_Hello Everyone!

Naturally, as the year is drawing to a close, this week's conversation leaned toward discussing the important events of 2011.  You can watch Google video's year in review as perceived through our searches, or read about the best albums and best movies of the year.  For writing, why not describing one of these powerful images from the news this year, or write a story about a memorable moment for you this year.

In honor of the holidays, you could try listening about Christmas gifts or watch a video called A Short History of Santa (click CC for subtitles in English).  Advanced students can listen to story by comic writer David Sedaris' Santa Diaries (with transcript) or read his hilarious short story Six to Eight Black Men.

This week in class, some students asked about the correct pronunciation of -ed verb endings. You can read an explanation here and try a quiz.

Well, I'm off to the States to celebrate Christmas! Have a wonderful holiday and see you after the New Year -- don't forget, the first day back at class is January 9th.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and see you in 2012!

_Hey Guys!

This week we talked about various topics.  Some extended last week's discussion about travel to the topic of culture.  If you would like to try some listening, check out this TED video about endangered cultures (available with subtitles and interactive transcript). 

Or you could read about British and American food culture.  Speaking of reading, this week I found another good website to practice reading and some grammar: The Study Zone.  Take a look and let me know if you like it as a resource!

Other groups discussed health. Watch this animated video about the one thing you can do to drastically and easily improve your health with only 30 minutes per day. Do you agree with this doctor's suggestion? Also, you can read this article about health and kids.

Time flies!! We're coming to the end of the first trimester of our English Tertulias.  This is a great time to think about your progress so far.  Why not write a short self-evaluation? Think back to the first day of class.  How do you feel you've improved over the past few months? How have you found a place for English in your day to day? What are your language goals for 2012? Are you enjoying the conversation groups? Do you have any comments or suggestions to improve them? 

Some students have requested a short evaluation from me to check in about your progress.  Don't worry, this is not a report card, just a quick note about how I see you're doing. If this is something that interests you, let me know, I would be happy to oblige!

Remember, some of you have signed up for extra classes on Thursday and Friday, so I will see you then.  If you haven't signed up but would like to come, please email or call me ASAP*.

Last but not least, mark your calendars with the following events:

• Christmas get-together (with Pumpkin Pie!) Wednesday December 21st 20:30 at the Continental Cafe before I fly off to New Hampshire for the holidays (optional)
  
• No class the weeks of December 26th and January 2nd. We resume classes and begin the second trimester the week of January 9th. 
  
• Visit to the Wurth Museum on January 14th at 18:00 (optional)
  

See you next week!

Kelly

*ASAP = as soon as possible