May 2020 Newsletter

MAY 2020 NEWSLETTER
#DAYBYDAY



Dear Members,

After over 2 months indoors, we hope that you will gradually get your land legs back and enjoy the new found freedom of Phase 2 “Sblockdown”.  We’re all looking forward to a period of CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.

#DAYbyDAY – It seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  We hope to see you all in person soon, but there has been no official notice about the reopening of Cultural Associations.  We will REMAIN CLOSED until there is a decree and then in any case we will reopen only when we can GUARANTEE the HEALTH and SAFETY of all visitors.

HOME ALONE? We repeat our invitation for anyone home alone to contact us via email at aia.fvg@gmail.com if you need assistance, or just would like to talk.  We’ll call you back.

LIBRARY BOOKS and DVDs - Don’t worry about overdue items.  There will be plenty of time to return them when we can get out again!  Sorry, no new checkouts until further notice.

RECEIPTS are all printed.  When we reopen in the future, they’ll be available for pick up. We are NOT in the office during this period.

THIS SUMMER?  Good Question.  Wouldn’t it be nice? We would all love to go back to “normal”, but it seems that in the immediate future that is not an option.  A coffee together would be a dream.   Summer Classes and Events would be fun.  A night at the cinema would be fantastic. Independence Day would be a great party.  Wait and see.

ENGLISH CLASSES

LESSONS from a DISTANCE Round 1 saw many students continuing and some new students beginning.  This week our lesson themes included home gardening, plants, happiness and creativity.

Special THANKS go to: 
- our STUDENTS (and parents)
 for continuing with us and for being so well prepared for lessons.  We love your photos, artwork and virtual slices of pies and cakes!  The Adult Virtual Sing-a-long was phenomenal!
- our SPECIAL GUESTS in Adult Classes including a Psychiatrist, Cartoonist, Sound Engineer and a  Home Play by Ear Pianist.
- our LESSONS at a DISTANCE TEACHING TEAM for preparing these fun, interesting and useful lessons!  It has been a learning curve and we have all learned so much in the past weeks. 

A WARM SALUTE to TEACHERS and STUDENTS who are on hold with English classes for the moment.  We can’t wait to see you all again in person!

LESSONS from A DISTANCE – Round 2– Start on MAY 25th (lessons sent during the weekend prior to the lesson week).

We’re offering a series of 5 more weekly Lessons From A Distance (Starting the week of May 25th for 5 weeks).
- SELF-PACED LESSONS to work on with parents for PreK and Elementary Students containing related activities, songs, videos, stories, vocabulary.
- SELF-PACED LESSONS plus ZOOM Meetings for Middle School, High School and Adults including readings, videos and preparatory activities for the ZOOM Live sessions.   

Are you be interested in continuing or joining Lessons at a Distance Round 2?  Please register on this GOOGLE FORM. New students are welcome, but you will need to become a 2019/20 Member.  Did you skip Round 1? No problem.  Hop on board in Round 2.

AMERICAN FILM SERIES
Because of the closing of Theaters and Cinemas, the program is on stand-by.

AMERICAN CORNER TRIESTE has gone ONLINE
The American Corner has gone virtual, posts daily in Facebook and features interesting free links for you to improve your English and learn about American culture from home.  Take virtual tours of museums and national parks, check out eBooks from the finest libraries in the world, take a University Online Course for free, go to the Opera, enjoy concerts, audio books, children’s books and films at no charge.

HOME THEATER – If you can’t go to the theater, we’ll bring it to you!
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 pm, we host Documentary Watch Parties on Facebook.  Themes include Aerial America and various topics about the United States and Live US Webchats.

WEBCHATS on Facebook Live on Fridays at 11 am.  Each week the American Corner goes online in English to talk about more or less and we’d love for you to join us!

FREE Online Course that we love at the moment:  The Yale Happiness Course, Yale’s most popular course officially known as The Science of Well-Being.   Try to Re-Wire now.  Self-Paced and very insightful.  You’ll thank us.

FREE Online MOOC for English Language Learning and Career and Professional Development.   In 4 weeks learn to write resumes, cover letters and professional email messages with professors from the University of Pennsylvania.

THE BEST SPOTIFY PLAYLIST EVER:  AIA Happiness 2020 4 hours of music compiled by AIA FVG Adult Students and Teachers.

VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOUR that we took recently:  Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  Don’t miss the dinosaurs!

MUSICAL PROGRAM that we recommend:  Take me to the World: a  Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration.  Meryl Streep, Bernadette Peters and more at home together.

WHAT WE’RE READING:  Anything and everything but especially poetry:  The American Academy of Poets – Poems to take Shelter In.

Check our blog and American Corner Facebook Page regularly for updates.

TAKE CARE.  CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.  DAY by DAY.


VOLUNTEERS
We are a Volunteer Run Non-Profit Association. In ordinary circumstances volunteers run our Library, American Corner Programs and Activities.  In this period we’re looking for tech savvy people who can help us record our online classes and turn them into a weekly podcasts. Contact us! aia.fvg@gmail.com

AMERICAN CORNER TRIESTE – Since 2007, we have been part of the American Spaces Network with over 600 locations around the world.   Programs, consultation of the library, public internet access computers, and Wi-Fi are always Free and Open to the Public.  A great place to study, meet friends, bring your kids.  Specific sections of the library are dedicated to Educational Advising, Children’s Corner Library and Women’s Space.    Consult our online catalog of Books and DVDs.   The American Corner also offers Life Skills in English Courses for Refugees and Case Workers thanks to a U.S. Department of State Grant and the US Diplomatic Mission to Italy.  The American Corner promotes the Refugee Bear Integration through Entrepreneurship Project, encouraging professional refugee tailors to use their skills.


NEWS FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS
2020 is a GENERAL ELECTION YEAR.

If you’re an American Citizen, you can register to vote… even if you have never resided in the United States.  Request your Absentee Ballots now with your Federal Post Card Application, so you will be set for the entire year.  Let your voice be heard in the Presidential Primaries and General Election.  VOTING REGISTRATION INFO HERE.

Stay up to date on the Covid-19 situation through the US Embassy to Italy at this LINK 

May 2020 Calendar

#DAYBYDAY

Lessons at at Distance for Kids - Round 1

It's Jack and the Beanstalk Week at Associazione Italo Americana FVG!  (PreK, Elementary123, Elementary345)



You're still in time to join our Lessons at a Distance Round 1 - 5 lessons 5 weeks, Delivered to your mailbox each week.

Week 1: Jack and the Beanstalk for PreK, Elem123, Elem345. 

In case you were wondering, it's Happiness Week for our Middle, High School and Adult Classes.

Here's the link full info and prices.  

Middle School, High School and Adult Classes are now meeting virtually with ZOOM.

Classes start on Monday, April 20th.  Sign up and we'll get you the lesson plan ASAP. 

Did you receive your lesson plan?  If not, contact us at aia.fvg@gmail.com

Looking for more FREE RESOURCES to IMPROVE your ENGLISH?  Here's a LINK to virtual visits, courses, adventures, culture, libraries.


#iorestoacasa #imstayinghome

Lessons at a Distance: Round 1

It's Happiness Week at Associazione Italo Americana FVG!  (Adults, Middle School, High School)

You're still in time to join our Lessons at a Distance Round 1 - 5 lessons 5 weeks. 

In case you were wondering, it's Jack and the Beanstalk Week for all our Kids (PreK, Elem123, Elem345)

Here's the link full info and prices.  

Middle School, High School and Adult Classes are now meeting virtually with ZOOM.

Classes start the week f Monday, April 20th.  Sign up and we'll get you the lesson plan ASAP. 

Did your receive your lesson plan?  If not, contact us at aia.fvg@gmail.com

Lessons from a Distance - Round 1 - Starting April 20th

Interactive Lessons from a Distance sent to your mailbox weekly
5 weeks - 5 lessons

All Participants must be Members of the Associazione Italo Americana FVG. 
NEW MEMBERS / STUDENTS are WELCOME.  If you are not a member, you can become one online.


Are you interested?  Please fill in this FORM .


  • Lessons follow our immersion-based English teaching methodology:  Fun, Positive, Interactive, Practical with an emphasis on fluency.
  • Lessons use the format of the Lessons from a Distance Make-Up lessons proposed for the Winter Session.
  • Thematic Self Pace Lessons include links to activities, worksheets, videos, music, readings.
  • In Virtual Classrooms, we will discuss the contents of the Lesson plan, which the student should consult prior to the lesson.  
  • New Students are Welcome!  You will need to be come a MEMBER of the Associazione and fill in our Membership Form.  If your child is under age 16, the parent becomes the member.  Here is the link regarding What it means to be a Member. Intero €35, Ridotto (studenti +16, docenti, +65) €25.
Participation Fees 

PreK/Family                   €25.00 -self paced
Elementary 123 & 345   €35.00- self paced
Native Speaker (Elem)   €35.00 - self paced
Middle School                €50.00 - including Virtual Classroom Mtg
High School                    €50.00 - including Virtual Classroom Mtg
Adult                               €62.50 - including Virtual Classroom Mtg

(Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate Conversation, Advanced Conversation)



Lesson Delivery each Friday with the Lesson Plan for the following week.
Lesson Delivery Dates:  April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15

PAYMENT via IBAN - without discount   
IT 05 M 02008 02230 000005261887
Please specify:  Name of Student, Name of Course. 
As usual, in the case of children under age 16, the reference is made to the Adult Parent Member.  

Receipts will be available for pickup after the Coronavirus Lockdown is lifted.  

Looking for more FREE RESOURCES to IMPROVE your ENGLISH?  Here's a LINK to virtual visits, courses, adventures, culture, libraries.
#iorestoacasa #imstayinghome

American English Resources Online




March 20, 2020

As you know, we have been closed since February 24, 2020 for the Coronavirus Emergency and will remain closed in accordance to the Italian Governmental Decrees. 
We miss you and hope to see you in person again soon!  
In the meantime, the American Spaces network offers a variety of American English Online programs.  We'll keep this post updated as we learn of new interesting resources.

You might enjoy these sites much that you won't want to go out after the lockdown... Just kidding!

Take Care! #iorestoacasa #imstayinghome

RESOURCES
Visit the US National Parks Online https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm
Tour the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History:
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

Get Stendahl Syndrome (instead of Coronavirus) with Google Arts & Culture proposing 1200 world class museums and archives 

Read from online Libraries  Here are some tremendous opportunities.
World Digital Library: free access to thousands of books, documents and photos from all countries and cultures.  https://www.wdl.org/en/

Project Gutenberg - Over 60,000 Free books that you can download. 
https://www.gutenberg.org/
Visit the Library of Congress,the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections.  https://www.loc.gov/
Read some classic American Short Stories from the Library of America: http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/

Get Free Lesson Plans in English from Scholastic-PreK to Grade 9:  

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/articles/resources/scholastic-learn-at-home--free-resources-for-school-closures.html
Take a self-paced English class at Voice of America's site and watch English captioned news : https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
Sing Out Loud
Children's Songs in English:  https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/sing-out-loud-childrens-songs

Traditional Folk Songs in English
https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/sing-out-loud-traditional-songs

Front Row Seat at the NY Metropolitan Opera - A free opera every day.  Each one stays online for 20 hours. With English Subtitles.  https://www.metopera.org/
Follow Pre-recorded U.S. government webinars
American English Teaching - http://bit.ly/AEWbnr
State Department Speakers from Interactive - http://bit.ly/IntrctWnbr
US Foreign Press Center - http://bit.ly/USFPCWbnr
US Videos and Articles -http://bit.ly/CntntCmmns
Take a MOOC
American English Massive Open Online Course (MOOCS) - http://bit.ly/AmEnMOOCs
English MOOCS for Educators - http://bit.ly/AEMOOCEd
YALI Network Courses - https://yali.state.gov/learning

Study at at Harvard and other prestigious American Universities with Free MOOCs.
https://www.edx.org/
Watch Speakers every topic imaginable on:
Ted Talks: www.ted.com 

Lesson from a Distance n. 4 - Winter

🍪🍰The final lesson of the Winter Session is in your mailbox today, April 10th (PreK/Family, Elem 123, Elem 345, Native Speaker)

With this lesson we conclude our Lessons from a Distance from the Winter Session.  This is a fun one themed with with Sweets and Master Chefs!  We hope that you will make something delicious!

The Associazione Italo Americana FVG is offering:

Lessons from a Distance: Round 1 - 5 Lessons delivered to your Inbox each Friday starting on April 17th.  Here is the LINK with more INFO about PreK/Family, Elem123, Elem345, Native Speakers, Middle School, High School, Adult Lessons from a Distance.    

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend at home.  
We hope to see you soon in person!  In the meantime #iorestoacasa #imstayinghome

American Corner Trieste HOME Theater

If you can't go to the cinema, let the cinema come to you.  BYOP (Bring your own Popcorn!)

Thanks to an agreement with the US State Department and Kanopy, American Spaces around the world can STREAM selected Kanopy documentaries on Facebook Groups.

American Corner Trieste HOME Theater  - an open Facebook Group - proposes in April documentaries every Tuesday at 3 pm


Jazz Week
April 7th - Ella Fitzgerald Something to live for
April 9th - Gumbo - The History of Jazz by Ken Burns for PBS

US Space
April 14 - Apollo 13: Safe at Home
April 16 -TBC

Earth Week
April 21 -Aerial America: Georgia
April 23 -Aerial America: Arizona

Mystery Week
April 28 - The Polio Crusade
April 30 - Aerial America: Hawaii

May 5 - Aerial America
May 7 - TBD

May 12 -  Aerial America
May 14 - TBD

May 19 - Aerial America
May 21 - TBD

May 26 - Aerial America
May 28 - TBD

Lesson 3 from a Distance is in your mailbox

Lesson 3 from a Distance was sent to all classes today, April 3, 2020.  Check your INBOX.
For those of you meeting online next week, your teacher will give you the meeting invitation for next week. 

Monday to Friday students missed 3 lessons for Coronavirus.  Saturday students missed 4 lessons. 

Next Friday we will send a 4th lesson to ALL PreK/ Family, Elementary 123, Elementary 345 and Native Speakers.

We hope that you have enjoyed these lessons.  We had a great time preparing them. 

If for some reason you did not receive the lessons, please contact us at aia.fvg@gmail.com and we will resend.  They could be in in your Promotions, Social or Spam boxes. 

Because we don't know when we will be able to meet again, in person, the Associazione Italo Americana FVG is proposing a mini-session of 5 more Lessons from a Distance, starting the week after Easter. 

Here is the LINK with the details for the 5 lessons from a Distance - Round 1
If you're interested, please fill in the SURVEY on the link so we know how many people will be in class!

Have a Wonderful Weekend (at Home) #iorestoacasa #imstayinghome