Hayeon's Haiku

Here's another amazing piece of poetry for you to enjoy. Hayeon is a beginning level Korean student at MLI who loves to read English poetry. She recently wrote her first Haiku.


An old tree stood long
Without breath, without no leaves
A swallow come sing.


It's beautiful isn't it? There will be more great updates with poetry and pictures, so stay tuned and we'll see you soon. Aloha!

Poetry

Aloha! I'm excited to say that we have a special treat for all of you out there. Over the course of the next few blogs, we will be showcasing a few of our students and the poetry that they wrote in our classes here at the MLI.

But first, let's learn some new Pidgin! Here are a couple of words that can be used to describe something that you like a lot or that you think is great, like our students’ poetry! The word we will learn today is "mean." I bet that the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "mean" is someone who is not nice. However, it can have another completely different meaning.

Mean - Awesome, great, fantastic, amazing.
1. John: How was da concert last night?
Mike: Ho, was mean!

Translation: John: How was the concert last night?
Mike: It was amazing!

2. John: Hey I just when cook this, try try um...hows?
Mike: Ho, the buggah is mean!

Translation: John: Hey I just cooked this, can you taste it for me? How is it?
Mike: Wow, it's fantastic!

Now on to some of our “mean” poetry! Our first poet hails from Japan. He recently completed our program here at the Maui Language Institute and will continue his education at a university on Oahu. So without further ado, here's Kazuya!


My sweet hometown
I smell the warm heart in Komobuchi.
"Hello" can be heard all around.
I smile in return.
"Good bye" can be heard all around.
I come back and say "I am home" in return.

Bright English
It's too bright to see.
Still I have a desire to grab it.
Always she escapes from me.
Knowing it's hard to get.
Someday I will catch up with her.


Ho that was mean, ah? We'll be back with more Pidgin English updates and great poets soon, so stay tuned. See ya for now. Peace!

Passionately Presented Poetry...and Good Food ;)

I can't believe how quickly time goes by! We have already come to the end of another session. You know what that means right? Another one of our potluck parties of course! We were mesmerized by the entertainment provided by our talented students. We were treated to poetry readings, fun skits, and even musical performances. There was also choke food! After we feasted, there were leftovers for people to take home! (a Hawaiian practice - take one plate lunch home for to grind later.) There was everything from seafood, to soup, to homemade baked goods, to exotic desserts.

Although our potluck parties are a time for relaxing and having fun, it is also a time to say goodbye to our students who have completed our program. Although we had to say farewell to a few of our students, we are also proud of all they have accomplished. The skills that they have learned from the Maui Language Institute will continue to serve them as they pursue their life goals. Many of our students continue their education and earn degrees at English speaking colleges and universities around the world.

Pidgin English time! I have already used today's word in several of the past blogs, so this will be an easy lesson for those of you who have kept up with your Pidgin English studies.I will continue to incorporate more and more Pidgin English sentences into these blogs so you can see how Pidgin can be used in natural conversations. Keep up with these lessons and you'll be well on your way to having conversations in Pidgin English.

Shoots - OK, alright, sounds good, see ya later
1. Jack: Eh I gotta go work so I'll talk to you afta.
Jim: Shoots.

Translation:
Jack: I have to go to work now so I'll talk to you later.
Jim: Ok, see ya

Now if we combine the words you’ve learned from the last few blogs, we can build a small conversation.

John: Eh, howzit?
Mike: Howzit?
John: I stay hungry, you like go grind?
Mike: Shoots!

Translation:
John: Hey! What’s up?
Mike: What’s up?
John: I'm pretty hungry. Do you want to get something to eat?
Mike: Sure, sounds good!

I will continue to incorporate more and more Pidgin English sentences into these blogs so you can see how Pidgin can be used in natural conversations. Keep up with these lessons and you'll be well on your way to having conversations in Pidgin English. Aloha for now!