Category: Learning English

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Message of Hope and Equality

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Every January, people in the United States honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, a time when many Americans fought for equal rights for all people—no matter their skin color.

Vocabulary:

  • Equality – the state of being equal, especially in rights and opportunities
  • Justice – fairness in the way people are treated
  • Peaceful protest – showing disagreement without violence
  • Civil rights – the rights of citizens to freedom and equality

Dr. King believed in peaceful protest. He gave powerful speeches, including the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, where he spoke about a future where children of all races could live and learn together in harmony. His words inspired millions and continue to give hope today.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a holiday. It’s a day to remember the importance of justice, kindness, and respect. Many people celebrate by volunteering in their communities, helping others, and learning more about history.

📝 Try This:
Write a short paragraph about a dream you have for a better world. Use words like “peace,” “respect,” and “hope.”

Dr. King’s dream was big—but he showed us that change begins with one voice. What will your voice say today?

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Daytime Holiday Party

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Our daytime classes enjoyed a fun and festive holiday party this past Thursday! 🎉

Hello to all our students! Thank you for joining us and bringing such great energy to the day. 👋

Happy Holidays from each of our classes. 🧑‍🎄 🎅

A fun game of Kahoot! determined the order in which classes ate.

Congratulations to our Kahoot! winners! Thank you for bringing so much energy and festive fun to the game.

We had a fantastic assortment of foods for our potluck party, with something delicious for everyone to enjoy. 🌮 🍰 🥟

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Evening Holiday Party

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Happy Holidays 🎉 from our E0, E101, E1, E2, E3, and E4 classes!

This past Thursday, our evening classes celebrated with a fun and festive holiday party!

We had a tremendous pot luck dinner. Pizza, pie, cookies, and more – we had it all! 🍞 🍕 🍰

Each of the classes performed a holiday classic for everyone to enjoy, bringing festive cheer for all to hear.  🎄

Happy Holidays to each of our classes….

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2025 – 2026 Class Photos 😀

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Weekend Classes

James’ W1 class, Lynne’s W101 class, Erica’s W2 class, and Gabe’s W3 class

Evening Classes

Barbara’s E0 class, Megan’s E101 class, Sasha’s E1 class, Julie’s E2 class, Sara’s E3 class, and Hans’ E4 class

Daytime Classes 9-11am

Christine’s 0A class, Yeshe’s 1A class, Joe’s 2A class, Rachael’s 3A class, and Abby’s CCR-A class

Daytime Classes 11-1pm

Christine’s 0P class, Yeshe’s 1P class, Joe’s 2P class, Rachael’s 3P class, and Abby’s CCR-P class

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It’s holiday time!

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Winter Holidays Around the World

Winter is a special season. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and in many places, it is cold and snowy. Around the world, people celebrate different winter holidays with family, friends, food, and traditions. Let’s look at some of the most popular winter holidays.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in many countries. People decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights, and give gifts. Families often eat a big meal together. In some traditions, children wait for Santa Claus to bring presents. Popular Christmas colors are red, green, and gold.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that usually happens in December. It lasts for eight nights. Families light a special candleholder called a menorah. They eat foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Children often play with a small toy called a dreidel.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is celebrated in the United States from December 26th to January 1st. It honors African traditions and culture. Families light candles in a holder called a kinara. Each day represents a different value, such as unity, creativity, or faith. Music, dancing, and storytelling are also part of Kwanzaa.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

All around the world, people celebrate the New Year on December 31st and January 1st. Many people stay up until midnight to welcome the new year. Fireworks, parties, and special foods are common. People also make resolutions—promises to themselves about things they want to do in the new year.

Vocabulary to Remember

  • Tradition – something people do again and again over many years
  • Celebrate – to enjoy a holiday or special event
  • Candle – a stick of wax with fire at the top for light
  • Meal – food eaten together at one time
  • Resolution – a plan or promise for the future

✨ Winter holidays bring light, joy, and warmth during the cold season. Even though traditions are different, the message is often the same: spending time with loved ones and sharing happiness.

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The Treasure That Is the NYPL

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The Rose Reading Room, photo by Max Touhey

Field trip!

We encourage you to visit and get to know the New York Public Library. There is so much to learn, and the library is the place to do exactly that!

Nearest to University Settlement is the Seward Park Library. This building opened in 1909 and is at the eastern edge of Seward Park.

Seward Park Library

192 East Broadway

NYC, NY 10002

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DcPUYMmihfPkb6P26

Did you know?

— The New York Public Library features more than 6 million items in its circulating collections. You can find everything from books, e-books, and audiobooks to music and movies.

— The Library has a free e-reader app, SimplyE, that you can download and then read e-books on your mobile device.

— Explore local museums & attractions with Culture Pass! If you have a library card from the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, or New York Public Library (serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), you can reserve free passes to 100+ cultural institutions across NYC.

— You can print documents at the Library from your mobile device. Black and white printing is available for 20 cents per page.

— NYPL offers free internet access. With your library card, you can reserve a computer to use at almost any location.

— NYPL is better than Google! Ask questions and chat with the expert staff in real time, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. https://www.nypl.org/get-help/contact-us/chat

— In the summer months, many NYPL locations are official “Cooling Centers.” Some of these are even pet-friendly!

— Many locations have free yoga (in Spanish), film screenings, as well as sewing and craft groups.

Get your library card now!

If you’re 13 years old or older and live, work, or attend school in New York State, you can apply for a free library card right now using this online card application—then visit your nearest NYPL location to receive your physical NYPL card. A physical library card is your key to checking out physical books and materials, signing up for Culture Pass, and more.

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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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