Not long ago, our ESOL class explored the topic of work and fair compensation. We visited the Department of Labor's Web site, www.dol.gov, and learned about the minimum wage in each state. Most of my students work jobs where they earn the minimum wage, so I asked them to write their thoughts on whether it should be raised. Here are their responses.

1. Yes, because if the minimum wage is not raised, the people will lose their hope and their lives will be difficult. —Justin
2. I believe we need to change the president first and after that we can ask for a higher wage. All of the problem is based on the government and how he rules our country. If the country is ruled very well no matter what you make you can live with it. —Florilia
3. Everybody needs a raise because Boston is too expensive and we use the money we make each month for the most important things in life like rent, health care, education and food. —Abdelfattah
4. Yes the minimum wage should be raised because everything is too expensive living in the United States. I think if they raise it that will be a better life for people who live in the US but it is still difficult. —Yeshi
5. Yes because many people work too hard for their dream. They want to buy a house. They want to travel. They want their kids to go to a nice school to get a good education. Every year food, transportation, rent, clothes go up. —Robert
6. I think it should be raised up because everything is expensive now like clothes, food, rent, bills, health care. You cannot save money in the bank. I work part-time and I am looking for a new job. It's hard to find a job right now. —Ahmad
7. Yes I think the minimum wage should be raised up because everything is going up—rent, car, food, buying a house. —Ramadan
8. I think the minimum wage should be raised because people work very hard for their money and people have to take care of their homes and take good care of their children. They have to think about their future like putting money in the bank and paying their rent. And if the wages are not raised people will not feel good. They always remember problems and that is not good. People should live a happy life everyday. —Fatu
9. Yes I think the minimum wage should be raised because everything is so expensive—every kind of transportation and food. And people are working so hard for their money and even if you want to go to school you cannot pay your rent and you cannot do anything for your family and you dream. —Haja
10. Yes because people work too hard. They want more money for rent, transportation, food, health care. —Tarikwa

Linda Werbner teaches ESL and literacy at the International Institute in Boston. She can be reached at: lwerbner@hotmail.com