Student Spotlight: Moussa Cissoko

Moussa Cissoko is from Mali, West Africa. He has been studying here for 2 semesters and will continue to study at Nomen Global until he passes the TOEFL. After Moussa passes the TOEFL, he will study a master's program in financial management.

Moussa's English has soared while he has been studying English! He says that he "like[s] the way that we learn English here. The teachers are kind and helpful." Moussa also enjoys getting to different people and making friends from all over the world. He is actually known by 4 different names in Provo: Moussa (African), Moses (American), Moïse (French), and Moises (Spanish)!

Being able to speak and understand English is one of Moussa's greatest successes. He hopes to one day own his own business and teach in a university in Mali. In his free time, Moussa enjoys reading books, watching the news, hanging out with friends, and eating pizza. The most important thing to Moussa is to love the things that you do.

Meet Moussa and other great students like him at Nomen Global!

Summer Pool Party

After prolonged winter weather, Nomen Global students finally enjoyed the summer sun last Friday at our pool party. We enjoyed a potluck lunch with chips, hot dogs, and some delicious mustard chicken prepared by our grill masters! Meanwhile a mean game of beach ball volleyball ensued in the cool water. Overall, it was a great day of eating food, having fun, and being together. Take a look at some of the pictures from the party:

To learn more about Nomen Global and the activities we have, check out the calendar on our website.

Grammar Guide: Interjections

Interjections are the fun little words in the English language that express emotions in a way unlike other parts of speech. Interjections are not grammatically a part of a sentence. They are not common in writing, but we use them frequently in speech. They are usually set off with commas or followed by an exclamation mark.

English has many different types of interjections, all with different meanings. For example, the interjection ouch expresses pain whereas the interjection wow can express surprise or excitement.

Here are more examples of common interjections in English:

Ah! There is a snake in the bathroom!
Hmm, that's an interesting question.
Hey! Come sit with us!
Goodbye! I'll see you tomorrow!

Oh, what a lovely day!

Oh no! I dropped the flour all over the floor!
Ugh, my mom is making broccoli again.
"Do you want to come?" "Uh huh."
Well, what did he say?
Whew. The teacher postponed the test until next week.

To learn more about interjections and other parts of speech, study with us at Nomen Global.

Student Spotlight: Laura Arbiza

Laura Arbiza is from Uruguay. She plans to study at Nomen Global for 4 months, but she would like to stay here longer! Laura chose to study English to help her become a more well-rounded, better person. She enjoys studying at Nomen Global because the classes are small and the people are nice. One benefit of small classes is receiving a more personalized education.

After she finishes studying English, Laura plans to get her master's degree. Until then, her greatest success is receiving her nursing degree.

In addition to studying English, Laura enjoys listening to music and swimming. Now that summer is in full bloom, Laura will get to enjoy swimming under the sun! Laura's favorite food is lasagna. A few of her goals include learning English well and getting married. The most important thing to Laura is her mother.

To meet Laura and other great students like her, visit us at Nomen Global.

USA

Nomen Global students spent the day learning about the American side of wars throughout history at the Museum of Art on Brigham Young University campus. We split up into two groups and were taken through the museum exhibit by knowledgeable docents.

The MOA's exhibit At War! The Changing Face of American War Illustration was an enlightening experience. Through art, the American opinion of war is made more tangible for students from all different countries:

"American opinion was a key front in the wars of the 20th century, and illustrations were vital weapons in the fight for the hearts and minds of American citizens. Paintings, posters, cartoons and other visual media supporting or criticizing each war have captured the civic imagination and helped define what it is to be an American."

We had the chance to ask museum docents about the history of each piece of work. The entire visit facilitated English listening and speaking skills as well as a more keen knowledge of this aspect of American culture.

Upcoming Activities
Pool Party
We're having a pool party and barbecue! We'll have hot dogs. It will be potluck (bring a dish to share), so bring chips, soda, etc. Bring a swim suit and towel if you want to swim. Even if you don't want to swim, come eat and hang out!

Freedom Days
If you are looking for something to do over the 4th of July holiday, Provo's Freedom Festival offers a variety of patriotic activities. Our favorite is Freedom Days on Provo's Center Street. Live music, food, kiosks, and activities!

To learn more about Nomen Global and the programs we offer, visit our website.

Grammar Guide: Conjunctions

A conjunction is the part of speech that connects ideas in sentences. Conjunctions can connect words, phrases, or even clauses in a sentence. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions. Although all of these types of conjunctions connect ideas in sentences, they each have different functions.

Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are some of the first conjunctions people master when learning a language. The English coordinating conjunctions can be remembered by the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. These conjunctions can connect words, phrases, and independent clauses.

Words
We will go skiing and snowboarding this weekend.
You may buy apples or oranges at the store.

Phrases
Alice enjoys playing on the beach but not swimming in the water.
The plane flew over the ocean and into the clouds.

Clauses
Jeremy passed all of his classes, but Amy did not.
I do not like pasta, nor do I like pizza.

Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. These conjunctions also tell how the two clauses are related. Clauses can be related through time, cause and effect, contrast, or condition.

Time
After I arrived home, I ate dinner.
Scott will study English until he speaks fluently.

Cause and Effect
Nancy is getting a job because she needs money.

Contrast
Janet has long hair whereas Bill has short hair.
Although he didn't like soccer, Chad enjoyed playing with his friends anyway.

Condition
I will do the dishes if you sweep the floor.

Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that are used together to link two ideas together. These types of conjunctions are always used in pairs to show the equivalence of the two ideas. The most common correlative conjunctions are both...and, either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, and whether...or. 

Both my brother and my sister dislike carrots.
We can either play football or basketball.
Neither Alex nor Jane owns a car.
Not only do we teach English but we also teach math.
Whether it rains or not, we are having a picnic.

To learn more about conjunctions or how to connect ideas, study with us at Nomen Global!

Student Spotlight: Somang Choi

Somang Choi is from South Korea. She has been studying at Nomen Global for 4 months and will stay in the United States for another 8 months. Somang believes that Nomen Global is a great school to study English because there are so many students from other countries and there are so many friendly teachers. Somang especially enjoys the different activities that Nomen Global hosts: skiing, hiking, dancing, swimming, and going to concerts. These activities give her a unique chance to practice her English with her friends.

Somang is very a very ambitious and diligent student. When she finished studying at Nomen Global, she will return to South Korea to graduate at her university. After graduation Somang plans to be a good English teacher in Korea.

In her free time, Somang enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, cooking, and working out. She loves Korean, Japanese, Italian, and American food.

In Korea, prospective English teachers must take an exam. Somang plans to speak English fluently like a native American speaker. Somang says, "I know it's hard, but I will try and practice more." To Somang, studying English is the most important thing to her while she is in the United States. She does a great job making friends and speaking English as much as possible. We at Nomen Global wish her good luck!

To meet Somang and other great students like her, visit us at Nomen Global!

Class Review

Nomen Global offers a unique type of enrollment that allows students to begin classes every 2 weeks. Many of you have asked about open enrollment, and that amenity is available because of our unique and revolutionary 2-week modules.

What is modular education?

Modular education embraces the concept of organizing education into self-contained, individual units.

Modules at Nomen Global are strategically divided such that unit topics correspond to English ability. For example, a Level 1 student studies “Clothing” whereas a Level 5 student studies “Social Issues.”

Modules are independent of an overall subject matter; however, each module is infused with English grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Each module is equipped with a related project and assessment. Modular units can be simple and compartmentalized, yet they can also be intensive and fast-paced.

What are the benefits of modular education?Link school and work. Our modules intentionally include topics which students typically encounter in their lives. Our educational philosophy encompasses the idea of improving our students’ lives—not just their English. Because the modules are set in real-world situations, they allow students to think critically, thus preparing them not only for the TOEFL but also for life.

Enhance motivation. According to several European studies, modular education actually enhances student motivation. Because of the itemized nature of the modules, students are not burdened by the idea of long-term subject matter. The scheduled days of assessment also allow students to better organize their study time.

Prevents students from falling behind.
One of the most advantageous features of the modular system is that it keeps all students on the same page all the time. Two students can enter our school at two different times, but neither of them will ever be behind. This system is what allows us to have open enrollment.

Here is a breakdown of the classes we offer at Nomen Global. These classes follow the 2-week, thematic structure of modular education.

Writing Workshop
This writing class emphasizes written application of grammar and editing to a themed writing style and topic. Students incorporate the same grammar principles that they learn in Grammar class. The writing styles include poetry, essays, short stories, etc.

Listening/Speaking Workshop
Often voted the favorite class at Nomen Global, Listening/Speaking Workshop focuses on the cultural and social aspects of using English in the real world. Students often take the English learning outside and interact with each other in a practical setting.

Novels
Nomen Global takes an integrated approach to reading. Students read a themed or genre-related novel and write, speak, and learn vocabulary related to the novel.

Grammar
Students take a in-depth look at grammar using the Azar Grammar Series. The grammar principles studied in this class are repeated in both Writing Workshop and Integrated Skills for maximum practice and use.

Integrated Skills
Some call Integrated Skills the "meat and potatoes" of our curriculum. This class uses all four language skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, to practice level-appropriate language and concepts.

Electives
American Life and CultureBeginning level students acquire vocabulary and practice using it in necessary, basic topics.

Idioms and Informal Speech
Another favorite class, Idioms and Informal Speech focuses on just that: the everyday use of English the way most native speakers use it.

Current Events
Intermediate-advanced students discuss community, national, and world issues as explained in the local newspaper. Students not only study newspaper English, but necessary issues that are happening everywhere.

Research and Debate
For our most advanced students, a debatable theme is chosen each block to research, write about, and debate. Students learn how to write persuasively as well as effectively express strong opinions.

To find out more about the classes we offer at Nomen Global, contact us through our website.

Grammar Guide: Prepositions

To continue our discussion of parts of speech, we will talk about one of the most difficult parts of many languages: prepositions. As we mentioned in the previous post, prepositions connect nouns, pronouns, and phrases to the sentence. The preposition and its object (the noun, pronoun, or phrase) together is called a prepositional phrase.

There are over 100 prepositions in the English language; however, prepositions are most commonly used to indicate location or time.

She set the book on the table.
She set the book under the table.
She set the book beside the table.
She set the book near the table.

Each of the prepositions in these sentences indicate the location of the book.

She read the book on Monday.
She read the book during her break.
She read the book in two weeks.
She read the book after lunch.

Each of the prepositions in these sentences indication the time the book was read.

Prepositions are also used to express other ideas, either adjectivally or adverbially. The underlined words in the following sentences are all prepositions.

They talked about grammar.
Bill invited everyone except Shirley to his party.
We walked past the gym on our way to the school.
They walked through the forest without fear.
She wishes she could paint like Picasso.
The baby fell off the sofa.
I received a gift from my mother.

For a full list of English prepositions, their meanings, and example sentences, click here.

To learn more about prepositions and other grammar concepts, study with us at Nomen Global!

Student Spotlight: Rocio Navarrete

Rocio Navarrete is an experienced student from Mexico. She is experienced because she has been studying English at Nomen Global for 11 months! She will continue to study here for another 8 months.

When choosing an English school, Rocio consulted her cousin, who studied at this school about 10 years ago. Rocio loves Nomen Global because of the system of education and the teachers. After she finishes studying here, she will return to Mexico.

In addition to her tremendous improvement in English, Rocio considers her greatest success doing well in her grammar class. She loves to sleep, to watch TV, and to read. Rocio also collects frogs. Her favorite foods are Pozole and Japanese food.

Rocio strives to learn English so that she can get a great job in the future. She values God, her family, and school.

Meet Rocio and other great students like her at Nomen Global!

Dances and Sports

Dances

Nomen Global students have had a fun-filled weekend. Last Thursday we partied all night at our Spring Dance Party. We enjoyed dancing with each other, singing karaoke, and eating good food. Take a look at some pictures!

Sports 
After a night of dancing, we started off the new week playing sports. For our Monday Activity today, we took the English learning outside and designed our own sports.

We divided the students into teams of five at a park down the street from the school. Each team was given a bag of various sports items. The teams had to design a new sport using the items they were given. They wrote the object, the precautions, and the rules for their game. After the teams were finished designing their games, we all got to play! Here's an example of one team's sport:

          Rush and Catch

          Equipment needed:

• 1 Frisbee
• 1 soccer ball
• 1 baseball bat
• 3 baseballs

          Object of the game:

          Pass the Frisbee, soccer ball, and baseball to each person in the group.

          Each person will stay on a specific base (trees).

          If a team player doesn't catch the Frisbee, the person who threw it 

          must throw it again.

          Pass the soccer ball using your feet.

          The team who finishes the circuit fastest is the winner.

          Safety precautions:

          Watch the trees.

          Rules of the game:

          Don't go outside the circles around the trees.

          If the catcher doesn't catch the Frisbee, the pitcher must throw it again.

          Hit the baseball with the bat (as you do in golf) as many times you need it 

          to place the ball inside the circle.

          Kick the soccer ball until the ball hits the circle.

Here are pictures of other games that we created:

Upcoming Activities
Pool Party
Cool down this summer at our pool party and barbecue! Details to come!

Yellowstone Summer Adventure
Don't forget about our long-awaited summer adventure at the end of the month. We will explore some of the USA's most beautiful landscapes as we participate in an array of exciting activities.

Rooftop Series Concert
Enjoy some new and good music on the rooftop of a neighboring bank. It's free!

Nomen Global students continue to have great English learning opportunities in and out of school. To learn more about the programs we offer, visit our website.

Grammar Guide: Adverbs

We will continue to discuss parts of speech. For a general overview, revisit the post about parts of speech. Today we will focus on adverbs. Adverbs are most commonly identified by the -ly ending; however, adverbs can take other forms as well. Adverbs are the words that tell us when, where, why, to what extent, and how much. As previously mentioned, adverbs can describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even whole phrases or clauses.

Modifying Verbs
Adverbs that modify verbs are the most common way that adverbs are used. These adverbs are the easiest to recognize.

The car speedily drove down the freeway.
Carefully, he pulled the book off the shelf.
She was dressed beautifully for the wedding.

In these sentences, the adverbs show the manner (how) in which the action was performed.

Modifying Adjectives
Adverbs that modify adjectives usually answer the question to what extent? 

The very hungry horse ate his food in the barn.
After you yelled at her, your daughter was extremely upset.

In the first sentence, the word very shows to what extent the horse is hungry.
In the second sentence, the word extremely shows to what extent the girl is upset.

Modifying Other Adverbs
Adverbs can also modify other adverbs.

The test went really well. 

In this sentence, the word really shows how well the test went.

Modifying Clauses
Adverbs can also modify entire clauses.

Unfortunately, the store had already closed by the time we arrived.

In this sentence, the word unfortunately modifies the entire sentence.

Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs are a special type of adverb that can connect two independent clauses. A semicolon and a comma surround these types of adverbs.

The rain did not stop all day; consequently, the picnic was canceled.
Andrea broke her foot at the dance; however, she still had a good time.

In these sentences, the conjunctive adverbs connect the two independent clauses. Other examples of conjunctive adverbs are therefore, thus, nevertheless, and futhermore.

To learn more about parts of speech and adverbs, study with us a Nomen Global.

Teacher Spotlight: Aimee Berrett

Aimee Berrett is from Fallbrook, California, near San Diego. She is Nomen Global's Level 1 Grammar and Level 2 Integrated Skills teacher. Aimee started teaching with us in August last year as an intern, but we liked her so much that we made her an official teacher in January! Aimee graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in linguistics and TESOL and German minors.

Besides meeting so many different students from so many different places, Aimee enjoys teaching at Nomen Global because she loves to see the progress her students make. Even though she gets sad when her students leave her class, Aimee loves getting to know them and helping them to improve their English.

Aimee strives to develop a connection between her and her students so that they feel comfortable around her. She always makes her lessons fun so that her students enjoy learning English, but she also notices and focuses on students who need extra help.

Aimee is married to her wonderful husband and hopes to have a beautiful family with him. Aimee loves to travel. She has visited all 50 states and has traveled to 13 different countries. Aimee lived in Austria for 4 months, which experience was the best time of her life! In the future, Aimee dreams of teaching English abroad (hopefully in Austria)! She may also go back to school to receive her master's degree in either TESOL or communication disorders.

Aspen (pictured above) is Aimee's adorable yellow lab. She loves to play with him while spending time with her husband. Aimee is happy that summer is coming so that she can play outside in the warmth!

Meet Aimee and other great teachers at Nomen Global!