PELI International Newsletter

Informative Report
Home Stay
By Miho Kito JAPAN
Have you ever had the experience of home stay in other countries? If you are lucky, you could have a great time with your new family.
First, I've been staying at the Parker's about a year and 4 months so far. There are two boys (11 & 8 years old), so this family is so active. For example, every weekend, boys have a game; like soccer, basketball, or baseball. In the summer, we often go to the beach, In the winter, we are always going skiing at Kirkwood. Last summer, I had a great back-packing trip experience. That was so hard for me, but wonderful! (6days, about 50miles). Also they have relatives near San Francisco and San Diego, so we have been there for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Therefore, we have many fun days.
Second, they are very helpful. They always help me with my problems like homework or anything. For my 20th birthday, they planned a birthday party at Avila Beach. They prepared good food and gifts, and they also made a great atmosphere for my friends and I. I had a really great time. I was impressed with their kindness.
Third, they are just great. I can’t explain how nice they are to me. In addition, they have a lot of friends. Their friends and relatives are also nice people. I'm really enjoying having fun with them and I hope our relationship continues.
In conclusion, my home stay experience is precious. I have learned many things from them (including new cooking recipes), now they are the best American family and best friends for me. Home stays, offer many discoveries, such as language and mind, which help us grew up day by day.

http://wwwa.com/peli/

Current Events
Who am I?
By Wayne (Luo, Shuming) CHINA
"Who is that person?" That is a common world question. However, how about "Who am I?" This question sounds a little funny. Actually, people will ask themselves a few times during their life. This is not funny for me. I always think this is a serious question in my life. I just know my name is Wayne. But I’m often confused about what kind of person I am and what kind the person I’ll become.
I thought I knew myself well before I came to America, and then I became confused with many things in my life. Coming to America is a big change for me. In addition, everyone thinks coming to America is a very good opportunity for me. But I know if my life is just for myself, I wouldn't to come to the USA. The environment is very different between America and China, so I have to ask myself again and again: "Who am I?" for now, I’m not sure of the answer. I don't know what kind the life I am going live, but I just know I love my parents very much and I always feel indebted to them. I know it is difficult to completely repay my parents, however I will try to do my best to acknowledge them. The first aim in my life is to repay my parents and make my parents happy all the time in their future. After I finish this great dream, I will start looking for my own life, and I’ll start to think about what things I really want. Also, I plan to get married after I finish this dream. I guess this aim will take me at least ten years or twenty years, or more.
Every time I’m confused about my life or I have hardships, I will remind myself of the dream about repaying my parents, and I will always know that this is the most important reason I exist in the world.
"Who am I?"-----That’s me, I am Wayne!

PELIinc@aol.com

Informative Report
Four Different Cultures in Spain
By Jordi Franquesa Solé SPAIN
A common stereotype of Spain is that there is only one culture: the Spanish culture. But this belief is wrong. There are Castillians, Gallegos, Basques, and Catalans (which I belong to).
Two important dates in the Catalan calendar are Saint Jordi and September 11^th. Saint Jordi is on April 23^rd, and it is the International Day of the Book. It is very important to remember, especially if you are married or you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. If you are a woman, you buy a book for the man you love. And if you are a man, you buy a beautiful rose for her. September 11^th is also an important day for Catalan people: "Diada Nacional de Catalunya". This national holiday is on September 11^th because Catalans lost a battle against Charles V, in 1714; it is to remember the bravery and couregement of the people who fought to defend the Catalan spirit. To compare with an American national holiday, September 11^th is as important in Catalonia as Independence Day is in the United States.
The most important sport in Spain is soccer, and there are a lot of teams. As Athletic Bilbao are to the Basques, so FC Barcelona are to the Catalans, a symbol of a nation’s independence from Madrid and Castillian Spain. When FC Barcelona wins, the whole of Catalonia celebrates. And when they beat Real Madrid, you can feel the Earth move.
The reason of this cultural explanation is to show to all the readers that Spain is multicultural: all of these cultures are found in Spain but they have many differences. I hope now you know a little more, especially about the Catalan culture because it is my culture: for all of my life I will be Catalan, I will never forget my Catalan nationality.

Note: In order to preserve the authenticity of the students’ writing we have kept their original sentence structure and word order.

Fall Term II Starts
By Anthony Halderman
PELI’s fall II term started on October 20, 1998. The new students come from Japan, Spain, Qatar, Italy, Taiwan, Kuwait, and Colombia. Some of the other continuing students hail from Mexico, and China. Everyone is looking forward to a relaxing, adventurous term.
The students are divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. PELI offers grammar, reading, writing, TOEFL, listening/speaking and conversation classes.
We have five part-time teachers this term: Carolyn, Anthony, Lucy, Jeff Jr., and Alice. The newest teacher on our team is Jeff Bynes Jr. He is the son of PELI’s president and has earned an MA in TESOL from San Francisco State University. He fits in very well and is much enjoyed by the students. Dr. Alice N., a former teacher, is now teaching classes at both Cal Poly and Cuesta. Joy B., also a former teacher, will move to Southern California. We wish them luck!
The mix is pleasant this term and the atmosphere comfortable. We wish all the PELI students and teachers much success and many good times.

PELI

PenPals
Volunteer to be an international PELI Pen Pal! We have current and former students from many different countries. When you volunteer to be an international PELI Pen Pal, send us your home address and e-mail address. Write to us soon!

Contact us!
For information, advice, comments, and suggestions, feel free to contact us at either of our e-mail addresses, PELIinc@aol.com, PELIclass@aol.com, or at our web site, http://wwwa.com/peli/

Current Events
Horseback Riding
By Emi Kariuchi JAPAN
We went to Grover Beach to ride horses last term. There were some white horses and some black and brown horses. My horse was bigger than any other horses. So I was frightened of the horse.
First, the person who works there introduced the horse to me. But I couldn't remember the name of the horse.
After that, I rode the horse. It was so frightening because it was my first time to ride a horse. And I don't like animals that are much bigger than me. So I was screaming while I was riding the horse.
Then we went to the beach with the horses. It was so beautiful. At the moment we arrived at the beach, horses began to run suddenly. I was very surprised, but I was so excited.
We had good time there. It was a good experience for me.

Informative Report
Arriving to the USA.
By Veronica Vargas COLOMBIA
If you belong to a third world country, you must be careful when you arrive to the USA. You will see many rules you haven't seen before. You will feel like the most ignorant person in the world during your first few weeks.
One thing you should know is how to take the bus.
First, you must get a map of the busses’ routes. Then you can decide which one to take. ATTENTION! Check the time of the bus arrival. If it says :15, it means that the bus will cross that bus stop every 15 minutes.
You must remember you don't have to stop the bus. It will break automatically. At that moment, you can take the bus. You will note that the bus driver won't personally receive your money. You will also see, between you and the bus driver, a strange thing that contains money. You have to put in the exact amount of money.
When you want to get off, you must do it in the right place. You just have to pull a rope that hangs across the windows and the bus will stop.
This is one example of the simplest things that you will encounter during your first few weeks. Furthermore, it only takes one time to understand, so the more you interact, the better you will feel. This is an "important tip."

Informative Report
History of Aviation
By Andres Villegas Mesa COLOMBIA
When the Wright Brothers flew for first time they never thought their discover was going to be the principal transportation system in the world.
First, the airplanes were used for private purposes. Later, postal companies started to use planes for delivering letters and boxes around the world.
In 1914, when the First World War began, the military aviation began too. The different Armies of the world had started to use airplanes in several purposes, such as recognition, transport, bombers, fighters, close support, etc. Actually, the airplane represents one of the most important roles in the weapon inventory in all the armies of the world.
In 1942, during the Second World War; the Germans showed the world turbofans airplanes, and the reaction airplane career started. Now, the majority of the world’s aircraft use the turbofan system. This era brought more airplane capacity, speed, and efficiency.
In the 50’s and 60’s, the space career started and in 1969 a man walked on the moon for the first time. Now, we have modern shuttles to bring more capacity and economics to countries.