A conditional clause in English grammar often uses “if” before the subject.  Many of the verbs following an “if” expression use modal auxiliary verbs like “would” or “could.”

What “if” you won a million dollars?  Student essays can give us some ideas.

A student from Japan writes:

If I won $1,000,000, I would buy an office in New York. [Editor’s note: Good Luck!]  Then I would like to start a new job by myself.  [Eventually], I would like to buy a house in New York, if I could make enough [additional] money.  Also, I would buy a beautiful house for my parents in Japan.

Next, I would try to get a green card from the USA.  If I could get a green card, I would be happy.

Then, if I had enough money at that time, I would make a donation for orphans in Japan.  …I should make a donation.  I would make me happier!

There is a New York connection for another writer too:

If I won a lot of money, I would think I’m the luckiest person in the world.  It would be exciting because I could do many things.

…I would give some [of the money] to my parents.  I would buy a house in Thailand for my family and I would like to buy a house in Manhattan; I wouldn’t have to pay every month to rent an apartment.

…I would give some money to poor people; that would make me happy because I could help them and make their lives better.

             Another example:

First of all, I would buy a house for my mother and I would hire someone to help her with cleaning the house and cooking.

Then I would travel around the world, but I [especially] want to visit Africa because I would become a volunteer and help other people, [in particular] children.  I love kids and I feel sad when I am watching TV and see kids crying and hungry.

So I would open an association for helping these people with [their] primary needs.

After that, I would buy a truck because my husband is a driver; he has never driven a truck, but I know he would love it.

…My main idea is that for the rest of my life, I would feel safe – myself and my family – and I would not have to worry about money.

 New York English Academy

One big reason that people from all over come to study English in the United States is because they want to go to a university that offers classes in English only.  If you have made a plan and are at least thinking you might want to attend college in America, read on for some helpful things to know. (more…)

A conditional clause in English grammar often uses “if” before the subject.  Many of the verbs following an “if” expression use modal auxiliary verbs like “would” or “could.”

What “if” you won a million dollars?  Student essays can give us some ideas.

An NYEA student writes:

 If I won $1,000,000, I would buy an office in New York. [Editor’s note: Good Luck!]  Then I would like to start a new job by myself.  [Eventually], I would like to buy a house in New York, if I could make enough [additional] money.  Also, I would buy a beautiful house for my parents in Japan.

Next, I would try to get a green card from the USA.  If I could get a green card, I would be happy.

Then, if I had enough money at that time, I would make a donation for orphans in Japan.  …I should make a donation.  It would make me happier!

Another student writes:

If I won a lot of money, I would think I’m the luckiest person in the world.  It would be exciting because I could do many things.

…I would give some [of the money] to my parents.  I would buy a house in Thailand for my family and I would like to buy a house in Manhattan; I wouldn’t have to pay every month to rent an apartment.

…I would give some money to poor people; that would make me happy because I could help them and make their lives better.

In one of our levels, the students were writing essays about what they would do if they won a million dollars.  Here is an example:

First of all, I would buy a house for my mother and I would hire someone to help her with cleaning the house and cooking.

Then I would travel around the world, but I [especially] want to visit Africa because I would become a volunteer and help other people, [in particular] children.  I love kids and I feel sad when I am watching TV and see kids crying and hungry.

So I would open an association for helping these people with [their] primary needs.

After that, I would buy a truck because my husband is a driver; he has never driven a truck, but I know he would love it.

…My main idea is that for the rest of my life, I would feel safe – myself and my family – and I would not have to worry about money.

 New York English Academy

We’ve talked before about different ways you can improve your English while you’re in New York City.  Another great way is to volunteer; this is when you help a group or ogranization for free. Volunteering in NYC will help you make new friends and improve your English while doing good things for others.

(more…)

What is the best way to learn a foreign language? There are basically three options: 1) You can study by yourself using resources from the internet or books. 2) You can sign up for classes at a local school. 3) Or, you can move to a country where the language is spoken and learn through immersion. Here at NYEA, we believe that language immersion is by far the best way!

(more…)

You’ve finished your TOEFL iBT Preparation course, taken practice exams, and registered for the test—you are ready for TOEFL! Or are you?

Apart from studying, there are many things you must do to prepare for TOEFL. Many students are unaware of the test requirements and the procedures on test day. Follow our guidelines and you will be mentally, physically, and logistically ready for your TOEFL exam. (more…)

An NYEA student is thinking about starting her own business – or maybe just dreaming about it:

I would like to have my own business in the future.  One day, when I have an investment and experience, I would like to open a coffee and bakery café, because I love the taste and smell of coffee.  I like [it] when they draw the coffee foam.  I will create and make fancy coffee in my café.  I [hope] my customers will like it.  Also my café will have many kinds of cakes, breads and cookies.  I will look for a good location for my café.  I think I will decorate my café in vintage style because I like it and it makes me feel relaxed.  I would like to make my customers happy and comfortable when they come to my café.  I hope they will like my coffee and my bakery also.

Another student has another kind of café in mind as her dream business:

Starting your own business is something that you may not have thought about.  But as for me, I do have my own business dream.  I would like to open my own pet café, a place where you can bring your own pet, such as cats, dogs, birds, rats, pigs – even snakes! – to the café and they can have a meal with you at the table in the café.  That would be a very good chance for the pets’ owners and their pets to get some socialization with other pets. In my café, full services such as grooming, pet-sitting, pet-walking, pet supplies, pet food – also a pet mate program – will be provided.

I think that would be nice for pet lovers because nowadays most pet owners think their pets are more than just animals, but also part of the family.

 New York English Academy

Students at New York English Academy often tell us in classroom discussion how their English skills can help them with their employment.  Writing about her dream job, Gabriela envisions a position in the advertising business:

When I was a girl, I used to watch ads on TV, [as well as] American movies and TV shows in which some of the characters worked creating ads.  I thought I would like that [kind of a] job because it looked like fun.  At that time, I started to dream of working as an account executive in an advertising agency in New York City.

Following my dream, I went to college to study Advertising and Marketing Communications.  Meanwhile, I got an internship is an advertising agency and part of my dream started to become true.  After graduating from college, I continued to work in the agency.  I started as the “low man on the totem pole”, but I worked hard.  Little by little, I got better positions until I got a position as an executive account senior.

At that time, part of my dream had become true.  However, in order to achieve my whole dream, I should get a job in New York, but it would not be easy.  After a few years to think about it, I decided to come to the United States, first to learn English, then to apply for a post-graduate position in Business Administration.  [Later] there will be many other obstacles to overcome, but I will take care of one thing at a time.

I know that to achieve my goals and get my dream job will not be easy.  However, I like to believe that every day it is closer to becoming true.  Right now it does not matter if I get it or not because I will always be proud of myself for doing everything I could to achieve my dream.

New York English Academy

What’s within 1 minute of New York English Academy?

If you attend classes at PC Tech in our location at 80 Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan, there are many of tasty and interesting places to visit within a one minute walk of the school. How’s that for convenient? Let’s start with some great food options very near the school. (more…)