See You in the New Year

Have a great vacation! See you in the new year on January 2, 2012!

The Safest Cities

According to research done by CQ Press, the Provo/Orem metropolitan area ranks as one of the top 10 safest cities in the United States. The researchers looked at data collected from the F.B.I. on "murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault and the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson."

Out of 354 metropolitan areas in the United States, the Provo/Orem metropolitan area in Utah ranked as the number 7 safest city. Of the top 10 safest metropolitan areas, Utah metropolitan areas appear 3 times!

Take a look at some of these other popular destination cities. The rankings are out of 354 cities.

• New York, NY 115
• Austin, TX 138
• Seattle, WA 235
• Los Angeles, CA 281
• Baltimore, MD 319
• Detroit, MI 337
• Miami, FL 339

You can feel at ease when you study at Nomen Global knowing that the Provo/Orem metropolitan area is considerably safer than other cities in the United States.

If you are interested in seeing other metropolitan crime rate rankings, visit CQ Press. To learn more about Nomen Global and the exciting and safe programs we offer, visit our website or like us on Facebook.

Christmas Activities

In order to kick off the holiday season, Listening/Speaking Workshop classes wrote, performed, and laughed at some festive skits!

The beginning level sang the classic song "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" with hand-made posters and props.

We saw a clever skit about the true meaning of Christmas giving and a hilarious rendition of Rudolph's story from the intermediate level.

The advanced students taught us "The 12 Days of Christmas" and performed a skit showing us how Santa Claus really feels.

Last, but not least, the TOEFL level acted out their version of another classic story, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

After we sang and enjoyed each other's acting skills, we participated in a hilarious white elephant gift exchange. A white elephant gift exchange is a simple gift-giving game in which participants wrap a trifle or unusual gift. Most gifts cost less than $2 or are things that the giver already has. Example of the popular white elephant gifts this year are hot chocolate mugs, old and ornate jewelry boxes, back scratchers, candy, etc.

Upcoming Activities
Holiday Dance Party
You don't want to miss the last celebration of the year. Join us for our annual Holiday Dance Party, complete with DJ Manuel, dancing, food, and friends.

Nomen Global students have a lot of fun spending time together at school activities. If you want to know more about the types of activities we offer, visit us at our website or Facebook page.

Writing Strategy: Letters to Santa

In American tradition, during the weeks prior to Christmas Eve, children all over the world write letters to Santa Claus telling him what they want as gifts. In addition, children also list what good deeds they have done to merit a gift from Santa. As the holiday season is approaching, you can write your own letter to Santa using these guidelines for a standard letter.

1. Date
   The date is convenient for the recipient to know when you wrote the letter. The date is usually written in the top right corner of the letter. In the United States, it is common to write the date month day, year. Today's date would be written as follows:
   December 9, 2011
   
2. Greeting
   Choose an appropriate greeting, like Dear, followed by the recipient's name and a comma. If the recipient has a title, like Dr. or Mrs., the write that before the last name. The greeting should be written on the left side of the page.
   A greeting to Mrs. Smith might look like this:
   Dear Mrs. Smith,
   
3. Opening Paragraph
   The opening paragraph generally states the purpose of the letter. In a letter to Santa, you may want to tell him if you have been a good boy or girl. Then you may tell him that you are writing to ask for specific gifts for Christmas.
   
4. Body Paragraph
   The body of the paragraph adds details and examples that illustrate statements in the opening paragraph. For example, if you tell Santa in your opening paragraph that you have been a good boy or girl this year, give examples of your good deeds in the body. Additionally, you could list a few of the gifts you want for Christmas.
   
5. Closing Paragraph
   The closing paragraph generally calls the recipient to action. For example, in a letter to Santa, you may tell Santa that you look forward to his visit on Christmas Eve. Other types of letters may invite the recipient to write you back.
   
6. Closing
   Choose an appropriate closing, like Love, Sincerely, Your friend, Respectfully, or Best regards, depending on the formality of the letter. A letter to Santa might fall somewhere between formal and informal, so a closing like Sincerely may be the most appropriate. Place a comma after the closing, then sign your name under it.
   A letter from John Smith might look like this:
   Sincerely,
   John Smith
   
7. Address the Envelope
   In the United States, standard addresses use the following format:
   Name of recipient
   Address (number, then street)
   City, State Zip
   Country
   In a letter to Nomen Global, the address looks like this:
   Nomen Global Language Centers
   384 W Center Street
   Provo, UT 84601
   USA

The process for writing a letter is the generally the same for formal and informal letters, but the content will vary. Here is an example of a letter to Santa:

Santa Claus
1 Reindeer Lane
North Pole

December 9, 2011

Dear Santa,

This year has been difficult, but I have worked very hard and have been very good. Since I have been a good girl this year, I am writing to tell you about some of the gifts I would like for Christmas.

While I have been studying English at Nomen Global, I have spoken only English! I have done my homework every day and I have gotten As on all of my tests. I have made many friends this year because I have been very kind to everyone I have met. I invite my friends to my house often to serve them my favorite dishes from my country. This year, I would really like new books in English. I would also like more English music.

I am looking forward to your visit on Christmas Eve. I hope that you travel safely with the reindeer and that you have a chance to visit all of my friends. Thank you for always bringing me nice gifts.

Sincerely,
Jane Smith

To learn more about Nomen Global and our writing classes, visit our website.

Student Spotlight: Rafael Sanches

Rafael Sanches is one of our new students from Brazil. He has been studying at Nomen Global for one month and will continue to study for 7 more months. Rafael reports that Nomen Global has a great teaching method and that "the teachers always help you when you have problems understanding something."

Because English is the language of business, Rafael wants to study English so that he can obtain a job in a great company. He believes that English is one of the most important requirements for success in his future. Rafael is well on his way to success! He has plans to study music production, which is a field he is very interested in.

Rafael is a motivated, independent, and friendly person. Did you know that he saved money for three years in order to study English in the United States? In his free time, Rafael hangs out with his friends, works out, and listens to music. In fact, he loves music so much that he is a DJ! Rafael also loves his family and Brazilian barbecue. In the future, Rafael hopes to own his own house and open a nightclub in his country.

Meet Rafael and other independent students like him at Nomen Global!

Culture and Bowling

Culture Fair
At the end of each semester, Level 5 students research and present on a culture of their choice. The rest of the school attends their fair-style presentations to learn more about other cultures. Take a look at some of the pictures from the Culture Fair.

Bowling
Last week Nomen Global students got together for another round of one of our favorite activities: bowling! We had a great group of students show up: they certainly know how to take care of those pins. They had great scores, enjoyed good food, and competed well with each other. Here are a few of the photos from the activity.

Upcoming Activities
Holiday Dance Party
You don't want to miss the last celebration of the year. Join us for our annual Holiday Dance Party, complete with DJ Manuel, dancing, food, and friends.

Nomen Global students have a lot of fun spending time together at school activities. If you want to know more about the types of activities we offer, visit us at our website or Facebook page.

Grammar Guide: Subjunctive Mood

Once Thanksgiving is over, children all over the United States turn their thoughts toward Santa Claus. Santa Claus is the magical legend who brings good children gifts on Christmas Eve. In order to receive a gift from Santa, children must behave well all year. Before Christmas Eve, good children write letters to Santa, telling him what they wish to have. If the children are on Santa's "Good List," then Santa comes down their chimney to deliver their gifts.

Subjunctive Mood

In November, we discussed the other two moods in English: the indicative mood and the imperative mood. The subjunctive mood is the least common of the three. It expresses conditions that are untrue; it often follows the word if. The subjunctive also follows verbs that express doubt, requests, suggestions, and wishes (ask, command, demand, order, recommend, request, require, suggest, wish, etc.).

We form the subjunctive mood by using the simple form of the verb in the present and the regular indicative form in the past tense. The be verb in the past, however, is always were whether the subject is singular or plural.

• The little girl asked that Santa bring her a new doll. 
• Santa Claus requires that children be good.
• Billy wishes that he were on the Good List.

The following is an excerpt from a song by the Carpenters. Notice the subjunctive in the chorus of the song.

Merry Christmas darling 

We're apart that's true 

But I can dream and in my dreams 

I'm Christmas-ing with you 

Holidays are joyful 

There's always something new 

But every day's a holiday 

When I'm near to you 

The lights on my tree 

I wish you could see 

I wish it every day  

That I wish you Merry Christmas 

Happy New Year, too 

I've just one wish 

On this Christmas Eve 

I wish I were with you 

I wish I were with you

For more information about Nomen Global and the classes we teach, visit us at our website.