October and Autumn and Halloween

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Hello, Friends.

We are officially into the fall or autumn season. Suddenly, temperatures have dropped and we have freeze warnings. Do you think the warm weather is over? Think again. After a couple cold nights and cooler days, temperatures will heat back up. But, before you know it, it will be cold most of the time. Yes, it is time to pull on a sweater and fashion boots.

All things pumpkin spice are back! Pumpkins and gourds are in for decorating. October brings out all the spooky decorations. Be sure to get out and see the displays! Inflatable decorations are all the rage. Traditional ghosts are back in vogue. Trunk or treat events and other parties where the kids (of all ages) can dress up and get candy or have a festival (like Boos and Brews where vendors hand out candy to kids and adults can sample the autumn flavors of beer).

Stores have Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations to buy. While it seems early, these holidays are so anticipated, and we are ready to celebrate every month now that schools are back in session and daylight is getting shorter.

Grammar in the Wild: Spotting the Exotic Conditional

It's fun how life works. Several months ago, a neighbor got close to me to ask me if I would like to sign a petition about something that I didn't understand very well. I took the petition and said I would go through it, sign it, and give it back to him. Life, kids, winter, and so on, get in the middle, resulting in forgetting about the petition, and it was never returned back.

After almost a year, I was reading some news on social media that caught me out. It was exactly the same topic as my neighbors' petition: Homes rented as Airbnb. The most funny thing is that the people who were talking about this topic, on the news, are my friends. In the speech of one of them, he was talking using the IF conditional clause. It completely blew my mind when I heard him.

As a reflection about the topic and use of the IF/WOULD conditional clause (I think that's the name of this conditional), I really appreciate seeing and listening how native Americans talk so natural using this kind of grammar. And I loved it!! Maybe, if I were read the petition for the first time, I could have given support to my friends.

This is a reminder that the things we learn at school and think of them as boring grammar are so useful in real life. So, if I were a little kid at school, I would pay more attention to my English Language Arts classes because, trust me, grammar is something you are going to use for sure.                -Claudia

American Language and Culture: Honorifics

Honorifics are titles that show respect or deference to others. In American English and culture we have several formal titles that are used to show respect to people. These titles are usually used with a person's last or family name. Teachers, older adults, people being honored, or customers are referred to by honorifics. Only in recent years do children use adult first names (without honorifics). 

• Men are Mr. (pronounced MIS-ter) for example Mr. Manley
• Women who are married or widowed are can be Mrs. pronounced MIS-us or MIS-es). For example, Mrs. Goodwife.
• Women who are single can be Miss (pronounced as you see it). For example, Miss Young.
• Women married or unmarried can be Ms. (pronounced mizz). For example, Ms. Modern

Professions we see in common life have titles that are used with the last or family name:

• Physicians and dentists are titled Doctor. For example, Dr. Payne.
• Trainers for athletics, performance, or businesses are called coach. For example, Coach Winner
• University or college teachers are called Professor or Doctor (if he or she holds an advanced or doctoral degree). For example: Professor Noah Lott or Dr. Smarter
• A school administrator is called Principal or (Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms).  For example, Principal Hardtime.
• Police are Officers. For example, Officer Friendly.
• Justices are referred to as Judge in and out of the courtroom: For example, Judge Fairplay.

• Clergy can be Father (if Catholic) or Pastor or Reverand (of a protestant). It has been the trend for some time that the first name is used, for example: Father John or Pastor Jim. Last names or family names are usual for Reverand Surname 

A recent trend for preschool teachers is to refer to the women (regardless of their marital status) by their first name as Miss. For example, Babisit Kindly would be called Miss Babisit.

When someone wants to address another person or get their attention they will use Sir, Ma'am, or Miss.

Examples:

• Sir, you dropped your pen.
• Miss, could I have more water. (a younger woman)
• Here is your ticket, ma'am.

When in doubt, always err on the more formal.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We discussed Numbers 13-15.

As we read and discussed these chapters we needed to be reminded that the Israelites were on the brink of the Holy Land. Moses sends representatives into the land to "spy" and to discover the lay of the land. This type of covert exploration (as one translation called this event) is also known as reconnaissance. Moses is clear about what they are to look for and what to report back to the people. Numbers 13:23 tells that they found a branch with a single cluster of grapes that took two men to carry along with other delicious fruits. The report in verse 27 is that the land is "flowing with milk and honey," but the next verse tells the personal perspective that the people were giants and to be feared.

In the chapters and verses that follow we see personal perspectives override the orders. God continues to provide a means of reconciliation and atonement, but for the generation who does not believe, they will not see the promised land. 

This is a great lesson in the wisdom of following directions and being frank with facts so that good decisions will be made. Even though God provides the means to reconcile, there are still consequences to be faced.

The bottom line: people don't change. We see people report a narrative and are willing to stone (kill through choose to see a situation from a personal perspective rather than relying on a larger picture.  

 

October 19: Prepare to talk about Numbers 16-20.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

We explored morphology today--the study of how words are formed and how they relate to one another within a language. Understanding word roots, bases, prefixes, suffixes, families, and parts of speech help us build vocabulary and enhance fluency. We also "played with" grammar (gerunds, infinitives, participles, verb tenses, introductory elements) in meaningful conversational contexts. Continue to practice what you learn and bring questions about usage.

Exotic Grammar: Third Conditional (past unreal conditional)

We frequently use third conditional to describe a hypothetical situation-- an action that did not happen (unreal). Use the past perfect (or past progressive) tense in the if clause and a modal verb (would/could/might) and present perfect tense (have + the past participle) in the result clause. Notice the pattern:

• If it had rained yesterday, we wouldn't have gone to the zoo. (But it didn't rain, and we did go to the zoo.)
• If I hadn't become a teacher, I would have studied global languages. (I did become a teacher, and I didn't study global languages.)
• If they hadn't gone on a blind date, they wouldn't have gotten married eventually. (We did go on a blind date, and we did get married.
• If he had run faster, he might have won the race. (He didn't run fast. He did not win.)

October 22: We are continuing our Exotic Grammar deep dive study.

Complete the Third Conditional Grammar Worksheet on our Homework and Notes page. Bring your questions.

Use third conditional to write 5-7 sentences about your own regrets or circumstances using third conditional.

• Regret: If I hadn't moved out of state, I could have taken care of my mother when she was ill.
• Benefit: If we hadn't moved to Maryland, I would have missed making dear friends, teaching international students, and touring the D.C. area.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00-8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel

We discussed conditionals. We worked on pronunciation of words like feel, fail, fell. Our boards for the last few weeks are in the Handouts and Notes.

October 22:  For our next meeting, chit chat with strangers or people at work. Talk about the weather. Complement their clothing. Ask if they had a good weekend. Be sure to smile. If they frown, smile and repeat your question or statement. Remember, people can be surprised if you suddenly ask them a question. Be sure to end with a friendly good bye and "I hope you have a nice day."

American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom

October 23: It is fall ya'll. Let's talk about what fall is like. Tell about fall festivals and activities where you live. Tell if things are different now than when you were younger.

Words and Phrases and Resources

all the rage: popular

covert: secret

deference: 

lay of the land:

signify: be important of 

 Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages.

Click here to listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry! What Did You Say?"  on Spotify in your browser 

Hello, Friends.

I am on vacation. Getting a change of scenery can provide a change of perspective and can be refreshing and add insight. Seeing the sea or climbing a mountain when the usual view is a sea of grass can make you think! Listening to music and seeing art created in another location provides food for thought and new ideas.

Looking Left and Right

A leftward glance usually means the person is thinking, remembering, or processing information while looking to the right might signify imagining. While this is not a scientifically proven fact, it is an interesting idea as you think about your conversations. When searching for the right word, do you look to the left or to the right? That could depend on what you are trying to communicate. Does it help to send your glance in one direction or the other? Some say yes and some say no. I, for one, tend to think to the left when I am writing these notes, but think to the right when I am telling a story. 

While eye shifts help people to focus more deeply, it may mean that someone is distracted by something like a squirrel running by. 

Then, there is a cultural aspect to gazing left and right. When someone is from a particular culture, they might look in another direction.

Read more. Lateral Gaze: a sign of thinking or a medical clue

County Roads

There is a John Denver song that is popular in the states and world-wide. As we move forward from our thoughts and writing and sharing about home, this song is a great meditation piece. The singer expresses his excitement and contentment as he heads toward to West Virginia. The song writers were working on this homecoming song while traveling together. The song began with longing for the home state of Massachusetts. No one, the writers thought, would what to sing MA. As a side note, none of the lyricists had ever been to West Virginia. 

Listen to this classic. Substitute the main themes with your home. Can you make your story fit?

Take Me Home Country Roads

Email your work to indyintlfriends@gmail.com or sing your recording to your smart phone and send it to Carolyn. What techniques do you have to do to make the words fit the tune or the tune fit your words?

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We discussed Numbers 9-12.

Numbers  9:1-14 The Israelites observed the commemorative Passover and did everything as the Lord had commanded them. The references to not breaking any bones of the lamb during the Passover served as a reminder that Jesus would be the fulfilled Passover lamb with no bones broken at his crucifixion. 

Numbers 9: 15-23 The cloud above the Tabernacle served as God’s divine guidance system directing their journey.  They were off to a good start.

Numbers 10 The two silver trumpets communicated marching orders. The ark of the covenant would lead the way. It was time to move on toward the Promised Land. 

Numbers 11Complaints and discontent about hardships and food surfaced when they had barely begun their journey.  God provided a daily supply of manna but they complained to Moses, who became quite troubled when they craved meat.  God provided quail but their lack of gratitude for these provisions caused the judgment of a severe plague.

Numbers 12 Miriam and Aaron, the sister and brother of Moses, became jealous of his leadership and God’s seeming “favoritism” of Moses.  They questioned why God was speaking through Moses and not directly to them.  Their criticism had prompt and severe consequences with Miriam becoming leprous.  When Aaron acknowledged both of their sins, Miriam after seven days of exclusion was brought back to the camp. 

 

October 5: Prepare to talk about Numbers 13-15.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

Together we are learning how the practice and products of our own writing can inspire and teach us American English. Thank you to our learners who allowed us to use their writing samples as our “textbook” to:

• Review points of grammar (verb tenses, count/non-count nouns, contractions)
• Practice standard and conversational usage (phrasal verbs with objects and indirect objects)
• Explore various degrees of conditional sentences (“exotic” grammar).

Exotic Grammar—Second Conditional (present unreal conditional)

This form uses the past tense in the “if” clause and a modal verb (might, would, could) plus the base verb in the result clause to describe a hypothetical or unreal situation that cannot or is unlikely to happen. Examples:

• If I had a billion dollars, I would donate a large sum to charity.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t eat spicy food before bedtime.

If you watch this nine-minute conditional sentence video from You Tube you will understand more about all types of sentences and their differences.

October 15: Complete the Second Conditional Worksheet posted on the Homework and Notes page of this website AND write 5-10 original sentences using “If I were you, I would/could/might” to give advice. Imagine yourself in situations where you might really offer your input or a recommendation. Use the contraction I’d (I would) in some of your sentences.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00 -8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel

We are continuing to get acquainted. Gene was glad to get to know our Friends better. Sharing about our families and using pictures and photos to help others to understand and share our lives builds our relationships and our communication skills. Playing around with words that are spelled the same but have different meanings can be a surprise. Even if we are fluent in reading and have a great visual vocabulary, it is a surprise to hear a word pronounced in conversation. Then, the context becomes important. Repeating the word (Sorry! What did you say? Sew?)

• Sew: join two pieces of fabric together with thread and a needle
• Sow: plant seeds
• So: to an extent, or a continuation of a statement, or to make a point

October 15:  For our next meeting, we will look at the if/then statements (also called conditional by grammar geeks.

American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom

October 9: Fall Break-No Meeting

October 16: Prepare questions to find out about my Fall Break. I will prepare a travelogue of our road trip.

Words and Phrases and Resources

change of scenery: go somewhere else for a change

embedded: occurring as a grammatical constituent (such as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent

food for thought: 

I, for on: in my case, or "I"

like: for example

lyricists: the people who write the words or poetry of a song

signify: signal or indicate something

tend to: likely to happen; display a characteristic

Seeing and Saying: Drilling Into Details

Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages.

Click here to listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry! What Did You Say?"  on Spotify in your browser 

Hello, Friends.

Fall is breaking out here in the Midwest. Fall breaks are starting in our schools: both at a local and collegiate level. Some people are getting out of town. Since sports are in full swing, many students stay home. As the temperatures chill and the pumpkin spice and apple cider warm fingers, remember we still have the opportunities for warm days. 

Seeing C and Saying C

The letter "c" was a topic of discussion in several meetings this week. When this letter appears, how it is sounded may be influenced by the surrounding letters. It is funny that something that generally goes unnoticed suddenly becomes the elephant in the room. 

• Find all of the letter "c" in this Update (hint: there are 242). 
• Notice where they appear in the word. 
• Speak the word and listen for the sound. 
• Compare pronunciations (a dictionary app is a good resource).
• Create sentences or phrases connecting words containing the letter c.

Hint: there is a table for general pronunciation in the Homework and Notes. Go there after reading and ruminating and compare observations with general rules. Dive deeper with the cited on-line article.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

Numbers 6-8 offers an interesting perspective of opportunities and recognition for individuals and for groups. 

Numbers 6 talks about the voluntary practices of the Nazarites. These men and women dedicate themselves to the Lord (God). God does specify rules for these people that are special so that their personal choice is a physical appearance and behaviors represents of their spiritual choice. Nazarites can step back from this voluntary service and signify this with an offering. Aaron's blessing is how many Christian churches close their services and ceremonies. Here is the classic choral version:

Numbers 7 recites the offerings made by each of the tribes. The offerings (each made on a different day) are exactly the same. This is significant as no one person or group of people is favored or favorable above the other. This reads like an accounting ledger. There is comfort in the repetition as well as recognition and acknowledgement of the offerings.

Numbers 8 details how the Levites (who are the spiritual leaders, chosen by God as a substitute rather than the firstborn) are identified, cleansed or made pure, make atonement, and are given the directives to serve. God beautifully provides for the people as they begin their journey.

 

October 5: Prepare to talk about Numbers 9-12.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

As a community of writers, we explored our writing processes and products around the topic of "home." Often, we write drafts to prepare for public speaking. We role played making acceptance speeches with gracious, sincere, humble, confident remarks. Most communication involves some form of narration or storytelling. Review the basics of "your story" this week. 

Find the examples and work about "home" in the Homework and Notes

Keep working on your "presentation" and "acceptance" speeches. From this point forward, you "drive the bus". Surprise one of your colleagues during our meeting by "presenting" the award. Your "victim" then has to "present" the acceptance speech. This game is on-going.

Exotic Grammar:

We have had good questions about conditional sentences that have an "if" clause and a "result clause." We frequently use first conditional sentences to talk about our plans or things we hope to do. Use the present tense in the "if" clause and future tense in the "result" clause. 

Notice the pattern if we imagine what Carolyn might do on vacation: If the weather is good, she will go camping. If she finds a Buc-ee's on the highway, she will stop for gas and a snack. If she has time, she will visit the wild ponies on Chincoteague Island.

October 9: Write a daily list or journal of 3-5 sentences about the things you do each day in simple past tense (or tense of your choice.) Add time words and phrases if you like. Use at least two irregular verbs.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00 -8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel

My apologies. My tech failed me and I lost our boards! Here are the main points and the gist of our conversations. 

Gene joined us and we got to know him and more about the American English accent. The sounds of the letters "c" and "t" were key discussions. We listed words to see if we could generate rules (that we knew were out there) rather than jump to our tech or a book to look them up. Learning takes time. Application takes time. As efficient and effective speakers we tend to take the shortcuts, then we beat ourselves up over the fact we "can't learn and apply" and do not relate with others as well as we would like. This is normal.

Why is it important to explore? Grabbing the answer from a source helps with remembering some remote rule for the moment and in the moment. That is fine. The curiosity is addressed and the answer is solved, but it is not moved into practice in a new space and context. The focus was on the short answer not the longer application or use. There is a difference between knowing the rule and actual application in the real world.  Generating word lists tests suspicion and vague ideas about a rule or information. This is where brainstorming words helps to turn concepts and ideas into practical applications in life. 

Continue to play with words and test concepts (KON seps). Brainstorm words to see what comes to mind. Notice if your brainstorming brings to mind multilingual words and phrases, how each sounds versus how it is spelled.

October 8:  For our next meeting, create half page graphic for "home," or choose another idea/word to explore. Take a picture and e-mail it to indyintlfriend@gmail.com or bring it to class. 

American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom

Contests can be fun. Choral contests are great for both the individual and for the group as a whole. Sometimes the actual performance does not meet the expectation during practice. Each contest or competition has different rules, judges, and judging methods.

Chorus, choir, and choral reading of and the pronunciation are always a conundrum. They are not pronounced how they look. Many people are surprised to learn that the beginning sound is not like the word chair but is like the word core. Which reminds us that good choral technique comes from your core so that breathing is not a chore.

Singing with others is a great opportunity to physically join voices, but there is more going on than just that. Singing helps with memory, learning, and neurological connections and growth. Singing creates emotional responses and connections. Singing promotes social connections and interactions.

October 9: Fall Break-No Meeting

October 16: Prepare questions to find out about my Fall Break. I will prepare a travelogue of our road trip.

Words and Phrases and Resources

concepts: this word is a great example of the in-person discussion. KON seps (or even KAN seps) if you are listening to American English in the Northeast or maybe even in Chicagoland (around Chicago). Although KON sept (with a clear "popping" sound of the letter "t"). The letter "c" has two different pronunciations: the hard sound and the softer "s" sound. 

breaking out: happening in a continuous and spotty way

elephant in the room: something that is obvious but not easy to talk about or is left unsaid

gist: essence, substance, point

It's is Fall. Let's go deep!

Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages.

Click here to listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry! What Did You Say?"  on Spotify in your browser 

Hello, Friends.

Temperatures fell this week. On at the beginning of the week, we could not imagine cold weather, and overnight we went from upper 80s to mid 60s. We grabbed pants and long sleeves and felt a little embarrassed to be surprised by the weather change. Fall officially hit the calendar on Tuesday at 8:05 PM. In my backyard, the trees started dropping leaves and I had to acknowledge that my dog knows more than I do since he has been blowing his coat for a while now.

Singlish

Singing helps with so many aspects of language learning. 

This version lets you try it alone...sing along and sing down.

If you are asked to recite these words in order, it is difficult. Remembering (not memorizing) strings of somewhat nonsensical or whimsical words can be difficult to impossible. Set the words (or sounds) to music, and suddenly it becomes easy (try this with spelling an unusual word).

Music matches intonation and cadence of American English. Listen to the radio and different types of songs: country, rap, easy listening. Notice how the words are rushed or drawn out. Your pronunciation and listening skills will blossom.

E Words to Explain Learning

We found new 'E" words to add to our description of adult learners as Efficient, Effective, Elegant.

• Efficient: adults make split second decisions about what is important to know and is necessary 
• Effective: adults practice learning every day and maturity and practice focus what they are learning and help with applying and incorporating what they know into life situations
• Elegant: adults are graceful and stylish with their learning, it is part of their life

 We are adding:

• Exposure: adults need to make contact with or see a need for learning something--it is second nature (but maybe not natural) to learn isolated facts without necessity
• Experience: adults draw on what they have seen and done as part of what they learn, remember, or save. They may overlook something because they filter 

Acronyms

Do we say "na-sah" or pronounce the letters individually as N A S A? Acronyms are pronounced as words whereas initialisms are pronounced as individual letters. The List of Common Acronyms is great for efficient and effective understanding of this topic. What do you notice about these pronunciations?

Accent or Pronunciation

This is a super interesting and hair-splitting topic for language geeks. We all have accents here in the U.S. Keep speaking, listening, observing, and practicing. 

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

Numbers 4 -5. One Friend has a concurrent study that highlights the words restoration, reconciliation, and restitution as the themes of these chapters. Numbers 4 continues to describe structure, materials, processes and procedures, and to identify the people who are responsible for the work and the dire consequences when the processes are not followed.

Numbers 5 begins with a recap for causes for people to be "'put outside the camp" which include leprosy, has a discharge, or has touched a dead body (details can be found in Leviticus 13-15 as well as cleansing and return to the community) .

Numbers 5 continues with rules and processes for wives that commit adultery or are accused of committing adultery. Included in this discussion are the rules and processes for husbands who are jealous of their wives. Human jealousy is described with envy, strife, and leads to sinful behavior which harms the relationship between the couple as easily as infidelity. 

Contrast this with the jealousy of God (Exodus 34: 14) which is motivated by love, protection, and zeal. God's love and protection would turn His people to Him not to another god.

 

September 28: Continue the story with Numbers 6-8. There is always a group of people who make their rules to serve God that is divergent from the rest of the people. The Nazarites are the These chapters outline how God xxx differing community opinion and then provides space for them to move back into the general society. 

Spoiler: Chapters eight opens with verses about establishing seven lamps. Revelation 1: 12 foreshadows the seven lamps as the seven churches that propel the good news to all the ends of the earth.

As you read this week, remember that "scripture interpreters scripture".

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

We began this meeting with a detailed discussion about the word "board" (and not "bored"). This led to talking about meeting language and rules of order and the roles and responsibilities of the president and others. Formal words signaling the beginning and end of a discussion keep the meeting from becoming heated and keeps the meeting moving.

We talked at length decoding the differences in pronunciation and accent including where the emphasis is placed in a word. Written representations of pronunciation is not the simple as breaking the word into syllables. Learn more here: Decoding & Encoding: What Are the Differences?

Simply looking up the word can help. Understanding how this representation differs from syllables can be helpful in understanding what someone is saying from both speaking and listening (are lit-tle and lid-dle the same word? See the further discussion on this in the evening meeting notes).

Miriam Webster on word dividing

No, the conventions for dividing a word at the end of a line of text and the conventions for dividing a word into phonetic syllables are not the same, and as a result a headword and its pronunciation may show different divisions. The centered dots/points in a headword—which are chiefly determined by considerations of morphology (the study of word formation, as by inflection, derivation, and compounding) and of pronunciation—indicate the places where it can be broken if all of the letters will not fit at the end of a line. They do not necessarily show syllable division (which is the common misconception); they are simply potential points of end-of-line division. Syllabication of a word is indicated by the hyphens found in the word's pronunciation, where they exist as aids to the pedagogical command of "sound it out."

October 1: Prepare an acceptance speech. Be specific. Include gratitude but not platitude. Take a picture and e-mail it to indyintlfriend@gmail.com or message/text Carolyn.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00 -8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel

The night meeting was so much fun! What is the difference between a CNA and an MA. We read the AI description to cement a career decision choice.

Listening and speaking are not always intuitive. We talked (a lot) about whether we need to pronounce the "t" like a "d" and if a British accent needs to be Americanized. Americans understand "little" with a "t' rather than the more common By the way, if the childcare staff speaks a different language, and your baby is spending eight hours or more of the day with those people, your baby's first language is the caregiver's.

The "natural" language this year is Berber but the "fall back" language is French. Our Friends learned British English in college. This makes for interesting conversations on translation and expectations since each language was learned at different stages in life.

Reading through an AI comparison of MA and CNA jobs and training provided us with the opportunity to fine-tune pronunciation. T's for D's (or not because that is an accent not a mispronunciation).

October 1:  For our next meeting, create half page graphic for "home," or choose another idea/word to explore. Take a picture and e-mail it to indyintlfriend@gmail.com. or bring it to class. 

American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom

Talking about traveling to a city is a good way to talk about culture and explain daily life or a favorite place. This is another way of teaching. It also gives us a break from our daily life with a "virtual" holiday.

October 2: Prepare an itinerary for a trip to Kyoto. What to see, where to stay, how to get around.

Words and Phrases and Resources

an MA: yes, a consonant follows the article of "an" but in this case it is not an "M" but and "em"!

blow his coat: shedding like crazy

cement: make a final decision

chiefly: primarily, mostly

decoding: decoding is the process where the brain translates printed words into spoken words. To put it simply, it’s the process of sounding out words.

hair-splitting: open to debate

headword: the word at the beginning of a dictionary entry (new to me!)

heated: emotionally argued

hit: appeared, arrived

itinerary: travel plan

misconception: incorrect or view or opinion because of faulty thinking

propel: drive or push something in a certain direction

Fall Into Fall

Click here to go directly to our webpages and read the Update and other pages.

Click here to listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry! What Did You Say?"  on Spotify in your browser 

Hello, Friends.

Here in the Midwest, we will feel cooler temperatures in the coming week. Even if the pools were still open, they would not be open because the air temperature is predicted to stay below 70 degrees! This is quite the change from the last week or so when the temperatures were in the upper 80s to mid-90s, and with the humidity it was more than hot, it was sticky!

Community Fun

This time of year, festivals and excused to get together as a community out of doors are rampant. Search local papers and sites for fun things to do. Get out and see friends and neighbors. Meet new people. Locally, we have a great mix of people sharing their heritage. This weekend kicked off with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the City of Carmel with an old-fashioned ice cream social. 

Hamilton County offers more fun. Click for the Top Five Guide. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to find more things to do.

Each county and community offers this type of guide either online or in the paper.

Learn From Our Meetings This Week

Read what we did this week in each of our meetings. This week's meetings covered American English and American Culture foundations to apply.

Pick out tips and techniques and try them. 

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.

International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom

We got reacquainted in this meeting. Even though we have been studying together and meeting occasionally over the summer. We got down to business toward the end of our hour and talked about Numbers 1-3. 

Chapter 1 is a census of the tribes/families of Israel. This chapter sets up the structure for the entire community as it traveled together. The able-bodied men from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war numbered 603,550. This accounting did not include women, children, elderly, etc. This was a really large party that was counted and accounted for.

Chapter 2 provides a beautiful word picture of how the camps were to be set up. The description reminded us of a kaleidoscope. 

Chapter 3 provides for the spiritual and legal leadership of the people with the appointment of the Levites. This chapter also outlines the terms and the term of these men's service. This chapter also provides for the redemption of the first-born children of all people and animals. These are to "belong to God" and reflects back to the Passover in Egypt. Instead of taking the first-born, the Levites stand itn their place (chapter 3:45)

God provides a plan for the Israelites to live and work together as they sojourn to the promised land.

 

September 21: Continue the story with Numbers 4-6. These chapters outline the responsibilities of the different groups. Chapter five talks about preserving individual households from separation through protecting the larger community from disease. Chapters four and six outline the responsibilities of groups of people composed from people from various tribes who performed special services.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, luncheon, working lunch, dinner, or supper? We love to compare an

contrast food traditions across cultures. Food is always a safe and interesting topic of 

conversation. What is your favorite meal of the day? What are your favorite breakfast foods? How do you like your eggs—scrambled, fried, or sunny side up? Do you prefer a sweet or a

savory breakfast?

We worked on critical listening skills today as Carolyn told about attending the USGLC (United 

States Global Leadership Coalition) in Washington, D.C. in June. This opportunity to network 

and brainstorm with government representatives, aides, and others to explore issues of 

concern sounded inspiring. Think about your experience. Have you ever attended a

professional conference, served on a school or community committee, or collaborated with 

others on a project of any kind? What did you learn, accomplish, or contribute? Share your

experience with us in class or explore this in a future homework assignment.

Local, state, and national politics are part of American Culture. We addressed questions about political parties, voting, ballots, absentee ballots, and particular local candidates, and we 

practiced some critical reading by noticing common elements on candidates websites: Home,

Story, Shop, Donate, Help, etc. Where is home for you? If you are an expat or global nomad, that may not be an easy question to answer. If you have kids, where do they call their home country? Is it your home country, or the country where they have grown up?

Thank you for your time and attention. Use something you heard or learned in the coming week. Talk to your husband about politics. Talk to your kids about “where is home.” Practice grammar, usage, and idioms that are new to you.

Examples:

Usual (adjective—which one): We followed our usual schedule today. 

Usually (adverb—how often): We usually begin and end on time.

Threw me off—The noise outside threw me off during the exam.

Fun facts: As you travel across the U.S., enjoy learning each state’s motto and symbols (flag, seal, bird, flower, tree, song). Challenge: Find out the state symbols of Indiana and one other state you have visited (or might visit in the future.)

September 24: For our next meeting, create half page graphic for "home," or choose another idea/word to explore. Take a picture and e-mail it to indyintlfriend@gmail.com.

American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00 -8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel

We met and talked about our families including our brothers, sisters, and in-laws. We learned more about each other. 

We talked about learning English and the challenges of transferring what we already know into listening and speaking language. In this case, since our friend has a Masters Degree in finance with the emphasis on economics, listening to Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics is a great opportunity hear about the field in American English. Borrow the audio book is available through the Libby app and your public library.

Listen and watch Dr. Sowell in this interview. This discussion helps us to understand how American economics has developed. Turn on the CC (Closed Captioning) to read along. Remember you can adjust the audio speed.

Finding a new career is common in the United States. We looked at the Medical Assistant program offered by Allied Health Education Programs through the Trinity Free Clinic. We read through the opportunity to earn this basic degree to get a feel for working in the medical field.

September 24:  For our next meeting, write the answer to the following question from the application. Email your answer or bring it to class.

"What will you put into the program in order to succeed? What are your future goals in the medical field?'

American English for Kids: Friday, 8:00-8:30 PM, private Zoom

We talked about preparing for exams. We continued talking about the "cram" courses that students take to prepare for exams. Our friend said that his teacher said that they had to, "change their mind." This usually means to take a new perspective, decision, or position about something. Literally, though, when we are learning we are changing our minds! So yes, a teacher helps students "change their minds!"

September 25: Teach a short lesson from a chapter of study. Debrief to tell if/how this method helped you recognize your learning.

Words and Phrases and Resources

accounted for: a part of or made up of

sojourn: travel