Martin has come to PC TECH from France.  He has composed a dialogue in which two people are discussing a dream vacation.  Our school is not far from Broadway and maybe that fact inspires our students to write scripts!

 Ted is driving [his car].  He seems energetic.  Suddenly he takes out his phone.

T:  Hi Mike, it’s Ted!  How are you?

M:  Hey Ted, I wanted to call you too.

T:  Hah, very funny.  Mike, I have a question.  Do you remember your dream vacation?    The lost island?  In the Pacific?

M:  Yes, sure.  I plan to go there next summer.

T:  OK.  I have something that is going to surprise you.  But please, trust me, okay?

M:  I swear [I will].

T:  I hear you need to dive from an airplane to access the island.  There isn’t any other way.

M [incredulous]:  What did you say?

T:  You have to jump!

M:  Oh no!  I’m scared [enough] about flying in an airplane, but flying in the air…it’s too much!  I’m not a bird or something like that!

T:  Mike, come on!  It’s your dream vacation.

M:  It’s a broken dream now!

T:  Just look out the window of the airplane.  And watch the ocean.  You will forget the altitude.

M:  OK, but for the dive?

T:  Breathe peacefully, stop thinking, and let yourself fall when the airplane door opens.

M:  I’m going to panic.  No way!

T:  No, you won’t.  Just before your jump, imagine the beach, the sea, the palms, your dream…just below!

M:  So cool!

T:  You see?  You will do it, I’m sure.

M:  I hope.

T:  OK, we will finish this discussion later; there is a cop and I’m using my phone.

M:  Sure…bye!

Teacher-editor’s reminder:  Talking or texting on the phone while driving a motor vehicle is extremely dangerous and is illegal in most of the United States and in many other countries; it will cost you a very large fine.  Don’t even think about doing it!

 PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Ernest from France has been coming to PC TECH every autumn for the past three years to improve his English skills.  His writing has become more and more interesting.  Here is his imaginary account of Madchat the cat’s dream vacation.

My name is Madchat.  I live in Brooklyn with Sara and I’m her cat.  Yesterday, at the end of the afternoon, Sara invited two friends, Helen and Beatrice, [to her home].  They were speaking about their plans for a vacation and their favorite countries and places they would like to visit.  It was a busy conversation which went back and forth between their dreams and reality.  They were excited.  They spoke about the distant countries whose languages I had never heard spoken before, like Malay, Indonesian, Japanese, Mongolian, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and the beautiful landscapes [of those countries].              They were talking as they were drinking tea and eating small cakes.

“We could swim in the clear and deep ocean.  We could spend time lying on the warm sand, drinking delicious ice-cold fruit juice,” said Sara.

“We could walk up mountains and look at the sunset.  It’ll be so romantic!” said Helen.  “We could visit several museums and taste local foods.  It’ll be so exciting!” said Beatrice.

“But what will you do, Sara, and who will take care of him while we’re traveling?” asked Helen, looking at me.

At this time, I feel down because I don’t want to stay alone while they are having a good time.  I’m becoming depressed!

I shall suggest to them that we stay in the USA together.  It’s be fine for me because there are a lot of places to visit, and it’ll be nice to [take a trip] with these tall, attractive young women.  Cool, isn’t it?

[Ernest doesn’t explain to us how the cat Madchat will speak to the women, so we have to use our imaginations too!  -Editor]

Your PC TECH teacher will help you correct writing errors and offer suggestions for improvement.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Ona is a Level 2 PC TECH student, an American citizen whose heritage is Lithuanian.  She writes about one of her favorite interests:

I would like to tell you about a small country in eastern Europe.  This country is called Lithuania and is one of the three Baltic States, [the others being] Latvia and Estonia.  They are small countries, with Lithuania having the largest population of the three, about three million.

It is hard to find anyone in the country who doesn’t like basketball.  Some are really  crazy about it!

I am not an exception.  When I lived in my country, I [used to] watch every game.  After each game, we discussed – at home and at work – all the players, how they played, and all mistakes that they made.

My favorite games were when they played the Russians.  It was not only to win a game, it was prestige to beat the Russians.  [Russia has always had a powerful basketball team. –Editor’s note]  After the game, the whole country would celebrate with the players!

Flavio from Spain describes a more sedate game:

At this time [in my life], I don’t play video games, but when I was a child, I [used to] play with some friends.

Nowadays I prefer to play board games.  I play several kinds of games: strategy, knowledge, memory, etc.

My favorite board game is Risk.  This games is about the conquest of several territories.  One of the highlights of Risk is how you can use your creativity to design your strategy:  You shouldn’t show your main intention, so you don’t reveal your real strategy.

To win territory from your opponents, you will use the dice.  This is fun because the opponents you have attacked will try to attack you in return.

Another thing that I like so much is the end of the game because I have [already] prepared dinner [Flavio enjoys cooking. –Editor] and we have a couple of beers.  Good things!

           PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

PC TECH student Flavio writes about his “Half Marathon”:

I have always been a person for whom [engaging in] sports isn’t a strong point.  But two years ago, my doctor told me that I had high cholesterol.  He blamed my habits as the catalyst of my bad cholesterol.  So I had to change my habits to good ones.

He suggested that I eat healthier and have a more active lifestyle.  If I wanted to solve my problem, I had to be more active.

At that moment, I promised my best friend that I would be able to run to his home.  My home and his are separated by about 21 km.

At the beginning, this challenge seemed like a fantasy because I couldn’t run more than three kilometers.  Then I read some advice and I used my best “weapons”; two months after, I could run 16 km.  So I decided to try my challenge.

My first 15 km were fine, but the next seven were harder.  I did not have much strength and my body was at its limit.  Yet my mind began to tell my body, “Come on!  Let’s go!  You can!  Go ahead!”

In the end, I could [run to] my friend’s home.  This was the biggest challenge of my life!

A different kind of challenge is described by Anton:

When I was a child, I studied some years of English.  But at that time, I was not really interested in learning another language; it seemed too difficult to me.  I had always preferred to study other [subjects] like science, computers – or to [take part in] sports, especially swimming.

After some years, I understood why I must learn English.  The major reason is my career.  I study computer engineering, and I need to know English for that.  Last year I needed to take an exam to finish my career preparation the [following year].  Fortunately I passed!

[Since then] I have chosen to continue studying English because I want to improve.  I think that I still need more English.  For example, if I want to travel around the world, I need English.

Another reason that makes me interested in continuing study is the cinema.  I love the movies and I prefer to watch them in their original languages; that is always better.  However, it’s still difficult for me to understand all the dialogue.  I put on the English subtitles and that really helps me.

So I’ll continue studying English because I have enough reasons to improve every day.

           PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Two of PC TECH’s students, Taeko from Japan and Flavio from Spain, write about a few etiquette rules and customs in regards to public transportation in their countries:

 Taeko:   I will introduce you to the Japanese taxi.  First, Japanese taxi drivers are basically kind, amiable, and talkative.  They have a lot of information for visitors.  I think it’s so much fun to talk with them.  Please try that out!  I think there are a lot of polite drivers in Japan.

            Second, how to get a Japanese taxi:  We put up a hand and can [hail] a taxi.  In Japan we can always get a taxi, day or night.  This is the same as in New York.  But when we pay, we don’t need to tip.  And also, we don’t need to open the door.

It’s different in New York.  If we pay tips, they are very pleased.  That’s very unusual in Japan.  If you ride a Japanese taxi, please remember these [customs].

Flavio:   When I arrived at JFK [airport], I could see a big difference between the taxi in Spain and in the USA.  Taxi drivers here [in New York] are very polite.  They say Hi!, Please!, How are you?, How are your travels going?, I thank you very much.  Have a nice day!

In Spain, people speak more directly.  But one thing is very similar in the two countries: taxi drivers phone while they are driving.

On the other hand, the subway here [has] more different rules of behavior.  For example, most people in Spain don’t normally eat in the metro, but the rules don’t say that eating is not allowed.  It’s only one rule of behavior.

The main difference is that the subway in Spain is cleaner than New York’s.  Another rule is the tip:  In Spain, people don’t have an obligatory tip.  But here, if you don’t want “death” after your dinner, you [should] tip about 18% of your bill.

[Of course, Flavio is only joking about the “death” after a meal.  However, restaurant servers (waiters and waitresses) in New York are usually very helpful and respectful.  Their salaries are not high, and they really need the extra income.  A tip is a thoughtful way to say “Thanks” for good service.  If the service or the food is poor, you should mention the fact to the server before giving a smaller tip.  —Editor]

           PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Two of our PC TECH students from Barcelona give their suggestions for riding public transportation in that corner of the world.  [Their teacher has done some correcting and editing]:

Ramon:   If you go by bus in Barcelona, you read as you enter, “Please don’t disturb the driver.”  After that, if you don’t have a bus card, you can buy a ticket from the driver.  This is not normal:  you are disturbing the driver.  Sometimes the driver gives you change while driving.

In the bus, your behavior must be polite.  Don’t speak loudly, don’t litter, don’t make other riders uncomfortable.

Going by bus is more interesting than by subway.  You can see the streets with the  monuments [e.g. statues].

In the past, if you wanted the bus to stop, you said something to the driver.  Now there is  a “ring” to stop the bus.  It is more quieter and more polite.

Pets aren’t permitted without a [container] and without a ticket too.  Both [carry] a big penalty.

Anton:   In my country, there are different ways to move around in the city where you are.  I will explain these ways – more or less – in the most famous city in my country – Barcelona.

There are two principal ways to move through the city: subway or bus.  You should choose one of these.

If you want to travel quickly, you should take the subway.  But if not, you could take a bus.  If you take the second option, you will enjoy the sights of the city.

Both methods are good.  You will find people with good manners wherever you go.  Sometimes you can find an impolite person, as in any country.  But in general, the people of Barcelona are very polite.

Finally, if you don’t like either of these options, you can always take a taxi.  But of course, the price will not be the same!

           PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Cesar, a PC TECH Level 5 student, has written about his experiences as a volunteer in a Brazilian hospital:

One of the most remarkable moments in my life was when I offered [my time] to do volunteer work in a hospital specializing in children with cancer in Brazil.

I’m not going to lie, it was one of the toughest moments of my life.  At [first], I got depressed to see all those children sick and facing their illness in the first stages of their lives.

However, after a few minutes, I realized that I couldn’t demonstrate my weakness; I should bring good energy for them.  My goal became to make them happy as long as I was able to show them that their recovery had an objective.  It was a very [confusing] moment in my mind.

For the next four hours, I played games with them, read and talked with them, and before I left we ate some snacks together.  I’m positive that, at least for those hours, I could entertain them and bring them out of that hospital environment.

While I was [traveling] home, I was at the same time, wondering how lucky I was.  Just the [fact] of being healthy changed my way of thinking, of facing my own “problems.”

Federico writes about a different kind of experience:

Probably one of the most important events in my life happened in 2009.  I took my first trip to New York City as a vacation with two friends.  If I hadn’t made that trip, I might not be here now.

I was born and [raised] in Europe, a totally different world from the USA.  I wasn’t too sure that I would like New York: no history, no good food, no social life [!], only “fake” buildings.  That trip opened my eyes!  I was completely shocked by the lights of Times Square and the elegance of the Empire State Building.  I [became] completely involved in the noisy life of this city.  [Because of] that trip, my only dream was to come back to the USA and try to establish myself there.

I’m in “work in progress” situation, but at least part of my dream is achieved.

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Do you like living in a city, suburb, countryside? Why or why not?  Manuella, who comes from Natal, Brazil, shares her thoughts on this topic.  (Her ESL teacher has checked her spelling, grammar, and punctuation and has offered corrections with light editing):

I love living in a city, especially my city.  It is very special because it has many attractions such as tours with dromedaries on the dunes.  There is transparent water in Maracajaui, corals, and especially local food such as crab, shrimp, green beans, fish broth, acai… This is all part of Natal.  It still has more:  it is a very developed city with big supermarkets and malls where people “solve” their problems.  It has also a big center with large stores and buildings where people work and study.   Natal has 800,000 inhabitants and is growing more.  A lot of tourists are coming; it is becoming a great city in which to live; it has a lot of natural beauty.  Also at night there are many things to do.

I would like all to visit Natal; you will love it.

Daniela from Chile expresses her feelings about this topic:

I have always been in the city; I haven’t lived in any other kind of place.  I was born in Santiago, Chile, and then I studied at the school and the university in that same city.

I’m now living  in [another] city, but it is a little different because this is a big city with more development.  However, in [both] Santiago and New York, there are a lot of people.  [They] are crowded, [among] other characteristics!

When I began to study for my law career, my family went to live in a small town near the beach on the Pacific coast.  That place is Algarrobo, popular for free days like weekends, holidays, or vacations because it is a beautiful and wonderful town far from the noisy city.  This town has pure air, beaches, houses, hotels, condominiums, and cabins.  Mostly in the summer, it is a fun place; [also] it is relaxing (and sometimes boring!) too.

Last week I was in Hudson, a suburb of Boston.  I realized that in the future, when I have my family, I would like to live in one of these [communities].  It would be perfect for me and my family.

PC TECH instructors will help you improve your English skills in every area: speaking, listening, spelling, punctuation, grammar, reading, and – perhaps the most challenging of all – writing!

 PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Rocio has come to PC TECH from Cusco, Peru and was thinking for a while about her own tour business.  She shares her ideas with us.  (Her ESL teacher has checked her spelling, grammar, and punctuation and has offered corrections with light editing):

When we have dreams, our spirit, our mind, will start building a project.  Sometimes it is not easy to accomplish your dreams when you work for others.

When I was young, I had many dreams, but my main dream was to buy a big [piece of] land in the countryside to do a “spirit center” for older people and for volunteers, and my other dream was to travel around the world.

My skill was in art.  I was a good painter and a good designer.  At that time, I was thinking of studying architecture, but my father disagreed.  He told me that if I studied art of architecture, I would be a poor person and will not accomplish my dreams.  I was very confused, but my dreams remained in my mind.

Finally, I decided to assemble tours to accomplish my dreams.  For this reason, I started my own travel agency, but it wasn’t easy.  I am  working a lot of hours a day and the responsibility is very hard, but I travel around the world.  Now, I am thinking about my future.

Why not?  No, I don’t want to own a business because I don’t have management skills.  I’m very happy working for others.  Every month I receive my salary and I have vacation for one month each year.  Umm!  Sometimes I can travel in my country or I can travel outside.

PC TECH instructors will help you improve your English skills in every area: speaking, listening, spelling, punctuation, grammar, reading, and – perhaps the most challenging of all – writing!

 PC TECH: English Language School in New York City

Do you like living in a city, suburb, countryside? Why or why not?  Federica, who comes from Messina, Sicily, shares her thoughts on this topic.  (Her ESL teacher has checked her spelling, grammar, and punctuation and has offered corrections with light editing):

I like in a small town in the South of Italy.  Sometimes I think that is perfect for me.  I know all of my neighbors; the stores are [very] close to my house; there isn’t [much] traffic; and there is a great sense of community.  But often I have thought that it is so boring because nothing happens.  Maybe this is the reason [for me] to move myself [interesting expression!] from a small town to a metropolis like New York.  I like meeting different people from many countries and [hearing] different languages.

I love the architecture of [New York City].  It isn’t clean [the author’s opinion], I know, and it is noisy, but it is called “the city that never [sleeps]” for this reason!  I love walking in the street and raising my eyes to the sky to see the tall buildings.  It offers something new to do at all hours.  It’s so big, but there is a lot of public transportation to move [around] every part of the city.  It is [sometimes] not safe, especially in [certain] areas.  All big cities have [positive and negative aspects]; you have to take the best things!  At this time, I prefer to live in a big city.  Maybe, when I am old and tired, I will move to an isolated and quiet place like the countryside!

PC TECH instructors will help you improve your English skills in every area: speaking, listening, spelling, punctuation, grammar, reading, and – perhaps the most challenging of all – writing!

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City