Original Letter

99 / 1 / 5

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Although I haven't seen you before, I really thank you for kindly offering to be my host family in Canada. I haven't been to abroad before, so I really appreciate this opportunity to live with you. I know that you and your wife don't have any children. Maybe I can your like first child for two months.
I am a college student, majoring in English. I want to go abroad to experience and improve my language skills. Why did I choose Canada? The impression that Canada gives me is peaceful and I think it's suitable for me to learn new things. Since I received your letter I have dreamed about life in Canada. I am a positive person and like to learn things that I don't know. I think that's one of the reasons that I want to go abroad. Whether for a long time or short time, I'd like to go and try my best to participate living in a foreign country.
There is one more thing that I want to tell you. I can share the chores and I can cook, but just Chinese food. I want to join your family in almost everything. For these two months I hope to give you a good impression of Chinese.
Once again, thank you for your kindness. I am looking forward to seeing your family soon.

Sincerely yours,
Maggie Liu

Questions

1. Is this letter only to Mr. Jackson or the entire Jackson family? If Mr. Jackson lives alone, the salutation used here would sound natural. If he lives with his wife, "Dear Mr. & Mrs. Jackson" might be better. If the Jacksons have children old enough to read, then "Dear Jackson Family" might be best.
   
   
2. Do the Jacksons want another child - or would they rather visit a young adult? Many college students from Asia expect to be treated like children when staying with a host family. However, most North Americans feel they should treat themlike adults. Since people often do not state expectations clearly, misunderstandings can occur.
   
   
3. Are all Chinese the same? Chances are, the Jacksons recognise there are many kinds of Chinese. Since there are over a billion ethnic Chinese, you probably won't have such an overwhelming impact on their idea of what Chinese people are like. At most, they might get some impression of what female Taiwanese university students are like. It might be a good idea to reword this sentence.
   
   

Further Issues to Explore

1. How old are the Jackson children? If they are old enough to read, you might write something of interest to them.
   
   
2. How much does the Jackson family already know about Taiwan or China?
   
   
3. You might also offer to teach the Jacksons a little Chinese if there are interested - they may be keen on learning a few basic Chinese expressions
   

- Practical English Writing Homepage -
www.tnewfields.info/write/13Host_Liu.htm
Copyright (c) 1999 by Maggie Liu and Tim Newfields
updated 6 March 2002