Hey there!

First off, a quick reminder that our last day of group classes is Tuesday June 30th.  If you have any interest in individual classes over the summer, please get in touch!

This week, we discussed a classic summer phenomenon: American sleepaway camp.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from Randall's Listening Lab: Summer Camp.

For original version, I recommend listening to the episode from This American Life called Notes on Camp.

Reading:
Learners can try a B2 reading comprehension exercise about Teenage summer camp.

For original version, read an article from Slate called You are how you camped. 

​Writing:
How would the perfect summer camp be for you? Would it specialize in a specific activity (drama, music, sports)? Would it be co-ed? What traditions and rituals would it have?

Best,
Kelly

Hi there!

This week we used an online real estate app Redfin to talk about homes, real estate, and features that we can find in different properties.

Listening:
Learners can start with a listening and vocabulary exercise about housing, and then move on to a C1 activity from British Council: Renting a house

For original version, listen to something from NPR: Is it Better to Rent or Own? or Is Buying a House Overrated?

Reading:
Learners can try try a text from Breaking News English called Homes for Sale.

For original version, check out an article about different homes and traditional features from all around the world.

​Writing:
For writing, first start by reviewing some of the vocabulary in this article about different features, then write a real estate property description either about the home where you currently live, or about your ideal home.

Best,
Kelly

Happy Summer to Everybody !

Today was our last day of group class!  First off, I want to thank you for participating in this year's conversation groups, especially for your patience and continued support through the COVID crisis.  

As always, your feedback is always helpful in improving my classes, so it would be great if you could fill out the online evaluation.

Next year's classes start October 1st.  The specific conditions and protocols will be defined as the date gets closer, but I am crossing my fingers we can see each other in person again!  If you would like to reserve a space for next year, please do so in the online pre-registration form.

If you are interested in keeping up your English over the summer months, get in touch. I am offering individual classes in person, online, and by telephone, available in 1 hour or 30 minute sessions.

That's all for now, folks.  Thank you so much for participating this year and hope to see you all soon!  Stay safe and have fun!
Best,
Kelly

Hi Guys!

Everyone is receiving this week's email on Monday, as some people have changed groups due to the local holidays.  For those of you who are taking the week off, enjoy San Bernabe and see you next week!

May and June are graduation months, so this week we discussed college life (academics, campus life, cost).

Listening:
Learners can try some of the following listening comprehension activities: a university degree, or  education.

For original version, try listening to the episode from This American Life entitled How I Got Into College or Number One Party School.

Reading:
Learners can try one of several articles from VOA English including Return to College Life, or College, University or Institute? 

For original version, check out the article from the New Yorker: How the Coronavirus Has Shattered the Myth of College in the US.

​Writing:
For writing, you have two options this week.  You could write an opinion article about whether or not you believe a college education is a good investment.  Or, you could write a text describing the ideal college experience, considering academics, campus life, etc.

Best,
Kelly

This week we talked about space, covering topics from the latest SpaceX launch, future colonization of Mars, and of course, alien abduction and UFO sightings.

Listening:
Learners can try one of sevel space related listening exerices from British Council Teens: Making a PB&J in Space, or How to Wash Your Hair in Space. 

For original version, try the podcast episode from NYTimes entitled, Space Travel, Privatized.  Or, for something a little more paranormal, Otherworldy.

Reading:
Learners should check out a story from VOA English about NASA's search for people to study isolation.

For original version, choose one of the many articles over at Longreads about Space.

​Writing:
For writing, you have two options this week.  You could write an article about space travel (how humans have made important advances, should we invest in it, what is the future of it), or write a story about UFOs or aliens.

Best,
Kelly