Author: US Adult Literacy

We offer free 10-month long ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language) classes in Lower East Side of Manhattan. We help immigrant New Yorkers by providing them with intensive English language classes, and counseling. We're located at 175 Eldridge, Street, New York, NY. This is a blog for our students so they can get more practice in English language, and learn about life in New York City.

Banana Oat Pancakes

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Vocabulary

Picky –

Toddler –

Banana –

Oat –

Shoveled in –

A Toddler Favorite

These banana oat pancakes are great for a picky toddler. Many toddlers spit out veggies but pasta gets shoveled in. But all toddlers love these pancakes!

Ingredients

  • 1 banana 
  • 1 egg 
  • ⅓ cup rolled or quick cooking oats
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil

Optional additions:

  • 1 tablespoon flax seed meal
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter 
  • ¼ cup fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, chopped strawberries, or chopped mango 

InstructionsThe above version has just nut butter and flaxseed meal added.

In a medium bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Crack the egg into the bowl, and beat it together with the banana.

Stir in the oats, vanilla, and cinnamon.

At this point, you can stir in any add-ins, like flaxseed meal, nut butter, and fruit. 

The above version has just nut butter and flaxseed meal added.

And here’s a version with blueberries!

Heat a pan over medium heat, and add the oil. Put the batter into the hot pan (I like to make small pancakes), and cook for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Enjoy!!!!

Source – https://thewoksoflife.com/banana-oat-pancakes/

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Fall Activities in NYC

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The heat and humidity of summer is slowly fading into fall’s crisp, cool air & the beautiful, vibrant colors of autumn in and around New York City.

As fall approaches, here are some fun suggestions for things to see and do in New York.

Check out the fall foliage  🍂 🍁 in Central Park

Stroll through Central Park. The Ramble, Bethesda Terrace, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir offer beautiful views of the fall foliage. 

Central Park Fall Foliage: https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/guides/where-to-find-fall-foliage-in-central-park

Central Park Conservancy: https://www.centralparknyc.org/

Attend the West Village Halloween Parade: 🎃 👻

Don’t miss this iconic and incredibly spooky parade in Greenwich Village. You can watch from the sidelines or even join in the costumed fun! 

Village Halloween Parade: https://halloween-nyc.com/

Explore the High Line: 🌇

This elevated park offers unique perspectives of the city skyline- it’s a fantastic spot for a leisurely walk and some urban fall foliage.

Friends of the High Line: https://www.thehighline.org/

Celebrate Oktoberfest: 🍻 🍺

Many beer halls and venues across the city host Oktoberfest celebrations with German food 🥨, beer, and lively music. Grab your lederhosen and join in the fun!

German-American Steuben Parade New York: https://germanparadenyc.org/oktoberfest/ 

Catch a Broadway Show:

Come join Alexander Hamilton, Simba, and Galinda 🧙🏻 & Elphaba in all the fun! Fall marks the beginning of the new Broadway season, making it a great time to see a new production or a classic favorite. 

Broadway.com: (A comprehensive site for tickets and information on Broadway shows): https://www.broadway.com/

Are you an athlete – or do you know one? Watch-  or, if you’re feeling energetic, run – the New York City Marathon. 🏃‍♂️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏽‍♂️ Sunday, November 2nd

NYC Marathon: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon

Go Apple or Pumpkin Picking (outside the city): 🍎 While not in NYC itself, a short trip to the Hudson Valley or Long Island allows for classic, fun fall activities like apple and pumpkin picking at local farms. Many offer hayrides, corn mazes, and fresh cider donuts. 

Masker Orchards (Hudson Valley): https://www.maskers.com/

Apple Ridge Orchards (Hudson Valley): https://appleridgeorchards.com/pick-your-own-apples/

Attend the New York City Wine & Food Festival: 🍽️

For foodies, this annual festival in October brings together renowned chefs and culinary experiences, offering tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more.

NYC Food & Wine: https://www.glwd.org/events/new-york-city-wine-and-food-festival-nycwff/

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (or its balloon inflation):

Experiencing the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade firsthand is an unforgettable experience.

Come see Santa 🎅🏻 and the giant turkey 🦃 !

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: https://www.macys.com/s/parade/

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LABOR DAY, AMERICAN STYLE.

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It’s Labor Day!

The first Monday in September is Labor Day in the USA.  Unlike many US holidays, it is a celebration without rituals – except for shopping and barbecuing. For most of us, it marks the last weekend of summer holidays and the start of the school year.

Ritual – n., an established form for a ceremony or observance

Founder – n., someone who takes the first steps in building something

Envision – v., to imagine, to picture to oneself

Means – n., things that are useful or help to achieve a desired end

Unify – v., to make different things into one unit

Reduction – n., to make something smaller, to decrease

Recall – v., to remember

Struggle – n, the act of working hard or fighting for something

Maypole — n., a tall pole decorated with flowers and ribbons

The holiday’s founders in the late 19th century envisioned something very different from what the day has become. The founders were looking for two things: a means of unifying union workers and a reduction in work time.

  • If you’re living in the USA, don’t confuse this day with May 1st, (May Day), which is International Workers’ Day.

This day is celebrated in over 160 countries to recall the struggles and achievements of the labor movement. 

In France, people carry and give lilies-of-the-valley. Many countries, such as Italy and Nicaragua, celebrate with dances around a Maypole.

 

In America, Labor Day is less political and more about fun.

See you in class very soon! And:

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Grammar: The Past Perfect Tense

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What is the Past Perfect Tense and why do we use it?

The past perfect tense is used to talk about an action that happened before another action in the past.

Structure:

had + past participle

The past participle is usually the same as the past tense for regular verbs (e.g., walked, played), but can be different for irregular verbs (e.g., eaten, gone, seen).

“had” stays the same for all subjects (I, you, he, she, etc.).

Why Use the Past Perfect? 🤷‍♂️

It helps show what happened first in the past when there are two past actions.

compare:

Past Simple only:
 I left when he came.
(Not clear which happened first.)

Past Perfect + Past Simple:
 I had left when he came.
(Now it’s clear: I left before he came.)

Here Are Some Common Words with Past Perfect: before, after, when, already, just, never

Example One:

She had finished her homework before she ate dinner.
– First she finished her homework, then she ate dinner.

Example Two:

By the time I arrived at the station, my train had already left.
– First the train left the station, then I arrived at the station (late) 😢

Test yourself: Quiz time

1.By the time we arrived at the theater, the movie _____. 🍿

A. started
B. was starting
C. had started
D. has started

2. She was tired because she _____ all night. 🥱

A. worked
B. had worked
C. has worked
D. works

3. After he _____ lunch, he went out for a walk. 🚶

A. had eaten
B. was eating
C. eats
D. ate

4. They _____ the bus before we got to the stop. 🚏 🚍

A. had missed
B. miss
C. missed
D. were missing

5. I didn’t want to watch the movie again because I _____ it already. 🚫 📽️

A. see
B. was seeing
C. had seen
D. have seen

Answers: 1) C. had started 2) B. had worked 3) A. had eaten 4) A. had missed 5) C. had seen

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KEEP COOL IN NYC!

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Many people like summer sunshine, but too much heat can be dangerous and unhealthy. Hot and humid weather can cause heat illness and even death. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, you need to cool down quickly!

  • Heavy sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Light headedness, feeling faint
  • Headache
  • Decreased energy
  • Loss of appetite, nausea

Luckily, New York City has increased the number of ways to Keep Cool during heat emergencies. The parks department has concentrated on water features, drinking fountains, and tree cover as ways to beat the heat outside.

Here’s a link to a map of all the places where you can cool off:

https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/cool-it-nyc

Spray showers are fun and feel great for kids. The sprinklers are turned on when the temperature reaches 80 degrees F. These are indicated on the map as well as the beaches and outdoor pools that are open to all. NYC even provides free sunscreen at the pools.

There are thousands of drinking fountains across the city – even some for pets!

 The map also shows the parks with thick tree coverage, as well as the shadiest blocks to walk.

Another option: If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to beat the heat, consider requesting an official hydrant opening. You can go to your local firehouse and they might open and close a hydrant safely for you.

And if you’re not an “outdoors person,” NYC has many cooling centers.  They are located in air-conditioned facilities that offer people relief from the heat, such as:

  • Libraries
  • Community centers
  • Senior centers
  • NYCHA facilities

   To find a cooling center:   https://maps.nyc.gov/oem/cc/

Most important: drink lots of water even if you’re not thirsty, wear loose light-colored clothing, and avoid sun and strenuous outdoor activity between 11 AM and 4 PM.

Enjoy the summer in the city!

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Social Dance at Lincoln Center

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Get moving and have fun on NYC’s largest outdoor dance floor! Salsa, tango, rumba, and of course, disco – all under a ten-foot disco ball. This year, Social Dance at Lincoln Center is featuring a series of women DJs, all with their own style.

This week, https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city/las-karamba-873

Las Karambas is an all-women band with members from Argentina, Spain, France, Venezuela, and Cuba. Their sound and rhythm include bolero, son, salsa, rumba, Hip-Hop and pop. Come dance and sing with Las Karambas!

The Dance Floor opens with DJ set at 6:30 pm
Dance lesson at 7:00 pm
Live music at 7:30 pm

Afterwards, stay for the Silent Disco at 10:00 pm

There are two ways to access this free event:
1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up!
2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon.

For the full schedule, extending to August 9th,

https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city/s/Social%20Dance

Have fun and don’t forget your dancin’ shoes!

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Top Ten Things T🌞 D🌞 In NYC This Summer 🌇

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Summer is finally here! Looking for fun and adventure during these long, hot days? Here are ten great things to do in and around New York City this summer.

10. Visit a museum!

Too hot outside? Visit an air conditioned museum for free or pay-what-you-wish.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/ (New York State residents and students from NY, NJ, CT can pay what they wish).

Queens County Farm Museum: https://www.queensfarm.org/ (A working farm in the city, often with free admission or low-cost events).

9. Explore a Botanical Garden

Escape the heat of the city and immerse yourself in nature at one of NYC’s beautiful botanical gardens.

New York Botanical Garden: https://www.nybg.org/

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: https://www.bbg.org/

8. Discover NYC’s Rooftop Bars

Escape the heat with a refreshing drink & incredible skyline views.

Time Out’s Best Rooftop Bars NYC: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/bars/best-rooftop-bars-in-nyc

7. Go Kayaking or Boating

Many public boathouses offer free kayaking in the Hudson River and other waterways.

Check NYC Parks for free kayaking locations: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/kayaking

6. Catch a Broadway Show

To go or not to go? Definitely go! Experience the magic of live theater in the heart of the Theater District.

Broadway Direct (For show listings and tickets): https://broadwaydirect.com/shows/

5. Feeling Hungry?

Check out Smorgasburg: A must-visit for foodies, this open-air food market features dozens of local vendors.

Smorgasburg: https://www.smorgasburg.com/ (Check their website for current weekend locations and hours in Williamsburg, Prospect Park, and the World Trade Center).

4. Visit Governors Island

Take a short ferry ride to this car-free island for bike rentals, hammocks, art installations, and stunning skyline views.

Governors Island: https://www.govisland.com/

3. Wander The High Line

This elevated park offers unique city views, art installations, and lush greenery.

The High Line: https://www.thehighline.org/

2. Explore Coney Island

Enjoy classic amusement park rides, the boardwalk, and the beach! -Check for Friday night fireworks!

Luna Park in Coney Island: https://lunaparknyc.com/

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park: https://www.denoswonderwheel.com/

1. Catch a Free Outdoor Movie or Performance

NYC parks come alive in the summer with free movie screenings and live performances.

Bryant Park Movie Nights: https://bryantpark.org/activities/movie-nights

SummerStage in Central Park (Check their schedule for free concerts and performances): https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/

NYC Parks Movies Under The Stars: Check the NYC Parks website for specific dates and locations: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/movies-under-the-stars

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