Hi, I'm new here. My name is Michelle. My user name is Laurie, but that is my...

[Laurie]

Hi, my name is Michelle. My user name is Laurie, but that is my first name. I go by my middle name Michelle. I have been a stay at home mom for 4 years and now I'm ready to extend my horizons. Before I stopped working I was a Florist, CSM, and a Manager in a Grocery store. I'm fixing to start back school in August. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I'm really wanting to better myself for my children and I, that is why I joined this site.

[Ralf]

Hi Laurie,

Your English is really good, and I can tell you've been living in America for quite a while. Where are your roots, and how do you 'want to better yourself' for your children?

All the best,

Ralf
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[Laurie]

I'm from South Carolina. I just know I have a problem with spelling sometimes and I haven't written papers in a long time. I'm not very confident with my writing. I don't believe that I remember all the rules in writing either.

I just want to make something of myself. I want to do something meaningful. Anyways, I'm going to work on being an elementary teacher. Thanks for the response.

[Ralf]

Hi Michelle,

I know that I said that 'your English is really good', but that was because I didn't check your location. I surely didn't mean to patronise you!

I'm often surprised at how good some learners write in English. You will find quite a few learners who participate in discussions on our forum.

It would be nice to see you there

Take care,

Ralf
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Maryann]

Hey to everybody! My name is Maryann and I'm really glad to join you, guys! Some words about me: I'n 23 and I'm from Ukraine. I've graduated the University of foreign languages here in Ukraine. And I consider English as my second mother tongue. Therefore my goal is to know English perfectly well!!! I've been indiscreetly sure that my level of English was "advanced", when after taking some tests it appeared to be "upper intermediate" and in some cases even "intermediate". And it's after five years of studying. It was a little disappointing to me. I definitely overdrawn my knowledge and abilities. But I'm always ready to improve myself and study as much as possible. To tell the truth I 've never communicated with native speakers, so I'm really glad to have that opportunity now.

Best wishes,

Maryann

[Ralf]

[Maryann]

Hello, Ralf. Thanx for encouraging words, I'm really very pleased. Though I've never conversed with native speakers but I often listen to the foreign music, watch movies without russian or unrainian subtitles, read mags in english and even talk to myself (when I'm alone, of course )
As to the poem you've advised me to read, Ralf, I can say the following: it looks more like a prose than a poem, but very interesting and thoughtful one. I've never read it before. We used to analyse poems and stories at the University written by English and American writers, and I really liked to look for an ulterior purpose there and share my own opinion as to the story with other students.
I was studying the Icarus story at school. And I must say that it was incredible for me to realise that the human could fly into the sky so high (though it was a myth's hero only). Analysing the picture and the poem we can clearly see that during the Icarus' falling others were busy with their daily worries of life. Seems like the death of a young man remained invisible. Yes, the life of a person was lost. But those people would never know what Icarus had gained and felt when his wings were sprouting. If I were him I think that I'd disobey my father as well and flew higher to the sun. We can only guess what he felt while flying high into the sky. The feelings of freedom, closeness to God, weightlessness... I think that such death is worthy of life. I'm sure that Icarus was happy and he'd never changed those minutes to anything else. Maybe he was scared and didn't want to die... but he was happy at the same time.
That's my opinion and I was glad to share it with you, Ralf. I'd like to know what you think about it as well. Hope you won't be bored with my writings

P.S. I'm opened to critics, if you have any.

Regards,

Maryann