October in NYC: The Best Ways to Put Your English Skills to Use September 27, 2019

No matter how long you’ve been in New York City, you probably know that New York City celebrates practically everything, and we practice everything in a BIG way. That’s why when October rolls around, everything turns spooky with Halloween, and people get excited about the cooler temperatures and all the outdoor activities that come with the month of October. From pumpkin and apple picking to hayrides and haunted houses, even the most adult-like people here in the Big Apple turn into the biggest excited kids.

The great part is that everything that’s available in New York City offers you the chance to put your English language skills to practical use while you’re taking advantage of all these great activities. Be sure to gather all your friends to figure out what’s the most appealing to everyone, and get out there! Interact with other event-goers over the weekend, and find out what they’re checking out. It’s a great way to learn new social phrases, you can learn new hashtags to find out what’s trending in your area, and best of all, you’ll learn more about the city and the English language than you even imagined! While October has plenty to do thanks to the cooler temperatures and the excitement in the air, here are just a few things to check out this month – and you’ll probably see me there, too!

1. 2^nd Annual New York Pizza Festival, Saturday, October 5^th – Sunday, October 6^th, Crescent Avenue, Bronx

If you’ve got this weekend open, be sure to make your way to this amazing, pizza-filled event. With over 25 pizza makers in attendance (five are from Italy!), you’ll be sure to get as much pizza in your belly as possible. With tons of options available as well as drinks and entertainment, you won’t want to miss this amazing event. This is also a great time for you to test out your English skills with other event-goers, but if you have your translation app out, you also may want to add Italian to your rotation this weekend—surely you’ll be hearing a lot of Italian phrases, so this is a great way to test your skills in another language, too!

2. New York City Wine and Food Festival, Thursday, October 10^th – Sunday, October 13^th, various areas in Manhattan

If you’re a foodie and looking to mingle with the best of the best in the culinary world, this is your event. This is the largest food and wine festival in New York City, with over 80 spots around the city taking part in this huge event. This event is wildly popular and attracts people from all over the world, so if you’re interested, be sure to save up and plan ahead if you want to get your money’s worth. Come prepared with some of your most common English phrases, but since there will be plates from all over the world being features, it also might just be helpful to have your translation app set to multiple languages just in case!

3. Harvest Fest and Pumpkin Patch, Sunday, October 13^th, Queens Botanical Garden

It wouldn’t be October without something to do that’s related to pumpkins! Halloween tends to take over the city for the entire month of October, but in this location, you can catch a break from the scaries and just enjoy the fresh air with the pumpkins. Take part in live music, join nature walks, and even enjoy some beer or cider in the field. It’ll give you a break from the day-to-day bustle in the city, and you’ll truly feel like it’s autumn here. Bring your friends for a day of fall, and be sure to practice your favorite English phrases about lovely weather, autumn happenings, and even questions about features the garden has to offer.

By now, you guys should know that the fall is my favorite time of the year, and there’s something so wonderful about it while in New York City. My mood is lifted, and I’m much more apt to get outdoors and experience the fresh, autumn air. Central Park is beautiful this time of year, and it’s a great opportunity for a picnic in the field or a long walk along the paths. You’ll love watching the leaves change color, and as always, the scenery is wonderfully Instagram-worthy – and what better way to practice your English than seeing what kind of clever hashtags you can include! Happy Fall, readers!