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English Language Institute

Volume 155, Issue 11-November 11

The ELI Weekly

Out and About: Meet the First Asian Woman to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature

by Sumin Lee, RW 50

Photo credit: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to the South Korean author Han Kang. It is the first Nobel prize for an Asian woman writer. They say that she writes intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life. She thinks about war and violence of humans constantly. Among books by Han Kang, I want to introduce ‘소년이 온다’ that English Title is ‘Human Acts’. She was awarded the Nobel Prize because of Human Acts. This novel, Human Acts, is set in the context of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea. I think the incident for Gwangju Uprising in 1980 is very important for Koreans. Because there were victims who were citizens including students of the university who resisted to advocate democracy in 1980. After announcing it, a Han Kang frenzy is appearing all over the world. Even the books by Han Kang are sold out in Barnes & Noble, a chain bookstore in New York.

As a Korean, I’m so proud of Han Kang. I believe ELI students can be awarded the Nobel Prize, too!

CIP Weekday Activities

 

Weekend Event

Saturday, November 16th– Reitz Arts & Crafts – 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Paint a piece of pottery at the Arts and Crafts center with ELI friends! No experience necessary! Enjoy the art studio and get creative.  Bring 10 to 20 dollars for pottery, supplies, and fees. Meet inside the Reitz Arts and Crafts Center located on the basement floor of the Reitz Union.

You must sign up to attend this event:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA9A823A02-53005805-arts

Other CIP Reminders

Conversation Partners (CPs)

Want to meet with a fluent English speaker and make a new friend? Sign up for a CP!  If you choose to sign up, you must meet with your partner for one hour a week.  It can take up to two weeks to get a partner from when you sign up.  Please sign up at this link: https://forms.gle/CZoP2zQ7nxWD4wcA8

Please email Rachel at conversationpartners@eli.ufl.edu for any issues, questions or concerns or visit her in the CIP Office during office hours.

Please respond to your partners if you signed up for one. Many partners have been asking why their ELI partners have not responded to them. If you signed up for a CP and no longer want one, please let Rachel know as soon as possible so we can give your CP a new partner.

CIP Passports

Don’t forget to get your CIP Passport hole punched from the activity leaders at the event (not after).  We do not hole punch passports after the event. Redeem your completed passport for a small gift, a photo for the ELI Instagram, and your name published in the ELI weekly!

Need a new CIP Passport? Stop by the CIP Office.

Remember the CIP Pineapple is hidden in a new place every Monday in the CIP office.  Stop by and find it for hole punches!

Notes from the Office

Thanksgiving Holiday: The ELI main office will be closed and there will be no classes or CIP activities the week of Thanksgiving from November 25-29. Remember, attendance will be taken and classes held as usual on Friday, November 22nd. Attendance is also mandatory the final week of classes, December 2nd – December 6th.

Hallways:  Many UF faculty and staff have offices in classroom buildings, just like Matherly Hall. Please remember to speak softly in the buildings.  Please do not block the hallways or staircases by sitting or standing in them. Please also remember that outdoor activities like cheering, running, catch, and Foottennis need to be kept outdoors.

Charges Due: Every ELI student should log in to ONE.uf.edu and look at the “Campus Finances (Bursar)” tile to see if you owe any fees to the university. For example, you may need to pay for services you received at the Student Health Care Center or printing in a library. If you have a scholarship, it will not pay these charges.

Check your I-20s: If you are traveling during the break (for example, leaving the US and coming back), make sure your I-20 is signed. Also check the expiration date. You can make an appointment with Daryl to sign your I-20 or to renew your I-20 before it expires.

Financial Guarantees for Spring: Dear scholarship students, we hope to see you again in the Spring! This is an early reminder to request your new financial guarantee letter for the Spring semester, if you plan to return. If you need an enrollment letter or if you have any questions, please email Tara  Mace at fiscal@eli.ufl.edu.

Apartment Leases: As the semester draws to a close, keep in mind that your lease might be ending soon. It is important to know the exact date that your apartment lease ends so you can make plans. If you’re not sure when it ends, ask your apartment office.

If you need help finding a hotel to stay in short-term (you should ask your friends first!), someone to take over your lease, or a new apartment, talk to Christine in Matherly 223.

Give Thanks at the ELI

November is a common time in the United States to “give thanks” for all the good things in your life. We have two ways to participate in this tradition at the ELI this week.

The ELI is thankful for all of our wonderful students! Who are you thankful for at the ELI?

This month, you can send a Thank You message to anyone at the ELI (teacher, student, administrator, staff member, or LA). We will collect the messages and email them out during Thanksgiving break. You should use English to write your messages – it’s great language practice.
To send a message, use this form: https://forms.gle/PfdRi4iWk8tG2xn36 or scan one of the QR codes in the hallway.

Show your thanks by helping others!

The ELI is participating in the Chop & Chomp food drive to help beat hunger. Bring nonperishable foods (canned foods, unopened jars, cereal, pasta, granola bars, etc.) to the donation bin outside the ELI main office. Find more information and see a list of nonperishable foods here.  Drop off items by Friday, November 22.

International Education Week

International Education Week is November 18 – 22, 2024. UF is hosting many events, like popular Global Cultural Showcase on Monday, November 18, from 11:00am-2:00 pm on the Reitz Union Terrace, and the super-fun Global Trivia Quiz on Friday, November 22, from 11:00am-12:30pm, at Norman Hall, Rosenberg Meeting Rm 2021. The ELI family is welcome to attend many of the UF events. Find more International Education Week events here: https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/home/about-ufic/international-education-week.

UF School of Music Concert

Friday, November 22, 7:30pm, UF Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Join the UF School of music for their annual Sounds of the Season concert: Songs of Hope and Joy. The program features the UF Symphony Orchestra, UF Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Gainesville Master Chorale, and the Latin Grammy award-winning band, Maharajah Flamenco Trio. President Fuchs will narrate Longfellow’s Christmas. More importantly, the ELI’s very own Tara Mace will be performing!

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Advanced tickets only available in-person at the Phillips Center Box Office beginning Monday, November 18 starting at noon. Maximum 4 advance tickets per guest.

Photo of the Week: Skate Station

Birthdays!

Manners and Culture

Q: Are there any famous people from Gainesville?

A: Gainesville has been the home of several famous people. Some of them were born in Gainesville, but others just lived in Gainesville for part of their lives. In particular, Gainesville seems to have hosted many famous musicians. Do you know any of these people?

Famous Musicians:

  • Charles Bradley
  • Don Felder
  • Laura Jane Grace
  • Linda Lyndell
  • Tom Petty
  • Stephen Stills
  • Band members of Less than Jake
  • Band members of Sister Hazel

Famous Scientist:

  • Robert Cade
  • Rob Ferl
  • Carolyn Beatrix Parker

Famous Actress:

  • Maya Rudolph

Famous Athletes:

  • Andrew Miller (baseball)
  • Chris Rumph II (football)
  • Joyce Shahboz (American Ninja Warrior)

Grammar

Q: What is the difference between ‘farther’ and ‘further’?

Farther can be used as an adjective and an adverb. It’s used to mean “at a greater distance.” It is used especially for literal distance in the US.

Further may be used in a similar way to mean “at a greater distance.” But it can also be used as an adjective meaning “more,” as an adverb meaning “additionally,” and as a verb meaning “advance” or “promote.”

Consider these examples:

  • I live farther from campus than Melina.
  • I live further from campus than Melina.
    • Both farther and further are correct for literal distances.
  • I could further my career by getting an advanced degree.
    • When used as a verb meaning ‘advance’ or ‘promote’, we can only use further.
  • The politician refused to answer any further questions.
    • When used as an adjective meaning ‘more’, we can only use further.

Joke of the Week

Why do birds fly south in the fall?

A: Because it is faster than walking!

Notes from the Editor

 

Thanks to all the people who have sent stories, photos, and questions to the ELI Weekly this semester!

Download the ELI Weekly (PDF)