A letter from a student

Dear Mrs Mollica,
I'm Nebula from your Conversation English Fri 12.
I'm terribly sorry about the things I did. I didn't finish my homework, and I couldn't stand my heart beating so fast for feeling guilty, so I escaped finally. Regret to cheat you. I made a terrible mistake without any excuse.
I do respect you so much and take the homework seriously. I like to speak English as well. But I don't know why I'm not myself. Recently, I always do terrible things, then escape far away and feel guilty for a long time. I hate myself so much. I'm afraid it's a kind of psychological problem. I really want to be brave and responsible.
So, could you please give me a chance? I can fix all these and do it well, I promise. And I'll be very happy if you accept my homework next week.
Thanks a lot for reading my E-mail.
All my best wishes.

Yours gratefully，
Nebula

How about that. And you should have heard some other excuses..... Overall I would say 80% to 95% of each class turned in the assignment. Which seems about right. I actually had 100% turn in their homework in one class including a kid who was absent but had his friend bring it.

The homework assignment was to write a brief paper on creating your own ideal nation.

Populate Ideal Land

A large area of your country has been set aside by the current government for the development of a new nation. This area will include an invited international community of 20,000 men and women. Imagine that your group has to decide the laws of this new country.

Discuss the following questions.

1. Which political system will the country have?

2. What will the official language(s) be?

3. Will there be censorship?

4. What industries will your country try to develop?

5. Will citizens be allowed to carry a gun?

6. Will there be the death penalty?

7. Will there be a state religion?

8. What kind of immigration policy will there be?

9. What will the educational system be like? Will there be compulsory education to a certain age?

10. Who will be allowed to marry?

11. Other things you would like the country to have?

Apparently I would not have been able to do this sort of thing 5 years ago, so I have been told. The most consistent answer was to question number 3. Will their be censorship? The answer was always: Yes, at least some sort. The main reason they say is because it makes for a happier nation. How about that!

I do not try to change their opinions I just listen and nod my head.