needed to make an international call to his family in the USA. He entered a store, and asked the owner of the store if he could call 'America'. Then, the owner replied to him, "This is America!" He was embarrassed. He mentioned 'America' unconsciously as he did in the USA. The store owner's answer was quite right. Argentina is in the Americas, too.

Why do people of the USA call their country just 'America'? I think they do so because the USA is the superpower in the world. The USA has the dominant position politically and economically. They think they are the police of the world and they can dominate the world. So, they sometimes even start war in the name of world peace. Whatever they are doing, everything is JUSTICE. For that reason, they think they have a right to monopolize ‘America’. So, it is very natural they call their country America. And as far as I know, other countries in 'America' don't say anything.

I am uncomfortable when I hear people say just 'America'. And I don't know why they say just 'America'. If it comes from the arrogance which lies in the mind of USA people, I think they have to change the way of they call their nation. It is true that the USA is playing a very important role in the world to make a better world. And it is also true that no country must have a privilege in the world. The USA is a country which many European people built. Today, so many people from all over the world make up the USA. They have made today's USA. So, The USA has to try to cooperate with other countries in an equal position. If they have the pride that their country is the only superpower which deserves privilege, it is impossible to make a real good relationship with other countries at all. Isn't there any willingness to change their calling country 'AMERICA'?

-Kwangseok Yoo