• Student: Mehmet Ozbey
• Country: Turkey
• Teachers: Thomas Speirs / Keri Dugan

Coming to America

    I come from a city in Turkey called Mersin. It is a beautiful and medium-sized city along the coast and at sea level. There I worked in the customs industry for many years. Although I love my hometown, I decided to come to the United States to look for opportunities and have now been living here for nine months. Here I am studying English as a Second Language at the College of Staten Island.

One of the reasons that I came to the United States was that I have a friend here who has lived here for several years and told me told me to come because of the many opportunities that are available in this country. Because the United States is a big country with a lot of freedom, it means a lot of opportunities. America is the Land of Opportunities! My goal is to do business here. I want to establish an import-export company. However, after coming here, I realized that I needed to learn the English to really be successful. Because in order to be able to sell your products, you must first introduce those products to people. I have encountered problems at this stage, so I have enrolled in school to learn the language. My first goal right now is to learn the English language as well as possible and then continue my dreams here. I hope I will succeed.

Read more articles from our students here: https://www.slideshare.net/EnglishLanguageInsti1/anthologies-eli-fall-2023

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop

My Favorite City: Fuzhou

Student: Ying Chen

China

ELI Teacher: Thomas Speirs

                                  My Favorite City: Fuzhou

     My favorite city is called Fuzhou. In the Fuzhou dialect, its name is Hujiu. It is the provincial capital of Fujian Provence in China. It also has the name Rongcheng because the banyan tree, called Rongshu in Chinese, is the symbol tree of Fuzhou. I like Fuzhou because this is where I was born and I think it’s a beautiful city. There is a park in Fuzhou called Hong Guang Lake Park. In Hong Guang Lake Park, there are many tall trees that have birds singing in them and beautiful flowers with butterflies dancing in them. And of course, there is also a lake where people can ride in boats.

I used to go to that park very often with my friends. My friends and I often went there to play badminton. We also used to see some old people playing Tai Chi in the park, some people walking alone or with their friends, some people walking their dogs, some people dancing and some children playing on the amusement facilities such as slides and swings. Everyone was laughing and having fun.

There are many such beautiful and interesting parks in Fuzhou. For this reason, Fuzhou is a very beautiful city, and people live very happily here.

Welcome to Fuzhou!

Read more articles here: https://www.slideshare.net/EnglishLanguageInsti1/anthologies-eli-fall-2023 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop

TGIF - What does it mean?

You probably heard or read many people saying or writing TGIF. Do you know the meaning?

Meaning & background: TGIF is a phrase in the United States that means "Thank God (or) goodness it's Friday." 

According to Wikipedia, it dates back to the 1960's. The restaurant by the same name was founded in Manhattan in 1965, and there was also a 1978 movie with this name. It means to celebrate the last day of the working week (or) school week before the weekend.

You do not need to say the whole phrase, so you can just say TGIF (you should pronounce each letter).

This article was written on a Friday, so cheers and enjoy the weekend, TGIF!!!!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

The Met Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as The Met, in New York City, is one of the most iconic places to visit while in the city.

Founded in 1870, it offers more than 5,000 works of art such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and much more!

The Met is basically divided by regions, but there are other areas where you can enjoy photo exhibitions or events. 

Located next to Central Park, the main building is near bus and subway stops, open to the public almost all year long, to public in general and students. 

One of the advantages for some students is that they access for free as a group when taken with their teachers.

For example, students at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island and other CUNY students have access to the museum as part of their academic field trips, instead of paying the full amount of the ticket.

You can learn more about the history of the museum and how to visit it here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop

On Thin Ice

Idioms in English - On Thin Ice

English Language Institute - College of Staten Island/CUNY

When you’re “on thin ice,” you will get in trouble if you make another mistake.

Example: After talking back to the teacher three times, Jackson realized he was skating on thin ice.

Image courtesy of dreamstime.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.

The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.

Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

ELI courses:

• Reading & Writing
• Grammar
• Communications (Conversation)
• TOEFL Workshop

Lost in the shuffle - Idioms in English

Idioms in English

Lost in the shuffle

Some days ago, I read this expression in one of my emails: "I lost this info in the shuffle". I remembered shuffle means to rearrange a deck of cards by sliding them over each other quickly, but I had never heard this idiom: lost in the shuffle.

Some similar expressions are:

• Lost, ignored, forgotten, especially amid a confusing or chaotic situation.
• If someone or something gets lost in the shuffle, nobody notices them or pays them attention.

I went back to my email and I understood that the person who wrote the email probably was busy and did not notice this email or piece of information. It is OK to say "lost something/someone in the shuffle" using simple past tense or especially in passive voice.

So... don't get lost in the shuffle and follow us for more idioms!!! 😁😁

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in learning English? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu / www.csi.cuny.edu/eli at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island/The City University of New York (CUNY). The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City. ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree. Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer. Staten Island Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation. The campus The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts. Campus location The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry. ELI academic program The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension. ELI courses: Reading & Writing Grammar Communications (Conversation) TOEFL Workshop

Idioms with Time

Idioms in English: It's about time

Time is very important in most English-speaking countries. 


We say: "Time is Money." Therefore, there are many idiomatic expressions relating to time.

Here are just a few:

Having a lot of time:

• have all the time in the world: have lots of time: "Don't rush. We have all the time in the world."
• have spare time: have extra or free time: "What do you enjoy doing  in your spare time?"
• have time on your hands / time to kill: have extra or even too much time: "I was waiting for Mary who was late. I had some time on my hands, so I read a magazine to kill time."
• take your time: not rush: "Take your time answering the question. I can wait."
• make good time: do something faster than you thought: "I made good time commuting to work this morning. There was no traffic, so it only took me 20 minutes to get here."
• time is on your side: be young and have plenty of time ahead of you: "You've got time on your side, so you shouldn't feel pressured into making a career decision now."

Not having enough time:

• run out of time: not have any time left: "I couldn't finish my test because I ran out of time."
• pressed for time: not have much time: "Because I was pressed for time I didn't do a very good job on my paper."
• a race against time: have to do something fast within a deadline: "Saving endangered species is a race against time. If we don't do something soon, many will become extinct."
• no time to lose: no time to waste: "There's no time to lose. I must leave now or I will miss my flight."

Are there similar expressions about time in your language? 

Can you think of other expressions in English about time?