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The Voice of Our ESL Students: Building Friendships, exploring culture, and Coming Together.
Read up on Mrs. Musaeva's ESL class creative writing pieces illustrating the stuggles and triumphs of learning a English as a second language.
The strength of friendship in overcoming tough moments at school.
School is the place where you go to learn. It is also a place where you can feel really sad or upset. Students have to deal with a lot of things like tests, busy schedules or problems with their friends. When these things happen it is very helpful to have friends who care about you. Friends help you feel better and keep going.
The first reason why friends are so important is that they understand you. Friend are going through the things as you so they know how you feel when you fail test or get stressed out. When a friend says they understand you feel like you are not alone. This makes you feel brave enough to try
Friends also help you by making you happy and taking your mind off things. When school gets too serious or stressful a friend can tell you a joke. Talk about something fun. Laughing with your friends helps you feel better. Reminds you that there is more to life than just school. A good laugh with a friend can make a day much better.
Friends also help each other with their problems. If you do not understand something in class a friend can explain it to you. If you are having trouble, with someone a friend can give you advice. By helping each other you learn how to work and care about each other. These are things to learn and they will stay with you forever.
In the end school can be a place but friends make it easier. Friends give you the support you need to get through the times. Having a friend who really cares about you is the way to get through school and do well. School and friends are parts of your life and friends make school a better place.
A New Chapter Begins: My First Day in Canada
A New Chapter Begins: My First Day in Canada
Stepping into my first class in Canada was a whirlwind of overwhelming excitement and nervous anticipation. The school itself felt like a vast maze, filled with endless hallways and classrooms that were much larger than anything I had expected. Because English was a challenge for me, I often found myself straining to catch every word, feeling a bit lost as the lessons moved forward. However, I stayed focused by observing my classmates and following their lead. To my surprise, I discovered a vibrant, international community; seeing so many students from different parts of the world made me realize that I wasn’t alone in my journey to adjust. By the time the final bell rang, I was still a little nervous, but mostly I felt an immense sense of pride. I had successfully navigated my first day, marking the courageous start of an incredible new chapter in my life.
The Loudest Silence
Imagine sitting in a classroom where everyone is speaking, but you are too nervous to say a single word. Imagine living in a place full of people, yet still feeling alone. For many ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, this is a real experience.
Moving to a new country can feel like entering a completely different world. It is exciting, but also overwhelming at times. Canada is known for being diverse and welcoming, with people from many cultures and backgrounds. Even so, adjusting to life here is not always easy, especially when language, culture, and social life feel new and unfamiliar.
One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier. Even if someone has studied English for years, speaking it in everyday situations can still feel uncomfortable. Simple things like ordering food or asking for directions can become stressful. In class, students may feel nervous about making mistakes, so they stay quiet even when they have something to say. Over time, this can affect their confidence, even though they are capable and learning. Some students may even avoid participating in activities, which can make learning slower and more frustrating.
People also have different feelings about living in Canada. Some truly enjoy it. They appreciate the safety, the clean environment, and the opportunities for education and work. Canada’s diversity allows people to experience many cultures in one place, from food to festivals to languages.
However, not everyone feels at home right away. The cold weather can be difficult, especially for those coming from warmer countries. Life in busy cities can sometimes feel lonely and fast-paced. Many newcomers miss their home country, their families, and their traditions. Celebrations and holidays may not feel the same. It is completely normal to have both positive and negative feelings during this time.
Another common challenge is making friends. It can be hard to start conversations when you are not confident in your English. Some people worry about saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood. Others may feel left out when they see groups of friends who already know each other. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, even in a crowded and diverse place. Sometimes, cultural differences in humor, communication style, or behavior can also make it harder to connect.
Despite these challenges, there are ways to move forward. Practicing English regularly can help build confidence step by step. Speaking, even with small mistakes, is an important part of learning. Joining clubs, sports teams, or community activities is a great way to meet new people in a natural and comfortable setting. Volunteering or joining school events can also help students feel more included.
It also helps to remember that many others are going through similar experiences. You are not alone in feeling this way. Making the first move, even something as simple as saying “hi” or asking a question, can lead to real and meaningful friendships over time.
In the end, adjusting to a new country takes time. It does not happen overnight. There will be challenges, but there will also be growth. With patience, effort, and support, ESL learners can grow more confident, build strong connections, and slowly feel at home in Canada. Everyone’s journey is different, but finding a place to belong is always possible.
The impact of technology and AI on education: Advantages and disadvantage
Have you ever thought about how technology and AI is changing ESL students in school today? At St. Pius, many students use phones, computers, translate apps, and AI tools every day in class. Technology helps ESL students practice English, but too much AI can make students lose their own thinking skills, and some students also depend on cheating and translation instead of learning by themself. ESL students should only use technology and AI to help practice English, not to translate everything or do all their school work for them. Wait, let me explain why I think this.
At St. Pius, many ESL students feel nervous and shy when they first come to school. I also feel like that sometimes because speaking a new language can feel scary and stressful. When I first came, I always thought it was only me with a language barrier, and I felt like I don’t know even a single word and my accent is very bad, and I felt very insecure about English. I put myself in a position like I am the only one struggling, but after some time I start to see other students too. I can see other ESL students trying to speak English even when it is not their language, and I understand they also feel the same fear and stress as me. This makes me feel less alone. I see how students speak and struggle and it inspires me and motivates me to keep trying. In my ESL class, my teacher is Mrs. Musaeva. She always encourages us to practice English and participate more in class. She makes the classroom feel like a second home where we can try, talk, and learn without feeling judged. Sometimes learning English feels like trying to survive in the middle of a big storm, but her support helps students stay strong and continue speaking.
Every time I leave this class, I feel like I learn something new that helps me talk more, even small things make a difference in my language because language is what helps me communicate in life. Without communication, I feel like I could become someone who isolates themself from others and stays alone. After ESL class, I feel more motivated to speak English and try even if I make mistakes, and the ESL program at St. Pius helps students with language barriers a lot.
In the future, ESL students need good English and thinking skills to reach their dream careers, but cheating can stop them from getting there. Many students want jobs like doctor, teacher, or business work, but these jobs need real learning and real practice. Some ESL students also pretend they need translation in every class, even when they understand a little English. They take pictures, use translation apps, and get answers instead of trying by themself, and this becomes a habit of cheating instead of learning. If students keep cheating in high school and do not use their brain, later they can feel very scared when real work comes, because they will not know how to do homework or solve problems by themself. In college or university it becomes even harder, because there is no cheating and teachers expect real work. It is like not studying for a test and then trying to pass it, it will be very hard and stressful. Dream jobs are not something AI can give, students need to earn it step by step with their own work.
Communication is also very important in life, and if ESL students do not practice English and always depend on cheating or translation, it will be very bad for them in the future when they need to speak and work in real situations. That is why ESL students need to try their best, use their brain, and not depend only on cheating or AI.
In conclusion, technology and AI can help ESL students a lot, but students should not depend on them for everything. ESL students need to practice their own English skills so they can prepare for college, university, and future jobs. At St. Pius High School, teachers and ESL classes help students grow stronger little by little, like flowers growing after rain. It helps me a lot in my life. That’s all.
Thank You!
Beyond the Textbook
Walking into school was scary. Everything was so big and loud. My biggest problem was the noise, with so many people talking at once, I couldn't understand anything. I felt like I was in a movie with no subtitles. I was afraid to ask for help because I didn't want to make a mistake.
When I arrived, I was so tired but also excited. Canada looked like a picture from a book. It was beautiful, but I felt confused. Even though I studied English before, the way people talk in real life is different. They use short words and speak very quickly. I had to ask people to "slow down" many times.
The hardest part is when words have two meanings. In my language, things are simple, but in English, one word can mean many things depending on how you say it. Sometimes I would say something that I thought was right, but people looked at me funny. I learned that I have to listen to the feeling of the word, not just the translation.
Slowly, I started to understand the teachers. I learned that the school here is more relaxed than my old school. The teachers want us to participate and ask questions. Now, I am not as shy. I am getting used to the nature of the school and the fast pace of life in Canada. It is still hard to be away from my home, but I am finding my way here.
From Haiti to Canada Finding Friendship and a Second Home
From Haiti to Canada Finding Friendship and a Second Home
Max.Grey Leger
Max.Grey Leger
Moving to a new country always sounds amazing at first. In movies, schools look perfect: students speaking English like its the easiest thing ever, giant hallways, lockers slamming every two seconds, and everybody looking cool for absolutely no reason. It almost feels like becoming the main character of a Netflix series. But reality? Completely different. For a teenager coming from Haiti, the first day in Canada felt less like a movie and more like surviving a side quest nobody prepared him for. Growing up in Haiti was not always easy because of insecurity, power outages, and difficult situations, but despite everything, Haiti was still home for him. If things were safer there, he probably would have never left.
Moving to a new country always sounds amazing at first. In movies, schools look perfect: students speaking English like its the easiest thing ever, giant hallways, lockers slamming every two seconds, and everybody looking cool for absolutely no reason. It almost feels like becoming the main character of a Netflix series. But reality? Completely different. For a teenager coming from Haiti, the first day in Canada felt less like a movie and more like surviving a side quest nobody prepared him for. Growing up in Haiti was not always easy because of insecurity, power outages, and difficult situations, but despite everything, Haiti was still home for him. If things were safer there, he probably would have never left.
When he first arrived in Quebec City, the cold attacked him instantly. The temperature was only around 4 or 10 degrees, but for him it felt like Canada was trying to personally eliminate him. He wore three sweaters, two pairs of pants, gloves, and a giant coat like he was about to fight a polar bear. Meanwhile, Canadians were outside wearing hoodies saying stuff like “Wow nice weather today.” At that moment he understood something very important: Canadians are not normal. After staying with his uncle for a few days, he finally started school at St. Pius. His father told him to work hard and not waste the opportunity. Simple advice. But honestly, the first day looked like he entered the wrong building by accident. Everybody walked confidently through the hallways while he stood there holding his backpack like a lost customer inside IKEA.
The vice-principal started speaking English during orientation, and after about thirty seconds his brain basically gave up. He was standing there smiling and nodding while secretly understanding maybe 12% of the conversation. Since he was naturally shy, talking to people felt difficult. In class, whenever teachers asked him questions, he nodded like one of those dashboard dogs in cars. One time he even said “yes” to a question he didn't understand at all, and five seconds later everybody started laughing while he was still trying to figure out what happened. During breaks, most students played soccer or laughed with friends while he stayed outside with his headphones listening to music. Spotify and his earbuds became his best friends before actual humans did. He walked around school like a NPC in a video game waiting for somebody to unlock his storyline.
But slowly, things started changing. Friendship was what really changed everything. At first, making friends looked impossible because of his shyness, but little by little people started talking to him. Sometimes it started with a random joke, a soccer game, or somebody asking him something simple in class. Real friends made stressful moments easier. During presentations, his friends would stand in the back making the dumbest faces possible just to make him laugh. Trying to stay serious while your friend looks like a confused pigeon behind the teacher is almost impossible. Of course, friends can also be annoying. They steal fries without asking, roast each other for no reason, and somehow turn every serious moment into comedy. But honestly, thats what made school fun. Without those friendships, he probably would have stayed the quiet student walking around alone pretending to text somebody during breaks.
Today, after about a year and a half in Canada, things are much different now. He can communicate more easily, understand conversations better, and actually feel comfortable around people. He still considers himself shy, but not the same level as before. Now he spends time going out, laughing, playing sports, and making memories with friends who slowly became like a second family. One thing he really loves is when people say things like “Yo bro, I missed you” after not seeing him for a while. Those small moments matters a lot more than people think. Being a new student in another country is not easy because there is fear, loneliness, and many awkward moments. But with time, patience, and the right people around you, even a place that once felt completely foreign can slowly start feeling like home.
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