World of Learning Institute

A New Semester What matters? For us in the World of Learning, we get excited about meeting new people, learning about new cultures and expanding opportunities for schools and school districts. In the cold of January, we all can use a little boost (sleet, snow and grey skies can go away)! We are excited to be starting a new semester! With two new instructors, we are expanding the possibilities and getting to know some awesome people. My Spanish Journey In the last installment, I talked about getting out and using the Spanish I was learning! I prepped and practiced using Duolingo and a few podcasts. I was sure that I was ready to query my friends about what they would be eating on our jaunt to the Deerhead Inn (a well-known establishment in its own right for Jazz music). Despite the amazing clarinet and request for quiet, I found a few moments to test my skills and learn a bit, too. Since the restaurant did not have pescado y arroz, I learned about hamberguesa y pap

The first week of this new year came in like a whirling dervish!   Rested from the holiday we all jumped back into the groove with good and new intentions. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth. Anonymous Learning Spanish has been one of those exciting challenges I chose to try. I had fun listening to the Notes in Spanish Inspired Beginner Spanish podcast on the treadmill – as I went back at the gym (lots of commitments). I also worked through a lot of the lessons in the Duolingo app. I like the variety of types of opportunities you have to practice in Duolingo. I also like that you can read stories and use prediction skills to get yourself thinking in the target language. I find myself surprised that I remember some vocabulary from my HS and College Spanish studies! This week I plan to expand how I use Notes in Spanish by participating in their forums and seeing if I can make some connections to practice speaking. I think that is the part

As I sat in my usual morning spot, on January 1, 2019 I had to force myself not to hurry. Hurrying has been part of my DNA for as long as I can remember! Don’t be late. Try the new thing first. Don’t get left out. Yet, my morning routine of reading a passage by Marv and Nancy Hiles in The Almanac for the Soul, started the year with the call to “Take thought in the silence of your heart’. Most of us spend little time in silence, and even less times away from a screen, including me. Longing to get outside and take a walk I fell into hurrying, again. Stopping and starting my brain - drifting into the work week. Thinking about my resolutions. Last year I resolved to read two books, preferably non-fiction, each month. The internet and work have taken me away from reading for pleasure and I wanted to feel the excitement of visiting places and times I have not been. Using the NYTimes Book List, PBS and asking friends and family helped me to find titles that were well worth the read and