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.

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

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Independence – n., freedom from outside control

Federal – adj., of or being a form of government

Parade – n., a great show or display,  a public procession

Demonstrate – v., to show clearly

Patriotism – n., love for one’s country

Reflect – v., to realize, to consider

Expat (Expatriate) – n., a person who lives in a foreign country

Embassy – n., the official residence and offices of an ambassador

Homesick – adj., longing for home and family while absent from them

Colonies – n., an area over which a foreign nation has control

Highlight – n., something which is especially interesting

Spectacular – adj., striking, sensational

On July 4th, Americans all over the world celebrate Independence Day. In the United States, it is a federal holiday, so many people don’t have to work. Parades, picnics, and barbecues take place during the day, with fireworks lighting up the sky at night. Americans demonstrate their patriotism on July 4th, reflecting on their freedom and the things they love about their country.

American expats living out of the United States still observe the 4th of July. American embassies all over the planet host parties and events. Individuals celebrate with their friends, and many get a little homesick.

The holiday marks the separation of the 13 colonies from the rule of Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence (the document) was completed on the 4th of July, 1776.  But it was not signed until August!

A highlight of Independence Day in New York City is the evening fireworks display, this year to be held near the Brooklyn Bridge, on the lower East River. The spectacular display is the largest Independence Day celebration in the nation. For more information and where to watch the fireworks: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/where-to-watch-the-4th-of-july-fireworks

Happy Independence Day!

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Weekend Classes – End of Year Party!

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It’s hard to believe, but the 2024 – 2025 school year has come to an end!
Sunday, June 15th, was our final day of weekend classes. We wrapped things up with a joyful end of school year party – a wonderful celebration and a delicious trip around the culinary world!

We had a tremendous selection of foods: arepas, tacos, dumplings, cheesecake & salads – you name it, we ate it!

The event also featured fantastic performances from each of our classes. Lynne’s W1 class sang the Elvis classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Louisa’s W2 class performed “Everything at Once” by Lenka, and Joan’s W3 students talked about their favorite places around New York City.

W1
W2
W3

Congratulations to all the students! Have a safe & happy summer – see you all in September!

Lynne’s W1 class
Louisa’s W2 class
Joan’s W3 class
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Solstice sustenance

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Vocabulary:

Sustenance — n., nourishment that maintains life, food.

potential — n., adj., able to come into being; possible

bountiful — adj., as much or more than is needed, abundant

mimic — v., to copy or imitate

approximately — adv., about, almost exact

Traditionally, people celebrated the return of light, life, fertility, and the potential for a good harvest on the summer solstice. The summer months bring a bountiful harvest and the foods served at solstice gatherings mimic the sun. Round, sun-colored fruits like lemons, oranges, peaches, and nectarines are the flavor of the day as well as vegetables like yellow squash, corn, and tomatoes.

source: https://chantallascaris.co.za/2021/12/22/summer-solstice-foods-from-around-the-world/#:~:text=The%20summer%20months%20bring%20a,yellow%20squash%2C%20corn%20and%20tomatoes.

ROASTED SUMMER VEGETABLES

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 zucchini
  • 1 yellow squash
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 red bell pepper 
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil 
  • 1 tsp dried basil or 1/2 bunch fresh
  • salt and pepper to taste 
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash and chop the vegetables into approximately 1-inch pieces. 
  • Spread the vegetables out over a large baking sheet (or two, if needed) so they’re in a single layer and not piled on top of one another. Drizzle the olive oil over top, then add the basil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss the vegetables until they’re evenly coated in oil and spices.
  • Roast the vegetables for 30-40 minutes, stirring once or twice (every 15-20 minutes or so), until the vegetables are soft and browned on the edges. Taste the vegetables and add another pinch of salt if desired. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over top just before serving.
Summer Vegetables Prepped and Ready to Roast

Roasted Summer Vegetables Finished

I like to add an extra pinch of salt after roasting, so you get some salt sitting on the surface to give each bite a little pop. I also like to sprinkle with a little fresh parsley for freshness and to add a pop of color, but that’s optional.

source: https://www.budgetbytes.com/roasted-summer-vegetables/

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Around the House

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Singular and Plural Nouns with Articles

We use plural nouns when we talk about more than one item. We add an (s) to the noun.

  1. I have many books..
  2. I have a cat and two dogs.

We use the article a and an before a singular noun for an item that is not specific to the listener.

  1. I have an old computer.
  2. She has a nice house.
  3. I have a big kitchen.
  4. I don’t have an umbrella.

Once the listener knows about the item, we use the article the instead of a or an.

  1. To make an omelet, crack an egg. Then whisk the egg.
  2. Then get a pan. Cook the egg in the pan.
  3. Then get a plate. Put the egg on the plate.
  4. Then get a fork. Use the fork to eat the omelet.

When we talk about items in general, use the plural form, often without the article the.

  1. Books are important.
  2. Do you like apples?
  3. Everybody needs friends.
  4. I don’t like watching movies.

We use the article the before plural nouns when we refer to a specific group of items.

  1. I bought the books you asked for.
  2. The streets in my town are very clean.
  3. I love the cookies my mother makes.
  4. The students in my class like to play games.

Read the dialog and look for nouns and articles.

Aimee: So, Todd, do you like your house?

Todd: I do. It’s a nice house, but it’s an old house. It’s very old.

Aimee: How many rooms are in your house?

Todd: My house has four rooms, a living room, a bedroom, an office, and a kitchen.

Aimee: That sounds big. How about bathrooms? How many bathrooms do you have?

Todd: I have one bathroom.

Aimee: Oh, nice. Do you have a TV?

Todd: I do have a TV in the living room, and I have a couch and a table.

Aimee: Wow. What about your kitchen? Do you have a kitchen?

Todd: I do. I have a very small kitchen. The kitchen has a stove, a table, and a refrigerator. I can cook, but it’s not easy.

Aimee: Oh, how many chairs do you have in the kitchen?

Todd: We only have two chairs. It’s very, very small.

Aimee: How about books, Todd? Do you have books?

Todd: I have a rule. I only keep two books.

Aimee: What?

Todd: Yeah. If I want a new book, I must get rid of a book.

Aimee: Wow. That is so strict.

Todd: It is. It is very strict, but it reduces clutter.

Aimee: Sounds nice. Sounds like a great house.

Todd: It is. Old and small, but nice.

Source: https://www.elllo.org/english/grammar/L2-04-AimeeTodd-House-HowMuch-many.htm

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Pasta with Sardines

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(Pasta con le sarde)

Vocabulary

bucatini – a thick, spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the middle

fennel – a flowering plant species in the carrot family

sardines – a nutrient-rich, small, oily fish widely consumed by humans

pine nuts – Pine nuts, also called piñón, pinoli, or pignoli, are the edible seeds of pines

Ingredients

  • 500g (1 lb) bucatini
  • Salt
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 fennel bulbs, just the stems and fronds
  • 4-6 anchovy filets
  • 3 or 4 small (4 oz/124g) cans of sardines packed in olive oil
  • A handful of raisins soaked in warm water
  • A handful of pine nuts
  • A few threads of saffron, soaked in warm water
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

For the topping (optional):

  • 100g (1 cup) breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil

Directions

Boil the fennel stems and fronds in a large pot of well salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer the fennel out of the pot with a slotted spoon, drain in a colander and let cool. Then chop the fennel and set aside for later use. (Do not discard the cooking water!)

While the fennel is cooking, sauté the breadcrumbs in olive oil over gentle heat, stirring so the breadcrumbs are all coated in the oil, until they turn a golden brown. Turn off the heat and set aside until needed.

In a large sauté pan, sauté the onions in olive oil. Add the anchovies and let them melt into the onions. Then mix in the chopped fennel and sauté for a minute or two. Then add the saffron with its liquid, along with the raisins and pine nuts. Simmer everything for a minute or two longer to let the flavors meld. Taste and season with salt if it needs it. Finally, add the sardines and give everything a gentle stir, letting the sardine filets break up but not disintegrate. Lower the heat as far as it will go to keep this sauce warm.

Meanwhile, add the bucatini to the same pot where you had boiled the fennel. 

When the pasta has cooked, transfer it to the pan with the sauce and toss everything together gently.

Pasta con le sarde

Source: https://memoriediangelina.com/2022/01/22/pasta-con-le-sarde/

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The Literacy Review

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We’re excited to share news about The Literacy Review, an annual journal that showcases powerful writing from adult literacy programs throughout New York City.

Each year, The Literacy Review brings together diverse voices and perspectives, providing a platform for writers from ESOL and ABE (Adult Basic Education) programs – including several students from our own program here at University Settlement.

The newest edition, Volume 23 (LR23),was recently released, and there was even a celebration for its launch at NYU.

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Making Breakfast – Quantifiers

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Basic Quantifiers – Grammar Focus

Quantifiers are words or phrases that show the quantity of a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

Uncountable nouns use any and some before the noun. Any and some can replace the noun.

(Q) Do you have any paper?
Yes, I have some paper.
Yes, I have some.
No, I don’t have any paper.
No, I don’t have any.

Countable plural nouns use any and some before the noun. Any and some can replace the noun.

(Q) Do you have any books?
Yes, I have some books.
Yes, I have some.
No, I don’t have any books.
No, I don’t have any.

Read the dialog and look for the quantifiers.

Katie: So, I want to make breakfast for everybody tomorrow. Do we have anything to make breakfast with?

Todd: We do, but not much. I think we need to go to the store. Let’s make a list, and I’ll buy some stuff today and bring it back for breakfast.

Katie: Okay. Well, how about eggs? Do we have any eggs?

Todd: We have some eggs. We have maybe two dozen eggs.

Katie: Okay. How about pancake mix? Do we have any pancake mix?

Todd: I don’t think so. I think we have some, but it’s not enough, so I will buy more.

Katie: Do we have any sugar?

Todd: I don’t think so. We have some, but again, I don’t think it’s enough, so I’ll buy some.

Katie: That sounds good. Do we have any milk?

Todd: We do have a little, but it’s not enough, so I’ll buy some more. 

Katie: Sounds good. Do we have any coffee?

Todd: We do, but probably not enough, so I’ll buy a pound of coffee.

Katie: How about juice? Do we have any juice?

Todd: We do. We actually have lots of juice. I bought juice two days ago, and it was on sale, so I bought three cartons.

Katie: Okay.

Todd: All right. I think the list is complete. We should be okay.

Katie: Great!.

Todd: I’ll buy everything, and then we should have enough for breakfast tomorrow.

Katie: You buy it, and I’ll make it.

Todd: Oh, sounds good!

Source: https://www.elllo.org/english/grammar/L2-13-KatieTodd-Breakfast-Any-Some.htm

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