MLK Day Freebies and More

 Hello Friends. 

It was a very busy week for many of us. There was a lot to celebrate and a lot to learn. Our English class talked about turning points. Our Accent Class attended the naturalization of one of our Friends. This was a huge turning point that had a great impact on all of us. Moving forward in our lives is sometimes planned and it is sometimes thrust on us. The new year gives us a chance to reflect and reform our lives. Now that we are well into the year, we are busy living our lives!

Using From

I love, love, love movies from other countries. Besides the stories and the great insight into culture, reading the subtitles give great insight into how American English is interpreted. One notable common "mistake" is how the word "from" is used when talking about when. For example:

We came back to class from last Thursday and will continue into May.

In American English, we do not add "from":

We came back to class last Thursday and will continue into May. 

Free Admission For MLK Day

Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. This is a day set aside to remember and celebrate the life of the American civil rights leader. 

• Connor Prairie
• Indiana State Museum 
• Eiteljorg Museum 
• NCAA Hall of Champions 
• Indianapolis Zoo
• Indiana Historical Society 
• Newfields
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway 
• City of Carmel Celebration 6:30 PM

Fun and Cool Both Here and Everywhere

Devour Indy: January 24 to February 5

Stay Up to Watch the Rare Green Comet Shooting Across Tonight's Sky---It Was Last Seen 50,000 Years Ago: View the comet from January 12 through February. ee the comet in the ead more in this article. If the skies are cloudy, don't worry! The comet can be seen through February.

Oath of Allegiance

We were very honored to witness and to celebrate one of our Friend's naturalization ceremony this week. The judge who administered the oath pointed out that while the individuals chose to be citizens, the United States also chose them to become citizens. New citizens take the Oath of Allegiance where they declare that they are giving up loyalty to any other country or leader or ruler. You can read more and the implications in this flier.

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM EST, Zoom

We got back to basics this past week. It is good to review things we think we knew well. It is surprising how it is hard to recall familiar vocabulary in isolation from a situation or conversation.

 January 17: Come back for more conversation and let's get this year rolling.

American English Class: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM EST, Zoom

We shared experiences that were turning points in our lives. Our conversation focused on questions and answers. We practiced active listening to improve our understanding and comprehension of topics.

January 19: 

We are still minding our Ps and Qs on the 1000 Common Words list.

Write about a "dream trip" you hope to take in the future (or one you have taken in the past). Include general information and colorful details.

OR

Where have you traveled that you consider a dream trip? Why? Share your best memories of this experience.

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM EST, Zoom

We are back in the classroom after an amazing week. We hope to see you there!

Kids Conversation: Friday, 4:30-5:00 PM EST, Zoom

Breaks are over and we are back to school. It is good to see our friends, restart our classes, and start new learning topics.

January 20: No class!

January 27: Tell something new that you found, saw, or learned in a place where you frequently go.

abjure: solemnly renounce.

allegiance: loyalty

bear arms: participate in military operations as a member of the military; fight for

evasion: avoiding

in isolation from: apart from or alone

well into: quite advanced into, far along

mental reservation: doubt or critism

MLK Day: Martin Luther King Day, the third Monday in January, a federal holiday

naturalization: admit a foreigner as a citizen to a country

noncombatant: a person serving their country who does not fight (i.e. chaplain, medical corp., civilian)

obligation: an act of moral or duty or legal binding

renounce: formally declare abandonment or claim or rights.

thrust on/thrust upon: forced on