Fall Into Fall

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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

Welcome to American English and Culture 2026-2027

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.

Learning a language is so much more than learning the language. Yes, there is grammar and vocabulary, but that is only the foundation. As we kick off this year (and our football season), we are beginning with strategies for efficient and effective learning. 

In our meetings this week we used a number of learning strategies. Most of these strategies are invisible until we call them out. Be sure to look at what and how we worked (although it never really feels like work) in each of our meetings. We covered a variety of content, but we used the same strategies to grow our understanding of each other and American English.

Back-To-School: Active and Passive Learning

Active learning is when people engage in and participate in learning. Conversation and debate help to identify what is known and how to communicate it to others. Gaps can be filled in through discussion (or to be filled in later). Writing and drawing are creative ways to express learning. Making a model or some product helps to apply and test knowledge.

Passive learning happens in reading and lectures. Passive learning might provide higher points on tests. Passive learning is an efficient way to pass along information, and one-way communications provide the means. A shortfall is that since it is one-way, gaps are hard to discover. Attention can wander and the reader and listener may not even notice which leads to gaps 

How do you learn? Adults learn best with necessity or when there is an intrinsic interest or goal.  

Making Connections

Language learning can be tedious because fluency in the new language feels less natural than a previouly learned language. People often study a language for years, but when faced with conversation or speaking with others in a "job" situation the words get buried. Why does this happen?

Words are not always easy to remember and use in any language, new or old. Your brain is busy running around looking for the words to form sentences. With often used languages, it is like driving familiar route: you get where you are going without remembering the drive. With a new language (or concept) you either have to build or do some maintenance to connect the concepts and words to confidently communicate.

Practice making connections and observations with a brainstorm. Pick a word or phrase. Write down a word or two and embellish with drawings, lines, color.

click image to enlarge

Why this works. There is so much learning going on here. And, if you let your mind run wild it becomes a powerful meditative and mindful tool.

• Pronunciation and/or accent is recognized. In this case, the "ge" and the "ch" can sound the same to some people (these sounds do not exist in other languages). The "u" and "au" sounds can become confused.
• Vocabulary is developed. In this case, each word has a distinctly different meaning that can be discovered in context when listening and writing and comparing.
• Mechanics are developed. Seeing, drawing/writing, and paying attention to sound comparisons brings three physical senses to help clarify differences and make 
• Brainstorms are "roads" between concepts. 

American Holidays and Remembrances in September

September has two notable dates in American culture and history: Labor Day and September 11.

Labor Day simply celebrates all of the people who work. Have a day off. Have a picnic. It is the end of summer and while we still have hot weather ahead of us, our outdoor swimming pools close. As some Friends have observed, Labor Day is a political holiday in other countries. Not here. 

September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists who planned and hijacked commercial jets full of passengers to blow up national economic, military, and governmental sites. Not all the hijackings were successful. That day challenged American culture and security. Twenty-five years later we remember this day. We remember 2977 victims on the jets and at the sites of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and Pentagon. We remember the passengers that took over a fourth jet sacrificed their lives with the crash in the field in Pennsylvania. We remember the first responders and citizens who worked to rescue and restore our cities and preserve our liberty and freedom.

International Fire and Safety Journal. 

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

September 14: Our journey resumes with the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Numbers tells the story of the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the land promised to them by God.

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

We got to know each other in this first Zoom meeting. As we shared our background and stories, we practiced listening, echoing, vocabulary, accent training, and so much more! Little did we realize that we had learned so much in two hours. American English study is all about being able to talk to and relate with one another.

September 17: For our next meeting, create half page description of a word or words in the Making Connections section in this Update Post. Email 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 got to know each other and set our goals both short term and long term. One of our goals is to become more fluent at work. We noticed that it is hard to bring the correct words to mind in the context of a job.

September 17:  For our next meeting, create half page description of a word or words in the Making Connections section in this Update Post. Bring your work to class.

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

We talked about preparing for exams. Middle School and High School students often take general exams for admission or placement at the next level for learning. One strategy is to read and reread notes and textbooks from previous classes. This is passive learning. We talked about using the Feynman Method and then took about 10 minutes to try it out. 

Identify the Topic: The Three Forms of Water

Explain the topic as if teaching a sixth-grader: 

click to enlarge

We made improvements by adding the temperature notes. 

We talked about the molecule of water and how when it moves slower (cold) it becomes solid, and when it moves faster (hot) it becomes vapor or gas. We waved our hands fast and slow because kids learn better with motion

We talked about how hydrogen two atoms and one oxygen atom make a molecule of water.

September 18: 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

a number of: an uncountable amount (because we do not want to enumerate them-or count them)

call [insert a noun our pronoun here] out: overtly recognize 📣

debrief: give a summary to someone

gap: empty space between two or more things

intrinsic: essential or necessary

shortfall: when something does not meet requirements

Time's Up! Let's get back-to-school!

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 

2026-2027 Registration Is Open

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.

It is time to go back to school. Our classes and meetings begin after Labor Day (September 7, 2026).

Sign Up Today!

International Friends Registration - Cornerstone Lutheran Church

Summer Conversations

We had some visits and meetings over the summer with some awesome notes and observations. Words in American English can be pronounced in unexpected ways. "Sounding words out" does not always work for listening and speaking. Spelling "rules" are not consistent. Here are some of our finds over the summer.

Seeing and Saying

1. Listen: Use your tech to hear the following words. Say them. 
2. Comment below to share words you have discovered.

Why this works: Seek and find, say, share. 

1. Seek and find: Your search work helps you remember. 
2. Say: Your speaking helps train your ear to hear others and your muscles to speak the words.
3. Share: Language learning is a social activity. Telling others (even as a comment) add what you learned to your 

Here are the words:

• chorus: group of singers, repeating part of a song/music
• choir: a large group of singers
• chore: a routine task (usually household)

• say: speak
• said: spoke
• sad: not happy

• stay: do not leave
• stayed: did not leave
• staid: respectable, not adventurous

• play: take part in a sport or game; a performed story
• played: took part in a game or sport
• plaid: a pattern of alternating colors

Words and Phrases

awesome: noteworthy

finds: discoveries

tech: phone, computer, tablet

Speaking About Sports in the Summer

42 Summer Sports List (sorted by Popularity) 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

We now have transcripts and episodes are divided into chapters. Be sure to check the AI's work. 

Hello, Friends.

Summer fun and fests continue. The World Cup ends July 19, but there is plenty to do. In the U.S. most schools start back in August (although locally, we have a district or two beginning the end of July). Take advantage of the festivals and music. There are county and state fairs to enjoy the best of the local farmers. Farmer's markets feature fresh crops and other delicious treats. 

Some American Professional Summer Sports:

• NASCAR
• IndyCar
• Baseball
• Women's Basketball
• Tennis
• Golf

There is plenty more to participate in and to follow 42 Summer Sports List (sorted by Popularity). 

The Sports Front

Continuing to look at sports...American sports leagues include different levels of commitment. Amateur play includes:

• Middle School, High School, and Collegiate teams
• Recreational (Rec) teams
• Travel teams
• Club teams

Professional team athletes that are paid to compete. These include major leagues as well as minor leagues that feed athletes to higher levels of competition.

Every sport has it's own format and parents and athletes can plug into locally. Here is an example of the structure for soccer (featuring California).

From U.S. Soccer Parent: Our goal is to empower every soccer parent in the U.S. with the knowledge, resources, and community support needed to confidently guide their child’s journey—from recreational play to elite competition—while helping shape a more transparent, inclusive, and informed youth soccer culture.

Listening Practice

While we are on break from our classes, we are still recording and posting episodes to Sorry! What Did You Say? on Spotify. Hearing native and non-native speakers in conversation can help you understand American English and Culture. Listen to the differences in the speakers as well as the content of the conversation.

Tips: 

• Speed up or slow down the recording. Sometimes you need to slow down to catch nuance or just what is being said. Sometimes you need to speed up to focus your attention and get the gist.
• Read along. The episodes have transcripts that are automatically generated. Do the transcripts match what you hear? Is it your ears or is it the AI?
• Notice the differences in pace and cadence of each speaker. Part of this is personal "style" and part of this is carry over from original language. Singing is a great way to learn the cadence of a language, even if you don't know all the words (and who knows and sings all the right words...no one You've Been Singing These 30 Songs Completely Wrong). 

Words and Phrases

feed: supply

follow: watch or keep track of

get the gist: understand the concept or poing

plug into: connect to a network or a system

plug in: connect a device to power (plug in the lamp)

Happy Independence Day, U.S.A.!

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

We now have transcripts and episodes are divided into chapters. Be sure to check the AI's work. 

Hello, Friends.

We are so excited and thrilled to share our 250 birthday. Every city and state has special celebrations planned. The weather is predicted to be hot, but this is not unusual for summer. 

Welcome to FIFA Fans. You have brought your patriotism and your love of the sport. We hope you have a great Independence Day on top of your World Cup celebrations.

The Reader's Digest always is spot on with memes that express conventional wisdom and American Culture. Enjoy!

 

Supreme Court Opinions

Before the Independence Day holiday, the Supreme Court weighed in on a number of issues this last week. 

This last week a good number of rulings were decided by the Supreme Court. The outcome of these decisions are called "opinions" and provide guidance for the lower courts. There were a number of issues that are critical to the American public. Once decided, the ball is back in the court of Congress to pass laws or Constitutional Amendments or to the Executive branch (the president and staff) to fulfill the requirements of decisions. The Supreme Court does not make laws or execute (follow up with action), it decides the legality of the cases placed before it. 

Read the decisions for yourself. The justices consider the Constitution as well as prior rulings and cases presented to the court. The court is thorough in explaining the written status of the opinions:

"Opinions are posted on the website upon release in slip opinion format. Slip opinions remain posted until replaced with opinions edited to reflect the usual publication style of the United States Reports..."

This YouTube from  TED-Ed Talks from 2016 (notice the president is Barak Obama in the drawings) provides an explanation for how justices are appointed and more about their service. 

Welcome July and Happy 250 Birthday U.S.A.!

 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

We now have transcripts and episodes are divided into chapters. Be sure to check the AI's work.

Happy Independence Day, Friends.

Welcome to the United States' greatest Federal holiday of the year! This year we are celebrating 250 years of freedom. Pregame celebrations began earlier this month, but the main event falls on a Saturday this year. In our local area, the different townships are staggering their parades which allows us to watch and participate. So, if your band is marching in the morning, you can watch a neighboring town's parade in the afternoon.

Fireworks, Concerts, Parades, Picnics, Fairs, and Festivals

Every community hosts events a party for Independence Day (or the Fourth of July). Pick one or two or more!  The Indiana Farm Bureau offers a nice article and schedule with links to the various events including festival sites. If you are elsewhere, search "fireworks" to see where to go for the show nearest you, or just ask around.

Comment to add your tips or opportunities.

Here in Indiana, the sunsets and it does not get fully dark until after 10:00 PM. Be ready to stay up late to see firework shows.  There are tricks and tips for parking and the best views that are different for every community. Regardless, here are tips for the day:

• Be prepared to wait in traffic when you leave.
• Watch in a safe location and be respectful of private property.
• Stay hydrated. We have had some wonderfully cool weather leading up to next week, but the Midwest summer heat and humidity are sure to show up for the Fourth.
• Use sunscreen.
• Be prepared for people in parade to throw candy. (Sometimes you get more candy than Halloween!)
• Watch for flyovers. 
• Be safe with you own fireworks and clean up afterwards.
• Be safe as you drive home and enjoy other people's personal fireworks.

FIFA Hospitality: 

We love our more than 3.6 million soccer fans! We are so glad that you are enjoying your time here and posting your impressions of our country. We love your stories and totally agree that Ranch Dressing is a food group of its own. Thank you for singing your patriotic songs and sharing your fan customs. 

They came for the World Cup. They fell in love with Buc-ee’s and ranch dip. is an article from NBC Tic Toc, X, and Facebook are all featuring stories of people experiencing what Americans find common. It is great to see our Walmart, Taco Bell, Target, Costco, and other stores and restaurants enjoyed.

• The real heros are the fans. 
• Japan doesn't talk trash, they take it out.
• The Best Sleepover Ever 

Words and Phrases

ask around: ask a variety of people for advice and for information

pregame: parties before the main event