- PRIDE: We are not underachievers!

• Talking about removing the word “underachiever”

Student 1

I don’t like this title …this word "underachiever"

Student 2

You sound upset with this word. What is going on?

Student 1

I don't see myself as an 'underachiever'. In Canada, we can have another meaning for this word. I don't want people to think I don't try my best. I'm an excellent mother and now my children have grown up, I am here finishing high school. I have worked hard to perform as well as I can.

Student 2

I get the idea of using the word "underachiever" from a Simpsons cartoon, the idea of being clever. What I am saying is that people rebel against the system.

Student 1

Let me finish please... I worked hard to fulfill the expectations of my family boss and teachers. I like that the school has high expectations of me, it shows they think I can do better.

Student 2

I see. The word 'Underachiever' would group us with people who don't try hard enough as family members, friends, employees, students. You told me I am having English difficulties, let us look up the word in the dictionary.

Student 1

Yes…let us look up. I am not underachiever. When I do things I do well because I try hard…um…Well, I know what you mean but it is too hard to accept that I was excluded because of the way I learn (right brain). I prefer to believe I was just too busy rising my kids. Now I am coming back and I will be ok.

Student 2(opening the dictionary)

I will see the etymology of the word later but I think I get your point, let me read the word in here

Underachiever: somebody who under performs: somebody who or something that performs less well than might be expected, especially a student whose academic results are poor, given his or her intelligence and aptitude.

Underachiever: A student who does not perform as well as the IQ indicates.

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- PRIDE: Being Canadian, we ain't terrorists

Student 1

Those terrorists should be killed fast. It is revolting

Student 2

We should not think twice. I get upset…It is our taxes. They should spend tax money on education or healthy care… not defending them

Student 1

They just should be killed fast so they serve as example that in Canada they will be caught and killed. The message is “don’t come to here”. They are risen murders, all them are bombers because they rise in rage, in a revenge culture...Since children they are dangerous. It is disgusting. These Palestine’s are barbarians.

Student 3

Barbarians?

Student 2

Canada society is completely different because there is no oppression: you do what you want, everybody has a choice. It makes all difference. We have freedom to improve our lives (when we get ready to) and as they do not have this freedom, they become barbarians, angry, with no respect

Student 3

Respect for what?

Student 4

People who don’t respect their own life can't respect anything...

Student 3

... Let us see a different view? Who are the terrorists?, let us look at a US standpoint...and some common misunderstandings about Muslims and Arabs in America and a standpoint against Bush administration I don't know...

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- FRIENDS: The help I need

...

Student 1

I tried to meet you at school. Did you give up on graduating? Where have you been party girl?

Student 2

My sister had the baby and the aboriginal housing center got her a new place. About 300 for a full house in New Sudbury! So I had to get a new place for me

Student 1

But you moved last week…

Student 2

Oh… I went to the beach again

Student 1

Be aware that you can’t miss too much classes

Student 2

I told the teacher I was moving.

Student 1

Take care, he (the teacher) might kick you out

Student 2

I needed the ride. All my friends were going. Summer is almost over. The bus doesn’t go there, you know.

Student 1

Oh! The collective transportation in Canada is a shame for Canadians, a sin against environment. Most of the people drive cars, avoid giving rides because of insurance and when the city has a collective transportation...it is frustrating... stay 20 minutes to one hour at a bus stop! Better get a ride when you have one!

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FRIENDS: Real life

a) Instead of doing classwork, he searches the cop website

Student 1

...this computer is not meant nor to chat nor to watch the cop’s videos. Why don’t you go to the educational website instead?

Student 2

... the cop website, it is real world...It is amazing this guy was raised with me. He beat his girlfriend!

b) Crazy, really crazy

Student 1

Hi, did you manage to study on weekend?

Student 2

No. I went to Manitoba Island. It was crazy, really crazy.

Student 1

How crazy?

Student 2

My mom did a party, she is going to marry. And there was a fight

Student 1

Cool. How was this fight?

Student 2

Someone broke a bottle and the police came

Student 1

Wow, your life is so busy. Last weekend, you helped your friend to deliver a baby. I wonder what will happen the next weekend!



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- FUTURE: Passing on information...

• What I learn on school, I pass to my teens and their friends
  

Student 1
I am mom of two teenagers. I am like a friend. I know children use to have lots of problem at home so my house is always full of their friends. I like my house to be a safe environment for them, a place they know they can come and stay... Now I have a computer and internet. I am going to do tests with them, and helping them with the learning strategies.

Student2
You should take note of the password. I hope the password will work after the course is completed. Your idea of teaching other teenagers is great!

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Dialogues&Stories (Life, School, Classroom)

- FUTURE: Using good culture shock class experience

• Canadian accent and riots
  

Student 1
I am working on telephone assistance. I got an apartment for me and I am making $10/hour!” I wanted to meet you 'cause I learned I have an accent too. Can you believe? Strange, eh? For a while I felt your accent so irritating, I avoided talking to you, remember?

Student 2

No problem, we had to do group work so I kept talking to you

Student 1

And I kept saying “shut up, chink” (laugh).

Student 2

You taught me to call you back trash white (laugh)… You like to play the bad girl. But deep inside you are sweet... explaining yourself with that soap opera: your childhood, your only white neighborhood and a Chinese restaurant, people calling the owners “chinks” and you, a little girl, saving the Chinese little boy by walking beside him…Well, how did you learn you have an accent?

Student 1

I am working at a Telecom and this USA woman recognized I am Canadian when I call her! I was amazed! It was like Eh?... Hey, I have an accent!

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- FUTURE: Believe and live

Student 1
I lost my housing grant. But it is ok; I am working as a seller, a good job. Thanks Lord I finished my high school. I’m still thinking about further my education in college, though. But for now, I need to make some money to spoil my children. They had been very patient with me; I have given them hard life...I'm sorry I didn't attend your workshop. Getting together to write our own stories was a cool idea. Did it work?

Student 2
The library support was great and 9 people were registered and 8 finished it! The library has a list of people interested to attend another one! I made friends who gave me gifts on Christmas, recipes of Canadian food and recommendation letters for job. From our class, W2 participated (coming late everyday because of her work) and W3 could not attend the workshop full time but we wrote a story about the time she could talk to animals, like her aboriginal ancestors!

Student 1
Do you believe it?

Student 2
She believes and she was a child with a secret life. She says she would be called schizophrenic like many aboriginals in jail.

Student 1
She has the right to believe as I believe I’m going to find a good man now that my children are finishing high school! I’ve been widow for 8 years!

Student 2
Remember what the teacher said? Believe is the first step to make things happen! W2 believed her story was to be written. One day, she told a co-worker she was late to come to the workshop, and guess what? This co-worker’s family has just opened a small publishing company... their interest: teenager stories…and they are editing her story!

Student 1
Wow!... Do you know about our other classmates? I know five of us graduated high school and that W8 is healthier now and came back to study.

Student 2
Our teacher is teaching ESL on College. M1 got a good construction job, I guess he will take long to come back to graduate. I know it is a good company 'cause in the other class, a student (in his 20's) who works there told me he worked as an Egyptian slave but his paycheck was great...great enough to him write "I WON" as a special saying on his car plate...a brandy new black high wheels truck

Student 1
Yeah...M1 used to run between jobs, saying he needs money to have a girl.

Student 2
Yeah...it is sad that he got the girl he wanted and she moved away. She was aboriginal like him, I saw him drunk because he was celebrating and then because he was let alone. I saw him drunk three times! Our city (in North of Ontario) is challenging not only for immigrants. This is why it is still cheap to live here...W2 and W3 are working at the call center. They passed the training period and are making $10 or more an hour. But people are moving, M2 is living in British Columbia. M3 moved to Vancouver with his girlfriend ... Who are staying are the aboriginals and the moms. Mom W6 is living with her mom... I am trying to stay but I’ve recently applied for three jobs here. One was canceled, and two preferred young people (they are sponsored by governmental grants). Step by step, I have learned about grants for aboriginals, grants for youth as well the challenge of living in a bilingual city... I hope we will be in touch through email and phone!

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