March 2012 Schedule of Classes and Workshops OPEN CLASSES MONDAY Small Group Discussion Funny Thing About English Slang, Solutions & Stuff
TIME
ROOM
LEVEL
INSTRUCTOR
11:00-12:25 PM 1:00-1:55 PM 2:00-2:55 PM
2 1-2 1-2
H.I. L.I. H.I./Adv.
Edward Spaeth Joe Lamb Terry Phelan
2:00-2:55 PM 3:00-4:25 PM 3:00-4:25 PM
3 2 3
H.I. H.I./Adv. Int.
Kathy Mele Eileen Julian John Quinn
1
Adv.
Chris Booth
2
H.I./Adv.
Linda Miele
1-2 3 1 2 1-2 3 3 2 3 1
Int./H.I. H.I. H.I./Adv. H.I./Adv. Int./H.I. H.I. Adv. H.I./Adv. Int./H.I. Adv.
Shawn Mullin Ann Black Robert Stewart Max Frankel Luise Palace Susan Martin Jonathan Altschuler Paul Benevich George Phillips Chris Booth
2 3 1-2 1 2 3 1-2
Int./H.I. Int./H.I. H.I./Adv. Adv. H.I./Adv. H.I. L.I.
Diane Maas Brad Smith Donald Young Dave Quinn Ann Collins Joe Lamb
Speaking & Listening ♥♥ The American People Everyday English
Reading & Discussing Literature ¥¥ 6:30-7:55 PM Cross-Cultural Concepts of Beauty & Health 6:30-7:55 PM TUESDAY Reading Children’s Literature 11:00-11:55 AM Grammar in Use 1:30-3:25 PM American Values: A Discussion 2:00-3:25 PM Current Affairs: A Discussion 2:00-3:25 PM Cultural Traditions öö 3:30-4:55 PM 3:30-4:55 PM Listening and Conversation American Elections & Courts 5:00-5:55 PM Conversation: Media & Culture 6:00-7:25 PM Grammar in Use 6:00-7:25 PM 6:30-7:55 PM Reading & Discussing Literature WEDNESDAY Let’s Talk About It## 11:00-11:55AM Pronunciation 11:00-11:55AM 12:45-1:45 PM The Real New York Money & the American Economy 2:00-3:25 PM Tips for Success at Work & Beyond 2:00-3:25 PM Grammar in Context 2:00-3:55 PM Speak Up & Speak Out 4:30-5:25 PM International Relations Opera Club THURSDAY Small Group Discussion New York: Then and Now
1 3
Adv. Int./H.I.
John Bruschi Roger Lothrop
11:00-12:25 PM 11:00-12:15 PM
2 3
H.I. H.I.
Edward Spaeth Robin Lynn
12:00-1:55 PM 12:00-1:55 PM
1 6
H.I. H.I.
Petey Eisenberg Ann Black
Writing ±± Small Group Conversation Vocabulary & Pronunciation American Values: A Discussion Business-No Big Deal: A Discussion
12:30-1:55 PM 2:00-2:55 PM 4:00-4:55 PM 4:00-5:25 PM 6:00-7:25 PM
2 1-2 2 3 1
H.I. L.I./Int. Int. H.I./Adv. H.I.
Merle Price John Uss Ellie Adiel Robert Stewart Carol Dubin
Vocabulary in Use•• FRIDAY Conversation Pronunciation Practice Small Group Conversation Essay Writing Talking About America The American People Film Viewing and Discussion
6:00-7:25 PM
Int./H.I.
Leslie Haynes
Grammar in Use
SATURDAY Speak Easy Small Group Discussion This is New York Communications Skills Grammar This is New York
12:30-1:55 PM 1:00-1:55 PM 2:00-3:15 PM 2:00-3:25 PM 3:30- 4:25 PM 4:00-5:25 PM 5:00-6:55 PM
9:30-10:25 AM 11:00-12:25 PM 11:00-12:25 PM 12:30-1:55 PM 12:30-1:55 PM 1:30-2:55 PM Exploring English Through Music 2:00-3:25 PM
2
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: ♥♥ Speaking & Listening will NOT be held on 3/19. ¥¥ Reading & Discussing Literature will NOT be held on 3/12. öö Cultural Traditions will NOT be held on 3/13 & 3/20.
Bernadette Levandowski
6:00-7:55 PM 6:00-7:55 PM
Food, Kitchens and Cooking §§
L.I. – Low Intermediate Int. – Intermediate H.I. – High Intermediate Adv. – Advanced
3 1-2 1-2 3 1-2 3 1-2
H.I. L.I. L.I./Int. H.I. Int. H.I./Adv. Int./H.I.
Jo Imeson Joe Lamb John Uss John Quinn John Donal Quinn Eileen Julian Michael Chin & Richard Allen
2 2 6 2 3 6 3
Int. H.I. H.I./Adv. Int./H.I. Int./H.I. H.I./Adv. H.I.
Kyeong-sik Song Edward Spaeth Marilyn Stetar Ellen Baird John Quinn Marilyn Stetar Kaveh Sarfehjooy
## Let’s Talk About It will NOT be held on 3/21. Grammar in Context will NOT be held on 3/14. §§ Food, Kitchens & Cooking will NOT be held on 3/8. ±± Writing will be held on 3/1 & 3/22 at 4:00 PM in Room 1 and NOT at 12:30 PM in Room 2. •• Vocabulary in Use will NOT be held on 3/29.
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO CHAIRS AVAILABLE!
There is no sign up unless indicated. Sign up sheets are at the Information Desk.
Computer Skills Photoshop Projects Mon., 3/12 & 3/26, 3-4:55 PM, Computer Lab, Kazuko Uchida Sign up required. Limited to 6. Please sign up for one class only. Learn how to create original greeting cards, T-shirt designs, and other art projects in Photoshop, a leading software program used in advertising, publishing, and other information industries. You will learn how to adjust the color and shape of images, add specific phrases and logos, and how to use other features and functions of Photoshop. Beginning Microsoft Access Mon., 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 7-7:55 PM, Computer Lab, Fatih Yuksel Sign up required. Limited to 6. Please attend all sessions. Microsoft Access is a very powerful database application designed to save you time and make creating relational databases easier. In this workshop, students will work with Access on designing tables, queries, forms, and reports. By the end, students will be able to create a simple relational database. Introduction to Excel Tues., 3/6 & Fri., 3/9, 3-4:55 PM, Computer Lab, Bill Roth Sign up required. Limited to 6. Please attend both sessions. This workshop will include topics such as description and uses of spreadsheet software; key definitions; navigating spreadsheets; and entering text and data. Students will create income and expense spreadsheets, utilizing different formats. They will also create formulas containing relative and absolute references. Learn how to transform spreadsheets into charts, and how to print spreadsheets. Some homework will be assigned. Please bring a flash drive if you have one. Internet Business Workshop Weds., 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 3-5 PM, Computer Lab, Jim Marnell Sign up required. Limited to 6. Learn how to develop a website inexpensively, draw visitors to it, and use it to make your business
flourish. This workshop covers setting up a site, making it easily found by search engines, and supporting it with smart phone technology.
Career Skills Career & Professional Success Development Workshop Mon., 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 6-7:25 PM, Rm. 3, Alex Aslan No sign up required. Volunteer Alex Aslan will offer tips to help you develop self-confidence in high-stress situations, including meeting new people for the first time and speaking in public. This workshop will also focus on developing strong leadership and management skills to help you achieve success in your career. Résumé Writing Workshop with volunteers from J.P. Morgan Chase Sat., 3/24, 11 AM-1:55 PM, Rm. 1 Sign up required. Limited to 12. Workshop leaders from J.P. Morgan Chase, a leading investment bank, will provide advice on résumé building, jobsearch strategies, and interview preparation. Volunteers will critique and provide detailed feedback on individual résumés. Please note: These consultations will help you with your résumé and interviewing skills only. They are not interviews for a job. In order to participate, please bring a flash drive and a copy of your résumé.
Academic Skills Applying for Graduate School Thurs., 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4-4:55 PM, Director’s Office, Kun Yu Ma Sign up required. Limited to 10. Please attend all sessions. In these four-sessions, members will discuss the application process, the required exams and documents, and the financial aid application. The discussion will be led by a member who was recently accepted into the Master’s in Accounting program at Baruch College. Everyone is welcome to join. Math Tutoring Workshop Thurs., 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 5-6 PM, Lounge stage Sign up required. Limited to 6. Please attend all sessions. If you are studying for the GRE or GMAT exams or just want to improve your
math skills, sign up for this four-session workshop. ICNY member Cyrille Nzouda, who is a math teacher, will explain math vocabulary and provide challenging practice problems. Math Consultations Thurs., 3/15, 4-5:55 PM, Conversation Room, Vera Rozenberg Sign up required. Limited to 4. Math instructor Vera Rozenberg offers individual consultations to members and volunteers who need help with math. Vera will review math basics, explain math terminology, and provide challenging practice problems. If you are preparing for the GRE or GMAT exams, or just want to brush up on your math skills, sign up for a consultation with Vera. Vocabulary & Idioms Workshop Fri., 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 12-12:55 PM, Rm. 6, Joan Klips Sign up required. Limited to 12. Please attend all sessions. In this workshop, students will be reading dialogues and learning new vocabulary and American idioms as they are used in context.
New York Life Skills Stress Management Workshop Tues., 3/13, 1-1:55 PM, Rm. 2, Josiane Peluso NO sign up required. Join Josiane Peluso, health educator from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, for an informative presentation on how to reduce stress and improve your health. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 3 million members in governmentsponsored healthcare programs. Their mission is to help people live healthier lives by ensuring access to high quality health care services. Individual Immigration Consultations with Tao Lin will not be held this month. Tao will be back next month on Thursday, April 12, at 6 PM. Please see the April schedule for more information. This is New York Sat., 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 11AM-12:25PM and 1:30-2:55PM, Rm. 6, Marilyn Stetar NO sign up required. Limited to 15. This small group discussion workshop is meant for members with a good command of English and an interest in
discussing current issues in the always fascinating city we live in: New York City. Each week we will read one or two short articles about New York City, taken from The New York Times, The New Yorker magazine, and other national publications. We will discuss the content and practice using new and interesting vocabulary.
NO sign up required. Richard Allen and Michael Chin offer weekly viewing and discussion of films from the United States and from around the world. Practice your English while discussing the genres, works, and notable figures in international cinema. Everyone is welcome to join.
Social and Cultural Fabric Crafts Workshop Mon., 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 5:45-7:25 PM, Lounge, Kasumi Ochiumi NO sign up required. Do you like crafts? Do you like to make things? In this hands-on workshop we will make pencil cases, small bags, Me tro Ca rd h o ld ers, co a sters, ornaments, and much more. Fabric is provided, or feel free to bring your own. No experience is necessary. Come make new friends, chat in English, and create something unique. Book Club Thurs., 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 3-3:55 PM, Rm. 2 Sign up required. Limited to 20. Please attend all sessions. This club is led by member Cyrille Nzouda and volunteer Jessica Lingel. Join other ICNY members for a weekly discussion of American short stories. Stop by the Information Desk to pick up a copy of the short story the week before each Book Club meeting. Opera Club Wed., 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 6-7:55 PM, Rm. 3, Roger Lothrop NO sign up required. Become familiar with opera as we watch a popular opera, learn about the stories, the composers, and the famous arias. Everyone is welcome to join.
Trips and Tours *Sign up on the Trips and Tours Board unless otherwise noted. Please cross out your name if you cannot attend! Please wear appropriate clothing for all trips and tours! The Frick Collection Sun., 3/4, 11 AM, Lucie Visit this unusual private museum containing some of the world’s finest paintings, sculpture, and decorative art, located in the former Paris- inspired home of the industrial magnate, Henry Clay Frick. A special Renoir painting will be on display. Cost: Bring your ICNY ID. Pay as you wish. Meet: Outside the museum entrance at 1 East 70th Street, corner of 5th Avenue. Sorry, no children. Dinner Trip – Patsy’s Italian Restaurant Wed., 3/21, 6 PM, Mark Gottfried Come to New York’s best brick oven pizzeria and choose from their wonderful variety of pizzas and pastas. Cost: $12 to $15, depending on what you order, plus tax and tip. Meet: At 6 PM in the International Center or go directly to the restaurant at 318 West 23rd Street, just west of Eighth Avenue, at 6:30 PM.
New Horizon Club Thurs., 3/15, 6 PM, Lucie This club meets monthly, 6-8 PM, for discussions on various topics and for field trips. Members must have considerable life experience and good English proficiency. If interested, please leave your name and number with Shawn in the Program Office. Lucie will return your call.
The Morgan Museum Sun., 3/25, 12 noon, Lucie Come to this interesting museum in the former home of the banker J.P. Morgan. Exhibitions on display include letters and novels from Charles Dickens (in honor of his 200th birthday), a Gutenberg Bible, and much more. Cost: $10 for students and seniors with ID cards. All others $15. Children under 12 free. Meet: Inside at the entrance, 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street.
International Film Forum Fri., 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 5-6:55PM, Rms. 1-2, Richard Allen & Michael Chin
For specific questions about Trips and Tours, look for LUCIE, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
ATTENTION MEMBERS! Check our website before you come to the Center! Class cancellations and updates are now posted daily on the Center’s website: www.intlcenter.org Look for the box at the top right side of our home page that says: Today at the Center. Under the monthly calendar you will see a button that says: Click for Class Changes! You will find all cancellations and updates there. You can also follow the Center on Facebook (facebook.com/icnewyork), Twitter (twitter.com/icnewyork), and YouTube (youtube.com/icnewyork). The International Center Member Blog is an online community where our members share their learning experiences at ICNY and the ways in which the Center has enriched their lives in the U.S. The blog serves as a forum for members comfortable with writing in English. Become involved by blogging about your experiences in New York City or by sharing interesting stories about ICNY. You may submit your writing for approval by contacting Jacob Lazarowitz at jlazarowitz@intlcenter.org or Elaine Roberts at eroberts@intlcenter.org. Pictures and videos are also encouraged. Visit www.intlcenter.wordpress.com to read the Center’s blog.
This Month’s English Quiz Trite as a Cliché A cliché is an idea or phrase that has been used so much that it is not effective or does not have any meaning anymore. One of the most common cliché formulas writers use is “(adjective) as a/ an (noun),” for example, “happy as a clam” or “cool as a cucumber.” No one really knows why clams are happy and cucumbers are cool but this is something that is commonly used in the English language. In this month’s quiz you will supply each (adjective) as a/an with a noun from the list below. For example, smart as a whip, which means “intelligent or clever.” a doornail, a house, a kite, a button, toast, a post, an oven, an old shoe, a prune, 1. warm as ________________________________ 2. wrinkled as ______________________________ 3. big as __________________________________ 4. comfortable as ___________________________ 5. cute as _________________________________ 6. dead as _________________________________ 7. deaf as _________________________________ 8. dull as __________________________________ 9. high as _________________________________ 10. hot as _________________________________ Adapted from The Play of Words: Fun and Games for the Language Lovers, by Richard Lederer, Pocket Books, 1990.
Answers to last month’s quiz: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
the driven snow rain a rock apple pie a cucumber a fruitcake a beet molasses pea soup an egg
March Announcements 50 West 23rd Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010-5205 Phone: 212-255-9555 Fax: 212-255-0177 Email: icny@intlcenter.org
ICNY Cultural Presentation featuring
Colombia
Friday, March 2, at 3 PM in the lounge
2012 Structured Courses Session II (8-10 weeks) Structured courses are offered three times a year. The next structuredcourse session will begin on April 25. Unlike open classes, which you can join any time, structured courses require that you register and come to class regularly, once a week for 10 weeks. Registration: Tuesday, April 17 Wednesday, April 18 Classes begin: Wednesday, April 25 Classes end: Monday, June 25 (8-week courses) Monday, July 9 (10-week courses) Course descriptions and sign-up sheets will be posted on Thursday, April 12, at 12 PM, in front of Room 6.
Mark Your Calendar: ♦ The Center will be closed on Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, for the Easter Holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day On March 17, we commemorate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. For the past 250 years, New York City has observed this day with the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will begin at 11 AM on 44th Street and go up Fifth Avenue, following a specially painted green stripe — the color associated with St. Patrick. The lights at the top of the Empire State Building will also be turned green. Many New Yorkers, those of Irish descent and others, will wear something green that day. You can find green beer, corned beef and cabbage, and lots of Irish music at bars and restaurants all over the city.
Theatre Performance to Benefit Japan It has been one year since the terrible earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster struck Japan. The people of Japan still need our help more than ever. On Tuesday, March 13, at 12 noon, ICNY member and voice actress Kumiko Yamakado will give a benefit performance of traditional Japanese theatre called Kamishibai. Started in the 12th century as a way to convey stories with moral lessons to children, Kamishibai combines pictures and narration and is considered one of the precursors of Japanese manga and anime. Kumiko will be performing a classic adventure story called The Light of the Diamond. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and will be given directly to the Japan Society Earthquake Relief Fund to assist those still suffering from this tragedy. Please join us for what promises to be a fun-filled and memorable performance.