Friday, September 6, 2024

Welcome. We are so glad to see you!

Hello Friends,

Our meetings and classes are back in session. It was good to see everyone at American English and Culture on Zoom. We began catching up with each other as well as setting our course for the upcoming year. If you have attended in the past, old Zoom links will not work. Register to get the new link.

This year we are concentrating on telling and listening to our stories. Being able to capture and hold attention is an important part of communicating in all languages and cultures. This skill is important for getting work done on your car, talking to your children's teachers, talking to your doctor, interviewing for a job, socializing with friends and family, etc. Preparing and telling our story helps us to narrow our focus from the whole world of a language to the specific words and patterns necessary to ask questions, gain information, and get work done! And...stories are interesting and fun. 


Bump Into Each Other Events

Artomobilia, September 7 in Downtown Carmel: Look for Friends at these fun events
Carmel Porchfest, September 15, Noon-6:00 PM

September Community Outreach Event

International Friends has an informational table at Clay Middle School Tuesday, September 10, 6:00-8:00 PM. Join us as we share more about our program and invite others to join us. Email Carolyn for more information at indyintlfriends@gmail.com

American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM (UTC-4), Zoom

In our first meeting we got acquainted with each other (a little bit).

September 12: We are beginning to tell our stories and build our American English "toolbox".

Yes, we have homework this year (by popular request). Have fun with it!

Think about your summer as a child. What was it like? What stands out? We will share these in small groups completing the statement "I am from..." or "I come from..." Remember the Maya Angelou statement and our discussion about how we get more out of our communications with others when we use our stories.

Collect and make a list of the words and phrases you use regularly around your home (in all languages).

Think about the contexts you need to learn to talk in English. Adults are efficient learners, and our brains are great at deciding what is most important to remember. Practical connections narrow our focus to make us efficient and makes learning interesting.

American English Conversation for Kids: Friday, 4:30-5:00 PM (UTC-4), Zoom

Welcome back on September 13! Register to get the new Zoom link.

Extra Credit
Watch the Presidential Debate, 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, September 10. 

We recommend these stations because they broadcast without commercials and rarely interrupt with spin. The back and forth between the candidates about critical American issues are great for informing American culture hot topics.

Resource Notes

Maya Angelou's Powerful Communication Secret: This article by John Millen 

Words and Phrases

spin: give (a news story or other information) a particular interpretation or slant

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