Our Language Table series, Something to Talk About, offers a chance to meet other people for fun, informal activities and casual conversation. Anyone in the Northwestern community is welcome to join and participate.
- Free and open to all members of the Northwestern community
- Events are mostly held online throughout the academic year (fall, winter, and spring quarters only)
- Advanced registration is required to access the session.
- Each event highlights a specific aspect of US English and/or American culture
- Ask questions, share experiences and opinions with peers and ELP staff
- A supportive environment for speakers at any level of English proficiency
Fall Quarter 2024 - Something to Talk About Language Table Events Series
- One sign-up form (click here)
- Register for one, two, or all of the language table events for this quarter
- If you sign up for an event but your availability changes, resubmit the form. We will contact you based on your most recent availability provided in the online form
- ELP will contact you with ZOOM meeting information for events that you have registered for
- Format for language table events for Fall Quarter 2024 -> 5 remote events (via Northwestern ZOOM)
- Language Table Event Schedule for Fall Quarter 2024
| Date | Time | Event Name (format) | Event Description | Hosted by |
| 9/27/24 | 12:15-1:15 PM | Discussing TV & Movies (remote) |
Join ELP's Speech Language Pathologist, Autumn Bryant, for a discussion about TV and movies.
While watching TV shows and movies in American English can be great ways to expand your vocabulary, peer into windows of culture, and strengthen your understanding of the grammar, rhythm, and pronunciation of the language, talking about television and film can be great ways to bond, make friends, initiate or join conversations, share memories, analyze society, and stay current on popular modern topics in the U.S. This language table event will feature vocabulary that can be used when discussing TV and movies. Also, participants will have an opportunity to learn about current and class TV sitcoms and movies that are often referenced in the United States.
|
Autumn Bryant (ELP Speech Language Pathologist) |
| 10/4/24 | 12:15-1:15 PM | US Election (remote) |
Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Tami Wysocki-Niimi, for a discussion about the upcoming presidential election in November.
Join Tami for an engaging overview of the U.S. election process. In this session, we'll explore the key components of the U.S. election system, such as how candidates are nominated and the role of the Electoral College in the decision process. This session will help you better understand the complexities of the American democratic system and provide you with the vocabulary and context needed to discuss U.S. politics.
|
Tami Wysocki-Niimi (ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist) |
| 10/11/24 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Fall Holidays (remote) |
Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Jen Alexander, for a discussion about different fall holidays that celebrate this unique season.
As we bid farewell to another hot summer, join Jen to look ahead at the upcoming fall holidays that many celebrate both in American culture and other cultures. Share your own experiences of how you celebrate fall/autumn in your home country or culture.
|
Jen Alexander (ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist) |
| 10/18/24 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Preparing for Winter Weather (remote) |
Join ELP's Assistant Director, Brian Hampson, for a discussion about preparing for winter in the Evanston and Chicago area.
Winter is COMING -> Whether we like it or not and whether we are ready or not. For many people at Northwestern, it will be ANOTHER winter. For many people at Northwestern, it will be their FIRST winter in Evanston/Chicago. Join Brian to talk about winter and how you can prepare for the cold and snow. We will also look at potential shopping list items that you should consider buying if this will be your first winter in the area. Feel free to share your own questions about or love/hate experiences with winter!
|
Brian Hampson (ELP Assistant Director) |
| 10/25/24 | 12:00-1:00 PM | History of the English Language/Etymology |
Join ELP's Speech Language Pathologist, Mark Temenak, for a discussion about the evolution of the English language.
What do the words “pajama”, “bagel”, “broccoli”, and “cafeteria” have in common? None of them are originally English words! If you’d like to learn how English came to be as we know it today, then join Mark for a language table that will cover a variety of themes and fun/useful facts related to the evolution of the English language from Old English to Modern English.
In addition to learning more about the history of the English language, we will do activities related to Etymology or the study of the roots and origins of words. This section of the language table will empower you to potentially define unknown words in English such as “circumlocution” or “gastroenterology” in the future by breaking them down into their Latin and Greek roots. It can also enhance your understanding of words you already know. Hope to see you there!
|
Mark Temenak (ELP Speech Language Pathologist) |