Distance Learning is now in Room 29!

Distance Learning has moved to a new room!   We are now in Room 29.  We have more space and will soon have some new offerings.

As always, call 650 - 558 - 2128 to make an appointment in Distance Learning.

We are here to help you improve your English!

Connect with English Is Now On The Internet

Now you can watch Rebecca's story on the Internet!

Connect With English is a wonderful ESL series.  Follow Rebecca as she pursues her dream - and improve your English!

Go here to watch the episodes and do the interactive activities.

How To Use Distance Learning

Do you want to study English at home with Distance Learning?

Great!

How do you get started?

1.   Call 650 - 558 - 2121  and make an appointment

or

2.  Visit Room 29 and make an appointment.

What happens next?

1.   Come to your appointment!  Arrive on time.  You will have twenty minutes at your appointment.

2.   The teacher will register you.  Fill out the registration form.  Distance Learning is FREE, like all our ESL classes.

3.  The teacher will ask you questions about what you want to learn and your English skills.  Answer the questions.  Talk with the teacher.  The teacher will decide which program is right for you.

4.  The teacher will give a DVD and homework. 

5.  Make an appointment on the calendar for your return.

6.  Watch the DVD at home.  Do the homework.  Study and practice.

7.  Come to your return appointment.  The teacher will check and correct your homework.  The teacher will practice English with you and help you improve.  The teacher will give you another lesson.  You will make another return appointment.  Go home and watch the DVD at home.  Do the homework.  Study and practice.

8.  Repeat!

Here are the people who work in Distance Learning:

Teacher Carolyn works
Mondays: 8:30 am to 3 pm
Thursdays:  8:30 am to 4 pm
Friday:  8:30 am to 3 pm

Teacher Jay works
Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.

Teacher Cynthia works
Monday evenings from 5 to 9:30 pm
Tuesdays 8:30 am to 5,
Wednesdays 8:30 to 4:30 pm

Here is Student Leader Daniel with Teacher Katherine - on the right!
Katherine works Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 pm.

Toshio works in Room 28.
He takes care of all the CASAS testing.
He also helps students make appointments in Distance Learning.

Improve Pronunciation

Most ESL students want to improve their pronunciation.

There are many good videos on Youtube to help you.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1.  Rebecca Linquist. 

You can find her Youtube Channel here.  Her Youtube channel has many, many videos.

I like Rebecca Linquist because she gives very helpful, very specific instructions, and has a very sensitive approach.  She is always learning new things and then blending what she learns into new videos to help students.

Here is a video with mouth exercises to help you sound more American.

She also has many videos with advice for speakers of different languages.  For example, here is a video for speakers of Spanish and Tagalog:

2.  The Pronunciation Doctor - Marsha Chan.  You can find her Youtube channel here.

 

Marsha Chan is a professor at Mission College in Santa Clara.  I love her because she gives wonderful tips and advice - and she is funny.  Humor is a great way to relax - and being relaxed is a big help in learning a new language and improving pronunciation.

If you like her teaching style, you can ask your teacher to look at her blog with advice for ESL teachers.

Here is a sample of the Pronunciation Doctor:

 

3.  Amy Walker.  Here is her Youtube channel. 

Amy Walker is an actress and vocal coach.  She gives advice to develop many different accents - not only American.  She also gives advice for many different American accents (Southern, New York, West Coast, etc.).   And she gives advice for specific things like vowel sounds.

Here is a sample of her tips for American Accent - Vowel Sounds:

4.  Type, "American accent for (your language)" into Youtube and see what you find.

For example, when I type, "American accent for Chinese speaker," I find:

How about if I type, "American accent for Arabic speaker"?  I find our old friend Rebecca Linquist.  She has a lot of these videos.

Try it yourself.   See what you find on Youtube.   Try different videos.  Find what you like.

If you find something good, share it here on a comment.

Have fun and improve your English speaking power!

We're Here and Ready to Help You!

Too busy to come to school?

Working too much to attend class every day?

Taking care of young children?

Or maybe you come to class every day but you want more?

We have the answer for you:

       Study at home with Distance Learning!

Watch a dvd and do homework in the comfort of your home.  Then bring your homework to school for correction, advice and practice with your teacher once every week or two weeks.

If you are already enrolled in an ESL class at San Mateo Adult School, Distance Learning is free.

If Distance Learning is your only class, the fee is $30 per semester.

Interested?

Call 650 - 558 - 2128 or stop by Room 28 to make an appointment to get started.

Vacation Break

The last day of school is Friday, July 30th.

No classes for FOUR WEEKS in August.

The first day for Student Registration is Monday, August 30th.

The first day of class for Distance Learning and Citizenship is Monday, August 30th.

The first day for Regular ESL classes is Tuesday, August 31st.

If you need to visit the office in the SMART Center, you can visit August 2 - August 6 and
August 23 - August 27 from 8 am to 4 pm.

If you have questions about the Adult School or ESL classes, you can visit the SMART Center or call 650 - 558 - 2100.

Flea Market - Saturday July 17th 9 am to 2 pm

Read more about it here.