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Class Descriptions

Disucssion
CONVERSATION
   
Speak Easy Kyeong-sik Song
Intermediate

When it comes to learning English, it is not as easy as A-B-C. It all depends on your attitude and how you study.   In this class, the door is always open for you. Just come in and you will soon get the knack of speaking English with greater ease.   

Small Group Discussion

Edward Spaeth

High Intermediate 

Make a new friend while talking with two people from other countries. This class works in small groups of three discussing real life situations. Each week a different topic and different question is presented. Each group shares their thoughts, opinions, and ideas together for about fifteen minutes before discussing them with the rest of the class. We learn from our peers and there are no wrong answers.

Small Group Conversation John Uss

Low Intermediate/Intermediate

This class encourages student conversation in two ways: First, through the examination of idioms, their meaning and usage in sentences. Second, through the imaginative interpretation of pictures and cartoons by collaboratively creating stories and sharing ideas in the small group as well as with the entire class. Active participation is expected.

 
PRONUNCIATION
 
Pronunciation Brad Smith  
Intermediate  

Over eight weeks, students have the opportunity to practice the intricacies of American English. We learn to listen carefully. We work on using lips, teeth and tongue as we tackle the strange sounds of a second language. We ready poetry, sing songs, and explore other activities that will enable us to speak English as it is spoken in the United States.

 
 
   
Pronunciation Practice Joe Lamb
Low Intermediate

Learn to master those strange English vowels and other difficult sounds. And we'll practice speaking with stress and inflection just like a native speaker. Idioms and conversation practice as well. We’ll have some fun while we're learning.

 
Funny Thing About English  Joe Lamb
Low Intermediate

Members must participate in this class by repeating every word the discussion leader says.  Members practice pronunciation and also learn vocabulary, songs and jokes.  The main purpose is to feel comfortable speaking English.

 
Speak Up and Speak Out Joe Lamb
Low Intermediate

Members must participate in this class by repeating every word the discussion leader says.  Members practice pronunciation and also learn vocabulary, songs and jokes.  The main purpose is to feel comfortable speaking English.

 
IDIOMS / VOCABULARY
Vocabulary and Pronunciation

Ellie Adiel

Intermediate

This course encourages as much oral participation as possible. We work with dialogues, sentence patterns, roleplaying, vocabulary and pronunciation, all based on real life situations and using vocabulary that is likely to be heard in every day life. We also include words and phrases that are more likely to be encountered in newspapers and magazines.

Basic Idioms Phil Marcus
Intermediate  

The purpose of this class is to acquaint students with the informal idiomatic English spoken continuously by Americans whether heard on the street, on TV, radio, or read in print. In this class there is no pressure put upon students to attempt immediate idiomatic discourse with Americans, but rather to seek the joy of recognition when these strange verb phrases are heard or appear in the media at large.

 
Reading Anecdotes Maureen Dillon
Advanced

The class reads articles taken from newspapers on topics of current interest.  Each student has a chance to read, pronounce vocabulary words and discuss the ideas presented.  It is a good way to learn more about the American experience while building one’s vocabulary.

 
Slang, Solutions, & Stuff Terry Phelan
Intermediate/High Intermediate

The world has become extremely complicated since September 11th, 2001. As a result, this class spends part of the hour on slang expressions and more time on serious “stuff”. We read aloud and discuss opinions and editorials from the New York Times relating to current events and human interest stories.

GRAMMAR
Fun with Grammar Ann Black  
High Intermediate  

This course is intended for students who have already studied English but need to develop their comfort level in speaking and comprehension. A  particular grammar point is taught in each class and then practiced by speaking, role play and games, listening to music and oral exercises. Active class participation is essential.

 
 
LITERATURE / WRITING
Introduction to Writing Mildred Purdy
Intermediate

In order to write well in English, one must have the ideas and the vocabulary.  This class will introduce a topic and discuss it while teaching vocabulary.  Then members will write an essay to be reviewed and corrected by the instructor.

 
Reading Children's Literature Shawn Mullin
Low Intermediate

This is a reading class designed to improve the existing low-intermediate skills of the student. Emphasis is given to reading out loud in class with correction to pronunciation. The class offers an opportunity to increase vocabulary and self-confidence by use of classic children’s books including Charlotte’s Web and Sarah, Plain and Tall. Each title is chosen for easier English reading.

 
U.S. CULTURE/HISTORY
Working in the USA David Ross
High Intermediate/Advanced
Do you love New York? Would you love to find a good job here, start a career in the City, or simply be better at your current job? This class will teach you the inside secrets of what it takes to find a job in New York City, as well as the resources you will need including resumes, interviews, and networking. We will also learn American office slang and idioms, business English, business etiquette, and humor.
 
Cultural Traditions Luise Palace
Intermediate/High Intermediate
Learn about the similarities and differences in the ways we celebrate special events in our diverse cultures. Have fun while you develop your language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and enrich your understanding of the world. You will improve your vocabulary and develop new friendships as we share ideas and facts about our different customs, behaviors, and tradition.
 
The Language of Song Patrick Gatland
High Intermediate
Each week this class will discuss the lyrics and music of one song from popular culture. Songs can tell you a lot about a culture but the lyrics to a song are some of the most difficult things to clearly hear and understand when learning English. Students will listen to a pop or rock song and discuss its lyrics and themes. Participants will learn new vocabulary and share their thoughts about the style and content of the music presented.
 
U.S. History, Government and Laws Leo Gerber
Advanced

This class covers the development of America: The American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, western and overseas expansion, reform movements, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World Wars I and II, post-war prosperity, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War.  Also examined are the three branches of the national government, the growth of political parties, the Bill of Rights, important Supreme Court decisions, and the way in which are laws are made.  Copies of historical documents (the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Gettysburg Address), newspapers and patriotic songs from various periods and reenactments of events dramatize and add immediacy to the topics.

International Relations John Bruschi
Advanced
This is a discussion class focusing on important international issues of the day such as: human rights, terrorism, democracy, nuclear weapons, environmental problems, and more.  The group reads a chapter from the textbook entitled Great Decisions before each session, which is conducted under the guidance of the discussion leader.  The participants learn how to express their thoughts, formulate questions on issues and improve their vocabulary.
The American People Eileen Julian
Advanced

This class will cover historical, environmental and cultural factors forming the American character. The format is a discussion followed by a short reading from the book American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and idioms will also be included.

The Real New York Donald Young
Intermediate

This class examines the demographic, economic, social, and political factors contributing to the ascendancy of New York City as the quintessential world city.

 
Food, Kitchens 
and Cooking
Petey Eisenberg
Intermediate

This class has two parts.  During the first hour, participants talk about anything pertaining to food: vocabulary, recipes, restaurants, shopping, customs, holidays, etc.  In the second hour members share food that is brought in and each dish is discussed.  Each student explains his or her dish and recipes are compared.  Class participation is required and corrections are made by the discussion leader.  The class is small and informal with a lot of conversation.

Talking About America John D. Quinn
Intermediate

This class is a discussion about what is happening in America today with a focus on clear pronunciation and vocabulary. We also explore how American language and culture work together and where our ideas come from. The class speaks in unison and ends with singing a popular American song relating to the subject.

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