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Wichita Area Sister Cities |
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Pen Friends On October 15, 2004 I traveled to China for a one week visit of our sister city of Kaifeng, during their Chrysanthemum Festival. One day we visited Number 5 Middle School in Kaifeng, which is a combination Middle School and High School. I was given one hundred and eleven (111) letters from students who want to have pen-friends in the Wichita area. These students are ages 15 to 17, who have studied English about 3 or 4 years. As expected their grammar is not the best, but they are able to get their message across. Sometimes they use words that we would not, such as "I am a sunny boy". This means, bright and cheerful.
Most letters tell the reader that they are in the second grade and are 16 or 17 years old. That means they are in the second year of three years of high school. They attend classes Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and sometimes on Saturday. They are being taught British English, therefore some of the words are spelled differently, and some phrases may be unfamiliar to us, but the message is loud is clear. They want pen friends in America and they want help with their English.
Although they live in a country that is foreign to American teenagers, they share the same hopes and dreams. Some students love music and sports, some hate dancing and singing but enjoy listening to music. Some play guitars, most are an only child because that is the law of their government, due to the over population of China. Many of the students play ping-pong because that is the national sport of China. Some write about the "Moon Festival", some want to know about our holidays.
Each of these students are eager to receive letters from American teenagers. Here is a small sampling of the letters I have received. If you would like an opportunity to have a pen-friend in Kaifeng, China, please contact me at peggy@wichitasistercities.org
Dear Friend: I am Wang Long who is a sixteen years old boy. I like making friends with you. I never go abroad, and I really to know something about your everyday life in America. I think you also want to know more about China, don't you? I love basketball very much, though I am not very high but my basketball ability is very good. I like NBA very much. I also like English songs. Rickey Martin, do you like him? Do you want keep in touch with me? Then you can write a letter as soon as possible to my school. You can also call me by 0378-255..... in the evening. 2004-9-27, tomorrow is the Mid-autumn festival in China. You can see the round moon. It is very beautiful. Oh good wishes for you! Give me your address by letter, then I can write to you again. Bye!
Dear Friend: Hello, my name is Liu Da Long. I'm 16 years old. I'm glad to meet you. I'm busy in studying, but I want to play when Sunday. I often play football, basketball with my friends. I also like playing computer. Do you like playing this? If you like, please reply as fast as you can. We can discuss about this. When you are here, I will let you play computer with me, and without any money. I'm not good at English. If I make some mistakes you can tell me. I'll thank for you. I know the American is a very rich country. There must be a lot of interesting things. Could you tell me something interesting things? You can call me. Thank you, Lin Da Long
Introduction of Myself, Hello, this is a Chinese boy who named Wang Meng that is writing to you. I'm a Grade two student from No. 5 Middle School. Until yesterday afternoon, when my teacher said that we can make friends with the students which come from American I was very happy. First of all, I want to tell you my hobby is eating, even though I'm not fat. And I'm also very interested in playing computer, singing songs and so on. Oh, my god. I really almost forgot to tell you my age. I'm 17 year old. If you want to connect with me, please remember writing to me.
Hello, My name is Zheng Long. I'm a seventeen boy. I like reading imaginary books, such as "The King of Kings". I like playing TV games and GBA games. No matter who you are, I want to make friends with you. Wherever you are, I will be right here waiting for you. Yours Sincerely, Zhang Long
Introduction of Myself Hello! I'm a boy. I'm 16 years old. My name is Lin Zhen. I'm in No. 5 High School Kaifeng in the Henan Province. My favourite sport is basketball. I like the NBA very much. I also like the NBA stars such as Jordon, Iverson and so on. Do you like them? When I have a chance to American, I must watch the NBA. If you want to make friends with me, you should call me up. My home's phone is 0378-59..... Bye
Introduction of Myself, Yesterday our teacher told us that we could make friends with Americans. We feld very happy. My name is Tian Miao. I am sixteen years old. I studied in No. 5 Middles school, and I have been studied here two years. I like reading novels and drawing pictures. And I come from a family of four peoples. I want to make friends with you. Yours, Tian Miao
Let's be Friends, Hello! My name is Wang Bin. You can call me Bin. I'm seeking a pen friend abroad from another language spoken country. Do you feel the same? "We gain new life by new contacts and new friends". It was said by a friend of mine. Everything has a beginning. At first I will tell you stuff about myself. I have a lot of likes. I feel like listening to music to end up the whole busy day. Everyday is the same. Back Street Boys is a good band but Jay in our hometown is the best forever in my heart. Dispite the languages in the world are different, the spirits and passions of the songs are all the same. China is a great country, even though she is not developed as USA. But I think that opportunity always shows favouritism to well-trained persons. It goes for a nation too. Isn't it? Yours, Wang Bin
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