March: In Like a Lion and Out Like a Lamb

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.

March is known for windy days and changeable weather. Get your kites out. Keep your winter coat handy. Look out for snow and ice. Winter is not over, yet!

March Dates To Remember

The Farmer's Almanac is a great place for all things: here is a lowdown.

March 3 is Holi, the Indian “Festival of Colors” that marks spring and renewal.

March 5 International Women's Day is celebrated locally:

iWi Volunteer showcase and luncheon (Our class is participating at this event; no Zoom)

She LEADS Carmel 

March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates the achievements of women and the progress made toward women’s rights but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world.

March 8 is the start of Daylight Saving Time, which begins at 2:00 A.M. that day. If your area observes it, don’t forget to “spring forward” and set the clocks one hour ahead, or you may find yourself an hour late to everything!

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day, celebrating John Chapman and everything apple!

March 15 is the Ides of March! Legend surrounds this ill-fated day. Beware the Ides of March!

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. According to folklore, folks wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because the saint used its three leaves to explain the Trinity.

March 20 brings about the March equinox—also called the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere—marking the beginning of spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the autumnal equinox and the beginning of fall. On this day, the Sun stands directly over Earth’s equator.

Modals Make Mesmerizing and Memorable Messages

As you grow beyond basic conversation and discussion, you might want to include color and feeling into your conversations. Words known as "modals" fulfill that need.

Click for a clear image.

Modals suggest a direction or concept without pushing the listener or reader to direct action. 

Question: Will you babysit my dog at your house for two weeks?

Answer: I'm sorry I have to be gone most of the time and it would not be a good for him.

For our March Modal Madness (this week), listen for can and could and incorporate these into your vocabulary and try them out!

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

No notes for the week....

March 2: Begin Leviticus: the instructions to the Levites (and the people) to maintain a righteous relationship between themselves and with God. The Levites came from the lineage of Levi and were the priests who were give the job of sanctifying the people. 

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

From Grandma's to Grammar: Our discussion of sensory memories of home and habits past and present led us to some special verbs to add to our toolbox. Often, we want to go beyond "just the facts" to add mood or feeling. Modal verbs —the helping verbs can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must and others—indicate possibility, probability, preference, obligation, necessity, and other shades of meaning. 

Welcome to March Modal Madness! In this spring challenge, we will challenge ourselves to listen for and use these Modal verbs week-by-week. Each week we will explore a different set of modal verbs to help us distinguish the nuances in their meanings. You CAN do this! important lessons.

Can and could indicate ability, permission, or possibility. This week, focus on things you (or someone else) can or could do. Write ten sentences using can/can't/could/couldn't based on your own experience and frame-of-reference.

Examples:

I can’t speak Japanese, but I can speak a little Spanish.

She couldn’t play the piano as a child, but she has learned to play as an adult.

Can you join me for coffee on Thursday morning?

No, I can’t meet on Thursday. I have an English class. Could we go for coffee on Friday?

They couldn’t find a suitable apartment in the city, so they moved to a suburban area.

He couldn’t take her to the airport because he had to work. She took a taxi instead.

I know we met last year, but I’m sorry I can’t remember your name. Could you please remind me.

I can remember the happy sounds and smells of my grandmother’s house so well. She could always give me wise advice and help me feel special.

March 5: No Zoom Meeting (iWi Women's Day Celebration)

March 12: Bring your modal observations and experiences.

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We did not meet.

March 2: Let's catch up!

Words and Phrases and Resources

lowdown: inside information, scoop

Wrapping Up February

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

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

Winter can be a bumpy ride. We enjoyed some glimpses of Spring here in the Midwest. 

• Massive flocks of Sandhill Cranes have been flying over the last couple of days. 
• Daffodil greens peeking out of the dirt.
• Kids and joggers in shorts (some going as far as to wear tank tops).
• Outdoor dining. 

My mom always sent us to school with a winter coat...Did the weather turn during the day? Probably, because moms are always right. Sunday brought cold temperatures, icy sidewalks and streets, and a dusting of snow here in central Indiana.

Groundhog's Day was February 2. This year the national groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter. Our local groundhog Hope predicted an early spring. Listen to our Groundhog's Day edition of Sorry. What Did You Say? In this short clip we talk about this tradition and the hope we have for the weather for the next few weeks. Do we blame a rodent for faulty predictions, or do we write it off to the vagaries of the Mother Nature?

Sunday, we have a Nor'easter (or Northeaster) winter weather warning for the Northeast coastal states. Flight delays (because the weather impacts New York airports), and Boston has 40 inches of snow on the ground with two more feet predicted. NYC is shut down until February 23, with a mandatory travel ban. 

Reading and Writing

Reading and writing are an interesting test of any language understanding. These language formats tend to be different than conversations because they tend to lean towards more formal forms. These also give you a chance to brush up on cadence and structure and feed your vocabulary and style for communicating. Local authors are always a great way to learn about your community. And, don't forget to do your own writing. This is a great way to find your words and critique your grammar. Use dictation on your phone as a way to capture your speaking, too.

Indiana Reads

Find a good book to hunker down with: 

Indiana Children's Authors and Illustrators

Good Reads Indiana Author List

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

We finished Exodus! We had an amazing and interesting discussion. The people follow God's plans to build the means to have a direct relationship with Him. God does not demand participation or that specific people do the work. 

February 23: No class.

March 2: Begin Leviticus: the instructions to the Levites (and the people) to maintain a righteous relationship between themselves and with God. The Levites came from the lineage of Levi and were the priests who were give the job of sanctifying the people. 

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

We missed our Friends today! We enjoyed an impromptu Professional Development Day, reflecting on the history of International Friends and brainstorming about the future. Collaboration and mind mapping have been strengths of our program as we have evolved over the years. Sometimes it is good to take stock of a personal or organizational mission. Asking big questions—what we are doing, where have we been, where are we going, and why—guides decision-making and refreshes our purpose. 

As an ALCP (American Language and Culture Program) the structure and mission of International Friends is different than some other English as a New Language programs in the area. We encourage students to explore whatever learning options best suit their goals. As seasoned and experienced Language Learning Leaders, we assess, correct, and teach to meet needs and tailor the class on the fly directing basics and culture in a lasting, memorable, efficient, and effective way.

We welcome Friends to remain part of our team long-term. As newcomers who are navigating life in a different country and language our students are the experts who can teach us and others so many important lessons.

February 26: Surprise grab bag. Think and/or write about one of the following topics for next week:

• Do you have a personal mission statement? Think about drafting one as you go through different seasons of life. It is a good way to celebrate accomplishments big and small and to look forward to other growth opportunities.
• Describe your cross-cultural identity. Have you experienced culture shock here or back home? How have you kept in touch or lost touch with friends and family? Where is home? How have you built a network of support?
• What are some “hot topics” you would like to discuss in the weeks ahead? Spring and summer sports and camps? Holidays? Being “weather aware”? Something in the news?
• That’s weird! What have you found strange, unusual, or difficult about life in the U.S.? Are you comfortable with greetings and courtesies? What’s up with RSVPs? Do you need to send regrets if you cannot attend an event? How do you show hospitality or be a “good guest”?
• What phrases do you use to describe plans or points on the calendar?

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We did not meet.

February 27: Another "off" day. See you in March!

Words and Phrases and Resources

bumpy ride: inconsistent event not comfortable time (Hang on! We are 

drilling: repetitive working on a subject

impromptu: unplanned

glimpse: peek or quick look

grab bag: an assortment of miscellaneous items or choose a wrapped item without knowing the contents

joggers: people that run for general fitness

mandatory: required and required by law

Nor'easter or Northeaster: a cyclone that does not originate in the tropics

40 and two and February 2: written numbering conventions (rules) are that two-digit numbers can be written numerically, one-digit numbers are written verbally (as a word) unless they are a date, and then write them numerically

on the fly: impromptu

reads: a non-findable slangy word for book or written work (Have you had any good reads lately? Have you read anything interesting lately?

take stock of: assess

tend to lean towards: inclined or preferred direction or choice

vagaries: whims

write it off: dismiss

Happy Valentine's Day

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

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

Love is in the air! In the United States we celebrate Valentines' Day with family and friends as well as our significant others. In schools, kids valentines (cards with hearts and favorite characters. Couples may go out to a romantic dinner and see a show or a movie. Some people decide to stay in and cozy up with a movie and popcorn. Romantic gifts include flowers (red roses), chocolate, jewelry. Stuffed animals and candies are popular to give children and for young couple to give to each other. Girls often create a special card and small gifts while the boys will give their girls a teddy bear or other special stuffed animal. Love is in the air, even if Spring is still holding off.

Listen to "Sorry. What Did You Say?" to learn about Valentine's Day here in the United States as well as Japan and Italy. Pick up some preposition tips as well as cultural tips.

February 13 is Galentine's Day. Girls, spend the day with your friends doing special girly things.

Building Vocabulary by Bits and Pieces

English words are often made up of a root word or the most basic word. Prefixes and suffixes can be added to the root word to create a new word that is further explained by the additions. 

Take the root word of "comfort". Add the prefix of "un" that means not and "able" that means doing or being. Comfort becomes uncomfortable. Many English words come from Latin and Greek. Some root words can stand alone, and others are "stem" words that need to have prefixes or suffixes to become a complete word.

300 Commonly Used Greek & Latin Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes

Being familiar with the following short lists of prefixes and suffixes can help you speed understanding when listening and reading.

• Speedreading Prefixes
• Speedreading Suffixes

Build your vocabulary and comprehension: explore resources that teach word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and families. Knowing Greek and Latin derivatives can help you figure out the meaning of a word from its parts. Many books and study guides are available: 

• Word Clues: The Vocabulary Builder by Amsel Greene
• Speechcraft: Discourse Pronunciation for Advanced Learners by Laura D. Hahn and Wayne B. Dickerson
• English Words from Latin and Greek elements by Donald M. Ayers

You do not have to memorize all of the words in a dedicated way. Once you see these or hear them and then break them down, you will recognized them and be able to define them by their parts.

The Olympics

We are well into the Olympics. The world is watching as elite athletes compete in winter sports in Italy. Closing ceremonies are February 22. 

Curling is the newcomer to the Olympics that has everyone watching and intrigued. Learn more about this sport here: Curling 101

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

We did not get past Exodus 34. God identifies Himself and His attributes. God is

6 compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.

 Moses asks that God forgive them for their unfaithfulness and continue to travel with the Israelites. God promises to lavishly bless them (continue to look at them with favor). God then tells them:

14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Jealous is not a word that carries positive connotations in our current society. Definitions include words such as hostile, intolerant, suspicion of infidelity (and is this not what the Israelites have done?), upset that someone you love is interested in another. In addition, when we dig deeper into this lexicon, we find that that particular word includes vigilant in guarding a possession. We discover that the Creator God loves with great passion and emotion. The Creator God is passionate about protecting and preserving His beloved people.

The response of the Israelites follows. They follow God's plans as previously described to create the means that facilitates a good relationship. Amazing love. Amazing fidelity. 

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

We continue to discuss encoding and decoding messages in various contexts of daily living and within words themselves. Casual conversation or “chit chat” is an important part of communication to show hospitality and to set a friendly tone. In any conversation, it is natural to anticipate the message and prepare to respond appropriately. However, it is easy to predict the outcome and miss the true content. This is when you sudden Try to focus on listening first. Then pause, think, and use a filler (Um, Hmm, Well, Actually) to transition to your reply. Cultural, linguistic, personality, or generational differences require nuance and patience. Introduce yourself, be open, ask questions, and be willing to negotiate meaning in personal and professional settings. 

Join us to practice and role play practical conversations, such as networking and interviewing for a job, making phone calls, dealing with difficult people, and communicating and promoting your interests. We love to celebrate your success!

February 19: Because reading builds vocabulary in any language, we invite you to submit reading samples to Carolyn for our group instruction. We still have the following on the table:

• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Switzerland Travel Guide

Enjoy the journey!

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We spent our time drilling on prepositions in both English and in our home language.

February 20: Continue to listen for prepositions. Here is an equivalence explanation for these types of words in Japanese from Rosetta Stone. Keep up with the Olympics. Be ready to talk about your favorite sport.

TIP: Look at how your language is explained in the context of your target language (in this case, Japanese is explained through English) to better understand the target language.

Words and Phrases and Resources

beloved: deeply loved

couples: groups of two people

decoding: receiving a message or information

dig deeper: research

encoding: sending a message or information

generational: characteristics of people born around the same time

girly: for girls, 

holding off: not coming just yet

lexicon: word use, particularly with roots to Latin, Greek, or Hebrew

nuance: subtle differences

on the table: waiting to be taken care of or discussed

The Shortest Month Is Not Short On Ideas or Interesting Things

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

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

This weekend the American Pro Football Season ends with the Superbowl. This famous playoff gives way to the biggest season for us in Indiana: BASKETBALL leading to March Madness (the playoffs between college teams).

This week we were treated to the opening of the Winter Olympics in Italy. Did you have a chance to see the ceremonies? The Italians did a beautiful job showcasing their country and culture. Italians are famous for speaking with their hands. Comedienne Brenda Lodigiani delighted the crowd with some of the famous Italian hand gestures while subtitles further explained them. You can watch this clip and catch up with the highlights from the evening. The Olympics have a special place in the hearts of Americans where athletes have the opportunity to compete on the world stage. Armchair athletes have the chance to dream of gold: there is an event for everyone to follow and athletes from everywhere to root for.

Communicating Without Words

Increase communications by 60% with hand gestures. A study of leaders (via TED Talk analysis showed that the most popular and understood speakers used over 400 gestures to the least popular that used just over 200).

• People are born to speak with their hands and children that use hand gestures have greater language abilities later.
• People listen to people who use hand gestures: they even help people pay attention to "the acoustics of speech" and that they are a fundamental part of speaking.
• People can not help but use hand gestures. People who are blind use them even when they are speaking to other blind people.
• Gestures help you access memories and make you more fluent.
• Gestures help others understand what you are saying.

Flailing your arms around is not effective. 

Keep your hands within the shoulder and waist area to not distract and detract. And, be careful. Hand gestures in one language or culture can be offensive in another culture.

Safe bets to help people follow your gist include:

Show size: use open arms or a thumb and forefinger, level a flat hand above the floor to show height, 

Show numbers: if you are talking about two things, hold up two fingers. In the United States we generally count as shown. 

Show honesty: Hands out with your palms facing up either shows openness or honest but if fingers spread out it means you need something.

Stop: one hand out straight showing your palm. But if you shake your hand, it is a friendly "hi". Two hands shows excitement and super happiness.

Ask: raise one hand and maybe wave it back and forth to get attention or ask a question.

Adjusting you clothing, hair, etc. all show that you want to look nice and impress someone.

Show approval: thumbs up, ok with thumb and index finger (but in Brazil or to a Brazilian this is rude).

Point your finger: normally this is rude, but a pointed finger can make a point or serves to recognize others.

There are many more to take advantage of in the article from Science of People 60 Hand Gestures You Should Be Using and Their Meaning. For us Zoomers, we sit in a limited square. That doesn't mean that we don't get to use hand gestures.

Winter Blues

The days are getting longer, but we are still shut in with the weather and cold. Some people are feeling the effects of the lack of sunshine and social exposure. Finding friends, activities, enjoying food, enjoying the beauty of the season. All of these things can help combat winter blues. Social media may or may not help. 

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

In Exodus 33. the aftermath of the episode where the Israelites built and worshiped an idol is detailed. God tells Moses, "...But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way (vs 3)." This reminded us of any family trip where tensions run high because the people on the trip want to insist on their selfish wants rather than follow a leader (even when that leader is their Creator). This separation from the presence of God distresses the Israelites. In this same chapter, Moses is treated to the sight of God. Hod continues to provide Moses with support and guidance and a good relationship.

February 2: Read through Exodus 34-40 to see how the people follow the detailed plans to fulfil and build the temple

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

Communication and Context: As we discussed various print texts and media messaging, we observed that each example represented a circle of communication--a sender communicating some message to a receiver or audience for some purpose. We all engage in that same cycle of encoding and decoding messages every day in whatever language we use to communicate. Think about these variables as you strive to "Say what you mean and mean what you say."

• Who is your audience? What is their frame of reference? Do they perceive you as an equal, an expert, an enemy?
• What do you want to communicate to them? What is the content of your message?
• What is the purpose or motivation for your message? To inform or teach, amuse or entertain, move to emotion, persuade to action?
• How can you tailor your message to a particular audience? What is your rhetorical technique and delivery style?
• How do you expect the audience to respond? Will you welcome feedback? Will you ask for action to be taken?

The audience is often the most challenging variable. We must make some assumptions about an audience without overgeneralizing or stereotyping. Your audience may show intellectual curiosity, or they may come with preconceived notions of their own. Establishing a common context and shared sense of community builds rapport and receptivity. Messaging and understanding can then flow with confidence, passion, compassion, and motivation. The Power of Voice: A Guide to Making Yourself Heard by Denise Woods comes highly recommended as guide for refining oral messaging in particular. This I Believe (www.thisibelieve.org) essays and recordings demonstrate all manner of personal storytelling about how core values guide daily lives.

Vocabulary and idioms we explored this week:

• Allegiance
• Purview
• Above my pay grade
• Not in my wheel house
• Come play in my sandbox
• In the sweet spot

Some final thoughts: We circled back around to our talk of "women's issues" which brings us to Melanie Sanders and the "We Do Not Care Club" on Instagram. If you have not seen this comedienne, check out her schtick. She gets material from the comments, but it is her delivery and use of the media that touches her audience. 

Enjoy this meeting of the We Do Not Care Club about on-line hooks and pitfalls.

How does Melanie relate to her audience? How do they resonate?

February 13: We are continuing to read. Our reads for the week: 

• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Switzerland Travel Guide

Enjoy the journey!

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We spent our time drilling on prepositions in both English and in our home language.

February 13: Continue to listen for prepositions. Here is an equivalence explanation for these types of words in Japanese from Rosetta Stone. 

TIP: Look at how your language is explained in the context of your target language (in this case, Japanese is explained through English) to better understand the target language.

Words and Phrases and Resources

armchair athletes: fans

as shown: like the picture 

circled back around: returned to a previous topic

flailing your arms around: waving your hands and arms wildly with no meaning (like when you are falling) 

follow your gist: understand what  you are talking about

hand gestures: motions that help listeners understand what someone is feeling

Pro: professional (a paid job) vs. amateur (AM uh chur) like the Olympians

resonate: agrees with on an instinctive level

root for: cheer on

safe bet: confidant position 

take advantage of: use

tensions run high: people feel edgy and are easily irritated or offended

we were treated: given a special gift or experience

which brings us to: leads to a conclusion or to the next point

Welcome February!

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

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

TIP: As you read this Update, pay attention to the apostrophes. ('). How are they used? What are the conditions.

Hello Friends.

Do you wonder how to pronounce February? It is a great question and open for debate. The Cambridge Dictionary offers the UK and the US pronunciations. Can you hear the difference? 

February is African American Month.

February Days

The Snow Moon (February 1) or the full moon of the month gets it's name because traditionally this is the month for the most snowfall. January will be hard to beat!

We have had cold and snow all across the U.S. for the past weeks. February is a very important month for us here because on February 2 we turn to the Groundhog to tell us how much longer we get to enjoy (or put up with) winter weather. 

Superbowl (February 8) is an important holiday. This foodball game ends the season and even if you are not a fan watch the commercials and the halftime show. Throw a party. Celebrate with themed snacks and cook offs. This the real reason for the holiday!

• Food and Wine has 50 snacks.
• Food Network has 101 snacks.

Valentines Day (February 14) is the day to show your love to your family, friends, classmates, neighbors, or anyone else. In the U.S. giving chocolates, Valentine cards, flowers, stuffies, are all ways to show your appreciation for the people in your life. Of course, save dinner for your sweetie!

Galentines Day (February 13) was created by a character in the sitcom Parks and Rec. On this day girlfriends get together and celebrate that special relationship with all things girlie.

The Chinese Lunar New Year (February 17) has become a popular celebration in our communities. Join in with delicious treats as we welcome in the year of the horse.

Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (February 17) is the feast day before the Christian Lenten season. This is a secular holiday in many communities.

Ramadan (February 17) begins the holy holiday for Muslims. This holiday lasts until the next crescent moon (29-30 days) and is observed  by focus on God-consciousness, self-reflection, and self-improvement all month as they fast, abstaining from food and water from sunrise to sunset. 

Ash Wednesday (February 18) begins the 40 day Lenten season. Churches may hold services. People may have ashes on their foreheads as a part of observing this day. Christians may give up something that is special as a part of observing these days (ending on Easter Sunday).

The Old Farmer's Almanac has more to think about and to celebrate (including beginning to plan your garden).

Affectionate Alphabets

Acronyms are shorthand and sassy ways to talk about your favorite things. Here is a list that celebrates our favorite people in the month of February.

OG: Original Gangster

GOAT: Greatest Of All Time

MVP: Most Valuable Player or Person

BFF: Best Friend Forever

BF: BoyFriend

LOML: Love Of My Life

BAE: Before Anyone Else

SO: Significant Other

BB: Best Buddy, baby

ILY: I Love You

ILYSM: I Love You So Much

IMY: I Miss You

WCW: Woman Crush Wednesday:

MCM: Man Crush Monday

XOXO:

OTL: Only True Love or One True Love

QT: Cutie

And how to label a romantic household:

DINK: Dual Income No Kids

DINKWAD: Dual Income No Kids With A Dog

Picture Books: Reading for More Than Content

Dads rap-reading Pout Pout Fish to their babies is a trend.

Dr Seuss Event, Feb 21 at the Carmel Clay Public Library.

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

We made up for lost time with two chapters. Exodus 31 details more about the artisans selected to create and design the elements outlined in the previous chapters' plans. God also specifies that the Sabbath is to be honored and no one is to work. God sets forth the consequences of not observing this day of worship and rest.  

While Noah is away, the Israelites decide that they need a new god. Exodus 32 tells the story of the Golden Calf. When Moses returns off the mountain, where he and God were working on plans that would bring the people closer to go God. We talked about how it could be disappointing to work hard on a project only to find that the people that you were working for had given up on you. Moses steps up to defend the people, yet there are still consequences of their actions.

February 2: We will read beginning with Exodus 3#.

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

After a week of wintery weather, we were glad to gather in the warmth of our Zoom room to reflect on the cure for cabin fever—a good book. There are so many genre to choose from. We love to recommend our favorite selections from various genre: kids’ books like the Pout-Pout Fish series, classic fiction like Heidi, informational non-fiction like How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb, and science and self-help books like Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter. As we read and talk about books, we learn new vocabulary and practice important rhetorical tasks like taking a position, making a statement, articulating a point of view, examining experience, and comparing and contrasting ideas. The topic of the day was the introduction of Menopause Manifesto. We shared our first impressions of the material and noticed the author’s direct appeal and reference to shared experience to build rapport with readers. The conversation broadened to address how to be informed and communicate about health concerns. Managing personal and family healthcare can be challenging visit our Class Notes page for the list.

February 5: We are continuing to read and comment. Our reads for the week: 

• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Switzerland Travel Guide

Enjoy the journey!

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We finished Go, Dog. Go! This book is fun for kids in middle school, too.

February 6: Keep your ears open during the week for prepositions both in English and in your home language. Let's talk about how we use them!

Words and Phrases and Resources

articulating a point of view: stating an opinion or position

cabin fever: being stuck in the house during cold weather

given up on: stop hoping or believing in someone or something; lose faith

keep your ears open: listen, be aware of

rhetorical: words or conversation to provoke discussion or to persuade

steps up: takes action

Look Out For Ice!

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

Listen to and follow our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

Have you seen the weather forecast for this weekend? There is a giant swath of pink, blue, and magenta on the United States map. Click and go to the National Weather Service (NWS) map and then you can click on the most current predictions for a particular state and county. We are lucky to only get snow here in the Midwest. This is nothing too unusual for us. But the South will see sleet and freezing rain resulting in ice and record levels of snow. These areas do not usually get this type of weather, so they do not have the equipment to move the snow and they are not at all used to driving in this weather. People may be stuck for days.  

Want to be a weather spotter? NWS dates and times to train and join others who enjoy geeking out on Mother Nature.

Winter Weather Preparation

If you have been watching the news, you may have seen empty store shelves and city and state officials leading initiatives to prepare streets and citizens for the upcoming storms. News outlets are touting great words like "massive" storm and travel "nightmare" and "suffering" with temperatures. 

Enjoy weather history: Calm down. Stay warm. Hunker down and sip tea, coffee, soup, hot chocolate (or any other warming beverage). Charge your electronics. Take your time. Top off your tank.

While snow can cause trouble moving around, ice can bring down powerlines and trees. Ice on your front steps are the unexpected risk!  Watch your step!

Travel could be very difficult.

• If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. 
• The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Here in Central Indiana the storm is predicted to last from 7:00 PM Saturday to 7:00 AM on Monday and have snow accumulation of four to eight inches with temperatures in the single digits. Wear layers and bundle up when you go outside. Cover exposed skin. 

Close to Home: Carmel is Winter Ready

Each community has systems in place for this events. Be sure to follow instructions from your local community. Here is the communication from the City of Carmel (our homebase) as an example:

Carmel Is Prepared for Changing Weather Issues

The City of Carmel works hard to provide timely and accurate information to its residents and visitors regarding severe weather and snow removal throughout the winter season.

The Carmel Street Department has a fleet of 90 salt trucks and plows ready to battle the elements and keep our city streets safe.

The general threshold to trigger a city-wide plow is three inches. Once the heavy snow stops, main thoroughfares and secondary streets will be cleared and safe for travel. An all-city plow will then begin, including all neighborhood streets. Residents are advised to stay off the roads during the heavy snowfall and then afterward, be patient and allow for plenty of travel space while the snowplows are clearing the main thoroughfares. Paths and trails will be cleared in the days that follow once roads are cleared.

The city’s public safety leaders regularly work with county officials to ensure emergency services continue to operate throughout anticipated severe weather. 

Updates related to street conditions and other storm-related matters will be posted on city social media pages. From the Carmel Weather Aware page.

Click on the picture for full screen.

Picture Books: Reading for More Than Content

Read Go Dog Go by P. D. Eastman. We spent almost 45 minutes on what is often a 5-15 minute read with a toddler or beginning reader. This book is a feast of learning color, prepositions, and understanding place. There is even a little romance for those of us who love a good serial rom com (pages 8, 26, 36, 62). Notice that we are watching the fun until you are asked to join when the  word "come" is introduced. There is plenty of drama to talk about and describe. These are classics for the whole family.

Enjoy more in this genre:

Dr. Seuss: Cat in the Hat; One Fish, Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish; Green Eggs and Ham; Hop on Pop; Fox in Socks; The Lorax; And to Think That I Saw in on Mulberry Street; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; The Sneetches; Oh, The Places You’ll Go

P. D. Eastman: Are You My Mother?; The Best Nest

Who or Whom?

Who and whom are always a conundrum for everyone. We had a nice discussion about which to use in our meeting, but what does AI have to say?

The difference between "who" and "whom" lies in their grammatical roles:

Who is used as a subject pronoun, referring to the person performing an action (e.g., "Who is coming to the party?"). 

Whom is used as an object pronoun, referring to the person affected by an action or following a preposition (e.g., "To whom should I address the letter?"). 

A simple rule to remember: if you can replace it with "he" or "she," use who; if you can replace it with "him" or "her," use whom. While "whom" is technically correct, it is less commonly used in casual conversation. 

Then check the work and sources: 

• idp ELTS: Grammar 101: Who vs whom: Grammar rules. 
• GrammarBook.com: Who vs Whom
• Merriam-Webster: How to Use "Who" vs. "Whom"

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

No one was available to study. It is good to be with family and out of town!

January 26: We will read beginning with Exodus 31.

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

We had a massively interesting class where we picked apart sentences and then identified and labeled what we were observing using grammar labels and rules. Our practical example was "Go Dog Go", and you can find a comprehensive list of all the wonderous content we discovered packed in these 64 pages [in, at, or on--which is it?] our Class Notes tab.

Take a look at our whiteboard in Class Notes for a graphic summary of our conversations. 

Explore diagramming sentences (by American grade level standards). K12 Reader offers worksheets and basic instructions to work through a graphic understanding of American English grammar by school grade level.

Or jump to the Quick Guide and go crazy making your own diagrams.

January 30: We are going to continue to lean in to reading and dissecting American Language and Culture. We have a snippet to read from Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter coming from one of our Friends.

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We talked about standard ability tests. Ability is a great word. It can be

• Capability: can someone or someone do a particular thing
• Fitness: is someone or something prepared to do a particular thing 
• Status: whether someone has the right or means to do or have something

A test is a measure. There may or may not be judgement in a test. Tests are used to gather data.

We started on Go, Dog. Go! We noticed the punctuation that the author uses to make his point. American English writing relies on punctuation to direct the intention of the story. That being said, be sure not to overuse exclamation points...Nothing is that exciting!

January 23: We will pick Go, Dog. Go! back up with page 24. Forget everything in the previous writing: spoiler!

Words and Phrases and Resources

comprehensive: complete

genre: a specific type

go crazy: to do something too much, in a way that is not usual or sensible, especially because you are excited (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English On Line--another fun resource for logophiles)

initiatives: take steps, put plans into action

on Mother Nature: about or regarding our physical world

serial rom com: a humorous (funny) love-themed story that occurs in intervals (either in time or publication)

swath: a broad strip or area of something

single digits: numbers less than 10 (these numbers should be written out in formal writing, double digits and above are written as numbers)

that being said: a popular transition statement, so

top off your tank: make sure your car is fully fueled

touting: selling aggressively or using an aggressive or bold manner

Bundle Up, Chowing Down

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

Listen to our podcast "Sorry. What Did You Say?" on Spotify 

Hello Friends.

What do you like to do in the winter? January is notorious for people resolving to make healthy changes in their lives. Some people give up drinking alcohol for the month. Others are determined to exercise more or loose unwanted pounds. Some like to curl up and catch up with reading. The new year gives us hope and ambition to do more.

Festival of Ice This Weekend!

It's going to be a cold weekend in Carmel!  Add those extra layers and visit the Carmel Arts & Design District and Carter Green and catch some of the most talented ice carvers in the country, joining us again for the annual Festival of Ice.

The 2026 Festival of Ice weekend begins today in the District, with carvers creating incredible ice masterpieces from 4 – 8 p.m. 

On Saturday, Jan. 17 catch the ice carving  at Carter Green from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watch sculpting professionals create unique ice masterpieces and participate in the People’s Choice sculpture voting from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

If you are looking to add some adventure and you are local, Devour Indy Winterfest is on! Venture out and try some new dishes.

Dine in Delaware County? Destination Munchie (a play on the name of  Muncie, IN). Delaware County’s first restaurant rally. This two-week event (January 18-31) celebrates the county’s dining scene. Each of the 20 participating restaurants will offer a special, limited-time three-course menu. Explore the full list of participating restaurants using our mobile passport! 

Making America Healthy

Make America Healthy Again or MAHA is a slogan that emerged in the last year. The anticipated Dietary Guidelines for Americans was published this week. The headline is "eat real food." Scientific Foundation For The Dietary Guidelines For Americans explains reasons for the changes.  As early as 1894 the U.S.D.A made dietary recommendations. 

You can browse through historical documents at the USDA Historical Dietary Guidance site and see what was trending.

Adapting to What is Available

Finding food products and produce that are familiar may be difficult. Many markets carry international foods these days. There may be international markets locally or within the area. Many people crave their home-style cooking.  But, in the melting pot of America, everyone enjoys each other's dishes. People are less afraid to try food that is culturally unusual. This article from Men In Aprons gives the top 10 cuisines. This is not a new phenomenon in the United States. Beautiful and new fusion dishes and tastes are developed using what is available. 

International Friends Meeting Notes

Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom link.

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

We are back on track in Exodus. This past week we covered two chapters (Exodus 28-29). Exodus 28 describes the attire of the priests as and the actions to make the priests holy. Exodus 29 covers the practices to consecrate the priests. Exodus 30  describes the alter and described elements.  We enjoyed our discussion about the precision and details in these chapters. Atonement Money gave us food for thought: everyone paid the same amount regardless of their status or wealth to maintain the tent (11-16). The anointing oils and incense aromas that were to be concocted only for sacred use in the temple (22-38). What do these detailed chapters tell us about God?

January 19: We continue to read beginning with Exodus 31.

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

Welcome back everyone! In our warmup, sharing memories of our pets allowed us to practice
past tense and present perfect tense. 

Past tense:

• I got a dog for my sixth birthday.
• She had a turtle when she was younger.
• He won a goldfish at the county fair.

Present perfect tense:

• I have had my two cats for sixteen years.
• She has never had any pets.
• They’ve always had huskies as their pets.

Be aware that "lost" can have multiple meanings. Listen to the context and sensitively ask
questions to be sure you understand. You may notice a “Lost dog/cat“ sign posted near the road
with information about an animal that is missing. However, lost may also mean that a pet has
“died or passed away.” In some cases, a very sick pet may be “euthanized or put down” to
prevent suffering. In any case, expressing sympathy is appropriate.

A fun show-and-tell game with kitchen utensils taught us new vocabulary and helped us practice
the sentence pattern that names an object and describes how we use it:

• I use these tongs to toss the salad. OR I use these tongs for tossing the salad.
• They use these corn picks to serve corn on the cob at their barbecues.
• My grandmother used this nutcracker to crack walnuts to put in her banana bread.

Health is a popular topic at this time of year. Discussing health and medical care, we practiced
pronouncing some common ailments (respiratory virus, indigestion, acid reflux). Reading an
article aloud about IU Health facilities allowed us to read and listen critically (here is a page from IU Health that summarizes how to choose where to go for healthcare). When you read,
think about the author's audience and purpose. Is the text intended to define, describe, educate,
entertain, explain, inform, argue, persuade, advertise, offer solutions? Look for words you know
(and don't know) in context. Is there unique or specialized vocabulary? Are there slang or pop
culture terms that are new to you? 

Reading aloud in a group helps you be more aware of pronunciation challenges and the rhythm of English. We welcome you to contribute text samples of any kind for future read-alongs.

Other vocabulary we introduced and picked apart:

• ruckus
• rowdy
• simile/metaphor
• dramatic play

Check out some supplemental notes in our Class Notes tab.

January 22: We will read the children's book Go, Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman. Look for

a copy at the library or here is a link to a YouTube read by Nana Pam.

American English for Kids: Thursday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom

We played with Elevator Pitches: an introduction and ask when meeting someone new. We also talked about reading Go Dog Go for next week. This simple book is silly and great for brushing up on grammar and positional prepositions.

January 23: Did you make a kakizome and put it into writing?

Words and Phrases and Resources

anticipated: look forward to something

aromas: scents, smells

brushing up on: reviewing

concocted: to prepare something using raw materials

emerged: became prominent 

fusion: joining two or more things to become a single entity

picked apart: teased, examine

play on: use a word or saying and make a playful (or mocking) joke 

trending: popular and widely discussed