Tag: video

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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This Monday is an official U.S. holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Martin Luther King was a civil rights leader and preacher, and one of the most important people in American history.

From Simple English Wikipedia:

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) worked hard to make people understand that black people should always be treated equally to white people. He gave speeches and led rallies to encourage African Americans to protest without the need for violence.

One peaceful strategy was for African Americans to have sit-ins. This is where they would sit in a restaurant seat that was supposed to be only for white people. They would politely ask for some food and refuse to leave until someone gave them food. Another strategy that King used was leading boycotts. This is where people would refuse to buy goods or services from people who did not treat white people and black people the same.

Dr. King was born in the Atlanta area on January 15, 1929. He first began to be well-known in 1955 when he led a protest against the way black people were segregated on buses. At that time they had to sit at the back of the bus, separate from white people.

In 1963, a civil rights march in Washington, DC happened that made King even more famous. It was officially called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was held on August 28, 1963. The final speaker was Martin Luther King, Jr. He made his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech which was heard throughout the world.

Here is Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech:

To read his speech, click here.

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Cold Shoulder Revisited

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Here’s a song by Adele using last week’s idiom – the lyrics are below:

“Cold Shoulder”

Performed by Adele

You say it’s all in my head
And the things I think just don’t make sense
So where you been then? Don’t go all coy
Don’t turn it ’round on me like it’s my fault
See I can see that look in your eyes
The one that shoots me each and every time

You grace me with your cold shoulder
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her
You shower me with words made of knives
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her

These days when I see you
You make it look like I’m see-through
Do tell me why you waste our time
When your heart ain’t admitting you’re not satisfied
You know I know just how you feel
I’m starting to find myself feeling that way too

When you grace me with your cold shoulder
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her
You shower me with words made of knives
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her

Time and time again, I play the role of fool just for you
Even in the daylight when you think that I don’t see you
Try to look for things I hear but our eyes never find
Though I do know how you play

You grace me with your cold shoulder
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her
You shower me with words made of knives
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her

You grace me with your cold shoulder
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her
You shower me with words made of knives
Whenever you look at me I wish I was her

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December 2013 Student of the Month

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Our new Student of the Month is Class 0A student Suleyca Diaz.

Suleyca was chosen as the December 2013 Student of the month because she has not missed any classes so far this school year. She has perfect attendance! 

We also chose Suleyca because, after only three months of class, she went up two levels on the Best Plus test!

She’s only been in the United States for six months. She said that someday she’d like to be a math teacher.

Congratulations, Suleyca!

About Me

Suleyca Diaz

My name is Suleyca Diaz.

I’m from Santiago, the Dominican Republic.

I’m 19 years old.

I’m a student.

I study English at University Settlement.

I drink juice every day.

I like to watch movies.

I like to sleep.

There are five people in my family.

My mother’s name is Amarilis.

My father’s name is Danny.

They live in Brooklyn.

I have two brothers.

Their names are Jean Carlos and Andy.

Jean Carlos works and Andy studies in the high school.

They live in Brooklyn, too.

I don’t have any sisters.

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Blue Christmas

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Watch 16-year-old David Thibault from Quebec do an incredible imitation of Elvis Presley. It’s a song originally sung by Elvis called “Blue Christmas” (the lyrics are below):

“Blue Christmas”

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you

I’ll be so blue just thinking about you

Decorations are red on a green Christmas tree

It won’t be the same, dear, if you’re not here with me

And when the blue snowflakes start falling

That’s when those blue memories start calling

You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white

But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

You’ll be doing alright with your Christmas of white

But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

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November 2013 Student of the Month

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We’re pleased to announce that our Student of the Month for November 2013 is Pei Ci Kuang. Amazingly, she attends four different classes: Class E2 with Evelyn, Movie Class with Janel, Computer Class with Brian, and Advanced Writing Class with June.

This is Pei Ci’s first year at University Settlement, but she’s already shown great progress. She recently attended parent-teacher conferences, and for the first time she was able to talk to her child’s teacher without an interpreter.

This fall Pei Ci also showed her improvement by reaching a higher level on the Best Plus test, which is an oral English test that all ESOL students in New York take. Way to go, Pei Ci!

Watch a video interview with Pei Ci above, read some of her writing below, then take the quiz to test your understanding!

My Autobiography

Pei Ci Kuang

Class E2

My name is Pei Ci Kuang. I am from China. I live in Manhattan. I live with my husband, daughter, and son. My family is sweet and harmonious. I have lived in New York for almost seven years.

I am a salesperson. I like my job because I can meet new people and it is a challenge. Every new season, I need to sell a lot of things to people, and when I sell out, I feel happy.

My family is small. I have two children. I like to watch TV and try new things and new food. I like New York because it has different cultures and different food.

But I need to take care of my children, cook for my family, and work. I don’t have much entertainment here. I really miss my sister and the food in my hometown.

I hope I can have a wonderful life: I can buy a house in New York, my daughter and son can go to a good school, I can get a great job, and I can earn a lot of money so my family’s life will be better and better.

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