An ESOL Resource from University Settlement's Adult Literacy Program
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
