The Line-Up

Here's a tentative plan for the next couple weeks. As always, the goal is just to get discussions flowing, so these topics are just starters.

This week (March 2): Diversity, multiethnicity, the so-called "American Melting Pot", and other fun things. Such as why Americans like pieorgies (yes, we add an -s ending in English) and names not to call someone.

Next week (March 9): American universities and the differences with Polish universities. And even better, we'll have at least two more native speakers present-- current 4th year university students from New York who are visiting me in Poznań for their spring break!

March 16: NO MEETING (unless you guys want to); I'll be at a conference, sorry.

March 23 (and onward): Meeting again as normal

Juno's in Alaska, and there's Lincoln in Nebraska

Rusty on your U.S. states and capitals? Let Wakko and the Animaniacs help you out!



Enjoy!

While you're at it, here's some of the other most memorable Animaniacs songs.

The Parts of the Brain, with Pinky & the Brain

(hilariously out-dated) The Nations of the World, with Yakko

The Universe, with Yakko again

Tonight, Tonight

Our first meeting will be tonight at 19:00 in 212b, Bloc B. It will probably be a relatively short informational meeting just to get the ball rolling. Bring your friends, and see you there!

And if you're still curious about football, here's a map of all the teams in the U.S. according to region: United States of Football.

First Meeting

We've secured a time slot! The American Convo group will start meeting at 19:00 on Wednesdays in Collegium Novum 212b, bloc B. We'll start by meeting in this classroom, but in the future we may instead arrange to meet in coffee shops, bars, or elsewhere. All levels of English and all studies are welcome!

Our first meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 19:00. See you there!

Super Bowl Ads

This past Sunday was the biggest game of the year in American football-- the Super Bowl! Known colloquially as Super Bowl Sunday, it is an American tradition to watch this game. It doesn't matter if you don't care about the teams or even don't care about football; if you're not watching because of the game, you're probably watching for the halftime show (always a famous band, this year it was the Black Eyed Peas) or the commercials. This year, a new record was set (again) with 111 million people tuning in of the USA's population of 300 million.

Because the Super Bowl is the most watched TV event in the USA, the commercials, which play during the breaks in play (2-3 might air roughly every 10 minutes), are incredibly expensive and usually very well done. Companies spend millions of dollars on just a few minutes of advertising, so it is important that they get their message across quickly.

Here's the YouTube channel with all the ads from this year's Super Bowl. As you can see, it's usually dominated by beer and car ads. My favorites this year are probably "Volkswagen- The Force" and "Chrysler Eminem". Enjoy!

Coming Soon!

Starting this spring in Poznań: an American Culture and Conversation group!

This is NOT a class. Nor is it a lecture. Instead, this is a group of students for students, and an opportunity for you to relax, and have fun, and use only English. You will meet native speakers who may help us talk about everything from the details of American football to how to study in the USA. Come ready to talk about whatever you want to talk about, especially things not discussed in the classroom. Popular culture, slang, films, foods, music and much more!

This group is completely casual and completely free. It is run by a native speaker, but it is by students and for students of any level. All are welcome!