Reading and Writing Pyramids of Giza, Class 2

 By Nate Feldman

convey   interpret    mandatory   stand out 

1. Many people use infographics to _______________________, or show, information to people.

2. If you smile at me all of the time, I might ________________________it as meaning you are happy, or it could mean you like me. 

3. People who have unique characteristics often ______________________from other people.  

4. Some people believe that school uniforms should be ______________________.  All students should wear them.  

Model Essay 

Learning a language is definitely a challenge, and anyone who has tried it before know it requires a lot of time and effort.  At ELS, students have the option to study in the semi-intensive program, which is until 12:20, or the intensive program, which is until 3:45.  But, some might suggest that we should have an ultra-intensive program until 7:30 at night.  While that may seem like a good idea for people who want to become more fluent quickly, I don't think it is a good idea.

First, there is only so much the brain can absorb in a day.  If we study until 7:30, we may be hearing more information, it is unlikely we will keep most of what we learned in the later hours.  Some of that is a result to a limit of what the brain can learn at once.  The rest is simply because students will be too tired to even be focusing. 

Also, it's not a good idea because students should experience other things in the United States besides being in a classroom.  Just being inside a room all day will take away from the opportunity to experience life here.  There is a time for class, but there is also a time for exploring the area.  It would be a shame if students left here not doing other things.

Some people might say that the long hours will make them more fluent quickly, which is more important than seeing the Art Museum.  But, as I said before, I don't think they will become fluent quicker with this kind of method.  Doing four hours of good studying, plus time to relax and enjoy yourself, will help you become fluent in fast enough time as well.

So, while it may seem tempting to extend hours at ELS, we should continue to keep the schedule as it is, or maybe even make it shorter.  There is only so much you can learn, and learning can be done in other places besides the classroom.  Thank you.