По просьбе Alpine показываю английский вариант письма. Но должна сразу сказать, что этот вариант я не делала сама.
Мой aнглийский вариант накрылся в почти готовом виде... Детвора нечаянно выдернули шнур компа. На лаптопе это бы прошло нормально... но я работала на обычном в этот раз.
Я попросила Серегу Л и он мне перевел русский вариант. Я думаю учитель малость обалдел, какое письмо я получила от него после этого...
An old saying says: "the truth is born in dispute". These words
are the best description, of what was happening in our class during the
semester. Class English 110 was the first serious English course I've
ever had. Visiting ESL class before, I knew that all the students were
foreigners, just like me, and English wasn't their native language;
having started this course I found myself in the atmosphere of native
speakers, that shocked me a bit in the very beginning.

I was and I'm still pleasantly surprised with the solidity of the
course, teacher's ability to carry the main idea throughout the lessons.
That were thought and dispute on "advantages and limitations" in the
beginning, when we were thinking and analysing ourselves, our natures, our
behaviour. It was a first timid step into ourselves, first attempt to
understand ourselves and answer the questions: "who am I?", "what am I
leaving for?", "how am I living?", "what am I doing to become better?",
"what are my weaknesses and strong points?"; and, finally, making up a
personal essay on this topic, summing up the first stage of our
self-perception. It was interesting for me to write this essay for two reasons.
First, I had never thought about that question before, and I
was surprised to find that I really had something to say about it.
Second, it wasn't easy for me to write it in English. Sometimes I had to write it in Russian and then translate it into English. The
teacher will now sigh and say: "Why? Didn't I ask you to write and think in
English?"

My dear teacher, I tried to do my best!! But unfortunately I didn't
always succeed. I would like to thank you for your remarks and
advice. It was also very important for me to work with the tutor in the
writing center. This lovely girl was always glad to help me to find my
own mistakes myself, check the structure of sentences, and what's most
important, improve my English skills.

As a harmonious continuation of the started work we had discussions on
the literature we had read (A Clack of Tiny Sparks: Remembrance of a Gay Boyhood” , “Homeboy” and others), that emphasised the idea that every person has his own identity, regardless his beliefs, race, and social status.

The film "Do The Right Thing" was one of the most uncomfortable movie
experiences I've ever had. I didn't understand much after I had seen it for the first time, and it was noticed in students' reviews of my first draft. I had to watch it a few
times to fully understand it and think about the characters. My experience of reviews and criticism from other students was very interesting and I haven't met it before. It was always interesting for me to know, what other students think and write on the same topic. It's very useful, because you can take into account the things that you've probably forgotten to write in your work in others' works, or point out the mistakes
made by another student. I'm very sorry, that my language limited my
ability to do this work. I'm very grateful to Patricia, Aaron, Kristy, Dawood, Ed, Sarah and Khalid, that wrote their reviews on my works. I would like to take off my head to them for their courage and patience.

So, let's return to the debates. I can not debate. I can never find the
right arguments or words in the right moment to persuade the opponent, that I'm right, and it usually happens so that I prefer to listen, watch and analyze. Nevertheless I'm happy, that in those rare moments, when I wanted to say my word I could always do
it. Our discussions were interesting with their unexpectedness, opinions of people from different cultures, various ideas and personal experience.

I have to say that I don't like to talk about politics. I'm quite an
apolitical person, but when the country starts a military action, you
can't just stand aside, no mater what you wish. My work on the latest
Research Paper helped me to look at the war in Iraq with other people's
eyes. Just the fact that I would have to come to another district and
talk with the people I hadn't met before was a bit frightening for me.
Moreover, to talk about the war. I usually think that violence always
leads to more violence, but it turned out that many people don't think
this way. Aaron's help was very valuable to me, because he lives in that
district and knows the people, I talked with...

I would like to say, that I'm very happy to complete this course, that
was both difficult and helpful to me. I'm happy that I found new ways
of thinking and new ways of writing. I'm happy to have the experience
I've gained, to meet the people I've studied with, and the knowledge I've
received during the course.

************************
Ну и письмо учителя, когда он это все прочитал ...

Elena,

Very impressive! What prevented you from producing this caliber of work
during the term? You remain focused, develop your ideas within an
organized structure, and show an amazing improvement in grammar. Wonderful!

I haven't finalized your grade yet, but you'll definitely pass this
course. Good luck in your future academic endeavors.

Naveed


По моему я сдала английский за этот курс... Ущипните меня, может я сплю??