September in New York City: How to Stay Entertained While Practicing Your English August 29, 2019

You guys have heard me talk plenty about how New York City is a location that certainly has no shortage of things to do. One of the benefits about living here is that you have the whole place at your fingertips, and you have all the time in the world to see and do what makes this city such a wonderfully exciting place to be. September is one of my favorite months here, and in general, just because the weather takes a break from the hot summer days, and it’s still comfortable enough to hit the town without pulling out your winter gear just yet.

If you’re in the process of learning English and trying to figure out how you can put your learned skills to use, all of these activities will allow you to practice your English listening, speaking, and reading skills in some way. This way, you can take your classroom learnings and apply it to real life – after all, that’s why you’re in this program! So gather your friends and pick out a few of these activities to check out for the month of September!

1. Wanderlust, Sunday, September 8, 2019, Prospect Park

If you’re into wellness, yoga, or even general exercise and movement, this is the event for you. Starting with a 5K run or walk, you’ll transition into a massive 90-minute yoga class with hundreds of other attendees, and then close the experience with a huge dance party and guided meditation. This is a great opportunity for you and your friends to cleanse your bodies of negativity, maybe a day of indulgence, or even just to relax and unplug for the day. It’s all about peace and mental tranquility on this day. Given the huge attendance that this event attracts, this is a great way to meet new people and put your English skills to use. Be sure to practice your “Namaste!”

2. Brooklyn Book Festival, Monday, September 16 – Sunday, September 22, 2019

If you’re a reader (like me!), this will really be your jam. This week’s worth of events brings together some of the most amazing current and legendary writers from across the world to talk about literature, culture, and the human experience. There are tons of things to do during this week, so this is a great opportunity for you to brush up on your English reading skills and come prepared for discussions on your favorite pieces of work, favorite writers, or to simply share some of your stories about your own experiences. It’s also a great time to mingle with other book lovers, so be open to your English-speaking skills! Everything is welcome this week, so don’t be shy! (And don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes – this event has a lot of strolling and walking around Downtown Brooklyn!)

3. Museum Day, Saturday, September 21, 2019

One of the best parts about being in New York City is the easy access to all the wonderful museums that are timeless and attract people from all over the world. Even though we live here, however, that doesn’t mean that we frequent them as often as we’d like. But this is the day in which we should all be taking advantage – participating museums provide free entry on this day, so be sure to check out the list and design your itinerary for the day so you can hit up as many as you can. You’re certainly in for a full day of learning and cultural exposure. Given all the tours and guides, you’ll easily put your English reading and listening skills to use. Be sure to ask questions along the way so you can practice your speaking skills, too!

When September hits, you’ll notice that things seem to somewhat go back to “normal.” The kids are back in school, and the adults are done taking their summer vacations. Rush hours are full again, and the light crisp in the air might get you inspired to get excited for the upcoming fall season. For me, there’s nothing better! As I always say, there’s always something going on here in the Big Apple – all you have to do is do a little research, and you’re bound to find something that will interest you. And more than likely, you’ll find an activity that will challenge your learned English skills, and what better way to put those learned skills to use than back in the real world!