Discussion Classes
CONVERSATION
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Plain English	Bob Thiel
Beginner “Some stories, some magic, some vocabulary, something for your mind, something for your heart.”  A general conversation class where discussion topics are determined by the members themselves.
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Speak Easy	Kyeong-sik Song
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Conversation	Paulette Goldenhar
Intermediate  Meet other members in this conversation class where everyone is encouraged to exchange news and use English comfortably.  Discussion is often about cultural differences, as the instructor has gained years of valuable experience as a foreigner in America.
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PRONUNCIATION
Pronunciation Practice	Joe Lamb
Lower 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. And have some fun while we're learning. All are welcome.
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Funny Thing About English	Joe Lamb
Lower 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.
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IDIOMS / VOCABULARY
Basic Idioms	Phil Marcus
Intermediate The purpose of the Basic Idioms class is to teach the informal speech that is heard everywhere.  Meanings of idioms cannot be found in the dictionary since the expressions consist of more than one word.  The discussion leader explains the meanings of these idioms and also how they are used in everyday conversations. BACK
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Reading Anecdotes	Maureen Dillon
Intermediate / 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.
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Slang, Solutions, & Stuff	Terry Phelan
Intermediate The world has gotten extremely complicated since September 11th. This class now spends the first part of the hour on slang expressions. During the rest of the time, the class discusses and reads aloud their opinions and editorials from the Times, ISLAM, and the Bill of Rights.
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GRAMMAR
LITERATURE / WRITING
Short Stories	Aja Brown
Advanced In this class, there will be weekly readings of assorted short stories by famous American authors. Students will develop their writing and analytical skills through the study of plot, point of view characterization , setting, and symbolism. Students are expected to do reading assignments ahead of time. Class participation is required.
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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.
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U.S. CULTURE/HISTORY
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.
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New York City History	Bob Baumann
Intermediate This class uses the text The Epic of New York by Edward Robb Ellis, published by Kodansha and available at Barnes & Noble.  Free copies are available in class, but the book is the best source for complete study.  The class will provide members with practice in reading, pronunciation and vocabulary as well as information about city history.  Tour participation is recommended and there are several outdoor classes held each spring and summer.
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Great Decisions	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.
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The American People	Eileen Julian
Intermediate This class will cover historical, environmental and cultural factors forming the American character.  The format will be a short reading followed by discussion.  Vocabulary and idioms will also be included.
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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.
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Art in America	Mel Spain
Intermediate Practice your English and learn about American Art with Mel Spain of the Brooklyn Museum.  Learn and talk about paintings while you practice your conversational skills. This workshop is held once a month.
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Food, Kitchens  and Cooking	Petey Eisenberg
Intermediate This class is comprised of two parts.  During the first hour, participants talk about anything pertaining to food:  vocabulary, recipes, restaurants, shopping, customs, holidays, etc.  The second hour is a social session.  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.
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Talking About America	J.D. Quinn
Intermediate A discussion of language and current events, large and small in America, including the relationship between language and culture, and the history that make them.  Members bring questions about the language they have seen and heard in daily life and local news and the class discusses what it means and where it comes from.  BACK