Hello From 330
LEARNING ENGLISH IN NYC
THEHIGHLINE.ORG*
The High Line is a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. You can walk through gardens, view art, experience a performance, savor delicious food, or connect with friends and neighbors-all while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City. The High Line is one, continuous, 1.45-mile-long greenway featuring 500+ species of plants and trees. On top of public space and gardens, the High Line is home to a diverse suite of public programs, community and teen engagement, and world-class artwork and performances, free and open to all. *
LANGUAGE CORNER
Present Participle
English verbs have four forms. For example, the verb “be” has the present (am, is, are), the past (was, were), the present participle (being), and the past participle (been) forms. The present participle is a verb form that we know from the present continuous (Alex is eating), past continuous (Alex was eating), and etc.
In addition to being a verb, the present participle can be a noun (Reading can be fun; Exercising makes a person healthier) and an adjective (Some books are exciting). When the present participle is used a noun, it called a gerund and when it is used as an adjective it is called a participial adjective.
So remember, when you see a word with the present participle ending (-ing), it can be a verb, a noun, or an adjective!
TED Talk
TED is an organization that believes powerful ideas, powerfully presented, move us: to feel something, to think differently, to take action. Ted Talks are presentations from many different people who talk about many different ideas (from culture and health to happiness and psychology) and because of this, you will almost always find something new and interesting to learn about.*
Another good thing about Ted Talks is that there are transcripts available for the presentations in many different languages. Feel free to listen to the presentations in English or with English subtitles first and then, if you still find it difficult, you can put on the subtitles in your language. Ted Talks are also available on YouTube.
COMPETITION
American football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” This quote reflects the uber-competitive nature of American culture, where society sets people up to compete with each other.
For many, competition serves as a powerful motivator. Competition can also boost productivity. Since winning often means outperforming your opposition, people often work harder and longer to get an edge over their competition.
AMERICAN CULTURE
However, for some, competition leads to burnout and leaves them exhausted. Psychologist Alice Schluger, Ph.D. suggests that competition makes people constantly compare themselves and look to others for approval. This constant comparison and search for validation is unhealthy and can lead to a negative self-image and worsened self-esteem.*
*https://businessnews.ucdenver.edu/2024/03/01/ competition-toxic-or-healthy/
NEW DICTIONARY WORDS*
BEV (NOUN)
a vehicle that uses an electric motor that receives electricity from a large battery (the abbreviation for battery electric vehicle)
More BEVs are coming onto the market later this year.
BRONZER (NOUN)
make-up that is used to make the skin look brown as a result of being in the sun
They applied a touch of bronzer on their face.
*HTTPS:// WWW.OXFORDLEARNERSDI CTIONARIES.COM/ WORDLIST/NEW_WORDS
BIG TECH (NOUN)
very large technology companies
Big tech is playing an ever larger role in our lives.
NYC SURVIVAL TIPS
MAKE A PLAN
It is important to make a plan before you or your loved ones have an emergency from a natural disaster such as flooding, for example. Here are some helpful tips and if you want to learn more, click on the helpful links below. *
"you have to understand, that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land"
Warsan Shire, "Home"
Know where you will meet your loved ones after an emergency. Pick two places to meet: one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, or community center.
Identify all possible exit routes from your home and neighborhood.
Pick someone near your home that family or friends can call for support during a disaster.
Pick an out-of-area contact that family or friends can call if separated during a disaster. This out-of-area contact can help you and your family communicate. Cell phones may not function during or after a disaster, so using a landline or a payphone (to call your out-of-area contact) is a good alternative.*
*Helpful links:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/get-prepared.page
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/ emergency_reference_card.pdf
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/ myemergencyplan_english.pdf
IMPORTANT DATES/ EVENTS
*https://blogs.loc.gov/ folklife/2022/02/groundhog-dayancient-origins-of-a-moderncelebration/
FEBRUARY 2026
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 16: Presidents’ Day
Groundhog Day is a fun unofficial American Holiday. The story of this tradition goes something like this: on February 2, our old friend the groundhog will emerge from hibernation, come out of his den, and predict whether winter will deliver more cold weather this year. If the groundhog sees his shadow, the story goes, he will return to hibernation and cold weather will persist another few weeks. If not, warm weather is around the corner. You can also learn more about this tradition by watching the movie Groundhog Day (1993) with actor Bill Murray. *
