March Winds

Hello, Friends.

March is finally here and spring breaks are almost upon us. The great migrations of college students begin this month. Snow birds who left around Christmas generally return in March. With the current event of the COVID 19 virus, we chatted quite a bit about how to protect yourself when you travel locally or around the United States or even the world. This isn't the only disease around! People share variations from one region to another. There are colds and flus, whooping cough, strep, and so much more:

• Clean hands save lives! The CDC had great policies and procedures for helping you to stay healthy at all times. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before rinsing off the suds (sing the happy birthday song twice). Use a clean towel to dry your hands. Use a paper towel or your sleeve or shirt to open the door when leaving a public bathroom.
• Don't touch your face. Wash your face.
• Use tissues and throw them away. 
• Use alcohol or bleach based wipes to clean surfaces like seat buckles, tray tables, etc. on the plane. Wipe your steering wheel, seat belt and door handles of your car, too!
• When you don't have access to wash your hand, use hand sanitizers. Allow hand sanitizers to dry on your hands.
• Drink fluids especially plenty of water, eat health foods, get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Get the flu shot if you haven't already done so. The flu season isn't over.

Be sure to look through this entire update. Language and culture tips are embedded in the different articles. Looking at a new place to find information helps to secure the information in your mind and helps you create a path...So, if you have a problem with pronunciation of "aw" words, you might want to listen carefully to audio and video attachments.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
In Mark 6:45-56 we read that after Jesus fed the 5000+ people, he directed his disciples to get into a boat and cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He himself withdrew to a quiet place on the mountainside to pray. Later that night, as the disciples were struggling to row against a strong wind, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. They were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. But then He spoke to them and said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Our group had an interesting discussion about how God always gives us what we need, when we need it (and a little more!). Jesus had been teaching the people about the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. He had become so popular that everywhere He went the people flocked to Him. Yet there were those who opposed Him. They should have known better! Jesus had come to restore our relationship with God the Father. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can be in good standing with the Father.

March 3: Please join us at 9:30 when we will begin the seventh chapter of Mark.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100
We played mahjong! What a great game. Mind you, we didn't bet (which is a big part of this game, so they say). The game can become a very complicated strategy game, but it is easy enough for beginners to get the hang of. While this game is reminiscent of the card game gin. There is a very satisfying tactile sense to this game because of the tiles.

March 3: Join us as we meet to play dominos.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 123/Brides Room
Instead of the weather turning snowy during class, the whole day was snowy. We had low turn out. Talk turned to current events including the corona virus that has been renamed COVID 19 and the announcements of the incidents recounted it news on Monday. Since the South Korean outbreak originated in a cult church, we talked about the spread of the sickness/virus emulated how this cult has grown in numbers by infecting and claiming Christian churches in South Korea.

March 4: Join us for conversation. This time I will need to leave early to attend a meeting.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
It has been fun to substitute in the various classes the past few weeks. Getting quality time with you has been a great opportunity for me to brush up my skills in specific areas of language development as well as break out my teaching styles to best meet the classroom needs: leader, listener, documenter, participator.*

Thank you for getting me your resumes. I am looking forward to reading and commenting on them. I will have them back to you on Thursday!

Featured Class: American Accent Training
I was delighted to substitute for Kathy in American Accent Training. We enjoyed so many great conversational topics and instead of Bill's Tip we have Macho Man! A Macho Man is a manly man, but in some parts of the world a Macho Man is a controlling and has an attitude of superiority over women. In the U.S. we think of the Village People Disco Song! Randy Savage is a pro wrestler and his stage name is Macho Man!

Is  COVID 19 (the new official name for the Corona Virus) is something to avoid travel? General consensus: people will get sick, this is a flu-like virus.

We kicked around pronouncing the aw sound (take a look at pages 11 and 12 in Mastering the American Accent): paw, saw, draw, caw. This can be spelled any number of ways. Cautious was one word that gave us pause. Have you ever seen a caution sign when driving? Generally, we didn't have trouble with this sound until we heard it in a word that was unfamiliar. We also talked about regional pronunciation (accent) differences in the United States where words with the aw sound are pronounced like a short a!

Great strategies for adult learners demonstrated in class today by the students:

• When a word gets stuck behind your home language (that is, you can't think of the word in English but you can in your home language) speak out loud the word or phrase that is getting in the way (you want to say green, but you can only think of verde). That allows your brain to move forward and go off your usual stopping place for that word and let the translation happen.
• Perfection or Correction: as a person who is continually growing are you looking for perfection the first time you learn something or correction as a teaching and/or personal practice. What does this mean when you are in a conversation? Do you want immediate correction for pronunciation or grammar or do you want to finish your thought and then have correction?
• When wondering how to pronounce something, listen to the pronunciation on your phone. Find other examples or sing the nonsense rhyming song to cement the sound in your mind 
• To remember a word or phrase, avoid direct translation. A word is a "code" for something and is abstract. Try to visualize, draw a picture and come up with more examples. For example, you want to remember "green" so you name as many things that you can that are that color (in English if possible); point to things that are green around you and say "green". 
• Critical listening is important: listen for the details of pronunciation rather than just the content of the conversation.

March 5: Join us as we continue to meet and study together.

English for Children: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, Brides Room.
We finally wrapped up February classes with a study of cold and arctic. This will become one of my favorite lessons!

Our theme for the month is fairy tales. These tales are an important vehicle for teaching and preparing children for events in life that may be threatening or they teach cultural norms. One aspect of these tales is repetition. Repetition not only helps with learning and remembering, it gives the opportunity for everyone to participate by speaking or singing along.

We are working on counting and sequencing this month. Counting includes being able to recognize the numbers. Sequencing is the order in which events happen. Have your children tell you the stories using their take home props. We will also give you links to on-line reading (in perfect broadcaster English for read alongs).

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
tips: hints, advice
mind you:
so they say: as rumored
get the hang of: get used to; able to perform a task
reminiscent: reminder; memorable
embedded: included inside of something; not obvious
secure: fix or attach so something doesn't get lost
flock: to gather or go in a crowd
good standing: good rank or status, especially with respect to social, economic, or personal position, reputation, etc.
talk: conversations
turned to: to be directed; changed
emulated: imitated
quality time: valuable time spent with someone
kicked around: discussed; shared ideas
vehicle: method
threatening: endanger, bully
cultural norms: actions expected by a culture
along: join in

*-er, -or: words may end in either of these to show that someone is actively participating in the role of that noun; some say that the origin of the root word is significant in whether the word end in an -er or -or; others say that the role of the actor as a instigator or leader could have bearing on how the word ends: is the action directed toward one's self or others

What is in the air?

Hello, Friends.

Have you seen the greatest sign of spring? The turkey vultures are back! These great, migratory carrion eating birds can be seen circling the area to clean up after the winter.

Corona Virus vs the flu. For us in the United States, the Corona Virus poses little to no threat at this time although the CDC has announced that testing for the virus will begin with patients with flu-like symptoms. To date, the flu statistics in the U.S. from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Preventions):

• 26 million flu like illness have been reported
• 250,000 hospitalizations
• 14,000 deaths

Regardless, your best defense against upper respiratory diseases (colds, flu, etc.) are to wash you hands and/or use alcohol based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, eyes, ears, etc. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze to prevent spreading germs.

... and in the community and at the church:
This coming week kicks off the Lenten season for Christians. The 40 days before Easter are a time of reflection and anticipation.

• Tuesday is Fat Tuesday or the last day to feast before the traditional time of fasting. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
• Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Don't be surprised to see people with black ashes in the sign of a cross on their foreheads. This day is the first day of Lent. 

CLC has services on Wednesdays at noon and 7:00 every week from now until Holy Week (the week before Easter).

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We enjoyed reading and talking about a great miracle story about the feeding of more than 5000 people with just five loaves and two fishes. Many food pantries are named for this miracle. This is a good example of the same story being told in all the Gospels. We also talked about when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding (his first miracle). What a great skill to create food and drink to make sure that people are happy and satisfied.

February 25: Jesus walks on the water. This is another great miracle story. Join us as we talk about the story that originated the label for doing something that is impossible or extraordinary.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100.
We had a great time trying out a few games. We played a hand/eye coordination game where tap your hand around the table in a circle. This video shows the explanation for a camp councilors. So fun to get your whole body into it!

Pig Mania originated in 1977 and you can get it on Amazon for $164.92! If you want a more reasonably priced version, look for Pass the Pigs which costs about $5-12.00. We also played Chinese Checkers. This was one of my favorite games growing up and I totally forgot about it! When I went on line to shop for it I found out that it is also called Halma or Sternhalma and is from Germany.

February 25: We will continue our board game playing and play Mah Jong. Rumor has it that there are many rules and regional ways to play this game. This is a true Chinese game. Tuesday is also Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Get ready to taste a delicious Cajun dish (Ahh Mudbugs, we miss you! It was so much easier to go out!)

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 123.
We had some freewheeling conversations around the Amendments to the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What was to start as a conversation about freedom of speech became a conversation about the right to keep and bear arms leading to gun control and eventually voting and candidate selection. We looked at the statistics for the world Corona Virus and compared them to the statistics for the flu.

February 26: Bring a topic to talk about or text the group with your ideas.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
We finally made it back to classes. I enjoyed my visit to the Level 3 class. What a great way to spend the morning talking about interviewing for jobs and building a case for hiring that included practical application of factors that effect job decisions and practices around negotiating salary and extrinsic factors and benefits. This tough crowd are very loyal to their teacher and wanted my credentials before entrusting me with teaching them.

Level 2 practiced some great tongue twisters to practice short vowel sounds:

• That cat in the flat hat went and sat on the last mat.
• When I met my wet pet I sent him to the vet.
• When the little kitten bit me, it hit its little chin.
• Sitting at the brook, I took a look in the book.
• What luck a duck stopped the truck, it was going to smash up that cup!

February 27: 

Level 3 homework: You will be conducting interviews of each other. Write five interview questions. Also, I am looking forward to reading your resumes. There are many templates out there to get you started. Here are two free sites that help you to write an attractive resume: ResumeGenius or LiveCareer. Email me yours before Thursday to get it back with a review. Include employment, volunteer activities, education, interests, countries where you have lived, goals, anything else it is important to know about you and tell your story. This history goes a long way for helping you to consolidate your life story and set your direction for future endeavors.

American Accent Training: I am looking forward to sitting in for Kathy in American Accent class and spreading my perfect broadcaster English skills on the "aw" sound (pages 11-12, lesson 8). I hear that you would like to talk about politics in the United States. I am tickled to officiate this discussion. We should have a mock caucus...I can't think of a better way to practice persuasive American Accented English and experience this unique method of choosing.

English for Kids: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, room 123
Our preschool finally got to celebrate Valentine's Day! They made ice-cream sundaes and bee crafts.

February 27: We will enjoy chilly activities, stories and crafts with adorable penguins.

in the air: usually means going on and happening; in this case, it is a pun...get it? Vultures fly in the air and germs travel in the air...
migratory: travel to survive following weather, food, etc.
carrion: dead animals
food pantry: a nonprofit organization that gives groceries to people in need
named for:
get your whole body into it: to get your whole body involved
growing up: maturing from a child to an adult
totally: completely
right to bear arms: the right to own guns or other
extrinsic: outside factors
credentials: qualifications
entrusting: put someone in the care of someone else
goes a long way: helps you achieve something
consolidate: combine a number of things into a single, more effective whole
officiate: act as a judge or referee in charge of an event
mock: not authentic
caucus: a method for deciding a political candidate
adorable: soooo cute!

February is the Shortest Month, but let's celebrate!

Hello, Friends.

February is the shortest month of the year, but there are so many reasons to celebrate in America.

• Black History Month was established in 1976 by President Gerald Ford to recognize and honor the accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. February was chosen in the U.S. because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had birthdays that were recognized during this month (originally Negro History Week established in 1926).
• Presidents' Day is a federal holiday that is celebrated on the third Monday in February (also known as George Washington's Birthday, which is February 17). The holiday was established in 1880s to honor our first president but became a day to generally recognize presidents. Many official offices are closed this day. Additionally, you can shop some great sales!
• Lincoln's Birthday: Abraham Lincoln's (February 12) birthday is a observed as a holiday in Kentucky, Connecticut , Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, California and New York. Now days this date is combined with Washington's birthday or Presidents' Day.
• Valentine's Day (February 14) is the day to celebrate your sweetie. Go out to dinner, share a special dessert. Gifts of jewelry and flowers are appreciated.
• Galentine's Day (February 13) was coined in the sitcom Parks and Rec and was picked up as a way to recognize and celebrate the girls in your life that are your besties.
• Groundhog Day was February 2. If the groundhog sees his shadow look for a longer winter other wise welcome an early spring!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
The Bible story we read this week Mark 6:14-29 has all the drama and the twists and turns of a soap opera! It is the grisly story of the beheading of John the Baptist by the Jewish king Herod Antipas. This Herod was the son of Herod the Great, the king who had consulted with the wise men who followed the star at Jesus’s birth. The elder Herod had tried to trick the wise men into revealing the whereabouts of Baby Jesus. He told them he wanted to find this newborn King of the Jews so that he too could worship him, but he really intended to murder Jesus. Jesus and his family escaped to Egypt, but many toddler and baby boys in Bethlehem were killed because of Herod’s evil plan. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Fast forward to the son, Herod Antipas. He had divorced his wife so that he could marry his brother’s wife, Herodius. John the Baptist publicly criticized this relationship as against Jewish law. Herod put John into prison, but he enjoyed listening to the things John had to say. Herodius was not such a big fan. At Herod’s birthday party, Salome (Herodius' daughter) performed a dance for Herod and his dinner guests. Herod was so pleased with the performance that he promised by oath to give his step-daughter anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. At her mother’s urging, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king had a dilemma: Should he go back on his word and tell Salome “No!” or give her what she wanted and kill a prophet of God? The king decided to save face. He ordered the execution of John. You can read another account of this story in Matthew 14:1-12. ~ Jan Heimann

February 18: Join us as we talk about one of the most famous stories: Jesus feeds the 5000 found in Mark 6: 30-44.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100.
We learned how quickly make delicious truffles to your taste. There are so many variations to play with including using different types of chocolate, seasoning ingredients and coverings. Our demonstration recipe included dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla and red pepper topped with cocoa powder. Keep a truffle filling base in your freezer and make them up as you need them. This filling can be remelted and used to drizzle over cakes and sweets or fruit, stirred into coffee to make a delicious latte, use your imagination.

Instructions: Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in the microwave 30 seconds. Stir in chocolate chips or chipped chocolate until smooth and melted. Add flavorings to taste. Chill. Scoop a small amount and roll into a ball. Dust the ball with cocoa powder, sprinkles, colored sugar, matcha, ground nuts, you pick!

February 18: Let's play parlor games. When you are shut in due to cold weather, what do you do to socialize and stay amused (rather than binge watch TV)? How about board and other games? Bring your favorite game and let's play a few of them.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 123.
We had an interesting discussion about Christianity, theories, belief and practice. In the United States there are many churches with different names. Many people came and still come to this country for "freedom of religion" and the right to worship God as they wish. How do you choose a church? We have many options. Generally all Christian denominations follow the Holy Bible (except for the Roman Catholic church that follows the Catholic Bible that includes other books). All Christian denominations believe and baptize (Mark 16:15-17) and that God loves the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus (John 3:16-17). They may differ on "how" this is practiced within each church (which comes from people and not the Bible).

Scientific theories are statements that are working hypothesis that haven't been proved or disproved (very simply). For example evolution (a new species) (verses mutation, adaptation, creation) and relativity are generally accepted assumptions that help to move science forward, but have not been proven due to lack of our ability to reliable test, observe and/or replicate to prove the idea into a law.

February 19: We will begin meeting in the Bride's Room on the first floor. Join us there for conversation and a place for our little ones to join us and have a nice time, too. It is Kotaro's last meeting with us!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
Another day off from formal classes. We hope that you are still practicing your English so when we get together you haven't lost any ground.

February 20: Let's try again! Hopefully we won't have another snow day!

English for Kids: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, the Bride's Room.
We miss getting together. February is the shortest month of the year, and it keeps getting shorter because of these snow days.

February 20: Just because Valentine's Day has passed, we don't have to skip showing we care for each other. Join us for a party and lessons with a Sweetheart spin. We will celebrate with ice-cream sundaes.

coined: a new word or name
sitcom: situation comedy
besties: best friends; platonic friends
twists and turns: plot changes that make a story interesting
grisly: horrible; gruesome
beheading: death by cutting off the head of a person or animal
whereabouts: location; the place where a person or thing is
fast forward: skipping over time and a story to the future
incestuous: having to do with a sexual relationship between people who are close relatives
save face: avoid humiliation or embarrassment to preserve one’s dignity
denominations: separate, autonomous branches of the Christian church
practice: actual application of a belief
replicate: reproduce exactly

Classes are cancelled February 13, 2020

Stay warm and I hope to see you next week!

Was the Groundhog wrong?

Hi Friends,

I hope you enjoyed your day off from classes. Last year we had the bulk of our weather days off in February. Conversations with people who watch the weather for a living (and not the meterologists) say that this intermittent pattern of snow will continue for a while. Meanwhile, flocks of robins can be seen around the area. These birds are associated with spring.

It's time to celebrate the doldrums of winter: classes were cancelled on Thursday for the weather. Let's gather together and chase away the gloom on Thursday, February 13! Bring a dish or snack to share. The preschoolers are having ice cream sundaes to celebrate.

As a reminder, we close when Carmel Clay Schools have a two hour delay or close. I post on our webpages and that announcement is immediate, but the follow by email push notification doesn't auto process until early the next day. I also post on our two Facebook pages: the public and the private pages. Finally, I send out an email to currently registered students and staff for 2019-2020 year. In this case, your email may go into your spam folder (because I bcc this mail and it is quite large).

JASI (Japanese American Society in Indiana) is hosting an interesting opportunity on February 27, 7:00 at Marion University to hear a Buddhist Monk talk about communication. Find out more and reserve your seat.

🤞
Cross Your Fingers
Q: Why do people cross their fingers when they "hope"?
A: Because people look at crossed fingers as good luck. Even before Christianity, the intersection of the first two fingers was thought to concentrate good spirits. Some also claim that crossing fingers was used among early Christians to recognize each other when Christianity was prohibited in during the early Roman Empire.~Kotaro Maruishi

Additionally, small children may cross their fingers to excuse themselves when telling a lie or cheating in a game. In Vietnam, this gesture is rude.

A picture is worth a thousand words: Texting and other communications often include emojis (a picture alphabet). What is the meaning implied behind these pictographs? Do people use them in different ways? Check out The Ultimate Emoji Guide!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We read two stories in Mark 6:1-13 which teach about teaching. Jesus usually has good success and results when he goes to a town. But, when he returns to his hometown, people look at him with disdain. This story reminds us of the old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Jesus isn't able to heal many people because they do not believe and accept his help. In his master class, Jesus demonstrates that you can't always accept the support of the people who know you the best.

In the second story, Jesus sends his disciples in pairs to teach in the surrounding communities. He advises them to only take only the clothes on their backs and no money. He tells them to stay put and not move from home to home in a community. He tells them to "shake the dust" of communities that do not welcome you off your clothing: in other words, don't force your will on others or carry unwelcome feeling when you leave.

February 11: Join us as we talk about Mark 6:14-29. Since this story is pretty long, please read it in advance and bring your ideas.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100.
We played with plarn. Cutting and assembling plastic shopping bags to create plastic yarn was a nice way to keep our hands busy but still have conversation.

February 11: Join us as we learn to make truffles (my lazy, cheater style) for our sweeties and
crochet a small project. Bring plenty of plarn, extra shopping bags (to make more as needed), scissors, 8 ounces of semisweets or chocolate chips and 12 ounces of heavy cream and a container to hold your truffle mix. Optional: bring vanilla or liqueur other flavoring, powder sugar, jimmies, nuts, etc.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom.
We haven't solved world peace, yet. This week we had some great discussions about American political hot topics including gun control. We compared our home country society and culture with observed American culture. We also enjoyed some side discussions regarding the Presidential address and various reactions.

February 12: Join the conversation. No topic is too complex for us to tackle!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
Join your class as planned, but then lets adjourn to room 100 at 10:45 for a Valentine's Day social. Come and share the love. Bring a dish to share or your favorite ice cream topping/accompaniment for an ice-cream sundae bar.

February 13: Let's get together to celebrate! Meet in room 100 around 10:45 to celebrate our friendships. Bring a dish to share.

English for Kids: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, room 100.
We planned to prepare for Valentine's Day in our classroom this past week. Next week we will celebrate Valentine's Day with a party. At the end of the class time we will meet the rest of the school to have a party.

February 13: Bring Valentines for your friends in class. We will make ice cream sundaes. Bring your favorite topping.

flocks: gathering of birds or animals
email push notification: an email that is sent out
auto process: something that is done without thought or direct action; computer process that happens without a person instigating the activity based on a set time or low use period
implied: suggested
behind: underlying
in pairs: two people working together as a team or items (pairs of socks, gloves)
clothes on their backs: travel with only the clothing you are wearing
stay put: stay
pretty (long, cold, hot, etc.): relatively, quite
hands busy: an easy project to occupy time to keep out of trouble
as needed: when necessary
solved world peace: a saying that means talking about weighty problems with/without solutions
hot topics: current events
side discussions: conversations apart from the main topic
tackle: approach a problem to solve it
share the love: show your appreciation or affection; join in and event for fun
topping: addition to a dessert to make it even more delicious

Classes are Cancelled February 6

Stay warm and safe!