Green River Community College
English as a Second Language Program
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Fall 1998 Technology Assisted Language Learning Class Biographies

This is Nami Murakami Nagasaki. Here is her story.

My name has a special meaning. When I was born, my father was at the South Pole. So, my father picked my name after the South Pole.

Many Japanese women use their husband's last names when they get married. Also we don't have a middle name. But I wanted to keep my maiden name remembering where I came from even after I had married. So I added the original last name as my middle name. I can keep my maiden name forever.

I used to live on an isolated island. My mother used to work at home. During my school lunch hour, I used to run back home for my lunch. It took fifteen minutes to go one way. I spent a half-hour eating a warm lunch and fifteen minutes running back to school.

My mother didn't like cold meals. So, she provided me with a warm meal all the time. I would rather eat a warm meal than a cold meal.

Beverly Hendricks, an intern in GRCC's ESL program, is helping Sameuane Soukasene.

Here is Sameuane's Story
My story

My name is Sameuane Soukasene. I'm from Laos. I was a refugee in Thailand from 1984 until 1986. Then the U.N. sent me to the Philippines in 1986. I arrived to America on May 21,1987.I stayed in Olympia for four months then I moved to Kent - Des Moines.

I stayed there until 1988. In January 1988, I moved to the city of Auburn and I live there now. I got a job at Radisson Hotel on December 03, 1988. I worked there for five years. Then I was laid off from this job on April 6, 1994. Then I went to register for E.S.L. at Green River Community College in April 1994. My first teachers were named Connie and John Avery. Then I got a new job at Auburn General Hospital. I work in food service. I'm married and my wife's name is Tou Soukasene. We have seven children, four boys and three girls. Two daughters are married and live in another place.

This is a picture of Thiathong Brown in the language lab. She is from Thailand. Here is her story.

My Story

My name is Thianthong C. Brown. I am from Thailand. I came to America in May 1997. I live in Enumclaw, Washington. I came to America to get a Master 's degree. Nobody came to America with me. I hope to have a good life. I want to have a good job. I want to get a Master's degree in computer science. I want to learn English American style. My life in America is easy because you can do everything by yourself. Now I live in a small house and I am happy to be in America. There are a few disappointments. My dream has a problem. I can't study English very well. I can not go to the University until maybe two years from now. I will try to practice speaking, writing, reading and working with a grammar book.

This is Ping Chen who is a student and a mother. Please read her story.

My name is Ping. My family moved to Kent , WA. six months ago. Before, my family lived in Portland, OR. We lived there for four years. Sometimes I worked there. I helped my friend. Sometimes I stayed at home. After school I helped my son study Chinese language. I taught him Math, Science, Chemistry and other subjects. He studied very well. I am a very glad. My family moved here, because my husband found new job in Washington State. My son always remembers things from before. He really likes teachers. He likes to read storybooks and looks at other books. Now he is a high school student. He is in the 11th grade. Next year he will finish High school. He wants to go to University of Washington. If he has a scholarship that is good. He will apply for financial aid. I hope he gets it.

Here is a couple from Russia.

Andrew Mironov - Andrew's Story
My name is Andrew, and I live in Kent. I learn English in GRCC. I am from Russia. I came to America in June, 1996. I came to America because I was invited by a church to come and be their assistant pastor. I came to America with my wife. I hope to have a good life in this country.

Marina Mironov
My name is Marina Mironov. I am from Russia. I came to America in June, 1996. I live in Kent. My husband and I came to America because my husband was invited by one Russian church for job. I'm librarian and after my studying English I want to go to work in my profession. I hope to have a good life in America.

Here is Shirley, a student from China. Read her story too.

My name is Shirley. I live in Kent with my husband and two sons. My older son is a first grader and my second son is preschooler. I bring them to school and pick them up every day. Then I come to GRCC to learn English skills.

My sons are interesting. They like to eat hamburgers and pizza. But I am used to eating rice. Sometimes when I take them to McDonalds, they’re so happy and say: “Thank you mom”.

My older son studies hard in school. My husband teaches him to read English books every day, I help him with Chinese words and math. I want my son to keep two languages in the future.

My older son is learning piano class now. He enjoys it and practices every day. The teacher said: “ His listening is very good and he is smart”. I plan that my second son will learn too next year. This is my story.

This is Alex and his daughter Angelika Stovbry
Alex Stovbry - My Story
My name is Alex. I am from Ukraine. I came to America five months ago. I live in Kent. I came to America to have freedom. I wanted to get a good job. I came to America with my wife and six children.

Angelika Stovbyr -
My name is Angelika. I am from Ukraine. I came to America in November, 1997. I live in Kent. I came to America because I wanted to get a good job. I came to America with my parents, two brothers and three sisters. I hope to have a good life.

Thirrey is a student who has emigrated twice, once from Laos to France, and then from France to America. Read his story.

MY STORY - THIERRY PHETNOUVONG

My name is Thierry and I come from France. I was born in Laos and I moved to France in 1978. I just arrived in Seattle in 1996 as an immigrant so I have to work hard for living for the few months when I started my life. Right now I live in Auburn not too far from my school, and I am very happy to be here with another student and my English teacher. Personally, I think America is a big country. I want to get my freedom as soon as possible and become an American citizen. My hobby is sport, music, and photograph. By the way I like sport more than anything. I spent a half of my life by doing sport as an amateur. Tae kwon do is my favorite sport. I became master of my sport local three years after I started. Also I like music and singing at the same time for my spare time. I tried to sing a love English's song and another song because singing is a good for the health and reduce stress. I remember when I started to sing the first English song was quiet difficult for me but right now I feel better and my song is improve.

Oksansa Kholodnyak

This is what I writing. My name is Oksana. I am from Ukraine. I live in Auburn. I study at High School I came to America in August 9, 1997. I came to America to have more opportunity. I wanted to have a good life. I came to America with my parents and my grandmother. I hope to have a good life, profession future.