the n iss elsa ewsletterissbc.org/janis-esl/elsanews_mar10.pdf · you to learn from your fellow...

Edition No.1 February - March2010

Newsletter TH

E

ISSELSA

Letter from the Director

Welcome to the first edition of the ELSA news-

letter! This newsletter is an excellent way for

you to learn from your fellow students, to learn

about your community and to share stories

about your new life in Canada.

I am happy that you have chosen to take

ELSA classes at ISSofBC. ISSofBC is the

largest provider of ELSA in British Columbia,

and we have been providing language classes

for immigrants for over twenty years – longer

than any other school in British Columbia.

Your ESL Instructors, staff and management

work hard to offer you the best English learn-

ing classes. Our instructors are well edu-

cated (university graduates) and qualified

(special adult ESL teaching certification). We

provide excellent resources and computer

access for all of our students. We also can

assist you with connecting to ISSofBC’s other

services such as employment or settlement

support.

Once again thank you for choosing ISSofBC!

I look forward to reading your newsletter in

the future.

Clifford Bell

Coquitlam Staff show their Olympic colors and Olympic spirit! standing - Roz Hart (Lit), Elena Van Ingen (L2-L), Isabel Lee (PA), Esther Wolfe (PA), Claire Pinkett (IC)

sitting - Susan Likar (L2-H), Dana Drushka (L5), Ewa Karczewska (Mgr), Kathryn Bablitz (L1)

2

Title: Book/ CD/ Software Level Publisher

*Cost w/ GST - cash

*Cost w/ GST - credit

1 Oxford Picture Dictionary Canadian Edition

(Regular cost $29.95 + GST = $31.45) All levels Oxford 27.67 29.05

2 Oxford Picture Dictionary – Low Beginning Workbook (Regular cost $27.95 + GST = $29.35)

1-2 25.83 27.12

3 Oxford Picture Dictionary – High Beginning Work-book (Regular cost $27.95 + GST = $29.35)

2-3 25.83 27.12

4 Oxford Picture Dictionary – Low Intermediate Work-book (Regular cost $27.95 + GST = $29.35)

3-4 25.83 27.12

5 You’re Hired… Now What (Regular cost $29.95 + GST = $31.45)

EFW 27.67 29.05

6 Arrival Survival (Regular cost $29.95 + GST = $31.45)

3-5 27.67 29.05

7 Really Learn 100 Phrasal Verbs (Regular cost $21.50 + GST = $22.58)

3-5 19.87 20.86

New to ELSA @ ISS

THE ISS ELSA Newsletter Feb - Mar 2010

As you may know, the ELSA program at ISS introduced a book ordering service. The first order of books went

out on March 8th. The service has a list of available books from a publisher that has given a discount to ISS

ELSA students if they order through the service. On the second Monday of every month ISS ELSA will con-

tinue to place new orders with the publisher for books that students have paid for.

At this time, there are 7 books on the list. The hope is that one or two of the books would be good for students

of every level of the ELSA program. Students of any level are welcome to order any of the books. In the fu-

ture, if the service is popular with our students, we will add more books to the list to give students more oppor-

tunities to save.

Please know that these books are not needed for your ELSA classes. We believe that some students may

buy these books anyway, and so we wanted to help students get a discount on those books.

Below is our current list of books available, along with the regular suggested retail price, the level we believe

they are best for, our price after taxes if paid by cash, and our price after taxes if paid by credit card.

If you are interested in any of these books, you can purchase them through the program assistant at your

school. The next order will be made on April 12th, 2010.

This is YOUR newsletter. Do you have something you would like to share with your fellow ISS ELSA classmates? Do

you have a story about something that your class has done, something you have done with you family in your com-

munity, or about an experience you have had in you lifetime? Please send us your thoughts and stories. We would

love to hear from you. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just do your best. We may not publish it, but I promise we’ll

read it. Send your stories by email to [email protected].

3

Students’ Work - Vancouver

Are the Olympics important to you?

T he Olympics are important to me even though

this is the first time I have seen them. First of all,

I feel very happy to discover many kinds of sports that

I did not know before.

The Olympics bring many important things to the city

which hosts it. On the one hand, many people come

from different countries to visit the city, the economy

grows and many jobs are created during this manifes-

tation. Added to that, all the venues which were built

specially for this event will stay as a symbol of that

great event.

On the other hand, the city is very noisy and crowded.

In addition, some homeless people protest that the

Olympics are not green and do not help them.

Samir /EFW 5

The Olympic Games

The Olympic Games happen in the winter and the summer, alternating every two years. The most popular games

happen in the summer, and the most dangerous games happen in the winter. There are 36 sports in the summer

Olympics and 15 sports in the winter games.

The very first Olympic Games were held in 776BC, and running was the only competition. In the first Olympics the

winning athletes received olive oil and olive tree branches as a prize. Nowadays, Olympic athletes receive gold,

silver or bronze medals as a prize.

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games are happening in Vancouver, Canada. There was a grand opening ceremony.

Visitors from around the world are here to experience the Olympics. Most Canadians are interested in ice hockey. I

always like the speed skating, but all the sports are interesting and exciting. The Olympic Games encourage ath-

letes to perform their talents. It is a good competition for all the athletes.

Keerthy / EFW Level 5

I think, for me, the

Olympics are not

that very important be-

cause there are more

important things to give

attention to than the

Olympic Games. Home-

less people is one prob-

lem here in Vancouver

that they need to give

attention to.

Second, the salaries are

very low, also a problem.

The Olympic Games have

a lot of problems that we

experience right now. It is

very traffic, grounded,

not enough parking and

too busy at downtown

Vancouver.

Hilda Padua/ EFW 5

T he Olympics are

important in gen-

eral and are part of life,

but at this time I am very

busy. I don’t have a

chance to watch TV, and it

is expensive to buy a

ticket. I mean I can’t af-

ford it. The 2010 Olympics

are not important for me

for the above reason. Oth-

erwise I enjoy watching

the Olympics.

Huriya /EFW 5


Now a lot of people visit Vancouver and are crazy

about the Olympics. The Olympics are making me feel

more Canadian and more part of this culture.

First of all, I try to catch up on the news especially

about the Olympics. I often check by TV, newspaper

and website. And I always focus on the things about

my home country (Japan) and Canada. Also, I learn

about where the athletes are from in Canada and

about their background.

Secondly, I had a special opportunity to go to an Olym-

pic curling game. One game was Canada vs. Japan. It

was a good game. When Canada won, most of the au-

dience was shouting and cheering, just exciting. It was

a good chance to see Canadian people enjoying them-

selves cheering. It’s much different than in Japan. They

looked very happy. I was happy too, even though Japan

lost.

Finally, when I see tourists enjoying their time in Can-

ada, I am very proud of living in Canada. Also, when my

family or friends ask me about Canada, I tell them

about my life in Canada and it makes me feel I’m part

of this culture.

Now I feel that Canada is

much closer to me and I am

happy to live the rest of my

life here.

By Rie Ono Maloney

The 2010 Olympic Games were held in Vancouver this

month, and I became a fortunate woman.

First of all, the day before the opening ceremony of Olym-

pics, I got a curling game ticket for Feb 17 from ISS where

I’m learning English. Ten students had a chance to gain the

Olympic tickets provided by VANOC. I was the first person

whose name was drawn. When the teacher Mark opened

up a piece of paper which he withdrew from a bag and

read my name on the paper, I couldn’t believe my ears.

Wow, I ’m so lucky!

Secondly, I am Chinese and I had the opportunity to shout

―go, China, go!‖ for my native country on the spot. Nobody

could tell me which team would play on Feb 17. So I surfed

the internet to find some information about it as soon as I

went back home. I was quite excited when I searched out

the schedule and knew China’s women curling team will

participate on Feb 17. Ha-ha, I ’m so lucky!

Thirdly, I was so close to China’s curling team. On that spe-

cial day, I held my ticket which my English teacher Donna

handed out to me on the day I went into the Vancouver

Olympic Center. I was led to my seat by a staff member

from the center. When I saw that seat, I was pretty sur-

prised. It’s just in front of sheet A where China’s team will

compete! It’s incredible, I’m so lucky!

In conclusion, I was lucky

to have a wonderful ex-

perience during the Olym-

pic Winter Games. All of it

was rooted in VANOC, ISS,

Mr. Mark and Ms. Donna,

I sincerely appreciate you!

Written by Xia Yu

Students’ Work - Olympic Ticket Winners

On February 17th, a small group of students went to see an Olympic curling event together with 4 ISS teachers. These are their

thoughts on the Olympics, and their experience at the curling event.

THE ISS ELSA Newsletter Feb - Mar 2010 4

I am very lucky to live in the best place in the world. Especially during the Winter Olympic and I have really enjoyed it.

First of all, I am one of the lucky students that got a free curling ticket in ISS. I was very excited to have a chance to watch the curling game because I have never been in a real Olympic site and I have never seen a curling game either.

Secondly, I really felt I am a part of Canada when I was watch-ing the Olympic curling game in Vancouver Olympic Centre. During the game, when people were cheering and I was follow-

ing them, yelling loudly, hitting my feet hard on the floor, and waving arms over and over, I did this without thinking while focusing on the game. I did as most Canadians did. It was a fantastic day that I had in my life. It won’t be forgotten!

Thirdly, during the Olympics we have lots of opportunities to visit some pavilions in our mainland for free, and we learn a lot about some other countries’ cultures and even other provinces and the territories’ cultures of Canada. We can also take free transportation to go to some sport sites. There are some benefits for all of us.

In conclusion, the Olympics bring many people to our city and the city shows itself to the whole world. It also might be a great opportunity to stimulate the economy. Vancouver welcomes all the people from the world.

By Jenny Jiang 5

I have really enjoyed the Olympics this past week. First of

all, I watched the Olympic opening ceremony live on TV. I

loved the opening ceremonies because it handled every-

thing with grace, dignity, class, spectacle and it was

breathtaking. It couldn’t have been better! Secondly, I had

a wonderful experience when I saw an Olympic curling

game in person which I had never seen in my life. It was

Olympic women’s curling. It is a genteel sport and I was

focused on the China vs. UK and Canada vs. Japan

games. I really felt excited and felt true Canadian culture

with shouts of "Here we go, Canada, here we go!" in uni-

son with foot stomping, cowbell clanging, clapping and flag

waving. Thirdly, I had a great time when I went downtown

to Robson celebration square. I was really happy to see

that people there have so much Canadian pride! I've actu-

ally never seen anything like it. There are Canadian flags

everywhere, and most people were wearing red, and

some people wore the Canadian flag like a cape. People

were waving and cheering “Go Canada!“ so I felt like I

was in one big happy family. All in all, I was very excited

during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics!

By April

Students’ Work - Olympic Ticket Winners


6

My Favourite Sport

I ’m don’t really like to do any kind of sport. Is walking with a camera a sport? Yes, I’m dying to walk …….with my camera. I photograph everything - nature, animals and people. I like to do portraits. Some-

times I send my pictures to photographic sites and I have some fans who like my style. I like photography; it is a lot of fun, it is my love and my life. My husband taught me to see the world through the camera lens. I’m very grateful to him for that.

Actually, I like to do two things – to take pictures and to read. When I read, I’m in another world. I seem to live

another life then. It’s a fantastic feeling to have. I like it very much!!!

I would like to do this, but my real life is cooking, cleaning, washing… children, husband… I haven’t enough

time to do all that I need to do and what I must do. Maybe later? Yulia Bulgakov (Level 2 AM)

M y favorite sport is snowboarding. Now, it is more and more popular, and young people think it is very

cool in China. When I tried it first time, I liked it alot. The snowboard look like a skateboard, and the

skateboard's style effect snowboarding. People wear snowboard boots, gloves and helmets. The helmet is a

very important part of the wear. If something dangerous happens, it can protect us. Many people do not want

to wear it because they think it is not cool. The clothing is more fashionable than used for skiing clothing.

Snowboarding means fashion and a challenge. That's why I like it. I think learning it is very easy, but it is very

difficult to be very goal at it. Also, there is a lot to learn about snowboarding. It's a new sport in China, so we

don't have many professional snowboarders. Suzanne (Level 3 Eve)

I like snowboarding because it's a very funny sport and it allows me to be in contact with nature. I also en-joy it because it's a winter sport and I love snow. In my country ( Venezuela) I practiced skating on the

streets. It's a very similar sport. It's a challenging sport and I can feel big emotions when I practice it. It lets me be stronger and braver.

Cathy, Fiona and Jhonny (Level 3 Eve)

My Favourite Physical Activity.

I enjoy jogging because the activity is healthy for my body and my mind. I’m jogging about 5 times a week. I

also enjoy swimming because the activity is healthy for my heart. I swim about 20 times a year. I usually en-

joy climbing mountains because the activity has a lot of help for my body. I climb mountains about 10 times a

year. We should do physical activities because they are healthy for our bodies and minds. Jian Min Ding (level 2 PM)

M y favourite physical activity is walking because walking is easy to do. When I’m walking I can exercise,

also I can think and look at the view. Walking helps me relax and calms my mind. Also I enjoy playing tennis

too because it helps me keep fit and healthy and it gives me confidence. When I do

physical activity I’m very happy, so physical activity is important for me.

Lucy Tian (Level 2 PM)

I enjoy doing yoga because it makes me feel relaxed. I enjoy dancing because I can stay in shape. I enjoy swimming because it makes my heart strong. I enjoy walking be-cause I want to keep fit. I play golf once a week. I like to do exercise to keep my body healthy.

Linda Zhou (Level 2 PM)

Students’ Work - Richmond


Students’ Work - New Westminster

Thanks to a great yoga instructor, Angela

(Theresa Howell’s sister), New Westminster’s

literacy and level 1 classes participated in

their first ever on site yoga class.

Lots of mindful bending, stretching, reaching,

sweeping, swinging, pounding, inhaling, ex-

haling, and a lots of laughing was practiced

with a final Namaste = thank you to Angela

for her great work. We all went back to class

feeling relaxed and balanced.

OMMMMMMM....

Literacy & Level 1


8

Olympic games have got 15 cate-

gories. I think CanCanada adian

teams are especially good at Ice

Hokey and Curling. won 24 medals in

2006 Torino winter games and that

number is the best ever until now for

Canada. Canada is the 7th in the med-

als ranking table until now in previous

20 winter games.

Fatma Seyhan(Level 3 AM)

I watched on TV the Olympics cere-

mony in Friday, February 12th . It's

was a magnificent. I think, these

were most beautiful ceremony

that I saw. It was full native culture

and country music. Also they

showed fantastic naturally world

BC British Columbia.

Now, Olympics is not only

games -it is most biggest. Now it is

showing the country status in the

World. And win of these Game is

important for prestige of the coun-

try.

Olena Afanasyeva(Level 3 AM)

Go Canada!

The Olympic is one of the global

festivals. Although every country

has different cultures, all athletes

came from over the world play

games with same rule. The 2010

Winter Olympic kicked off on Feb-

ruary 12th and will heat up Olym-

pic fever by February 28th for 15

sports in Vancouver.

Cara (Level 3 AM)

This Winter Olympic was opened

on Feb. 12, 2010. The opening

ceremony was held at B.C. Place.

An Chinese delegation has 182

members including 91 athletes to

take part in the opening cere-

mony.

I hope that China can get more

medal than last Winter Olympic.

In past Winter Olympic, China had

gotten two Gold Medals, four Sil-

ver Medals, and five Bronze Med-

als.

Lilian Gao (Level 3 AM)

I watched opening Ceremonies on

TV. It was spectacular. The

Olympics Ceremonies under the

shade of the tragic death of young

Georgian athlete. The winter

Students’ Work - Coquitlam

The Winter Olympics Sports are

not larger as The Summer Olym-

pics Sports. However, The Winter

Olympics Sports are interesting

and exciting. There have the

faster speed , the braver spirit

and more beautiful views of the

mountain. In Canada, I began to

learn skiing and skating in winter

two years ago, I felt these sports

were thrilled and let me to be

hardy. Now, I watch The Winter

Olympics Sports games On TV

everyday.

Jason Wu (Level 3 PM)

The opening ceremony was a big

spectacle of lights and choreogra-

phy. This started with a presenta-

tion of First Nations’, songs, rituals,

totems and the Canadian Hymn.

The North Hymn and the energy of

the people called to the Aurora Bore-

alis and the spirit of the buffalo, ea-

gle, wolf and bear.

A minute of silence was dedicated to

the athlete Nodar Kumaritasvili from

Georgia, who died in the morning of

the opening ceremony when he was

training.

Evelia (Level 4 AM)

Last Friday morning, we, my wife,

my daughters and me, were one of

the earliest family to arrive at the

corner of Guildford Way and Pine-

tree Way to participle the Olympic

torch relay in Coquitlam. It was an

unforgettable day that we were so

close to the Olympic torch. It was

wet and cold but worth it.

Kevin Liang (Level 3 PM)


When: April 4th, 2010

Where: Queen’s Park Rainbow Playland, New Westminster

What: Easter in Queen’s Park features a variety of family-friendly events, including a Hop Along Bunny Trail, crafts and face painting, a

petting farm, a Hyack antique car display, the city’s 150th anniversary display and concession services

What’s Happening In...

We’ve been keeping our ears open for free events happening in our communities that you might be inter-

ested in. Here’s some of the events we’ve heard about….

When: Sat, March 27, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Where: Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby

What: Consumers need to get savvy before they spend

their money or share their information. Smart

Shoppers is a one day event that brings together

the Better Business Bureau and celebrity money

group the Smart Cookies who will provide a fabu-

lous multimedia presentation about consumer

protection. Ask an expert: Representatives from

BBB, BC Securities Commission, Consumer Pro-

tection BC, and other fraud prevention experts will

also take your questions. Register for this FREE

event at: www.smartshoppersbc.org

When: Starting Friday, April 9th

Where: Vancouver, various locations

What: The Reel to Real: A Celebration of Moving Images

for Youth Society is a non-profit registered charity

dedicated to showing the best in diverse, authentic

programming for young audiences. Now in its

twelfth year, the International Film Festival for

Youth (R2R) provides children and families access

to high quality films from Canada and around the

world. For more information, check the website:

www.r2rfestival.org.

When: May 17 – 24 2010

Where: Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC

What: Vancouver International Children's Festival

DescriptionJam-packed with music, theatre, dance,

storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and much more,

the Vancouver International Children's Festival em-

bodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of

children all over the world. Fore more information

visit http://www.childrensfestival.ca

When: January 28—April 3, 2010

Where: Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate,

Richmond

What: Free Event. The Richmond Art Gallery is

pleased to present an exhibition of photo-

graphic work by First Nations artist, Arthur

Renwick. Renwick is originally from Kitamaat,

BC and is now based in Toronto. Renwick’s

recent work has been garnering a lot of at-

tention

When: May 15th, 2010

Where: Cambie Community Centre, 12800 Cambie

Road, Richmond

What: Best Swap Meet and Craft Fair Ever!

When: Sunday, April 14th, 10am –2pm

Where: 2734 Murray St. near Rocky Point Park, Port

Moody

Easter Eggstravaganza

Get your Easter fill at the Port Moody Station

Museum . See the Easter Bunny. Hunt for

marbles and exchange them for chocolate

eggs.

Watch Joyce and her dancing dog Twinkle-

toes or local magician Dennis Hewson per-

form. Get your face painted.

Then make your own Easter hat and take it to

Pajo’s in the Park for free fries.

The hunt is on all day, so come any time.

Dress for weather and bring your own basket.

Admission is $2 per person with proceeds

going to the Port Moody Heritage Society.


ANNOUNCEMENT: ISSofBC New Westminster Site will host an Open House on Wednesday April 14th, 2010. The event will provide an oppor-

tunity for ISSofBC to introduce community partners as well as local communities to the array of services and programs now available at its

New Westminster Site at 200-620 Royal Avenue. The Open House will include a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, a site tour, and a brief ob-

servation visit by special guests to the afternoon ELSA classes

10

ISS Resource Centre

Editor: Kurt Munari Design Editors: Tatiana Sturari & Kurt Munari

For more information about outreach locations in Burnaby, Coquitlam and Vancouver please call 604.684.7498 or

email [email protected] .

Funded by:

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

Ministry of Children and Family Development

Community Settlement Counselling (CSC) at

ISSofBC

Our multilingual Community Settlement Counselling staff offer services in over 40 languages. Counselors assess

the settlement needs of newcomer clients and work with the client to identify an appropriate course of action.

ISSofBC’s team of settlement practitioners can:

orient immigrants and refugees to their new environment and provide support to access various community and government

services;

provide information on schools, the health care system, housing, social services, parks and recreation, and employment;

assist in completing government forms;

provide referral services to community and government services and programs;

offer crisis intervention and short-term adjustment counselling services; and,

conduct outreach and information sessions to clients and community service providers.

Who is eligible/can apply?

Newcomers who have been in Canada five years or less are given priority;

Refugees, Landed Immigrants, Naturalized citizens, Live-in Caregivers, and Refugee Claimants who need assistance with settle-

ment issues in their first language or in English

Contact Information

ISSofBC’s settlement services are provided in a number of locations throughout the Lower Mainland. Our main service areas are:

Vancouver ISSofBC Settlement Office

530 Drake Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 2H3

Phone: 604.684.7498

Burnaby

ISSofBC Settlement Office

207 - 7355 Canada Way

Burnaby, BC V3N 4Z6

Phone: 604.395.8000

Coquitlam ISSofBC Settlement Office

Suite 100B-3020 Lincoln Avenue

Coquitlam, BC V3B 6B4

Phone: 778-284-7026

New Westminster

ISSofBC at Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Suite 301-321 6th Street

New Westminster, BC V3L 3A7

Phone: 604.525.9144


mailto:[email protected]

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