Student Writing

q

Level 3, 4 Spring, 2006

q

Interview 1 Jobs Shopping Families Exercise and Sports Home Food Leisure Time and Vacations Interview 3

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

Level 3, 4 Fall, 2005

q

Interview 1

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (1 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writing

q

Jobs Interview 2 Families Interview 3 Exercise and Sports San Francisco

q

q

q

q

q

q

Level 3, 4 Spring, 2005

q

Interview 1 Jobs Interview 2 Shopping Families Interview 3 Exercise and Sports Home

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (2 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writing

q

Interview 4 San Francisco

q

q

Level 5 Spring, 2005Food San Francisco Jobs Animals and the Environment

q

q

q

q

q

Level 3, 4 Fall, 2004

q

Introduce your partner. Write about jobs. Interview 2. Write about shopping. Write about families. Interview 3. Write about exercise and sports.

q

q

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (3 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writingq

Write about San Francisco. Interview 4. Write about education. Write about your home. Write about food. Interview 5.

q

q

q

q

q

q

Level 6, Fall, 2004

q

Introduce your partner. Write an ending to the story Working at the Bank. Write about jobs. Write about San Francisco. Write about education. Write about a misunderstanding. Write about your home. Write about families.

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (4 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writing

q

Write about animals and the environment. Write about leisure time.

q

q

Level 6, Spring, 2004Introduce your partner. Write about San Francisco. Write about health and exercise. Write an ending to the story Working at the Bank. Write about a Language Misunderstanding. Write about food. Write about animals and the environment. Write about your native city. Write about families. Write about jobs. Write about education.

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (5 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writing

q

Write about your home. Write about money. Write about leisure time. Write about media.

q

q

q

Level 6, Fall 2003q

Introduce your partner. Write about San Francisco. Write an ending to the story Working at the Bank. Write about health and exercise. Write about food. Write about animals and the environment. Write about your native city. Write about your home. Write about jobs.

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (6 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Student Writing

q

Write about education. Write about families. Write about money.

q

q

Level 6, Spring 2003q

Talk about leisure time or vacations. How are food and food customs in the U.S. the same or different from food and food customs in your native country? What surprised you when you first came to San Francisco? What did you do during Spring Vacation? How are people and pets in this country the same or different from people and pets in your native country?

q

q

q

q

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/studentwriting.html (7 of 7)17.10.2007 19:13:28

Interview 1

Interview 1My partner's name is Carol. She lives in the Sunset. An Albertson's store is in her neighborhood. She came to San Francisco in 1977. She is from Hong Kong. She likes shopping and watching T.V., but she doesn't like exercise. She has a car.--Sally My partner's name is Jun. He lives at 11 Avenue and Geary in S.F. His native country is China. Jun has lived in S.F. for only 15 days. He doesn't have stores in his neighborhood, and he doesn't have restaurants in his neighborhood. He has lived in S.F. for only 15 days, so he doesn't know any restaurants. He doesn't have a job now. He is a student. He doesn't have a car now. Jun likes to play basketball in his spare time. Jun has a hobby. He uses a computer. He likes to exercise. He likes to watch TV but not all the time. He watches TV in his native language.--Valeria My partner's name is Sally. She lives in the Richmond. Her neighborhood store is Mervyn's. Her neighborhood restaurant is Lucky Penny and she likes it too because it's close to her home. Sally came from China in 2001. She has a job. She is a cashier. She has a car. She likes to sleep in her spare time. She likes to watch TV. She watches TV in English and in her native language, half and half.--Carol My partner's name is Kate. She lives on Castro Street. Her favorite restaurant is Sushi because there is good food there. She came to San Francisco 25 months ago. She is from Ukraine. She doesn't have a job. She doesn't have a car. She likes to go jogging. She likes to watch TV.--Ru Xin My partner's name is Bobo. He lives in the Richmond. It's a good location. There are many stores near his house; bookstores and restaurants. His favorite restaurant has Thai food. He came to S.F. 6 months ago. He's from China. He's a student now. He doesn't have a car.--Lin

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1s06.html (1 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:31

Interview 1

My partner's name is Kyunghae. She's 36 years old. She's originally from Korea. Kyunghae has already lived in San Francisco for six months. She's here with her husband and two children. She likes Korean food, Sontopu. She plays piano and she would like to teach children to play it. On weekends she goes with her family on a picnic. Her hobby is listening to music.--Nino My partner's name is Ia. She lives in the Richmond. Her neighborhood store is Walgreens. Her neighborhood doesn't have a restaurant. Her favorite restaurant is a Japanese restaurant. She likes sushi. She came to San Francisco 4 months ago. She is from Georgia. She doesn't have a job now. She is a student. She doesn't have a car. In her spare time she likes to read books. Her hobby is playing tennis. She likes to exercise. She likes to watch English TV.--Alex My partner's name is Lin. She lives in the Sunset of S.F. She has some stores in her neighborhood. Her favorite is a Chinese restaurant. She likes seafood. She came to San Francisco 10 years ago. She doesn't have a job right now. She's a housewife. She likes to read and study in her spare time.--Bobo My partner's name is Xiue. She lives in San Francisco in the Richmond, next to the Safeway. There is a Chinese restaurant in her neighborhood. Her favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. She likes it because it is delicious. They have Chinese food. She came to S.F. in 2002. She's from China. She doesn't have a car and she doesn't have a job. In her spare time she likes to play on the computer. She doesn't have any hobbies and she doesn't like exercise. She likes to watch TV every day. She watches a Chinese channel.--Kholoud My partner's name is Kholoud. She lives in the Sunset. Her favorite restaurant is an Arabic restaurant, because she likes Jordanian food. She came to San Francisco in 2005. She is from Jordan. She likes her job now. She works as a waitress. She doesn't have a car. In her spare time she likes to use a computer.--Xiue

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1s06.html (2 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:31

Interview 1

My partner's name is Connie. She lives in the Sunset. She lives at 27th Ave. and Noriega. There are stores in her neighborhood: Walgreens, Safeway, El Chico, a gas station, and a supermarket. There are a lot of restaurants in her neighborhood: Japanese restaurants, Chinese restaurants, but only one Vietnamese restaurant. Her favorite restaurant has vegetarian food. She likes vegetables a lot. The kind of food in the vegetarian restaurant is vegetables and tofu. She doesn't have a job. She likes to exercise and read Chinese magazines. She has a Honda and two children. She likes to watch Chinese T.V. shows.--Thanh Em My partner's name is Alex. He is 21 years old. He was born in China. He arrived in San Francisco in March, 2005. He lives on Turk. He likes Chinese food. Near his home is a Safeway. He is a student and not working now. He doesn't have a car. In his free time he likes to watch TV. He likes to play basketball and he likes to exercise.--Ia My partner's name is Ma. She is from Burma. She came to S.F. in 2005. She now lives on Scott Street. The grocery store is very near her house. She doesn't have a job now. She is a student. She likes Chinese food very much. She likes to play basketball in her spare time.--Bruce My partner's name is Bruce. He lives in Chinatown. The store in his neighborhood is Walgreens. His neighborhood has an Italian restaurant. His favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. He likes its noodles. He came in 2004. He is from Hong Kong. He has no job because he is a student. He doesn't have a car. In his spare time he goes shopping. His hobby is walking. He likes exercise. He likes to watch TV. He likes to watch in both English and his native language.--Ma My partner's name is Nino. She is from Georgia. She lives on Geary with her family. She is 20 years old. She is not married. She has been here 4 months. She doesn't have a job. She wants to get a job. Her favorite restaurant is a Georgian restaurant. She likes Georgian food. She likes to go for a walk in her spare time. She likes to collect candles. She likes San Francisco.--Kyunghae My partner's name is Ru Xin. He lives on 29th Street. He is from China. His favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. He likes it. He came to S.F. one year ago. He doesn't have a job now. His family has four cars. Two of them are small busses. He likes to swim and go to Golden Gate Park. His hobby is watching TV. He watches TV in his native language.--Kate

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1s06.html (3 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:31

Interview 1

My partner's name is Thanh Em. She lives in the Sunset on 30th Ave and Noriega. Her neighborhood has some stores, Safeway, Walgreens, a grocery store, and a Japanese and Vietnamese restaurant. Her favorite food is Vietnamese food because everything is good. She came to S.F. in 1994. She is from Vietnam. She is a housewife now and takes care of her children. She has an old car and her hobby is watching TV shows.--Thanh Em My partner's name is Stanley. He lives in San Francisco on Harkness Ave. His favorite restaurant is Haky. He likes this restaurant because the food is delicious. The kind of food in Haky is Chinese. He came to San Francisco in 1987. He is from Vietnam. He doesn't have a job. He has a car. He likes to watch TV in his spare time, and read the newspaper. His hobby is playing soccer. He doesn't like to exercise. He usually watches TV in his native language, but sometimes he watches the news in English.--Capitzy My partner's name is Capitzy. She lives in S.F. on Julian Ave. between Valencia and Mission. Her neighborhood has Mexican and Chinese restaurants. She likes to cook and work in the kitchen. She likes Mexican food. She comes from Mexico. She has lived in S.F. one year. She doesn't have a job or a car. She is a student at John Adams Campus. She likes to listen to music and read books. Her hobby is painting pictures. She likes to swim and watch TV in English and Spanish.--Stanley My partner's name is Su. She lives in the Sunset. Her neighborhood store is Safeway. She came to San Francisco in 1992. She is from China. She has a Toyota. She doeesn't like to exercise. She likes to watch TV. My partner's name is Valeria. She lives in Ocean Beach in San Francisco. There are no stores or restaurants in her neighborhood. She has no favorite restaurant now, because she came to San Francisco only two months ago. Maybe later she will have one. She's from Russia. She has no job now and no car. She likes running in her spare time. Her hobby is playing on the computer. She likes to exercise. She likes to watch TV sometimes.--Wei Jun My partner's name is Mei Hing. She lives in Millbrae. Her favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. She came to San Francisco in 2001. She is from Hong Kong. She has a car and in her spare time she likes to listen to music. She likes to run. She likes to watch TV in English.--Xue Juan

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1s06.html (4 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:31

Jobs

Write About JobsI had a job before. I was a busser in an Italian restaurant. In my country, I was a kitchen helper. I think in America, finding a job is not very difficult because there are many ways you can use to find a job. But, for some people who don't know English, it is not easy to find a job. In Hong Kong before, women's jobs were not the same as men's, but nowadays there is no difference.--Bruce My name is Adel. I am a teacher. I like my job because I am happy with my major. My major is chemistry. Now, I will register in San Francisco State University to take a Master degree in Biochemistry. Finally, I hope to achieve my goal.--Adel I don't have a job in San Francisco, but I want to look for a job. My brother thinks I don't have to look for a job. He wants me to help him in his house. I was working in a Kodak Express store. I was a manager.--Ru Xin I have a job in San Francisco. I'm a waitress in a restaurant. I think a counter job is a good job for me because I worked in this job in my country.--Sally I have no job in San Francisco. I have been a student guide in my country. I think accountants and doctors are good jobs. I think cashiers and receptionists are bad jobs. I think jobs for men are doctors and managers, and jobs for women are teachers, computer programmers and business management in the U.S.--Ma My name is Alex. I'm 21. I came to San Francisco 9 months ago. I have no job in S.F. yet. I need a job. I am a student now, but I usually read newspapers looking for jobs. I think looking for a job in S.F. is hard, because I just know a little English.--Alex My name is Carol. I was a fashion designer in my country and in San Francisco too. Now I'm out of work. I'm going to look for another job, so now I want to study English. I hope to have a change. I'm going to look at newspapers or ask friends.--Carolhttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/jobs8.html (1 of 2)17.10.2007 19:13:33

Jobs

Hi. My name is James. I came from Tokyo, Japan but I was born in Shanghai, China. Eighteen years ago, I went from Shanghai to Tokyo, Japan. I was a teacher in Shanghai. When I went to Tokyo, I studied Japanese again. In Japan, I was a businessman. I moved to San Francisco in January, 2004, because my parents live here. I don't have a job because I speak English very badly. I want a job but I don't like to do just anything. I like a teacher's job.--James My name is Stanley. In my native country, I had a job. When I arrived in San Francisco, I went to work with my brother because he is a foreman at a construction company and he taught me how to do it.--Stanley I think San Francisco is a good place to look for a job, because S.F. has a lot of jobs. Some are good jobs and some are bad jobs. Sometimes people work in construction and it doesn't pay good. In my country there is a lot of work. Women work the same as men, like in the US. I think that all work is good but the best is in architecture because this work is more useful for people in designing buildings, houses, etc. Bad work I think is the people who work in the fields. The pay for farmworkers is too low.--Copitzy I have a job in San Francisco. I am a waitress in a restaurant, but I don't like my job. I come to school every day to learn more English. After this I will go to another college to study nursing. I like being a nurse. If someone asks me about looking for a job in San Francisco, I'll tell him about the agency or the Internet or newspapers. I didn't have a job in my country. I was a student in my country and in my country the jobs for men are different than jobs for women. Men can do any job but women can't, but right now women can do a lot of things like men. The men in my country can be taxi or truck drivers, but the women can't do that or a lot of things, but now everything is changing.--Kholoud I don't have a job. I want a parking job in a hotel or parking lot. My friends will look for a job for me. I was a student in my country. I think being a policeman or banker is a good job, but my English is not good. That's my problem. I want a parking job because I like cars so much.--Bobo

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/jobs8.html (2 of 2)17.10.2007 19:13:33

Shopping

Write About ShoppingI don't like to go shopping, but I have to buy something. I go shopping twice a week. I usually shop at Safeway, Sunset Supermarket, and the Farmers Market because I can buy my favorite food there. My favorite stores are Old Navy, Cosco, and Ross. When I go shopping, I really want to buy whatever I need to use. Sometimes I shop on the Internet. I don't like to go out. I'm too lazy to walk. I can find things on the Internet.--Lin I like to go shopping during the weekend. I usually go to Safeway for groceries, and for clothes I usually go to Macy's. Walgreens is my favorite store so I sometimes go there. I sometimes go to the Salvation Army to buy some used clothes. I really like windowshopping. I never use a credit card. I never shop on the Internet. In San Francisco, shopping is very convenient for me, but in my country it is not very convenient.--Bruce I like to shop. I liked to shop for a long time in my native country. After I came to the U.S., I still liked to shop. I go to Chinatown and buy some vegetables, meat, fish and fruit. The food in San Francisco is the same as Shanghai's food, for the price. I sometimes go to Macy's department store and buy clothes. I don't like to use a credit card because I think credit cards aren't very safe.--Ru Xin I don't like to shop. When I need to buy something for my children, I will go. I usually shop for groceries at Safeway and Walgreens every week. When I see in the newspaper what shops have something on sale, I'm ready to go there. I buy snacks for my children and I buy some food for my family. I cook every day, so I need to buy vegetables, meat, shrimp, noodles, etc. Sometimes I go shopping for clothes at Sears, Ross, Mervyn's and Toys "R" Us. I usually use my credit card, because I get a credit rebate coupon. I don't have any favorite store. I like the stores where things are cheap, because I want to save money.--Thanh Em

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/shopping3.html (1 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:38

Shopping

I like shopping. Sometimes I go to used stores and the Farmers Market. I usually buy some things at Costco. I seldom shop on the Internet. I like to go Christmas windowshopping. I never use a credit card, but I use one at Macy's. I like to shop in San Francisco. In my native city, stores are very different. In my native city, the Farmers market and stores have no holiday.--Judy I like to shop every weekend in Chinatown because it has supermarkets, groceries, and many different stores. My favorite store is Foodco. My daughters like it too. Every time my daughters and I go there, they want me to buy a lot of candy.--Stanley I like shopping. I think shopping is very interesting. I can see many different things and I can find many interesting things. I think shopping is the same in San Francisco and in my native country. I like to shop for clothes, but I never shop for used clothes. Sometimes I like windowshopping because I feel that it is interesting. I like shopping with my friends when we have time.--Jiao Xia I like to shop and go windowshopping too, because a lot of things are beautiful and interesting. When I buy a favorite thing, I will be happy for a long time. My native country is like San Francisco, and has large buildings for shops and supermarkets, Macy's, and something like that.--Carol I like to go shopping. I usually shop in boutiques and stores. I usually go to Ross to buy some clothes and shoes. This is my favorite. I like to go windowshopping too because I feel that it is very enjoyable for me. I do not use a credit card because I am a newcomer. Anyway, I like San Francisco.--Elaine My name is Kin. I like shopping. I like to go to Chinese markets to buy meat and fruit. They are fresh. If I buy groceries, I will go to Safeway to buy them. I like to use a credit card at the store so I don't need to bring money.--Kin I like shopping for clothes. In my country shopping is the same as in San Francisco, but maybe just different in the store because in America, all things are in one store, but in Jordan clothes are in one store and shoes are in another. I usually shop in Macy's and J.C. Pennys. I like to windowshop to see what the new clothes are. I sometimes buy something on the Internet, for example, CD music of my favorite singer.--Diana

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/shopping3.html (2 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:38

Shopping

I like to go shopping. Sometimes I go shopping in the shopping mall with my family. In my country, if I buy something and I don't like it, there is no return. In this country it is different. Sometimes I buy groceries in Safeway and some food in Chinese stores. I never shop at garage sales or for used clothes. I like to pay with a credit card because I keep good credit. I never shop on the Internet. Sometimes I go windowshopping and just look. My favorite store is a Chinese store.--Su I seldom go shopping here. I don't like shopping here because I think it is not my style. I usually send money to my Chinese friends and then they can buy clothes and send them to me. I like to wear Chinese clothes because in my mind it fits me. It's important that when the dollar changes to Chinese money, it will buy better things.--Meng Na I don't like to shop, but I have to go shopping. I have to buy food and clothes for my family. I prefer to buy food in Chinese stores because there it is cheaper and I like Chinese food. I buy clothes for my daughter in Gap. She likes these clothes. These clothes are a little expensive, but they are nice. For me, I prefer to buy clothes in Ross.--Natalia I don't like to go shopping because I have no job, and no money. I go to shop three times a year. My favorite store is Gap. I really buy used clothes. I usually wait for garage sales and discount sales. I like to go windowshopping because I can see every kind of cothes from outside. I use a credit card. I never shop on the Internet because I have no computer. There is little similarity between shopping in San Francisco and my native city. My native country is not developed. San Francisco is very developed and a nice city.--Ma Shopping in my native country is different than in San Francisco. In S.F., I usually shop at Safeway. I never shop for used clothes. I don't shop with a credit card, so I don't shop on the Internet. I don't like to go windowshopping.--Alex I don't like to shop, but I have to. When I go grocery shopping, Ii go to Clement Street. I buy clothes at garage sales. I don't use a credit card. I pay cash in the store. My grandchildren like to shoop on the Internet.--Lev

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/shopping3.html (3 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:38

Shopping

My name is Larysa. I like shopping in Russian grocery stores, Safeway, and Trader Joe's. I like shopping for clothes in Mervyn's, Macy's, and Nordstrom. I don't like to buy used clothes, but sometimes I buy something at garage sales. I like shopping with a credit card. Sometimes I like to buy something on the Internet. One time I bought shoes for me on the Internet. My favorite store is Macy's, the perfume department. I like to go shopping if I have money.--Larysa The difference in shopping in San Francisco compared with Mexico is big for me. In Mexico, the market is a big place, like a mall, but everything is more simple. It isn't fancy, but it is a nice place to stay and shop because almost everybody knows each other, and you can find everything, like shoes, meat, vegetables, dishes, clothes, cooked food, toys, tools, etc.--Gloria Shopping in my country is different than in San Francisco. I usually shop at Safeway and sometimes in a grocery store. I usually shop for clothes at Ross or Old Navy. My favorite store here is Costco, because it's big and I can find anything I like or I need. In my country, I went to the store for clothes. I never bought used clothes, and I don't in S.F. either. In my country there are no garage sales, but I bought something on sale. I like to go windowshopping. I don't use a credit card and I never shop on the Internet.--Kholoud I like to go shopping because I can buy my favorite things. If the clothes or shoes are on sale, my friends will take me out to look. Sometimes my friend is very crazy. He can buy shoes for $150. He usually doesn't have much money, so I will use my credit card to pay for him. He will give it back to me the next day. I will look in the window and then I will go into the store. If the store has many things on sale, I will look for my favorite things to buy because I don't want to waste money. That's my money, so I will think about if I really like this thing. If I really, really like it, I will buy it. I will use a credit card to pay. I don't like to take a lot of money to go shopping. I'm scared I will lose the money.--Wai King.

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/shopping3.html (4 of 4)17.10.2007 19:13:38

Families

Write About FamiliesI have a small family but my husband has a big family. They all live in San Francisco, and my sister's family lives in Garden Grove. In my native country, women work outside the home. I think it's better for women with small children to work part-time than full-time. Older parents living with adult children is not good because children are always active and noisy. Stereotypes about mothers-in-law sometimes are good and sometimes aren't. I think parents shouldn't spank their children.--Thanh Em I have a small family. My family is not all in San Francisco. My children and my mother live in China now. They couldn't come with me. I usually talk with them on the phone when I have time. My parents love me very much. I miss everybody in my family because I like to work outside the home.--Xiu Ling I have a small family. I only have a big sister. She lives in Vancouver with her family. In my native country, most women work outside the home now. I think when the children are small, women shouldn't have outside work because children need to be with their mother. In San Francisco and my native country, everything is expensive.--Carol I have a big family but not all my family is in San Francisco. My brother and father are in S.F. but my mother and sister are in Jordan. In my country, all women can have work outside the home. I think it's a good idea for older parents to live with their adult children because I feel older parents sometimes have a good mind and are curious. Maybe a stereotype for mothers-in-law is negative.--Diana I have a big family. We live in San Francisco and one brother lives in New Mexico. In my native country, the women work outside the home and they own a business. The children have a job. My idea is for older parents to live in a rest home because there someone will always take care of them.--Stanley

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/families7.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:39

Families

I have a big family, two brothers and one sister and my mom. We all live together in San Francisco. I have family in Mexico too. My aunt has two children and she works outside the house. I think women with small kids could work.--Jessica I have a big family. I have two sisters and one brother. My family is not all in San Francisco. My parents, brother and sister live in San Francisco. My wife lives in Tokyo, Japan. My older sister lives in Shanghai, China. In Shanghai, some women work outside the home. Some women work inside the home. I think women with small children should have a job. Older parents living with their adult children is a good idea because adult children can care for them. I think parents should spank their children. There is a sterotype of mothers-in-law in my country.--James I have a big family but they live in my native country. In San Francisco I have a small family (a son, a husband and me). In my native country, some women work outside of the home and some women are housewives. In my native country, parents sometimes spank their children and husbands hit their wives. In my native country a lot of people don't talk about mothers-in-law.--Judy I have a small family. My family is in San Francisco. In my native country, I was a bus driver and dispatcher. I had good benefits. My son is at school. My parents have good benefits in China and my mother-in-law does too. My family is very happy.--Xiue I have a big family. I live in San Francisco. My family lives in my native country. In my native country, women work outside and inside the home. I think women can have jobs but women with small chldren can't have jobs because small children are very young. I think small children can go to a preschool. I think adult children can live with their older parents because adult children aren't confident. I think parents should spank their children because some children are not so bad.--Ma I have a small family. My family is all in San Francisco. I don't like to work, but I like to walk. Sometimes it's a good idea for older parents to live with their children. I don't think my mother-in-law is like the stereotype. She helps a lot.-Kyong I have a funny family, my husband and two daughters. They are twins and are nineteen years old now. They study at Hong Kong University. We always talk on the phone. We are Chinese. They like to live together with their older parents. This is a good idea. I think women with small children shouldn't have a job because they need to take care of their children.-Elainehttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/families7.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:39

Families

I have a small family. I live with my older parents. In my country, most women work outside the home. In my country, spanking children is very normal. In Hong Kong, usually women don't have a job if the children are small.--Bruce I have a small family. I live with my husband and my 11-year-old daughter. My older son lives in my native country. When my children were small, I didn't work because I had to take care of them. In my native country, women who have small children sometimes have to work.--Natalia In the U.S., I live with my family. I don't live with my parents-in-law. My parents live in China. In my country, I think some women work outside the home. My parents-in-law live in San Francisco, not a different place. On the weekend, my family and I go to visit them. Sometimes we eat together, and sometimes we eat out. I like it.--Su I have a small family, but I love my family. I only have two sisters and my parents. My family is all in San Francisco. My parents and my older sister have a job. My younger sister and I go to school. Sometimes I cook at home and my sister does too. In my family, everyone must help. Everybody is nice in my family. I like my small family.--Jiao Xia My family is big. They are very friendly. I have two sisters, a father and mother. They are all in San Francisco. My native country is China. Including all my relatives, I have a big family. We live in the same city, but we have a different culture. Look at my aunts. One has two small children. She doesn't work outside the home, but my other aunt has two small children too, but she lives with her older parents. They can take care of her children. Anyway, my family is nice. Sometimes we go to visit them. Sometimes they come to visit us.--Meng Na I have a big family. I live with my mother, my sister and my two kids. I grew up with my grandmother in Mexico. It was positive for me. I learned a lot from her. She was a strong and intelligent woman. She had a big family. She had 12 kids, 7 women and 5 men. I love that my kids are growing up with my mother; she loves my kids a lot and teaches many things to them.--Gloria I have a small family. I live with my father, because half my family is in S.F. and half is in Jordan. In my country, some women work outside and some women stay home. They take care of their children. I think it's good for older parents to live with their adult children because they can watch the children when the parents are at work. I think parents should not spank their children.--Kholoudhttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/families7.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:39

Exercise and Sports

Write about Exercise and SportsI like to exercise every day, but I don't have time. Usually when I have time, I like to play table tennis. Every Wednesday I keep one hour to play. When I was a kid, I liked to run with the other students. I liked watching the Olympics on TV. I like to watch surfing and baseball.--Xiu Ling I like to exercise every day. I walk from my house to get the bus to come to school. Every Sunday my brother and I go play soccer at the park. Sometimes I like to watch TV when they are playing soccer. I don't like to watch the Olympics. I think I could do something else like go run at the park or just play some sports with all my friends.--Jessica I really like exercise and sports. Every day I jog in the morning. Sometimes I play ping pong with my son. Every weekend I play baseball with my team. Sometimes I go to Ocean Beach to swim if the weather is hot. In Japan baseball is very popular. A lot of people like to play and like to watch. In China soccer is popular. I was a ping pong and baseball player when in school. I like any kind of sports.--James I like to exercise. I like to do aerobic exercise. Every morning I do thirty-nine exercises. Soccer, table tennis, and volleyball are popular in my country. I liked to run and play when I was young. In my country, men like soccer and women like aerobics. I watch ice skating. I like to watch the Olympics on TV. I like the ice dancing the best.--Ma I like to exercise. I go to school on foot every day now and I like to swim too. In my country all the people like to play table tennis and badminton. Sometimes my daughters play table tennis together with me all day, until we are tired. Our family likes to watch Olympic sports on TV. This is a favorite of mine.--Elaine I like exercise and sports. When I was a kid, I played soccer in school. In my native country many sports are popular. I like swimming and walking in the park. I like to watch Olympic sports on TV.--Lev

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/exerciseandsports4.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Exercise and Sports

I don't like to exercise, but I like to watch the Olympics on TV. I watched the Olympics. I like to watch ice skating. In my country, soccer is a popular sport.--Kyong I don't exercise regularly. Sometimes I go to a swimming pool. Sometimes I play volleyball with my daughter in the playground. When I was a kid, I really liked to play badminton and dance. My favorite sport is figure skating.--Natalie I don't like to exercise, but I like to walk every day. In my country, popular sports are tennis, football, basketball, and ping pong. When I was a kid, I played a lot of sports but I don't know the sports' names. I swam in a small river in my country. Men and women like different sports in my country. I really like to watch the Olympics on T.V. My favorite sports are gymnastics and ice skating.--Thanh Em. I like to swim on the weekend. I like jogging every morning. I don't like weightlifting and gymnastics. In my country, popular sports are swimming and table tennis. I like to watch volleyball and soccer on TV.--Mei Hing I like to swim. I go swimming every month in the summer. I like to play soccer and run in the park. That's good for me. I really like to watch the Olympics on TV. My favorite sport is fishing. Anyway, I like exercise and sports.--Bobo In my country, most men like to watch and play basketball, but women like tennis and volleyball more than basketball. I sometimes play basketball when I have time.--Bruce I like to exercise. I like jogging on a treadmill. I do it two times a week. Men and women like different sports in my country. Men like soccer and women like to do housework and take care of their children. Some women like to jog. I like to watch tennis on TV.--Kholoud. I like to exercise because it is good for my health. When I was a kid, I liked to play many sports. I liked to play basketball, ping pong, and badminton. When I moved to San Francisco, I joined a kung fu group. I exercise with kung fu every Wednesday. I watch ping pong on TV when I have free time because ping pong is popular in my native country and I like to play it.--Meng Na

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/exerciseandsports4.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Exercise and Sports

I liked to exercise in my country. I played badminton and went bowling once a week. Now I am a housewife and I don't play those now because I don't have much time to do it. I just walk with my family on weekends. I also watch sports on TV, and sometimes I watch the Olympics too. My favorite sport on TV is gymnastics.--Lin

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/exerciseandsports4.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Home

Write About Your HomeI live in a house. It has two rooms, a living room and a bedroom, but it has a backyard and a washing machine. We are two people living in it, and it's not bad. It is in a good neighborhood, close to the bank, post office and many restaurants. I can walk there. In my native country, it was different. I lived in a big apartment. It had five rooms, a living room, dining room, and three bedrooms, and had two bathrooms and a washing machine at home.--Sally I live in the Sunset District. I live in a house. It has seven rooms, including a kitchen and dining room. It has two garages and a small backyard too. My neighborhood is very clean and quiet. My family likes living in the Sunset.--Carol I live in a house. There are four rooms in my house. My husband and my son live with me. We have a big yard in back, and there is a small yard in front too. We have an old washing machine in the garage. We know our neighbors. We are very close. I love my neighborhood because it is very convenient. It is near the supermarket, library, bookstore, bus stop, and restaurant. I think in the United States it is easier to do shopping than in my country.--Lin I live in Visitation Valley. It's very quiet and clean. My neighbors next door are very good. They help me a lot. My house has three bedrooms, one kitchen, and one living room. I have a dryer and washer in my kitchen. I can do my laundry any time when I need to. It takes five minutes to drive to the supermarket. I like my neighborhood because it has a lot of places I can park the car.--Stanley I live in a house. The house has four bedrooms. Four people live in it. It has two garages, a yard, and a washing machine. The house is different than in my native country. In my native country, there are apartments, and the apartment buildings are very tall. The apartments are very small and have two bedrooms. They don't have a garage or a washing machine.--Mei Hing

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/home7.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Home

I live in an in-law apartment. I have three rooms. My kitchen is very small. I have a backyard, but we need to share. Housing in this country is different than in my native country. In my country, there are no apartments and no dryers. People like to hand wash their clothes and people like to use the sun to dry them. In my country neighbors like to talk and it's very nice.--Judy I live in San Francisco. My address is 455 Bay Street. I came to San Francisco ten years ago. My apartment is small, one room. I don't have a car. I have a washing machine. In my native country the apartments are big, four rooms. I have a windy apartment. It's on Bay Street. This is very bad.--Lev I live in a house. My father bought this house in 1990. It's a big house. It has five bedrooms, one living room and a kitchen. Also, it has a garage and a big yard. It has a washing machine in the garage. My father always does the laundry. My neighborhood is good. It's very quiet and clean. My neighbors are very friendly.-James I live in a house. It has four rooms. Two people live in it. It has one garage. It has a big yard. The yard has a lot of flowers. It has a washing machine and a dryer. Before, when I lived in China, the neighbors were always very close. In San Francisco, the neighbors only say hi, but I like this style.--Mei I live in an apartment. My apartment has four floors. I live on the third floor. There are four rooms in my apartment. Five people live in it. My apartment doesn't have a garage or a yard. My apartment building has a washing machine on the ground floor. San Francisco has many apartments and houses. My native country has houses but not any apartments. I talk with my neighbors. They are seldom noisy. I think they live with many children. I like my neighbors because they always help me.--Ma I don't know my neighbors in San Francisco. In my country, I know all my neighbors. It's very different in San Francisco. In San Francisco, life is not together. Everybody lives alone. I'm very nervous. In my country, we eat, drink, and live together. If I'm sick, somebody comes to my house and says, "How can I help you? Do you need money or what? I'll help you." If I want something, I can ask him or her to do everything for me. I like living together. San Francisco life is very difficult for me.--Lishan

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/home7.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Home

I live in a house. There are four rooms in my house. I live together with my dear parents and my younger sister. We have a garage, a yard and a washing machine. Houses in San Francisco and in my native country are so different. I like my neighborhood. My neighborhood is Chinese too. I know an old woman in my neighborhood. She is affable.--Alex I live in an apartment. My apartment has two rooms. There are three people in the apartment, me and my parents. My apartment has a garage. My apartment has a very small yard, and it has a washing machine. It's very convenient and easy to use the washing machine. There is nothing different in my native country. I don't know anything about my neighborhood.--Kholoud I live in San Francisco with my friends. I arrived here last week. All my family stayed in Brazil. I live on Castro Street. It's a good neighborhood. It's quiet and there are bus lines close to my house. There are only three rooms. Now I am sleeping in the living room, but things will be fine. There isn't a yard or a washing machine, but there is a washing machine upstairs, so it's very easy to wash my clothes. I live with two people. They are so nice and helpful.--Rafaela

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/home7.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:41

Food

Write a Paragraph about Food.I don't like to cook, because I don't know how to cook well. I only can cook easy food, like boiled vegetables, fried beef, and fried chicken. I don't like to cook difficult food. I like to eat many fruits--pears, oranges, apples, bananas, and avocados. I never ate avocados in Hong Kong. When I came to S.F. I ate a lot.--Carol I like Chinese food and American food. I don't like special food. The fruits I like are bananas and oranges. The vegetable I like to eat is broccoli. The restaurant I like is a Chinese restaurant and I don't like special food. Carol likes Chinese food and she doesn't like special food either.--Mei Hing I like to cook. I sometimes try to make different kinds of food. I make cupcakes, salad, and pasta. I like my native country's salt fish. I don't like spicy food, but I sometimes try a little of that. I like this country's fruits. There are many kinds of fruits you can choose. I like to eat sushi when I eat out.--Judy I like to cook because every night I need to cook. Sometimes I cook chicken, sometimes fish, beef, and pork. In my country, the special food is seafood. Some seafood is crab and lobster. I never ate cherries before I came to San Francisco. My favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. I like Malaysian food and I don't like Japanese food.--Su I like to cook. My native country's special food is Thai food. My family goes to eat at a Thai Restaurant. My mother and older sister like spicy food more. Thai food is very spicy. I never ate coconut.--Ma

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/food6.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:42

Food

I don't like to cook but I must cook every day. I always cook Vietnamese food, and sometimes I cook Chinese food. In my country there are a lot of special foods, but I don't know the English name. Sometimes, my family and I go to a Chinese restaurant or a Vietnamese restaurant for a birthday party. Sometimes, I eat Korean BBQ or at a Japanese restaurant. Thai food is very spicy but I like Thai sour soup. I really like fresh fruits in my country, but now I can eat frozen fruits that are too expensive. My favorite restaurant is a Vietnamese restaurant, but I like different food from other countries.--Thanh Em My native country's special food is Beijing duck. I like to cook too. I usually cook dinner for my family. My family is from China, so I also make Chinese food. I sometimes try to make other country's food. It is different, but looks like Japanese food. They don't cook the fish but we do. I also change some things in Chinese food. I never made salad before I came to San Francisco. Now I also use fresh fruit and vegetables to make a salad. It is good for me to try to learn more about food. Actually, I like to make sushi too.--Meng Na In my family, I like to cook. Usually I cook Chinese food. Sometimes, on the weekend, I cook Vietnamese food. I like spicy food but my daughter doesn't. On the weekend I take my family to a Vietnamese restaurant. They like to eat Vietnamese noodles. I don't like to eat hamburgers, but my daughter does.-Stanley I like Chinese food. I like fish and to make chicken soup. Sometimes I go to a Chinese restaurant with my family two times a month, but I don't like spicy food at all. We have fruits and vegetables every day. We have apples and bananas. We have bok choy and tofu. In my country it's easy to buy everything to cook and eat. Here I always go to Clement Street to go shopping there. You can buy everything you want.--Rhoda I like to cook dinner. I want to cook many kinds of food, but I can't cook many kinds of food. I like to cook Italian food and Ethiopian food. I never ate many kinds of vegetables and fruits because they are very expensive. My favorite restaurant is Abbis Ababa. My favorite food is doro wat and kitfo. I don't know what to say about food I dislike. My native country's special food is many kinds of food. My country's food is very spicy.--Lishan

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/food6.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:42

Food

I like to cook but not so much, but I need to cook. I cook Mexican food. The Mexican people have a lot of different kinds of food, but most of them are spicy. I like fresh fruits and vegetables because it's good for your health. My favorite restaurant is my kitchen and the best chef is my mother. I love her food. I like a lot of kinds of food, Mexican food, Italian, etc. For now I don't know what kind of food I don't like.--Copitzy

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/food6.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:42

Leisure Time

Talk about Spare Time or VacationsI like to design some clothes in my spare time, and I like to collect stamps, coins, and paper money too because these are my hobbies. I have collected them for a long long time and from then up to now, when my family gets a different stamp or coin, they give them to me to collect.--Carol In my spare time, I like to read and do needlepoint, but sometimes I get very tired so I try to get a nap. My favorite thing to do when I have spare time is usually reading and needlepoint. Especially in summer time, I would like to go for a walk or a little exercise out of my house. I like to see everybody on the street.--Sati I would like to go to Hawaii in the future because I love the beach and like to swim a lot. I think it is a beautiful place to go on a honeymoon. One other place I would like to go is to Rome. I could see all of the Catholic places.--Jessica I don't have any hobbies in the United States, but I like to watch movies in my spare time. I watch them to help me with my listening. In my country, I liked to go to libraries or bookstores to find some new books because I didn't like to go out. I was lazy, so I liked to stay home and read a book. I really wanted to go on vacation, but my husband said my son is too young. We would have to take too much. Maybe we will wait two years.--Lin In my spare time I like to take vacations. I like vacations in Hong Kong. My family and I eat snacks and go shopping. The food is very good for me. The clothes are not expensive. In San Francisco the houses are expensive, but I like San Francisco water.--Mei Hing

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/leisure3.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:43

Leisure Time

My hobby is playing baseball. In Tokyo, Japan, I always played baseball with my friends. Then I moved here. I also play baseball here. I think baseball is very interesting. I like to do that in my spare time, but I like to travel in my spare time too. I like to visit any place. I visited New York and Canada. Then I'll visit Mexico next summer.--James I went on a vacation in my country one time. I went to the beach and I went on my vacation by bus. It was a long day and a wonderful day. We stopped in a nice place and we had a good lunch with my friends. I rode a horse for a little bit and a camel too. After that we went to the place. There were a lot of games to play . After that we went to the Dead Sea. There were a lot of people there. It was a sunny day, and a lot of people came from many different countries. We visited a lot of places on that day.-Kholoud Every summer, my husband takes a one-week vacation. We go to Garden Grove by minivan. My children are very happy because they enjoy it a lot. We go to Disneyland and Legoland. Sometimes we go to a Vietnamese restaurant and shopping mall to buy some things for them. In the future, I would like to go to Hawaii because there are a lot of beautiful places there. In my country, I liked to go around the neighborhood and talk to my friends when I had spare time. In San Francisco, I only watch TV and listen to music when I have spare time. I really liked spare time in my country.--Thanh Em I don't have any hobbies, but I like to take some pictures my son drew or something he wrote and keep it. Five years ago, my husband and I went to Lake Tahoe. I like that lake, woods, and view. Now I don't have money for a trip but sometimes I go to see a trip on the Internet. I want to see Japanese flowers and eat fresh seafood sushi.--Judy In my country I had wonderful vacations. I went to another city and visited my brother and my sister-in-law. In the U.S. my spare time is wonderful too. Sometimes my friends and I go shopping. Sometimes I just stay at home. I clean my home, wash my clothes, and cook some good food. I enjoy it very much. In the future, I hope I have enough money and then I will go to my country and visit my family. I miss my family so much. This is my dream. I hope to make it come true as soon as possible.--Yanci

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/leisure3.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:43

Leisure Time

In my native country I didn't have spare time because I worked hard, but on the weekend I liked to meet my friends. Usually we spent the time in a karaoke club. In San Francisco I have spare time because I don't have a job. In my free time I like to prepare food. If I have more time, I like to knit. I like to travel very much! In my native country I took a trip to another country every vacation. I was in many European coutnries. It's so ineresting for me! Every country has a very different history and tradition. Now I'm in the USA. I'm very glad, because this country is very interesting too.--Anna In my country my family and I went to the Baltic Sea on vacation. We rented a small house and relaxed and went to the beach. Sometimes on vacation we traveled around my country. We visited beautiful small places and towns. In the U.S. I don't travel a lot. Last year I went to L.A. and Las Vegas. In the future I want to visit other states in the U.S.--Natalia I had spare time. In my spare time I took vacations. In my spare time I read books, listened to music and slept. In my spare time I took vacations in my native country, but in San Francisco I can't take vacations because in San Francisco it's too expensive. I would like to go on vacation in the future to Mexico and Hawaii. I like my spare time.-Lisha I went to Reno on vacation. I liked to go in my spare time because I wanted to see snow and I ice skated. In my native country I went to the beach with my parents. I want to go to New York, Japan, Paris, and other cities in my free time in the future.--Ma Last week was spring vacation. I had a lot of spare time so I did many things. I went to Napa Valley with my friends. It was a good place to relax. We visited a factory. We saw many barrels and some machines that make wine. After that we went to look at some views. It was beautiful. I enjoyed it very much. I hope I can go to a snowy place on vacation in the future.--Meng Na In my spare time I like to rest and do exercises. In my native country I went to another city for my vacation. In San Francisco I will visit other cities too. I have a lot of cities I haven't visited and some great famous cities. If I have a long vacation I will visit Russia, because in Russia there are a lot of special buildings.--Zhi Min

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/leisure3.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:43

Interview 3

Write a Paragraph about Your Partner.My partner's name is Ma. She has a job in San Francisco. She is a waitress. She didn't have a job in her native country. She sometimes speaks English at school. She has some plans for the weekend. She usually goes to the park.--Xiue My partner's name is Thanh Em. Thanh Em works at home. She takes care of the children, takes them to school, and then goes home and cleans up the house. Sometimes she goes shopping to buy food and then goes home to make dinner. Monday to Friday she usually takes the children at 8 AM and picks them up at 3 PM. She works hard every day, so she doesn't have a lot of time to go to school.--Ling My partner's name is Sati. She is working at a restaurant. She is a hardworking person. She usually studies English by herself at home because she never learned any English in her native country. Now she must always speak English at school. She used to practice conversations with herself, but people usually didn't understand her, so she took a class. She must study harder. Now her English is improving. Finally, she wants to visit her friends this weekend and go on a picnic.--Mona My partner's name is Mona. She doesn't have a job in San Francisco or in her native country. She would like to have a job as a flight attendant. When she was young, she wanted to be a teacher, but now she changed her mind. She speaks English at home and on the bus. Some people don't understand her. One day, she went to the store to buy shampoo, but she didn't know how to pronounce the word. She is going to go to a show on the weekend.--Sati My partner's name is Mei Hing. Mei Hing is from Hong Kong. She lived right next to the airport. She knew Chinese and her own native language. Mei Hing's English is improving little by little. She is going to learn English very well.--Slava

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview3s06.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:46

Interview 3

My partner's name is Natalia. She doesn't have a job in San Francisco. She is attending school to learn English. She wants to speak English well to get a good job to improve her family life. When she was in her native country, she was a salesperson. She sold some food in a grocery store.-Carol My partner's name is Olga. She is very nice and beautiful. She talked to me. When she was young, she wanted to be a teacher. It's an interesting story. She came here to live with her family. She speaks English very well. I like her so much.--Elaine My partner's name is Elaine. She is from a country near China. Her native language is Chinese. She lives in San Francisco with her husband. Her two daughters stayed in her country. They are twins. They are nineteen years old. They are studying at the university. Elaine didn't study English before she moved to the United States. She comes to John Adams Campus every day and hopes to improve her English, but at the moment she has trouble understanding other people. Elaine has some plans for the weekend. She is going to go shopping with her husband.--Olga My partner's name is Lishan. She is a pretty woman. She doesn't have a job now. When she was young, she wanted to be a doctor and lawyer. On the weekend, she stays home and plays computer and watches TV, but sometimes she visits her cousin.--Judy My partner's name is Ling. She has a job in San Francisco. She is a homecare worker. That's an easy job. She had a job in her native country too. When she was young, she had a dream to become a doctor when she grew up. She speaks English in San Francisco. She speaks Chinese at home. Sometimes she speaks English on the bus and in a store. She knew English a little when she came to San Francisco. On the weekend, she sometimes stays home and cooks for her family. Sometimes, she goes to the supermarket or in a store to buy some things on the weekend.--Thanh Em My partner's name is Judy. She doesn't have any job in San Francisco, but she had one in her country. Her job was in a beauty shop. She would like to work in a clothes store. She speaks English in school and on the bus. When she speaks English, some people understand and sometimes they don't understand her. She can't remember something that was hard for people to understand. She came to San Francisco before she learned any English. Her English is improving. She has plans for the weekend. She is going somewhere. She is going to go to Golden Gate Park with her son.--Lishan

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview3s06.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:46

Interview 3

My partner's name is Xiue. She has a job in San Francisco. Her job is a housekeeper. She had a job in her native country. She was a driver. She doesn't speak English at home. She speaks it on the bus, at work, and in a store. My partner's name is Carol. She doesn't have a job in San Francisco. She is a student. She studies English at City College. In the future she wants to be a clothing designer. When she was young, she dreamed of being a clothing designer.--Natalia My partner's name is Alex. He doesn't work. He stays at home and helps his mom. Alex was taking English classes in China. He doesn't have a problem understanding other people. He also thinks his English is improving. Alex wants to be a doctor.--Jessica My partner's name is Slava. He doesn't have a job in San Francisco because he came to San Francisco two months ago. He is a student. Slava speaks English at school and sometimes at home. On the weekend he will go to see a movie.--Mei Hing

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview3s06.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:46

Interview 1

Interview 1My partner's name is King. She is from Hong Kong. She has lived in San Francisco for 40 years. She lives on Congo St. There is a Safeway in her neighborhood. Her favorite restaurant is a Japanese restaurant. The restaurant has teriyaki chicken. She doesn't have a job. She doesn't have a car. She likes to play mah jong in her spare time. She likes to exercise. She watches TV in Chinese.--Shoko My partner's name is Jackie. She is from China. She came to San Francisco in 1996 with her parents. She lives on 46th Avenue at the corner of Vicente with her husband, children, and parents. The San Francisco Zoo is near Jackie's house. The Sunset supermarket and Paradise Pizza are on 39th Avenue and Vicente. Jackie likes Thai, American, and Italian food very much. Her family has a Toyota. They bought the car 2 years ago. She has little spare time, but she likes to walk in the zoo. Jackie likes to watch TV programs in English.--Mila My partner's name is Mila. She lives in Park Merced. Park Merced Plaza is in her neighborhood. She doesn't have restaurants in her neighborhood. Mila likes European or Russian restaurants. She likes to eat meat and she has Chinese, Japanese and Jewish food. She came to San Francisco in 2003. She is from Ukraine. Mila doesn't have a job. She has a car. Her car is a 1997 Toyota Avalon. In her spare time she likes to cook, walk, and exercise. She doesn't like to watch TV.--Jackie My partner's name is Lai Ho. She's from Hong Kong. She came to the U.S. in 1974. She lives in the Sunset with her family. She's a very kind person. She's a housewife. She likes to clean the house, go shopping, and cook. There aren't any stores or restaurants in her neighborhood. She likes Chinese food, vegetables, chicken, and fish. She takes the bus to school every day.--Michelle

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1f05.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:47

Interview 1

My partner's name is Michelle. She is a waitress. She came from China in 2002, almost three years ago. She lives in the Sunset. She likes Chinese and Japanese food. She has a car. She likes shopping in her spare time. She never exercises. Sometimes she watches TV in her native language.--Lai Ho My partner's name is Salvador. He lives on Oak Street, in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. He lives in an apartment with two rooms. His neighborhood doesn't have too many stores and restaurants. He knows a small Ethiopian restaurant and a store at the gas station "Carwash." Salvador likes Salvadorian restaurants in the Mission District. His favorite food is pupusas. He came to San Francisco four years ago from El Salvador. He has a 1991 Mazda van.--Victor My partner's name is Victor. He's from Moldova. He came to live in San Francisco 8 months ago. He lives in the Parkside District with his family. In his neighborhood, there are 2 big stores. He doesn't have a favorite restaurant.--Salvador My partner's name is Marilou. She is a shoe salesclerk in a shoestore on Masonic Street. She works six hours or so a day. She gets paid $9.15 per hour. She lives on 5th Avenue at Balboa Street. Her house is large for her and her husband. I'm jealous of her. She is from the Phillipines, a beautiful island country in the Pacific. She left for San Francisco in 2003.--David My partner's name is David. He lives at 42nd Avenue and Noriega. He has no neighborhood store, and no restaurant in his neighborhood, but his favorite food is Chinese and Vietnamese. He knows how to cook food like meat with egg whites. He came here on May 28, 2005. He was born in China, in the Province of xxx. He likes to exercise and swim.--Marilou My partner's name is Wency. She lives in San Francisco with her family. Her neighborhood doesn't have any stores. In her neighborhood there are Chinese restaurants. She likes to go to Thai restaurants because she likes to eat spicy food. She came to San Francisco on Jan. 16, 2005. She likes to watch TV and go shopping. She sometimes goes swimming. She likes to watch TV in English and in her native language.--Anna My partner's name is BiJin. She lives at 148 14th Avenue in the Sunset and she has two children. There are no stores or restaurants in her neighborhood. She doesn't like to eat out. She likes fish. She came here in 1996. She doesn't have a job because she is retired. She doesn't have a car. In her spare time she likes to watch TV. She likes to exercise. She watches TV in English and Chinese.-Shu Zhenhttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1f05.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:47

Interview 1

My partner's name is Shu Zhen. She lives at 750 Lawton St. Her neighborhood doesn't have any stores, but she likes the MayFlower Restaurant. It has a lot of food, such as seafood and vegetables. She came to San Francisco in 1987, from China. She doesn't have a job. She just stays home and takes care of her 6 year old. She likes to watch TV in her spare time.--Biyin My partner's name is Anna. She lives in the Sunset on 43rd Avenue in San Francisco. Her favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. She came to San Francisco on December 28, 2000. She is from China. She has a Honda. If she has spare time, she goes shopping. She doesn't like to exercise.--Wency My partner's name is Zai Yi. She's from China. She lives in the Richmond. There is a Safeway supermarket in her neighborhood. She came here 1 year ago. She doesn't have a job now. She doesn't like to exercise. She likes to watch TV. Her favorite restaurant is a Chinese restaurant.--Xiuying My partner's name is Xiuying. She's from Shanghai, China. She has lived in San Francisco about three years. Her favorite restaurant is "Wu Yue Hua" because she likes Chinese food. She has a car. In her spare time, she always watches TV in Chinese. She doesn't like to exercise. She doesn't have a job now.--Zai Yi My partner's name is Wei. She lives on Hayes St. Her neighborhood store is Safeway. She likes to eat Chinese food. She is from China. She likes to watch TV in her spare time. She came here in 2001.--Simon My partner's name is Simon. He lives in the Sunset. His neighborhood doesn't have stores and restaurants. He likes Chinese food. He's been in S.F. about 5 years. He has a jog, and he likes it. He has a car. He likes to exercise and he likes to watch Chinese. TV.

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview1f05.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:47

Jobs

Write About JobsI came to S.F. in 2004. I looked for a job. Then I found a job in San Francisco as a salesperson. My boss is very bad. She pays us very low wages, only $6 per hour. She sits down there looking at us all day. We don't talk to anyone. If we talk a little, she opens her eyes and looks at us very angrily. She is a very bad boss. In China, my boss was very nice. She always smiled and said hello. She was very friendly. We all liked her.--Rachel I don't have a job here. I'm a housewife. A good job here is a doctor. It has a lot of money. My daughter is studying Biology at the university.--Xiuying My name's Anna. I'm from Hong Kong. I was a seamstress in my country. In San Francisco I didn't get any job because my children are very young. I'm a housewife now.--Anna I work at a shoe retailer. I like my job. I have learned how to use a computer and serve different customers. Sometimes we have fun if we aren't busy. It is different in my country. Here I work 35 hours or 33 hours in one week and I get paid per hour. I have good benefits too. In my country, I worked for 28 days in one month and the salary was not good.--Marilou I'm Simon. I have a job in South San Francisco. The company name is Columbus Salame Company. I am very happy working in this company. I was a cook in China. Here I don't like to work in a restaurant because sometimes the restaurant work is too hard.--Simon My name is Sandy. I don't have a job in San Francisco, but now I want to look for a job. I think I'd like to work in childcare with children, so I'm studying early childhood education.--Sandy

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/jobs7.html (1 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:48

Jobs

My name is Lai Ho Lee. I was a seamstress in my country and in San Francisco. I enjoyed my job very much because I can sew many kinds of clothes, and I can teach some people how to sew something. But now I don't have a job because my company closed. Why? Because in San Francisco the salary is high. The pay went up every hour to almost $2, so now many people don't have a job. That's very terrible!--Lai Ho I am a waitress. I work in a Japanese restaurant. My friend recommended this job to me. I've worked there for two years. In our restaurant, the food is very fresh and delicious, so we are busy every day. I am tired, but I'm happy because the customers give us a lot of tips.--Michelle My name is Julia. I'm from Russia. I've lived in S.F. about 3 months. I think that if you want to find a job but you have bad English, I may give you some advice about what to do: Speak with people. Don't be afraid to tell them to speak slowly.--Julia I used to be a high school Chinese teacher in China. I'm good at teaching the ancient Chinese language. My students liked my class very much. I'm a newcomer. My English is too poor to get a good American job. I'm eager to be a news journalist. I'm keen on studying international relations, especially Sino-American relations. I hope I will study it in a university some day. I hope my dream comes true.--David My job now is as a caregiver. I work five hours a day, five days and three nights a week. I look after an old person. I prepare food, wash, have conversation, give medicine, and walk. If my patient is a good person, my job is easy, even if it's hard work, but sometimes it's heavy work. In my native country I worked as a chief accountant in a big company and was in charge of many people. I can't compare this job and that, because they are different things.--Irina I was a seamstress in China. I was a seamstress here too. I worked in Levi's. I was a sample maker. I liked that job very much. I live here because the sample room was close. Now I don't have a job. I don't want to find a job now because I must take care of my children. Later I will find another job.--Shu Zhen I have a job in San Francisco. Before I had two jobs. One was as a cashier and one was as a sales dealer (Activate Cellphone.) I had two jobs in my country, Malaysia. My jobs in Malaysia were as an accounting assistant in the Quiksilver office, and as a hotel receptionist.--Wency

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/jobs7.html (2 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:48

Jobs

I am from Japan. I worked for a bank in Japan. It was very hard and very feudalistic. If a woman got married, the woman had to stop working. They might have changed the rule now. I don't know. Now, I'm retired, so I'm a homemaker.--Shoko My job was as a plastic engineer. I worked in a chemical factory. My job was very interesting. I don't have a job in San Francisco because I study English and this is my job now. I look for a job in the newpapers and at an agency and ask my friends, but every job needs good English. I think every job is good but the better ones are jobs with children or having a restaurant. Maybe in the future I will have my own restaurant or child-care services.--Mila I'm a cashier. I work at a hotel. Before, in China, I took care of children. I taught them a little English. I like to play with children. I also worked at a beauty salon. I'd like to work at an office and to help people. I'm happy now. I want to work at a job with English. It's very good.--Crystal My name is Si Hong Wang. I lost my job in San Francisco last week. Before, I was a cashier in a store. The store sells restaurant equipment. I spoke Chinese a lot in my job. I was an accountant in my country. I liked my job in my country very much.--Si Hong My name is Elen. I'm 21 years old. Now I'm working in the Russian Delicatessen, Gastranom. In San Francisco men and women can do the same job, but in my country it's so different. In my country I worked in a beauty salon. I cut hair. I don't know which job is bad, but I think the jobs are for all people. In the U.S. people can get a good job if they know English well.--Elen I was a preschool teacher in my country. I'm studying to be a preschool teacher in S.F. now because I like to work with children. I plan to study about skin care at school, because I like beautiful faces and I like to make somebody beautiful.--Wei

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/jobs7.html (3 of 3)17.10.2007 19:13:48

Interview 2

Write a Paragraph about Your Partner.My partner's name is Rachel. She lives on Clement in San Francisco. She likes her house very much because her house is very big and has a garage, washing machine, dryer, backyard, basement, attic, closets, and cable TV. She likes her neighborhood because her uncle lives in her neighborhood. By her house the traffic is good and it is very quiet. Her neighborhood is convenient, and near her house there are a lot of residential and commercial buildings. Her house is safe. She came to San Francisco one year and two months ago. She likes San Francisco so much because she likes the weather. Her favorite place is Clement because the traffic is good.--Dasheng My partner's name is Dasheng. He lives on Moraga. He lives in an apartment. He likes his apartment very much because it is very beautiful and has a garage, washing machine, dryer, backyard, basement, attic, closet, and cable TV, but it doesn't have a dishwasher. He likes his neighborhood because the neighbors are friendly. On his street, the traffic is quiet and the neighborhood is convenient, residential, and safe. He came to San Francisco two months ago. He likes San Francisco because it's not hot. His favorite place is the Sunset because it is near the beach and you can look at the big beach.--Rachel My partner's name is Polina. She's from Belarus and she lives in the Richmond District. She likes her apartment because it's comfortable and safe. Her apartment has a bedroom, a small kitchen and a bathroom. She likes her neighborhood because it's quiet, residential and the neighbors are friendly. She moved to San Francisco one and a half years ago. Her favorite place is Sausalito. She tells me, "This place is very beautiful."-Miriam My partner's name is Miriam. She came to S.F. three weeks ago from Mexico. She lives in a house with her father. Her sister and mother are in Mexico. There are 3 bedrooms, a garage for 2 cars, a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, nice backyard, 2 closets, and cable TV. Her house is in a good place, near a gas station and fire house. It's very safe. She likes SF because this is a very beautiful and friendly city. Her favorite place is downtown.--Polinahttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (1 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Interview 2

My partner's name is Winnie. She is married. She doesn't have a child. She and I live in the Sunset District. She likes Japantown and I do too. She's fond of the good air in San Francisco. She came to S.F. about five years ago. Canton, China is her hometown.--Aiko My partner's name is Aiko. She is from Osaka, Japan. She came to San Francisco 2 years ago. She lives in the Sunset. She has her own house. She likes San Francisco, but she doesn't like the wind and fog. She doesn't know her neighbors because her English isn't very good.--Winnie My partner's name is Xiuying. She lives in the Sunset. She has a big house. It has a big backyard, garage, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, basement, cable TV and closets. She likes it because it is a very comfortable and convenient house. Her neighborhood is very quiet.--Michelle My partner's name is Michelle. She lives in S.F. in the Sunset. She likes her house. It has a good backyard. She likes her neighborhood. It's very safe and convenient. She came to San Francisco 3 years ago. She likes San Francisco because it's not hot or cold.--Xiuying My name is Mila. I came to San Francisco in May, 2 years ago. I like San Francisco very much because it is a very beautiful city. In the city there are very good places where I can see very beautiful views. I live in Park Merced. This is near SFSU and 19th Avenue. I live in an apartment. In the rear of my apartment building is a backyard.--Mila My partner's name is Janet. She lives on 27th Avenue in the Sunset in San Francisco. She doesn't like her apartment because her apartment has no washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, etc. She likes her neighborhood because it is quiet and safe. She came to San Francisco 8 years ago. She doesn't like San Francisco because she doesn't like the weather. Her favorite places in San Francisco are Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, because they are beautiful.--Wency My partner's name is Wency. She lives near Ocean Avenue. She likes her house very much because it is very comfortable and she feels free there. She likes her neighborhood because it's convenient. She came to S.F. about a half year ago. She doesn't like S.F. because she doesn't have any friends. Her favorite place is her house.--Janet

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (2 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Interview 2

My partner's name is Sandy. She lives in the Sunset. She likes her house and neighborhood because they are very quiet and there is not much traffic. It's safe and more convenient and all residential there. She came here almost 10 years ago with her family.--Lai Ho My partner's name is Lai Ho. She lives in San Francisco in the Sunset, and she likes her house because her house is big and nice. She likes her neighborhood because there isn't a lot of traffic, and it's quiet and convenient for shopping and taking a bus. She came to San Francisco a long time ago. She told me her favorite place is the Sunset.--Sandy My partner's name is Michael. He is from the Philippines. He lives in a house. The house is on Silver Ave. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. His house has a backyard. There are a lot of flowers. He lives with his parents and a brother and a sister. He likes San Francisco and his neighborhood. His favorite place is the Golden Gate Bridge because it is very beautiful.--Shoko My partner's name is Shoko. She is from Japan. She lives on Masonic Avenue. She likes her house. She has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. She likes flowers in the backyard. She likes her neighborhood. She came here to San Francisco four years ago. She likes it here in S.F. She said it has very nice weather and her favorite place is the Golden Gate Bridge.-Michael My partner's name is Simon. He lives in the Sunset. He likes his house because it has a garage, dryer, backyard and cable TV. He likes his neighborhood because it is so quiet and residential. He came to San Francisco in 2001. He likes San Francisco because the weather is good. He likes to go to Ocean Beach because he likes to go swimming!--Jian Ming My partner's name is Julia. She is a nice girl. She lives on Powell Street. She likes her apartment because it is comfortable. She came to San Francisco 5 months ago. She likes SF but she doesn't like the weather in SF.--Elen My mother's name is Irina and my father's name is Victor. My parents are very friendly. They like to travel. My mother is a housewife and likes to cook. She makes delicious food. She is very clever, kind, and nice. I tell her about my problems and she gives me some good advice about what to do. My father is very busy because he has a lot of work. I see him just at night. I like to spend my free time with my parents. We like to go to a river and have a picnic. We have a good time if we are together.--Julia

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (3 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Interview 2

My partner's name is Jian Ming. He lives on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco. He doesn't like his house because it has no garage, washing maching, or backyard. He likes his neighborhood because it's quiet and residential. He came to San Francisco in 2003. He likes San Francisco because the weather is very good. He likes downtown San Francisco because he likes shopping there.--Simon My partner's name is David. He lives in the Sunset. He doesn't like his house because his neighbor always cooks something smelly. His house has everything except a dishwasher. He likes his neighborhood because it's quiet and safe. He came to San Francisco 3 months ago. He likes San Francisco. He likes the ocean and the bay. He likes the Cliff House, YMCA, and Fisherman's Wharf.-King My partner's name is Tatiana. She lives at 25th Avenue and Parkside. She likes her house. She has cable TV, a backyard and a washing machine in her house. She likes her neighborhood because it's very quiet and safe. Tatiana came to San Francisco seven months ago. She has a part-time job with an old Russian woman. Her favorite place is Golden Gate Park.--Jackie My partner's name is Jackie. She came to SF in 1996, and she likes SF. She lives in the Sunset neighborhood on 46th Avenue. She rents a 2-bedroom house. Jackie likes her house and neighborhood, because the neighborhood is quiet and safe and the house is nice and has cable TV. She is a housewife. She is very busy because she is studying English in CCSF and taking care of 2 children now. She likes to go to Stonestown.--Tatiana My partner's name is Elena. She's from Georgia. She came to San Francisco two weeks ago, with her family--her husband and children, two girls. She lives in the Richmond District in her parents' house. There is a big garage, a new washing machine and dryer, a nice backyard, cable TV and large closets, but there is no dishwasher or attic. Her residential neighborhood is a quiet and safe zone, near Golden Gate Park. She loves Golden Gate Park because she walks there on the weekends.--Victor My partner's name is Victor. He lives in the Sunset, in San Francisco. He lives in a studio with his wife. They don't have any children. His apartment is small but I think he likes it. He doesn't have a garage but he has cable TV. He likes to watch TV. His neighborhood is residential, safe, and quiet. Victor came to San Francisco 7 months ago. He is from Moldova. He likes San Francisco. His favorite place is our college, because he likes to study English and computer.--Elenahttp://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (4 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Interview 2

My partner's name is Marilou. She lives at 5th Avenue and Balboa. She lives in a house. She's very happy living there because she can go everywhere she likes and the neighborhood feels safe too. She came here 2 years ago and she likes the weather. She likes to go to the Golden Gate Bridge very much. She can take pictures there.--Dewi My partner's name is Dewi. She lives at 23rd Avenue and Anza. She likes to live in her apartment because it's very nice. There is a garage, washing machine and cable TV too. Everything is okay with her neighborhood. She came here seven months ago. She likes San Franicsco because there's a school for free like John Adams.--Marilou My partner's name is Mary. She is from Colombia. She has been here 15 days. She likes S.F. very much. She doesn't have a job. She goes to school every day and is looking for a job. She is single. She lives with her sister in S.F. She likes her neighborhood, but sometimes it's cold.--Shu Zhen My partner's name is Shu Zhen. She is from a city near Hong Kong. She is married and her husband is Chinese too. She came to SF 18 years ago. She had a job before in Levi's store.--Marisol My partner's name is Irina. She lives on Fulton. She likes her apartment because her apartment is close to Golden Gate Park. She has closets and cable TV. She likes her neighborhood because it is residential, commercial, and safe. She's been in S.F. about 2 years. She likes S.F. but she doesn't like that there is no summer here and it's not hot. Her favorite place is Golden Gate Park, because she can run over there.--Wei My partner's name is Wei. She is from China. She lives in San Francisco on Fillmore St. She has a house with a garage, a washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher, a backyard, a basement, an attic, closets and cable TV. She doesn't like her neighborhood because it's very noisy. She came to San Francisco 3 years ago. She likes San Francisco. She likes the climate here. Her favorite places are Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. She likes to walk there.--Irina

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (5 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Interview 2

My partner's name is King. She came to S.F. in 1962. She likes S.F. very much, especially its weather. Her favorite places are Golden Gate Park and Fisherman's Wharf. She now lives on Monterey Ave. She told me she likes her house because her neighborhood is nice and quiet. Her house has a garage, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, backyard, basement, attic, closets, etc.--David

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/interview2f05.html (6 of 6)17.10.2007 19:13:54

Families

Write About FamiliesI have a small family in the U.S.A. My mother-in-law has three children. They all work in Boston. My sister-in-law works in Boston too. They live with my mother-in-law. Only my husband and my children live in San Francisco. In my native country, I have a big family. My mother has seven daughters and one son. My mom works at home. My dad works outside.--Jackie I have a small family with my sisters and brothers. All my family lives in San Francisco. We talked about women with small children working because women should stay at home. They should clean the house, cook, and their children can go to daycare. In my country women work outside the home. They cook barbeque and some people buy food. For most older parents it is a good idea to live with their adult children. Parents should spank their children when they have trouble. There is also a stereotype for mothers-in-law in my native country. They say bad words.--Michael In Columbia, there were many people who married too young in the past, at about 14 or 16. My grandmother got married when she was 14 and she had 14 children. I think that the reason for this is less education. For example, my grandfather never finished primary school. At this moment, it has changed, because the people travel around the world and know different cultures, think and study, and go ahead to make a better life for themselves and their families--Marisol I have a big family. My father, mother, and brother all live in China. Only my husband and I and his family live in San Francisco, and we are 6 people living together. My husband and I always go out working until midnight. We are very happy.--Winnie

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/writing/families6.html (1 of 5)17.10.2007 19:13:55

Families

There are eight people in my family--my sister, my parents, my husband, my kid, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and I. Now, my parents and my sister are still in China and the other people are here. We live together. My boy is almost 3 years old. He is very cute. Every day I go to school. He always asks me to take him to school with me. He said he wants to learn English too. Last week my husband and I took him to the zoo. The first time he saw the tiger and lion and giraffe, he was very excited. He asked me if we could buy one for him so we didn't have any idea what to do. Fortunately, we saw a model of these in the nearby gift shop. After we bought some for him, we went home.--May It's good to have all the family in the same country, but sometimes you can't change anything. I think women have to work and not be housewives, because if a woman is not "realized," her life is not interesting, but if a woman has small children, she should take care of her children for about 1-2 years. In my native country, a mother takes care of children for 3 years and the government pays her for that. I think it's a good idea to pay mothers for the education of their children.--Tatiana My stereotype of a family is when a man and woman live together in the same place (house, apartment, etc.). This relationship is based on love. The man in the family is a "hunter," the wife is responsible for the children's education and for keeping a fire in the fireplace. Warmth and comfort in a home depends on both, but usually comes from the wife. A father-in-law and mother-in-law can help a new family financially and spiritually because they have more experience in life, but it is not necessary that they live together.--Victor In my native country, the family is united, but sometimes the family is fighting. The family sometimes follows the stereotype of a union, but other times the father or the mother takes one position because they are separated and it makes problems for the children.--Abel In Mexico if the mother and father are divorced, the mother takes the children and the father doesn't pay for anything (no school, no food, no clothes). The Mexican single mother is very strong and she works all day to give the best to her children. Right now the Mexican woman is very independent about her husband