ESL perspectives

Yesterday my listening speaking level 4 students had their midterm exam (or at least part of it. I've been cursed of recent with the MOST horrible unsolvable technological problems. And our department tech guy is out of town. As usual). Part of the their exam was an oral interview where they were asked their opinions on the following questions:

1. Do you like/dislike President Obama? Why?
2. What is the biggest issue Americans have to deal with today?
3. What can Americans do to improve their relationships with foreigners.

Most students liked Obama. One girl from Tajikistan said she liked him even though he was black. Even though? She was quite surprised that a black man could amass that much power and then end up elected and a good president. One Korean didn't like him because he is black. One Mexican liked him because he is black and his parents were immigrants, just like her. Because the Koreans usually have no idea who is president in their own country, they had even less of an idea about ours. Case in point: a few semesters ago we were discussing American government vs other forms of governments, and none of the 12 (South) Koreans in the class could tell me if they vote for a president or if the military is in control of their country or if they have a divinely chosen reincarnated king...

America's biggest issue is either dishonesty, laziness, or the economy. Ooo, and housing costs. Houses should be cheap for all! One girl thinks the recession is due to people watching too much cable tv instead of getting a job.

Americans can improve relationships with foreigners by "hanging out." Or by not giving the Koreans mean looks when the Koreans try to speak and you have no idea what gibberish just came out of their mouths. Or by being 100% blunt: if you think it, say it (Unsurprisingly, this came from an Armenian student..remember the wrinkle comment?). Being blunt would solve social, economic, and military problems. But, as this girl has noticed, it might not get her an American boyfriend.

I really love my students.