Students in PC TECH’s ESL classes find that comparing customs and etiquette from various countries and cultures can be fascinating.  Here is an example:

People from different countries have different cultures.  When you have friends from different countries, it is very important to know some of their traditions and the basic rules for what they consider good manners in their countries.   Nobody wants to come to somebody’s house and make a bad impression on the whole family.  And that would not be because you don’t know the simple rules of etiquette.  It would be because you don’t know enough about their culture.  I want to write about the simple rules of etiquette when you are invited to dinner in the Dominican Republic.  So if you want to make a good impression, follow these suggestions:

Let’s say you are invited to a dinner at 5 p.m.  The first question is what time should you arrive?  In the Dominican culture, never arrive early because hosts would not be ready to greet you.  The best time to arrive is on time or around thirty minutes late.  You should bring a gift too.  It can be good liquor or an additional dish that you cooked yourself.  Dress in something nice and attractive, but don’t dress in an overly casual style, as in jeans or a t-shirt.  Don’t take off your shoes when you enter the house.  It is bad manners in the Dominican Republic.  In Dominican culture, on a traditional dinner table you will always will see two kinds of rice (white and brown), beans, salads, and two kinds of meat.  Drinks can vary: soda, wine, water, or fresh juice.  Dominicans serve their table in family style, so you can put on your plate whatever you want.  After you finish your first plate, always ask for seconds, because in this way you show that you really like their food.   Never take your dishes to the kitchen.  Hosts could consider that disrespectful, because you are their guest.  Smoking after dinner when nobody else smokes is also bad manners.

Now one of the most important questions is how long you should stay after you have finished dinner.  Usually, if hosts invite you not only for dinner, you can stay late.  If not, stay around thirty minutes more.  Never leave immediately after dinner!  Hosts can think that you come only to eat and they won’t invite you again.   Topics for conversation can be varied.  But do not discuss political points of view.  The Dominican people are very passionate about this and usually different political points of views can cause arguments or even fights.

I hope that after you read these simple rules you are ready for dinner with Dominican friends.  Follow these instructions and you will make a very good impression!

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

English language learners discover that sharing classes together at PC TECH is a fine way to develop friendships with an international flavor.  Here are some common-sense tips for forming new relationships:

Every person has the need to communicate with other people. We all need someone whom we can trust, share our secrets, and be close when we need help.  Those people we call friends.  With those whom we have been friends with since the childhood, we know how to behave and what to talk about.  Despite that, sometimes we need to expand our social circle: meet new people and become friends with them.  However, without knowing the basic rules of communication with new people, we might fail to realize our needs.  Therefore, in order to make friends with someone, you should remember several rules that will help you to succeed and establish good relationships with people.

First of all, you should be a good listener.  People who have the ability to listen usually make friends very easily.  Being a good listener means to listen and to hear what the other person tells you.  This is a very important part of  good communication. By paying attention to a person’s words and asking questions based on what you hear shows that you are really interested in conversation.  Also it will give you an opportunity to know a person better, because people love to talk about themselves when they are listened to.

Another very good tip for making friends is having a good sense of humor.  People who have this great ability have always been found attractive.  If a person can make you smile when you want to cry, isn’t he or she the one who is considered a good friend?  Of course, yes.  No matter how people are attractive physically, if they have a good sense of humor, they will always be interesting.

The third very important rule is body language.  We express our feelings by using nonverbal communication.  Sometimes this type of communication has more value than the words you say.  When having a conversation, people look into each other’s eyes, perceive the tone of voice, intonation, facial expression, and gestures. If you are invited to a party, don’t fold your arms or stay in the corner or the back of the room.   Don’t look troubled and disinterested, because this will alienate people from you.

One of the most important parts of nonverbal communication is a smile.  It has always been associated with openness, happiness, and kindness.  “Friendship starts with a smile,” as is sung in an old Russian song.  And this is absolutely true.  So don’t forget to smile!

And the last very important tip is just being a good friend.  If someone close to you needs your help or a shoulder to cry on, be there, be next to him or her.  Pay attention to this person and perhaps very soon you will find a friend who will help you in return.  People often say that you start knowing your real friends when you get into trouble.  This is true.  You always expect someone to help and simply support you.

In conclusion, making new friends is a very important part of our lives.  We need friends to help us feel more safe, happy, and calm. Real friendship is a gift, and true friends are those who reflect us.  So before considering expanding your social circle by making new friends, you should ask yourself if these people are those with whom you really want to become friends. Think about it.  And if yes, use these simple rules that will help you to succeed.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

PC TECH staff member Tamila compares her life in Russia with her current residence in New Jersey:

I never thought that one day I would leave beautiful and never-sleeping Sochi for a quiet life in suburban New Jersey. However, that day came.

I was driving from JFK airport to New Jersey.  As for any person who leaves a big city, it was very difficult for me to adjust to this suburban life.  However, almost five years have passed now, and I find Fair Lawn, my new hometown, the place that I never want to leave.

My parents had moved to Sochi long before I was born.  They held jobs in the city, so they never planned to move anywhere else.. Life in Sochi is a life of never-ending noise, hurrying people, and endless traffic.  Despite all that, it opens a huge opportunity for entertainment: theatres, museums, shopping centers, etc.  Comfortable transportation, such as the subway, takes you to any point in the city. My parents and I loved the rhythm of Sochi and appreciated all the opportunities that it presented.  I could study at the most prestigious universities and schools without leaving my family.  And I really enjoyed being at concerts of the most famous celebrities, because they all visited the city.

However, like most people in Sochi, my family and I felt unsecure because of different crimes that happened every day.  If I was out of the house, I had to call my parents every hour and always come home before ten o’clock.  As for the people, they are not so friendly and open. Life in a big city has each person separated rather than as a part of a friendly community. Nevertheless, when you grow up in such environment, you get accustomed to this life and never notice that.

            In contrast, life in the suburbs is totally different.  Based on my experience, I can describe it as a small place of paradise, where you can relax.  I enjoy living in Fair Lawn.  Of course, at first, I missed my life in Sochi.  For me it was unusual to see so many trees, grass, and even squirrels jumping across the roads.  And most of all, I was shocked by the silence: you can sleep with open windows on summer nights without worrying about outside noise.  Here you will not see big crowds of people or people walking and driving after midnight.  People who live in my town are very friendly and will always help you if you ask them.   I know all my neighbors and sometimes we organize barbeques together. I love this feeling of being a part of a small friendly community.  With all that, life in the suburbs does not limit you to a choice of places where you can go.  Here are so many good restaurants, movie theatres, shopping malls, and more.  Another important aspect of living here is security, because everybody knows one other.

In conclusion, now if I had to choose where to live, I would never choose a big city. Comparing my life in Sochi and here in New Jersey, I have come to the conclusion that the quiet and safe life here attracts me more than the lights of a big city.  Since New York is very close, I can always go there for entertainment and spend the whole day there.  However, when I come back to my town, only then I feel at home.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Tamila came to us from Russia, sharing her experiences as an English language learner:

Have you ever wanted to visit a country that is thousands of miles away?  Well, I would guess yes.  During my childhood, my greatest dream was to see New York City.  So I registered for a language school, applied for a visa, and soon I was walking out of JFK airport.  You know, the funny thing is that many people who study English in their home countries are pretty sure that they will at least be able to understand something once they come to an English-speaking country.  And this was what I thought: of course, I had been studying the language for ten years in Russia!  However, when a taxi driver asked me where to go, I barely could tell him the address. I was terrified!  I was eighteen, and I was alone in one of the biggest cities in the world.

The next day I started my ESL program at the language school.  The only thing I hoped for was that the program would help me to improve my English.  However, the school itself did much more.  First of all, I realized that I am not the only person who was nervous to be here.  I made a lot of friends from different parts of the world with whom I still keep in touch.  Later, I even visited them: I was in Japan, South Korea, and France.

Second, I really improved my English.  And I guess I will be forever thankful to my ESL teachers: because of them, I was able to study further and get my associate degree.  Third, my first four months in NYC was a time of great exploration, fun activities, and learning about different cultures.  Where else you would have the opportunity to learn about so many cultures at once?  Well, this is the place.  Finally, the most important thing that has happened to me was that I’ve become more confident about myself (hey, not every girl would come here at eighteen =)), because I realized that if a person really wants to do something, he or she will do it.

So it’s been already six years that I am here.  Many things have changed since that time. However, I have never regretted coming here.  What I want to say is that you should never hesitate about going somewhere, seeing something, and exploring things.  I know you might be scared at the beginning and that’s normal.  However, soon you will realize that it probably be the most exciting experience in your life!

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Tamila, one of PC TECH’s staff, shares her affectionate thoughts about her grandmother:

“Women have always been the strong ones of the world.”

— Coco Chanel.

For many generations the world has been ruled by women. Only we know how much power we have inside.  How strong we are.  In my family, one of the best examples of a strong and powerful woman is my grandmother Rosa.

Remembering all difficult moments in her life that she had been through, I am still wondering how she found enough strength for all this.  My grandmother was born in 1932.  When World War II began, she was only nine years old.  Her father went to war, and after that she never saw him again.  When she was twelve years old, she started work in a hospital.  It was at that time that she met my grandfather. They got married when she was fourteen.  And later she gave birth to four beautiful children.  One of them was my mother.  Everything seemed to be perfect, but my grandfather died in a car accident.  It was a very hard time for Rosa; suddenly she was left alone with four kids.  She was uneducated, so it was impossible for her to find a better job.  Sometimes there were days when they didn’t have anything to eat.  But Rosa never gave up.  Later, with her friends’ help, she finished professional nursing courses, got her license, and opened a small private clinic, which became very busy.  It saved her family.  She had always been a hard worker. But working all day in her clinic, she never forgot about her children.  She gave them all her love and warmth. They grew up as wonderful people.

Now my grandmother is 80 years old.  And she is one of the most energetic people that I have ever seen!  She got married a second time ten years ago.  She exercises every morning, eats healthy food, and takes dance classes.  Looking back on her life, she has no regrets to what she went through. “Sometimes life is hard,” she says, “but you always have to stay strong.” And every time I see how she smiles, I believe her.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Here is an example of a speaking and writing activity called “Mood Pizza,” used at PC TECH:

Materials:  Each group of students gets a “Mood Pizza” pie.  Each slice of the pie is labeled with an adjective expressing a mood;  for example: happy, sad, afraid, surprised, hopeful, hopeless, etc.

In addition to the pie itself, the students get “toppings” to put on the pie;  for example: frustrated, disappointed, elated, ecstatic, disappointed, astonished, etc.

Method:  First, the students select different slices from the pies.  They must tell their story to reflect the mood of their slice.  Next, they write down the story.  Together the students add toppings to their slices that will match the mood of their story.  Next, they must add the topping vocabulary to their story.  Finally, each student reads his or her story out loud and the other students decide if other toppings can be added to the story.

At PC TECH, your teachers will show you similar word games and other exercises to help you improve your English skills.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Michelle, one of PC TECH’s excellent instructors, writes about an experience shared by many people as they travel internationally:

Cuernavaca, Mexico

Cuauhnahuac, Language Cultural Institute – Spanish Program

It was the first day at Cuauhnahuac, where I had come to study Spanish.

I needed lodging, so I decided to ask the director of the school

to help me and said in Spanish, “Quisiera hablarte de casamiento.”

I had wanted to say, “I would like to talk to you about housing.”

I knew the word for house was casa and I also knew that many

words ended in -miento.

Everyone began to laugh and I didn’t understand why.  I asked

what’s so funny and they said, “You asked him to talk about marriage.”

Could you imagine the first time I spoke to the Director, I mentioned

marriage?

I was so embarrassed, and of course I said “Estoy tan embarazada.”

“I’m so embarrassed.” and what I really was saying was

“I am so pregnant.”  The Director and the teachers began to howl

with laughter.

What a coincidence.  First I talked about marriage

and then pregnancy.  What a way to introduce myself!  And I was

trying to impress them with my knowledge of Spanish.

I like to tell my students this story and other stories of my mistakes

because then they feel I’m human and they begin to relax and

realize it’s OK to make mistakes in English.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City