Newsletter January 2017

Editorial  - New Year’s Resolutions 

By Sylvia Sunada, Program Coordinator at SB

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

   

Here are the ten most common New Year’s Resolutions in the United States. Do you have some similar promises?

1. Start Exercising - After a season of too many cookies, candies and holiday parties, it's only natural that a vow to lose weight and get fit would follow. Each January, fitness clubs offer deals and promotions to those who want to keep their promises. 
2. Quit Smoking - So you want to quit smoking? Good luck. Only an estimated 15% of people who try to quit manage to stay cigarette-free six months later. 
3. Learn Something New - You'd love to play the piano. How great would it be to really know how to cook? Resolving to learn something new is exciting: the world is full of fascinating facts, skills and talents. And the process of discovering them, not just the end result, is enjoyable and rewarding.
4. Eat Healthier and Diet - During the holidays, everything we eat is pretty much awful for us:        eggnog, fudge, chips and dip, cheese balls. It's time to eat healthy. We promise to swap eggs and bagels for granola and oatmeal breakfasts; eat lean, protein-rich salads (nonfat dressing on the side, please) and fruit for lunch; cook fish and brown rice for dinner and serve it up with a side of spinach. It all sounds so good and possible on Jan. 2.
5. Get out of Debt and Save Money - After a difficult financial year (and the always budget-unfriendly month of December), consumers might try to stop spending and promise to manage their debt more effectively. Some tips are to allow yourself to eat one dinner out a week. Take a sack lunch to work most days. 
6. Spend More time with Family - Everyone's busy these days. But family is important, and the beginning of the year is an ideal time to reconnect with family that you haven't seen in a while. 
7. Travel - A new year and a new world of opportunities to explore — and places, too. Travel of some sort is on almost everyone's agenda, and some of the first things we tend to think of in a new year are those exotic destinations we'd hope to seek out. Take that road trip to rugged Nova Scotia, ride a hot-air balloon over the strange terrain of Cappadocia, or go on your first ocean cruise. 
8. Be Less Stressed - It's not a bad idea to resolve to be less stressed. Less stress can make you healthier and happier.
9. Volunteer - It may be a new year, but there are still old problems in the world. To start out on the right foot, you may resolve to lend a helping hand. You can help build a house, care for an animal, distribute food to the hungry, tutor a student. Volunteering could be the resolution that keeps on giving — to yourself and to others.
10. Drink Less - After the morning of Jan. 1, it's not surprising you probably wish you drank less. Drinking less is undoubtedly good for you: it's better for your health, your wallet and probably your reputation.

Language Systems Lifestyle - Torrance Art Museum 

By Sylvia Sunada, Program Coordinator at SB

Last week, students joined teacher Corey for lunch at Wahoo's and walked over to the Torrance Art Museum. Here's what happened: 

It was the first time for most of the students to try Mexican food & they loved it! Wahoo's is a great "gateway" Mexican restaurant since it's sort of a fusion on Mexican, Hawaiian, and Asian style foods. There's something for everyone there!

After lunch we walked over to the Torrance Art Museum. It's so close to our school! I can't believe we've never been here before! We saw the South Bay Focus exhibition featuring local professional and amateur artists. We had our own private tour & learned a lot about the local art community.

Afterwards, we went to the nearby Pine Wind Garden to relax & see the koi fish (the Japanese students were surprised that we also say "koi" in English). It was very peaceful, and a great place to unwind after our tests.

Language Systems Lifestyle: Torrance Art Museum

Discover South Bay L.A. 

By Sylvia Sunada, Program Coordinator at SB

The Madrona Marsh Preserve, located in Torrance, California, is the last vernal marsh remaining in the South Bay area of Los Angeles and one of few wetlands located within an urban landscape.

Formed eons ago when the mountains of the Palos Verdes Peninsula rose to the south, Madrona Marsh is a shallow depression fed by wet season (spring) storms as the name "vernal" indicates. After the rainy season, evaporation, percolation and transpiration reduce the water depth by about one-quarter of an inch (6 mm) per day. By the end of August, the wetland is dry and remains so until the following rainy season. Situated on land that was set aside for oil production in 1924, Madrona Marsh was never developed—unlike the surrounding city—and remains a valuable natural habitat for birds, reptiles, insects and even small mammals.

Ongoing efforts are restoring native plants including wildflowers and butterfly species. The area has long been popular with bird watchers and The Audubon Society has used Madrona Marsh for their annual bird census since 1967. El Camino College uses it as an outdoor biology and botany lab. Public access to the Madrona Marsh trails is offered Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and guided tours can be arranged by calling the Nature Center (310) 782-3989.

Activities include bird and nature walks, natural history classes and workshops, habitat restoration, science and astronomy programs, art exhibits, and children's nature programs. The center opened in 2001 and features exhibits about the plants, birds and animals of the marsh.
The marsh and nature center are closed to the public on Mondays. (From Wikipedia)

Free in South Bay L.A. - Candy Cane Lane 

By Sylvia Sunada, Program Coordinator at SB 

Taking place for over 40 years, the Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza (also known as Candy Cane Lane) is one of the largest holiday decoration displays in the country. You can walk or drive through the neighborhood reveling in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening and one the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. The wildly extravagant decorations are on display from December 1 through January 1 from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You don’t want to miss this!

For additional information and directions, visit the website:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sleepy-hollow-christmas-lights-torrance

Student Article 1 - My Christmas in America 

By Anonymous (Level 6)

I’ve been living in American for one year, but I’ve never celebrated the real Christmas. This Christmas is going to be my first time celebrating. I’m extremely excited and I’ve been preparing everything to get ready for my Christmas Day. 

In Thailand, my country, Buddhism is the main religion so we don’t celebrate Christmas. Consequently, I really want to feel the real Christmas because I’ve never been in the country that celebrates Christmas. Last year, I lived with my sister but she didn’t have time to take me out and it was the time that I just arrived to America so I was afraid to go out alone. But this time I won’t miss it anymore.

I’ve decorated my house with lights and a Christmas tree. I have my house ready for my family to celebrate Christmas together. I can feel that we will have a really wonderful time and we are really excited to see each other. We will have dinner together and I have a Christmas gift for everybody in my family.

After Christmas day, I have a trip to go meet my boyfriend’s family in Mexico City. He bought me tickets to go to Mexico as my Christmas gift and that fulfills me a lot! I can feel the real Christmas atmosphere around me.

I really love Christmas time even though I’ve never touched the real “Christmas.” I hope I will have a wonderful time with people who I love and who love me and I wish everybody will have a great time on Christmas day this year and forever. 

Student Article 2 - My Resolutions for 2017 

By Caroline (Level 6)

Resolutions are about things that you want to change or improve, starting on January first and usually given up on January second. This is a stupid concept. Why do we need to wait until January first to get better? However, like everybody, I have my resolutions for 2017.

My first big important resolution is not to do boring things anymore. I want to choose what I want to do, when I want to do it, and who I want to do it with. I don’t want to depend on other people’s choices and be denied the opportunity to say what I really want. For example, my Thanksgiving dinner was very boring because I didn’t choose the people that were invited. Of course, it’s not my house and I am only a host student so of course, I don’t have any choice or chance to share my thoughts and feelings. But what a chore it is to be with people you don’t like for a special event!

My second resolution is to be more independent. I have to work hard to earn enough money to live by myself, because it’s my own fault if I live with people I don’t like. I need to do my part and rid myself of my current situation.

One other annoying thing I often do and want to stop is sulking. I don’t know why but I sulk easily and a lot. At least, that’s what people say. I do not agree with them all the time because I think that when I am sulking, it’s for a right and justified reason, but that’s ok. For them, I am going to try sulking less. I promise, but just a little because of course I cannot stop sulking for the rest of my life.

These are my main resolutions for 2017. There are only three, but I think three is already too ambitious, so I think I am going to focus on the second one first and continue to sulk and do boring things for a while or maybe why not keep it for 2018? Let me think about it.

Language Systems Faces - Interview with Teachers (SB) 

By Sylvia Sunada, Program Coordinator at SB

We've got some wonderful teachers here at Language Systems South Bay campus. Here are just a few of the awesome teachers you'll find when you come visit us in Torrance. We asked some of them about their New Year's Resolutions, too.

From left to right: 

• Brandon is our morning TOEFL teacher. He has taught English in Korea and China and has excellent baking skills. He recently brought some of his amazing homemade cookies to share. His New Year's Resolution is to quit eating processed sugar and to cook more.
• DJ has been an LSI teacher for about 7 years now! He was an English teacher in Seoul, Korea and Okinawa Japan before coming to LA. DJ has taught almost every subject and level, but he especially enjoys helping students improve their writing. His New Year's Resolution is to go to the gym more often.
• Amanda has taught English in Japan before coming to LSI a year and a half ago. She is an excellent athlete and has coached our LSI soccer and futsal teams in our annual tournaments. Amanda's New Year's Resolution is to be less wasteful: waste less food, time, money, etc..
• Steven has been a teacher at LSI for about a year. This term, he is teaching reading, listening, and advanced conversation. Like Brandon, Steven also has excellent baking skills! If you have a chance to taste his rum cake, don't pass it up! We hope his New Year's Resolution is to bake more cake for his co-workers! Steven's advice for everyone in the new year is to "balance your responsibilities with fun!"
• Corey is our newest teacher at LSI South Bay. He has taught English in China and Korea and brings his expertise to our Levels 3, 4, and 5 Grammar classes! Corey's New Year's resolution is to cook MORE and to eat LESS at In-N-Out Burger! 
• Scott has been a teacher at LSI for almost 2 years now. He is currently teaching grammar in the mornings and TOEIC in the afternoons. Scott's New Year's Resolution is to "continue to strive for excellence!" 

It looks like 2017 will be even better for LSI South Bay's teachers! Cheers to all of you and we thank you for all your hard work!

http://languagesystems.edu/

Newsletter December 2016

Editorial - Christmas and Holiday Season

By Carlos Takashima, Program Coordinator at NELA

          Halloween is over. That means the holiday season is upon us. It’s the time of the year when you start to prepare your calendar for social and family events. It’s the time when people act a little nicer and are more thoughtful toward everyone. Not all people celebrate this time of the year, but there are plenty of festivities for different cultures that happen during this time. If you have the opportunity, take the time to experience the different events going on in Los Angeles that can help you enjoy and learn about different cultures’ celebrations.
          I remember living in Japan and discovering that Christmas was about couples and Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was interesting to see how people in a different country interpret their own version of the holiday. You never know what you can discover when you take the time to learn and adapt to a new culture. So rather than stay home and wait for the season to fly by, make a friend from a different culture and see what new adventures or customs you can discover. You won’t regret it. At worst, you’ll have an interesting story to tell your friends and family when you see them again. Make the best out of this time because you may not have the opportunity to live it again. Take a chance and enjoy every second of your life. That’s what the real holiday season is about; being grateful for life and those around you.

Language Systems Lifestyle - Thanksgiving Celebration

By Carlos Takashima, Program Coordinator at NELA

          What are you grateful for? What makes you happy to be alive? Who do you love to be with? These are the questions that I think about just before Thanksgiving. The reason it’s a special holiday is because it doesn’t matter where you come from or what spiritual belief you may have. I think it’s easy for us to lose track of the things that matter most when we have so many things to consider on a daily basis. 

          I like to live my life like it’s my last day always. I always live in Thanksgiving. But for those that haven’t taken the time to reflect, it’s important that you take some time to think about what matters and what doesn’t. Focus on what you do have. Because most of the time, we have everything we need; we just forget to appreciate having it. And you won’t know how much it really means or matters until it’s gone. So would you rather wait until then? Or would you rather tell that person that you love them, or feel grateful to be healthy? Priorities matter and days like Thanksgiving give us a sense of direction.

Discover L.A. (Northeast L.A.)

Dodger Stadium

By Carlos Takashima, Program Coordinator at NELA

          

          One of my favorite places in the world is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I can’t talk enough about this place, but I’ll tell you some of the coolest things you can take advantage of for next season. Dodger stadium was built in 1962 when the team moved from Brooklyn, New York, to what is now the coolest city in the West coast of the U.S. Okay, okay. Clearly, I’m an Angeleno and I’m biased, but if you’re living in, or visiting, Los Angeles, you should try to watch a game. 

          The stadium can boast about one of the coolest views in the city. It’s not too far from Downtown, so you can take advantage of your time and visit several places before a game. One of the coolest things you can do is bring food into the stadium without any problems. However, drinks are strictly monitored and visitors are only allowed to bring sealed water bottles. If you want to watch a game, I say you try the pavilions, as they offer the best chance at catching a ball, and the proximity to the players for the price is unbeatable. 

          Dodger stadium is one of the three oldest baseball stadiums in all of Major League Baseball. It has a long history and an even better team. It’s always best to go in groups and the best way to buy tickets is online. There are many apps available to get great deals. You can get tickets anywhere from five to twenty dollars in the All You Can Eat Area depending on the time and day of the game. So take advantage of the situation next season and enjoy a good day at the ballpark.

Free in L.A. (Northeast L.A.)

By Carlos Takashima, Program Coordinator at NELA

School Night
Stay out late on a school night with this series of free Monday night concerts in Bardot's sumptuous courtyard lounge. Though the sets are short, the price is certainly right, as is the lineup curated by resident DJ and KCRW tastemaker Chris Douridas; expect a mix of local bands and touring acts like Miguel, Eleanor Friedberger, Odesza and Father John Misty. 

Bardot, Hollywood
Monday November 7 - Monday December 26 2016
FREE

Comedy Palace
This weekly comedy showcase in Los Feliz hosts one of the most stacked lineups of stand-ups this side of the 101. Located above a Chinese restaurant, the free Comedy Palace attracts a steady stable of late night show regulars every Thursday as well as surprise guests—you never know when Patton Oswalt will drop in or Maria Bamford will mount a month-long residency. It's worth every penny... if it actually cost you any to begin with. 

The Palace, Los Feliz
Thursday November 3 - Thursday December 29 2016
FREE

Language Systems Faces 

Interview with teacher Andrew Pak (NELA) 

By Carlos Takashima, Program Coordinator at NELA

1. How long have you been working at Language Systems? 
I’ve been working in Language Systems for a year.

2. What part of your job do you enjoy?
I like the interaction with students, faculty, and front desk staff.

3. What is the most difficult part of your job? 
Explaining things in a way that everyone understands.

4. Where are you from originally? 
I’m originally from Ogden, Utah.

5. What do you miss about your home country? 
I miss the four seasons.

6. Do you speak any other languages?
I speak Korean

7. What is your favorite holiday?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.

Student Article 1 

Christmas is coming

By Yu Fu (Lesley)

Christmas is coming soon. For me, I get really excited about the many NBA Basketball games on TV. You can watch games all day long as the first game starts at 9:00 AM and the last one begins at 7:30 PM. 

The first game involves two of the biggest East Coast cities in the USA: The Boston Celtics versus the New York Knicks. There is a lot of pride between these two cities. This brings out even the most casual observers. The final game involves the two Los Angeles teams: The Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers. If you have the time and money, you may want to consider going to this game on Christmas Day. 

Still, the most exciting game will be the NBA Finals rematch between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. These two teams are considered to be the top two teams in the NBA. They are also both favored to be in the Finals once again. 

No matter where you go, you should watch these games with your family and friends. It will be a wonderful time and a good way to spend your Christmas Day.

Student Article 2 

December: My Favorite Month 

By Eaint Thiri (Angela)

December, to me, is the most beautiful and joyous month of the year. Although I love the holiday season and winter fashion, they are not my favorite things. My two favorite things are the lights and setting new goals for the New Year. 

December is the month of Christmas celebration. Families come together and decorate their homes with lights and songs. I love how the season brings out generous and forgiving feelings out of people. 

December is also the month of planning. Since it is the last month, many people plan their goals for the new year. Everyone is excited and ready to start fresh and new. I feel that the month of December brings the best out of people. Thus, it is my favorite month of the year.

http://languagesystems.edu/

From a teacher to a student: Where Should I Study?

Finding the Right English School

When I was a teacher in Tokyo, I saw advertisements everywhere for English language schools. My Japanese friends would visit several schools before deciding which one to attend. Now that I’m a teacher in Southern California, I see many English language schools trying to recruit international students from all over the world. However, there is a challenge facing international students coming to study English in the United States. Which school should they choose? International students do not have the ability to visit several schools in person to see which schools would be best for their needs. If you are planning to study English in the United States, here are a few tips on helping you choose the right school:

·              Do your homework. Google some schools in the geographic area you want to study. Go through the school’s website. Look at the school’s social media activity on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Many schools now have multiple ways you can contact them including What’s App and other messaging apps. Don’t be too shy to ask questions.

·              Look for accreditation. While doing your research on prospective schools, make sure the school has federally recognized accreditation (see http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg6.html for a list) and U.S. government approval to issue I-20s for student visas.  

·              Look on the school’s website and social media. Are there a lot of postings of student outings and events? Is there information that is beneficial to students? Are there relevant blogs for students to follow or English tips posted regularly?

·              Know your goals in English.  Does the school have a variety of programs to suit individual students’ needs (i.e. TOEFL, Conversation, Business English)?  Look for a school offering classes that will closely meet your goals in English.

·              Ask about the qualifications of the teachers. Do they need to have a degree? Do they need teaching experience? The school should be able to answer questions about their teachers’ qualifications and experience.

·              Ask about the teaching method and curriculum. Is it student-centered? Are there scheduled starting dates for classes? Schools that have a clear methodology and specific starting dates are generally higher quality than schools that offer classes starting anytime with no specific curriculum or prerequisites for enrollment.

·              The old saying, “you get what you pay for,” is generally true. If a school is unbelievably cheap, chances are the classes will not be high quality.  As a general rule, it’s always best to stay in the middle and not buy the most expensive or cheapest commodity or service. The cheapest things will often fall apart because of low quality, and the expensive things are just not worth the price, even if they are good.  Look in the middle and find English classes that are good quality and suitable for your needs. Also, remember that there is a lot of competition among schools. Ask about promotions and other incentives for enrollment.  

Doing a little homework and asking the right questions will really help you when deciding where to study English in the United States. 

http://languagesystems.edu/

                            

An Open Letter to Current and Prospective Language Systems Students

An Open Letter to Current and Prospective Language Systems Students

Dear International Students,

The recent presidential election has caused feelings of uncertainty about the future among international students studying in the United States. At Language Systems, we have been hearing from current students who have questions about the recent changes, as well as prospective students who are unsure if they should come to the U.S. at this time. Here are a few points to consider for current students and those who wish to study in the U.S. in the future:

The number of international students in the United States is at an all-time high. The Institute of International Education (IIE) recently released an Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange stating that in the 2015-16 academic year, over one million international students were studying in the United States, a seven percent increase from the previous year. “The Open Doors findings show that international students value the quality, diversity and strong reputation of U.S. institutions and recognize that these institutions will give them opportunities that can help them not only in their education but also in their careers," said IIE President, Allan Goodman.  "The more we can open doors to other cultures for our students, the better off our country and our world will be.”

U.S. schools want and need international students.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, international students contribute nearly $36 billion to the U.S. economy.  Many Americans welcome and value the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of having international students in their communities. This is especially true in private and public institutions all over the United States, where international students can contribute positively to intercultural communications and understanding. The bottom line is that international students are viewed positively and are welcomed in U.S. educational institutions.

California is one of the most popular places to study. Another important fact from IIE’s Open Doors report is that almost 150,000 international students were studying in California in 2015-16. This makes California a top destination for many students coming to study in the U.S. We believe one factor making California so popular is that it is one of the most diverse states in our country, making it feel safe and accepting for international students. Plus, California schools’ extensive experience with international students is evident in the variety of services available in even the smallest educational institutions.

Language Systems has a message for all its current and prospective students. Language Systems has been in business since 1987 meeting the needs of our diverse international student population. It is evident in our many years in the Los Angeles area that we value our students from all around the world, and we are proud of the accomplishments they've made after completing their studies at Language Systems. The diversity at Language Systems has made us even stronger in building an open and culturally diverse community in which students can feel safe and confident to pursue their dreams. Be assured that you will always be heard and appreciated at Language Systems, and that we will do our best to make your learning experience valuable and enjoyable.

The Language Systems Team.
http://languagesystems.edu/