In their own words: writings from students in adult language classes

Fervor and vehemence, sentiment and discernment—all of these a student can now express in the written format as progress in adult language classes instills feelings of pride and purpose.

I think it is hard to find a job today. I tried very hard to get a job. I don't have a job now. I'm on welfare. I can't find work. My brother and son have good jobs. I wish I could find a job too. I know lots of people who don't have jobs. It is a very bad time for work. We don't have many job opportunities. It is the Government's fault.

—By Grete, Saint John, N.B.,Learning Exchange

GROWING UP IN ITALY

I was living in Cellara which was a small town in Italy. It was around 1946. We lived on a farm which was about a ten minute walk from the city. On the farm, we grew grain and fruits. We also raised animals.

The school was in the town. I would go into my house and grab some bread and salami. I would eat this while I walked to school. School started at nine o'clock.

All of the teachers were very strict but some were worse than others. If you were not listening, the teachers would punish you. Sometimes they would hit the palm of your hand with a wooden stick. Other times the teacher would make the student bring in some gravel from outside. The student would put the gravel on the floor in the corner. Then the teacher would make the boy or girl kneel on the gravel for about half an hour.

—by Vince, Ottawa Board of Education

I am Theresa . . . of Toronto Ont. I'm originaly from Montreal Que. I'm hoping for a nursing position in the community upon graduating from my upgrading course. Basically I have a great love for people. I know if we push ourselves towards a set goal in life with will power & positive thinking plus a strong mind, we can & will get that goal diploma etc. So everybody reach for your Rainbow. never give up.

—by Theresa, Frontier College,Toronto

The feeling I get when I am behind the wheel of car is some how unexplainable all I can say is that I get a natural kind of a high it is even a better high than I get from drugs or booze. And driving is something that comes natural to me.

—by Joe, Frontier College, Toronto

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The team is a very good team This year when they win! Watch the team on CTV or Montreal, on CBLT in Toronto. We may not be in The World Series I would love to see Toronto and Montreal in the world series. it would do Toronto good if the toronto team got in a series.

The Toronto Fans would Love it. If the Toronto hockey club plays better we will see good hockey on tv too.

—by Tom, Frontier College, Toronto

BACK TO SCHOOL

It is difficult to return to school. I have been out of school for a long time. Also the school work has changed a lot over the years, and I thought it would be a lot harder too. I thought because of that I would not be able to do it. I also thought that going back to school was for the young kids not for older people. But I have found out that there are more older people in class than young people. The school is not as hard as I thought. In fact it is very easy when the teacher explains it to me. I am learning a lot that I have forgotten. All in all, I am glad that I went back to school as I have learned a lot and I have met some nice people my own age there.

—by Jean, London, Ont., School of Alternative and Continuing Education