Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Fabiola from Argentina. Fabiola wanted to learn English, attend an American university, and make many American friends. Fabiola’s dream came true when she applied, won the Green Card Lottery, and moved to the United States for a better life.
She left Buenos Aires, Argentina, hoping that her life in California, USA, would be successful and satisfied. Her parents were sad to see her leave but gave her money for school and to pay for an apartment and other living expenses. She decided to move to Cypress, California, where she heard she could take English as a Second Language classes for free at night through North Orange Community Education, part of North Orange County Community College District.
Fabiola attended ESL class every night and practiced English with the help of her English teacher and her classmates. Fabiola was surprised to find that her English skills were improving at a very fast pace.
She loved the fast-paced nature of ESL class and how much fun she had meeting new people. Fabiola’s classmates were also surprised to see how quickly she could learn English and always made friends easily. She felt very comfortable in the ESL classroom and would often bring snacks or drink into class. Her friends enjoyed her friendly attitude and ensured she felt welcome. Fabiola had lots of fun hanging out with her classmates and often invited them to her apartment after class. Fabiola’s English teacher was Maestro Sersea, who enjoyed teaching English and helping students feel welcome in class. He encouraged Fabiola to improve her English so she could enroll in a university and work on her Bachelor’s degree.
Fabiola practiced every day after school until she had finished the entire ESL course. Fabiola stayed at North Orange Community College District because she was really happy with the ESL class, and Maestro Sersea was a very nice teacher. She would come to ESL class every night, felt very comfortable, and made lots of friends. Her English improved quickly, and she was ready to enroll in a college’s Associate of Arts degree.
Maestro Sersea also helped her prepare for the TOEFL exam. After a couple of months, Fabiola was ready to take the TOEFL exam and was happy when she got a high score. She was very confident that she would get a high score because she studied hard for the exam and could do many things that she could not before. Maestro Sersea, the teacher who helped her prepare for the test, gave her tips and advice that she used during the exam, and she practiced the speaking section of the test with her friends to improve her speaking skills.
Fabiola attended Cypress College, part of North Orange County Community College District, for two years and earned an Associate’s degree in English Language and Literature. She was able to attend classes at Cal State Fullerton, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. During this time, she also worked full-time at a nearby fast-food restaurant, where she enjoyed serving food to customers and making them feel welcome.
Fabiola was happy that she could make a living and have the opportunity to get a degree while working. Fabiola received lots of encouragement from her professors, who told her she would do well in college and graduate with a degree. After she graduated from college, she worked as an English teacher at a private ESL school. She loved helping her students improve their English skills to succeed in the United States and find good jobs.
Fabiola is currently a certified English teacher at a public school. She teaches students struggling with English and is dedicated to helping them learn to speak English better to succeed. She feels very fortunate to be able to help others learn English and makes sure to stay positive, optimistic, and encouraging when teaching them.
Fabiola has plans to attend law school to help other immigrants become successful in America and also hopes to become an immigration lawyer. She wants to be able to help people who have struggled with language or have been discriminated against because of their race or ethnic background. Fabiola believes she can do well in law school and law practice because she is passionate about helping others and improving the world.
Fabiola’s parents are happy that she is pursuing her passion for education. They feel proud of her accomplishments and want her to go on and do more with her life. Fabiola hopes her story can inspire other students to study hard and follow their dreams.
English Learners, what did you think of this story? What did you like, and what did you want to be different? How would you continue this story? Add your insights in the comments section below.
Activity: Multiple-Choice Questions
Directions: Please take out a sheet of paper or use your notebook to write your answers. Once you write your answers on your paper, please review the answer key below.
- Based on the passage, why did Fabiola move to Cypress, California?
A) She wanted to attend North Orange Community College District.
B) She wanted to live in a warmer climate.
C) She wanted to be closer to her parents.
D) She heard Cypress was a popular city for immigrants. - What does the phrase “English as a Second Language” mean in the passage?
A) Learning English is the second most important language.
B) Learning English is a secondary skill.
C) Learning English is an additional language for non-native speakers.
D) Learning English is a difficult language to master. - How did Fabiola improve her English skills?
A) She practiced every day after school.
B) She attended classes at Cal State Fullerton.
C) She took the TOEFL exam.
D) She worked as an English teacher at a private ESL school. - Which of the following best describes Maestro Sersea’s role in Fabiola’s journey?
A) He was her roommate in California.
B) He was her English teacher in Argentina.
C) He helped her prepare for the TOEFL exam.
D) He was her boss at the fast food restaurant. - Why did Fabiola decide to become an English teacher?
A) She wanted to make a living while pursuing her passion for education.
B) She enjoyed serving food to customers at the fast food restaurant.
C) She wanted to help struggling students improve their English skills.
D) She wanted to become an immigration lawyer. - What is Fabiola’s ultimate goal for her future?
A) To attend law school and become an immigration lawyer.
B) To inspire other students to study hard and follow their dreams.
C) To become a certified English teacher at a public school.
D) To pursue a career in literature and writing. - How did Fabiola’s parents feel about her pursuing her passion of education?
A) They were proud of her accomplishments.
B) They were disappointed in her choices.
C) They wanted her to become a doctor instead.
D) They were worried about her financial stability. - What is the main theme of the passage?
A) The importance of learning English as a second language.
B) The challenges and successes of an immigrant student.
C) The benefits of attending North Orange Community College District.
D) The role of teachers in helping students achieve their goals. - Which word best describes Fabiola’s attitude towards learning English?
A) Ambivalent
B) Resistant
C) Eager
D) Apathetic - What can be inferred about Fabiola’s experience in the ESL class?
A) She struggled to make friends with her classmates.
B) She found the class boring and unchallenging.
C) She felt comfortable and enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the class.
D) She disliked her English teacher, Maestro Sersea. - How did Fabiola feel about her English skills after completing the ESL course?
A) She felt frustrated and overwhelmed.
B) She felt proud of her progress and improvement.
C) She felt indifferent and uninterested.
D) She felt discouraged and wanted to quit. - What is the purpose of the TOEFL exam mentioned in the passage?
A) To test Fabiola’s English proficiency.
B) To determine Fabiola’s eligibility for law school.
C) To evaluate Fabiola’s teaching abilities.
D) To assess Fabiola’s knowledge of literature. - Why did Fabiola decide to work full time while attending college?
A) She wanted to gain work experience in the fast food industry.
B) She needed to support herself financially.
C) She wanted to challenge herself and prove her abilities.
D) She didn’t enjoy being a student and preferred working. - How did Fabiola’s professors at college support her?
A) They discouraged her from pursuing a degree.
B) They provided her with financial assistance.
C) They encouraged her and believed in her abilities.
D) They criticized her for her career choices. - What is the main message that Fabiola hopes to convey through her story?
A) The importance of pursuing one’s passion and dreams.
B) The challenges of being an immigrant in America.
C) The benefits of attending college and earning a degree.
D) The significance of learning English as a second language.
Answer Key:
- A
- C
- A
- C
- C
- A
- A
- B
- C
- C
- B
- A
- B
- C
- A
Fabiola’s Academic and Hello, Hind from Iraq,
Fabiola’s Academic and professional success.
She was. Young woman from Argentina and she applied and won the Green Card Lottery and obtain her dream to attend an American university to learn English for better life.
She left Buenos Aires hoping that her life in California . Her parents were sad to see her leave , but gave her money for school and to pay for an apartment and other living expenses.
She decided to move to Cypress while she could take English as a second language class to free at night.
She attended ESP class every night and practiced English with the help of her English teacher and other classmate while English skills were improving at a very fast pace.
She earned Bachelors degree in English .
During this time , she also worked full time at a nearby fast food restraint where she enjoyed serving food to customers.
She graduated from collage , she worked as an English teacher at a private ESL school. She loved helping her students improve their English skill , so they could be successful in USA and find good jobs.
She certified English teacher at public school.
She feels very fortunate to be able to help others learn English and makes sure to stay positive optimistic and encouraging when teaching them.
she has plants to attend law school to help other immigrants in America and also hopes to become an immigration lawyer. She believes that she can do well in law school and law practice because she is passionate about helping other and making the world a batter.
Her parents are happy , proud of her accomplishments .
She hopes that her story can inspire other students to study hard and follow their dream .
1-struggle story.
2-a dream we strive to achieve according to the available circumstances .
3- a brave ambitions woman.
4-we strive to achieve the goal , if we do not win the lottery , you can apply for scholarship.
Hello everyone,
Fabiola is an immigrant who has chance to go to the United States of America after getting a green card lottery. She works very hard and become a great teacher there. She studied English and receive great graduate. She was helped with her professor Maestro Sursea. She helped others to improve their English people, she also helped people who have struggled with language or have been discriminated against their race or ethnic background. She is passionated about helping others to learn English and making the world a better place.
Greetings Maestro Sersea
I think that Fabiola is a fortunete person because their parent could help her to pay its scholar expenseves. I liked his good attitude, to share with his classmates and as a result she made new friends in the United State, after that she got a job in a restaurant then she acheived his American Dream she gain a degree in languague and got a job in a public school as a teacher, after that she studied laws I think that it would be fantastic if she could help to many inmigrant that are requiring help and improve its situation. So the story might have an interesting continuerion.
This is inspiring and hopeful for me, I wish this happen for everyone who desires and tried every day to learn English since it is said that water droplets do not pierce the rock by their strength but by their constancy.
It is good that you have completed your studies. And she was a very smart girl I have to admit and very ambitious. And I like this concept of a smart woman, she’s a very good example to follow.
Fabiola’s life shows something very typical of America. The more we learn, the more we do, and the better our life will be. That is very different from dictator countries, where relatives of leaders usurp all the interests of others.
This history is good because inspire the people follow their dream, i think.
Also she proposed something and was aware of what she wanted.
I believe that we can all achieve it if we really want it.
One thing that a learn from Fabiola is Never give up even if is not our language we can do it, we can learn that language and work hard to make our dream came true.
I think that Fabiola was very lucky to be able to study and live and achieve her dreams, not all people have the same luck.
We all come to the United States, with a dream, and although it is difficult to achieve it, there is hard work.
I came Unted States 3 years ago because for mi age (55) in Mexico I am old and is very difficult to find a good job with a good salary.
When I came, I only wanted to earn enough money to send to my sons in Mexico and for living here.
After this time, now my goal is to create my own business in order I can bring my sons to work with me I save money in order to be able to come back Mexico for my retirement.
This kind of histories make feel me that it is possible to do.
Fabiola thanks to her effort was able to learn English and graduate in the language, from the beginning she showed a positive attitude not only with her classes but also with her companions, now her parents feel very proud of her.
Fabiola is a great example that with perseverance, study and work you can achieve dreams
The same every day we see stories of overcoming that should motivate us if we can meet our goals.
I really liked her story of Fabiola because it made her parents proud to know that she is studying and fulfilling her dreams.
i think about Fabiola is very perseverant in everything that she wants.
She left Argentina to learn and teaches language English.
I like when she earned bachelor’s degree in English.
She is helping each other’s to get their goals.
after that I like about her, she wants to improve, and she is going to be successful
She should come true her dream. If she will not stop pursue her dream.