7/28/2021 – Topic: Living in Seattle – part 2

A ferry ride is a fun summer activity in Seattle. And a nice way to stay cool!

Today’s Words

summer activity

nickname – the short version of someone’s first name; sometimes a nickname describes the quality of a person or thing.

EXAMPLES:

The boy’s first name is Robert but everyone calls him by his nickname, “Bob.”

The nickname for Seattle is the Emerald City because there are lots of green parks and gardens in the city.

emerald - a gem stone that is green in color.

Emerald City – the nickname for Seattle

jet – an airplane that flies very fast

Jet City – the old nickname for Seattle

 

street sign / road sign – a sign you can see on the street. For example, a “STOP” sign or “sidewalk closed” sign.

2 Idioms: “The dog days of summer” and "To break out of your shell."

The dog days of summer are the hottest days of summer. They are so hot that it’s hard to do anything or go anywhere. Nothing is happening.

EXAMPLE: It’s too hot to study English and do homework during the dog days of summer!

To break out of your shell means to try something new such as a new activity you have not done in the past.

EXAMPLE: The young girl broke out of her shell by joining her school’s soccer team.

Small Group Questions

1.     Today is very hot. What do you like to eat or drink on a hot day?

2.    What is the name of your favorite city park? Why is it your favorite?

3.    Is there a new summer activity you would like to try? Why?

4.    How did you learn about it? What information do you need? For example, the location? The date and time?

5.    Do you like to try new activities or stay with the ones you already know?

6.    The hottest days of summer are called “the dog days of summer.” Have you heard this idiom? Are we having the dog days of summer this week?

7.    What is a nickname? Do you have a nickname? Do you know someone with a nickname?

8.    The nickname for Seattle is the “Emerald City.” What is an emerald? Why do you think Seattle has this nickname?

9.    In the past, Seattle was called the “Jet City.” Can you guess why?

10. There are street signs all around Seattle. For example, a “STOP” sign and “SIDEWALK CLOSED” sign. What street signs do you see in your neighborhood?

11.  Some Americans like to hang the U.S. flag on their house. Is there someone in your neighborhood who does this? Why do you think they do this?

7/26/2022     Topic: Living in Seattle – part 1

Today’s Words

 

greet – to say hello to someone

EXAMPLE: The boy sees his friend at school. He greets him with a big smile.

 

a greeting – a hello to someone

street fair – a neighborhood celebration with markets, music and more

ferry boat – a boat that carries people and cars

ride the ferry - to use the ferry boat to go somewhere

camping - to cook, eat and sleep outdoors for fun

EXAMPLE: The family is camping together.

 

picnic – to eat a meal outdoors

 

beach – the shore next to a lake or sea or ocean

 

Idiom: “the best of both worlds”

Meaning: the good qualities of two different things.

EXAMPLE: Living in Seattle is the best of both worlds. Seattle has beautiful outdoor places and friendly people.

 

Small Group Questions

 

1.     What is your favorite season in Seattle? Why?

2.    What is your favorite season in your home country? Why?

3.    When you walk in your neighborhood, do you greet people you see? What do you say?

4.    Do people greet you on your walk? What do they say?

5.    These are common American greetings. Which ones have you heard? Is there a greeting you like to use?

a.    Hi, there.

b.    How are you?

c.    How’s it going?

d.    Howdy. (short for “how do you do?”) spoken in southern U.S.

e.    Hi, y’all. (short for “you-all” or “everyone”) spoken in southern U.S.

6.    Was there a time when someone greeted you and you did not understand what they said? What did they say?

7.    Have you been greeted by a friendly dog? How does a dog greet someone? What do you say?

8.    There are many fun things to do in Seattle in the summer. For example, visit a street fair, have a picnic, and walk on the beach. Name two things you like to do in the summer.

9.    Is there a new summer activity you would like to try? For example, take a ferry ride? Visit a new park? Go on a camping trip?

10. Living in Seattle is the best of both worlds. Seattle has beautiful outdoor places and friendly people. Do you agree?

7/21/2022 – Topic: Family – part 2

Question: Look at the picture. Are they siblings?

Today's Words

parent

A parent is your mother or father.

EXAMPLE: My parents live in my home country.

sibling

A sibling is your brother or sister.

EXAMPLE: I have 3 siblings – 2 sisters and 1 brother.

chore / household chores

A chore is a work task or small job.

EXAMPLE: Washing dishes is a household chore.

 

raise a child / raise children

EXAMPLE: Parents raise a child by giving them care, love, help and guidance (education).

 

American phrase - “to take after someone”

“To take after someone” means to be similar to an older family member.

EXAMPLE: “Do you take after someone is your family? Yes, I take after my father. We’re both teachers, and we love to play soccer.”

Small Group Questions

 

1.             How many siblings do you have? Are they older or younger than you?

2.            Where do your siblings live? How do you stay in touch?

3.            Do you have a sibling you’re close to? What do you like to do together?

4.            Pick one person in your family. Tell us about their appearance and their personality.

5.            Do you take after someone in your family? Please describe.

6.            For some families, a pet is part of the family. Do you have a family pet now or in the past? Describe its name, age, and what it likes to eat and do.

7.            Does your family share chores (work) around the house? For example, washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning house, feeding the pet? Give an example.

8.            Do you have a favorite chore? For example, shopping for groceries?

9.            Did someone in your family have COVID? What happened?

10.         Some parents say “Raising children is the most important job I have.” Do you agree? Why?

Thursday’s Class (7/21/2022)

Pick one person in your family. Tell us about their appearance and personality.

EXAMPLE:

 

        

7/19/2022     Topic: Family – part 1

Recording (click to listen).

Today’s Words

family / family member

A family member is a person in your family. For example, your father and mother are your family members. Your sister or brother is a family member.

sibling

A sibling is your brother or sister.

EXAMPLE: I have 3 siblings – 2 sisters and 1 brother.

appearance

Appearance is the way a person looks.

EXAMPLE: My sister’s appearance is neat and clean.

personality

Personality is a person’s qualities or characteristics

EXAMPLE: My son’s personality is kind and friendly.

 

American phrase - “to stay in touch”

“To stay in touch” means to talk with or communicate with someone.

EXAMPLE: “My son and daughter live in my home country. I stay in touch with them by mobile phone every week."

This is a family tree.

Small Group Questions

1.             How many people are in your family? Who are they?

2.            Where do your family members live? With you? In your home country?

3.            How do you stay in touch with your family members? For example, by phone, email, FaceTime?

4.          What does your family like to do together for fun? For example, go to church, watch a soccer game, go shopping?

5.            What holidays do you celebrate together?

6.            Has COVID changed what your family can do together? How?

7.            Do you look like someone in your family? Who? What looks are the same? For example, hair color, smile, eyes?

8.            Do you have a favorite family member? Who? Why are they your favorite?

9.            Do you have siblings or grandchildren? Where do they live?

10.         Do your siblings or grandchildren go to school, or have a job? Describe the school or job.

7/14/2022 – Topic: Getting to Know Your Classmates and Teachers

Today’s Words

neighborhood

home

house / apartment / condominium

job / look for a job

hobby

neighborhood

Meaning: A neighborhood is an area where people live near one another.

EXAMPLE: My neighborhood is Lake City. There are homes, businesses and parks in my neighborhood.

 

home

Meaning: A home is the place where you live.

EXAMPLE: My home is in the Lake City neighborhood.

 

house / apartment / condominium

Meaning: A house, apartment and condominium are the buildings where people live.

EXAMPLE: I live in an apartment. My apartment is in the Lake City neighborhood. My apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

 

job / look for a job

Meaning: A job is work. It can be paid or volunteer.

EXAMPLE: My job is to take care of my children. It is a volunteer job. My son’s job is to teach science in a public school. It is a paid job.

 

hobby

Meaning: A hobby is something you do for fun and to relax. It is work that is unpaid.

EXAMPLE: My hobby is gardening. My daughter’s hobby is playing soccer.

Small Group Questions

1.             In Opening Circle, we talked about personal goals for Conversation Class. What is yours? Why?

2.            In conversation class, we talk in small groups. What makes a small group conversation good? When you don’t understand something, what can you do?

3.            If you cannot come to class, what do you do?

4.            Today we will get to know each other. Do you have a question to ask your classmates and teacher?

5.            How long have you lived in Seattle? Why did you come?

6.            Do you live in a house or apartment? Who do you live with? How did you find your home?

7.            What is the name of your neighborhood? What do you like about your neighborhood? For example, it’s safe, there are good shops, it’s near a nice park.

8.            Where do you shop for food? Can you find food from your home country?

9.            Do you have a job in Seattle? Are you looking for one? Did you have a job in your home country? If yes, what was it?

10.         Do you like to watch TV or movies? Do you have a favorite TV show or movie?

7/12/2022     Topic: Conversation Class Kickoff

“Kickoff” means to start something or begin something. 

Kickoff is a noun, verb, and adjective.

 

Listen to the recording of Today's Words and Small Group Questions

(click below)

EXAMPLES

Noun: In soccer, a kickoff starts each half of the game.

Verb: We kick off the new year with a party.

Adjective: In the kickoff class, we meet the new teachers and students.

Today’s Words

 

skill / language skill

listen / speak / read / write

goal / personal goal

holiday: July 4 is Independence Day. Also, called 4^th of July

new holiday: June 19 is Juneteenth. Also, called Freedom Day

 

Small Group Questions

1.   What did you do during the summer break?

2. What classes are you taking in summer quarter? For example, ESOL 2/3 or Ready to Work. When do your classes meet?

3.   We practice 2 language skills in Conversation class. What are they?

4.   Name 2 personal goals you have for Conversation Class. For example, I want to learn new vocabulary.

5.   American Independence Day was last week, July 4^th. Did you celebrate the holiday? How?

6.   Americans like to have a cookout on the 4^th? What is a cookout? What are popular cookout foods? Do you like to have a cookout?

7.   Is there an Independence Day in your home country? What is the date? How do people celebrate it?

8.  Americans celebrated a new federal holiday on June 19th, called Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a blend of two words: June and Nineteenth. What does the holiday celebrate?

9.  Juneteenth is also called Freedom Day. It celebrates the end of slavery of Black Americans. What is the name of the U.S. president who ended slavery?

10. On Thursday, we will get to know our classmates and teachers. Name two things you would like to know about your classmates. Your teacher.

 

Conversation Class Goals

Students will:

1. Listen to and speak English

2. Understand English when someone speaks to you

3. Ask for help when speaking English

4. Get to know your teachers and classmates

 

Conversation Class Rules

1.       Come to class on time at 9:00am.

2.       Free Talk Time is at 8:45am. Come early.

3.       Call or Email if you cannot come to class. 

Phone: 206-329-9972 or Email: Cynthia@putnamprice.com or JMaas1986@gmail.com

4.       Read the class blog. https://lsconvoam.blogspot.com/

 

When you don’t understand, what can you say?

1. I don’t understand. Can you say it again?

2. Can you speak slowly?

3. I don’t understand. Can you explain what?

4. I didn’t hear you. Can you speak louder?

5. Can you give an example?

 

A conversation is good when:

Everyone takes turns talking.

You ask your classmates questions.

We express our feelings and opinions.

We respect different opinions.

We help each other.