Make the most out of your NYLC online classes - Part II

Dear Students,

It’s been a while since we last touched base and checked in with each other. How are you doing? It’s been more than 7 weeks since classes have gone online and we wanted to first say thank you for sticking with us! Since it still remains unclear for when we will be able to return to the classrooms for in-person instruction, we wanted to share a few more tips that can contribute to successful online learning. Let's begin!

TIP 1: BE present (turn on your camera!): We understand that some of us can be shy in front of the camera but being present is more than just signing in to your class. It’s important that you are ACTIVELY present. In the virtual world, this includes keeping your camera on (whenever possible) and engaging with your teacher and classmates. There’s a lot that can be communicated through gestures which is key when learning a language! Keeping your camera on will make your online class experience more similar to an in-person class. In other words, your class should feel less like a webinar and more like the LIVE, interpersonal, interactive experience that it is! So go on, turn on your camera and connect better with your class.  The initial awkwardness will wear off and you will have a much better and richer experience. We promise!


TIP 2: Take (good) notes: Now more than ever, taking notes is crucial to your learning experience. Don’t rely online on digital resources. Taking notes (by hand) will help you assimilate the lesson better, it will keep you more focused and engaged with class and you will have physical material to rely on and come back to if you have any doubts before your next class. Write down the examples that your teacher gives, take notes of the homework, write any pages from the book that you need to review, etc.

TIP 3: Stay connected even during the break (if possible): When class is going on, a lot of the information goes in the chat that you and your classmates and teacher use. I recommend that as much as possible you stay connected during the break since logging off means losing all the information from the group chat. If, for any reason, you do need to log off, get in the habit of copy and pasting this information onto a personal file so you can hold on to this important info!

TIP 4: Set up your space: In other words, set yourself up for success. We know it is tempting to stay in bed all morning and take your class from it but the reality is that doing so will not help you be focused and productive. We are all different but I can take a guess that you will feel better if you take time to set up your space. If possible, find a space where you can sit straight, open a window (if available), change into some comfy clothes that are NOT your pajamas, have some coffee or tea, prepare your notebook and pen/pencil.

TIP 5: Stay positive (we are trying too): We get it! We want to be back to school too and we want things to go back to normal. We understand that this is a difficult, unusual, inconvenient situation but don’t forget: we are all in this together. Choose to remain positive and to make the most out of the situation. We are lucky to be able to connect you with your favorite teachers and to be able to continue to have you in class. We are lucky to have really wonderful students who have been patient and understanding throughout this difficult time. Know that we do not take you for granted and that we are here for you!

You got this! (We got this!) :)
Isabel & the Team NYLC

NYLC, Four-Time Winner of NY State TESOL Essay Contest!

By Isabel Solano and Cassandra Wong. 

NYLC proudly announced in September that Milena Alexandra Martinez Reyes of NYLC Jackson Heights won first place in the New York State TESOL Contest. 

Milena started at NYLC as an Advanced student and studied with us for 24 weeks. Her instructor Briony Bristow commented that at first, Milena was nervous about completing the essay, but winning the contest has helped her gain confidence in her English abilities and validated all that she has learned during her time at NYLC. Milena has since returned to her home country in the Dominican Republic.

Briony Bristow, Faculty & Academic Coordinator

Milena Alexandra Martinez Reyes,
First Place winner

This marks the 4th consecutive win for NYLC, and it is a true testament to the dedication and hard work of our students and teachers. We want to both thank and congratulate NYLC's Director of Studies, Ania Necakov, for being the force that motivates and promotes this contest. She took some time to answer some of our questions as we wanted to get a better insight into what it takes to participate annually in this contest and what it means for the school.


I: Why is participating in the TESOL essay contest important to our school?

Ania, Necakov, Director of Studies at NYLC

A.N: Participating in the Annual NYS TESOL Students' Projects contest allows our students to put their English skills into practice and compete against other ESL learners within NY State. This opportunity also validates our teachers' efforts to nurture creativity in our students, in addition to supporting them in the development of English language skills.

I: In your opinion, what is the main goal of the contest?

A.N: The contest looks to provide English language learners with a platform to express themselves in writing and compete against other English learners in one of three age/proficiency groups. NYLC students compete in a university/adult education category, which includes students enrolled in intensive English programs, community colleges, and degree-based programs or ESOL programs.

I:  Why is it important to you to motivate teachers and students to participate?

A.N: Outside school, students often find it challenging to successfully function in situations where they need to communicate with native English speakers. Some welcome the challenge, others feel too insecure about their "imperfect" English. Therefore, by motivating them to compete in the contest, I express my belief in their competence and worthiness. I give them a gentle push that encourages them to take the first step. And then another. Being able to inspire our students and support them in taking the risk and sharing their writing within the ESL community and beyond means a lot to all of us at NYLC. We are proud of all of them. Our pride and appreciation go out to our faculty as well. Year after year, they provide student support on a multitude of levels inside and outside the classroom. Without their dedication and commitment, NYLC would not be the place that it is.

NYLC has truly made it a goal to participate annually. Under Ania's direction, the Academic Coordinators make sure students and teachers are informed about the contest and do their best to motivate them along the process to submit their work. It is a team-effort that always pays off! 

Ania will be attending the awards ceremony in White Plains on November 15th to accept the award on behalf of the student and school. We are filled with pride for our students and honored to be recognized by others in the field. 

NYLC's Word of the Week: PERSEVERANCE

perseverance (noun)

1. Perseverance is not giving up. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if it’s hard.
   

Examples: 

Medicine is a field which requires dedication and perseverance.
It took a lot of planning and perseverance to be successful.

What’s the difference: Family Addition

by  Mia Della Pietra (native New Yorker)

Mia teaches TOEFL Preparation and other courses at NYLC's Upper West Side location. She was born and raised in NYC and lived in Thailand for two years training Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and teaching English.  Now she enjoys meeting students from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds and loves finding the humor in the challenges of learning English. In her free time, she watches mixed martial arts, hangs out with her two cats, and eats as much boxed macaroni and cheese as she can.   

What’s the difference...

Families are complex, and sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish how to describe the various relationships that exist within them.  Here are some similar but not quite the same expressions and vocabulary to help you navigate your family descriptions!

Take after / look like

The difference between take after and look like is a major one.  Looking like your family has to do with physical appearance.  If your face is similar to your mother’s, than you look like your mother.  Taking after someone has to do with your personality or behavior.  If you are a doctor, and your grandfather was a doctor, then you take after him.  If you love spicy food, and so does your father, then you take after him. 

On my mother’s side / From my mother

Does your mother have curly hair?  Do you have curly hair?  In that case you could say, “I got my curly hair from my mother.”  We use this phrase for traits directly passed down from our mothers.  This can be for physical traits or personality.  You can also get a love of Star Wars and an appreciation of French food from your mom.  “On my mother’s side” is used to describe traits that your mother’s entire family has passed to you.  For example “I am German, on my mother’s side,” or “I have heart disease on my mother’s side.” 

Partner / Spouse

There are lots of different kinds of partners.  Business Partners, dance partners, and romantic partners!  Partner is a word that has an interesting history.  Before gay marriage was legalized in the United States, most homosexual couples would use it to describe their “life partner” or “domestic partner” which was the legal definition of their relationship.  Now partner has become more neutral, being applied to homosexual and hetersexual relationships.  The difference between a partner and a spouse is that you are legally married to your spouse, but the word partner just describes a serious, long term relationship, not necessarily a legal marriage to the person.  Both spouse and partner are gender neutral terms. 

Test yourself!

1. My __________________ and I have been living together for 5 years, but we aren’t married. 
2. I get my love of action movies __________________.  My mother and I always go to the movies together during the holidays! 
3. My mother __________________ her mother, they’re both lawyers. 
4. My __________________is from Florida, and we have been married for 3 years. 
5. My sister really __________________ me, sometimes people get confused about who they are talking to! 
6. I’m Brazilian __________________ but my father’s family is from Mexico.

Modern Day American Slang

A major challenge that a lot of ESL students face is understanding and becoming familiar with the 15,000+ idioms/slang terms used in American English.  Slang words are informal terms that are very common in speech and, these days, in social media. While some slang words come and go, others last much longer and become commonly used terms for a very long time.

New slang emerge in pop culture all the time and it can confuse even native English speakers!

So to help us keep up, here are some commonly used in our language. Which ones do you already know and use?

Ain't- informal contraction of (Be) not; is not, are not, am not 
"Dime"/"Dime Piece"- (n) a perfect ten, an extremely attractive person
Bae- (n) abbreviation of "Before Anyone Else" -n- significant other
Boo- (n) significant other, boyfriend or girlfriend
Twerk- (n/v)- rump shaking dance
Nut Job/ Whack job- (n) crazy person
Turn up- (v)- to be excited and party
Mad- (adj)- very or a lot

--Slang Words and Definitions Provided by NYLC Instructor Andrew Tate

NYLC Students Win the New York State TESOL Contest!

Each year, in order to showcase the tremendous talents of English language Learners, NYS TESOL proudly sponsors a student project contest. As usual, the contest theme is framed within the shifting landscapes of the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse society.
The essays were judged on relevance, organization and overall impact, idea development, content and details and literary style. 

This spring, New York Language Center students and faculty participated in a New York State TESOL sponsored essay contest and our students and faculty were winners for the second year in a row. 

We are so proud of our two Upper West Side  faculty members: Ivan Brave and Jarod Young and their students Semayat Oliveira from Brazil and Ilona Altschuler from Germany.

This week we are featuring the essay that won First Prize, beautifully written by Semayat. Scroll down to read the full essay. 

ABOUT STUDENT/WRITER:
Semayat Oliveira is a Brazilian journalist who graduated from the Methodist University of São Paulo. She is co-founder of the communications collective We, women of the periphery, which is managed by by seven women from low income neighborhoods in São Paulo. The project was born in 2014 with an article published in the Folha de São Paulo, one of the biggest newspaper in Brazil. The objective was to create new pathways to an alternative and inclusive media. Oliveira produces content as a reporter and is one of the managers of the collective. In October 2017, she will participate in The International Center on Journalists fellowship for Latin American journalists in Washington DC.

Locked Up: How to Support Mothers in Jail with Children Back Home

What is the cost of a kiss in the cheek with a “have a good night” from a mother at bedtime? It can be more important and expensive than bail, can change a life. 

"They have a million questions, they want to know where I’ve been". That's what Tanisha Bynum said about having to speak to her children about why she had been out for a while. She was arrested and far from them for days: no phones, no touching. When they finally met again, the kids were curious and she was worried. But, for sure, both sides were feeling relief. 

I read her story in Time Magazine, around May of this year. She is from Alabama and could have stayed for almost two months behind bars. She drove to the beach with a suspended license and got involved in an accident. The other car ran into her and, after the crash, the result was siting down and waiting in a local prison to go trial. Aside from being a mother of three kids, at that time, she was also two months pregnant. Her bail was around $10,000. She didn’t have the money to pay. Luckily, she had the bail paid by the "Mother Bail Out", a campaign for black women started this year on Mother Day by many movements for racial and social justice in different states.

Quality English Interviews Barbara Dick

" New York Language Center has a long standing positive reputation in our community. Not every student has the funds necessary to study at our more expensive competitors, and we offer an alternative where the quality of instruction and student services is not compromised. Every employee at New York Language Center understands we must make students feel like they are part of a family and are always there to support them.  Students leave New York Language Center with a very positive view of New York, greater English skills and many new friends from all over the world".

A great interview by Quality English featuring NYLC's Executive Director, Barbara Dick. 

Barbara founded NYLC in 1985. Hear in her own words, what she believes sets NYLC apart from the competition and the big chain schools.


Read full feature here:
http://www.quality-english.com/blog/interviews/interview-with-barbara-dick-of-new-york-language-center/

Getting To Know Our Students: Meet Camila from Bolivia!

Our latest video is on NYLC Midtown student, Camila who studied with our school in 2015.

Camila tells her story about moving to New York as a young woman who left her family for the first time and how she gained confidence as she learned to navigate the city and eventually makes New York her home away from home. Hear how her friends from NYLC helped her become comfortable in her new environment.

Student Spotlight: Ivana Minoska, TOEFL Star

We are very proud of New York Language Center student, Ivana, for her excellent score of 106 on the TOEFL exam!

Ivana is visiting from her home country of Macedonia and has studied with NYLC since October of 2015. She is currently pursuing a Master in International Relations and Law. She is almost finished with her degree and is waiting to submit her Master’s thesis upon her return home.

After a cultural exchange program in Minnesota, Ivana decided that she wanted to allocate some of her time to improve her English further.  She loved her Mid-Western summer and decided then that she wanted to study in an American university—but first needed a great TOEFL score! Her goal is to complete her next educational endeavor at an American university. She is looking at law and masters programs at a few universities throughout the tri-state area. Her TOEFL score has given her more opportunities to the types of programs she will apply to, as well as her eligibility for scholarships. Ivana advises other TOEFL students to read newspapers (she reads both national and local papers) and to resist the temptation to use subtitles when watching TV.