English As A Second language ( ESL )

2010 Student Writing of the Month
2009 Student Writing of the Month
2008 Student Writing of the Month
2007 Student Writing of the Month
2006 Student Writing of the Month
2005 Student Writing of the Month
2004 Student Writing of the Month

Click on the link below for a special puzzle created by one of our readers!

Chinese New Year crossword puzzle

Evans Community Adult School student writing

Facing an Obstacle
by Baldeoly Mendoza

When I was seventeen years old, my friend, Alex, and I were driving to Acapulco for our vacation. We were laughing and making great plans for our visit. Alex was driving fast on the highway when suddenly he lost control of the car. It skidded into an enormous tree.

Alex was unconscious but alive. His arm and leg was cut and he was bleeding profusely. I almost began to panic. Then, I remembered my father’s advice to stay calm in any situation. I tore off my shirt and used several pieces as tourniquets to control the excessive bleeding. Other drivers stopped and helped us. Fortunately the car could still be driven. I took him to the nearest hospital. I was nervous and scared. I kept saying to him, “Don’t worry. You are going to be fine.”

After one night in the hospital, he woke up. My first words to him were, “I’m so glad to see you again.” Fortunately Alex recovered completely.

The lessons of my father, Julio, stayed with me on that day four years ago and today.

The Burning of Evil
by Alex Osorio

In Guatemala on December 7^th, people celebrate La Quema del Diablo. It is a big holiday. Bonfires fill the streets and the sky is full of smoke as images of the devil are burned. People believe that they are expulsing all the negative energy in their lives and houses. Also they are fixing the bad luck that they had all year long. Many years ago, the tradition was to clean out homes of all the unused things such as old clothes, toys, shoes, plastic, TVs, or radios. These items would be burned in the gardens in front of the houses. Today a piñata with the design of the devil is burned at 7 p.m. Then a big party begins. Everybody starts to drink, dance, sing and pray for a good year.

My Free Time
by Juan Gonzalez

In my free time, I exercise at the Hollywood YMCA gym. Every day I run, lift weights, play racquetball, and use the steam room. There are trainers who will show you around the facility. They can teach you how to use all the equipment and explain the rules and regulations. The gym offers different types of classes such as dance, swimming, basketball, tennis and karate for children and adults. There is also a day care center all day long. The YMCA helps you reach your goals every step of the way.

I Got Lost
by Teresa Hernandez

I grew up in Los Angeles and relocated to Sun Valley which is north Hollywood. A week after moving to my new house, I had to attend a conference at Polytechnic High school for my son Marlon. Driving to Polytechnic was no problem. My issue was driving back. Because I was unable to remember the way back to my home, I took streets that looked familiar. Approximately three hours going in circles searching and searching I realized I was lost. Scared and frustrated, my last resort was to pray and ask God to calm myself. I called my sister Elia and asked her for directions also. Asking people on the street helped me. Finally after a long time, I reached my home.

Thanks to God for helping me find my way home.

An Obstacle
by Marta Nunez

When I came to this country, I couldn’t drive a car. This was an obstacle for me because it kept me from reaching better opportunities. I couldn’t go to school because they were far away from my house. Even though I had been offered job opportunities, they were far away. Then I decided to learn how to drive. I took a class. As soon as I learned how to drive, I went to the DMV office and took a test for my driver’s license. I passed it! Since that day I have been driving for more than twenty -five years. I have overcome my obstacle, and I have been getting better opportunities. Driving is no more a problem for me.

How to Make a Berry Cream Smoothie
by Baldeoly Mendoza

A berry cream smoothie is very healthy drink. First we need to pour two glasses of orange juice into a food processor. Then add a banana and a half a bag of frozen forest fruits which include berries, blueberries, and strawberries. Blend the mixture for about a minute. Then add the remaining bag of forest fruits and process until it is smooth. Pour into tall glasses. Decorate the rims of the glasses with slices of fresh strawberries. The last step is to add straws and serve. You should try it.

My Free Time
by Rosa Morales

Three times a week, I go with my husband to Gold’s Gym in downtown Los Angeles. I exercise on the cardiovascular machines. Then I ride a bicycle for twenty minutes and go on the step machine for about forty minutes. Finally, I run on the treadmill for ten minutes. When I’m finished with my exercises, I rest in the steam room for five minutes before showering. I like Gold’s Gym because it is open early and closed late. The gym has remodeled the lockers room and the stretching room. The dance room was closed for two weeks. Next Monday it will re-open again. My favorite class is yoga. I can relax my mind and my body.

Family Influence
by Edith Siguenza

A family could influence their children in two ways. As parents we have a vital influence in our children's development into adulthood. We should be involved in their education by helping them with their daily homework. This shows our interest in their academic success. Communication about their studies enables us to further assist them with their ongoing education. Also, we have an important influence in helping them to manage money wisely. From a very young age we must teach them to save money for their future. By paying our own bills on time, we influence them to learn financial responsibility. We might advise our children that education is a life journey and money is necessary for survival.

Writing Poetry
by Lidia Garcia Marquez

I have been writing my thoughts that I like to call poetry since I was a child. I still remember the first time I wrote some words trying to define love.

I consider myself a very romantic and idealistic woman; a person who lives in her own world by building a perfect life. However, reality is something else.

Writing means a lot to my spirit. It releases me from my fears, my insecurities. It gets me closer to happiness. Molding my feelings on a piece of paper has become part of my existence in order to feed my soul, to increase my talent (in case I have it) and helps me to make me to feel useful.

A silent night is all I need to get ready for my routine of creativity. In addition to that, I take refuge on my couch with a glass of wine and I am able to set my inspiration free.

A Gift
by Blanca Lopez

A gift that I received was when my friends, Carmen and Jesus, helped me to come to the United States. After I arrived in Los Angeles, they told me that I could study and have a better life for my children and me. I couldn’t believe that it could be done because I did not have enough money. They offered to pay for all my expenses. That was a biggest gift I have ever received.

New Year’s Eve
by Febe Rodriguez

I celebrate New Year’s Eve with my family in El Salvador. First of all, my brother, Adolfo, my mom, Rosita, and I have a special dinner in our home. After dinner, we head to my grandmother’s place to eat some more. It is always a big gathering. Everyone in the family attends. The little ones play around while the older ones talk about any topic that comes into their minds. Before midnight, most of us leave to spend the last minutes of the year with friends. My mom and I always head back home after leaving Adolfo with his friends. We light nineteen candles. Seven white candles represent the seven days of the week and it will give us good energy for all our days. The other twelve candles are of different colors which represent the twelve months of the year. Each color has a different meaning. Blue stands for hope. Yellow means happiness. We decide what significance we want to put on each color. We always do this together. It’s a special mother and daughter kind of thing.