I’m a rare bird in the sense that I always loved school, and back-to-school time was my favorite time of the year. For most kids, it was Christmas or their birthdays, but for me, when September rolled around, I couldn’t have been happier. I do remember, however, that this time of the year was always stressful for my family, as we had so many kids in the house, so picking out new school supplies, getting new haircuts, and purchasing new clothes for the schoolyear always made our household quite chaotic and hectic. We were running around for days at a time, frantically trying to get everything done before we got on the bus for that year’s first day of school.

As you’re preparing for a new school year at the New York English Academy or if you’re helping others prepare for a new semester at another educational location, here are some helpful hints that will make your transition less stressful and get you excited for a new chapter in your English-learning career! With these tools in mind, you can ensure that your first day back will be calm so you can put your focus and energy on learning and practicing your English in New York City.

1. Practice

If your schedule includes commuting, packing your lunch, getting up early, or even dressing a bit differently than you’ve been dressing all summer, it might be helpful to start training yourself to get adjusted to this new schedule about a week before your classes start back up again. It’s easy to allow yourself to sleep in and dress as lightly as possible in the summer, but training yourself to operate on a daily school schedule again can be a bit rough the first few days. Instead of waiting until your first day of school to start this new way of life, start waking yourself up earlier each day a week before, and go grocery shopping to get into the habit of packing for lunches again. This will make your first day back at school a breeze so you can instead focus on getting to know your instructors, meeting your new classmates, and of course, most importantly, learning English!

2. Take advantage of the sales

You may have noticed that retail stores have back-to-school sales and promotions starting in August, promising to save you money on clothes, school supplies, dorm necessities, and even food. While it may be overwhelming to think about going into these stores when hundreds of other people are shopping for the very things you need, it’s helpful to check them out. For me, I always dreaded going into these stores because they would often be packed with fellow back-to-schoolers, but once I checked out my receipt and noticed all the money I saved, I realized a few hours of packed shopping was definitely worth it. Plus, since New York City is an epicenter of culture and language, you might be surprised at what you might find at these spots for tools that might help you transition into English fluently.

3. Practice your commute

You probably spent lots of your summer sight-seeing, making new friends, and essentially having fun in New York City. You more than likely got used to operating on a very fluid schedule and not really have to worry about making it anywhere on time. But don’t forget that New York City often has many variables that can make you late, even if you leave with plenty of time. Inclement weather, train delays, or even just high traffic can stall any commuter’s morning, so refresh your memory on your commute, and start practicing a few days before the first day of school. Keep in mind that thousands of other people in the city go back to school at the same time that you do, so the commute will be much more congested than in the summer, which as you know, will affect your time of arrival significantly. Be sure to leave early and allow yourself some cushion time to arrive at your destination just in case some variables outside of your control influence your commute.

If you’re looking for an incredibly fun activity now that the weather is warming up, I highly recommend checking out a baseball game. New York City has two major league baseball teams: the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Both home fields are easy to get to, and if the weather is permitting, an afternoon home game can turn an average day into an amazing one.

Baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime. It’s a timeless sport in the United States, and both New York-based teams are treasured units in New York City. Fans of both the Yankees and the Mets take their teams very seriously and are loyal to their traditions. Before you hit either field, I’m prepping you on some phrases that you might overhear while you’re there. This way, you can practice these English phrases before you go, and you’ll know how to shout when your new home team scores a homerun!

1. “Play Ball!”

Right before the game starts, the whole field will salute during the National Anthem. During this song, everyone will stand facing the American flag, and the men will remove their hats and hold them against their hearts. At the end of the song, you’ll hear people shout, “Play Ball!” This phrase will signify the beginning of the game, and it riles everyone up for a great baseball game. It’ll kick-start the whole experience.

2. “It’s Outta Here!”

If a player hits a ball all the way out of the stadium, it’s considered a home run, and it’s one of the greatest plays in the sport. It’s a huge point of celebration, and you’ll hear many people shout this once the ball is declared as a homerun. It’s a great feeling when you’re shouting this with everyone else in the stadium.

3. Seventh Inning Stretch

This is another baseball tradition. The whole game lasts 9 innings, so in the middle of the 7^th inning, the whole stadium will stand up for another song called, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” This song is meant to give the players a break during the game, and then it’s also a chance to stretch your legs, get some last minute snacks, or simply participate in a timeless tradition. Check out the song on YouTube and learn the words, so when you get to the stadium, you can sing along in unison with everyone else. It’s a really fun tradition!

4. Bases Loaded

When there are players on all bases, you’ll hear this phrase. This is a really big deal, since it means that if the next player at bat hits a home run, it means that all the players will get to run to home base, which then makes that play a Grand Slam. This doesn’t happen all that often, so if it happens while you’re there, you’re in for a great moment of celebration. It’s really exciting if you get to be a part of it!

5.“Foul Ball!”

If a player hits the ball out of bounds, it means it doesn’t count as a regular hit and the player can attempt to hit the ball again. This can also be a really exciting time, since if your seats are close enough to the field, you might have the chance to catch it and keep the ball! This is one of the coolest parts of going to a game—so make sure you bring a glove!

6.Extra Innings

If the game is a tie by the time of the ninth inning, that means the game will go into extra innings. Again, this isn’t super common, but if you find yourself at a game where this happens, it can also be really exciting just because it is so rare. It can turn into a serious nail-biter, so be prepared!

7.“Steeeeeeeeeeeriiiiiiiike!”

If a player misses a ball, it’s considered a strike. When this happens, you’ll hear the umpire behind the batter say the word strike just like this. It might sound a bit weird, but it’s another really neat tradition in the game of baseball. Once you hear it said this way, you might find that you won’t say it any differently that the umpire did.

Ready to customize your news source just to New York City? Want to make sure your information doesn’t go over your head if you’re learning English? I’ve got you covered!

Sometimes it may seem like living in New York City is lifestyle that some people just won’t get unless they give it a shot themselves. Our city is so unique in its own way that it can often feel as though we’re in our own little world. The great thing about this time that we live in is that there are so many ways to get our news now that it makes it impossible to be misinformed. And with all of our technological advances, we really are quite the privileged generation.

You might visit CNN, ABC, or other news networks to stay up-to-date with the happenings in the world, but sometimes maybe you just want to know what’s been going on in your area. Similar to any kind of local news area, New York City has plenty of news and journalistic outlets for you to engage with to stay current. Being in touch with these outlets is also a way to continue your ongoing exercise in practicing your English skills—you can be hear how other people refer to traffic patterns, listen to how the local sports team performed, and stay up-to-date with local events. I’ve listed out a handful of resources that will provide you with not only great specific information on New York City but will also provide you mental English practicing skills and exercise.

1. Time Out New York

You can pick one of these free magazines up in the subway to look through during your commute, or you could also download the app to read it digitally. This resource is geared more towards the social scene, focusing more on new restaurants, upcoming events, or trending habits from your fellow New Yorkers. I follow the magazine on my social media, so it’s super easy to stay up-to-date with the latest in my neighborhood. They also post a lot of cool round-ups and lists about the best places to get brunch, the hottest spots for karaoke, or the most up-and-coming neighborhoods for rents. Again, if you’re still adjusting to English, don’t worry about the language barrier—the writers for this publication are also very approachable, and you more than likely won’t feel intimidated.

2. New York Daily News

This resource is much more similar to a newspaper style kind of news delivery, but it focuses solely on life in New York City. You can search stories based on your borough or you can just scan the main page for the top stories. Be sure to also pay attention to their social media outlets, as the editors tend to circulate the most breaking news on these platforms, so you’ll be as up-to-date and informed as possible. Even though it’s primarily NYC-focuses, it also highlights breaking news outside of the city limits, so you won’t be missing out on outside news if you utilize this resource for your information.

3. New York One (NY1)

If television is more up your alley, check out this this newschannel. Easy to remember, this station loops 24-hour news on everything New York City related. During the morning and evening hours, the channel runs your basic news, covering traffic, weather, sports, and general news updates, while during the day, the channel will cover more specific genres during longer periods, like a half hour program covering the New York City theater scene and another that covers political updates. I noticed that whenever I’m at the doctor or the dentist, they’ll always have this channel on while I’m waiting for my appointment—it makes it easy to stay informed! If you’re new to English, the great part of this network is the reminder that the channel as a whole is for New York City, and it’s important to remember, as I’ve said consistently in all my blog posts, that almost everyone in NYC is from somewhere else. While you’re watching the weather report, someone from Ghana is in Queens watching the same thing. While you’re brushing your teeth and watching the evening news, someone from Taiwan is doing the same thing. With this, the channel communicates its information in an approachable and universal way. And just as I always say, when in doubt, download the app!

It’s a fairly common understanding that the arrival of spring is one of the most satisfying times of the year. The snow begins to melt, the sun stays out a little bit longer each evening, and the birds seem to sing louder and longer. You’re probably ready to get out of your apartment and take in the fresh air. While you’re out and about, you might overhear some odd English phrases related to spring that may not make literal sense to you. I’ll help you understand these phrases and at the same time, get you ready for spring weather in New York City.

Spring Fever

This is the feeling you get each time this year when you notice that winter is on its way out and spring is just around the corner. You get antsy, you feel eager to spend time outside without feeling miserable, and you start planning activities to do in the warmer weather. Here’s an example of how you might use this phrase:
“I think I have spring fever—all I want to do is spend time outside, look at the beautiful, new flowers, and dust off my sunglasses that have been tucked away all winter!”

Raining Cats and Dogs

As you know, not all spring days bring warmth and sunshine. In order to allow the flowers and trees to rebloom and flourish with new life, frequent rain must take place to provide nourishment for the green to reappear. As you prepare for this frequent rain, you might overhear someone refer to the precipitation to “raining cats and dogs.” Simply put, this just translates to heavy and long-lasting rain. Here’s how you might hear it:
“I can’t believe how heavy this rain is! It’s raining cats and dogs out there!”

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This is along the same lines as “raining cats and dogs:” in order for the May flowers to bloom and display new life, the rain must come down often and frequently. April is generally known for a month that rains quite frequently, while May is traditionally regarded as the official launch of spring. Here’s an example of how you might hear this phrase in a sentence:
“Even though I’m so tired of bringing my umbrella with me everyday, I have to remind myself that April showers bring May flowers.”

Have a Green Thumb

As spring comes back in full force, you start to see more green around you, even in New York City! You might pass people tending to their planters on their balconies, or you might see landscapers tending to the boulevards on Park Avenue. These are the people that understand plant and gardening maintenance, which means they have a “green thumb.” Not everyone has that skill or intuition, but it’s a phrase of reference for those that do. Here’s an example of how you might overhear someone use this phrase:
“She’s got the best green thumb! She can grow the best vegetables in New York City, better than anyone else I know!”

When It Rains, It Pours

Have you ever had a day when it seems like nothing is going your way? Maybe you start your day by getting caught in the rain, then you miss your train, and then maybe you slip and fall on the stairs? We have a phrase for this: “When it rains, it pours,” which simply means you can’t quite catch a break, that everything that could possibly go wrong, DOES go wrong. Here’s an example of how you might overhear someone say the phrase in a sentence:
“What a horrible start to my day. First I lost my MetroCard, then I missed my connecting train, and then my purse got caught in the revolving door! I guess when it rains, it pours!”

A Spring in One’s Step

This is kind of the opposite of “when it rains, it pours.” Have you ever had one of those days when you’re just in a fantastic mood, and the sun is shining, and you’re feeling jovial and excited about everything? When you’re in this mood, do you ever notice that you might walk lighter or feel like you’re walking on a cloud? One way to say this is that you’ve got a “spring in your step.” Here’s an example of how you might use it in a sentence:
“Everything was going my way that day, and I was simply in the best mood. Even when I was walking around in the streets, I had a spring in my step, and it felt like I was almost skipping!”

One of the coolest things about this time in technology is access to all kinds of music at our fingertips. Over the years I’ve discovered so many different artists and songs that I never would have been exposed to if it weren’t for applications like Pandora and Spotify. More specifically, for only $9.99 a month, you can download an unlimited number of albums and playlists from Spotify, and I have to admit that it’s worth every penny. One of the coolest features is the ability to make your own playlists: I have one that I use when I work out to get my blood pumping, one that I use when I’m trying to wind down after a long day, another that I use if I’m feeling down in the dumps, and so on.

New York City has such a rich cultural history which includes timeless celebrity influence and presence, both from the past and present day. The Big Apple has bred so many of our musical talent over the decades, and many of them have penned their love for the city by means of song.

If you don’t already use Spotify, I highly recommend you give it a shot and create a playlist with songs that have a New York City influence. Not only will this remind you that you’re a part of one of the best cities in the world, but it will give you an idea of how English has evolved over the decades—AND how beloved New York City really is. The songs reference famous sites, popular neighborhoods, general slang and phrases, and of course, their endless love for New York City.

I’ve included some of MY favorite songs about New York—they pump me up, fill me with New York City pride, and always remind me how lucky I am to be here. And if you’re adjusting to English, this is also a great way to practice your English—in a much more “rhythmic” way!

“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

This is a super popular song, and it’s incredibly catchy. Both Jay-Z and Alicia Keys were born and raised in the city themselves, so their ode to the Big Apple shines through. If you ever listen to the song while you’re walking down Madison Avenue or riding the subway on your way to work, I can guarantee you that it will remind you of how lucky you are to be a part of such a magical city.

“New York, New York” – Frank Sinatra

You actually may already be familiar with this one, as it’s quite timeless, and if you’ve spent more than three months in the city, chances are you’ve already heard it in a store or a restaurant. Frank Sinatra is another timeless New York City native, and in this particular song, he sings about his love for the city and being a part of the city “that doesn’t sleep.” You can almost FELL his passion if you listen to the song while walking along 34th Street or stare up at the Empire State Building.

“New York, New York” – Ryan Adams

This is a fairly modern song by an incredible singer and songwriter. While Ryan Adams isn’t a native New Yorker, he still sings of his lasting love for the city despite losing a girlfriend. In fact, his ode to the city sings as though New York City will ALWAYS be his girlfriend. The tune is catchy, his voice is smooth, and if you listen while you’re wandering the streets, you’ll realize you feel the same way.

“New York State of Mind” – Billy Joel

This song is a New York City classic, just like Frank Sinatra’s ode to New York. Chances are you’ve heard this one before. Go to any piano bar, and you can count on the pianist playing this song, and before long, the entire place will be singling along with every word. This is another timeless ode to the city, and if you can learn a few English phrases from the lyrics, you might easily get mistaken as a native New Yorker.

“The Only Living Boy in New York” – Simon & Garfunkel

This one is another classic ode to the city. Sime & Garfunkel is a musical duo that is celebrated wildly as legendary and timeless, and in this tune, you’ll feel the celebration of New York City with the simplicity of their melody. The song praises life in the city, and listening to the tune will absolutely remind you how lucky you are to be a part of it. The lyrics will help your English skills, as the song is timeless and legendary.

I’m sure by now you’re pretty fluent with all sorts of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, and maybe even Pinterest. If you don’t normally use these applications, I have a few suggestions for you that might elevate not only your social media presence, but your familiarity with the city as well as your English-speaking skills.

If you’re not already familiar with hashtags, I recommend looking into some of the ones below, as you might get some more followers, but it’s also a way to check out the New York City skyline from someone else’s perspective or discover a new hotspot that you had no idea even existed. Plus, you’ll soon discover multiple accounts that are dedicated to New York City scenery alone, so once you start following these accounts, you’ll be exposed to so many fantastic images and sights. It’s like a constant reminder that you’re a part of the magical city that is The Big Apple.

Here are a few great hashtag examples that will get your accounts attention as well as introduce you to other passionate New Yorkers. Don’t forget to practice your English phrases by trying out unique hashtags and interacting with other users—talking about New York City is a favorite topic by ALL these users!

#NewYorkCity
#nyc, #newyorkcity, #Newyork, #thebigapple

This is a great way to start out if you’re new to creating a social media presence. You’ll find there are thousands upon thousands of posts that use this hashtag, so it’s easy to become lost within this delineation. But again, if you’re new to this way of interacting with other English speakers, it’s a perfect opening to engage conversation with them and share your experiences with them.

Hashtags by Borough

#manhattan, #brooklyn, #queens, #thebronx, #statenisland

Once you’ve gotten used to sharing images and experiences with other New York City users, you can specify your posts more with the specific borough that you might be in at that moment. This way you can check out the other posts that others have shared from that same location. Again, this is the perfect way to engage with others that share your views and appreciation for stunning city scenery. For me, I was very unfamiliar with Brooklyn, and heading to this foreign borough was on my to-do list. Before I went for a visit, I scooped out all the #Brooklyn hashtags to get an idea of where I wanted to visit. Once I did this, I knew exactly where and what I wanted to visit first.

Hashtags by Neighborhood

#midtown, #lowereastside, #uws, #williamsburg

When I first moved to NYC, I lived in East Harlem, and to learn about my neighborhood, I would search hashtags that said, “#EastHarlem.” I used these images to learn not only more about my region, but I discovered great new restaurants, stunning hidden pockets of entertainment, and I even discovered a fantastic thrift store that I never would have found without the hashtag! If you and your friends are looking to explore a new neighborhood, see what you find when you look one up via a hashtag, and don’t hesitate to send the users messages if you have questions about their post! Don’t forget that the sole purpose of social media is to be SOCIAL! And again, what better way to practice your English?!

Hashtags by Theme

#igersofnyc, #visualsofny, #seeyourcity

This is another fantastic way to learn about New York City treasures. Once you’ve established your way around your social media platforms and are comfortable with using your hashtags, try you wings at some more complex hashtags, like the ones above. These are some examples of hashtags that very popular users utilize in their accounts, so it would be a great idea to test them out on your own. Your posts will be amongst others that thousands of others follow, so not only will you be sure to gain followers in that way, but you’ll discover so many great destinations in New York City that you never even knew existed.

Also, don’t forget to reach out to these other users for ideas or inspiration or even advice! They’ll be more than willing to give you directions, advice, or insight into their post, the destination, or even life in the city in general. There’s no better way to gain guidance than from another fellow New Yorker—don’t forget that at heart, we’re all in love with the same city!

One of the coolest part of being in New York City is knowing that your city is the subject of location for so many cultural references in television. While some shows or movies inaccurately depict New York City, I’m here to give you some of these pop culture staples that portrayed New York City properly so you can rely on these references when it comes to applying your English skills publicly!

1. Girls on HBO

Even if you’re not female, you might find this show pretty relatable as the overall theme of the program is to share the universal struggle of settling in not only in New York City, but as an adult trying to find your “place.” The show is filmed in New York City, so you can trust their references, their lingo and jargon, and you can even get a pretty accurate idea of socializing and nightlife. Watch a few episodes and you might learn a few phrases in English that you hadn’t come across yet, and you might find yourself attracted to Brooklyn!

2. 30 Rock on NBC

I’m biased with this one, as this is one of my favorite shows, EVER, even before I moved to New York City. Once I got here, however, I decided to rewatch the series and realized that Tina Fey’s portrayal of NYC was a beautiful homage to how the city really is. She talks about how interesting subway rides can be, how she adores the dichotomy of loving the city even though it sometimes chews her up and spits her out, and the footage is 100% taken in New York City instead of just using a green screen or a backdrop to make it LOOK like the city. Bonus: it will make you laugh from your gut!

3. Law & Order: SVU (Special Victims Unit)

This show has been on for almost 20 seasons, so this should be easy to catch as they’re always showing reruns. If you like criminal and thrilling shows, this should be right up your alley. It shouldn’t be a secret that New York City can be a dangerous place to live in, and this show does highlight that, so it’s important to keep in mind that it’s only highlighting it, not necessarily claiming that ALL of NYC is dangerous—keep that in mind! But the show is a peek into the world of the criminal justice system, and NYC is always one of the returning characters. Pay attention to the locations, the landmarks, and the discussions around neighborhoods. You might be surprised at how many you recognize yourself and how easily some English phrases you now use!

On the same token, here are a few shows that are “located” in New York City but don’t really accurately portray living in New York City. Either their apartments are ridiculously sized, or the character’s spending styles don’t match up with their careers—regardless of what it is, if you happen to catch these shows, take their depiction of New York City with a very large grain of salt.

1. Friends—The characters are rarely depicted at work, seem to have endless disposable income, and are always hanging around together. Not to mention, their apartments are insanely huge for New York City! It’s still a great show, but don’t take their depiction of NYC to heart.

2. Sex and the City—This is another unrealistic depiction of city living. Again, the size of the apartments do not match by scale to the characters’ occupations. Also, their spending habits and the way they only take cabs would make even the wealthiest New Yorker a bit worried for their wallet.

3. Gossip Girl—While this is a campy teen show, the program tries very hard to make NYC a main character of the show, but it doesn’t work. The characters are spoiled high school students that use and abuse their parents’ money and social standings, so as long as you keep this in mind while watching the show, you’ll know now to accept their main character as New York City.

4. How I Met Your Mother—While this is one of my favorite shows, I now understand that the show’s portrayal of New York City is also incorrect. Yet again, the characters’ apartments are way too large compared to their respectable occupations, and as a viewer, you rarely see them at work. This show will definitely draw you in and make you laugh, but don’t take their New York City to heart.

You might have noticed how easy it is these days to get your words out into the public—with the Internet, our smartphones, and social media, we’ve never had it easier to be heard. You also might agree with me that one of the most comforting things in the world when you’re going through a huge transition is to find out that you’re not the only one and that you’re not alone. You now have the opportunity to share your experiences with one another, offer each other advice and learned lessons, and ultimately discover a new confidant.

Getting Started

It might be scary at first to think about sharing such vulnerable experiences with the world, so I recommend to first write out an entry about perhaps your day, your first impressions upon coming to New York City, or even questions you have about the people, the culture, or the city itself. There are several platforms that allow your entries to be either private or public, so this way, you don’t have to expose yourself if you feel it’s too soon. You’ll also get a feel for how often you see yourself posting, how personal you want to get, and how big of a project you forsee this becoming.


The great thing about this method is that you’ll get practice WRITING your English instead of just communicating it verbally. You’ll learn a lot about your English skills if you find yourself using your dictionary or your translator a lot or if it comes to you pretty naturally. As you’re writing, you might also realize that this is the perfect time to test out new and foreign slang or idioms that you would otherwise be too nervous to try out in person. You have the chance to look them up before committing to them, and the more practice you get with putting them to use, the braver you’ll be to use them in person!

Finding your thoughts

Another great thing about blogging is that it forces you to reflect. Before I started my own blog, I was very apprehensive because it felt like I was on display, and I was nervous about that. But I sat down and just started typing my thoughts and feelings without too much worry or concern about grammar (I looked at that later), and I realized that I had quite a bit going on in my head! Once I cleaned up the “entry” and felt like it was polished, I published the piece. I obviously didn’t have a huge following at the time, but when I was sharing some of my worries or concerns, the community that I DID have was so supportive and encouraging. They offered advice, shared similar stories, and cheered me on to keep going. It was just enough to convince me to keep writing.

Finding your followers

Once you find a blogging platform that you like and you establish your profile, spend some time on Facebook and look for groups that are new to both the English language as well as New York City. Join as many groups as you can and post a link to your new, live blog (I’d make sure you have at least one post live at this point so that they can get a taste of who you are), and include a short introduction about yourself and invite others to take a journey into your experience. You might find that a lot of people will come to your page to hear about your stories to see if they’re similar to their own, and you will, without a doubt, develop a circle of support and encouragement. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn from your new followers as well as they share their own funny stories or mistakes they’ve made along the way.

Finding your reach

Again, one of the greatest parts of living in this generation is our constant connection to everything and everyone at any time. You could reach people not just in New York City, but you could develop a network of ANY newcomers to the United States as they adjust to the English language and American culture. Additionally, you also might find that you might reach English speakers that are studying abroad in other countries beyond US borders as they’re facing the exact same hurdles! While the experience is the exact opposite, the emotions and fears behind starting a life in brand new world with a different language are universal.

It’s always intimidating coming to a new city and not knowing your way around, but it can be even scarier when English isn’t your native language. Luckily, we live in a time when technology is on our side and can help us when we need guidance. There are several apps that will make your time in New York City much easier, and you’ll find with enough experience with these applications, you’ll be an expert in no time!
 

Getting Around

The first app I recommend downloading is Google Maps. You may already be familiar with this on your desktop, but I’ve found that while you’re on the go, this version can save you in a pinch! If you need to find out how to get from point A to point B, the app will provide several options for you to take depending on how you want to get there. Since I don’t have a car, I skip the driving option and instead opt for the subway or the bus routes. The app will also tell you how long it will take to get there, inform you of delays or construction, and will also give you voice-activated instructions if your route takes you by foot. Plus, Google Maps offers your choice of language, so if you’re more comfortable in your native language, you can choose to navigate in this form; and if you’re feeling confident, switch it over to English and practice! That way, you can learn how to pronounce street names, learn distance and length vocabulary, and get used to the overall pace of the city!
 
There are also several purchasing options for riding these public transportation systems. I highly recommend putting funds on a MetroCard, which can be used at any subway station or any bus stop. Keep this in a safe place, as you will be using this often! I recommend investing in an unlimited monthly (30-day) pass (this will cost you $116.50)—this gives you unlimited rides on the subway or the bus for a whole month, and you won’t need to think about adding money, running out of time, or using up all your rides before the end of your monthly allowance. Every subway station has a purchasing kiosk that will add value or time to your card. If this price intimidates you or if you feel you won’t be using it to its most potential, you also have the option to purchase an unlimited 7-day pass for $31.00. And if this is still too steep for your needs, you can pay per ride for $2.75. This quickly adds up, especially if you plan on travelling a lot, so I always recommend purchasing “in bulk!”
 

Things to Do

Another app I highly suggest is Yelp. One of the greatest things about New York City is the endless options for everything, from food to shopping to sightseeing. The options are endless! If you need help narrowing things down, this app will give you ratings, reviews, and photos of all the destinations in your options list. If you’re not sure of what you want, you can search by location, type of destination (i.e., restaurant, salon, concert venue, etc.), or even by rating! Plus, for those that are adjusting to English, this application provides language settings so just like Google Maps, you have the option to choose!
 

Weather

Lastly, this one may seem a bit odd, but I highly recommend The Weather Channel app. In all the locations that I’ve lived, I realized I’ve used this app the most while living in New York City. Since I don’t have a car, I can’t just keep my umbrella in my backseat “just in case!” If it’s warm in the morning but is supposed to snow later in the day, I have to be prepared and bring my boots. I pull this up every morning so I know what to expect each day with minimal surprises. New York City is always an exciting place to be, and the weather is only part of that reason!
 
Of course, always remember that at one point, most people were new to New York City at some point, too, and we were all a little lost and confused! I’ve had to ask strangers how to get to places, I’ve gotten onto the wrong subway, and I’ve ended up in the wrong neighborhood—it’s all a learning practice, and we’ve all done it! It looks much more complicated than it is, but once you start doing it a few times, it becomes a breeze, and soon you’ll be a New York City expert!
 

7 Pieces of Advice to New New Yorkers while Learning English:

When I first came to New York, I read all the blogs, books, columns, and articles about moving to the big city. I was a mix of excited and nervous, but I adapted quickly, and I’ve come up with my own list of wisdom nuggets, especially if English is a language you’re still working on. Remember, New York City is a giant melting pot, and we’re all a little bit different, all learning together, and all coming together in this great city.

1.Learn to take in the city:

These days, everyone is connected to their smartphones and often miss the allure of the city that surrounds them. It’s so easy to rely on our devices to navigate, research, and communicate; one of the great things about being in New York City is the multicultural presence and its openness to cultures beyond the US borders. This should absolutely remind you that you are welcome, and the city is designed for amazing sights to see—it’s meant to nourish the curiosity that you might have as a foreigner. Additionally, what better way to learn the English language than immersing yourself within the diverse city limits?

2.Invest in a set of headphones:

You’ll be spending a lot of time walking, waiting, climbing, and riding during your morning and evening commutes, and having a soundtrack for these times of the day can make these mundane tasks that much more tolerable. Plus, this would be a perfect opportunity to listen to some great podcasts, audiobooks, or even an English language-learning audio tool! However, don’t forget to sometimes remove your earbuds so you can take in all the outside conversation happening around you—this is another easy way to adapt to the English language!

3.Get used to walking—and invest in comfortable shoes:

Gone are the days that you can just hop in your car, drive to work, and be done with it. Now you have to walk to the subway station, climb a few flights of stairs, hop on the subway, maybe transfer to a different subway, climb some more stairs, walk some more—all before 9 am. Great for your cardio, but not for those brand new pumps you were so excited to wear. You may feel silly wearing sneakers with your work outfit, but your feet will thank you!

4.Pack your lunch:

It’s expensive to buy your lunch no matter where you work, but in New York City, it can be robbery. And if you get into the habit of buying a couple times a week, you could be looking at around $50 a week—and I’m rounding down! Trust me, hit your closest Whole Foods—you can thank me later. You’ll be saving tons of money, and it’ll be a great acclamation to the wide varieties of foods that the city can offer. Bonus: grocery shopping is another perfect English vocabulary learning tool, and learning basic recipes from the internet will make you a whiz in the kitchen in no time at all!

5.Take advantage of a toilet when you have one:

I know this might sound silly, but most establishments require you to be a customer before they hand over their restroom keys—so I always recommend taking advantage of a stall when you have one. I always make a stop right before I’m leaving work for the day, or right before I’m leaving the bar for Happy Hour. My apartment might just be the next time I have a free toilet, so take full advantage of it! Maybe while you’re waiting in line, chat with the person next to you and practice your “getting to know you” communication skills!

6.Let the people OFF the subway before getting ON the subway

This one is easy, but it’s still surprising how many people still don’t follow it. We can fit MORE people on the subway if we let MORE people off. You’ll get on, I promise. And if not, there’ll be another train right behind it. You might be a little close to people, more than you thought you might be, but it’s a proximity that you learn to adjust to. This is also a wonderful way to practice asking questions about the tracks, stops, and frequencies with other riders once you get on the train!

7.Don’t forget to look up and pinch yourself

Ultimately, never forget that you are in fact strolling along the sidewalks of the greatest city in the world. You are not alone as a newcomer, and there are so many people just like you, getting used to the language, the United States, and the city itself. It’s so easy to get lost in our phones, in our conversations, in people-watching, but when you can, try and look up every once in awhile, and remind yourself: This is New York City, baby. AND YOU’RE HERE!