Nadine

This is a picture of Nadine. She comes from Russia. She is 24 years old. When she came to Australia 10 years ago she didn’t speak any English and she had a big problem trying to talk to people.

She was at high school in Russia and she wanted to go back there. Nadine started learning English at a language school. She stayed there for one year. She also learned math and science. She started to have friends. It did not take a long time when Nadine liked staying here. Her father got a job working at a meat factory and her mother started working as a hairdresser. Nadine went to a high school in Footscray and started to study all her subjects in English. By that time she could speak English well. She also went to the public library and borrowed a lot of books to help her learn more English.

At the end of year 12, Nadine got a high mark of 99% and went to Melbourne University to study to become a doctor. Now she works at the Royal Women’s Hospital. She goes to Russia once a year but she likes it here in Australia more. She took some driving lessons and bought a new car. She likes painting in her free time. This is a picture that she drew of herself last week.

All her friends liked the picture and someone who has an art gallery said he wanted to buy it for 5000 dollars. Nadine is thinking about selling the painting to the man and get the money. She said she spent only three hours painting it. That is a lot of money for very little work.

Listen to your classmate and fill in the gaps:

This is a picture of ……………….. She comes from Russia. She is 24 ……………. old. When she came to Australia 10 years ago she didn’t ……………. any English and she had a big problem trying to talk to …………... She was at high school in Russia and she wanted to go back there. Nadine …………………….. learning English at a language school. She stayed there for one year. She also learned math and ………………….. She started to have friends. It did not take a long time when Nadine ………………. staying here. Her father got a job working at a meat ……………………… and her mother started working as a hairdresser. Nadine went to a high school in Footscray and started to …………………. all her subjects in English. By that time she could speak …………………. well. She also went to the public library and borrowed a lot of ……………….. to help her learn more English. At the end of year 12, Nadine got a high mark of 99% and went to ………………… University to study to become a doctor. Now she …………………….. at the Royal Women’s Hospital. She goes to Russia once a year but she likes it here in Australia more. She took some driving lessons and bought a ………… car. She likes painting in her …………. time. This is a picture that she drew of herself last week. All …………. friends liked the picture and someone who has an art gallery said he wanted ……. buy it for 5000 dollars. Nadine is thinking about selling the painting to the man …………… get the money. She said she spent only three hours painting it. That is a lot of …………………. for very little work.

Answer These Questions:
Where does Nadine come from? When did she come to Australia? How did she feel when she first came to Australia? How good was her English when she came to Australia? What sort of job did her father get? What sort of job did her mother get? Where did Nadine learn English at first? What university did Nadine enrol in? What did she study at uni? Where did she start to work? What does she like doing in her free time? What did she paint last week? How much did the man offer to buy the painting for? What does this man own? What does Nadine say about the money for the painting?