Archive for September, 2010

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

This week started out with a very unusual Monday. ELC Los Angeles staff, teachers and students celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day. We practiced phrases such as ‘Ahoy, me hearties!’ and students collected pirate vocabulary sheets. We were also keen to look the part, and  fake mustaches, eye patches and pirate tattoos (temporary, of course!) were enthusiastically worn by teachers and students. Some students had already heard of talk like a pirate day and other students were very bemused to see their teachers kitted out in pirate garb. We hope that it got students in the mood for Halloween, as ELC loves to celebrate the famous American holiday with costumes and games! If you’d like to get into the spirit of talk like a pirate day, see below for the vocabulary sheet that director of courses Jessica Roehrig put together…

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Here’s some lingo to get you started…

Ahoy – Hello
Arr! / Argh / Arrgh! / Yarr! / Harr! – A general piratical term
Aye – Yes. “Aye, aye captain!”
Batten down the hatches! – Shut your mouth
Blimey! – Used to express frustration.
Bucko – A friend.
Dead men tell no tales – Phrase explaining why pirates leave no survivors.
Gangway! – Used to clear a passage through a crowded area.
He’s gone to Davy Jones’s locker – He is dead.
Lad – A boy or young man.
Lass – A girl or young woman.
Matey – Friend. A way to address another pirate you are familiar with.
Me – My
Me hearties – a term of familiar address and fellowship among sailors.
Scallywag – A deceitful and unreliable scoundrel.
Shiver me timbers! – An expression of surprise.
Sink me! – An expression of surprise.
Splice the Mainbrace! – To have a drink, or perhaps several.
Walk the plank – a piratical execution
Ye – You “Ye be walking the plank!”
Yo-ho-ho – Completely meaningless, but fun to say.

Or just people wearing eyepatches and using pirate lingo...

My Homestay Experience

When we want to learn another language, we need to be exposed to it. I think that classes are not enough to learn it. The environment of the classroom is different from real life. Thus, the perfect combination for learning another language consists of classes plus practice outside of school. For instance, living with a homestay family is the best way to improve your English skills in addition to classes.

Living with a family gives you the opportunities to practice English in many ways, such as listening, conversation, argument, etc. With the family, you also are able to learn about American culture, to know about Boston, to meet other people, etc.

In my case, I have really enjoyed the time with my homestay family. They are a young couple with an adorable son. She is chef; as a result, we always have delicious plates for dinner both at home and at her café.


She is the owner of a café in the same neighborhood where we live. If you want to eat her fabulous food, you must go to Dot 2 Dot at 1739 Dorchester Avenue. Here you can eat the best breakfast, brunch, or dinner (dinner is only served on Thursdays and Fridays) that you have ever eaten in your whole life. Before leaving Boston you need to eat at this place.

They made me feel part of the family – for example, inviting to activities, introducing me to their friends and neighbors, etc. They really like to have students in their home; they have the opportunity to speak with them and, at the same time, they enjoy being part of the student’s process of learning a second language. In general, both parts – the students and the family – get different experiences together. As the saying does, “Everyday we learn something new.”

Contribution from Astrid (Puerto Rico) from Aayesha’s Advanced Reading & Writing class

Dot2Dot Cafe

Things To Do in Boston: Shopping!

Boston is a special city. It is excellent for shopping; if you visit Boston do not go to the stores, it’s like you have never been in this amazing city of the United States. You have here different places to do that. You can go shopping inside of outside and get any kind of gift for your relatives and friends.

  1. Prudential Center. This is located on Boylston Street, so it is in walking distance from ELC!!!! There are many different stores; you can find anything from souvenir shops to expensive brands and restaurants, etc. This mall is excellent for walking and shopping in any season. If it summer, it’s perfect for the air conditioning. If it is winter, you can get here a warm place to enjoy while you are enjoying any kind of food or store
  2. Newbury Street. It is a special street!!!! If you are looking for a more exclusive shopping experience such as Giorgio Armani Boutique, Banana Republic, Guess, Ann Taylor, etc., you should definitely check it out. All of these in ONLY one street!!!! You can also find a special store here: Second Time Around. In this store, you can get contemporary and designer clothes second hand.
  3. Downtown Crossing. Students, this place is very good for you because you can buy many things for less!!! If you like bargain hunting, you should go shopping in Downtown Crossing. Take the orange line and you will be around a lot of stores!

Contribution by Astrid (Puerto Rico) and Reto (Switzerland) from Aayesha’s Advanced Reading & Writing class