Welcome to TA, new international students, and welcome back to TA, returning international students! This is the first "ELL Journal" post of the year, and I'd like to hear some of your thoughts at the beginning of school. How do you feel? What are your expectations? Share some of the goals and dreams you have for the coming year - in academics, in arts, in sports, in life in general. Speaking for myself, I'm excited to get to know all of you, to learn from you, and to help you learn English. Let's get started!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Journal Question #1
Welcome to TA, new international students, and welcome back to TA, returning international students! This is the first "ELL Journal" post of the year, and I'd like to hear some of your thoughts at the beginning of school. How do you feel? What are your expectations? Share some of the goals and dreams you have for the coming year - in academics, in arts, in sports, in life in general. Speaking for myself, I'm excited to get to know all of you, to learn from you, and to help you learn English. Let's get started!
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HI Mr Griffin, how was the new ELL students?
ReplyDeleteZiming Song
I'm excited and a little worried because it's a new start.I wish I can get good scores in the courses.And I will work hard for my dreaming school.It's a little bit hard because I cannot use English very well up to now.Whatever, I do want to prove my English ability and get well-prepared for my TOEFL test and my English part of SAT
ReplyDeleteHi,Mr.Griffin,I'm sherry.I'm so glad to came TA to learn new things here.I've met a lot of friends now.I'm really happy to live in the dormitory here.It just like my home.I'm really excited but a little bit nervous.And I also think it is a huge challenge to me,because I think my English is not good enough.I hope in the future I will have great progress.And I believe after the study of a year ELL course, I will never be afraid to communicate and expression in English.At the same time,I will study hard in all subjects,whether art, sports or academics ,and try to let me all-round development.
ReplyDeleteI do want to enjoy my school year and take several types of courses.I believe I'll like them.I'm worried for my Chemistry and Calculus tests soon because the vocabulary is hard for me and I can't understand the meaning of the question correctly.And the vocabulary is a big part I should learn from the class,which is very important and useful.
ReplyDeleteHei, Mr.Griffin. I was so glad to see you in TA, I mean, the real one.^_^ You were the only teacher I knew before coming to TA so that what I asked at first is "Where is Mr.Griffin?". Not only TA but the whole city made me feel different from my hometown. I even don't know how to cross the road! Because the drivers always wait me to pass first. It's totally different from China.
ReplyDeleteI have a plan for the whole year that I will take the Toefl exam as others do. And then I will take the SAT. I know it's difficult to national students but I will try my best. The hardest thing for me in studying English is to build the vocabularies. It's a big problem to me. I like to study medical in college only because I like it. I like all things about biology and chemistry. I love math too.
I am not a person that only study everyday. I like playing guitar. I love music even more than my life because I'm crazy in music. I also like skateboard because the street culture makes me feel excited.
Ok, that all and good night.
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ReplyDeleteHi!Mr.Griffin!I am Gladys! Now I really want to say"Thanks"to you!!Because you changed my CHINESE mind!!!(I think you know why:))Sometimes,our minds are influenced by Chinese tests.You don't know how crazy is that!!But now,for me ,learning a really good English is the most important!!If that,anything will be better naturally,right?I trust you will help me a lot!And I believe I will enjoy this progress!!^_^
ReplyDeleteHi,Mr Griffin!I am exited to study at TA and I am so happy to join your ELL class.The environment here is very good,and the weather here is very pleasant.I live in a cool dorm,there are many things to do,we can play Xbox,we can play pool and we can also play pingpong,the dorm parents here are very kind.I will try my best to study well, I want to enter the university in LA cause my brother is studying in LA.I wish I can join the dorm soccer team and the school soccer team,I love this sport.
ReplyDeleteHi , Mr Griffin,I’m proudful to be a member of TA family. As a international student , there is a lot of challenge for me . It’s a chance for me to improve myself . Here is my plan for this year.
ReplyDeleteI’ll try to pass the TOEFL test this year . And I’ll try my best to get more than 95 points. In addition I want to join a sport team to make myself stronger . What’s more ,I want to travel across the east coast of America. I hope I’ll have a rich and unforgettable.
Hi,Mr.Griffin!This year is the most important year in my life,because I went to abroad and continue my study.I have been this country for 2 weeks,so everything is new and strange for me.When I walk on the road,everyone will smile to me.It makes me feel this world is so beautiful and makes me forget uncomfortable things that happen to me.This year,I will do my best to study and preper for my TOEFL test and SAT test.Although I can't understand well in class.I think as long as I study hard and I will be able to use English easily.I want to join a sport team,too.Basketball is my favorite sport,so this year I will improve my basketball skills.Finally,I'm so proud of being a TA's studet!
ReplyDeleteHi,Mr Griffin!.I think this year is very important
ReplyDeletefor me,because it is my first time to go abroad and live by myself.I think it is a amazing experience for me.America is a great country and American education system is very advanced.So I want to study in America.THORNTON ACADEMY is also a good school.I know I can learn munch knowledge from studying.This year I will learn many interesting classes,and I also will prepare my SAT and TOEFL tests.I think I will be busy this semester.Although I have munch pressure and I will have many challenges.
I believe I can make great progress and I will get good grades in this year!!!!!
Hello Mr.Griffin! This is my second year in USA, but it's my first year in TA. This school is awesome, that was my first thought when i first day been here. Also this is my junior year, very important year. I hope i can get a good grade on my SAT test in may and get a satisfactory for my college in USA. I am looking for better college education, that's why i am in USA. BTW, i am so glad to study in TA, i am so exciting that i can get new school mates and make more new friends here. I wish i can find something new here , not only at academic thing, but also some fantastic experiment. I know it's a big challenge as a non-native student in USA, but i tried my best already for 1 year, it's my second year, i am looking forward for better future.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nice to have your class. Hope we will get a good year.
Hi.I'm Yasue.
ReplyDeleteI want to become comfortable with the environment.This is my goal.
I cannot speak English well,so at first I don't worry about my score.
But I really enjoy studying.Because I want to go to good university in Japan.Now, I feel homesick,but I'll do my best.
Hi,Mr Griffin.I'm Aaron.I'm new in there.This year is the most important in my life.When my dad agree with me to study in the USA， I'm so excited.And I hope I will make my dream come true in this school.
ReplyDeleteGuess who i am,haha,you don't have to guess,you know who i am.I'm so glad and happy that i can come to T.A,it is a really good challenge for me and i know i can do a good job.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored to be able to join your class,you're one of the best teacher that i met.
I know I will have a fun and memorible school life.At last,I wanna to say thanks.
Thank you Mr Griffin!!!!
Hello, Mr.Griffin. It's my honor to see you. I was so glad to be a new member of TA. This year is the first year to be a international student for me, and it really a big challenge for me as a freshman. Although I have many problem have to solve, but my feeling is really good now. I have two friendly roommates, and many wonderful friends. My first goal is improve my English by ELL, it's very necessary. I also want to join in Math team and some sports teams. I hope I can get a great grade and have a good year.
ReplyDeletehello,Mr.Griffin.I am wade ran.This year is my first year in TA and also the first year in the USA. TA is an excellent school and I want to study very hard this year. I am glad to join in your ELL class because it's a good chance to improve my English skills.For me, I think junior is the most important year, because all of the university looking at my result of grade 11. So I will try my best to study in all subjects.
ReplyDeletei am Evan.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year to come to US for study.i have never think of i can come to US for study, but now i think i have already reach my dream.
At the begging, i think when i come to US without my parents will cause lots of trouble, but now i have changed my mind, i think i will become an independent person.
Furthermore,i am excited that i can go to school everyday, not just i can make new friends, still i can learn lots of thing from different lessons, i can improve my english during i talk with some Americans, i think it can really help me to speak fluent english one day.
All in all, i hope that i can live with everyone peacefully, and i also hope that i can have a huge improvement on my academic results to apply my 'dream' university!
Hello Mr.Griffin,
ReplyDeleteIt is my second year at American study. Even then, TA is a new school for me. I believe I will get more colorful experiences.
The classes already started two week age. I was changing my schedule couple times and finally I got a approving one. A suitable schedule will let me more self-assured and I am hopping that I will get content score at the end of year.
This year I am going to try something new, such as foreign language, drum... I think it will be lots of fine and good memories.
Best wish
Cathy
Hello Mr.Griffin.my name is Alexander.I was so glad to be a new TA for me.This year I am going to try something new.i feel OK in Thornton academy.This year i want play hockey and swimming pool.I like my new subject.I first time study in Thornton academy in America.I am bad at English but I want to learn English language.I'm sure that this academy will help me.
ReplyDeleteHello Mr Griffin,I am Vanessa XD
ReplyDeleteStudy in America is always my dream when I was little. My parent came to America once, and then they fall in love with America.
I used to study in Singapore, so I am already get used to the life without my family.But honestly, I REALLY MISS them!
I think the biggest problem after I came to America, is language. You can not live at a county without saying their language. I know it is hard to speak english between Chinese,but I will try.
What is more, I really wanna do well in my SAT and TOEFL test, Boston College is my dream!
Anyway,wish you all the best!
goodnight!
Yours sincerely!
Vanessa.
hi!! my name is Alexey.I'm from Russia.It's my first year at american school.The system of education in the USA is different and it is difficult for me.And I'm taking ELL1 this year and it's a good chance to improve my English.I have many goals.One of my major goal to study hard.Also I want play hockey at TA. I want to know a lot of English words.I like my subjects.I like Math,Physics.This year is important for me and I hope I will have a good result. After this school I want to study at college and then at the university.I would like to be an engineer like my father.
ReplyDeleteI expect ELL class will help me.I think I will have a good year.I want to try something new.
Hi,Mr.Griffin. I’m Winkle. This is my first year I go to TA. I like the campus, it’s really very big and nice to live. I like walking around the campus to feel the sense of I am studying in a high school in the U.S! I’m so excited about studying in an American high school.
ReplyDeleteI’m now in grade 10, I want to learn English well and then 3 years later, I can go to a good university or college, then maybe I wanna work here in U.S for a while but I’m not sure.
I like making friends. TA is a big school that give me the chance to make a lot of friends. I like that.
So to be the end, I want to learn things happily and lead the life independently. Maybe that’s why I come here.
Hello Mr.Griffin. I am Jasper here. I am very delighted to be a member of Thornton academy. This is my first year in USA. I love here so much. Teachers are very friendly and helpfulness. I have plans for this year already. The Most important thing is to improve my English. Secondly, I need to start to prepare my TOEFL and SAT test. Thirdly, I must work hard and get the higher scores in all subjects. For the sport, I want to join the golf team in TA.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you help. I hope that my dream will be come true!
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ReplyDeleteHi,Mr.Griffin!I am glad to start my American study at T.A,Especially meet you and be your student.Thesedays,I almost know the America way of life and I feel comfortable with the new environments.I made the serious decision to study in America,I know it's a big challenge for me.English is not our first language,we should use English to learn any other subjects.I think study in ELL can help me improve listening,reading,writing skills and so on.And I hope I can communicate with others more and participate more. In addition,I am a freshmen,so I have more time than others have,I have more times to prepare TOFEL and SAT,And choose my dream university.I am looking forward next four years in T.A with my growing! Wish we can be good friends and work together,do better!
ReplyDeleteHi, Mr. Griffin . This is my homework :) and im very excited write you here. Ta is very good academy and im very happy here. Im very excited when the hockey season start. I think my english will be better because you and Ms.Englund are very nice teachers . I like american people and i m happy because i have a new friend. Thank you Ta :)))
ReplyDeleteHi,Mr.Griffin! I'm Andy Li.I'm so glad to be a Freshman of TA. I like TA very much especially its education mode. It's different from China and I'm interested in the this mode. Thanks for TA because it let me make some new friends and experience the American education mode. Thanks TA from the bottom of heart. I hope I can make my dream come true in TA
ReplyDeleteHI , Mr.Griffin , I'm Season. I come from China. This year is my first year in U.S. it's fresh for me. At first , I was frightened , because I never left my parents so far as this times.This is a other country . There are a lot of differences between China and U.S, such as tradition , life style or study style . I cry to suit this style . I also think I will have a good job.
ReplyDeleteI believe you can help me, Mr.Griffin.
Thanks again!
Hi,I'm Eason,the new student here.And I'm happy to join Thornton Academy.I come from China.I never been America before.Everything here is very fresh to me.I make some friends with some new friends.And I do enjoy the time here.The activity and classes are good for me.make me feel comfortable.And I think I will build some achievement here.
ReplyDeleteHello,Mr.Griffin.I'm here with everybody.I like this feeling,like studying with other people who's from China in a same class.I make up some goals for this year.One thing is getting some improvements for English.I want to be a real speaking English person,and I'll work with it,keep trying and trying...
ReplyDeleteHello Mr.Griffin.my name is Alexander.I was so glad to be a new TA for me.This year I am going to try something new.i feel OK in Thornton academy.This year i want play hockey and swimming pool.I like my new subject.I first time study in Thornton academy in America.I am bad at English but I want to learn English language.I'm sure that this academy will help me.
ReplyDeleteHI Mr.Griffin.I am glad to be your ELL student this year.The first impression you gave me is amiable and affable.At that time,I thought you must be a good teacher.I hope I can learn a lot from you this year ^^
ReplyDeleteThe is the first year I study in the United State.My goal is to improve my English at here.In addition,I hope I can study in a good university,have a better career and living standard.
For me,I am a very active person.I love playing football,basketball,handball and athletics etc.Finally,I hope I can study well at here with lots of fun!:D
Hi Mr.Griffin.I'm new student here.The most important thing for me is improving my English.I'll use it at class in later years.I'll try to do my best.
ReplyDeleteAnd I enjoy studying everything.These can enrich my life.
The first thing you teach me is:no excuse.
Well,I love TA.I love everything.I'll try everything new.
HI,Mr.Griffin.I'm glad to be your ELL student this year.^-^It's the first year i study at the USA.At TA i make some friends and i can take many difference classes,it's so grate.In this semester i want to improve my English,it's the most important thing for me.And I really wanna do well in my SAT and TOEFL test.Yale University is my dream!but it's too hard...i hope i can do it
ReplyDeleteIn the class i will try to say everything in English
And Thank you
Hi,Mr.Griffin.I'm James Wang.I'm very excited when I'm doing this homework.I'm from China,and the system of China is different from America,I'm a little maladjusted，but I believe my-self.Thornton Academy is a very excellent school,teachers are friendly and patient,and classmates are friendly and humorous.I really love TA.I believe my dream will come true in TA!
ReplyDeleteIt's great reading everyone's responses to Journal Question #1. A lot of you mentioned improving your English as a goal, which is music to my ears! Also, a lot of you mentioned doing well on the SAT and TOEFL, as well as getting into a good college or university. That's fine, but don't let those tests and goals get in the way of your enjoying the moments here at TA. Okay? I look forward to getting to know all of you this year.
ReplyDeleteFrom Eliza:
ReplyDeleteFrom the picture, I see the hands covered with pigment. In my opinion, it means some people aspire beautiful things blindly, but they lose their quondam beauty, and maybe the producer wants to express that everyone should cherish the things they have. Okay,that's only what I think.
In fact I want to talk about my present situation, it's not good. In my schedule, physics and sales marketing are the hardest classes to learn, most of teachers' word I can't understand, so although I have spent much time on it, I still don't finish the homework and tests well. When I talk to teachers, classmates and roommates, I feel very upset because whether which way they say or explain, I can't understand.
But I won't give up, it's my decision to study in US, not others. I should be responsible for me, I need to insist, to try my best to face all the troubles!
Hello Mr Griffin:
ReplyDeleteI am very happy in you ell3 class. as a returning student i miss TA so much!
begin of this year , still many challenge for me.harder courses ,new friends , toefl sat test and so on. i become a junior this year, i know is most important of high school years ,i will try my best to do it!
Hi,Mr.Griffin!I am Crystal.When I first come here,I'm worried about how can I study there.
ReplyDeleteBut now,I just feel relax because of nice teacher and students.In my opinion,I should practice my English everyday.Then,I can take TOEFL or SAT class easier.In the future,I want to study at top university in US.If i want to accomplish it,I had better to improve my society.Now,I join Cross Country Sports,I am not good at running but I'll try it.It should be my first challenge.
Hi, Mr.Griffin!I'm Yufei.This is my second year in US,I studied in LA last year，which had a lot of chinese kids,so I couln't practice my english as well,that's my main reason I transfered here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I arrived here first, I could not really get used the life here,because there are so many differences from the life I have before, but I'll make efforts to make this like my home.This year, my goals are to improve my English,and take the Toefl and Sat test next year.And I also want to join some clubs, such as speech team,math team and so on.I'll try some sports,although I'm not good at it.I will also focus on reading more books to improving my reading skills.
Have a good night!
From Frankie - Hi Mr. Griffin, I am Frankie, I came from Hong Kong, i have already studied in Thornton Academy for about a month. The life style in here is totally different to Hong Kong. In here I have to do all the things by myself and I have to take care by myself. However I enjoy the school life in here, there are lots of activity for us and it is fun. In this 20 days, I already visited many place, I knew many new friends and they threat me nice. My goal in Thornton Academy is to have a better school result and improve my english.
ReplyDeleteI apologize that I post this home work late.
ReplyDeleteI have been here for several days and I love this place because the teachers here are so kind to me. I love this place and weather here. I live in dorm and fortunately meet my nice roommate.
At beginning of school lift. I was very funk. I worried about how canＩlive in US. But a week ago. I felt US is very good. My homestay mom loved me. And I loved she too.I was very happy. I get another home in US.
ReplyDeleteHello Mr Griffin:
ReplyDeleteMy name is Yuke. I come from SiChuan and I have studied in Thornton Academy for 2 months. I love the education mode here and I can learn all the subjects I interested in. The school's environment is very nice and I love this feeling when I walk with my friends. This is my first year in United States. Teachers are very skillful and friendly. I believe I can improve my english and get a great grade by my effort. I also want to join some clubs, such as dance company. I truly believe I can learn something useful from the class.