Your Best Tool for Abroad & Learning English

If you guys know anything about me by now, it’s that I’m always talking about NOT hibernating and staying indoors. We live in the greatest city in the world (in my opinion!), so why stay inside and miss all the spectacular things this city has to offer? But I’ll be honest with you. This time of year, it really is very easy (and tempting) to stay inside and snuggle up with cozy blankets and slippers and just relax with hot cocoa and Netflix rather than facing the brutal elements outside. Between the snow and cold temperatures and wind, sometimes all I need to do is look out the window to convince me to stay inside. So, I say, go ahead, and give into this desire every once in a while! I’ve come up with some creative ideas on what to do indoors if you’re planning some hibernation time this January. And of course, each idea has some creative ways you can keep your English practice fresh and in-use.

1. Netflix – OF COURSE!

I honestly have no idea how I got through life without Netflix—without commercials, I can catch up on my shows, rewatch some of my favorites, or even start ones that I never would have considered before—it’s just too easy! With my friends and family always telling me, “You would LOVE this show,” I find that I’m always adding more to my queue—not a bad problem to have! If you remember in my movie post from a few months ago, watching movies and television shows in English is a really fun (and somewhat mindless) way to “practice” your English. Because your full attention isn’t on “learning” or “practicing” the language, you might find that it’s a lot easier to pick up on sayings, slang, or even common inside jokes. For example, I never watched “Friends” when it was still on television. But now that it’s over and they put the whole series up on Netflix, I easily binged all ten seasons, and then I finally understood all the jokes that people would make about the show when before they all went over my head!

2. Baking and cooking

This is something that I wish I would do more often to be honest with you. I’ve never been too skilled in the kitchen—I’m not very patient, and I never really had any interest in learning how to do anything besides making pasta and toast. (Hey, I’ve made it this far in my adulthood—I’ll be fine!) But when the weather is miserable and you want to learn to make a new dish, January is the time to do it. Consider a dish using ingredients that you already have—there are websites where you put in what you have, and they’ll spit out a variety of options that you can make with those items. Talk about a fun challenge! Or maybe do the opposite: find a recipe that looks and sounds delectable, gather the ingredients at your local market or grocery store, then challenge yourself to make it! Not only will you appreciate the time indoors, but you’ll be able to say you pulled off a brand new dish! And of course, this is great practice for your English reading. Between the measurements, instructions, and recipe shopping, you’ll be a pro any time you need to make another meal! Plus, your friends/roommates will love reaping the benefits of your new hobby!

3. Host a game night

If you have roommates or friends in the neighborhood (so they don’t have to travel far to get to you), consider organizing a game night at your place. Have everyone either make or bring a dish for everyone to enjoy (like chips and dip, hot cocoa mix, or even wine if you’re looking for more of an “adult” game night), then pull out all of the best board or card games you have. Games like Pictionary and Charades are great for large parties, and it’ll be so much fun watching your friends trying to act out or draw their favorite movies or television shows. When I was in college, my roommates and I would host a game night and play Rummy until the sun came up. It was a great way to bring everyone together for laughs—and it was convenient since we saved money and avoided the harsh weather. For your English practice, these nights are great for your social speaking skills, and honestly, your vocabulary! If you’re playing Pictionary, it’s almost like using flashcards! Perfect!

Now that the hustle and bustle is over from Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year, you might be looking for something to do in January in New York City. Fret not, because there is PLENTY! If your New Year’s resolution is to get out more and not waste your winter months hibernating, here are just a few ideas that I’ve gathered to keep you active, even in one of the most blustery months of the year. Plus, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, perfecting your English is only going to get easier if you interact with others outside of the classroom. This is the perfect time to meet new people and commiserate about the cold weather, the shorter days, or even the post-Christmas slump. Everyone is in agreement when it comes to those topics, so what better way to engage with others? You never know—you may even make new friends this way AND perfect your English speaking skills! Who knew New York City could be so educational?

1. Restaurant Week: January 22^nd – February 9^th, 2018; multiple NYC locations

This is one of my favorite times of the year in New York City. You probably know by now that I’m very mindful of my money and spending, and it’s also no secret that the Big Apple can be pretty expensive. Eating out can be a luxury at times, and trying out new restaurants is an experiment in budgeting. Too often, I simply have to turn down a dinner party invite if a restaurant is too expensive for my window of spending; but during Restaurant Week, I can finally try out all those locations that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. Select eateries throughout the city (over 300!) participate in this, in which they offer a prix-fixe menu including 3 courses with a discounted price. This way, people like me—people on a budget—can try out the food that makes their restaurant so highly regarded. Check out the lineup, and you’ll be sure to find a spot you’ve been dying to try! Just some advice: make a reservation and arrive on time (or even early), as this timing is VERY popular, and you don’t want to lose your table! You’ll be exposed to unique menu items, and given the packed locations, you’ll be mingling with many people, so this is a great way to incorporate your written AND spoken English—you’re always learning in NYC!

2. Winter Jam in Central Park; January 28, 2018; 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

If you’re aching for some outdoor snowy activities and don’t have the means to travel to the slopes, look no further than Central Park! On this day only, the Bandshell area of the park is covered in artificial snow so that you can get in some snow time. If you’re brand new to skiing or even if you’re a seasoned snowboarder, this is a great time to check this out! If the slopes aren’t your cup of tea, you can also watch live ice sculpting, catch some ice bowling, and there’s even a market to get some light shopping in! This is a great time to bring friends and do something totally different for the day! Since this is also an activity in which you’ll be interacting with vendors and shopkeepers, you’ll be getting plenty of spoken English practice, and you may even meet some new friends!

3. Post-Holiday Shopping; all over New York City

You might have noticed that shops and malls were packed throughout December as people did their Christmas and Hannukah shopping. In my experience, I generally try to avoid these areas for practically the whole month since it’s just too crowded for my taste! But come January, the crowds die down a bit, and for me, I feel like I can enjoy shopping again. Plus, I tend to get quite a few gift cards each year for Christmas, so January is a great time to spend them. Additionally, practically all the shopping areas host post-holiday sales that really make you want to take advantage of the great deals. This is a great time to check out the prime shopping areas (think Macy’s and practically anything on 5^th Avenue) since the crowds are a bit lighter and the sales just make it worth it. Again, you’ll be interacting with lots of vendors and shop owners, so this is a great opportunity to put your spoken English skills to use.

If you find yourself in New York City for New Year’s Eve and looking for something iconic to do, here are just some of the best options—if you’re in the mood to go all out or looking for an activity a bit more mellow, there’s a little bit of everything here so you can start your 2018 on the right foot! Don’t forget to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” in your best practiced English!

Behind Christmas, New Year’s Eve is easily the most popular holiday in New York City. Times Square, the most-visited tourist attraction in the Big Apple, is home for this annual countdown to the new year. Thousands of people gather anywhere within the Broadway and Seventh Avenue neighborhood to get a sight and view of the sparkly ball that will drop at midnight to ring in 2018. While this is the typical activity on this day, there are so many other options to ring in the new year in New York City. Luckily, if you’re new to English, this is a great time of year to brush up on your social English skills, as many people will be out and about, so you won’t find any shortage of people to talk to! Here are some of the most popular things to do in New York City on December 31^st and January 1^st. Take your pick—you won’t be let down!

1. Times Square; Manhattan

Yup, this is the location that everyone thinks about for New Year’s Eve. While it looks elegant and festive on television, I must warn you: you will be standing outside for hours on end, in the same spot, without bathrooms or food, and you don’t want to leave your spot because you WILL lose it. If this all sounds like something you still want to do, make sure you come early, well-dressed, stocked with food, and make sure you use the restroom before you leave. You’ll be surrounded with THOUSANDS of people, so this is a great time to practice your “Happy New Year!” openers!

2. New Year’s Eve Night Bike Ride; Brooklyn to Manhattan

If you’re looking to stay away from the bar scene, this is a great solution for you! Grab your bike, as the ride will start at night in Brooklyn, and you and your fellow riders will travel over to Central Park to ring in 2018. When you arrive, everyone will be together for a fun party—and the bonus is that you got a great exercise out of it! This is a great way to meet new people, so brush up on your English “nice to meet you” and “what brings you to New York?” Just make sure you don’t drink too much so you and your bike can get home safely!

3. Coney Island Polar Bear Club New Year’s Day Swim; Coney Island, Brooklyn

This might seem crazy since the thought of getting into the ocean in the middle of winter is a bit ridiculous, but this event is incredibly popular with the New York City locals. These (slightly crazy) partakers will disrobe their winter layers and plunge into the ocean for a quick shock to the system. If this doesn’t sound sane for you, plenty of people go to the location to just see for it themselves and cheer on the bold and brave. Head down to Coney Island in Brooklyn so you can brush up on your English social phrases, like: “These people are crazy!” or “I could never do something like this!” or even “Maybe I’ll do this next year—it kind of looks like fun! Why not?!”

4. Keep the party at home!

If you’re anything like I am, the older I get, I find it’s more difficult to stay up all night to celebrate the holiday. Or sometimes I find myself turned off by all the crowds on December 31^st. So if you’re like me, bring the party home! Invite your friends for a decked out New Year’s Eve celebration at your place—have everyone bring snacks and drinks, play the best hits of 2017, set up a trivia game for all the events that took place that year, and toast to a healthy and happy 2018! You might find that you have more fun this way, and chances are, you’ll probably save a lot more money this way, too! Plus, if any of your friends are practicing their English like you are, what a great opportunity to mingle with these people so you can all practice together!

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year—amazing food, reunions with loved ones, and appreciation for all the blessings you have in your life. If you’re travelling out of New York City for the holiday or if you find yourself staying in the Big Apple, here are few tips and tricks when it comes to making leaving (or staying!) as seamless and painless as possible. Brush up on your holiday wish phrases before you head out so your holiday spirit stays strong and positive!

You might remember from an earlier post a few months ago when I talked about ways to travel outside of New York City—it might be helpful to pull that article up again because during the whole month of December, you might find that it’s one of the biggest travel times of the year—much like summer when everyone is taking their vacations. Because of Christmas or Channukah, thousands of people that call New York City home will be travelling all over the world to reunite with their families to celebrate these respective holidays. If you’re staying in the city for these events, be mindful of where you go in the city during the busiest time of the year. If you’re one of the many that will be travelling elsewhere beyond New York City, here are few tips and tricks I’ve come up with during my time here to make it just a little bit easier—otherwise, you might find yourself frustrated or spending way more money than you should! Also, if you’re new to English, these tips should be helpful since as you know, this city is a melting pot of international people, so you won’t be alone! I’ll include a few universal phrases that will help you get through the hubbub of the season.

1. Book ahead

If you’re travelling, it’s helpful to book your trip as far in advance as possible. If you’re flying by plane or train, you might find that flights around the Christmas holiday book up quickly, so if you wait until the last minute, not only will your options be minimalized significantly, but they’ll raise the prices exponentially simply because they can and they know you’ll pay it! Using sites like Orbitz and Trip Advisor will help you compare competitor prices so you know what the average rate is and how each company compares to one another. The longer you wait, typically the more you’ll pay. It’s also helpful to be mindful of traps—if you find a deal that’s almost too good to be true, pay attention to the fine print (here’s where your English reading skills will come in handy!), as they’ll take on tons of fees to more or less make their money back.

2. Pick times typically not popular

Consider taking a red-eye flight (overnight or first thing in the morning) to avoid crowds and maybe even higher costs. Many people travel in the middle of the day or during typical rush hour times, so these are when your airports and train stations are going to be the most congested, which will no doubt contribute to your limited patience. If you’re okay with waking up in the middle of the night or travelling when the rest of the city is asleep, it might be worth it so your jolliness will stay upbeat. If you find yourself travelling during these less-than-popular times a day, you’ll find that you may not be interacting with too many people. But still make sure you practice your “Happy Holidays” with those that you do encounter to keep the spirit alive during the stressful travel times.

3. Avoid the travel hotspots

If you’re staying in New York City for the holidays, you’re going to be in for a wonderful surprise. The city will feel oddly empty, and it will make you feel like you have the whole place to yourself! Now is the time to try out that store that’s always packed or enjoy the serenity of a less-populated Central Park in December. It will feel wonderful! Keep in mind, however, that thousands of people do in fact leave the city in some way or the other, so it would be wise to avoid neighborhoods around Penn Station or Grand Central. Avoid the Lincoln Tunnel and the FDR. If you’re in Queens, avoid the neighborhoods around La Guardia and JFK. These places will have incredibly congested traffic this time of year, so plan ahead and be sure to avoid these areas. Otherwise, the only English phrase you’ll be using is, “Excuse me.”

Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? Luckily for you, you’re in the one of the greatest cities in the world to get a taste of the most festive time of the year. Here are just a few options for you to explore while you’re getting to know the city AND the English language!

Even if you’re unfamiliar with New York City or the English language, chances are you’re pretty well-versed on the Christmas holiday. What you MAY not know, however, is that New York City takes the Christmas very seriously, as the whole island tends to turn into one giant illumination spectacle. With festive lights and creative decoration displays at every corner, Christmas is impossible to miss in New York City. If you’re new to the Big Apple, here are a few of the most timeless Christmas traditions that New York City is known for. And if English is not your dominant language, there are a few adjustment tips within the piece to help you get adjusted to the time of the year, the language, AND the bright lights of the most amazing city in the world!

1. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; Rockefeller Center, 49^th Street between 5^th & 6^th

If you know anything about New York City, this is probably one of the most well-known displays throughout the whole year. This year, thousands of New Yorkers (and tourists!) came to this exciting square to watch the Lighting Ceremony on November 29^th. At 78-feet tall and weighing in at over 10 tons, the spruce tree is covered with over 45,000 lights, absolutely covering the area with festive and exciting light. The tree will stay up until January 7^th, so you’ll have plenty of time to see it if you miss the first lighting. Beware that this is one of the most highly trafficked destinations in the city, so be mindful about when you go (maybe Saturday afternoon isn’t the BEST time to check it out). While you’re there, this is a great time to practice your social English since there won’t be anything to read or write. React to the beauty of the scenery with other viewers—try, “How beautiful, right?!” or “This reminds me that I should really start my Christmas shopping!” Others will laugh along and most likely agree with you!

2. The Bryant Park Winter Village; Bryant Park, 40^th Street between 5^th & 6^th

This is another one of those must-sees if you find yourself in New York City during the Christmas season. Their greatest claim to fame is their 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink, so don’t forget your skates (or you can rent a pair for $20)! The other great part about this location is that the square sets up seasonally relevant shops and kiosks so you can eat and drink your way through the park while you start your Christmas shopping—or just shop for yourself! Again, this is another hugely popular spot, so think carefully about when you visit. (I’d avoid the weekends if you can.) Since you’ll be interacting with shop and rink employees as you make your way through the park, this is a great way to practice your questions, your “please” and “thank you”s, and you might also notice that people are just generally a bit more friendly this time of year, so be sure to return the smiles!

3. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights; Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, 11^th to 13^th Avenues from 83^rd to 86^th Streets

If you feel like getting out of Manhattan, think about heading over to Brooklyn to check out this unique show of festive lights. In this neighborhood, houses for blocks go all out with their lights and Christmas decorations—some are even set to music! While this spot is also super popular with residents and tourists alike, be mindful about when you go if you want to avoid overcrowding. Again, this is a great opportunity to practice your social English since you’ll be travelling in a giant pack of other spectators. Everyone will be willing to participate in your mutual awe!

4. SantaCon; Manhattan, Saturday, December 9^th, 2017

Santa Suit 5K; Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Sunday, December 10^th, 2017

These two occasions are incredibly popular for New Yorkers. For SantaCon, it’s an excuse to dress up as Santa Claus and day-drink—participating bars throughout Manhattan will offer bar specials for anyone part of the group, so if you’re looking for more of a social gathering this season, this is it for you! Again, this is a perfect time to practice your social English. If you’re looking to get use out of your Santa outfit but not interested in the day-drinking part, they have a 5K throughout Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Or maybe you want to do both—nothing better than curing a hangover than with a solid 3.2 mile run!

New York City is not cheap by any means—your rent will tell you that right off the bat. Winter is one of the most expensive times of the year for a New Yorker, so I’ve come up with some incredibly helpful (and already experienced) tips on how to get through the season without hurting your wallet. You won’t sacrifice your comfort or your health, so don’t worry! And each opportunity will keep your English practice going and will keep you challenged!

Depending on how long you’ve been in New York City, you’re probably familiar with the brutal winters we can have here. While in the beginning of the season throughout the first couple of snowfalls, it can be beautiful and mesmerizing, it can also be exhausting and annoying by the time February comes. You start to crave warmer weather and ache for the time when you could leave your apartment without ten layers! Regardless, the winter is tough on all of us, and it can be especially hard on your wallet if you’re not careful. This is my third year in New York City, so I feel prepared and ready to face this season without any surprised. I’ve come up with some of my best advice on ways to save money and not be surprised with high bills.

1. Grocery shop

Let’s face it. We tend to hibernate in the winter as much as we can. Sometimes I have to practically talk myself into leaving my apartment just to get essentials. I noticed that during the months of December until March, I ordered food delivery several times a week just so I wouldn’t have to leave my comfortable little living space! But then I realized $15 here and $20 there started to add up, and before I knew it, I was spending quite a large chunk of my income on food just because I was lazy! Let me tell you—I learned VERY quickly that a trip to the grocery store once or twice a week did quite a favor to my wallet—and my guilt also disappeared! Plus, the more you go outside, the more likely you are to mingle with others—this is a great time to practice “Wow, it’s a cold one today!” or “Certainly makes you miss those hot summer days!”

2. Be mindful of your heat

This is more than likely the biggest contributor of your winter expenses. While it’s nice to feel warm and cozy in your apartment, be careful about what you set your thermostat to. Consider turning the knob down a few degrees before you leave for work each day. It sounds silly, but throw on those layers while you’re home—pull out those hideous house slippers that your parents got you but were too “cool” to wear. Pull out those throw blankets that are only ever used for decoration for bedtime. Invest in under-the-door snakes that will keep any kind of draft entering your apartment—and will also protect your heat from escaping. You’d be surprised how these little details will make a huge difference in your monthly bill! Dust off your English reading skills and look at your paper statement the energy company sends you—they actually send you tips on how you can lower your bill each month! Take their advice—they know what they’re talking about!

3. Check out free activities

Another place my money was going to each winter was the bars. After work or on the weekends, my friends wanted to spend as little time outside as possible, so we didn’t know what else to do but hit up our local pub. Not only was this just sucking the money out of me, but I was also drinking a lot more—not good! So before you automatically just jump to a bar for the first idea, do research on what kind of free shows or museums you can hit—this way, you save money, still stay indoors, AND you won’t wake up the next morning regretting your decisions! While the bar is a great place to meet new people and practice your English, eventually you might find that you’re using the same phrases or even running into the same people. By changing up your routine, you can expand your vocabulary, meet new and totally different people than bar frequenters. Plus, you’re in New York City! There’s so much more to see and do then just the same old bar and pub!

In the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the most treasured holidays of the year. Not only does everyone travel to be with loved ones all over the country (or in other parts of the world), but it’s a time in which everyone reflects on what they’re thankful for and takes a moment to appreciate all the blessings in their lives that they might simply overlook or take for granted on a daily basis. This is also when a huge feast is prepared with lots of turkey, side dishes, and endless desserts. Because this is such a widely celebrated holiday in the country, you might find that New York City tends to empty out a bit with everyone travelling to their hometowns. If you plan on staying in the Big Apple during this holiday, here are a few things you can do to either celebrate the day yourself or otherwise keep yourself occupied when it seems that everyone else is away!

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Ironically, this is a Thanksgiving Day staple event appreciated all over the country. Families in all 50 states will tune into the massive parade the morning of November 23^rd starting at 9 am. Since the parade’s inception in 1924, it has since turned into a massive event that shuts down several streets and avenues for this monumental event. If you feel like attending in person, you sure can, but sure be sure to arrive hours early to ensure a decent viewing spot—and make sure to dress warmly since Thanksgiving can be quite the frigid day at that hour of the day! Oh, and this is a great way to practice your English, too, since you’ll be surrounded by thousands of other New Yorkers or even tourists, so feel free to ask questions or share your excitement with your fellow viewers!

2. Feeding NYC

As I mentioned above, part of the sentiments behind Thanksgiving is noting appreciation for all the blessings you may have in your life, and this reflection often triggers inspiration to give back to others less fortunate and in need. This particular movement starts working together two days before Thanksgiving to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to local communities within the city limits. Here, thousands of volunteers come together to help give back and provide food to dozens of families in need. Check out all the ways you can help, either by donating money or food or volunteering yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how humbled you are and how much more appreciative you are of all your advantages. Here, share your own story about coming to New York City and how much you’ve learned as a newcomer both to the country as well as to the language—you will more than likely connect with others that share a similar story to yours.

3. Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot

Is running kind of your thing? Check out this seasonal 5K and prepare to have a blast—this notorious run allows attendees to dress silly, whether they’re dressed up as Thanksgiving turkeys or even to unofficially kick off the Christmas season dressed up as Santa Claus. It’s also an ideal location to view the stunning fall foliage of Prospect Park and get some fresh air into your lungs, so lace up your running shoes and track down a goofy turkey hat, and you’ll fit right in! Dressing up this way is a great conversation starter, so be sure to keep an open mind and test out your English skills on other runners around you!

4. NYC Pilgrim Pedal

Running not your thing and maybe looking for a calming bike ride instead? This 24-mile (round-trip) bike ride on Thanksgiving morning takes you through Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. This event also encourages you to dress up in fun costumes, so this is a great chance to use that same turkey headpiece costume! The best part? Halfway through the ride around mile 12, the tour makes a stop at a Brooklyn diner for a casual breakfast refuel before heading back on the tour. If you feel you’re not physically up to par with those *crazy* New York City bikers, fret not, because the pace is kept at a leisurely pace, so feel free to take your time and enjoy the scenery! What better way to make friends and practice your English?

As I mentioned in my previous post when I was sharing information about New York City’s two professional hockey teams as well as some basic terms for your reference, here we’ll discuss the city’s two biggest basketball teams as part of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Since this is another winter sport, you’ll notice a lot of coverage of this sport and these teams in the coming months. As is with all the other major league sports in the United States, fans take their teams very seriously, so it should be helpful to keep that in mind when you’re practicing your English social skills with these fans!

1. New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan

This team (whose full name is actually the New York Knickerbockers) was founded in 1946, so they’ve definitely been around for quite some time. Their fans will stand out to you since their colors are blue, orange, silver, black, and white—very similar to baseball’s New York Mets and hockey’s New York Islanders—are you noticing a theme yet?? The team has performed only mildly in the recent years, yet despite their less than decent performance, you’ll again notice that their fans simply don’t give up on them. The Knicks also share this venue with hockey’s New York Rangers, so you might notice some game and sport crossover during the winter months in this neighborhood. It’s pretty cool to see the mixture of different fans crossover during this season. (Plus, if you remember, football season is also going strong during the beginning winter months, so you’ll probably see some New York Giants and New York Jets fans mixed in with the crowds!).

2. Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, Brooklyn

This is a new name for the team, who until 2012 used to be called the New Jersey Nets and before that the New York Nets. This is also a fairly newer team overall, as they weren’t founded until 1967. Their home arena is the Barclays Center, so again, you might see some overlap in the Nets fanbase with hockey’s New York Islanders fanbase if you spend some significant time in Brooklyn. Simply, the Nets’ colors are black and white, so they offer a distinct color difference from the Knicks’ colors. The Brooklyn Nets haven’t seen that much success either in the most recent years, though approximately ten years ago they showed some amount of consecutive success with a few divisional and conference titles.

As I mentioned in my previous posts about practicing your English with these fellow fans, the same can be said with the basketball fans. For the most part, they’re pretty friendly and willing to chat about the game or certain players, so just keep the conversation light by asking them why they’re Knicks or Nets fans, who their favorite player is, or even about the importance of their legacy. Trust me, they’ll be more than happy to chat about it!

To help either guide these conversations or to simply help you understand the game and the terms you’ll hear if you attend a game, I’ve included a brief glossary of common terms and phrases that you can keep in your back pocket to make understanding it all that much easier. This is also a great time to use your translator apps, as these games move quickly, and you may not have the chance to look everything up!

• Airball: a missed shot that doesn’t hit the rim or the net
• Brick: another missed shot that actually does hit the rim but still doesn’t go in
• Dribble: this is the move the players make when they’re bouncing the ball with their hands and also running down the court
• Dunk: this is a scoring shot when a player puts the ball through the basket with their hand hanging from the rim
• Travel: this is a penalty call if a player is moving his legs without dribbling the ball; this happens quite often, so you’ll probably get familiar with it quite quickly
• Swoosh: this is more of a sound made by the fan if a ball goes directly through the net without hitting the rim—making the sound is a version of light celebration

If you’ve been following my blog up until this point, you’ll notice that I’ve included major league sports and when their season starts. If you haven’t noticed by now, New Yorkers take their professional sports very seriously, so I felt obligated to include an overview of these season openers so you’re fully prepared!

The next sport I’ll be touching on is hockey (basketball will be covered in the next article). This sport is notoriously known as a winter sport since it’s played on ice, so it’s only fitting that the teams play during the cold months. Every once in a while a game will be played outdoors (in a geographically cold area, of course), but for the most part, these games are played indoors inside large arenas. Even though it’ll be indoors, the venue itself will stay quite chilly, so if you find yourself ever attending one of these games, be sure to dress appropriately!

New York City has two professional hockey teams, and you might notice depending on where you are in the city that the island itself is pretty divided when it comes to their fanbase! A great way to practice your English in this instance is to start up a friendly conversation with someone who is clearly a fan of one of the teams and pick their brain about an upcoming game, their favorite player, or why they love hockey so much. For the most part, you’ll probably find that New Yorkers are pretty easy to chat with as long as you stay friendly, so make sure you smile and approach gently! Here’s a quick rundown of the two famous New York City teams as well as some helpful lingo so you’re confident with the basics before heading out to catch one of the games!

1. New York Islanders, Barclays Center, Brooklyn

This team has been in action since 1972, so while they haven’t been around as long as other teams in the country, they’ve still made quite a name for themselves over the years. With their colors at royal blue, orange, and white (similar to the New York Mets baseball team if you remember!), they’re hard to miss on the ice, especially since they have 4 Stanley Cups under their belts (which is the ultimate championship win, like the World Series for baseball or the Super Bowl for football). While the team has struggled over the past 30 years or so, their spirit is still alive, as you will very easily see in their fans! Be sure to make your way down to Brooklyn this winter to check out a game for yourself and interact with the passionate fans!

2. New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan

It could be argued that this team is slightly more popular in fandom than the New York Islanders—but never say that to an Islanders fan of course! Founded in 1926, the New York Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the league, existing as part of the Original Six teams along with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Since the team considers their home venue Madison Square Venue, you’ll find it quite easy to run into Rangers fans if you’re anywhere close to Times Square or Penn Station. With their colors as blue, red, and white (like football’s New York Giants), the Rangers match the number of Stanley Cup wins as the Islanders at 4, but they’ve also seen more recent success over the years, which tends to show a spike in the team’s popularity when they’re playing well. Since the team is more locally based in the city, it might be easier for you to track down a game to attend. Again, don’t hesitate to initiate some English practice by striking up conversation with some Rangers fans, and ask them about their favorite players or even what their favorite snack is at the concession stands.

Terms to know:

• Biscuit: this is simply another word for the puck
• Fighting: you’ll notice this is very common and actually encouraged during a game, so worry not if it happens
• Goal: if the puck enters the net, this will be shouted from the stands in celebration

Looking for something to do as the weather chills but not ready to hibernate and lose your sense of New York City adventure? I’ve rounded out a few incredible things to do so you won’t be bored, and you’ll still have the chance to put your English skills to use with chatting with others, cheering people on, or even singing along—November is a great time to experiment!

Finding things to do in New York City when the weather starts to turn from chilly to flat-out cold can be a bit difficult. I can tell you over and over again to dress warm or to be prepared, but that first bite of winter will always be a shock, no matter how much you prep and plan for it! It can be really easy to start to nest once those cold temperatures start to break through, but try and resist the temptation to start hibernating! I’ve included plenty of things to do in New York City for the month of November so you can continue to get the most that the city has to offer!

1. New York City Marathon, November 5, 2017

This is one of New York City’s biggest annual events. Held every year in November, the New York City Marathon is the largest in the world in regards to the number of participants. The course goes through all 5 boroughs in New York City. It starts in Staten Island, moving along through Brooklyn then glides through Queens. From there, runners will cross the East River via the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, climbing up First Avenue into the Bronx and then returning to Manhattan, finishing beside Tavern on the Green. Thousands of supports come to support their friends and family members, and for the rest of the day, the New York City population is thriving with excitement and energy. If you know anyone running, consider looking up the run’s path and find out a good spot to watch for them. Luckily, these days, they have apps that allow you to track your favorite runner so you can tell exactly where they are! Also, this is a great opportunity to chat with fellow cheerers and be sure to check out all the homemade encouragement signs people bring with them—great way to pick up some great new English lingo!

2. The New York Comedy Festival, November 7 – November 12, 2017

If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, this multi-day celebration is just for you. Over a dozen of today’s hottest comedic acts will be in multiple venues throughout the city during this week, so be sure to check out where your favorite will be. Act quickly because these shows fill up quickly, and you wouldn’t want to miss any of these great shows! Many of them will be taped for television specials, so be sure to dress your best! If listening to English is still a bit tricky for you, pull up some of their online specials to get used to their humor or the way they use their English. This will help you prepare for their routines before you get there. This is also a great way to make friends with others that share your favorite comedian or appreciate the same lines that you do!

3. Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starting November 10, 2017

It’s hard to believe that we’re already talking about preparing for Christmas, but you should know by now that New York City doesn’t anything half-assed! One of the most famous New York City destinations is Radio City Music Hall, home to the Radio City Rockettes. As an annual musical holiday stage show, be prepared for 90 minutes of incredible music, dancing, and surprising humor to get you ready for the holiday season. Since 1933, this show has been put on for thousands of people over the decades. Part of the reason they have the program starting so early is due to high demand, so if you have your heart set on attending the show, consider booking way early in advance or checking it out in November before all the holiday tourists come for the show! Another great part of this performance is that exists in digital recordings as well, so you can experience the performance before you even get there. This way, you can practice your English in song or communicate your favorite scenes with other attendees.