News from Arizona

Our friend Silvana writes from Arizona that the Chandler Public Library (Basha Branch) has an English Conversation group on Thursday. She is going to visit and report back to us with ideas to improve our group.

Also-----she is the proud recipient of a GREEN CARD! Congratulations Silvana, You Go Girl!

New Group Forming

I've met a volunteer who lives in US from March to November, and the rest of the year in Mexico. She is willing to work help out with conversation groups. The question is, what would be a good day and time for another group? She'd like to start another group. Of course, there would be a break from November to March. Let me know if you are interested by COMMENTING via the link below. TIA (Thanks in advance!)

C-Span Book TV

Those of you who know me, know that I tend to rave about C-Span Book TV. In my opinion, it's the best programming on the tube.

This Saturday, September 8th at 9:00 AM/EST Kim MacQuarrie, author of THE LAST DAYS OF THE INCAS, recounts the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire beginning with the landing of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his army of 167 men in 1532. The Spanish were outnumbered 200 to 1 yet were able to seize the Inca capital, Cuzco and dispose the Inca ruler within a year of arrival. The Incas were forced into the Amazon and a 36-year guerrilla war with the Spanish ensued. The author relays the last days of the Inca empire and examines the excavation of Inca artifacts. Kim MacQuarrie discusses his book at Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado.

For a complete schedule of this week's programs see:
http://www.booktv.org/schedule.aspx

Read Along Books & Tapes

The Brentwood Public Library has a collection of READ ALONG BOOKS & TAPES. Each packet contains a paperback book and a cassette tape version of the book. The latter is recorded 10-15% slower than standard audiobooks. In this way, you can SEE, READ, and LISTEN to English. It will help improve your listening skills!

The collection is located on the lower level of the library, with the ESL (Literacy) Books. Come in and see us, we're here to help you find what you need!

Spanish Language Answer Service 24/7

Is Spanish your first language, but you need a break once-in-while? Did you know that we now have a Spanish language online reference service in Suffolk County? I urge you to try it out asap. Here's the direct url:

http://www.answers24x7.org/espanol/a247s.htm

Have your library card ready...you will be asked for the bar code on the back of it.

If you are committed to English (hurray for you!) or want to committ AFTER seeing the main page, try this link at:

http://www.answers24x7.org/

How-To Phrases

The British Broadcasting Corporation LEARNING ENGLISH site is comparable to the Voice of America, featured yesterday. Just keep in mind that there are cultural differences, in addition to pronunciation differences, between British and American English.

That said, the BBC website has a very useful collection of "How-To" phrases, within the grammar and vocabulary section. The direct url is
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/how_to/

This week's feature is on "How-To Make an Appointment." It covers the vocabulary and phrases you need to know to book an appointment for a variety of situations.

Voice of America

This afternoon's Friendly English group divided into two subgroups. Carlos and Edana worked on Auralog, and on the Voice of America SPECIAL ENGLISH website. To quote from the website, "On October 19, 1959, the Voice of America broadcast the first Special English program. It was an experiment. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA. They still are. Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English. Over the years, its role has expanded. It helps people learn American English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science. It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere."

Special English as a core vocabulary of 1500 words, the narrators read at a slower pace, about 2/3 the speed of standard English.

Particulary interesting is the WEEKLY TV FEED, a 30 minute program of news, arts and culture. As the broadcaster reads, captions appear on the screen. You can watch this week's program by going to the VOA Special English page:

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/index.cfm