Will Maria Stay in the United States or Be Sent Back to Her Country?

REALIA

3 years ago

Will Maria Stay in the United States or Be Sent Back to Her Country?

Learn English while listening to REAL programs, stories, news, books, and articles. This listening, “On the Brink of Separation,” comes to us from StoryCorps.

What is this story about?

Today we are going to listen to a story about a mother and daughter. The mother, Maria, might be deported back to El Salvador. She has lived in the United States for almost 20 years on a temporary visa called TPS (Temporary Protected Status). Her children were born here, and she and her family made a life for themselves in the U.S. The visa allowed her to stay in the United States legally, but they don’t know if their visas will be extended. Listen to Maria and her daughter, Emily, talk about what it is like to face deportation. Will they be deported, or will they be allowed to continue their lives in the United States? Complete the warm-up below, and then click on the listening to find out.

Before you listen…

Before you start, take this personality test to see how well you connect with Maria and Emily’s story. This will teach you new words and help you prepare for the listening.

<section><h2><h2><strong>Do you agree or disagree?</strong></h2></h2><p></p><p>Before listening, think about these 5 questions and decide if you agree or disagree with the following statements.</p></section><section><h2><h2 class="ql-align-center"><strong>You relate to many of the events in Maria and Emily’s story! </strong></h2></h2><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p></p><h2>You understand that it would be hard to leave your family and your country. You may even know someone who has left their country because of unsafe conditions. Likewise, you keep your promises. :+1:</h2><h2><br></h2><h2>Find out their real story by clicking on “On The Brink of Separation” below.</h2></section><section><h3><h2 class="ql-align-center"><strong>You don’t relate to all of the details of their story!</strong></h2></h3><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p></p><h2>Even though you can’t fully relate right now, you will understand more about what Maria and Emily are going through after you hear them tell their story. You might even change your mind about a question or two . :grinning:</h2><p><br></p><h2>Find out their real story by clicking on, “On The Brink Of Separation” below.</h2></section><section><h2><h2><strong>I know someone who is scared of being <u>deported</u>. </strong></h2></h2><p><br></p><p>*Deported- forced to leave a country</p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>If I lived in a place for 20 years, it would feel like my home. </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2><strong>It would be <u>devastating</u> to be separated from my family. </strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>*Devastating- very difficult; traumatic; overwhelming</p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>If people are in unsafe conditions due to a <u>natural disaster</u> or <u>armed conflict</u>, they should be allowed to leave their country. </strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>*natural disasters- tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanos etc…</p><p>*armed conflict- an event such as war</p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>I try to only <u>make promises</u> that I can keep. </strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>*Make a promise- Tell someone that you can definitely do something, and then do it.</p></section>

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Listen to Maria’s story…

Study Tips!

Listen to the audio. You may want to take notes if it doesn’t interfere with your comprehension. In general, focus on the main ideas and key points of the listening segment.
Are there questions you missed or parts you didn’t understand? Go back and listen to where each question is located in the audio and/or read the transcript. (see quiz below).

Listen until 6:15 (six minutes and fifteen seconds) to take the quiz.

transcript

Take the quiz…

<section><h2><h2 class="ql-align-center"><strong>How much did you understand? Find out now!</strong></h2></h2><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p></p><h2>Take the 9 question quiz below. If your answer is incorrect, no worries! You can always go back and 1) Listen to the audio segment noted on the question, or 2) Read the transcript. It’s a win-win situation:+1:</h2></section><section><h2><h2><strong>Emily’s mother only knew a little English when she arrived in the U.S. How did she learn English? </strong></h2></h2><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 1:45 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>True or False: Emily was very upset when she found out that the TPS (Temporary Protected Status) program might end.</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 2:15 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Did Maria promise Emily that everything would be okay?</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 2:40 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>True of False: The mother is most afraid of going back to her country. </strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p>(<em>Tip- Find this answer at 2:50 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What is the daughter scared of? (Choose 2 Answers)</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 3:13 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What are Maria’s hopes for the future? (Choose 2 Answers)</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip-Find this answer at 3:39 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>One year later, they called Emily to find out what it was like to have her story on the radio. How did Emily feel?</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 4:23 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>What <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">compliment</span> does she give her mother? </strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>*Compliment- praise or nice thing</p><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 4:51 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>The big question on everyone’s mind….Did Maria get deported?</strong></h2></h3><p><br></p><p><em>(Tip- Find this answer at 5:29 on the audio.)</em></p></section><section><h2><h2 class="ql-align-center"><br></h2><h2 class="ql-align-center"><strong>Great job! You took the first step just by DOING it! :blush:</strong></h2></h2><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p></p><h2><br></h2><h2>If you did well, <span data-amp-original-style="text-decoration:underline;" class="amp-wp-69ded7c">give yourself a pat on the back!</span> Even if you didn’t do as well as you’d have like; don’t worry, just by listening and interacting with English, you are acquiring new words, sentence structures and sounds that you didn’t know before.</h2><h2><br></h2><h2>By listening to English regularly, you’ll understand more and more and be able to USE it faster than you think!! You can’t go wrong with that 😉</h2><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>*Give yourself a pat on the back- Congratulate yourself for doing a good job!</p><p><br></p><h2>Tips for further learning:</h2><p><br></p><h2>1) Practice the Grammar and Vocabulary found in this listening in the “Grammar Flash” and Word Corner” below.</h2><h2>2) Continue the conversation and practice sharing your opinion in English and interacting with others.</h2><h2>3) Go back through the answers, and listen to where each answer is located.</h2><h2>4) Read the transcript.</h2></section><section><h3></h3></section>

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Continue Learning! Click on page 2 to practice new vocabulary words.

Word Wall

Let’s practice some of the vocabulary words and expressions from the listening. Read through the examples. Then, try it below.

First, read through the vocabulary words from the story:

Study Tip! Tap or scroll over the list below to see the definitions.

Deportation
Provisional
Made a life for themselves
Keep a promise
Make a promise
Pain in the neck
Behind my back
Relief
Outcome

Now, look at how these vocabulary words are used in Maria and Emily’s story.

“In this week’s episode… you’ll hear the difficult conversations that one family is having as they deal with the recurring threat of deportation.“
“Maria Rivas and her husband, Jose, came to the US from El Salvador. In 2001, they were granted Temporary Protected Status or TPS… a provisional immigration status that was extended for more than two decades.”
“So Maria and Jose made a life for themselves here… eventually having two children Ethan and Emily… who are US citizens.”
The mother said, “And I didn’t promise something that I cannot keep. So I didn’t promise you that everything will be okay…”
The daughter said, “I was told that a lot of my classmates talked about it behind my back. In that moment, I was not angry or upset about it because good or bad, I was starting that conversation.”
There was such a relief, like, you prepare for the worst outcome and you’re pleasantly surprised when it’s not that outcome.

Can you explain the situation the family is facing? Which sentence tells us how this story ends?

What do you think?

Tell about a time when you were worried about the outcome of a situation. What happened? Did you feel relieved at the end of it? Why or why not?
What are some ways that you have made a life for yourself in your current location? Do you think it’s difficult for immigrants to make a life for themselves while living in a new country? Why or why not?
Has anyone ever talked behind your back? How did it make you feel? Why wasn’t the daughter upset that her classmates were talking behind her back? What conversation do you think that started?
What are the consequences of deportation on individuals, families, and communities, both in the country of origin and in the new country?

Got it? Now practice the vocabulary words in context below.

<section><h2>Vocabulary quiz- Will Maria Stay in the United States or Be Sent Back to Her Country?</h2></section><section><h2><h2>Read the following sentences about Maria (the mother) and Emily (the daughter).</h2></h2><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Maria is most worried about ________.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">When Emily was at school, her classmates were ________instead of being direct.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">For both Emily and Maria, it was such a ________ when they found out that TPS (Temporary Protection status) was extended, and they wouldn’t be deported.</span></p><h2><strong> </strong></h2></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Maria, Emily’s mother, didn’t want to make a ________ that she couldn’t keep. </span></p></section><section><h3><h2>Imagine that you are on a study abroad in a new country. Decide if the following items are positive or negative behaviors in your new country.</h2></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You think your host brother is a PAIN IN THE NECK, so you take his favorite stuffed animal and throw it away.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">When your professor gave you a bad grade, you take a deep breath, CALM DOWN, and go to talk to her about your grade.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">It’s not your country, but you still try TO MAKE A LIFE FOR YOURSELF while you’re there.</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You hear people TALKING BEHIND your back, so you start yelling and cursing at them.</span></p></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You MAKE A PROMISE to your family that you will call them every week, but you don’t keep your promise.</span></h3><p><strong><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"> </span></strong></p></section><section><h3><h2>Living in a new country can be hard! Sometimes things don’t go the way you’ve planned.</h2><h3>Read the statements and decide how you would feel in the following situations. Choose the vocabulary word that best completes the question.</h3></h3><p><br></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You find out that some of the people you just met have been gossiping and saying things that aren’t true about you. They are….</span></p></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Your friend who is also from your country is having a lot of culture shock and wants to go back home. You tell him ……</span><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">You have a really hard homework assignment, and it is taking you hours to complete it. What do you say?</span><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Things start to get better because just when you are feeling lonely, you talk to your family and find out they are coming to visit you. How do you feel?</span><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h2><h2><h2><strong>Nice! You’re doing a great job with the vocabulary!</strong>:grinning:</h2></h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2><h2><strong>Try again! You’ve got this</strong>:+1:</h2></h2></h3></section>

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Learn English Grammar! Click on page 3 to practice grammar in context.

Grammar Flash

Practice using verbs with the preposition (of) from this story. Then see how much you understood by taking a short quiz.

Before we look at examples from this story, let’s start with the basics.

The preposition (of) follows certain verbs and adjectives.

After a preposition you could…

Put a noun- I’m scared of horror movies. (adj + n)
Put a gerund (-ing) – I’m afraid of watching scary movies.

Look at the sentences below about the influx of migrants in El Paso, Texas. Which sentences have a noun after the preposition (of), and which sentences have a gerund?

Dirt road alongside the wall at the border between USA and Mexico – close to Ciudad Juarez

Aware of– Are you aware of the migrant situation in El Paso, TX? At one point around 1000 migrants crossed the border into El Paso daily.
Consist of– The reasons migrants cross the border are complex. Those reasons consist of poverty, gang violence, war, political instability, and natural disasters among other reasons.
Think of– I was thinking of all the migrants in El Paso, TX when the temperature became very cold for a few days. I felt bad because many of them are camped out along the border without shelter.
Take care of – We can help take care of the migrants by donating supplies, like blankets, underwear, and socks to shelters.
Approve of– Some people approve of giving more humanitarian aid to the migrant situation, while others want more government control of the borders.
Sick of/ Tired of– Aid workers get tired of not having enough resources, money, or supplies to help everyone in need.
Jealous of–

What did you learn about the migrant situation in El Paso?

Next, look at how the speakers use the verb + the preposition (of) in their story.

These are quotes from the conversation between Maria (the mother) and her daughter (Emily) talking about the possibility of deportation.

In this story, “you’ll hear the difficult conversations that one family is having as they deal with the recurring threat of deportation.”
Maria says, “ [I’m]…terrified of missing you [my daughter] grow up. It’s terrifying. I think that I’m more afraid of that than [going] back to my country.”
Maria says, “I’m afraid of the scar this whole process will leave. Whatever that outcome at the end, it is already scarring my sweet little girl. “
Maria says to Emily, “You’re not going to be alone, I promise you that. And I’m very hard to get rid of.”
When asked about her hopes for the future, the mother, Maria, says, “… I’m going to die of an old age and be the pain [in] your neck all the time.”
“ [Maria’s] family was on the brink of separation. . . .

What do you think?

What is the threat that this family is facing?
What is the mother most terrified of?
What does it mean when the mother says that she’s afraid of the scar that this whole process will leave? What is the scar?
What is the mother’s hope for the future?
Do you know anyone who has faced a similar situation? What do you think are the challenges for this family and others who are in this kind of situation?

Got it? Now practice these phrases in this short quiz.

<section><h2><h2><h2><strong>Learning expressions with “of”…..</strong></h2><h3>Complete the sentence with the phrase that makes the most sense.</h3><strong></strong></h2></h2></section><section><h2><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Emily might have to TAKE CARE OF…</span></h2><p></p></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Emily has HEARD OF…</span></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"></span></p></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Emily is SCARED OF…</span></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"></span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Maria THINKS OF…</span><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b"></span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Maria is TIRED OF…</span></p><h2><strong> </strong></h2></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Maria APPROVES OF…</span></p><h2><strong> </strong></h2></section><section><h3><h3>Decide if the person who said these statements is most likely “pro” or “anti” immigration policies.</h3><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">“I’m SICK OF immigrants coming here.”</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">“Have you HEARD OF families being separated at the border? It’s awful.”</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">“We need to get RID OF the detention centers and provide better conditions for immigrants.”</span></p><h2><strong> </strong></h2></section><section><h3><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">“I don’t APPROVE OF Maria’s decision to come to this country.”</span><h2><strong> </strong></h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>Imagine that the Following students went to an immigration rally. In addition to “FREE HUGS,” What other signs do you think people were holding up at the rally?</h2></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">Choose the sign that is grammatically correct.</span></p><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">We APPROVE OF…</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">We are not TIRED OF…</span><br></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">We’re THINKING OF…</span></p></section><section><h3></h3><p><span data-amp-original-style="font-size:20px;" class="amp-wp-ff9ec5b">We are parents who are SCARED OF…</span></p></section><section><h2></h2></section><section><h3></h3></section>

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Continue to page 4 to share your own unique thoughts, opinions, and ideas with learners from around the world.

Join the Conversation…

What do you think of Maria’s story? There is not a correct answer. Sharing your own unique thoughts, opinions, and ideas will help you improve your English even more as you think about and apply the topic to your life. Don’t forget to come back and see how other learners responded.

<section><h2>1. There are negative consequences when families are separated because of deportation.</h2></section>

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<section><h2><h2><br></h2><h2><strong>2. Which part of this immigration story do you think is the most impactful?</strong></h2></h2><p><br></p></section><section><h2>When the mother and daughter talk about how they are most afraid of losing each other</h2></section><section><h3>When the daughter gets a call at school, saying that TPS was extended, and her mother gets to stay in the country.</h3></section><section><h3>When the mother says that she won’t make a promise that she can’t keep, but she will always make sure that Emily is okay.</h3></section><section><h3>When the mother talks about when she first arrived in the U.S.</h3></section>

<section><h2><h2><strong>3. Do you think Maria should Maria be allowed to stay in the United States?</strong></h2></h2></section>

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<section><h2><h2><strong>4. Maria’s greatest hope for the future is to die of an old age and be a pain in her daughter’s neck. </strong></h2></h2><p><br></p><h2><strong>What is your greatest hope?</strong></h2><p><br></p></section><section><h2>Travel the world</h2></section><section><h3>Make a lot of money</h3></section><section><h3>Make an impact by helping others</h3></section><section><h3>Live to be 100 years old.</h3></section>

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<section><h2><h2>5. Emily says she is happy that her story became public on the radio because it allowed her to have important conversations.</h2></h2><p><br></p><h2><br></h2><h2>Which topic do you feel most passionate about?</h2><p><br></p></section><section><h2>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</h2></section><section><h3>Creating renewable energy and taking care of the enviroment</h3></section><section><h3>Religious freedom</h3></section><section><h3>Protecting migrants and refugees</h3></section>

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Both Emily and her mom learned that they could find strength even in a bad situation.

6. Have you faced a situation that was challenging or difficult? What was it? Describe what happened and talk about how you found strength even in a bad moment.

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Read the comments and share your story here!

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Recap…

In this listening we heard about a mother and daughter’s strong desire to stay together in the United States. We heard the emotion behind their words as they talked about their fears, hopes, and desires as they imagined the possibility of being separated. Ultimately, we learned that they will get to continue their lives together for now. Sadly, this isn’t always the case for many migrants who have fled violence, war, poverty, and persecution to start over in the United States. Maria and Emily’s story sheds light on the struggles that immigrants face and the threat of being separated from the ones you love.

You did it! Way to go! Keep up the good work!

Come back to “www.gorealia.com” every week to practice English and listen to stories that inspire!

Sources

StoryCorps. (2020, August 14). On the Brink of Separation [Audio podcast episode]. In StoryCorps. Retrieved from https://storycorps.org/podcast/on-the-brink-of-separation/