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The ELI Weekly, Summer 2021, Volume 145, Issue 9

The ELI Weekly

The Weekly Newsletter of the English Language Institute

Volume 145, Issue 9

July 19, 2021

people studying

Final & Exit Exams

Study Weekend

This coming weekend, Saturday, July 24th, there is no scheduled ELI trip so you can study for your final exams. These exams are very important for promotion and for you to know your progress learning English.

All ELI classes will give final exams. For a full schedule, you should ask your teacher in every class and check your class syllabus.

Here are some of the tests that are scheduled:

  1. LS20-LS50 ELI Speaking & Listening Test – 7/27
  2. All Listening Final Exams – 8/3
  3. All Grammar Final Exams – 8/3
  4. All Reading Final Exams – 8/4

Please be on time to your classes as all exams must start as scheduled. There are no early tests, no makeups, and if you will miss part of the test if you are late on the day of the exam.

Special notes:

  • If you miss the exams, you will need to successfully complete ALL other promotion requirements in order to move to the next level.
  • You must take these exams, even if you are not planning on returning to the ELI. Plans change!
  • You must take these exams if you plan on asking the ELI or your teachers for proficiency letters or letters of recommendation in the future.
  • You must take these exams if you are being sponsored by a government, organization, company, or university.
  • Attendance will be taken at all final exams.

 

If you miss the final exams for any reason, you must talk to the Associate Director, Patricia Moon, immediately.

The Weekday Activities

Monday July 19th – Reitz Hangout – 6:00-8:00pm

Come play board games, speak English, and socialize with ELI friends! You can also get dinner at the Reitz restaurants and bring it outside!

You must sign up on the weekly activity signup to attend this activity.

Sign up for all activities this week here!: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4BA9A823A02-student6

 Tuesday July 20th – Soccer – 6:30–8:30pm

Come play Soccer on campus at Flavet Field! No experience necessary!

 You must sign up on the weekly activity signup to attend this activity.

Wednesday July 21st – Movie Night (Zoom) – 6:30–9:00 pm

Come vote on a movie and watch it with LAs and ELI friends as we chat in the chat box! Stick around for a fun discussion afterward! Movie choices this week are Into the Woods (musical), Hercules (Disney animation) and Taken (action). Come out and vote for the one you want!

Thursday June 15th  – Rotating Thursdays: Bowling at the Reitz Game Room – 6:00–8:00 pm

Go bowling, play foosball or pool, and socialize with ELI friends! Bring your Gator1 ID cared for cheaper rates and around 10 dollars to spend on games, shoe rentals, and more! 

You must sign up on the weekly activity signup to attend this activity.

Conversation Partners

Want to meet with an English speaker every week to practice English and make a friend?  Sign up for a conversation partner! You can sign up by filling out this form! 

https://forms.gle/suiDzLXrcb9msMcE8

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.

Student Voices Extension 

Good news! The deadline for the ELI Student Voices is now Wednesday, July 21st.This is your last chance to submit your writing to the ELI’s magazine. Remember, you can submit any of your writing to Thomas Dolce at tomdolce@ufl.edu. Include your name, the title of your writing, and your RW class level

Reminders from the Office

Fines and Fees: Pay your library fines and your infirmary fees. If you’re not sure how to do this, Victoria has a handout (Matherly 225F) with instructions. Remember that if you fail to pay your fines and fees, you won’t receive your End of Term packet at Commencement.

Expiring I-20s: If your I-20 is expiring and you plan on returning to the ELI in the fall, you must talk to Daryl before the expiration date. It is in section 5 of the I-20.

Birthdays

The following are ELI birthdays from July 19 to July 25:

Students:

July 22:  Ana Pantin Mayaudon​

Staff:

None this week

Happy Birthday!

Manners and Culture

Q:  Why don’t people at UF wear a lot of clothes during the winter?

A:  This is something unique to Florida. Florida’s winters are mild, and the periods of really cold weather only last a few days. One reason people may not wear a lot of clothes during Floridian winters is simply because they don’t HAVE any other clothes. They may figure that the cold days will be over soon, so why spend so much money on coats and boots? Still, some people enjoy wearing boots and shorts as a fashion statement.

Grammar

Q:  When do you use “neither” and “either” with a negative verb?

A:   Either is used when you give the negative verb in your answer. Neither is used when you don’t say a verb in your answer and you are agreeing with a negative verb.

Rafael: I don’t like hot weather.            

Sasha: I don’t either.

Elizabeth: Me neither.

Q:  When do I use “so do I” and “so am I?”

A:  They both mean that you agree with the person talking but which one you use depends on the verb in the original sentence. Use “so am I” for the be verb. Use “so do I” for all other verbs. Look at the conversations that follow:

Joan: I am tired.

Selena: So am I.  

Joan: I want to go to the movies.

Selena: So do I.

Quote of the Week

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Benjamin Franklin