VBS 2012 - Summer Classes for Kids

Hey international families~

Looking for cheap/free, last-minute summer camps to send your kids to?  Searching the Internet for terms like “Houston summer camps”, “English lessons”, and “get them out of the house and out of my hair before they drive me up the walls insane”?

Well, unfortunately I can't offer a Japanese VBS like I could last year (it's tough doing it all by my lonesome - unless someone out there actually wanted to help me with it), but there are tons of week-long, half-day VBS (Vacation Bible School) locations offered by local churches.  Don't worry, it's not scary religious propaganda or anything.  Kids love it.  It's not really like school, but more with games and songs and arts & crafts and interesting stories.  I did it when I was a kid.  Many Americans do.

What I wish was available were more ESL classes for international adults for that week.  I only know of Rice Temple Baptist offering such (actually I'll be helping out there, teaching one of the English slots and maybe a Bible class the following week).

There are so many locations out there, it's too much to keep track of them all.  I can't recommend every church, of course, but there's several good ones that I know better and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.  Otherwise, please call the church about any questions before you register.  For now, here's five.  If you want to, I guess you could even sign up for several different VBS locations since some are on different weeks. Several are using the same "Amazing Wonders" vintage 1920s aviation theme wherein the kids virtually travel to different locations around the globe learning about the power of God.  Wish I was still a kid.

Medical Center area:

June 4-8, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Rice Temple Baptist also offers their regular adult ESL classes at the same time all that week.
9-10 Bible classes, 10-11 English classes, and 11-12 music classes.

June 4-8, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Ditto with West University Baptist.  But please call or register for their time schedule.

On the west side of town, closer to Memorial City Mall or Katy:

June 11-15, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Check out the friendly folks at Tallowood.

June 25-29, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Likewise, with Bridgepoint.  You might remember this is where we had our Japanese VBS hosted last year.

July 9-12, 9:00 a.m. – noon, ends with a Family Fun Night on Thursday, July 12th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Second Baptist Church, Katy Campus.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know, I know.  You're all like "Hey, Daniel, where's your bilingual Valentine's article?!" 

Please forgiveness my laziness. I had a good one in mind, but, alas, I never got around to writing it.

If you take my private lessons though, then you got a good overview of vocabulary and discussion topics to go with it.  If not, well, I guess you can read 1 Corinthians 13 - "The Love Chapter" in the Bible- and e-mail me any thoughts or comments you have.  Here is the simple version if you're a beginner: 1 Corinthians 13

If you can handle it, this version below is a little more accurate and sounds more like the famous passage most English-speakers are familiar with.  In short, I think it has a more natural and lovely cadence to it...


¹ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13 (NIV)

Actually throughout the Bible, God has lots of great stuff to say about relationships and love and marriage, since, you know, He created it all.  Unfortunately, a lot of distortions have crept into our understanding of these things.  Well, that's an article unto itself.

And for all you lovely Japanese ladies out there (without a doubt the most beautiful in the world), here's my belated giri-choco for you.  Enjoy.

Goodness gracious, more free adult English classes galore!

Like the title says, Harris County is pretty generous in offering these classes to different school districts.

If they're all filled up the first day, which is probably true, there may be a waiting list.  At any rate, you can be on the lookout for future classes. 

How to register: Click the Map for class locations and Class Schedule to find information about upcoming classes and registration in your area. Register in person at the class site during the posted registration dates, call (713) 692-6216 or send an e-mail to adult-education@hcde-texas.org for more information.

Spreadsheet of ESL locations

You're welcome.

Update: Oh, and unrelated, but still useful, here's a bunch of free or pay classes around Houston courtesy of the Mayor’s Coalition for Literacy 2010 Directory

English Conversation Groups - Greater Houston Area

So this is pretty cool.  We'll be... okay, I'll be expanding out my little niche of the ESL market into the greater Houston area.  Before it was just freebie stuff in the TMC, but there's such a need out in Westchase, Sugar Land, and Clear Lake, that I just gotta go and start charging those folks to have the chance to speak with me. 

Is it tacky to list rates?  Anyway, I think for now I'll settle on $15/hr, private or group - which is about as cheap as humanly possible.  (Earlier, I think sometimes I might have been misunderstood and "fifteen" sounded to other people like "fifty", so hopefully this will help to clear up any confusion).

Call now - operators are standing by...

Curriculum-based and Conversational English Classes in the Medical Center

For all of you doctors and researchers out there...

Just to help spread the word about these classes in the TMC, here's a quick link to Dr. Mark Picus' contact information.  He also offers periodic workshops.  Priority goes to M.D. Anderson employees and UT students ("available to all faculty, research and clinical personnel, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars who are non-native speakers of English"), but I think possibly others are welcome too if there's room.  Anyway, I know the conversation class on Fridays is usually more open to all, friends and spouses, etc.  Give Mark a call or e-mail about it; he's a nice guy.

I also hope to offer some opportunities myself over there shortly.  But I don't have a "Dr." before my name or even a mustache, so check him out:

English classes in the Med Center
Short Courses in Scientific English

Courses last 7 weeks and meet twice a week for 1 or 1.5 hours each day. Classes are held in the morning, during the lunch hour, or late in the afternoon. All classes are free of charge. Participants must speak English at the intermediate or higher level and be familiar with research and general biomedical terminology.

Courses:
    Pronunciation 1: The Sounds and Syllables of American English
    Pronunciation 2: Rhythm, Stress, and Intonation in American English
    Speaking 1: Making Successful Presentations
    Speaking 2: Workplace Conversations
    Writing 1: Writing Coherent Paragraphs
    Writing 2: Making Your Sentences Flow
    Writing 3: Editing Your Own Writing

2011 Course Schedule (dates subject to change):
    Session 5: October 3-November 17
    Registration dates: August 24-September 13

Fall Conversation Course:

Starting on Friday, October 7, an informal course for non-native speakers of English will be offered every Friday during lunch (12:00-1:00) in the Scientific Publications Department in Pickens Tower (FCT5000H). No registration is necessary, but space will be limited. Feel free to bring your lunch, and come and practice speaking in a relaxed environment.

For more information, please contact Dr. Picus at 713-792-7251 or mapicus@mdanderson.org

The Tricky Turns of Conversation Exchanges

It's a risk, but, hey, there's little commitment.  And you're both a little desperate.

Whether online or up close and face-to-face, 'conversation exchanges' are a lot like going into a blind date.  You can e-mail a bit before hand, but when it comes down to it that first real life conversation is almost always awkward as all get out.  (Am I talking too much?  Should I just nod and pretend like I know what she's saying?  "You like music?  Me too!")  Needless to say, not the best scenario to loosen you up for language practice.

Of course, it's often true that you get what you pay for.  And for cheapskates like me, that usually means the free exchange is destined to be a short-lived one.

I've tried conversation exchanges a few times and experienced what you might expect: 1) The other person had little to no training or skills in language teaching and basically ended up confusing me more than anything else, and 2) it was simply too unstructured for a beginner like me to be able to participate on an enjoyable level.  One minute he or she would talk to me on a baby level and the next thing rattle on as if I were an old childhood chum.  Oh, and I also tend to notice that 3) she usually isn't as pretty as I pictured in my mind.

But hey, who says all translating trysts have to crash and burn so miserably as that?  Here's a few pointers that I think can help salvage your linguistical one-night stand.

First of all, exchange photos.  Take the 'blind' out of 'blind date.'  Reading is hard work; go ahead and judge a book by its cover.  For a girl, this might be a little more risky and lure in some unsavory freaks and geeks types, but as a guy I would like to know a little more information about my potential student/tutor.  And you know who to look for at Starbucks.  Of course, if you're only going to meet through Skype this is a non-issue.

Once you've got an idea of the person from their photo, lay down some simple ground rules so you know each other's expectations.  Go over your preferred learning styles.  Some people prefer to be gently corrected (not interrupted) on the spot and others would like to finish through with their comments until coming to a convenient pause for any corrections.

Incorporate a real-life activity into your time.  This could be role-playing or actually going to a restaurant, let's say a reasonably-priced sushi bar, and ordering in the target language.  Focus on functional phrases or colloquialisms ("Sheesh, 'do you mind' saving some of that saké for me?"  "Well, 'as a matter of fact'...").  Whatever activity you end up doing provides plenty of relatable topics for conversation so the table talk time together feels less like an interview or examination - or interrogation.  Try out each other's hobbies and you'll be learning various vocabulary as you go.

The idea is to avoid straight-up academic exercises (like giving book reports) which can easily become forced and boring without one or both parties being a naturally-gifted teacher to guide things.  This isn't to say that you can't or shouldn't do pronunciation drills or controlled speaking practice, but just be sure it's done with a good dose of levity.

Since you're not paying for lessons and don't have to worry about being intimidated by the other person's status as a professional, be frank and honest.  If the exchange is not working out for you, say so and try the next available partner (Ooh!  Me!  Me, please!  Over here!).  But try not to burn any bridges.  Half of this crazy conversation exchange whirligig is just practicing being a good friend.  Though having a few breath mints on hand never hurt anybody either.

Unless you're this guy (not me!).  In which case all bets are off.

"You like music?  Me too!"

         

※ Some more or less free sites for your perusal:

http://www.conversationexchange.com/
It's a basic, straight-up way to find people.  I've used it once or twice.  Luck of the draw.

http://www.livemocha.com
Offers the benefits of a conversation exchange with a chat function along with traditional lessons.  Look me up.

http://www.lang-8.com
I just started using this.  It's basically just for getting your writing entries proofread by native speakers.

http://www.edufire.com
Also, just started using this.  Can't say much right now, but looks like a flexible way to find a tutor or class.

I haven't really used these following sites as much, but last time I checked I think they were more or less the same.  Sorry for the lack of a real, in-depth review...
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com
http://www.sharedtalk.com/
http://www.italki.com/
http://www.languageexchange.org
http://www.polyglot-learn-language.com/

ESL teacher training opportunity next month (courtesy of Robin Feistel at Literacy ConneXus)

By the way, I've done this myself; it's worth it.  If you go, let me know how it went. -daniel


TEX (Teaching English with Excellence)
Basic ESL Training for New ESL Teachers of Adult Students
WHEN:    September 16 & 17, 2011
        Friday, 6:30pm - 9:30pm AND Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
    Training is sequential so attendance at BOTH sessions is required.
        Arrive on Friday before 6:30pm to check in & receive materials.

WHERE:    Crosspoint Church
        4601 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire, Houston, TX, 77401
        832-203-4300; www.cpointchurch.org

COST:    $30 - includes notebook manual
            Participants are to bring a sack lunch on Saturday.
        Payment made September 16 (1st day of workshop)
            by check to Karen Ramirez
        OR    with exact amount of cash, NO change made

RESERVATIONS:  Required by Monday, September 12
    Registration is limited, so training may be closed BEFORE that date.

    For reservations contact:
        Karen Ramirez, ramirezks@sbcglobal.net

    Information needed to make a reservation:
        1.    name as wish on nametag & certificate
        2.    email & mailing address
        3.    phone number
        4.    name of church or organization & city
        5.    if already teaching, what level of students

    Individuals must register for themselves.
    Leadership may not reserve spots for their volunteers.

Literacy ConneXus ESL training certificate given.

Questions concerning content of training contact TEX trainers:
    Martha McDade, eagermcdade@yahoo.com
    Karen Ramirez, ramirezks@sbcglobal.net

VBS flyer for Japanese Saturday school. (Pass it on/download, fill it out, e-mail it in.)

Okay, here we go! ;D

どうぞよろしくお願い致します。

(can anyone say Zech 4:6?)

A handy-dandy listing of local ESL classes / Bible lessons

Here are some various free English and/or Bible classes and groups offered by various churches around the Houston area.  I have visited most of these places and seen the teachers.  Many of them are friends of mine.  So if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. 




Actually this view should work a bit better for ya.  (Learning this new-fangled, Interweb stuff as I go, you know...)