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No Language No Life
by Lei (a student from China)
"My name is Lei. I came from China last year. I have been in the Volunteer English Program since April with my tutor Ms. Kay Johnson, who is a very lovely lady. Before we moved to the United States, we lived in Beijing with my family. My husband worked in a computer company. I was a good accountant and worked in a large department store. My parents work in The Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are professors and doctors. Both of them love their work very much. They teach the students and take care of their patients. I only have one brother who is single and a nice guy. He works in a court and wants to become a lawyer. In my family everybody loves each other. All of us try hard and take great pride in our work. My parents have been honored both by the government and the university for their excellent work. I'm proud of my folks.
The past year was an upsetting year for me. We were living in a strange world and almost everything was new, especially my poor English. No language no life, this was my real feeling. I wanted a new life, but I didn't get the key. This spring was a lucky spring for me, because I found the VEP and they began to help me out. I had a tutor Ms. Kay and she taught me at my home. From then on my life became more colorful. I really appreciate this program and Ms. Carol's help.
At present my tutor and I are doing very well. Ms. Kay has a lot of teaching experience. She teaches me Grammar, idioms, conversation, and introduces me to some American culture. I've taken some classes in the museum, visited the Kmart and a little farmer's market in order to learn about American life. I really had a lot of fun and benefitted from the experiences. She also teaches me how to face real life from her own experience. Ms. Kay also encouraged me to try to learn how to drive, and introduced me to a nursing home to talk with the senior citizens in order to improve my English. Now I keep on visiting the nursing home and have made several new friends.
From all of these activities I get more and more confidence. Ms. Kay is a tutor but, even more, like a family member to me. I love her and respect her from my heart. Today I'm very glad to have a chance to speak here. I'm very happy to see all of you – new tutors! I want to say VEP is really helpful for people. Ms. Carol Klauss and her colleagues are really doing an exceptional job. Thanks also to my tutor, Ms. Kay Johnson. Thank you Ms. Carol Klauss and thank you VEP!"