MIDWEST LANGUAGE SERVICES - BLOG
Learning Phrasal Verbs
Learning phrasal verbs can sometimes be a challenge, but using illustrations makes it a little easier to remember them.
Phrasal verbs are useful expressions in English. They are made by combining a verb plus an adverb or preposition. Sometimes, the combination of the words does not retain the same meaning as the individual parts. "Take off" can mean "to remove," as in, "Please take off your shoes when you enter the house." In this case, the words "take" and "off" make it easier to understand the phrasal verb "take off" because each word retains its original meaning. "Take off" can also mean to launch, accelerate, or move away quickly. This meaning may not be as obvious to students.
Learning phrasal verbs can be a challenge, but it is important for students to learn them in order to become more fluent speakers. It also greatly helps in understanding native speakers of English. Today, some of our students were introduced to separable phrasal verbs used in everyday situations. These are phrasal verbs that have an object, and are also known as "transitive phrasal verbs." While it is less important for students to learn what these are called, it is more important to know how to use them.
Some phrasal verbs can take a direct object, such as "hand in." We can hand in a report, our homework, etc. If the phrasal verb takes a direct object, then the direct object can be inserted between the parts of the phrasal verb.
We can say, "I handed in my homework" or "I handed my homework in."
We can also substitute a pronoun for the direct object.
"I handed it in" is correct,.
"I handed in it" is incorrect.
Pronouns that replace the direct object cannot go to the end of a sentence.
People have various learning styles, but one of the most common types of learners is the visual learner. With that in mind, students tried drawing pictures that represented some phrasal verbs that were learned today. This was done with a small group of adult women who study English for everyday situations. The students were encouraged to draw something that would help them remember the phrasal verbs later. Later in the day, a business English student was asked to do the same thing. Here are the resulting illustrations.
This activity can be adjusted according to ability. For some, there was plenty of time to create an illustration and a corresponding sentence.
The first step was to learn the meanings of the phrasal verbs. The next step will be to use these in a way that practices how to insert the direct object between the parts of the phrasal verbs. By having students write sentences with the illustrations, the instructor can see what grammar points will need to be reviewed later. For now, the objective is to learn the new vocabulary.
For other students, more time was spent on the illustration to help remember the phrasal verbs. (I think there is an artist in the class.)
Other students needed more time to understand each phrasal verb and create a matching picture.
This could be something that students do again as homework. It will be interesting to see how many of these phrasal verbs will have been retained when the class meets again the following week.
While these are not all separable phrasal verbs, these are examples of drawings that one of the students of business English created to help him remember the meanings of some commonly used phrasal verbs. He will review the meanings of each one and be asked to create spoken sentences using these in his next lesson.
Language Class Interest Survey
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Hello. We are going to be offering classes at the International Marketplace Welcome Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Please complete the survey. This information will help us with knowing what languages you may be interested in learning. It will also help us know what days and times are convenient for our prospective students.
Thank you.
ESL - Francais
Formations linguistiques pour les entreprises
Anglais (Langue étrangère) pour les expatriés et leurs familles.
Formation linguistique pour les entreprises, cours en groupes et cours individuels
ESL / ENL – Anglais Langue Etrangère
cours collectifs
INSCRIPTION COURS COLLECTIFS
COURS EN LIGNE
COURS D’ANGLAIS EN LIGNE
INSCRIPTION COURS EN LIGNE
COURS D’ANGLAIS INDIVIDUELS
INSCRIPTION AVEC UN PROFESSEUR PARTICULIER
ESL / ENL - Anglais Langue Etrangère
Pourquoi choisir Midwest Language Services LLC ?
Depuis 2004, Midwest Language Services propose à travers le territoire américain et au-delà, des cours d’anglais langue étrangère aux apprenants adultes souhaitant maitriser l’anglais de tous les jours, mais également des cours d’anglais des affaires pour les apprenants ayant des besoins professionnels.
Nous proposons des cours personnalisés, un suivi de haute qualité ainsi qu’un service client exceptionnel. Nous proposons un service à la hauteur de l’excellence de nos clients. Nous portons une attention toute particulière à nos clients, tout comme nous aimerions être traités.
Nous proposons des cours de langues mais nous offrons également à nos élèves la possibilité de découvrir la culture américaine à travers nos leçons et sorties.
Nous comptons parmi nos clients, des multinationales, leurs employés et membres de leurs familles.
Notre offre:
Anglais de la vie courante
Anglais des affaires
Anglais pour des besoin particuliers
Cours de conversation
Grammaire
Cours de prononciation/ intonation/ accent/ accent tonique
Préparation de présentation et relecture de newsletters d’entreprise
TOEIC (oral et écrit) : préparation et centre d’examen
Nos nouveaux étudiants bénéficient de:
Test de niveau en ligne gratuit
Abonnements mensuels à un périodique pour nouveaux arrivants aux Etats Unis , niveau anglais facile
Rappels automatiques par mail de vos horaires de cours 24hrs à l’avance
Possibilités de paiement mensuel pour les cours individuels
Nouveaux cours Anglais Langue Etrangère
Anglais Langue Etrangere Indianapolis, expats Indiana, services de relocalisation , Nouveaux Cours,
Les cours ci-dessous sont proposés dans nos locaux à Indianapolis
735 Shelby St.
Suite 106
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Le tarif est de $75.00 pour 4 semaines
Débutant / Conversation basique: Ce cours s’adresse aux étudiants ayant un niveau de communication assez basique. Si vous avez des compétences linguistiques vous permettant de communiquer simplement sur des thématiques de la vie courante et que vous connaissez déjà des expressions courantes, ce cours sera adapté à vos besoins. Le cours portera essentiellement sur le perfectionnement en matière de grammaire et de vocabulaire. (CEFRL A1-A2)
Niveau intermédiaire: Ce cours s’adresse aux étudiants souhaitant se perfectionner à l’oral et améliorer leurs compétences grammaticales. Nous aborderons l’expression orale à travers diffèrent sujets, ainsi que l’utilisation de divers temps verbaux, passé, présent et futur.. Les thématiques couvriront des domaines tels que les loisirs, objectifs et projets de vie. (CEFRL B1-B2)
Conversation informelle (Type groupe MeetUp): Ce groupe vise à permettre à des anglophones non natifs de comprendre les conversations de la vie courante : allant de type de conversations pour faire connaissance, aux sujets de types différences culturelles ou encore l’actualité. Ce cours couvre un ensemble de compétences permettant aux étudiants d’écouter et d’apprendre en groupe.
Les sujets seront dans un premier temps proposés par l’enseignant pour à terme laisser les étudiants définir les thématiques de conversation. ( Niveau intermédiaire à niveau avancé, CEFRL B1-C1)
Lundi
9H00 -10H00 - Débutant / Conversation basique
10:00 AM-11:00 AM - Débutant / Conversation basique
11H00-12H00 – Niveau intermédiaire
13H00-14H00 - Niveau intermédiaire
14H15-15H15 – Conversation informelle
15H30-16H30 -Conversation informelle
17H00-18H00 - Débutant / Conversation basique
18H15-19H15 - Niveau intermédiaire
Mardi
15H30 – 16H30 Débutant / Conversation basique
17H00 – 18H00 PM Débutant / Conversation basique
18H00 – 19H00 Niveau intermédiaire
19H00 – 20H00 Conversation
Mercredi
15H30 – 16H30 Niveau intermédiaire
17H00 – 18H00 Niveau intermédiaire
18H00 – 19H00 Conversation
19H00 – 20H00 Niveau intermédiaire
Jeudi
9H00 -10H00 - Débutant / Conversation basique
10H00 -11H00 - Débutant / Conversation basique
11H00 -12H00 - Niveau intermédiaire
13H00-14H00 - Niveau intermédiaire
14H15-15H15 - Conversation informelle
15H30-16H30 - Conversation informelle
17H00-18H00 - Débutant / Conversation basique
18H15-19H15 - Niveau intermédiaire
INSCRIVEZ VOUS DÈS MAINTENANT
"Les cours avec Midwest ont permis à mon épouse d’améliorer ses compétences linguistiques et de prendre confiance en elle." - R. Silva
“Je suis très satisfait des services proposés par Midwest Language Services. Ils sont très flexibles et offrent différents types de cours et différents horaires , notamment des cours a domicile, ce qui est d’autant plus pratique. Mon formateur était très compétent en matière de pédagogie. J’ai suivi la formation de modification d’accent. Ceci m’a permis d’apprendre beaucoup de techniques et exercices ainsi que des explications grammaticales afin de m’améliorer dans ce domaine » --Pablo Da Rosa
Field Trips and Experiential English in Columbus, Indiana
Experiential learning gives ESL students the opportunity to learn what they have learned in class to help them become independent members of their community.
One of our ESL students found a book about interior decorating.
It was time for a change in our English class routine. Thankfully, the weather cooperated and some of our students met at a local library to learn where to find books they would be interested in reading. We prepared for this day last week when we reviewed vocabulary related to libraries. We tried using these words in sentences and with help from their instructor, they practiced key phrases they would need to be able to find books and check them out.
Last week, the students talked about topics they would like to learn more about. One student likes sports and is interested in marathon running. Another likes interior decorating and has experience with this in her home country. Our other student was interested in books about places to travel within the United States and abroad.
There are lots of books about running and marathons.
An ESL student chooses a book about travel in the United States.
Before we checked out our books, we sat at a table together and shared what books we decided to check out. It was a good opportunity to share and learn more about our classmates. Afterwards, we took a tour of the library that was designed by architect I. M. Pei and then went next door to the visitor's center where we saw glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly.
Overcoming Culture Shock - Adjusting to a New Country
Moving to a new country can be exciting. In the beginning stage of the move, everything is new. There are new places to see, new foods to try, and new things to do. However, there are other stages of living in a new country that are not so pleasant. The purpose of this blog post is to help prepare you for your move. It might also help you if you have already moved and are experiencing sadness from being away from home.
If you know that there are different phases of culture shock, this might help you know that this feeling is normal. After a time, things will get better.
1. Excitement - You have moved because of new work opportunities or for a better life. There are a lot of reasons why people move. When you first arrive, you may be so busy unpacking and getting your new home or apartment set up, that you are too busy to think about anything else. You want to learn about this new place that you will be calling "home" for a while.
2. Frustration - You may be using a new language and simple tasks such as going to the store or going out to eat provide new challenges. You might understand parts of conversations at work, but you don't have enough language skills to be able to add anything to the conversation quickly. Then you realize every day is going to be like this for a while. You might wonder why you ever moved to begin with. You might feel that you should have stayed in your home country. You might start to feel some sadness and even deep sadness for a long time (depression).
3. Adjustment - You start to have a routine of things you do every day or every week to keep you busy. You start to see familiar faces and maybe even make a few new friends. Your navigation of places to go and your routines become easier. You don't compare your home country to your new country as often. If you work, you start understanding more vocabulary and start learning common expressions and short sentences that are used often.
4. Acceptance - Even though there is no place like home, you feel comfortable in your new country. You may not understand why people do what they do in this new place, but you accept that this is what locals do. If it's time to go back home, you might even feel sad about leaving because you now actually like your current home and have made some friends.
Tips for overcoming culture shock:
1. If you live in the United States where there isn't much public transportation, get a driver's license. This will enable you to find new places to go and more things to do in your free time.
2. Take English classes. Learn everyday English sentences or take a business English class. This will help make your everyday life easier. This is also a good way to get to know other people who are new to the United States.
3. Be patient. Learning a new language is a lot of work. You may not learn as fast as you want to, but don't quit.
4. Try to find things to do every day or every week that you can look forward to.
5. Get plenty of sleep. Everyone feels better when they have enough rest. It is easier to have a good attitude anywhere in the world if you get at least seven hours of sleep.
6. Eat healthy food. If you get sick, being away from home will be more difficult. Try to stay healthy to avoid getting sick.
7. Talk with friends and family using e-mail, Skype, Line, or WhatsApp. These days, it is much easier to stay in contact with people you know than ever before.
New ESL Classes
Here is an introduction to some of our new classes that are available at our Indianapolis office.
Beginner/Basic Communication:
This class is for students that already have very basic communication skills. If you can speak in a simple way about routines and already know some frequently used expressions, this course will be beneficial. The focus will be on perfecting grammar and increasing vocabulary. (CEFRL A1-A2)
Intermediate:
This class is for students who would like to practice conversation and improve their grammar. We will learn to speak about a variety of topics using various verb tenses in past, present and future. Some topics include hobbies, goals and plans for life. (CEFRL B1-B2)
Casual Conversation (MeetUp Style group):
This group is to give non-native English speakers an understanding of daily conversation, which can include anything from get-to-know you conversations, cultural differences, or current events. There will be a range of abilities in order for students to be able to hear and learn from others. Topics will be provided for discussion, but ultimately it is up to the students to determine where their interests lie and what they want to discuss. (Intermediate to Advanced, CEFRL B1-C1)
Monday
9:00 AM-10:00 AM - Beginner
10:00 AM-11:00 AM - Beginner
11:00 AM-12:00 PM - Intermediate
1:00-2:00 PM - Intermediate
2:15-3:15 PM - Casual Conversation
3:30-4:30 PM -Casual Conversation
5:00-6:00 PM - Beginner
6:15-7:15 PM - Intermediate
Tuesday
3:30 - 4:30 PM Beginner
5:00 - 6:00 PM Beginner
6:00 - 7:00 PM Intermediate
7:00 - 8:00 PM Conversation
Wednesday
3:30 - 4:30 PM Intermediate
5:00 - 6:00 PM Intermediate
6:00 - 7:00 PM Conversation
7:00 - 8:00 PM Intermediate
Thursday
9:00 AM-10:00 AM - Beginner
10:00 AM-11:00 AM - Beginner
11:00 AM-12:00 PM - Intermediate
1:00-2:00 PM - Intermediate
2:15-3:15 PM - Casual Conversation
3:30-4:30 PM -Casual Conversation
5:00-6:00 PM - Beginner
6:15-7:15 PM - Intermediate
Interpreter Training Workshop - Interpreting in Palliative Care
Interpreter Training Workshops
We are offering an interpreter training workshop in Palliative Care on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The location may change, depending on the number of students. The deadline to enroll is April 23, 2018.
Interpreting in Palliative Care - CANCELLED
Description
This is a workshop for interpreters in health care. Help improve your understanding of content and vocabulary you may encounter in palliative care, as it is a rapidly expanding area of medicine
There are three areas in which you may grow:
help optimize the quality of life for patients with serious illness
expand your knowledge
improve both your interpreting skills and your comfort level with palliative care settings
Training will be given by Liz Essary.
Thank you.
Cost: $99
735 Shelby St.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
May 12 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Perfect Attendance Award Drawing for March
Letter to Newcomers from a Current Student
One of our students, Akiko, will be be returning to Japan very soon. After teaching a class about phrases used to offer advice and suggestions, I asked the students to write to a letter to people who would be moving to the United States. This gave an opportunity for Akiko to use her English skills while leaving a legacy here for newcomers who might look for advice about things to do while living in Indiana. Here is her revised letter.
Dear New Friend,
My name is Akiko and I’m from Japan. I’ve been in Columbus, [Indiana] for three years. I would recommend going to watch sports such as baseball, basketball, and football. There are many professional sports teams in the U.S.A. Live games are exciting.
My favorite game is basketball. Any team is fine, but I like the Indiana Pacers. You should check the Pacers home page [so] that you can get information about where you can watch the games, get tickets, and ticket prices.
You should take an English class or workshop. Don’t stay in your house alone. I would recommend Midwest Language Services.
Best regards,
Akiko S.
Job Opportunity for Deaf Community and Others
Arrow Container, a rapidly expanding, family owned, corrugated manufacturer, is seeking Light Assembly Team Members at their Eastside Indianapolis warehouse location to assist with driving their processes and production capabilities forward. Positions will begin as temporary with possibility of coming on company payroll (including pay increase and benefits) based on performance. Starting wage for the position is $10.00/hr.
Responsibilities for this position include:
- Assemble corrugated products to customer specifications utilizing glue and hand tools as required according to the specific project
- Set up jobs properly to achieve the quickest and most efficient assemblies
- Keep work area clean and safe according to 5S quality standards
Necessary Skills & Abilities:
- Ability to make a strong individual contribution while functioning as part of a team
- Must excel in a fast paced ever changing environment
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally
- Stand for an entire 8-10-hour shift
- Frequent bending and twisting
- Dexterity Skills
There is someone on staff who is an American Sign Language / ASL interpreter.
CONTACT KARA FOR DETAILS. (See her contact info below.)
Please do not contact Midwest Language Services regarding this job opportunity. We are sharing this for Arrow Container.
Thank you.
Kara Schnaus, HR Generalist,
kschnaus@arrowcontainer.com
317-882-6444 ext.2441
We Have Updated Our Website
Now you can schedule an appointment or even register for a class using our site. If you have questions about anything or have found any glitches that have been missed, please let us know immediately, so that we can fix it!
We currently have a limited number of private lessons and group classes available, but this is about to change very soon, as we have just hired a new English Language Instructor.
Kyla Decker lived in Ecuador for nine years and has taught both English as a Second Language and Visual Arts there. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Visit our site regularly to find and register for our upcoming classes.
Testimonial from Pablo Da Rosa
Thank you to Jeff Burnham for your excellent work for Midwest Language Services, LLC!
“I was very happy with the service provided by Midwest Language Services. They are very flexible and able to offer different types and meeting times for classes, including teaching at my home, which was very convenient. My instructor was very experienced at teaching. I took the Accent Modification Training and I learned lots of techniques and exercises to help me improve in this area in addition to some grammatical explanations.”
Welcome Marie Mori, Our Intern from Japan
Marie Mori will be teaching Essential Japanese for Travel this summer at Midwest Language Services in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Marie Mori is currently teaching Elementary Japanese and pursuing a Master’s in Linguistics and TESL at Indiana State University. She is interested in the relationship between second language learning and anxiety, as well as foreign language learning and psychology.
At ISU, Ms. Mori has been dedicating herself to establishing a Japanese cultural organization that will introduce Japan and its culture through many events. She hopes it will open doors to the Japanese way of life, traditions, gastronomy and history to anyone who is interested.
Marie’s future goals are to be an English teacher in Japan and to foster students with global perspectives. English will be one tool for teaching students about things outside of Japan. With respect to her future objectives, she plans to incorporate all of her experience in the United States into changing how Japanese students learn.
In 2017, Marie participated in the WUSTL-ALLEX Japanese Teacher Training for seven weeks at Washington University in St. Louis and learned the performed culture approach to teaching. “This summer, I will teach Japanese using the performed culture approach. Learners will be exposed to Japanese culture and performing in the target language. I will be using Japanese most of the time in class,” Marie says.
Marie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English literature at Doshisha Women’s College in Kyoto, Japan. She was interested in applied linguistics, second language learning, and effective ways of teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, with both physical and emotional aspects. Marie adds, “To expand my knowledge and ability, I decided to come to the United States to study."
To register, please visit this link to Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/essential-japanese-for-travel-registration-44335912909
Now Interviewing Freelance and Staff Interpreters
We are looking for linguists who are not only bilingual, but who have a minimum of five years of experience in any of the following: conference interpreting, interpreting for appointments, audits, or other interpreting experience. Education at an accredited university is preferred along with certification and additional training beyond the university.
Have you studied interpreting, received certification, or have many years of professional interpreting experience? Please send your résumé and cover letter to Midwest Language Services, LLC for consideration.
Thank you.
Midwest Language Services, LLC in the News - Inside Indiana Business
Midwest Language Services, LLC currently provides in-person interpreting services and also over-the-phone interpreting in over 200 languages. We are looking to add video relay interpreting (VRI) in the near future.
Midwest Language Services, LLC is excited to have our new headquarters located at Switchboard in Fountain Square.
Click here to read the article that appeared in the recent issue of Inside Indiana Business.
Interpreter Training Workshop - Interpreting in Cancer Genetics
Description
This is a workshop for interpreters in health care. Help improve your understanding of content and vocabulary you may encounter in cancer genetics appointments.
You will learn about:
genes, chromosomes, mutations, and risk
the purpose of genetic testing
the work of genetic counselors
in general terms, what happens in an appointment with a genetic counselor regarding cancer genetics
Register for this interpreter training class soon as space is limited to the first twenty paid applicants.
Cost: $99
Yeager Office Suites of Fishers
(Conference Room 1)
11650 Lantern Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Our Students Learned How to Make Reservations and Appointments Today
Our students no longer have reservations about making reservations. We introduced frequently used sentences and phrases. The students learned about frequent mistakes non-native speakers make, and then we practiced making reservations. They also learned the difference between reservations and appointments.
Come join us in Columbus, Indiana for one of our classes. Do you have friends who would like to join you? Let us know!
Join us for English conversation classes on Wednesdays from 1:15-2:15 PM.
MIDWEST LANGUAGE SERVICES IS ON THE MOVE!
We have enjoyed working from our Greenwood, Indiana location. We have made some great connections and will still keep in touch; however, it is time to move our headquarters to a more centralized location convenient to I-65 and I-70.
We will be moving to our new office in March. Please update our contact information for your records.
Our phone number will remain the same:
(317) 296-7997
Our new address will be:
735 Shelby St.,
Ste. #106
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Please call or send us an e-mail to make an appointment. We are generally available to meet Monday thru Friday mornings. Thank you!
Celebrating 13 Years in Business!
December 2018 marks Midwest Language Services, LLC's 13th year in business. Originally started as an English tutoring service in 2004, MLS has expanded its services to include translating and interpreting for non-profits, IT, legal, medical, and industrial clients.
Midwest Language Services has grown from having a few individual and corporate clients in south central Indiana to having clients located internationally. Adult students from Brazil, China, Colombia, France, India, Japan, Poland, Mexico, and Turkey have taken lessons in English conversation, grammar, and accent training. Some continue to take lessons with MLS online after returning to their home country.
The staff at Midwest Language Services, LLC looks forward to continued growth in the number of requests for document translations, interpreting services, and TOEIC training and testing. The menu of services in 2018 will expand to include more group language classes and interpreter training workshops, among other services.