Hello November

 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.

The month of November is packed with changes in weather and wardrobe, celebrations and important dates.

Daylight keeps getting shorter and shorter. The weather is cooling and any summer-like weather between November 11 and the end of the month are known as Indian Summer. 

November 2026 is full of great dates:

• November 1 is All Saints’ Day.
• November 1 at 2 A.M. is the end of Daylight Saving Time. Set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night at bedtime! See more about DST.
• November 3 is Election Day (U.S.). Don’t forget to vote in state and federal elections! Every vote counts.
• November 11 is Veterans Day (U.S.). Honor those who served in the military to protect the country and citizens.
• November 19 is when International Friends is celebrating our Traditional Thanksgiving Feast in person at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel beginning at 10:00 AM. Bring family, friends, and a dish to share.
• November 26 is Thanksgiving Day (U.S.). Understand the history and origins of Thanksgiving.
• November 27 is as Black Friday.
• November 29 is the First Sunday of Advent, marking the beginning of the Advent season (now you can put up your Christmas tree!).

From the The Old Farmer's Almanac

International Friends is celebrating our Traditional Thanksgiving Feast on November 19 at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel. Cooking begins at 10:00 AM with feasting to follow. Bring family and friends and a dish to share.

Argument, Discussion, Debate

Arguing can be gut wrenching or it can be exhilarating. Discussions and debates are seen as the tony version of arguing, but is that really true? This skit from Monty Python's Flying Circus provides a great overview of an argument as well as captures that feelings and the spirit. What subtleties are elegantly built into the skit.

This is the full version and travels far from the original desire to have an argument. How true is it that when outrage enters the picture, and blaming, and abuse, and....And then a higher authority is called in to resolve the real problem which is how to end the deteriorating event that just keeps running on and on. Sometimes you just need to walk away without a resolution and hard feelings.

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 only got through Numbers 16. Korah and others refuse to follow the leadership chosen by God. The continue to divide the people and argue against Moses and Aaron. Dramatic and dire consequences follow when Korah et al are unmoved. Verses 28-20 clearly explain what will happen and how God's judgment and justice will be accomplished (using a conditional-if clause). This is a good reminder for religious leaders and others to not get distracted from their position of service.

October 26: Prepare to talk about Numbers 17-20.

 

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

Thank you to our friend who shared her review of the episode about count/non-count nouns on the podcast Sorry! What Did You Say? You practiced good critical listening and writing skills to name your source, state your opinion, provide examples, and make recommendations. 

These same skills are useful in other discourse, such as discussions, disagreements, debates, arguments, and persuasion. Election season is a good time to observe the strategic use of rhetoric, signage, and media. You may have learned that politics, money, religion, age, death and dying, etc., are sensitive topics, but we are happy to explore these with you both linguistically and culturally. It is better to ask respectfully about matters of interest or concern than to feel anxious or confused about serious issues. We all appreciated a general overview of legal documents (wills/trusts/custodial documents/living wills/advance directives) that are important to have in place to enforce our wishes and give us peace of mind.

Exotic Grammar--Look for these structures "in the wild" and share your examples:

• Count/non-count nouns: Be aware of subject-verb agreement: I have a book. She has three books.
• Demonstrative adjectives should also agree in number with the nouns they modify: This hat/these hats, That apple/those apples.
• The quantifier "a lot of" is very useful. It can be used with both count and non-count nouns: a lot of homework, a lot of assignments.

See the Homework and Notes page for a review of some/any in statements and questions. 

Challenge sentence: "I will recommend this podcast to my friends that the English is their 

second language." Would you change anything about this sentence? Send your ideas by email 

or bring them next week. 

November 5:  

Continue to be aware of count/non-count nouns and check the Homework and Notess page for review worksheets. 

Write a paragraph about Halloween. Do you celebrate Halloween in your home culture? Do you enjoy Halloween here? Does anything about it that make you anxious?

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

We met a new friend and got off on the subject of romance and how couples meet, first dates, and dating. We talked about our specific circumstances and enjoyed learning more about how practices change. Personal stories are an excellent way to link a new language to past life experience and languages. They enrich our experience and memory in build language as well as memory. 

We also talked a little bit about haunted houses (which is particularly appropriate this close to Halloween). The mystique of haunted buildings brings either chills or excitement or curiosity. There is a big difference between the U.S. seasonal haunted parks and trails where actors dress up and startle and scare people (at a ticket price). It is a show and fake vs what is really going on here?

We did talk briefly about career and/or work goals. Is additional schooling and college something you want to do? We also talked about preferred methods of learning and acquiring knowledge.

November 5:  Continue your career research and chit chatting.

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

We learned more about Field Day and school-wide sports in Japan. This event is steeped in Japanese tradition. In the United States, field days are held at the end of the year and are casual competitions more in celebration.

We brainstormed and reviewed weather words. Language can get rusty as the seasons pass.

We played a round of Tapple. This word/vocabulary game is fun to play (and you don't necessarily need the game, write letters on a piece of paper, take turns asking questions, and set a short timer to answer).

November 6: I forgot what we are going to talk about! Surprise me.

Words and Phrases and Resources

centered around: pertained to

dates: a particular day that has significance

dating: when two people are in a relationship but are not married

deteriorating: falling apart

discourse: tony word for conversation

et al: and the others

first dates: the first time a couple go out together romantically

got off on the subject: 

gut wrenching: highly distasteful or upsetting

hard feelings: negative emotions toward someone or something

quantifier: an expression (or words) that indicate the scope (or amount) of what is being talked about

mystique: feeling of mystery

resolution: final decision or ending

review: critical opinion summary of someone's creative work 

run on and on: continue 

served: past tense because veterans are those people not currently employed by the U.S. Military

startle: suddenly surprise or frighten someone 

those: specific people

tony: elegant, chic

unmoved: not emotionally effected

walk away: leave 

Bye October. Bye Sun. Get Ready For Winter, Everyone!

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.

The next two months will fly by. Once Halloween comes and goes its ThanksgivingandChristmasandNewYear (yes, these all run together that fast). February is a short dark month here in the Midwest, but it seems to drag on and on. When March blows in, the school year is over!

Want to meet in person Monday or Tuesday? How about a drop in at CLC-Carmel noon to 1:00 PM. Bring your lunch or a snack or grab coffee and let's have a chat. Comment below and let me know.

Exotic Grammar

Listen and look for these structures "in the wild" and share your examples in the comments below or in our classes:

Count and non-count or countable and uncountable nouns:

• Count or countable nouns have singular and plural forms: a book, one book, many books.
• Non-count or uncountable nouns can be measured but not counted. They do not have a plural form: some homework, a lot of information, too much time, gravel, sand, flour

Count on us to record an explanation about this. Check out Sorry! What Did You Say? 

Phrasal verbs:

Two-word (pick up) or three-word (catch up with) verbs formed by a verb + a preposition (particle): take in, take out, take up, take down, take to, take away, take back, take after, take over. They often have an idiomatic meaning. 

Phrasal verbs may be intransitive (no direct object): I woke up late, and my car broke down on the way to work. If phrasal verbs are transitive (they take a direct object), they may be separable or inseparable:

• Separable: Take out the trash. OR Take the trash out.
• Inseparable: Check into the hotel. BUT NOT Check the hotel into.

Halloween

Halloween is Friday, October 31. Many communities have been celebrating for some time. Sometimes the weather is great and at other times the weather is cold or rainy. Halloween has one purpose: for kids to dress up in costumes and get candy from their neighbors by saying, "Trick or Treat!" 

In recent years, adults have been getting into the scene. They, too, dress up.

Tips: 

• Be ready for all kinds of weather.
• Watch for traffic and cross the streets stafely.
• Watch for kids not watching for traffic.
• Stay with your group.
• Turn on your lights if you have candy (or small gifts like pencils or spider rings).
• Don't worry if the kids can't eat your candy (allergies, or something else); their parents can make that decision. 
• Sort through the candy for your kids and make sure it is wrapped, age appropriate, and safe for your child.
• Take the "parent tax" which in our house meant dad got Almond Joy candy bars.
• Respect other people's property and decorations.
• Take one candy out of the bowl left on the porch...not one whole bowl.

Some of great books with great Halloween scenes:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
• Any and all of the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling

November Elections

Midterm elections are the second Tuesday of November. Midterms are the general elections that are held halfway through a presidential term. Federal offices that are up for election during the midterms include all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, and 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate. Municipal offices and other official elections occur during the midterms as well as special elections (to elected offices that were vacated and had people who were appointed to fill in the job until elections). Issues for consideration and election can also be found on the ballot. These can include votes regarding taxes, 

In Indiana, you can check your voting status as well as see who and what is on your ballot to better prepare your vote. Remember, that any official (from the government) site address always ends in ".gov" and when searching for information, the most accurate is found there. 

The best place to find out what a candidate stands for is on their websites. Start your research there to uncover platforms and positions. 

For local example of where and how to find more information about an issue on the ballot. Language can be confusing and the issue may seem cloudy. The direct source is always the best source.

Be sure to research issues to fully understand ballot language and implications. As an example, Yes For Carmel nicely explains that the funding is not an "increase" but it is replacing what is currently on the books. The Carmel Clay School District referendum presentation is available for the community to review. This is true in most communities. Talking about topics with neighbors is a way to check the pulse of the community. 

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

October 26: Prepare to talk about Numbers 16-20.

 

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

Thank you to our friends who shared their narratives and sentences with us. Your contributions

improve our "learning curve." We become more proficient as we examine the process and

progress of our fluency in English. Please consider submitting a piece of writing in any form: observation/description, poetry, narrative, compare/contrast, cause/effect, definition, persuasion/argument, art/illustration, humor, letters, reporting on an event or topic of interest, questions about grammar/culture, etc.

October 29: Listen to the podcast "Sorry, What Did You Day?" episode regarding Count/Non-Count nouns. Write a short review of this episode. For example: I enjoyed hearing Carolyn and friends talk about confusing count and non-count nouns. Hearing examples like "some homework" instead of "many homeworks" and learning that I can say "a few pieces of furniture" but not "a little furnitures" helped me think about the concept. I still have questions about .... I would recommend this podcast to a friend because ....

Please email your reviews and any other writing samples to Carolyn or Kris. We would love to be your audience and provide genuine feedback.

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

Our discussions centered around career changes. Moving (to a new country) allows us to refresh a career. In this meeting, our Friends want to move into jobs in healthcare. A walk-in "victim" who had been a nurse was able to tell us the broad hierarchy of healthcare positions. Remember, positions in a medical field can include technical (tech) and assistant jobs to support the professional. Each state regulates these positions, and they may be "on the job" under the supervision of a doctor or other degreed and trained professional. 

October 29:  For this week go to the IU Health Careers page and review opportunities. Look at the requirements and see what is interesting and what attributes interest you the most as you look at switching careers.

For example, I want to work in the ER because of the excitement and the unexpected variety of treatment. I don't want to work in the ER because the patients coming in can be dangerous.

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

It was good to get back together again. After touching base [reforming our relationship], we talked about what Fall was like this year in our respective countries [expressing and sharing common and uncommon experiences]. We went to the whiteboard to create sentences using alliterations springing from the sentence: Fall family field trips. Added words: Friday, fun for, focus, fit. We noticed that some words need other little words to carry the meaning forward (by the way, prepositions, articles, and forms of "be" verbs do not "break" your alliteration), some words are grouped to form a particular idea or image (family and friends, fall fieldtrips), shuffling the words in the sentence creates a new idea and meaning. See the screenshots on our Notes and Homework page.

Our public service message of the day was that everyone should get out and exercise for at least thirty minutes a day. Running around, shooting baskets, riding a bike, walking, riding a skateboard, swinging, climbing on a playground...Any and all of these things get your blood moving so your brain is fed oxygen. Exercise gives your mind the chance to process and store the work you have been doing and to make new connections.

October 30: For this meeting pick a letter and brainstorm words that begin with the letter. Combine the words to form sentences. Go to our Zoom room and create and save a whiteboard to share next week.

Words and Phrases and Resources

attributes: a quality or feature of the job

blows in: arrives--this is a play on the attribute of March to be windy

centered around: a nice picture phrase that means we used this a the reason for our work

check the pulse: a quick and informal assessment of anything

comes and goes: happens

issue: a formal law

on the books: currently being observed or used

public service message of the day: general, well meaning advice

runs together: blends

up for election: positions that are open

October and Autumn and Halloween

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.

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