It’s no secret that I love living in New York City; I consider it to be an honor that I can call the Big Apple my home, and I look at every day as a new adventure. It’s mind-boggling that there’s simply so much to do and see in the city, and I often am still surprised that there’s still so much I have left to do! It seems that every corner is a new discovery, so I take this job of helping you out very seriously. At one point, every person is a brand new New Yorker, so it’s important to keep in mind that becoming a New Yorker is a process—it doesn’t happen overnight, and you’re always evolving as you develop new skills, like navigating the boroughs, and discovering new businesses, like neighborhood restaurants or sites to see.

One of the greatest treasures in the city is the Chelsea Market, between 15^th and 16^th Streets and 9^th and 10^th Avenues. It has tons of options when it comes to food, shopping, and of course, experiences. Because it takes up so much real estate, you can easily spend an entire day in this market. Since it’s also so high-trafficked, you’ll be interacting with dozens of strangers while you’re there. If you’re practicing your English and looking for ways to put it to use, this is a great spot to test your skills. Put on your comfy walking shoes, because you’re about to embark on a whole day of exploring!

1. Take the tour

If you want to get the full experience of everything that this market has to offer, I highly recommend looking into booking a tour. The market caps the group to six people, so grab a bunch of your friends together so you can all experience it together. This way, you know you won’t be missing anything cool or hidden, AND as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, you can ask all the questions you want. Plus, listening to a fluent English speaker will help your translation skills, and most guides encourage questions, so don’t be shy!

2. Come hungry

The number one reason most people come to this hot spot is because of all the various food options available. Restaurants range from sushi and Italian to Mexican and seafood—you’re bound to not only find a new favorite, but go outside of your comfort zone and try something totally new! With tons of coffee and beverage spots, you’ll also be able to stay hydrated as you make your way through the food hall. Reading menus and asking questions as you approach each vendor is a great way to practice your English reading comprehension and communication skills.

3. Shop till you drop

Make sure you stretch your arm muscles before hitting the shops—you’ll be carrying lots of bags by the end of your day! From clothing vendors to souvenir shops to even produce sellers, you’re bound to uncover tons of things you’ll want to take home with you. The best part of this shopping center is that they’re used to tourists and people that speak other languages, so they’re naturally patient and always willing to help if you struggle with any kind of English translation. Plus, since you’ll be exchanging money, this is another great way to get used to our financial system—just in case you needed some brushing up on it.

4. Mark your calendar

This spot gets busy pretty much every day of the week, but be sure to still think ahead. Check out if there are any events in the area and look at the forecast in advance—rainy days typically mean a larger crowd at the market since it’s a safe haven from the weather. Also think before coming on a Saturday—this is a very highly trafficked day, so if you can swing it, come by on a weekday when there won’t be as much volume. This will give you more comfort to shop, and it will also grant you a better chance at communicating with the vendors that you encounter.

For an experience that’s popular in New York City without succumbing to “typical NYC tourist traps,” check out the Chelsea Market. You’ll eat, shop, and see all sorts of sites—and get plenty of exercise! Don’t forget your English skills to use when interacting with vendors at the market—you’ll wow your friends and feel so much more confident!

If you remember from my posts last year around this time, I tend to get a bit more jovial due to the warmer days, longer sunshine periods, and pops of color coming out of hibernation from the long and dreary winter. This is the time of year that I’ll open my windows and feel inspired to clean my apartment, pull out my lighter jackets, and head back outside after months of staying in to avoid the harsh winter temperatures. If you’re anything like me, you’ll start looking for ways to get outside and enjoy the cooperative weather and also look for unique and original things to do in New York City. If you think you’re running out of ideas, think again—I’ve got you covered with a few great ideas below.

If you’re new to the English language as well as New York City, I’ve included ways that you can practice your English while you’re at these events so your textbook learning can extend outside the classroom. From interacting with other event-goers to wishing your friends a “Happy Spring!” you’ll be able to exercise your English vocabulary and boost your confidence so you can step out this April with a little “spring” in your step!

1. Easter Parade – Sunday, April 1

Easter is another fun holiday celebrated all over the world, and of course, New York City is no exception. This year, the Easter parade starts at 49^th Street and runs up Fifth Avenue to 57^th Street. People will often come dressed in their Sunday best, as it can often be seen as “Easter Sunday Mass.” Be sure to dress warm, as this time of year can be hit or miss with warm weather! Practice your English by asking people if they went on an egg hunt or ask the children if the Easter Bunny came for a visit. It’s a jovial celebration, so you’ll be greeted with lots of smiles. Plus, don’t be surprised if you’re showered with lots of candy or goodies, as vendors on floats might gift the parade-goers with fun and seasonal treats. So “hop” on over to Fifth Avenue just before the 10 am start so you can see it all go down—and if you play your cards right, you could catch sight of the Easter Bunny himself!

2. The 9/11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk – Sunday, April 22

If you’re an active person, I highly suggest participating in this run. I ran last year, and I have to say—it was a blast, and it was also quite the humbling experience as we ran our way around the memorial. The path takes you through all over Lower Manhattan, granting you incredible sights of the city and the water. But the best part is that all proceeds benefit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, so not only will you be getting in some great exercise, but you’ll be contributing to a wonderful cause. After the run, there are tons of food trucks, booths, and activities so that you can practice your English with these vendors. You can chat about the run, the product they’re sampling, or even the weather—it’s a great opportunity to put your English skills to use.

3. Spring Festival – Sunday, April 29

What better way to welcome spring with an actual celebration that honors the arrival of the season? If you’re up for a quick trip to Queens, be sure to check out all the features available with this festival. Vendors will be setting up booths with food and drink, activities for the kids, like face painting, puppet shows, and even a petting zoo, and of course, tons of live music. You’ll be able to put your English social skills to great use by interacting with other attendees—help them with directions, ask others where they got their food or drink, or even say, “Happy Spring!” to others around you. The warm weather and sunshine tends to lighten everyone’s mood, so you won’t have to worry about getting any kind of dirty looks! So pull out your light spring jacket, your most stylish shades, and some comfortable walking shoes, and get ready to celebrate the arrival of spring.

If you’re new to New York City and to the English language, don’t worry about getting lost in the spring shuffle; these activities will not only gear you up for the upcoming warm season, but you’ll get plenty of English language practice.

New York City is a common location set for movies and television, and it’s often the topic of popular and classic songs; with so many celebrities and musicians residing and working in The Big Apple, it can be easy to relate to this content when you come across it now that you’re a New Yorker yourself! But have you considered checking out novels that take place in New York City? I have always been a big reader—I even went to college for it (twice!) just so I could have an excuse to read all the time. For me, now that I can call myself a New Yorker, I reread some of my favorite books that takes place in NYC so I can find points of recognition. By doing this, it actually made me fall in love with these novels even more! I’ve rounded up some of my favorites so you can check them out yourself. And it goes without saying: reading is one of the most effective ways to learn and practice a language, so if you’re still perfecting your English skills, reading these books will not only make you feel closer to New York City, but you’ll get plenty of language practice in, too. So make yourself a cup of tea, get cozy, and get to reading!

1. The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger

I’m starting this list off with this book because not only is it a literary classic, but this is one of my all-time favorites. This coming-of-age novel follows the narrator during his adolescence as he explores New York City and everything the city can offer for someone looking for authenticity and their own voice. While this book took place decades ago, it’s still rewarding to find parallels not only personally with the narrator, but with New York City. You might recognize some of the spots, and you will also see a glimpse into how the city used to be way back when.

2. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is another novel that most high school English classes require students to read, but despite the fact it was a requirement, it’s still at the top of my favorites. While it’s a story of the haves and the have-nots, it’s also a story of self-acceptance and living by one’s own standards. In the 1920s, wealth played a big factor in human interaction, and this novel portrays that very relationship set in New York City—what better place to exemplify glitz and glitter?

3. American Psycho – Bret Eason Ellis

If you’ve got a strong stomach for disturbing or violent content, you’ll love this novel. The story introduces the successful life of Patrick Bateman as a Wall Street professional with dark interests and habits. As he gallivants all over Manhattan, you’ll probably recognize certain neighborhoods and locations he frequents. Please keep in mind that some of this content is sensationalized, so approach with caution!

4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Capote

An easy read, this story depicts a young woman that seeks comfort at Tiffany’s—keeping up with appearances and feeling pressure to uphold a certain standard of life is all too familiar with all of us, so this one will be fun for you to consume on a rainy afternoon. As the main character journeys throughout the city, you might pick up on some of the demographic references, OR just make you want to stroll to Fifth Avenue for some shopping therapy!

5. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness – Susannah Cahalan

While this publication is not a novel, it will tug your heartstrings with full force. The author of this memoir endured an incredible medical journey – one that helped raise awareness for so many unspoken for and silent victims. Her successful life in New York City was abruptly stopped short, she was constantly misdiagnosed, and she was quickly losing her spirit—I highly recommend checking this one out. I know of one life it saved, and you just never know if it might save another!

One of the best parts of living in New York City is recognizing your home on the screen or in print. These books will not only make you feel like you’re a part of the story, but you’ll become familiar with some of the best novels in American literature—and what better way to learn and practice your English skills?

A few months ago, I introduced a few television shows that take place in New York City and how accurate they are; some of them were completely unrealistic (think, “Friends”) while some of them were a bit accurate when it came to life in the Big Apple (even “Seinfeld” was pretty accurate). I wanted to write this post about shows that currently film in New York City—you might have walked past during one or two of these before while they’re filming actually! They’ll typically close down a road, and you’ll see trailers up and down the streets for wardrobe, props, and even catering. Most times they’ll post what they’re filming and what days on the street’s telephone poles. This is enough for me to get excited about it—I’ll poke my head up and see if I can see any of my favorite actors! Taking a note of the following shows that shoot in New York City will not only get you interested in these programs, but you’ll easily pick up enough English (and New York City) lingo to help your learning process.

1. Blue Bloods, CBS

This show has been on since 2010 and has made quite a name for itself in the police procedural drama realm. It takes place in New York City, so you’ll see them quite a bit all over the city streets in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan—specifically in the East Village. This is a great way to get familiar with not only police work in New York City, but it will help you practice your English, especially your conversational phrases. Since most of the actors speak quickly and frequently with each other, their English is often clumped together, so it’ll help you get used to the speed of speaking English.

2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NBC

This specific franchise has been around for almost 20 years now, so the show has evolved quite a bit over time. Focusing on legal and crime procedures in New York City, the program focuses on special cases and how the legal and police authorities work their way through each one. The show is shot in all five boroughs, so chances are pretty high that you might run into a taping or two during your time in the Big Apple. Some of the language in this show might be tricky with legal and police jargon, but it’s still great for learning conversational terms and watch how certain professionals conduct themselves.

3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix

This is actually one of my favorite shows, and I was so excited when I learned that it was shot in New York City. The show is about a young woman that comes to the city for a fresh start, but she’s a bit behind the times, so she has to learn new fashion, new slang terms, and how to take care of herself as she also learns about living in the city. If you are new to the English language, this is also a great show to watch since you’re watching the lead character adapt to New York City but also adapt to a brand new language all over again.

4. Jessica Jones, Netflix

If you’re into superhero plots, this is a great one for you to enjoy. The main character opens up her own detective agency and follows her and her fellow agents as they adapt to this new business structure. You might also like this since it’s filmed in New York City. The show does its best to not necessarily name their town as New York City, but sometimes it’s hard to miss that it is indeed the Big Apple. If you’re familiar with Hell’s Kitchen, you might recognize some of the sights and architecture pieces in certain scenes. Even though there is a bit of a supernatural element in this show, it’s still a great way to learn some new English phrases while you’re still getting to know New York City.

Learning English during your time in New York City doesn’t necessarily have to be tedious—all you need to do is catch a few episodes of this show, and you’ll start looking for familiar scenery from the city and picking up on common English phrases and maybe even picking up some new slang!

If you guys know anything about me by now, it’s that I’m always talking about NOT hibernating and staying indoors. We live in the greatest city in the world (in my opinion!), so why stay inside and miss all the spectacular things this city has to offer? But I’ll be honest with you. This time of year, it really is very easy (and tempting) to stay inside and snuggle up with cozy blankets and slippers and just relax with hot cocoa and Netflix rather than facing the brutal elements outside. Between the snow and cold temperatures and wind, sometimes all I need to do is look out the window to convince me to stay inside. So, I say, go ahead, and give into this desire every once in a while! I’ve come up with some creative ideas on what to do indoors if you’re planning some hibernation time this January. And of course, each idea has some creative ways you can keep your English practice fresh and in-use.

1. Netflix – OF COURSE!

I honestly have no idea how I got through life without Netflix—without commercials, I can catch up on my shows, rewatch some of my favorites, or even start ones that I never would have considered before—it’s just too easy! With my friends and family always telling me, “You would LOVE this show,” I find that I’m always adding more to my queue—not a bad problem to have! If you remember in my movie post from a few months ago, watching movies and television shows in English is a really fun (and somewhat mindless) way to “practice” your English. Because your full attention isn’t on “learning” or “practicing” the language, you might find that it’s a lot easier to pick up on sayings, slang, or even common inside jokes. For example, I never watched “Friends” when it was still on television. But now that it’s over and they put the whole series up on Netflix, I easily binged all ten seasons, and then I finally understood all the jokes that people would make about the show when before they all went over my head!

2. Baking and cooking

This is something that I wish I would do more often to be honest with you. I’ve never been too skilled in the kitchen—I’m not very patient, and I never really had any interest in learning how to do anything besides making pasta and toast. (Hey, I’ve made it this far in my adulthood—I’ll be fine!) But when the weather is miserable and you want to learn to make a new dish, January is the time to do it. Consider a dish using ingredients that you already have—there are websites where you put in what you have, and they’ll spit out a variety of options that you can make with those items. Talk about a fun challenge! Or maybe do the opposite: find a recipe that looks and sounds delectable, gather the ingredients at your local market or grocery store, then challenge yourself to make it! Not only will you appreciate the time indoors, but you’ll be able to say you pulled off a brand new dish! And of course, this is great practice for your English reading. Between the measurements, instructions, and recipe shopping, you’ll be a pro any time you need to make another meal! Plus, your friends/roommates will love reaping the benefits of your new hobby!

3. Host a game night

If you have roommates or friends in the neighborhood (so they don’t have to travel far to get to you), consider organizing a game night at your place. Have everyone either make or bring a dish for everyone to enjoy (like chips and dip, hot cocoa mix, or even wine if you’re looking for more of an “adult” game night), then pull out all of the best board or card games you have. Games like Pictionary and Charades are great for large parties, and it’ll be so much fun watching your friends trying to act out or draw their favorite movies or television shows. When I was in college, my roommates and I would host a game night and play Rummy until the sun came up. It was a great way to bring everyone together for laughs—and it was convenient since we saved money and avoided the harsh weather. For your English practice, these nights are great for your social speaking skills, and honestly, your vocabulary! If you’re playing Pictionary, it’s almost like using flashcards! Perfect!

If you find yourself in New York City for New Year’s Eve and looking for something iconic to do, here are just some of the best options—if you’re in the mood to go all out or looking for an activity a bit more mellow, there’s a little bit of everything here so you can start your 2018 on the right foot! Don’t forget to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in your best practiced English!

Behind Christmas, New Year’s Eve is easily the most popular holiday in New York City. Times Square, the most-visited tourist attraction in the Big Apple, is home for this annual countdown to the new year. Thousands of people gather anywhere within the Broadway and Seventh Avenue neighborhood to get a sight and view of the sparkly ball that will drop at midnight to ring in 2018. While this is the typical activity on this day, there are so many other options to ring in the new year in New York City. Luckily, if you’re new to English, this is a great time of year to brush up on your social English skills, as many people will be out and about, so you won’t find any shortage of people to talk to! Here are some of the most popular things to do in New York City on December 31^st and January 1^st. Take your pick—you won’t be let down!

1. Times Square; Manhattan

Yup, this is the location that everyone thinks about for New Year’s Eve. While it looks elegant and festive on television, I must warn you: you will be standing outside for hours on end, in the same spot, without bathrooms or food, and you don’t want to leave your spot because you WILL lose it. If this all sounds like something you still want to do, make sure you come early, well-dressed, stocked with food, and make sure you use the restroom before you leave. You’ll be surrounded with THOUSANDS of people, so this is a great time to practice your “Happy New Year!” openers!

2. New Year’s Eve Night Bike Ride; Brooklyn to Manhattan

If you’re looking to stay away from the bar scene, this is a great solution for you! Grab your bike, as the ride will start at night in Brooklyn, and you and your fellow riders will travel over to Central Park to ring in 2018. When you arrive, everyone will be together for a fun party—and the bonus is that you got a great exercise out of it! This is a great way to meet new people, so brush up on your English “nice to meet you” and “what brings you to New York?” Just make sure you don’t drink too much so you and your bike can get home safely!

3. Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Swim; Coney Island, Brooklyn

This might seem crazy since the thought of getting into the ocean in the middle of winter is a bit ridiculous, but this event is incredibly popular with the New York City locals. These (slightly crazy) partakers will disrobe their winter layers and plunge into the ocean for a quick shock to the system. If this doesn’t sound sane for you, plenty of people go to the location to just see for it themselves and cheer on the bold and brave. Head down to Coney Island in Brooklyn so you can brush up on your English social phrases, like: “These people are crazy!” or “I could never do something like this!” or even “Maybe I’ll do this next year—it kind of looks like fun! Why not?!”

4. Keep the party at home!

If you’re anything like I am, the older I get, I find it’s more difficult to stay up all night to celebrate the holiday. Or sometimes I find myself turned off by all the crowds on December 31^st. So if you’re like me, bring the party home! Invite your friends for a decked out New Year’s Eve celebration at your place—have everyone bring snacks and drinks, play the best hits of 2017, set up a trivia game for all the events that took place that year, and toast to a healthy and happy 2018! You might find that you have more fun this way, and chances are, you’ll probably save a lot more money this way, too! Plus, if any of your friends are practicing their English like you are, what a great opportunity to mingle with these people so you can all practice together!

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year—amazing food, reunions with loved ones, and appreciation for all the blessings you have in your life. If you’re travelling out of New York City for the holiday or if you find yourself staying in the Big Apple, here are few tips and tricks when it comes to making leaving (or staying!) as seamless and painless as possible. Brush up on your holiday wish phrases before you head out so your holiday spirit stays strong and positive!

You might remember from an earlier post a few months ago when I talked about ways to travel outside of New York City—it might be helpful to pull that article up again because during the whole month of December, you might find that it’s one of the biggest travel times of the year—much like summer when everyone is taking their vacations. Because of Christmas or Channukah, thousands of people that call New York City home will be travelling all over the world to reunite with their families to celebrate these respective holidays. If you’re staying in the city for these events, be mindful of where you go in the city during the busiest time of the year. If you’re one of the many that will be travelling elsewhere beyond New York City, here are few tips and tricks I’ve come up with during my time here to make it just a little bit easier—otherwise, you might find yourself frustrated or spending way more money than you should! Also, if you’re new to English, these tips should be helpful since as you know, this city is a melting pot of international people, so you won’t be alone! I’ll include a few universal phrases that will help you get through the hubbub of the season.

1. Book ahead

If you’re travelling, it’s helpful to book your trip as far in advance as possible. If you’re flying by plane or train, you might find that flights around the Christmas holiday book up quickly, so if you wait until the last minute, not only will your options be minimalized significantly, but they’ll raise the prices exponentially simply because they can and they know you’ll pay it! Using sites like Orbitz and Trip Advisor will help you compare competitor prices so you know what the average rate is and how each company compares to one another. The longer you wait, typically the more you’ll pay. It’s also helpful to be mindful of traps—if you find a deal that’s almost too good to be true, pay attention to the fine print (here’s where your English reading skills will come in handy!), as they’ll take on tons of fees to more or less make their money back.

2. Pick times typically not popular

Consider taking a red-eye flight (overnight or first thing in the morning) to avoid crowds and maybe even higher costs. Many people travel in the middle of the day or during typical rush hour times, so these are when your airports and train stations are going to be the most congested, which will no doubt contribute to your limited patience. If you’re okay with waking up in the middle of the night or travelling when the rest of the city is asleep, it might be worth it so your jolliness will stay upbeat. If you find yourself travelling during these less-than-popular times a day, you’ll find that you may not be interacting with too many people. But still make sure you practice your “Happy Holidays” with those that you do encounter to keep the spirit alive during the stressful travel times.

3. Avoid the travel hotspots

If you’re staying in New York City for the holidays, you’re going to be in for a wonderful surprise. The city will feel oddly empty, and it will make you feel like you have the whole place to yourself! Now is the time to try out that store that’s always packed or enjoy the serenity of a less-populated Central Park in December. It will feel wonderful! Keep in mind, however, that thousands of people do in fact leave the city in some way or the other, so it would be wise to avoid neighborhoods around Penn Station or Grand Central. Avoid the Lincoln Tunnel and the FDR. If you’re in Queens, avoid the neighborhoods around La Guardia and JFK. These places will have incredibly congested traffic this time of year, so plan ahead and be sure to avoid these areas. Otherwise, the only English phrase you’ll be using is, “Excuse me.”

In the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the most treasured holidays of the year. Not only does everyone travel to be with loved ones all over the country (or in other parts of the world), but it’s a time in which everyone reflects on what they’re thankful for and takes a moment to appreciate all the blessings in their lives that they might simply overlook or take for granted on a daily basis. This is also when a huge feast is prepared with lots of turkey, side dishes, and endless desserts. Because this is such a widely celebrated holiday in the country, you might find that New York City tends to empty out a bit with everyone travelling to their hometowns. If you plan on staying in the Big Apple during this holiday, here are a few things you can do to either celebrate the day yourself or otherwise keep yourself occupied when it seems that everyone else is away!

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ironically, this is a Thanksgiving Day staple event appreciated all over the country. Families in all 50 states will tune into the massive parade the morning of November 23^rd starting at 9 am. Since the parade’s inception in 1924, it has since turned into a massive event that shuts down several streets and avenues for this monumental event. If you feel like attending in person, you sure can, but sure be sure to arrive hours early to ensure a decent viewing spot—and make sure to dress warmly since Thanksgiving can be quite the frigid day at that hour of the day! Oh, and this is a great way to practice your English, too, since you’ll be surrounded by thousands of other New Yorkers or even tourists, so feel free to ask questions or share your excitement with your fellow viewers!

2. Feeding NYC

As I mentioned above, part of the sentiments behind Thanksgiving is noting appreciation for all the blessings you may have in your life, and this reflection often triggers inspiration to give back to others less fortunate and in need. This particular movement starts working together two days before Thanksgiving to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to local communities within the city limits. Here, thousands of volunteers come together to help give back and provide food to dozens of families in need. Check out all the ways you can help, either by donating money or food or volunteering yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how humbled you are and how much more appreciative you are of all your advantages. Here, share your own story about coming to New York City and how much you’ve learned as a newcomer both to the country as well as to the language—you will more than likely connect with others that share a similar story to yours.

3. Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot

Is running kind of your thing? Check out this seasonal 5K and prepare to have a blast—this notorious run allows attendees to dress silly, whether they’re dressed up as Thanksgiving turkeys or even to unofficially kick off the Christmas season dressed up as Santa Claus. It’s also an ideal location to view the stunning fall foliage of Prospect Park and get some fresh air into your lungs, so lace up your running shoes and track down a goofy turkey hat, and you’ll fit right in! Dressing up this way is a great conversation starter, so be sure to keep an open mind and test out your English skills on other runners around you!

4. NYC Pilgrim Pedal

Running not your thing and maybe looking for a calming bike ride instead? This 24-mile (round-trip) bike ride on Thanksgiving morning takes you through Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. This event also encourages you to dress up in fun costumes, so this is a great chance to use that same turkey headpiece costume! The best part? Halfway through the ride around mile 12, the tour makes a stop at a Brooklyn diner for a casual breakfast refuel before heading back on the tour. If you feel you’re not physically up to par with those *crazy* New York City bikers, fret not, because the pace is kept at a leisurely pace, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the scenery! What better way to make friends and practice your English?

Halloween is a very exciting time of the year in not just New York City, but it’s celebrated all over the country as a fun yet spooky holiday. While the idea around the holiday itself is meant for children to have fun with it so they can dress up as their favorite superhero or character, what they want to be when they grow up, or just something scary, like a ghost, a witch, or a zombie, adults often get into the spirit as well. There have been decades of films produced around this holiday, people construct haunted houses to get everyone in the mood, and families even decorate their homes with jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, and fake cobwebs. If you’re not familiar with the tradition, it might seem odd, but it’s fun and harmless, so welcome to the annual celebration of Halloween!

In New York City, just like anything else here, Halloween is a big and elaborate production. There are endless parties and gatherings revolved around the holiday, and on October 31 each year, you’ll be surrounded by people in all sorts of creative costumes, so be prepared! If you’re practicing your English, this is a great chance for you to put your skills to use, as you’ll be in costume, so you’ll be protected by the barrier of your different and mysterious identity! Here, you can ask a stranger a question you’re otherwise too embarrassed to ask, or maybe you go out on a limb and introduce yourself to a stranger whose costume you find impressive.

1. New York City’s 44^th Annual Village Halloween Parade; Tuesday, October 31, 2017

This parade is easily the largest Halloween celebration in New York City. The organizers only allow you to participate if you’re in costume, so if you have your heart set on this event, make sure you come up with something clever! If you simply want to be a spectator, the parade starts at Spring Street and runs all the way down to 16^th Street down 6^th Avenue. The parade runs approximately 4 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch it all! This parade attracts thousands of people in the city, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of travel time and stay hydrated!

2. Blood Manor; 163 Varick Street; October – November

If you’re interested more in the “getting scared” feature that Halloween is all about, I highly recommend this destination for the ultimate thrill. With tickets starting at $40, you can make your way through one of the most celebrated and exciting haunted houses New York City has seen yet. It’s been featured in multiple television programs, magazines, and radio shows, praising its thrill level and the amount of authenticity in the experience. So if you’re looking for a good scream and a way to practice your English shouts of alarm and fear, this is your chance!

3. Your Halloween Movie Round-Up

Thinking that you don’t want to spend the money on a costume, or maybe just not in the mood to deal with the crowds? (You sound like me!) A great alternative is staying in instead, heating up a bowl of popcorn, and finding some classic scary movies to watch in the comfort of your own home. This way, if you get scared and scream, no one else will have to know! Plus, as I mentioned in my previous movie post, watching American or English-speaking films is a great method in helping you round-out your English skills! Here are just a few of my favorites:

• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• Halloween (1978)* This movie has several sequels, so make sure you start with this one!
• Night of the Living Dead (1968)
• House on Haunted Hill (1959)
• Friday the 13^th (1980)
• House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
• It (1990)* They actually JUST remade and released a new version of this, and I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll report back when I do!
• The Amityville Horror (1979)

Of course, no matter how you decide to celebrate your Halloween this year, you will no doubt have plenty of fun, as you have endless options since you’re in New York City. And even if going out to celebrate by dressing up or getting spooked is in your taste, stay in, avoid the crowds, and enjoy the comforts of being home! Just don’t forget to incorporate all your English skills into this holiday—it can be fun!

As the weather continues to get chillier and the leaves begin to fall at a much faster rate, you might be wondering what there is to do during a month that can be warm one day and pretty darn cold the next. Luckily, just in case you forgot, New York City is home to constant action and a never-ending list of things to do to keep yourself occupied. And if you’re adjusting to English, fret not, because all of these events offer plenty of ways to incorporate your learning tactics into real life. Between meeting new people by means of verbal and social interaction and reading and listening to cultural events, you’re sure to put your English skills to use for the whole month of October!

1. New York Comic Con 2017; October 5 – October 8

You might be familiar with this event, as this huge gathering attracts thousands of people from all over the country. This event is a chance for superfans from all kinds of pop culture disciplines to come together and interact with other fellow fans. From comic books and superhero movies to science fiction television shows and book series, these passionate fans come to the Javits Center in Hells Kitchen dressed as their favorite characters, called cosplay. This is also a chance for these fans to interact with celebrities, browse timeless memorabilia, and shop for prized souveniers and collectibles. Tickets start at $45 for the day, but act fast since they sell out quite quickly. A great way to practice your English? Come dressed up as your favorite sci-fi character that doesn’t speak English and challenge yourself to interact with other fans. They won’t even know that you’re practicing!

2. Cider Week; October 20 – October 29

One of my favorite parts of fall is how everything is apple-focused. I could eat an apple every day and just not get bored with the taste, so since fall is the best time for apples to be in season, I feel like I’m in heaven! With all sorts of types of apples in season, you can surely find your favorite in an instant. And even better is that during this last week in October, over 50 bars and restaurants are participating in this eventful series of events with free apple cider tastings, events, and workshops. Check out the site to see what bars are participating in your area, and bring a group of friends so you can meet other cider fans, practice your English, and get your apple cider on!

3. The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Even if you’re brand new to New York City, you no doubt are aware of this legendary ice skating rink in the heart of Manhattan. It might still be a bit too warm to ice skate when it opens up for the season on October 7, but it’s still a very monumental time of the year when this opens up for the season. You might notice an influx of foot traffic in this area the first couple of days it’s open, so I recommend coming around later in the month, and you’ll beat a lot of the holiday tourist traffic as well! Since you’re in the prime tourist location of the city, this is also a great time to put your English skills to use – help tourists in need of directions or ask other people where they recommend to get great food and drink.

4. The New Yorker Festival; October 6 – October 8

The New Yorker is a celebrated and culturally iconic brand in the media industry, and each year the magazine organizes a 3-day event in which their editors and contributors host panels and discussions with some of the most popular and culture-changing figures in theatre, film, music, and social movements. With tickets starting at $65, this event can be a bit pricey, but if this kind of content intrigues you, it would be super beneficial to attend one of these events to feel like the magazine is brought to life. Plus, what better way to utilize your English skills than listen to some of the top academically and professionally accomplished talents in our current world?

No matter what your interests are, you’re bound to find something during the month of October that will not only keep you excited and entertained for the season, but they’ll also keep you on track when it comes to putting your English speaking skills to use.