Saturday, December 31, 2022

New Year's Resolutions

Lantern Fish: New Year's Resolutions

A vocabulary presentation for talking about New Year's resolutions. The video contains many instances of verb + gerund combinations such as 'quit doing,' 'start doing,' 'stop doing,' and 'cut down on doing.' It also contains several examples of comparatives. Happy New Year!

Elli: New Year's pdf | listening

Woodward English: What is one thing you have done this year that you are proud of? – English Conversation Question 6

Friday, December 30, 2022

Getting Ready for the New Year!

VOA Learning English: English in a Minute: Turning over a New Leaf

Randall's ESL Listening Lab: Happy New Year 

  • “turn over a new leaf” = change personal habits
    • “I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf; I’m going to exercise three times a week and not play so many video games.”
  • “ring in the new year” = celebrate the new year
    • “We’re going to ring in the new year at my sister’s house next week.”


Thursday, December 29, 2022

'The Gift of the Magi,' by O. Henry

 

VOA Learning English: 'The Gift of the Magi,' by O. Henry | Quiz

Listen and Read Along: 'The Gift of the Magi,' by O. Henry 

American English at State: 'The Gift of the Magi,' by O. Henry (pdf)

Words in This Story

negotiate - v. to discuss something formally in order to make an agreement

immovable - adj. not able to be moved : firmly fixed in place

expression - n. the way someone's face looks that shows emotions and feelings

magi - n. the wise men, generally assumed to be three in number, who paid homage to the infant Jesus. Matt. 2:1–12.

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Lake Tahoe

Gabriella Viola: 10 EPIC Winter Activities in Lake Tahoe (BESIDES SKIING!)

In this video, I'll be listing 10 awesome things to do in Lake Tahoe in the winter besides skiing! There are tons of winter activities in Lake Tahoe besides skiing. Take it from me, I live in Lake Tahoe and I haven't skied since I was eight! 😜. Let me know what your favorite spot is in the comments. Happy Watching! If you're visiting Lake Tahoe, please do your part to keep it beautiful by Leaving No Trace. VIDEO CONTENTS: 0:00 Intro 0:48 Paddle-Boarding 1:05 Chickadee Ridge 1:21 Monkey Rock Hike 1:39 Snow Sledding 1:54 Emerald Bay 2:14 Ice Skating 2:32 Sand Harbor 2:46 Heavenly Village 3:09 Cave Rock 3:29 Hidden Beach 3:50 Bonus 4:07 Wrap up 4:17 Outro and thanks for watching!

Family Destination Guides: 11 Fun Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe with Kids

EL Civics: Lake Tahoe

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Kwanzaa



Kwanzaa is a week long celebration (Dec 25 to Jan 1) held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. 

Kwanzaa is a celebration that came out of the black nationalist movement of the 1960s. 

It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.

Every night, people light a candle on a kinara (candle holder) which represent Kwanzaa's principles: 

Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. (source)

Also checkout


Monday, December 26, 2022

Boxing Day

EnglishClass101: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas Day in England and its former colonies. December 26 is also the feast day of St. Stephen who collected food and clothing and gave them to the poor.  On Boxing Day, workers would received boxes of food and small gifts from their employers.  Frequently, there were used  clothing or blankets in the boxes.

Recently, Boxing Day has gained popularity in America.  Many families "box up" unused clothes, electronics, and furniture and donate them to charitable organizations such as Goodwill.

Goodwill was started in 1902 by the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston. Helms and his congregation collected used household goods and clothing being discarded in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the unemployed or poor to repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need.

Today, Goodwill has become an international nonprofit that is funded by thrift stores and provides more than 300,000 people with job training and community services each year.  Goodwill also offers free online job skills and technology courses--learn more at gcflearnfree.org 

In the spirit of Boxing Day, we encourage you to donate your unused goods or volunteer with your local civic or community groups.

Learn more about Boxing Day 
Learn more about Goodwill Industries


More organizations in San Jose/Milpitas that accept household goods donations and need volunteers.


Thursday, December 22, 2022

Zelenskyy visits Washington D.C.!



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented United States lawmakers with a battle-scarred Ukrainian flag from front-line soldiers as he made a speech to the U.S. Congress, Wednesday. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrapped up his visit to Washington Wednesday with an impassioned speech before a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, saying Ukraine’s struggle “will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live.” 

“Against all odds, and doom and gloom scenarios,” he began, “Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.” 

He thanked the U.S. for its military equipment and its financial support. 

“Your money is not charity,” he assured Congress. “It is an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.” 

He ended by presenting to the Congress a battle flag given to him by the Ukrainian defenders of Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine where his forces have been engaged for months in heavy fighting. In return, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave him a U.S. flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. 

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House, his first known visit outside Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion of the country in February. 

Videos about Zelenskyy's visit to Washington D.C.

VOANews: Zelenskyy to US Congress: Ukraine 'Will Never Surrender' short

More about Zelenskyy's visit to Washington D.C.

Elli: Volodymyr Zelenskyy pdf  |  mp3
VOANews: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Playlist (900+ videos)
VOANews: Flashpoint Ukraine (many videos and articles)

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Different Ways to Wish ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy New Year’

 


Are you feeling stuck using the same phrases to give people good wishes at this time of year? Well we have you covered because today you'll learn 20 DIFFERENT ways to wish 'Merry Christmas' & 'Happy New Year!' with our alternative phrases.


Elli: Holiday Idioms pdf

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

December Holidays around the World 🎄 A Special English Vocabulary Lesson


Jennifer ESL: December Holidays around the World 🎄 A Special English Vocabulary Lesson

INDEX: 0:01 Introduction by Jennifer 0:56 Putting up the Christmas tree and hanging your stockings (Jennifer) 3:33 Christmas dinner and other "stuff" (Vicki) 6:35 New Year's Eve and New Year's resolutions (Emma) 11:17 Season's greetings from all of us!

Elli: Holiday Idioms pdf

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Oral Reading Fluency 10: "Walk the Talk"

 

JenniferESL: Oral Reading Fluency 10: "Walk the Talk" - Read, think, and learn!

We all have hopes. We all have concerns. Do you tell others what you feel and what you believe? 

Some speak out against systems. Some stand up for programs. Some only talk. What's the right thing to do? 

Don't point at others and ask more of them than of yourself.  Walk the talk.

Learn more:

My English Pages: Walk the talk (English idiom)

Thursday, December 15, 2022

MAE Fall 2022 ESL 3 Class 84

Origami Crane: Easy Tutorial and Twelve Fun Facts

Also see: 

1000 Paper Cranes - The Sadako Sasaki Story pdf

Naia Shedd: The Story of 1000 Paper Cranes

UpLife: The Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Holiday Stamps and Religious Freedom pdf (2020)

Peace Crane instructions pdf

More Origami folding guides: dover, heart, flapping wing crane

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

MAE Fall 2022 ESL 3 Class 78



IHSS Introduction and Services (presentation Wed 12/7 10 am)

This video provides a brief summary of the IHSS program, including basic eligibility criteria, the home visit process, available services and supports, and the care provider selection process.   EnglishChinese | Spanish

PASCC IHSS (Public Authority of Santa Clara County).

Overview of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program pdf  videos

IHSS Provider Orientation Video VIETNAMESE 2017

More training info, go to SCC PAS Training

Consumer Public Authority Handbook Modules

Public Authority Services, in partnership with the Public Authority Services Advisory Board, created short handbook modules to assist In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers to better understand their role, responsibilities, and the resources available to them. These handbook modules were created by individuals who receive in-home care to guide other IHSS consumers.

Click the links below to view the handbooks.

English

Spanish

Vietnamese

Chinese


In Class Lesson:
  • Always on Her Cell Phone pdf
  • Past Participle puzzle

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

MAE Fall 2022 ESL 3 Class 76

 

GCF Learn Free: Text Basics

In-class lessons

Monday, December 5, 2022

MAE Fall 2022 ESL 3 Class 76

 



Assignment 1

  1. Go to www.milpitaschat.com
  2. Click the ESL 3 Email List
  3. Add your email address next to your name.

Assignment 2

  1. Go to www.milpitaschat.com
  2. Watch video: GCFLearnfree: Google Docs: Getting Started
  3. Click the ESL 3 Drive
  4. Log into your google account.
  5. Click your google doc.
  6. Add more info to your google doc.
    • Who, what, where, win, why, how
    • Add a picture
Word Cup:

  • World Cup int-high pdf | mp3 1, 10, 3, 4
  • World Cup int-low pdf | mp3 1,7, 3, 4, 5, 6
Grammar

Sunday, December 4, 2022

People in Sports

 

JenniferESL:  People in Sports 🏀🏈⚽ English Vocabulary with JenniferESL

Index 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Vocabulary: people in sports athlete coach starters, starting lineup trainer spectators fans sports commentator sports analyst referee, ref judge And more!