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Chymene: I used to think that Asian people were so serious and not very fun, but my time at GV has taught me so much. Hye-Min is my first Asian friend. I have learned so much about her culture and have realized I was so wrong. Look at us! I never thought I would have a friend from Turkey, but here I am.
Alper: Yeah! I agree. Now I have friends from all over the world. When I first got here I didn’t know ANY English. In my first day interview, Nicole asked me about my mother’s job and I thought...What is she talking about??? I didn’t understand. I have been here for only two months and I have learned so much. I love that I can talk with all my new friends and learn about new people. The world isn’t as big as I thought.
Hye-Min, how is it different learning here in Canada than learning in Korea?
Hye-Min: Oh....so different. In Korea is it only grammar, grammar, grammar and here I have to speak! Classes here are good. My teacher Nikki prepares new things everyday and it is so interesting. I have to speak to my classmates and we get a chance to practice everyday.
Were you nervous at first?
All: YES!!!!
Hye-Min: In Korea, you get in trouble for making a mistake. You feel bad and are afraid to answer, but here you learn from your mistakes. I was really nervous at first. I couldn’t answer anything, but now I can explain me feelings well.
Alper: Yes, as I said at first I understood nothing. I was in GV 1 and it was difficult. Now, I understand and love speaking. I don’t mind making mistakes because people will correct me here and I learn. I have confidence to use my English everywhere not just at school.
Chymene: On my first day I had to ask directions to get back to my residence. The man didn’t understand me. I was so scared, but you just have to keep trying until the person understands what you want...You can’t give up. I didn’t and I made it home! HAHAHA!!
What about the winter in Toronto?
All: Ohhhhh!
Jose: here are good and bad things. It’s cold, but I finally got to see snow. It is so beautiful and different from what I expected. ot as heavy.
Alper: eah, and you can go skating and snowboarding. I went nowboarding twice and fell a lot of times but it was fun.
Chymene:Yeah, skating. It is free here at many places. In France it is never free.
Hye-Min: Right! If you have skates you can just go right on. I love it.
Nicole asked the students what advice they would give others coming to Global Village Toronto. Here is the list that they came up with.
Don’t be shy – You have to speak and ask questions. You will have so much more fun and learn much faster
Try, try, try – Mistakes are no problem. Your classmates and teachers will help you. You can’t learn unless you try.
Don’t speak you own language.
Alper: When I came here I had to speak English or course in the school, but everywhere. I didn’t know any other people from Turkey. Now, I think my English has improved more than some of my friends who used to be better than me. They all speak their own language after school so they don’t get to practice as much.
Go everywhere – This is a great city and you must get out to see it. You can’t just stay home all the time. Go and explore.
Make friends from other countries – Everyone is the same as you here. We are all away from our families and friends. We need each other and can learn from each other.
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