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University Settlement's Writing Class of ESL Program on 175 Eldridge Street           (212) 533-6306

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Introduction         Contents of ESL

Wah You  Lee is one of excellent writers in our writing class. He enjoys this class because he feels free to write something what he is interested in. He was a teacher in China before he came to the United States. Therefore, he likes writing very much. There are a few essays share with you and the world.

My High School Job                                                                              By Wah You Lee                                  Contents

When I was seventeen years old, I got my first job.

At that time, I was high school student and someone was needed to teach evening school, to teach poor children without the opportunity to study at the formal school in the daytime. I applied and got this job. I did this job not for money, just for my interest, so I did it as a volunteer.

I liked to communicate with the poor children. I liked to teach them and answer their questions. I liked to explain patiently and I would feel very happy if had made them understand. I enjoyed walking on the road between my home and the evening school under the moonlight or even in a thunderstorm. On the road to school, I looked forward to meeting my students; on the road coming home, I recalled how I had gotten along with them. I could remember that in the natural science lesson, I taught “the flow of air causes wind,” and in the music lesson, I taught them to sing “La la la! Is a young expert in selling newspapers? I sell newspapers. Before dawn...”

I liked to visit the students’ families. I liked to talk with their guardians. I this way I could know the students’ conditions, which were having a strong effect on their studies.

Teaching poor children in evening school was a great influence on me. It made me like to communicate with other people, to play with children. It made me choose my teacher’s job and enjoy it.

I regret that I could not have been a teacher in America. When I came to America, I was too old and my English was not good enough to be a teacher. Otherwise, I would like to try…

Learning English by Asking for and Giving  Directions                                                                By Wah You Lee                                            Contents

I have some experiences in asking for dirctions in English.

On the third day after I arrived in New York, I was walking on Water Street. Because the views were different from my country’s, I liked to look around, here and there, high and low. At that time, two old ladies come to give me a hand. But I just faltered and ran away. I felt very shy, ashamed, and embarrassed, as if I had done something wrong, because I did not know what they talked about.

After I joined the evening English class to learn English, I could understand a little bit of English. If someone asked me for directions, I would politely say, “No. Sorry.” “No” what? “Sorry” what? I meant that “I am sorry, but I can’t talk to you in English.” But I couldn’t say this in English.

Through studying in class, I learned more English. I knew some English words, such as “street,” “avenue,” “block,” “left,” “right,” “straight,” “turn…” But when I was asked for directions, I answered as usual, because I worried that I could not use those words to give the correct information.

But one day a person asked me, “Where is the subway stop?” It interested and encouraged me, because, first, I understood what he said; second, I knew where the subway station was; and third, he asked me about “the subway stop” not the subway station,” so I knew he must have come from outside New York, and needed help. So I took him to the subway station, with pleasure

Since then, I like to direct people somewhere in English. If I see some people holding maps and looking, I will ask, “May I help you?” even though I can’t speak standard English, in addition to speaking my broken English I use gestures to make people understand what I am saying. Occasionally some people ignore me but it does not bother me.

Every time after giving directions, I think about what I said. Sometimes I feel satisfied at first about my words, but then I quickly realize I gave an inappropriate direction. I feel very upset and go back to give the correct directions.

As well as helping people to their address, I like to ask people for directions, because on the one hand, I want to make sure of my directions, and on the other hand, I like to practice my English. When I make English conversation on the street with someone friendly, I feel very pleasant.

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