Student Spotlight: Shirlei Lima


Of all the students at Nomen Global, Shirlei Lima has probably been here the longest! Shirlei is originally from Brazil, but she has been studying English in Provo for 3 semesters. She intends to remain at Nomen Global for another semester. Shirlei is learning English for three reasons: (1) She loves it; (2) English is very important in today's society; (3) She wants to get her master's degree in the U.S. 

Shirlei has already graduated in business from a Brazilian university, which is one of her greatest accomplishments! She is currently working on applying to graduate programs in the United States. While she is waiting, Shirlei has enjoyed her time at Nomen Global because she says that the teachers make the students feel more comfortable. They are not just teachers; they are the students' friends. 

In her free time, Shirlei thrives outdoors. She loves all kinds of outdoor activities, and she can find so many great things outside in Utah. Her favorite dish is feijoada (the national dish of Brazil) made from beans and pork. Shirlei is also a fabulous dancer! She loves Zumba and is thinking about becoming a Zumba instructor one day. Above all, Shirlei believes that family is the most important.

In the future, Shirlei would love to start her own business. Because we know that she has international experience and a great business education, we know Shirlei will do great! 

To meet Shirlei and other well-rounded students like her, visit us at Nomen Global! 'Like' us on Facebook to learn more about our activities and our students.

Friday Night Parties

When we hear "party" at Nomen Global, we all know what to do! This weekend, we hosted a party complete with food, foosball, ping pong, dancing, socializing, and more! It was the perfect night to say 'hello' to the students who are new and say 'goodbye' to the students who are moving on. Good luck to everyone! Take a look at some of the pictures we took that evening.








To learn more about Nomen Global and the activities that we offer, visit our website and our Facebook page.

Grammar Guide: Prepositions of Time

Every four years, one extra day is added to the Gregorian calendar in order to make our calendar year aligned with the astronomical year. Normally, a year has 365 days; however, since it takes a few hours longer to get around the sun than that, we add an extra day to our year. On a leap year, a year has 366 days.


Prepositions of Time
Prepositions in English are some of the hardest words to learn because many prepositions are idiomatic and don't necessarily follow grammar rules. There are, however, some rules that make remembering prepositions easier--but there are many!

Today we will discuss the prepositions of time in, on, and at

In
We use the preposition in for centuries, decades, times of year, months, and general times of day.
  • Leap year originated in the time of Julius Caesar
  • There was no leap year in 1900, but there was a leap year in 2000.
  • Leap day occurs in February because it is already the shortest month.
  • Janet forgot about leap day until she arrived at the bank in the afternoon.
On
We use the preposition on for calendar dates and days of the week.
  • Leap day will occur on February 29, 2012.
  • This year, leap day is on Wednesday.
At
We use the preposition at for clock times and specific times of day.
  • When I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning, I thought it was March 1.
  • I found out that it was still February when I talked to my friends at lunch.
Exception! The preposition at is also used for night, even though night expresses a general time of day.
  • We read about the history of leap year before going to bed at night.
Learn more about English prepositions and holidays at Nomen Global. 'Like' us on Facebook for more information about the school and our activities!

Teacher Spotlight: Aileena Thomas


If you haven't met Aileena Thomas, come to Nomen Global at night! She is one of our dedicated teachers for our night classes. Aileena has been teaching at Nomen Global for several years and she loves meeting students from all over the world.

Before Aileena taught night classes, she lived in both Japan and Korea teaching English for one year each. She fell in love with Asian culture and continues to learn about other cultures all over the world.

In addition to learning about cultures, Aileena loves learning about (and eating!) food from around the world. She is a wonderful chef and enjoys trying to cook new dishes from different cultures, including Korean, Italian, and Indian.

Aileena spends most of her free time with her daughter, but also enjoys shopping, dancing, and spending time with friends.

Get to know Aileena and other hardworking teachers like her at Nomen Global! 'Like' us on Facebook for more information about the school.

President's Day History

George Washington, born on February 22, was the first President of the United States. He commanded the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and was chosen to be the leader of this country after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Many people respected George Washington for being a great leader and for helping the United States learn to be independent. 
Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, was the sixteenth President of the United States from 1861 to 1865. He was elected President at a very difficult time in the country, during the American Civil War. He also helped abolish slavery in the South. Many historians believe that Lincoln was one of the greatest Presidents of the United States.

The US holiday, President's Day, was actually first called "George Washington's Birthday" for many years. It wasn't until the mid-1900s that the US Congress decided to change the name to honor Abraham Lincoln, as well as other great Presidents like Ronald Reagan, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.

President's Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in February. Enjoy the long weekend, Nomen Global students!

For more information about Nomen Global, visit our website. 'Like' us on Facebook to learn more about our students and the activities we offer.

Valentine's Day Spotlights: Changmin Ha and Carolina Moino

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Nomen Global students did a little speed dating. Sitting across from each other down both sides of a long table, the boys and girls had approximately 3 minutes to get to each other. After a short "date," everyone ranked their date on 1) their first impression, 2) their interest in their partner's hobbies, and 3) their partner's confidence in speaking English. At the end of the dating, we tallied up the scores and announced the winners. Allow us to introduce the two heart-throbs at Nomen Global:


Changmin (Jamie) Ha is from South Korea. He transferred to Nomen Global from another English school about 3 weeks ago, and he hopes to continue learning English for a full semester. Jamie has many dreams for the future, including getting a good job in Korea. In order to accomplish this, Jamie wants to perfect his English. Other goals include completing his undergraduate degree at his Korean university and pursuing higher education after that.

Jamie feels that the atmosphere of Nomen Global is similar to that of a family. He comments that the teachers allow him to study at his own pace, without pressure. The teachers are consistently available to help him learn English, not just get good grades. After Jamie finishes this semester, he will either complete another semester at Nomen Global or move to San Diego, California, for other opportunities.

Jamie is extremely studious, but he does allow himself to enjoy his free time. He loves music; he plays both the flute and the guitar. Additionally, he loves playing soccer. Although he is from Korea, Jamie really enjoys Italian food like pasta and pizza.

Part of Jamie's success is attributed to his high standards. He gives himself rules and specific criteria to live by.

Carolina Ceci Moino is from Brazil. Carol is currently studying civil engineering at a Brazilian university and wants to improve her English to help her get a better job. She enjoys learning English at Nomen Global because of the variety of different activities we have at locations around the area. Once Carol finishes studying English here, she intends to move back to Brazil to finish her degree. Good luck!

Carol is a results-driven person. She feels successful when she notices that she is improving and progressing. In addition to learning English and graduating in civil engineering, Carol also aspires to earn her MBA, travel to Europe, get a great job, get married, and have a family. Although Carol has many goals, family is definitely the most important thing to her.

In her free time, Carol hangs out with friends, goes to parties, dances, surfs (but not in Utah!), watches movies, and goes shopping. She loves to eat salad and fish. Carol always has a happy disposition and makes friends quickly.

Meet Jamie and Carol and other goal-oriented students like them at Nomen Global. 'Like' us on Facebook to see some of the activities that Jamie and Carol love.

Xtreme Air Sports

Lowes Xtreme Air Sports is a gigantic indoor jumping gym with trampolines, climbing walls, and foam pits. Nomen Global students had a great time last Friday when we met there. We all felt like kids again jumping, climbing, and falling in the foam pits! Take a look at the fun we had in these pictures.










To learn more about Nomen Global, visit our website. 'Like' us on Facebook for more information about our activities.

Grammar Guide: Perfect Progressive Tenses

During the month of February, people from countries all over the world are gearing up for Valentine's Day. While Valentine's Day used to celebrate specifically lovebirds, today in the United States, we use the holiday to show gratitude to all of the people we love, including friends and family. On February 14th, gifts, chocolate, flowers, and Valentine's Day cards are exchanged. One tradition in the United States is to share a fancy dinner together with romantic music in the background. 


Perfect Progressive Tenses
Perfect progressive is the mixture between perfect and progressive. It combines the two aspects to create the idea of an action or situation beginning at an earlier time and continuing to another point of reference. Similarly, the perfect progressive can occur in the past, present, or future. In many cases, the perfect progressive is nearly identical to the perfect; however, the perfect progressive emphasizes a progressive (or continuous) action and can be expressed only with action verbs (rather than stative verbs like know, be, or have).

We form the perfect progressive using a form of HAVE + BEEN + the present participle.

Present Perfect Progressive
The present perfect progressive can express two meanings:
1. An action or situation beginning in the past and continuing to the present
  • We have been dating for 3 years.
  • They have been celebrating Valentine's Day since they got married.
2. An action or situation occurring recently (often changing the present circumstances)
  • She has been crying (and now her face is red) because her boyfriend broke up with her.
  • Julie and Tom have been laughing so much that now their sides hurt!
Past Perfect Progressive
The past perfect progressive can express two meanings:
1. An action or situation beginning before another point in the past and continuing to that point
  • Jeffrey had been planning to surprise his valentine for two weeks before February 14th.
  • By the time Susan went on her first date, she had been feeling lonely.
2. An action or situation occurring close in time to a point in the past (often changing those circumstances)
  • Jennifer had been sleeping when Ben surprised her with breakfast. 
  • When Jack proposed to Lucy, she had been smiling.
Future Perfect Progressive
The future perfect progressive expresses an action or situation beginning sometime (in the past, present, or future) that continues to a future point.
  • We will have been dating for 6 years by Valentine's Day.
  • By the time my boyfriend comes home, I will have been waiting for him for 3 months.
  • John and Sara will have been seeing each other for 1 year when they get married.
The following is an excerpt from the song "Waiting for a Girl Like You" by Foreigner. Can you find all the perfect progressives?
  • So long
    I've been looking too hard, I've waiting too long
    Sometimes I don't know what I will find
    I only know it's a matter of time
    When you love someone
    When you love someone

    It feels so right, so warm and true
    I need to know if you feel it too

    Maybe I'm wrong
    Won't you tell me if I'm coming on too strong?
    This heart of mine has been hurt before
    This time I wanna be sure

    I've been waiting for a girl like you
    To come into my life
    I've been waiting for a girl like you
    A love that will survive
    I've been waiting for someone new
    To make me feel alive
    Yeah, waiting for a girl like you
    To come into my life

    You're so good
    When we make love it's understood
    It's more than a touch or a word we say
    Only in dreams could it be this way
    When you love someone
    Yeah, really love someone

    Now, I know it's right
    From the moment I wake up till deep in the night
    There's no where on earth that I'd rather be
    Than holding you, tenderly

    I've been waiting for a girl like you
    To come into my life
    I've been waiting for a girl like you
    And a love that will survive
    I've been waiting for someone new
    To make me feel alive
    Yeah, waiting for a girl like you
    To come into my life

    I've been waiting, waiting for you, ooh
    Ooh, I've been waiting
    I've been waiting, yeah
    I've been waiting for a girl like you
    I've been waiting
    Won't you come into my life?
    My life?
To learn more about the perfect progressive and other grammar topics, visit us at Nomen Global. 'Like' us on Facebook to see more English resources.

Student Spotlight: Byoung Jin Moon


Byoung Jin Moon is from South Korea. He has been studying English at Nomen Global for 4 months and has recently advanced into Level 5! BJ hopes to study another 4 months before he applies to University of Utah. BJ is interested in learning English because he feels like the skills he is learning at Nomen Global will improve his life in the future. He especially enjoys the chance he has to improve his speaking skills with all of his friends in Utah.

BJ believes that people should never give up on their dreams even if their path is difficult. BJ has goals for himself to study business at the University of Utah and then pursue an MBA in Korea. He knows that when he accomplishes these goals, he will be very happy.

During his free time, BJ enjoys watching movies and he loves to eat Korean fried rice. If you meet BJ, you might be impressed with his honesty and honor because those are the most important things to him.

Meet BJ and other diligent students like him at Nomen Global. 'Like' us on Facebook to learn more about our students and activities.

Movie Making

Have you ever made your own movie? This block at Nomen Global, students had the chance to be directors, producers, actors, actresses, and camera people.


Take a look at the movie-making activity we completed in two weeks:

Week 1
Time to plan!
  • Divide into groups and decide the general plot of your movie. The theme of the movie must be related to Valentine's Day, but you can explore other genres like action, comedy, horror, or mystery.
  • Decide what role each person in your group will take. You need a director, actors/actresses, and camera people. 
  • Write the script. Everyone needs to contribute what will take place in the story. Your script needs to include not only what the actors and actresses will say, but also where the shots will be filmed, what the actors and actresses will be doing, and what props will be needed.
Week 2
Time to film!
  • Get your scripts out and rehearse each scene. Make sure you know how long each scene will take and practice where the camera will be.
  • When you feel ready, begin filming! 
  • After all of your filming is complete, give your cameras to your teacher for editing.
We will debut the movies at our Valentine's Day party next week.

Check back soon to see some of the movies we made!

To learn more about Nomen Global and the activities we offer, visit our website or 'like' our page on Facebook.

Grammar Guide: Progressive Tenses

Everybody is getting excited about the Academy Awards happening later this month. The Academy Awards feature and celebrate some of the previous years best movies. They recognize leading and supporting actors and actresses, directory and producers, special effects, music, and many more categories. This year is the 84th year that the Academy Awards have been announced. These awards mark one of the biggest parties in Hollywood.

Progressive Tenses
The progressive aspect of English verbs shows that an action is in progress at the time of another event. Both events could occur in the past, present, or future. This aspect also emphasizes that the action was happening/is happening/will be happening over time.

We form the progressive by using a form of BE + the present participle.

Present Progressive
The present progressive can express event in progress in the present time in two ways:
1. An action or situation happening right this moment.
  • Shh! We are watching a movie! 
  • I am trying to hear what the actors are saying.
  • Right now, we are writing the script while our other team members are setting up the scene.
2. An action or situation currently happening in general.
  • This two-week block we are studying the theme film
  • They are currently filming the next Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.
Past Progressive
The past progressive expresses an event in progress in the past. It is common to express an action in the simple past that interrupts an action in the past progressive.
  • While I was sitting in the movie theater, my phone rang.
  • We were writing the script for our film when class ended
Future Progressive
The future progressive expresses an event in progress in the future. It is common to express a future action that interrupts an action in the future progressive. The action or situation in the time clause must be expressed in the present tense.
  • My friends will start watching the movie at 8 p.m. I don't get off work until 9 p.m. My friends will be watching the movie when I arrive.
  • Our movie group will film our project all day on Saturday. Jamie has to be at work at noon. While we are filming our project, Jamie will leave for work.
Learn more about Nomen Global and what we teach by visiting our website and 'liking' us on Facebook today!

Student Spotlight: Hua Michael Wang


If you have questions about Nomen Global, Michael is the perfect student to ask. Hua Michael Wang is from China, but he has been living in Utah and studying at Nomen Global for over one year. Michael is studying English simply because he likes it! English will, of course, help him in the future as he pursues a career in business. 

Michael has made many friends from many countries. In fact, those friends are what Michael likes best about Nomen Global. After he finishes studying, however, he will return to China. In addition to the many things that Michael has accomplished, he considers doing well on tests his greatest accomplishment. 

In his freetime, you can find Michael playing soccer or hanging out with his friends. He loves hot dogs! His success is attributed to his motto: Make everyday happy.

Meet Michael and other optimistic students like him at Nomen Global! Learn more about our activities by liking us on Facebook.