The history of the ABCs
How did you learn the ABCs? The classic song–sung to the same tune as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”–is how most children and adults learn the English alphabet. But did you know that this was not always the most common way of learning the ABCs? In the 19th century, most students learned the alphabet with a rhyme [...]
SD Event: Fashion Show at Pacific Beach’s Typhoon
Many of our students say that one of the most exciting aspects of living in California is the fashion. Californians are known for their relaxed, colorful, and fashion-forward dress, and the state is full of inexpensive shops with great merchandise! On Friday, May 11, students will have an exciting opportunity to learn a little more [...]
Idioms with “May”
April showers bring May flowers, and May brings… a lot of idioms! There are quite a few idioms that use the word “may”. Today, we are looking at a few that are easy to incorporate into everyday speech. Note: these all use the word “may” that is a modal, not the word “May” that is [...]
Take the 30-Day Phrasal Verb Challenge with CISL!
It’s phrasal verb month at CISL! Many students groan when they hear the words “phrasal verb.” We understand why: there are hundreds of phrasal verbs in the English language, and the only way to learn them is to memorize them. There is no “quick fix” when it comes to learning phrasal verbs! Or is there? [...]
A haunting experience: ghost tours in Old Town San Diego
Halloween, the holiday of goblins and scary creatures, is on October 31st… but San Diegans enjoy a little scare in other months of the year, too! Would you like a thrilling adventure? Check out the Past and Presence Ghost Tours this Friday. The tours, which take place on April 27 from 10am to 11:30pm, take visitors [...]
Grammar Lesson: The Zero Conditional
Our grammar lessons on “Conditionals” continue! This week we are studying the last of the four conditionals. Make sure to read the articles on the First, Second, and Third Conditionals before reading today’s lesson on the Zero Conditional. If you do, you will be a Conditional Master! (Extra credit points if you can tell us [...]
Go Padres! CISL student experiences a baseball game for the first time
Who says that sports are just for boys? The San Diego Padres game is a great event for boys AND girls to attend, and our CISL San Diego student, Radka, proved that when she went to last week’s Padres game and had a great time. Radka was kind enough to share her experience (and photos!) [...]
Celebrating National Poetry Month with a poem by Emily Dickinson
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? What a perfect time to learn a little more about American poets! The history of this event is quite interesting. In 1995, the Academy of American Poets created the celebration as a way to increase the appreciation and awareness of poetry. That year, the celebration was [...]
Don’t look down! CISL students go rock climbing
Have you ever been rock climbing? CISL San Diego often takes a trip over to Solid Rock for an afternoon of exercise… and adrenalin! One of our students, Rena from Japan, spoke with us about her experience rock climbing. This was Rena’s second time rock climbing, so we think she is a professional! Even though [...]
Grammar Lesson of the Month: the First Conditional
If it rains, I will bring an umbrella with me to work. If you eat a lot of cookies, you might get a tummy ache. If I had been born in Spain, I would have spoken Spanish as my mother tongue. If you do not water your plants, they die. April’s Grammar Lesson of the [...]
