The ELI Weekly
Out and About: Our Favorite weekly activity ‘Gator Night’
by Luisa Velasquez and Yoojin Lee, RW 30
The Gator Night is the most interesting activity for ELI students. The most important reason is all the students of the University can integrate in one place. Also, every week there are new topics to surprise students, so students can join a lot of fun activity. Last week, the topic was ‘sticky’, so we can draw caricature and tattoo. Finally, we can get free things. For example, you can get gifts, enjoy free food and make a craft. For these reasons I wish more ELI students attend the Gator Night activity.
CIP Weekday Activities
No Saturday Activity and Midterm Exams (October 17-21)
There is no Saturday activity this week. The weekend is yours to relax and study for your classes. Midterm week starts on October 17th, so you might have quizzes and tests next week. Ask your teachers if you will have a midterm. Here is some study advice:
- Don’t wait until the last minute. Review your notes, do your homework, and study a little bit each day.
- Make flashcards to practice vocabulary and important information. Quizlet is a great app that makes digital flashcards.
- Get friends together for a study group and motivate each other.
- Get plenty of sleep the night before a test so that you will be able to think clearly, and eat breakfast on test day!
Other CIP Reminders
CIP Passports: Don’t forget to get your CIP Passport Stickers from the activity leaders AT the event (not after). Redeem your completed passport for a small gift and photo for the ELI Instagram! Remember the CIP Pineapple is hidden in a new place every Monday in the CIP office. Stop by and find it!
Conversation Partners (CPs): Want to make a friend and speak English? Sign up for a conversation partner! Wait two weeks to be paired and then meet your new partner for one hour a week to practice conversation and make a friend! If you are a returner and still want a CP, you should still sign up here, even if you had a partner last semester.
Sign up for a CP here!: https://forms.gle/h5NyWTrkpE331zzS7 (opens in new tab)
Remember, if you sign up, you must meet your partner at least once a week and respond to their messages. Email conversationpartners@eli.ufl.edu if you have any questions or problems.
Congratulations and Farewell
Be sure to congratulate our Receptionist, Dee Conley. Dee has accepted a US federal job at the US Postal Service. Her last day at the ELI will be October 21st. Be sure to stop in to say goodbye and thank you to her!
We also need to congratulate our Student Life and Special Programs Coordinator, Victoria Dolce. After 14 years at the ELI, starting first as a Language Assistant, Victoria will be moving to the UF International Center. Victoria will be UF’s first Associate Director of International Student Services and Engagement! Congratulations, Victoria! We are glad Victoria will now be able to help all international students at UF, but we will miss her. Victoria’s last day at the ELI will be October 27th. Be sure to say goodbye before she leaves, and remember to visit her when she moves to her new office at the International Center. Thank you, Victoria, for all you have done to help ELI students over the years!
Notes from the Office
People Out: Patricia is out of the office October 12th and 13th. Daryl is out of the office from October 12-15. If you need to talk to Patricia or Daryl, please plan around these dates.
New Students: B Term is about to begin, and you will see new students coming to the main office, in the hallways, and at activities. Please welcome and help new students as they begin to settle at UF and in Gainesville.
Check your I20s: If your I-20 is expiring soon, make an appointment with Daryl in MAT 223 to renew your I-20 before it expires.
Student Voices: Don’t forget to send your original writing to Student Voices so that the ELI can celebrate your writing. You can submit any of your work that you wish to see published. It can be from any class or something you have written on your own, but ask your teachers for help editing! You can email it to Olga Moody (omoody@ufl.edu) or to your teacher. Please include your name and class on your submission. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 18th.
Hallway Policy: Unfortunately, the ELI has had many complaints about noisy and crowded hallways during the grammar hours from 10:40am-12:35pm. For this reason, students will be asked to leave the 2nd floor hallway of Matherly during this time. Do you need a place to meet with friends and chat? While the weather is nice, consider sitting at the picnic tables in Matherly Courtyard. There are also nice indoor lounges for students in Heavener Hall and Library East. You are also welcome to sit in empty classrooms in Matherly, as long as you are not too loud.
Photo of the Week
Birthdays!
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Students:
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Staff:
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Manners & Culture
Q: Can I invite my friend to a party that I’ve been invited to?
A: It depends what kind of party this is. If it’s a small gathering, you should ask the host first. If you heard about it from a friend who heard about it from a friend and so on, it’s probably ok to invite all your friends too. But it’s best to check with the host first.
Grammar
Q: What’s the difference between the present perfect and the present perfect progressive?
A: Some verbs can mean the same thing in the present perfect and the present perfect progressive. These are verbs of habitual activities.
- I have worn glasses since 2001.
- I have been wearing glasses since 2001.
For other verbs, it depends on the context. Use the present perfect for something that happened at an unspecified time in the past. Use the present perfect progressive for something that is still happening. You can also use the present perfect progressive for actions that happened in the past but still have some connection to the present.
- I have seen the movie Dumbo a dozen times, and I cried every time.
- I have been watching this movie for the past 30 minutes.
- My eyes are puffy because I have been crying
from watching Dumbo.
Notes from the Editor
Florida Foods Update: Todd Allen says that the best place to get key lime pie is at the Publix bakery, and if you are in Atlanta, try Mary Mac’s Tea Room for the ultimate southern meal. He recommends the fried green tomatoes, tomato pie, chicken and dumplings, and fried chicken.
The Weekly needs you: I look forward to hearing from you as a guest writer for the Out and About column! I would also like to hear from faculty/staff: where is the best place to find Florida food? Email Maya Shastri (mshastri@ufl.edu).