Events are open to the public free of charge. Please visit our Eventbrite or Facebook page to view event schedules. If you would like to attend, please arrive on time. For events that require registration in advance, a registration link will be provided in the announcement.
Note: ID card is required for entry.
November 2016
English Club
Time: Tuesday, November 1, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Kenya Jordana James, U.S. Consulate Officer
This month, you and your friends will have the chance to practice giving a two minute speech on American culture. Good times!
Peace Corps Talk
Time: Wednesday, November 2, 4:00 – 5:30pm
Please join Peace Corps Director Carolyn Hessler-Radelet for an overview of Peace Corps’ activities. Director Hessler-Radelet is in town for a visit to discuss establishing Peace Corps in Vietnam. After her presentation, she will be joined for an interactive discussion with former Peace Corps volunteers. Please RSVP here.
Voting in the U.S.
Time: Thursday, November 3, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Speaker: Chris Blinky, U.S. Consulate Officer
Election Day in the U.S. is next week. Have you ever seen an actual U.S. Presidential ballot form? Join us to learn about the history of voting laws, voters’ rights in the U.S. and much more!
Work Opportunities in the U.S. for International Students
Time: Friday, November 4, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Speakers: Representatives from American University, University of South Carolina, University of Kansas, University of the Pacific, Auburn University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Florida International University
Are you interested in learning more about job opportunities in the U.S. for international students before and after graduation? There are many routes you can take, however it is not an easy process for international students. Most students are not familiar with the rules and regulations, where to find resources, how to network, and when to apply for a job. This presentation will outline opportunities available and how to take advantage of them while enrolled at a U.S. university or college. Join EducationUSA in this exciting session to get yourself prepared before your journey in U.S.!
Debate Club
Time: Friday, November 4, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Vivian Minh Le, Boren Scholar
Debate is one of the best ways to improve your critical thinking, analytical abilities, and communication skills. It will also help you think on your feet, learn about new topics, and discuss important issues in a meaningful and organized way. The first session of debate club will focus on public speaking skills and introduce you to debate. The next session will help you to continue to hone your public speaking talents while teaching you about basic argumenting skills and ways of appealing to your audience. This club is meant to be interactive and engaging, so you will have plenty of opportunities to practice what you learn. What are you waiting for? Join us now!
MOOC: English for Business and Entrepreneurship
Time: Monday, November 7, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Christopher McDonnell, English Language Fellow
Offered by the University of Pennsylvania and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. This course covers the topics and language necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Participants will explore business English through readings while learning about business vocabulary, concepts, and issues.
http://www.Coursera.org/learn/business
- Week 1: Becoming an Entrepreneur
- Week 2: Identifying an Opportunity
- Week 3: Creating a Business Plan (part 1)
- Week 4: Creating a Business Plan (part 2)
- Week 5: Attracting Investors and Obtaining Financial Support
English Teaching Workshop Series: Creativity in the English Language Classroom Using Art
Time: Thursday, November 10, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Instructor: Christopher McDonnell, English Language Fellow
The workshop will show examples of using art in the classroom and include interactive experiences to help participants to fuel their own creativity, as well as the creativity of their students. There will be many exercises and activities for participants to engage in and then take back to their classroom
MOOCS: English for Business and Entrepreneurship
Time: Monday, November 14, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Christopher McDonnell, English Language Fellow
Offered by the University of Pennsylvania and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. This course covers the topics and language necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Participants will explore business English through readings while learning about business vocabulary, concepts, and issues. http://www.Coursera.org/learn/business
- Week 1: Becoming an Entrepreneur
- Week 2: Identifying an Opportunity
- Week 3: Creating a Business Plan (part 1)
- Week 4: Creating a Business Plan (part 2)
- Week 5: Attracting Investors and Obtaining Financial Support
Standardized Test Review and Strategies: TOEFL iBT, SAT, GRE, GMAT
Time: Monday, November 14, 3:00 – 4:30p.m.
Speakers: Standardized test prep instructors
As part of the university application process, most programs require one or more U.S. standardized test scores such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT. Join us to learn strategies for studying and taking standardized tests successfully.
English Club
Time: Tuesday, November 15, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Kenya Jordana James, U.S. Consulate Officer
This month, you and your friends will have the chance to practice giving a two minute speech on American culture. Good times!
Study English in the U.S.
Time: Tuesday, November 15, 2:30-4:00p.m.
Speaker: Ken Janjigian, Director, English Language and Training Academy, American University
Ken Janjigian, Director of American University’s English Language and Training Academy (ELTA) will discuss various types of ESL programs, admission and immigration requirements, and the key factors for students to consider when deciding to study English in the U.S. He will also give specific details about ELTA as a case study of an English program.
Student Visas for U.S. – Vietnam Joint Programs
Time: Wednesday, November 16, 2:30-4:00p.m
Speaker: Consulate Officer
This session is specifically designed for university staff administering the joint programs with U.S. institutions and students currently enrolled in the U.S.- VN joint programs. Consulate Officer will guide you through the application process and provide advice for interview.
Los Angeles Through the Eyes of a Local
Time: Thursday, November 17, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Vivian Minh Le, Boren Scholar
Los Angeles, California is known as the entertainment capital of the world, with idyllic year-round weather and more museums and theaters than any other city in the United States. You may know Los Angeles because it’s where the first Disneyland Park in the entire world was built. However, aside from these fun attractions, Los Angeles is also a hub for rich ethnic and cultural diversity, with one of the largest Asian-American populations in America. Come learn about all Los Angeles has to offer, from its culture to food and much more!
U.S. Education System Key Values – Challenges and Opportunities for International Students
Time: Friday, November 18, 2:30-4:00p.m.
Speaker: MacKenzie Hizon, Director of International Recruitment, Southern New Hampshire University
In this presentation, key values of the US Higher Education system as well as important considerations for international students preparing to study in the United States will be discussed. Topics covered will include: differences in US and Asia academic culture, US classroom style and expectations, the role of participation & collaboration in the US classroom, the importance of being a “well rounded” applicant, and many more essential topics to guide prospective international students preparing to apply and study in the US.
Debate Club
Time: Friday, November 18, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Vivian Minh Le, Boren Scholar
During the second debate club session, you will have the opportunity to brush up on and continue developing the public speaking skills that you learned during the first session. However, this session will challenge you to think on your feet. In addition, we will go over the parts of an argument and talk about how policymakers evaluate and analyze different arguments. Additionally, a large focus of the session includes developing your understanding of how gathering viewpoints from various individuals, groups, and stakeholders plays an integral part to making any decision. Just like the first session, this debate club event will give you ample opportunities to practice speaking in public! Hope to see you there!
MOOCS: English for Business and Entrepreneurship
Time: Monday, November 21, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Christopher McDonnell, English Language Fellow
Offered by the University of Pennsylvania and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. This course covers the topics and language necessary to succeed in the international workplace. Participants will explore business English through readings while learning about business vocabulary, concepts, and issues.
http://www.Coursera.org/learn/business
- Week 1: Becoming an Entrepreneur
- Week 2: Identifying an Opportunity
- Week 3: Creating a Business Plan (part 1)
- Week 4: Creating a Business Plan (part 2)
- Week 5: Attracting Investors and Obtaining Financial Support
U.S. Game Shows to Improve Your English
Time: Wednesday, November 23, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Instructor: John Hickok, California State University Fullerton
This fun, interactive, participatory event will re-create popular TV game shows in the U.S., as a way to improve English speaking and pronunciation. Games that will be featured include “Pyramid”, “Match Game”, “Pictionary”, and others. Those attending may watch, or even participate as “contestants”, possibly winning some prizes.
Varan Documentary Film Screening Series
Screening #1: “Below the Boulevard” by Nguyen Khanh Ly and “Beautiful Beds” by Ha Le Diem
Time: Monday, November 28, 2:00 – 4:30pm
Panel discussion: Film directors and characters
Come join our kick-off session of the Varan documentary film screening series. We will screen “Below The Boulevard” (Bên Dưới Đại Lộ), which portrays the life of a 60-year-old disabled veteran living on a boat on the Saigon river and his hope for a better future for his little daughter. We will also screen “Beautiful Beds” (Giường Xinh), which tells the story of two men whose jobs are delivering and assembling furniture and their dreams of having their own families. English subtitles are available. After the screening, there will be an open discussion with Varan filmmakers and the main characters.
Varan Documentary Film Screening Series (POC Phuong)
Screening #2: “Summer! Attention” by Le Thu Minh and “Immortal Angel” by Nguyen Thu Huong
Time: Monday, November 28, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Panel discussion: Film directors and characters
Join us for the two screenings of “Summer! Attention” (Mùa Hè Nghiêm) and “Immortal Angel” (Thiên Thần Bất Tử). While the first film highlights summer activities and the spirit of community service, the latter portrays a monumental rocker and his bandmates in their never-ending love for rock. English subtitles are available. Following the screening, we will have an open discussion with the filmmakers and the main characters.
Varan Documentary Film Screening Series (POC Phuong)
Screening #3: “The Pastor’s Wife” by Bella Tran and “Far Far Away” by Ho Anh Vu
Time: Tuesday, November 29, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Panel discussion: Film directors and characters
Attend the screening of two documentary movies about two women of different religious beliefs that share the same passion for charity and community service. “The Pastor’s Wife” (Bà Mục Sư) features the wife of a church pastor and her role as a life therapist supporting women who need help, while “Far Far Away…” (Chuyện Kể Rằng…) portrays a pagoda nun who provides free medical treatment services for visitors, turning her pagoda into a haven in bustling Ho Chi Minh City. English subtitles are available. After the screening, there will be an interactive discussion with the film directors and main characters.
Varan Documentary Film Screening Series (POC Phuong)
Screening #4: “Rise like a Phoenix” by Le My Cuong and “Taste of the Night” by Cao Trung Thao
Time: Tuesday, November 29, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Panel discussion: Film directors and characters
Come join the last screening session of the Varan film series. We will see portraits of the Saigonese people through a traditional alley coffee shop in “Taste of the Night” (Vị Của Đêm). We will also see how a person’s different identities come out through Wacking dance and Drag Queen performances in “Rise like a Phoenix” (Lộng Lẫy). English subtitles are available. Following the screening, we will have an open discussion with the filmmakers and main characters.
Short Story Club : Thanksgiving theme
Time: Tuesday, November 30, 5:30 – 7:00p.m
Instructor: Cody Titensor, U.S. Consulate Officer
For November’s Story Club, we will read and discuss the history of the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Please read over this history ahead of time to have your questions ready for our November
Session:
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/print
