We are glad to see new and familiar faces at the ELI this year, and we plan on doing our best to provide a fun and friendly learning environment for our students. As you know, classes start on January 9^th so make sure to have all your school supplies ready to go.  If you are new to the area you will definitely need to know where to go to get your supplies and other things you need. You are bound to make friends here that will help you ground yourself, but I’ll give you a few tips that might be helpful while adjusting to your new environment.

The best places around town to buy school supplies in my opinion would be Wal-Mart and Office Depot. Between these two stores you should be able to find everything you need. They are conveniently located near campus as well. If you want to buy cool new clothes for your class debut, then make sure to hit Peachtree Mall directly located off of Manchester Expressway. They have stores like Charlotte Russe, PacSun, Hollister, Buckle and more. Columbus Park Crossing is another great option for stocking up on new looks with stores such as Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Kohl’s.

After your back to school shopping is done you might want to find a great place to grab a bite to eat. Fortunately, there are a lot of good restaurants in the area. If you want some good BBQ, Country’s BBQ is a delicious choice. They also happen to be located right next to Columbus Park Crossing shopping center. Other restaurants in that area worth trying are TGI Fridays, Chili’s, Olive Garden and Red Robin. Most of these restaurant’s you’ll see on your way up to Columbus Park Crossing. You have many yummy choices off Manchester Expressway next to Peachtree Mall.

Good luck with the back to school shopping! I hope this semester will be a great experience for everyone at ELI. Remember to study hard and make time for fun with your new friends.  Visit us at http://eli.columbusstate.edu/.

-Kindra Hunter

This year’s Thanksgiving celebration at Continuing Education was one to remember.  This was many of our English Language Institute (ELI) student’s first time experiencing the Thanksgiving holiday in America. Our students grasped the idea of the holiday and discussed what they were thankful for. All the students were thankful to be studying in America, thankful for their supportive families, thankful for the beautiful southern weather, and thankful for their new friends at the ELI. Luckily, they weren’t the only group enjoying this day of celebration; the ELI from Georgia South Western joined them in the festivities. They played cool games such as musical chairs with live violin and cello players. How Neat! Afterwards everyone chowed down on the delicious home-made Thanksgiving feast. Apparently Ruth Ann’s cornbread stuffing was amazing because it disappeared quickly. This was a fantastic experience that everyone involved truly enjoyed.

Looking forward, we see Christmas approaching fast. If you’re an ELI student that’s staying here for the holidays we know you’ll be missing family and friends back home. It’s a great idea to incorporate fun activities that you and your friends at ELI can do to spread the holiday cheer.  Make inexpensive Christmas crafts such as an ornament wreath for your door or Peppermint Christmas trees for example. For a wreath, you can take a trip to Wal-mart or Hobby Lobby to buy a foam circle, glue gun, glue sticks and ornaments of your choice. All you do is glue the ornaments to the foam circle until the foam is no longer showing. Then you can hang your wreath on your door. If you want to make peppermint Christmas trees all you need is a bag of peppermint candies, foam cones and a glue gun. Simply glue the peppermints to the foam cone until completely covered. Hopefully, you’ll have a good time making these crafts and be jolly for the Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas ELI!

-Kindra Hunter

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in America; however, this holiday is unique to Americans because we are the only country that celebrates it. The origin of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early colonial days of America when the pilgrims arrived. One of the reasons people traveled from Europe to America was to escape religious persecution, and to find a new place of worship. The pilgrims fell into that category. When the pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts they struggled to survive until they met and developed a friendly relationship with the Native Americans in the area. Sadly, this is one of the very few examples of companionship between the Native Americans and colonists. The Native Americans helped the colonist by teaching them how to farm the land, fish and other useful tips. The day of Thanksgiving refers to the harvest celebration that the Native Americans and colonist shared after they successfully harvested their first corn crop that season. The pilgrims had plenty to be thankful for due to the Native Americans’ kindness. Everyone has something to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to express it.

The English Language Institute (ELI) is hosting a Thanksgiving festival here at Continuing Education with Georgia Southwestern’s ELI students on November 18^th from 10am-2pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet new people and experience what America’s Thanksgiving holiday has to offer. You’ll learn more about the history of Thanksgiving, and also watch a movie clip from This is America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers. Afterwards, you’ll play Thanksgiving Day themed games with pumpkins, feathers, and other funny items.  Be prepared to experience a delicious traditional banquet made from the family recipes of your instructors and staff. This exciting event will have you leaving Continued Education as stuffed as a turkey! For more information on Thanksgiving at Continuing Education’s ELI talk to Cindy Cook.

Visit this site for a closer look at the History of Thanksgiving Day:

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

-Kindra Hunter

“Thanksgiving — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts.” History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. Web. 08 Nov. 2011. <http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving>.

Watching movies can help you learn English because the more you hear the language, the easier it is to learn. I used to know lady from Puerto Rico a few years ago, and I remember that she told me she didn’t know any English when she first moved here. I asked her how she learned English and she told me that it was mostly from talking to people and the TV shows that she watched. I was impressed that she could learn so much from a TV show. She told me that it took a long time, but eventually English started to make sense to her.  Luckily, Columbus State University’s English Language Institute (ELI) is here to provide formal English teaching to our students. However, mixing the two methods together can also provide a new interesting way of learning.

This is why Cindy Cook, Program Coordinator for ELI, is encouraging everyone in the program to come together every Thursday and watch popular new American movie a movie. The movies students have already watched include Blindside, Rio and Soul Surfer.  Before the movie starts, students are given a summary of the movie, and during the movie they’re asked questions to see how well they understand the events taking place. Then, at the end of the movie, they have a discussion about the plot of the movie and how their own experiences can relate to it. A vocabulary list is given out the next day, so students can study what they’ve learned.

Cindy feels that this is a great way for students to have fun and learn at the same time. The movie starts at 1pm and food and beverage will be provided for 2$ per student at 12:15pm-12:45pm. Last week they had pizza and coca cola! Remember, this is a free event and the lunch is optional. If you’re an ELI student who wants something to do, and you’re kind of hungry on Thursday, grab $2 and a friend and come on down to Continuing Education’s auditorium.

Find out more about the ELI program at ColumbusState.edu/ELI

-Kindra Hunter

Did you know that Columbus, Georgia once played an integral role in a war that was destructive and affected many local families? A noted politician, Hiram Johnson, once stated, “The first casualty when war comes is truth.” Now you can find out the truth about the War in the Valley at a FREE event sponsored by Columbus State University Continuing Education. Plan now to attend Remembering the War in the Valley at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center for Continuing Education on October 7 from 6-8 pm.

The War in the Valley gravely impacted area soldiers and their family members causing great grief to many. A large portion of the city was destroyed. You will also learn about the military industries that began to boom around this time to support the production of uniforms, guns, ammunition and more. What better way to learn the history of Columbus, Georgia than through Columbus State University’s Continuing Education!

This event features a panel of distinguished guest speakers including Dr. David Williams, author of A Rich Man’s War, Billy Winn, writer and local historian, and staff from the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum. Mike Bunn, Executive Director of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, believes that this event will give the audience an opportunity to gain a new understanding of the significant role this area played in the Civil War.

You will also get to sneak a peek at the bi-state interpretive park planned for the Columbus/Phenix City area. This park will be located on a portion of the battlefield where Union and Confederate forces fought on April 16, 1865 for control of the vital manufacturing city of Columbus. The park will feature interpretive panels, a reproduction of a section of the covered bridge built by former slave Horace King, and reproduction of artillery similar to that which was used in the battle. These and other features will address how the war affected soldiers, sailors, slaves, and civilians alike. You will leave this program with a unique understanding of Columbus, GA’s past and an appreciation for the city’s future plans.

To learn more or RSVP for Remembering the War in the Valley, go online to www.ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070.

Many countries all over the world have more than one culture, even in the United States. Regional differences play a huge role in the development of other cultures within a country. In the United States, the largest difference in culture is between the north and the south. If you are a student coming to America to learn about our ways, the culture you’ll learn about will be determined by where you choose to stay. I’m originally from Georgia, but my father’s side of the family is from Wisconsin. When my brother and I were growing up my dad would take us to visit twice a year, so I’ll share some of the differences I’ve experienced.

Just like cultures in other countries, the food will be similar but some traits will vary. People typically eat the same food in America, but it is prepared differently. Chicken is a great example. Fried chicken is preferred in most southern households compared to baked or roasted chicken. Other foods that are popular in the south are potato salad, collard greens, corn bread, BBQ ribs, fried pork chops, and the list goes on. In the north roasted and baked meats are more traditional. Wisconsin, in particular, has a heavy German influence, so they favor bratwurst in comparison to hotdogs. Poppy seed deserts are very popular up north too. My grandma would always have poppy noodles or poppy seed pie to munch on after dinner.

The most recognizable difference is the way people talk in the north and south. In Georgia, people talk with what they call a “country accent” or “southern accent.” We like to use words such as “y’all”, which means “you all,” and “fixin,” which means “you are about to do something.” An example of “fixin” would be, “I’m fixin to go to the grocery store.” Northerners equivalent to “y’all” would be “you guys.” They call soft drinks “pop,” while southerners call them “soda” and sometimes even refer to all soft drink brands as “Coke.” I also experienced another huge difference while working as a waitress. When someone without a southern accent asks you for tea, make sure to ask if they want un-sweet tea. In the south, tea means “sweet tea” versus un-sweet tea in the north.

This barely chips away at the iceberg of differences between the northern and southern cultures in America, but it gives you a glimpse of what you would expect to see. Make sure to consider our ELI program in Columbus, Ga if you are curious about the southern way of life. It doesn’t get any more authentic! For more information visit ColumbusState.edu/ELI or call 706.507.8070

-Kindra Hunter

Last week, we had to reluctantly bid farewell to a group of students from Teikyo University (Tokyo Japan) after an eventful 3-week Immersion Excursion. Soon after their arrival, they experienced southern hospitality the right way by dining at Shane’s Rib Shack in Newnan, Ga. Yum, there’s nothing better than BBQ sauce and ribs after a grueling flight from halfway around the globe. Each day after class they were able to explore Columbus. They went shopping at Peachtree mall, viewed art at Columbus Museum, went ice skating at the civic center, walked the Riverwalk, and took a tour of Aflac. They also visited the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and many other places around town. The Teikyo students even got the chance to mingle with local college students for dinner at the Columbus State University cafeteria. On the weekends they made trips to Atlanta to visit the World of Coke, CNN, Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, and an Atlanta Braves baseball game. The ladies were also able to shop till they dropped at the Perimeter Mall. It’s obvious that their time was well spent during their stay here.

I’ve lived in Georgia all my life and I still have yet to do some of these things. Continuing Education’s Immersion Excursion program definitely lives up to its name because the students are totally immersed in the American culture. It was so hard for our Teikyo students to pack up and leave. This was surely an experience of a lifetime that they will never forget.

Everyone should eventually take the time to experience another culture first hand. You’ll never know how much you can learn unless you go for it. If you or someone you know is interested in experiencing the U.S. in an exciting and authentic way, visit ELI.ColumbusState.edu or call 706.507.8070 for more information.

-Kindra Hunter

Tests can be nerve wrecking, especially when you know what’s at stake if you don’t pass. Tests such as the SAT and TOEFL are prime examples of important tests that cause a person to have massive anxiety. The overwhelming pressure of doing good enough to pass, can lead a person to make simple mistakes. I decided do a little research on test taking tips to try and help anyone who is taking a test like this in the near future. Listed below are ways to help relax and focus more clearly on your test day:

1. Buy a practice book with a real-time practice test
   Not only is this a good way to study, but it will help you become familiar with the test structure. This helps you build confidence by eliminating surprises and better understanding where you need improvement. Make sure to do this ahead of time so you don’t have to rush.
2. Do something fun the night before your test
   The usual process the night before the test is non-stop studying. If that’s all you have been doing prior to taking the test, you deserve to relax. Taking time to yourself the night before your test will help you feel more at ease.
3. Get a good night’s sleep
   It almost seems natural to stay up late studying the night before a big test; however, this really isn’t a good idea. Don’t stay out all night with your friends either. You want to be as refreshed as possible before taking a test of that caliber. We all know its way harder to focus when we’re tired.
4. Eat a delicious breakfast that morning
   Most of us tend to skip breakfast or eat very little on a day like this. Remember that these types of tests are very long, and you don’t want your stomach to be doing cartwheels when you need to concentrate.
5. Snack on brain food!
   Apparently, there are certain foods that can improve brain function such as chocolate and green tea. About.com gives a list of foods that could possibly improve your test taking abilities. It’s definitely worth a try. Check out  The Best Brain Food for Test Takers

The idea here is to start studying early and take the practice test, have a good time with friends the night before, but also get into bed early enough to wake up and have an amazing breakfast with food that will make your brain go at top notch speed. If you can complete these 5 tips, I’m very confident that you will make the score you need. Good luck!

For information on English Language classes, go to ColumbusState.edu/ELI

-Kindra Hunter

Coming to the United States to live can be very different from what someone is used to in their country. I’ve had many friends from other countries share their stories with me about their initial experience in America, and they all had personal struggles while adjusting to their new lives. Learning a new language in the country where it is spoken has many advantages such as learning it quicker and understanding the culture behind it, but it is extremely challenging.

I remember one time when I used to wait tables; I had a group of Mexican men come in for lunch. None of them, except one, knew English and he had to help the rest of them order. Thankfully, we had a menu translated in Spanish so they could order something they actually wanted. After they were done with their food, I spoke to the English speaking man for a little while. I found out that when he first came to the U.S. he didn’t speak English either, and every time he would eat out he would eat cheeseburgers because that was the only food he knew how to order in English. Eating cheeseburgers all the time would drive me crazy! This helped me see how hard it is for non-English speakers. If you can’t even order something you have been craving for the sake of embarrassment, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to handle other issues in day to day life. Jose Bastidas helped educate me on that topic.

Jose is currently a student in the ELI program at Continuing Education. Originally from Columbia, he has been living here for about 8 months and attends a public school. He mentioned that it was hard to be in public school because he was unable to understand English as well as the others students and his grades suffered from it. Jose also talked about how difficult it is to make friends when you can’t communicate with people in the way you want to. After he joined the ELI program he said it made a big difference at school. Now he can understand more, speak better and has a bigger vocabulary. He noted that he has a greater understanding of grammar, one thing that is hard to learn by picking up English in school.

The most important idea to draw from this is the fact that the transition to America gets easier. Stay focused on all the opportunities being bilingual can bring you. If you or someone you know is trying to learn English, speed up the process by enrolling in the ELI program. Classes start August 15th! For the record, the English speaking man at the restaurant ordered hot wings that day instead of the usual cheeseburger.

If you are struggling with the English Language, check out Columbus State University’s English Language Institute. You may find just the help you need.

-Kindra Hunter

Learning another language takes a lot of hard work and time. However, the benefits to learning other languages such as English will open up more opportunities. Any effort to take advantage of those opportunities usually requires testing. That is why we know that making a good score on the TOEFL is extremely important to our international students. Whether you are good at speaking English or still in the process of learning, you should consider the TOEFL preparatory class at the English Language Institute (ELI). I interviewed the instructor Doris Brown, to learn more about this preparatory class.

Doris mentioned, “This 15 week long TOEFL preparatory course provides students with the tools they need to succeed on the test. The ELI provides a comprehensive language skills course with a wealth of practice for all sections of the test, including lab time for practice tests. Concentrating on improving knowledge of language skills and knowledge of academic skills step by step, the course also teaches test-taking strategies for the TOEFL.” After looking at the setup of the test below it appears necessary to have an adequate amount of time to practice your English in a course like this one.

The TOEFL design:

1. Listening (consists of 6 long passages and questions about the passages)

2. Speaking (six tasks, 2 independent and 4 integrated tasks)

3. Reading (3 long passages and questions about the passages)

4. Writing (2 tasks, one integrated and one independent task)

• The duration of the test is approximately 200 minutes.
• Columbus State University requires a score of 79 or better for acceptance to any degree program.

Studying alone for this test is one way of preparing yourself, but you will feel so much more confident after taking this course. The TOEFL preparatory course will help your understanding of English, and it will help your test taking skills in general. Some people have test anxiety, which causes people to make mistakes even though they know the material. If you have test anxiety, this class can show you ways to ease your nerves and do a great job on the TOEFL. Doris made sure to state that the progress she sees over those 15 weeks is remarkable!

If you haven’t signed up for the TOEFL preparatory class go to our website, eli.columbusstate.edu, and find out what you need to do to register! Call 706-507-8070 for more information.

-Kindra Hunter