2024-2025 Notes and Handouts

I am from....

Telling your story is an integral part of communication in any language. "I am from..." means more than location (I am from Carmel, IN). This poem is a mindful way for you to think about your daily life and build the vocabulary that makes you you to share with others...In English!

Board Work

Our Thursday evening meeting always has great conversation and notes. Here are the whiteboards.

A Good Excuse When You Arrive Late

Many people were in an accident on the road. People were rubber necking.

They got distracted because they were paying attention to the event at the square.

Someone called 9-1-1, and everyone got stressed but, they waited for a solution or for the police. The traffic jam was more slow slower than a snail.

One vehicle went to the shoulder because its wheel is was broken. Although the police arrived late... they arrived !

Exercising

Topics come up in our classes. Find exercise sheets to understand or explore more. Send your notes so others can see and benefit from your work.

Word Pages

One sheet many words and associations. Grab a sheet of paper and let your mind run free. This exercise is great for building the mental connections and access points for language acquisition. Notice the elements (and problematic aspects) of American English are here: pronunciation and accent, grammar in addition to vocabulary building.

November 21, 2024

Summer When I Was a Child

This little exercise gives you the chance to reflect on what was important to you when learning language was simple. You can recapture that wonder and ease as you imagine and name the things and feelings you encounter.

The most memorable summer vacation memory was going to the creek nearby home.

It was a beautiful creek in the mountains, and I was wearing a dress and shoes, and I was grumpy before the creek. (IDK why)

No one comforted me, so I was alone with myself. I remember the weather that day and the sound of the water next to the mountain scenery. I could feel it all. Later, I let myself go and had fun in the creek, splashing in the water.

It's not much, but it's a strangely memorable memory.

Mikyoung

My Childhood In Brazil

Days began with clear skies, sunny days, the scent of coffee and baking from the kitchen. Mornings were for adventures, like racing bikes down dirt roads, climbing trees, building forts beneath canopies, and picking wild fruits as gabiroba and jatobá in the fields. Taking care of the newborns in the farm, such as chicks, pigs and ducks; keeping them warm and safe from the wolfs. In the afternoon, swimming on the river. We  were always afraid of snakes, water currents and unexpected rain. 

On the weekends, going to Church, celebrating festivities, always buying toys and playing with kids from our neighborhood. There was the joy of sticky ice cream dripping down our hands. Ice cream was only allowed on special occasions! 

At night, listening to stories about old relatives and fairytales provoking our imagination. 

Summertime as a child was the time when every day was a new adventure with laughter and freedom. 

 Maria Berti