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Slang with “money” (and casino culture in California)

Moolah, Dinero, Cheddar, Bucks . . . there are so many slang words for “money” in the English language! If you are studying English in San Diego or San Francisco, you will probably be shopping often, whether it be buying clothes, souvenirs, or tasty meals at local restaurants. Each of these shopping experiences is an...

Dating slang in English (and romantic restaurants in SD and SF)
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Dating slang in English (and romantic restaurants in SD and SF)

Sometimes it is difficult to express love in words . . . but these slang words do a great job of expressing amor! Learn all about how to describe relationships, and then read our recommendations for places to take your love on a date. English Dating Slang Exclusive  Definition: not dating other people Clingy  Definition:...

The Best Coffee Shops in San Francisco
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The Best Coffee Shops in San Francisco

Seattle may be the U.S. city most often associated with coffee (it was the birthplace of Starbucks!) but San Francisco’s laid-back coffee shops serving up delicious roasts give Seattle a run for its money.* Check out some of these excellent coffee shops while you are studying English in San Francisco. *run for its money =...

Dating traditions in the U.S. (and great date locations in SD and SF)
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Dating traditions in the U.S. (and great date locations in SD and SF)

Everyone seems to have a different idea for the perfect first date. A fancy steakhouse and the theater? Dinner and a movie? Or . . . some burgers and the sunset? Although it is difficult to say exactly what the dating traditions are in the United States (everyone is different!) there are some things which are...

A Drink with a View: San Francisco’s Best Rooftop Bars
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A Drink with a View: San Francisco’s Best Rooftop Bars

Would you like to take a break from studying while you are a student at CISL San Francisco? The following list includes some of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars, as suggested by locals. Grab a drink at one of these locations and enjoy a view of the beautiful city skyline! Cheers! Best Rooftop Bars in SF...

Relaxed pronunciation in English (and great weekend activities in SD and SF)
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Relaxed pronunciation in English (and great weekend activities in SD and SF)

The English language loves contractions. “Cannot” becomes “can’t” and “will not” becomes “won’t”; “its” and “it’s” and “he’s” and “she’s” are all commonly used words that actually are two words combined. Another way of combining words is to use relaxed pronunciation. This is the combination of two words into one, and is used often in...

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Great movies about California (and awesome theaters in SD and SF!)

The sprawling vineyards, the beautiful beaches, the excitement of Los Angeles, the sophistication of San Francisco, the laid-back surfer culture of San Diego . . . it is no wonder that Hollywood uses California so often in its movies. There are thousands of movies set in California, but here is a list of ten movies...

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Improving TOEFL Reading Score with CA Author John Steinbeck

I believe there are monsters born in the world to human parents. Some you can see, misshapen and horrible, with huge heads or tiny bodies. . . . And just as there are physical monsters, can there not be mental or psychic monsters born? The face and body may be perfect, but if a twisted...

CISL Student Activity: Road Trip to Lake Tahoe!
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CISL Student Activity: Road Trip to Lake Tahoe!

San Francisco is close to incredible tourist destinations: Napa Valley, the Northern California Redwood forests, Yosemite, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and many more beautiful locales are just a road trip away! One road trip is the perfect destination any time of year: Lake Tahoe. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range that separates California from Nevada,...

CISL SD student activity: Road Trip to Las Vegas!
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CISL SD student activity: Road Trip to Las Vegas!

Vegas, Baby! What happens there, stays there . . . but how do you get there? That is the question we are looking at on today’s blog. Since it is just a five-hour drive away from Southern California, Las Vegas is an extremely popular road trip for CISL San Diego students. Let’s take a look...