Almost Finished - Fall 2012

Hi All, 

I hope you are having a good week. It's almost vacation time.

Next Tuesday, December 18, is our last class for this semester. Your teacher will return the registration papers to you in class. We will also learn some exercises and play holiday songs and games.

There will be an Associated Students party in the afternoon, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. It's in the Annex on Washington Street. Enjoy!

Spring Semester 2013 starts on Monday, January 14. I hope to see you at school next semester/next year. 

We'll look at the interactive Christmas Book if it's available. I'll show you how to use other interactive books in this series. They're very helpful.

Michelle Henry's website also has many holiday-themed links. We'll look at a few of them in class.

We finished Unit 8 - you can review this or any other unit in Ventures 3 online. Look at Unit 9, even though we haven't finished it. 

Ask me if you don't remember how to use the Ventures website. 

I hope you'll keep up your computer skills, either at your home or in our 2nd Floor Library, and that you've enjoyed studying at our new campus. 

I have enjoyed having such intelligent and hard-working students in the class this semester. Good luck with your future studies. 

If you want to keep in touch, here's my email: 
teacherlinda12@gmail.com

Testing and Registration Week

Hi Everyone

Don't be afraid of the rain! I hope to see you in school tomorrow and Friday.

Here's a song to celebrate the rain, or complain about it:              
Rainy Days and Mondays

Here's next week's schedule:

Monday, Dec. 3 - Promotion Test, Reading
Tuesday, Dec. 4 - Promotion Test, Listening
Wed., Dec. 5 - in-class registration for Spring 2013
Thurs. Dec. 6 - regular class (registration last 15 minutes)
Friday, Dec. 7 - regular class (registration last 15 minutes)

Today we'll review Unit 7 - Shopping, at Ventures Arcade 
Remember to choose Book 3, Unit 7 

We'll also look at gamestolearnenglish.com, a website with many levels and kinds of games to help you learn English.

Thursday Dec. 13 will be our last Computer Lab day. Do you have any requests for things you'd like to learn?  Please let me know. 

Thanksgiving Week and Time Clauses

Hi All 
This week we have 2 school days, Monday and Tuesday. The Thanksgiving Holiday starts on Wednesday this year. Have a great time! 

This is a very useful TIME CLAUSE exercise. See if it helps you understand how to use before and after clauses.

Here's a VOA report on Thanksgiving that you may enjoy:

Learn about Thanksgiving


November 26 - 30 we'll have regular ESL class. We'll take a practice test sometime during the week.

The week of December 3 - 7 is Promotion Testing and Registration WEEK. 

Let your teacher know if you can't be there for part or all of the week. You'll need to make arrangements to register for SPRING 2013.

Test-taking tips and Thanksgiving

Getting ready for the Promotion Test on December 3 and 4?

Click here for some Test-Taking Tips

What do you do when you don't understand a question? Let's look at these ideas.

Here's more information on test-taking that you can listen to and read. Good practice for the listening test.

Do you know how to make a vocabulary table? Let's look at one in class. Here's a video that may help.

You can list the words you want to study, add photos to remind you, or definitions or translations. 

Don't forget to look at Ventures Arcade, Book 3, Unit 6 to review.

Next week is Thanksgiving Week. We have a 5-day holiday, from  Wednesday November 21 to Sunday November 25.

What do you know about this holiday? We'll look for information using google search and YouTube in class. 

Hint: food is very important for Thanksgiving. Enjoy! 

Spelling Words for Unit 6

A BIG THANK YOU to all the students, friends and family who supported City College of San Francisco. Our college is much stronger because of your support. 

Some announcements:

1. Monday, Nov. 12 is Veterans' Day, a school holiday

2. Thursday, Nov. 15, class meets in the Computer Lab Rm. 803

2. Wednesday, Nov. 21 - Sunday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving holiday

We will practice this listening website. You can listen to news stories and answer questions about them. Each story includes a vocabulary list.

Here's more information about dependent clauses.

And here's One more website with dependent clause examples.

Spelling words in Unit 6:

1. chores 琐事

2. tasks  任务

3. prioritize

4. procrastinating  拖延

5. due

6. deadline  期限

7. impatient  不耐烦

I'm practicing Chinese, but I couldn't do #3 and #5.  If the translation is wrong, please let me know. Thanks.

November is Here

Wow! Today is November 1st. 

We have two holidays this month, 

and we set the clock back one hour on November 4th. 

November 12 - Veterans' Day

November 22 - Thanksgiving Day

In the Ventures text, we are studying Present Perfect tense again.

Here's a video explanation. There are many more videos that you can watch at this address. We will see some of them in class. 

You can also go to these addresses to practice online: 

the perfect tense in English - good explanation with practice

present perfect vs. past tense - explanation and quiz

Pronunciation Practice - this is a very useful pronunciation site

Wendy's Cats Halloween Game

Here's a Halloween Game to play 

First, watch the slide show about witch Wendy and her 13 cats.

Why have 13 cats? What do you think?

Second, take the "Rags to Riches" quiz. 

Answer questions about witch Wendy and her 13 cats. If you can't remember, look at the slide show again.

Halloween Costume Contest

Let's have a Halloween costume contest in our class next week. You will win a prize for participating. Sign up in class.

Here are more ideas about Halloween costumes.

Do you know the vocabulary related to Halloween? 
Let's look at this website to learn more

After the Unit 4 test, we start Unit 5 - Around Town. The grammar in this unit is verbs + infinitives and more present perfect. Check back to the October 15 blog entry to see a video on how to use the present perfect tense.

Halloween Vocabulary Video

  

Halloween is October 31st

Next Wednesday, Oct 31, is Halloween. 

Click What do you know about this holiday?  

And what is your favorite Halloween costume? 

Check some out here

Go here to read and listen to news from the VOA. You can also find grammar information here. We'll take a look in class.

Here's a spelling game you might enjoy

This Friday, October 26th, at the Great Star Theater

see Inner Senses

Get free tickets from your teacher or at the Counseling Office

U.S. citizens, register to vote online before Oct.22

Today in the computer lab (Rm.803), you can register to vote. 
Go to www.sos.ca.gov and click on Voter Registration. Next, click on Register To Vote Now.  You will need your California ID or Driver's License. It takes about 5 minutes. Ask me if you need help. REMEMBER: you must be a U.S. citizen to vote.

We will also look at Unit 4 - Health on the Ventures website.

Let's check out a CCSF internet resource for students: 
tinyurl.com/eslccsf  

Go to this website and find your ESL level.

Next, choose what you want to study. 

We'll practice VERB TENSES at eflnet.com.

Look for Intermediate Low 6 and Higher 

Choose Listening, Pronunciation: 
http://www.englishcentral.com/videos

We'll practice this in class. 

Be sure to relax and take a break while you're in the computer lab.

More present perfect info??

Here's one more video explaining the present perfect tense.

      If you're interested in applying for a job at Trader Joes (at Hyde Street and California Street), here's how to get an employment application:

1. www.traderjoes.com

2. careers

3. TJ's employment application

4. Open the application

5. Print it (file --- print)

6. Take it to the store between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Good Luck!!

We'll be in the Computer Lab Rm. 803 this Thursday. 

What did you used to do on the weekend?

Welcome to the second half of Fall Semester. Yes, we're half finished with the first semester at our new campus. 

Today there is a Teachers' Meeting from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Our class will start a few minutes late. 

Our next topic is 'used to' meaning something you did at some past time but don't do now. For example, "When I was a child, I used to ride my bicycle every day." 

Be careful: 'be used to' means be familiar with or accustomed to something.
It has a very different meaning, but sounds (almost) the same.

Here's some more practice with the 
present perfect vs. past tense

Use the Learners' Dictionary here

When to use Present Perfect

Here are some resources for practicing the present perfect tense:

1. present perfect vs. past simple

2. present perfect explanation and exercise

3. EnglishClub.com present perfect

4. A video about the present perfect tense and the present perfect progressive (-ing) tense

5. A video with songs that use the present perfect tense

                                           ENJOY!

Unit 4 - Health

Before we start the Health unit, see how well you can follow directions: 
The Magic Gopher

Here's some information about the
'food pyramid', which is now a plate.

And here's the official U.S.D.A. website about the food guide, which is called 'myplate'

This is our Unit 4 vocabulary:
advice
diet
exercise
health
medication
pressure
tired 
weight
chart
healthy
Listen and practice these words

More Writing Practice

More Writing Practice

Write a sentence or two about each cartoon:

Summer Weather in the Fall

I hope you enjoy this 'warm' weather. It will be over soon.

Here's a website to check on the temperature. We'll look at how to use it this Thursday, Oct.4, in the Computer Lab (Rm. 803).

Let's learn how to leave messages on this blog, too. I've never done it before, but I see there is a 'comment' button. We'll try it in class. 

Blue Angels

We'll also look at programs 
you can use on the Internet:
Chat
Email
Skype
Facebook
Youtube

Can you think of more? Let me know. We'll look at them in class. You can learn how to use them at this website:  www.gcflearnfree.org


Here's an intermediate vocabulary building website.

And some beginning vocabulary word lists are here.


One more thing: 
Monday, October 8, is a holiday for students. Teachers will be learning new technology, but our school will be closed. 

Neighborhoods of San Francisco

I found a couple of maps that may help us get to know the neighborhoods of San Francisco.

This one shows us the neighborhoods near our school.

And here's one that shows most of the neighborhoods in the city.

Chinatown Campus Open House Sept 21, 2012

Lend and Borrow / Because and Because Of

Let's look at another explanation of LEND and BORROW. It may help you understand how to use these words.
Here's a video that explains the same thing:

We'll also practice Because and Because Of: 

I hope this helps.

Our wonderfull Open House at Chinatown Campus

Chinatown Campus at 808 Kearny Street

Congratulations to all of you who volunteered or attended the Chinatown Campus Open House on Friday. It was wonderful!



This article is from the San Francisco Chronicle, our local newspaper. Learn about the history of our new Campus here. 


Here's an easy parts of speech game you might like. We'll look at it in class.

Spelling practice online

Here's a spelling list with some of the new words in Unit 3. I'll enter new words for each unit in our book.

If you have words you want added to this list, let me know. I can add them.

We'll practice how to use this website in class. 
For students who don't want to or don't know how to  use the computer to study vocabulary, I have a vocabulary practice paper for you to use.

Here's a video about prefixes from SpellingCity.Com

Open House on Friday September 21st

Everyone is invited to Chinatown Campus' Grand Opening and Open House this Friday, 5 - 7 p.m.

Bring your family and friends. Have a look around some of the 14 floors of our new building. 

And thank you to all the students who helped us get our new 'home' built in Chinatown. 

This weekend there is a Street Fair on Grant Avenue celebrating the Moon Festival. All are invited. 

Today we are in the Computer Lab (Rm 803). Please help your classmates if they are new to using computers. Ask me if you have questions.

We will look at our textbook website. Open Chrome and type the address: cambridge.org/venturesarcade or click on this link. Choose book 3 and go to Unit 2.

If you want to add CCSF wifi to your smartphone or laptop, go to this address:  www.ccsf.edu/wifi  Ask me for help.

We will also learn to make a vocabulary table using the WORD program. I will show you in class. 

To play a game, go to this address: jigzone.com  

More present perfect tense practice

For students who like to use the computer to study English, start here. 
You will find new vocabulary, idiom and listening exercises daily.

We'll practice this in class one time. You can practice on your own, or in the computer lab next week. 
Present Perfect or Past Tense?

Learn about Hong Kong and practice verb tenses with this quiz. 
It was made in 2004 - remember that when you answer the questions.

Present Perfect Practice

I'll remind you that there is no school on Wednesday, September 12. All teachers will be at a meeting about City College. 

Here are a couple of present perfect quizzes for you to practice:
1. past participle form of the verb

2. matching quiz

Let me know if there is any special information you want to see in this blog. 

Get WIFI at school

I forgot to show you how to get WiFi for your smartphone or iPad today when we went to the Computer Lab (RM 803).

Go to www.ccsf.edu/wifi and follow the instructions. Remind me next time we go to the computer lab in two weeks, or get help using the 2nd floor Library computers. 

Practice grammar online at this website

And watch the videos to learn about good study habits

At School This Week

Did you enjoy your long weekend? We had great weather in San Francisco.

This week's schedule:

Wednesday, Sept. 5 - meet in front of the 2nd floor Library at 10:30 for a 15-minute tour. We return to class after the tour.

Thursday, Sept. 6 - class meets in Rm. 803 Computer Lab to learn/practice using Ventures Arcade and the Teacher's blog (linda808.blogspot.com).

Here's a video about 7 Money Expressions in English - something we all like.
We'll learn how to use these in the lab on Thursday.

Labor Day Holiday is Monday Sept. 3, 2012

Thanks to all who took the CASAS test on Wednesday. I know it wasn't easy, but it helps our school. 
Monday, September 3, is the Labor Day holiday. Read about it here

Watch a labor day video on youtube (above).

We'll be back to school on Tuesday Sept. 4. See you then.
Enjoy!

comparisons

Here is an explanation of comparisons in English.

Practice this comparisons quiz:
Comparison Practice

We have the CASAS pretest on Wednesday, August 29. Remember to bring a pencil and your student ID number. You only take this test one time on Wednesday. We will start class promptly at 10:30 so you have time to finish the test. 
Relax and enjoy it!?

Useful Vocabulary Website

We're going to learn punctuation vocabulary at this website:
LanguageGuide.org

First, choose your native language at the top of the screen. 
Second, choose ENGLISH as the language to study. 
Then, click on Writing

                               A video about punctuation
 
We will practice punctuation vocabulary today.
You can learn a lot of vocabulary at this website. 
Look around and find what you're interested in learning.

Take a 'Trip' To Our New Library

Chinatown Campus has a new library on the 2nd floor. 
On Wednesday September 5 we will visit the library at the beginning of class. The librarian will give us a tour.
I'll give you more details after the Labor Day holiday.

More Character Traits Vocabulary

If you want to add more character traits to your vocabulary , here's a website to use:
Character Traits

Here's a video explaining many uses of the gerund:

ESL 6 Textbook website

This website is for our textbook, Ventures 3
Ventures Arcade 

And here are some dictionaries you may want to use:
Learners Dictionary 
American English Dictionary 
Longman's Dictionary 

London Summer Olympics 2012

Are you following the Summer Olympic Games in your free time? Here's a link to some vocabulary information:

Olympic Sports Vocabulary

Enjoy!

See you August 15 at 808 Kearny, our new campus.

City College is Open for Business

There has been a lot of news about CCSF lately. We have to change some things, but we will have classes Fall Semester 2012 and Spring Semester 2013. 
If you want to add or change Fall classes, come to 808 Kearny Street on these days: Aug. 6, 7, 8 or 9. Bring your registration paper with you. See our beautiful new building while you're there.
Call 395-8601 for hours. 

Happy July 4th

Hi
Hope you're having a nice and restful summer, as I am. The new campus at 808 Kearny Street is now open. Come and visit when you have time. 


My new website address:  lindaesl.net  It has the same information as the old address. I will add more as we get closer to Fall Semester 2012.


Here's a July 4th website for you. Enjoy!


See you August 15th 

Linda Reichman

                     Here's a story about a summer vacation.

More websites: ESL, Citizenship, and DMV

Here are some more websites:

1. ESL (English as a Second Language)


list of irregular verbs

Virtual Language Center - Hong Kong

New English File - Intermediate

Pronounce American English


2. U.S. Citizenship


San Francisco Library Citizenship Resources

Citizenship Office - USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)


3. From the DMV (CA Dept. of Motor Vehicles)

Buying a Used Car - Video

CA Driver's Handbook - English

CA Driver's Handbook - Chinese

4. Games


ESL Games

Chinese games

Chop the fruit game

more ESL games

Add Voki to iGoogle page

Remember your iGoogle page? You added gadgets to it earlier this semester. 

Today we'll learn how to add a Voki avatar to your iGoogle page. 
You can record your own voice to your Voki. Ask me for the microphone.

How do you sign in to iGoogle? 
Use your Gmail sign in - just like you do for google docs.

How to create a VOKI avatar video:
  

New Building Information

This is our last week of Spring Semester, and our last week at 940 Filbert Street. This campus will close on May 31st.

Classes will end on Thursday May 24. I'll give your registration forms back to you then.

Our new campus at 808 Kearny Street will open on June 18. 
The new phone numbers are: 

Main Office, 395-8621

Admissions Office, 395-8601

Here are some websites you can use this summer to continue your English studies:

Learn English Online

Links for ESL Learners

USA Learns

We'll look at how to use these sites in class. 


Fall Semester 2012 starts on August 15th.

More websites you might like to use

Conservatory of Flowers

Useful Websites:

when will the bus arrive

all about transportation in S.F.

San Francisco Public Library 

free things to do in San Francisco 

free museum days in San Francisco

SF Kids summer jobs 

Let me know if you have other website requests; we can add them to this list.

Online Keyboarding

Here are some keyboarding practice websites:

1. beginner's keyboarding lesson 

2. typing tutor lessons 

3. goodtyping 

4. keybr.com

Find the site you like and practice. 

Get to Know the U.S.A.

Let's get to know about the U.S.A. before summer vacation. 
Here's an informative U.S. map:
get to know the states 

When you think you're ready, try this map:
put the states in the correct place 

If you're studying citizenship, try this:
U.S.A. quiz

Now, where would you like to travel this summer?

Practice Using Google Docs

Here's a link you can use to practice google docs:

Add your favorite website to this google doc

I have started with the City College home page link. 
Each person adds a new website that you like to use. 
We'll look at some of these websites in class. 
If you don't remember how to do this, I will demonstrate in class.

Mothers Day

Thank you for helping out during Testing and Registration Week. It's always very busy. 

Sunday May 13 is Mothers Day. Here's an interesting website on the subject:   Mothers Day  

We'll also use Publisher software to make a greeting card. You can choose Mothers Day or Fathers Day (June 17). We have different colors of paper. Let me know which one you want before you print. 

Friday May 11 is the last day to pre-register for Fall 2012 classes.

Look for classes online

Hope testing week is going well. It will soon be finished. 

If you want to look for classes online, click here:

Chinatown Class Schedule Fall 2012 

You will also find class lists on the wall in the hallway and in classes. Ask questions if you're not sure about a class.

Business computer classes are listed under Noncredit Business Department. They also have a brochure you can get at school. 

Remember, you should be at ESL 6 or above to take noncredit Business classes.

Find Credit classes in the Fall 2012 Credit Class listing at www.ccsf.edu. 

Registration and Testing Week May 7 - 11

Hi, everyone. I hope you had a lovely, sunny weekend.

This week is very busy. Students in Levels 2, 4, and 6 have promotion tests.

All students will register for Fall classes at our new campus (808 Kearny Street) this week. 

Give your completed reg forms to a teacher when you are done. That teacher will return the form to you on the last day of class.


Here are some game websites you can use if you need to relax:
Jigsaw puzzles

Chinese matching games

Grammar Games

The ESL computer classes will register all week. Remember to bring your student ID.

Relax and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Your PowerPoint presentations

Let's see if this blog will show your PowerPoint presentations. Here's one from Siu Wong:
dancing

Can I add Presentations from google docs? Let's see: 
Mrs. Go's flowers 

We'll check out these two posts. If they work well, I'll add the others I get from you. 

Thanks.

PowerPoint 2010

Here's a help page from Microsoft. It's all about how to use PowerPoint 2010:

PowerPoint 2010 Help

You can also find information about PowerPoint here:

PowerPoint 2010 

You can choose another version of PowerPoint if you have one at home.