Level Three Writing

Allow me to introduce the national symbol of china, the “dragon”. When I see a dragon picture, the dragon makes me think about Chinese New Year. More then a thousand years ago, our forefathers saw this magical animal. They gave the animal a name- ”Dragon.”

People say the dragon can help people, because he was a divine bringer of rain. The dragon also is a lucky animal, necessary for the good emperor whose knowledge and divine power assured the well being of his subjects. Mary legends draw connections between the dragon and the emperor. Some emperor ever claimed to have descended from the dragon.

Besides, the dragon can fly on a cloud, swim in he water, and spit fire. He has a gold body like a fish or a snake, but at the same time, he can make body as large as the universe or as small as a silk worm. The dragon can also change color and disappear in a flash. The dragon was rarely seen because he cleverly hid in caves, burrowing into a lofty mountain. So, people believe the dragon has a long life.

According to legend the dragon had nine sons, and each had a strong personality. There is no general agreement as to what the sons are called. However, to most people, they are haoxian, Yazi, Chiwen, Baxia, Pulao, Bixi, Qiuniu, Suanmi, and Jiaotu.

Consequently, any sighting of a dragon boded well. It meant that Heaven was letting the people know that their rulers were doing a good job. The rulers were eager to hear of any report of dragon in their domain. In brief, we want the country to be prosperous and the people to live in safety. When anybody sees the dragon, they will know the image of China and feel the magic power of Chinese history. Chinese culture is profound and difficult to understand. However, we have the dragon, and that will fascinate people with Eastern glamour.

Some advice for students who study in ACLP to decide where to live

For many years, English has been the principal language of the business community throughout much of the world. Thus, many people from different countries came to the United States to learn English. Students have a question about how to choose a place to live when they come to study. Some of the students like to live in dorms, other students like to live with an American family, which is called " homestay", and others like to rent an apartment and live alone.

Some of the students live in dorms. It is easy to find a dorm and it is easy to save money this way. The dorm is two people per a room, and students just need to pay $475 per month. This amount includes food. The students feel socially comfortable and some of the students would like to make some friends from different countries. They will talk to each other and will learn some different cultures. In Cal State, there are some clubs, gyms, and swimming pools. The students can enjoy those places and have fun. However, living in the dorm is not good for everyone; for example, the bedroom is a little bit small for two people and the relationship with their roommate can be difficult for living together. Although living in the dorm might be good sometimes, transportation might become troublesome.

Other students like living with an American family. Living in a homestay can help students to learn more English. Choosing an American family to live with is good for studying English and students can learn some culture. It costs just $450 per month, which includes food and transportation. Students will feel comfortable and a little bit different in living. The students will have their own bedroom and privacy. Most of the homestay families will help the student who is living with them when the student has some trouble. Some of the students might not like the food and there is not as much freedom, although living in a homestay is still unlike a home, it is not bad choice.

Some of the students choose to rent an apartment. An apartment is a little bit expensive and needs more personal care products; For example, a one bedroom apartment costs $500 per month, not including electricity, water, gas, heater, or phone bills. Students need cook by themselves, which is more difficult and too much trouble. Students also need a vehicle to go to school and shopping. It costs more money to rent an apartment, but still some students would rather rent an apartment than live alone. Of course, students can have their own place and feel more freedom, and can have parties in their apartment and do whatever they would like to do.In conclusion, a good place to live for most of the students who study in ACLP is more important than other things. In my opinion, it depends on each student what place is best for him or her. They need a place that is good for studying English and American culture. It depends on Enoch because some students do not like living with another person. Anyway, it is possible to choose a comfortable place to live. Xiao Dong GU, PR of China

Problems in homestay

Homestay is a good way to live and improve our English, but we have different culture and we can't choose our host family. Therefore, sometimes problems will arise and someone will feel uncomfortable, but we must put up with differences of culture. This is America, and to experience American culture is a part of studying English. However, in daily life in America, many problems occur due to different cultures. These will bother you, and you'll struggle with them.

At first, living with children is one of the most serious problems because they interrupt your life most of time. Generally, children are noisy and selfish. It's a matter of course, and some of them disturb your studying. When you are studying, they may play and speak loudly, or they may come in your room without notice. When you are tired, they may want to play with you. Some of you may have to take care of children. If you want a quiet life, you should put a mark 'no child'on your homestay application form.
Secondly, you may feel uncomfortable about your new lifestyle. If you don't have a car, you'll spend a time with host family from after school to go to bed in holiday, and all day long. It's not bad, but you'll be exhausted because you must communicate with them in English all the time. Also, you may be restricted by something; for example, the time of your shower, choice of T.V show, and the time of coming back home.
Food is another important problem because of unbalanced nutrition and because of eating the same food. Most families eat American food everyday, so you may get tired of it. And Americans eat much meat, but less vegetables; so you must take care of your health. Some host mothers don't cook, especially breakfast, then you must cook yourself.

Thus, there are many problems in homestay life. If you feel something bad, you should talk with your host family or Paula (the homestays coordinator). On the other hand, homestay life has many benefits. Life with foreign people is difficult, but it'll be a good experience if you get accustomed to it well.
Tetsutaro Wada, Japan

How to solve problems

Many international students have problems when they come to America. They sometimes have mental problem, physical problem, and study problem. How do they solve these problems?

First, students might have mental problems. They will miss their family, their friends, food and so on. Also, they might have culture shock. It is a natural thing for international students. I suggest that if you miss your country, you go outside and play hard. You might be able to forget about your problem. You wiII be able to make good friends here, so I suggest that you talk with your friends. If you still have problems, you should take counseling. You can talk to Paula in the ACLP office or go to the counseling center at the health center. There is one thing that you should do first: you should think by yourself why you have mental problems. Maybe you can write in a diary about these problems.
Secondly, students might become sick. If you become sick, you should drink water and juice, eat, and sleep more, especially, San Bernardino is dry, so you should drink a lot. It is very important. If you still do not recover, you should go to a doctor. There is a health center on campus.

Lastly, you might worry about school. For example, If you can't understand what you are studying in class, you should ask the teachers. ACLP teachers are very helpful for us, so don't be afraid of asking. Your English skills might not make progress quickly, but don't get depressed. The most important thing is to continue to study. It is sure that your English will improve.

You might worry about many things. However, you should not give up, no matter what happens. You surely will succeed. Have confidence and do your best.
Anonymous

New Food To Try

We will be entering into the 21century. Many things have already changed. People's health is the most important. There is a lot of health food. Some kinds of food are better for our body and we can lose weight by watching what we eat. Right now, such food as this has already been invented. While living in the USA, there has many kinds of that will benefit your health.

First, students should eat lots of vegetables and fruits, because they contain many kinds of vitamins and they digest easier when you cook. Don't use too much oil and eat too much fried food. In addition, you should drink milk every day and eat more corn or flour. Healthy American food like vegetables doesn't lose many vitamins when they are cooked. Further more, students need to drink water and they shouldn't drink any soda. In America, some people eat too much meat. That's not good, because if you eat too much meat, you'll get fat. It's not good for our bodies.

Secondly, the people should eat healthy food, especially old people, because it's good for their minds and hearts. As children, they need to add Calcium of food, in order to grow up healthy and have strength.

In conclusion, eating healthy for our body is important. Students need to f ind benefits of many foods. Students might reference and try the above advice. Maybe students will feel better and not gain weight in America if they eat healthy foods.
Nan Li Wang, PR of China

How to get a driver’s license

When you are living in the U.S. you need to get a driver's license because there is not much public transportation. That means that you need your own car.Therefore, you must get a driver's license. You also need your own I card because every worker wants see your I D card; For example, banks, stores [if you buy beer and cigarettes] and video shops. However, there are two different kinds of tests: the written test and the driving test.

First written test, before written test, you should study about U.S. traffic rules because it is different from your country's traffic rules. For example, my country [South Korea] does not have stop signs, so I did not understand what stop signs meant. However, do not worry about your English ability when you take the written test. The DMV has many kinds of language tests, so you can take the test in your own language. You need a pencil, a passport, your 1-20, and about 30 U, 5 dollars when you go to the DMV for the written test. If you pass the written test, you need to make an appointment for the driving test.

The other test is the driving test. Before the driving test, you need a Social security number. So you need to go to the Social security office and show your written test receipt. Then, an office worker wiII give to you your number. If you have a Social security number, you need to go to the DMV and show your number and then take a driving test. If you pass the driving test, you will take a picture and write your address and signature. If you do not pass, make a new appointment and find out why you did not pass.
After you get a driver's license, your life style will be more comfortable than before. You can drive a car. Than means you can go some where on the weekend and you can buy some beer and cigarettes. When you have a driver's license, you can start to enjoy your freedom.
Myunq sik Moon, South Korea

THE TOEFL TEST

What is the TOEFL TEST?

The TOEFL is a test of English as a foreign language. Its purpose is to test the English ability of people who are non-native speakers of the language. Many American schools also require a 500 or higher test score. Graduate programs require 550-600 or higher. The TOEFL consists of four parts: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension and TWE (Writing test). However, the computer TWE is different from the paper TWE test. While every computer test has the TWE, the paper tests only have the TWE five times a year.

How do we take the TOEFL Test?

The paper test costs $75 and students cannot cancel. All of the students have a same test in a classroom or auditorium. However, the computer test costs $100 in the US and Canada. In other countries, it is $125 and students can cancel. In addition, all of the students have different questions by their ability.
How can we study for the TOEFL?
First, you must identify your problem area and then budget your time for each part of TOEFL. Above all, studying constantly is important. All English practice is also helpful, so every day you must try speaking with a native speaker, reading a book and writing an essay, etc. Then you can pass the TOEFL.
Anonymous

FUN THINGS TO D0

I came to ACLP last year. Although many students stay home on weekends, I found many fun things to do. You can have fun in nearby cities, at CSU58, and at your own home.

One fun place to go to is Las Vegas. You can gamble (don't lose too much money!) and go to the malls, restaurants, music shows, and comedies.

Another fun place is San Diego. There are many places to go there. You can go to the beach, go swimming, surfing, and jet skiing, or rent a boat. In San Diego, you can also go to the zoo, old town, or Sea World.

In and near San Bernardino, you can go to a club (a place to dance), a mall (Ontario Mills is fun), or play video games.

Third, to have fun you can meet American people at the University or CSUSB connection, gym, swimming pool, theater, or gym. At home, you can chat with people online (on the computer), play games with friends, listen to music, watch TV or movies, study with friends, play pool, and go swimming to have fun with your friends or make friends.

There are many things to do while you live in San Bernardino. Don't stay home and be bored! Experience American culture and make friends. It is easy to have fun with friends and go somewhere.

Losing important documents

The U.S.A. is very dangerous country. Many people have experience of losing something. If you lose important documents in America, you will have much trouble, so you need to know what to do. And I will give you some advice.

I lost everything: my passport, credit card, money, travelers check, social security number, California and Japanese driver's license in Las Vegas. I did not know where they got lost.

When you lose some credit cards, you should consider these things. If you lose everything, you should call some police- (911) and you have to go to police department to give police report. I think you should also call some Credit Cards Company. You have to write credit card company's telephone number before you lose it. You have to stop using your credit card because someone picks up your credit card, and they will use it, I guess. Credit cards are the most important things, even more than passport.

Next, if you lose your passport, you will waste a lot of time and have trouble because you are not an U.S.A. citizen, so you have to bring your VISA, 1-94 and 1-20. Passport is very important thing, so it is difficult for foreigners to remake. At first you have to call your embassy, and you have to go your embassy by yourself. If you do not have passport copy, you have to wait about three months. Secondly, if you lose a VISA, you go to another country, you will need to get new VISA or you have to go back to your country. You can not get a VISA in another country. A VISA is also too difficult to get it.
Some parts of the U.S.A. are good places, but other parts of the U.S.A. are very dangerous. And also some Americans are good, but on the other hand, some Americans are dangerous. If you lose everything, do not be flurried! You have to be calm and call some places. Be smart.
Daigo Hada, Japan