Finding Other Cultures in NYC While Learning English March 20, 2017

As I’ve mentioned before in a previous post, one of the greatest things about New York City is the wide range of multiple cultures nestled within the city limits. By now you’ve probably encountered “Little” neighborhoods in the Big Apple, and depending on your home country, you might find yourself drawn to some of these areas, as they might be the “host” neighborhood of your homeland! I’ve chosen a few of these neighborhoods to give you an idea of what you can expect from each of these areas, or “micro-neighborhoods.”

1. Koreatown in Midtown Manhattan

I chose to introduce this one first, as its location is in an easily accessible area and close to the heart of New York City: Times Square. In fact, the area that Koreatown lies in is also known as Greeley Square, so this might help if you’re having difficulties finding it. Its location on 32nd Street (also known as Korea Way) between 5th and 6th Avenues offers great exposure to the Empire State Building, Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, and the Garment District.

If Korea is your homeland, you might find coming to this area will remind you of home with lots of restaurants, bakeries, bookstores, and nightclubs that healthily balance Korean life and New York City life. This neighborhood primarily has their signage in Korean, so this would be a perfect time to challenge your English-speaking skills among others with your same or similar heritage.

2. Little Italy in Lower Manhattan

I also chose this one because it’s a cultural hotspot—even if you’re not too familiar with New York City just yet, you might be familiar with the cultural references to this area, like the Mafia. While the neighborhood has since become a much safer place to be, Little Italy is the proud home to outstanding eateries and restaurants that offer the best Italian food that New York City has to offer.

You can safely assume that many inhabitants of this neighborhood speak Italian, but you can also expect many English speakers to be there as well, so this is another great and interesting way to test out your English amongst others that may not consider English as their native language!

3. Chinatown in Lower Manhattan

This is another really exciting location, as it’s the largest enclave of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere! Plus, if you’re not in Manhattan, there are other Chinatowns in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, so you have lots of options if you’re eager for some Chinese culture—and some of the best dumplings you’ll ever have!

If you find yourself in the Manhattan location, however, I must insist that you make your way to Mott Street because one of the coolest spots is on this street—the thing that makes it so incredible is the streetscape and the scenery. If China is your homeland, you might recognize some of the characteristics of this neighborhood, as endless restaurants, shops, and theatres line the streets. Immerse yourself in this culture within a culture and pull out some of your English skills, and you might find yourself as a resource for translation!

4. Little Greece in Astoria, Queens

This is another favorite of mine—one of my great friends lives in Astoria and insisted that I come her way to try out all the best Greek foods that New York City has to offer. This area is largely influenced by Greek culture due to a large Greek migration in the 1960s, and the lasting effect has inspired tremendous and incredible restaurants and eateries.

Little Greece is still mainly composed of Greek inhabitants, but over the years other cultures have called this area home, so you might discover a wide range of other languages spoken here, so it’s almost another small melting pot—so you know that means it’s another opportunity to test out your English skills!

5. Spanish (East) Harlem in Upper Manhattan

I’m a bit biased with this one since I used to live here, but this is an incredible and up-and-coming area for some of the best Spanish food you’ll ever try. Plus, there are some pretty incredible museums and churches to visit if you’re craving some cultural perspectives on the area.

While I lived in this neighborhood, I noticed many shops had their signage in both Spanish and English, so come prepared to use your best English skills while in “El Barrio” (“The Neighborhood”).