American English Language School

  Next Monday is July 4. Do you know what holiday is celebrated in the United States on this day? It is Independence Day! On June 28, 1870, this day became a federal holiday. In celebration of this holiday, American English Language School will be closed. Other than just a day off from school or work, do you know why we celebrate this holiday?   July fourth is an important day because it celebrates the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is a document that announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. Congress’s vote was actually cast on July 2 but was not completed and celebrated until July 4th, 1776. July 4th rather than July 2nd is the officially recognized day to celebrate what is widely called “America's birthday.”   Although there is evidence of celebrations among Philadelphians to mark the anniversary, there were not more widespread celebrations until after the War of 1812. The original celebra...

  At American English Language School, not only do we want our students to learn grammar and vocabulary, we also want them to learn things that would be useful outside of the classroom. We strive for students to have the ability to flourish in the United States instead of just flourishing inside the classroom. In order for our students to develop this skill, our curriculum is based on learning everyday English and we have activities outside the classroom. Our major activities take place during the last week of the quarter called culture week which is this week!   During culture week, we plan a variety of activities for our students to enjoy that do not include a book. The first day of culture week is when we ask our students to come and bring an article or video into class to share so students can learn about everyday culture in America. On the second day of culture week, we go out somewhere, whether a mall or museum, so that our students can use their English in an outd...

  If you are learning English, TED Talks can be a beneficial tool. TED Talks are videos that present various topics to help viewers think critically about an idea or situation. They are given by various experts who have experience on the subject. The videos are typically short and cover a wide variety of concepts that will let students practice their English while learning about new and intriguing ideas.   The benefits of students listening to TED Talks include:   -Learning about different ideas and culture from all around the world. -Listening to different native English speakers will improve students listening comprehension skills. -Improve note-taking skills. -Most TED Talks will include an transcript of the talk, so students may follow along to improve         pronunciation skills. -Learning new words and phrases. -Topics help students to think about and discuss new ideas with others. -They are available for everyone...

  Idioms are phrases that English speakers use in everyday conversation, but don’t always make sense if they are pulled apart, word by word. Here are some common idioms that are associated with summer to add to your conversational vocabulary.   1.     To take a shine to someone   This English idiom refers to when   to like or feel attracted to someone you’ve just met, especially in a romantic sense. Usually these feelings happen right away.   For example: My brother has really taken a shine to you.   2.     Thrown in at the deep end   When we say this phrase, in reference to the deep end of a pool where you can’t stand up and are forced to swim because you can’t reach the bottom. This idiom means to put someone in a new situation or under pressure, without proper preparation or introduction.   For example: I was really thrown in at the deep end on my first day of work!   3.  ...

  Applying to college is a stressful experience for most students. You need to plan where you want to go, what the university requirements are, where to live, how you are going to support yourself financially, and so many other things. If you are an ESL student, this experience can seem even more stressful. For ESL students who want to go to college in the United States, there is additional paperwork they need to fill out, a language proficiency test, and finances to prepare.   The first step is to figure out which school you want to apply to. You will need to research different schools that you think will benefit you the most. If you know what you would like to study, look for schools that are targeted toward that major. If not, think about things you like to do or any special skills you have. You will also have to consider the location of where you want to study when applying to schools.   At American English Language School, we have a College Pathway Program ...