Hello friends!

Are there ghettos and gangs like in the Bronx in New York or is it a friendly town?

I don't know if there are any gangs, because I don't know any of them. I've heard of a local gang, but have not had any trouble with them.
By Maria Rea

What kind of people live in Santa Ana?
In Santa Ana the people are very friendly, helpful and kind. It is very common to meet people of different nationalities such as the following: Asian, Latin American, African, European and American.
By Cecilia Lares
In Santa Ana there are different kinds of people. There are a lot of Hispanic people, maybe 60%. Also, people from Vietnam, China, Japan, Cambodia, India, etc. live here. It is better, because you learn many things about different cultures.
By Karen Solis
In Santa Ana, there are different kinds of people from different races, places, religions. People live there such as there are Christians, Hindus, Sikhs,Muslims and from Mexico, India, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Peru, Israel, El Salvador, etc.
By Jasbir Singh

How many buildings has your school?
Is it in the middle of the town or more on the outskirts?
Have you a long way from your home to school?
Yes, I have. Approximately a 20 minutes ride from my home to school. I go to school by bus.
By Karen Solis
Approximately 30 minutes from my home to school by bus, but when I drive it takes me 5 minutes.
By Marie Rueda

How big is your school?
This is the map. You can see a star that means where we are located.
How many classrooms has it?
Is it a high building?
How many floors has it?
Our school is not high. It is on one level.

Why did you come to the United States?
I came to the United States to study the English language and to get a better lifestyle.
By Cecilia Lares

I have no idea, why I came to the U.S. I was just a baby, when my parents brought me to the U.S. from Mexico, the state of Guerrero, in Acapulco. Acapulco is a popular place for tourists to visit in Mexico.
By Marie Rueda

I came to America, because my parents wanted me to come here. I did not want to come. I thought about coming to America many times for a long while, because I did not want to leave my country, my friends and my career. I was studying for a teaching career. I want to become a teacher of elementary school, because I like to share with children and learn with them and from them. When I thought about all the things that I had to leave in Mexico I was very sad. Then I thought " the past is gone and the future may never come. Friends, if they are really my friends our hearts and minds will be together forever. This is the present". I asked myself "what do I want to do?." I could answer this question only following my feeling and here I am in America.
By Leslie Lozano

I came to the United States last year, because I need to learn English. I want to go to college and I need to speak English. This country gives you more opportunities. In the beginning, when you come to this country, it's difficult because you miss your country, friends, family, etc.
By Karen Solis

I came to the United States to know about different countries. I came to have an adventure and I liked and I stayed forever. Now it is taking me forever to go back to my own country, which is Mexico.
By Enelfa Solorio

I came to the United States because I wanted a good future.
By Eduardo Silva

Do you feel welcome in America?
Sometimes I don't feel welcome in America, because I can feel prejudice But sometimes I feel there is a freedom in this country.
By Cecilia Lares

Of course, I feel welcome in America. Especially here in California, where the majority is Hispanic. That makes me feel like in Mexico, my country. Everywhere I look I can see Mexicans, but not only that, it is wonderful to know people from all the countries around the world and share with them. One of the main characteristics of America is that you can find people from all cultures. If you want to learn new things every minute, don't wait any longer, come to America!!!!!!
By Leslie Lozano

When you come to America, you do not feel welcome, because you have to sneak over the border to get here. It is hard to get a job, because you do not have papers or permission and must work illegally. Children feel welcome in America, because they get to go to school and grow up here.

Have you many American friends there?
I just arrived from Mexico last month, so I don't have many friends here. I am sure that I will find many friends soon. I hope so, because I miss my friends from Mexico. I did everything with them. We went to school, went to the cinema, went to swim, etc. Their names are Laura, Carolina, Karla, Dolores and Rosa. I will never forget them. They are my best friends, but that does not mean that I won't have friends here and everywhere in the world. So do you want to be my friend???????By Leslie Lozano.

There are nice people. I have a few Americans friends, but each one has different ideas, languages and cultures, but if you talk with them you learn many things. They're very friendly. I've learned English now. My English is not fluent, when I talk with them. They help me and never laugh at how I speak.
By Karen Solis

I do have many Americans friends. They are nice people and all of my American friends are of different nationalities. They speak different languages and I've learned from them.
By Marie Rueda

I'd like to write a short story about my American friends. First, I am going to start with Mr. Leonard Thompson (and his family). He is also my next door neighbor. I have known Mr. Thompson for almost 20 years. He and his wife are friendly and easy to get along with. I'd like to keep his friendship for many years to come. My other American friend is Mr. Art Dinucci; Mr. and Mrs. Dinucci are quite friendly, I have known them for almost 8 years. Mr. Dinucci is also my boss. I am glad to have such good friends.
By Luis A. Gomez

How many pupils learn in your school?
Centennial Education Center has on average 3,673 pupils. Our student population changes weekly.
By Michelle Ortiz

How many languages do you learn in Centennial Education Center?
Centennial Education Center only teach one.
By Enelfa Solorio

I learned English as a second language at Centennial Education Center. My native language is Spanish.
Which are they?
The language that CEC teach is English. I already know Spanish.
By Enelfa Solorio

What kinds of certificates are ABE, ESL and GED?
ABE is Adult Basic Education, ESL is English as a Second Language, and GED is General Education Diploma.
By Nelson Bran

What can you do with them?
With ABE you can go to High School, ESL means that you can speak English, and GED is like a High School diploma and you can go to College with it.
By Nelson Bran

>How long does it take you to finish your courses and studies?
To complete my courses it will take me about 3 Months.
By Eduardo Silva

Which subjects do you learn now?
I learn computers, pronunciation, writing and I am speaking English very well.
By Eduardo Silva

Must you pay for your education?
Actually we don't pay for our education; we just pay for the learning materials we use in class. The money that supports our education comes from the government.

That's all for the moment. Let us stay in contact.We can go on doing this until June 16.

So long, the magnificente 5, March 26, 1999, 7:15 p. m. MEZ.

Marion, Tobias, Monika, Waltraud, Annchen and our teacher, Mr. Seidensticker

Similarities and Differences Between

German and American Adult Students

Similarities:

1. Both students, German and American, study English.

2. Both Students, German and American, like beer.

3. Both countries, Germany and the United States have many immigrants.

4. The majority of immigrants in Germany and the United States come from countries that are nearby.

5. Schools in Germany and The United States are free and it is easy for immigrants to go to school.

6. Both countries, Germany and the United States, teach English as a second language

7. Both German and American workers work approximately 40 hours a week.

8. In both countries, Germany and the United States, after finishing their education most live in their own places.

9. In both countries, Germany and the United States, students work and go to school to improve their life.

Differences

1. Students in the German adult classroom are mostly from Germany. In the United States they are from other countries.

2. American classes have approximately 30 tO 40 students in adult classes. In Germany they have 20 in two classes.

3. Santa Ana (Orange County) is very large and not rural.

4. Our employment is mainly business, some factories, food industries and some government. Theirs is mostly wood and metals.

5. We live in a big city, so we have both shopping and entertainment close by. In Detmold they travel to larger cities.

6. Immigration is difficult in the United States.

7. Immigrants in America don’t get any money from the government.

8. German students learn more than one language in school.

9. The weather in Santa Ana is very different. Germany is cold!

10. Americans don’t get 5 to 6 weeks of paid vacation. They only get one or two.