To Look Up

When something is "looking up," it is improving.

Example: After several bad breakups, Olivia's love life was finally looking up


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English Language Institute students attended their Graduation Ceremony

English Language Institute students attended their Graduation Ceremony

Class of Spring 2017 finished their semester term after 4 months

NEW YORK, MAY 12, 2017

The College of Staten Island/The City University of New York with its English Language Institute (ELI) felt proud last May, Friday 12^th when it organized the graduation ceremony for students who came from thirteen different countries to study English during the semester term of Spring 2017.

TheCenter for Global Engagement of the College of Staten Island (CSI) welcomed several students for the Spring term during mid-January and placed them in different English language levels. Students came from countries such as China, Mexico, Russia, among others. During English classes, students learned skills that now allow them to communicate better.

During graduation, the Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement at CSI, Dr. Stephen Ferst, offered an opening speech with very meaningful words to students. “This graduation changes the perspective; it’s the celebration of the mountain that you have climbed. I know you have personal stories to tell, we watched you grow, we watched your English skills come alive”, Dr. Ferst said.

Students enjoyed their graduation ceremony after more than 4 months learning skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and getting prepared for the TOEFL test, which was included in their program. ELI is well-known for its experienced teachers who have been at CSI for a long time and who have taught students from all over the world. Students thanked their teachers with some presents mentioning how much they appreciated their efforts to teach them improve their English skills. Students thanked their teachers, Ms. Gail Hernandez, David Bridston, Thomas Speirs, and Drew Bostinto for their daily effort to learn the language.

Teacher David Bridston mentioned what his students learned during this term but also mentioned that his students got “prepared for the writing test, studied a lot of grammar, read a lot of essays from some very famous writers”, among other activities. Mrs. Hernandez stood at the podium and said that “it is always sad to say good-bye, especially to such a wonderful class, I’m so proud and happy to have been your ESL [English as a Second Language] teacher, you have come so far and I know you have amazing lives”. Teacher Bostinto expressed that he was “proud of all the progress we have made in a relatively short amount of time”. Finally, teacher Speirs commented, “we all had such a wonderful time. I like the community that we have”.

Students also offered beautiful speeches full of sensitivity. Student Mohammad Asfour from Palestine said a story about how he overcame his English skills by thanking ELI teachers and his classmates, “Mr. Drew, Mr. David, Mr. Thomas, Ms. Gail, what an honor to be one of your students, you made us laugh, you gave us important information, and you gave us a beautiful language which is English”.

Student Carmela Ingravallo from Italy said “thank you for teaching us a new language with passion, you now have a place in our hearts”.

Our Deputy Director of the Center for Global Engagement and Director of the International Student & Scholar Services, Ms. Barbara Clark offered some closing words by saying “as you continue in this journey, these experiences will enrich your future success, and successes are so much better when you follow what you love”.

Students registered into classes at the English Language Institute at the College of Staten Island, which is strategically located near the tourist area of Manhattan, where students also spent some time during field trips. Teachers usually take them to the zoo, museums, Wall Street, or Times Square.

ELI offers different terms during the year, two semester terms from January to May and from August to December, and two summer terms in June and July. Students who participated in this graduation were from Algeria, China, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Palestine, Poland, Russia, SriLanka, Syria, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Graduation was celebrated at the Green Dolphin Lounge at CSI, where students invited their relatives and friends.

The Center for Global Engagement invites students interested in learning English to see more about its programs at ELI and enjoy the best experience in New York City.

English Language Institute

Center for Global Engagement

College of Staten Island/CUNY

CSI Website: http://www.csi.cuny.edu/international

English Language Institute (ELI):http://www.csi.cuny.edu/international/english_language_institute/

International office Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Center.International/

ELI Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EnglishinNewYork

ELI Skype account: elistudy_1 or elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

ELI Blog: http://learnenglishinnewyork.blogspot.com/

ELI Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishinNewYork

CSI student housing Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt0w55CGw44

To keep one's options open

When you "keep your options open," you avoid doing something that will prevent future opportunities.

Example: Although Lucas invited her to his party, Madeline waited to reply to him in order to keep her options open.


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To Know the Ropes

When you "know the ropes," you understand how something works.

Example: Since Olivia knows the ropes best, she will train Aleks for the job.


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ELI COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND CUNY - Study English in New York

To Look Into

When you "look into something," you investigate or seek information about it.

Example: After seeing the open house, Luna decided to look into buying it.


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