Harnessing the Power of Creativity: The Practice of Looking

What if instead of looking outside of your surroundings for inspiration and new experiences, you had the tools to deeply connect with where you are? What could these skills add to your daily life, to your relationships, to your future education and career? Using fun and creative exercises, this class gives students the tools to feel more connected and see the wonder of the world more deeply wherever they are.

Students do not need to be experienced artists or have special art supplies to enjoy this class. 

"this was amazing. It has given me so many ideas and I loved every minute."

"The format of the class, even though online, was super fun and engaging. I was hooked the whole time!"

"The teacher really made the class super dynamic and enjoyable"

 

 

 

Class consists of a pre-assignment, in-person class meetings in Washington, DC, and a final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

Students will receive a pre-assignment one week before class begins. 


 

Andrea Seiger, author of 111 Places in Washington, DC You Must Not Miss, is an educator and world traveler who has lived in Washington DC for 31 years. She has lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has traveled thousands of miles on the Mayan Route of Mexico. Ms. Seiger loves to road trip around the Mid-Atlantic US and beyond.

 

Practical Psychology: Conflict Resolution

This class will break down the concepts of emotional interaction and regulation to help you manage frustration day to day, develop psychologically-based strategies to self-soothe, set boundaries, understand your needs, communicate them, and understand how that communication is received. This class will empower you to build stronger relationships by starting with self-knowledge. Class will include, among other things:

• Intro to Basic Psychological Concepts
• What is the unconscious?
• Emotions Wheel
• Defense Mechanisms and the Unconscious
• Stress, Anxiety and “Trauma Responses”
• Resilience and Emotional Regulation

Instructor
Katharine Ernst is a holistic, trauma-informed psychotherapist working in her native New York City. She received her Bachelor of Art in Fine Art from Hunter College, and then obtained her Master of Social Work at Silberman School with a focus on clinical practice with individuals, families, and small groups, and a concentration in Global Social Work. Currently, Katharine works at a boutique group therapy practice, and previously has done extensive work around intersectionality and trauma-informed therapy with non-profits across New York City and abroad.
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

Self Care Toolbox for Au Pairs

Through discussions, lectures, group work, and practical activities, students will become more aware of wellness and managing stress levels.

Class explores body awareness, the history of yoga, and the physical effects of stress. Students also explore how to use techniques from class in your daily life, such as job interviews, public speaking, dealing with challenging people, and test-taking. The self-care toolbox is here to help you create your most grateful, happy self.

Instructor
Alicia Giordano received her MA in Applied Educational Psychology Reading Specialist at Columbia University as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Theatre from NYU. Alicia is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) with over 20 years of personal practice.

Alicia is passionate about advocating for children with special needs and is currently serving a two-year appointment in the State of Texas as a Member of the Continuing Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education.

More information
To read specifics about class schedules and requirements, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

Childhood Literacy and Behavioral Development

For au pairs, parents, and people who work with children – this class provides tools and activities to support literacy and childhood development. This is also a great supplemental class for people pursuing careers in childhood development. Using practical lessons and activities, you will develop an understanding of learning processes and stages of literacy learning.

Class will also focus on the development of independence and responsibility - discussing ways to encourage children to make responsible choices and to be accountable for their actions. This relates to their schoolwork, to everyday life and to how they make connections to the world.

Instructor
Your teacher, Sara Lenore is a Teacher and Reading Specialist. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and her Master's Degree in Literacy from Pace University. She has a TEFL Certificate from her studies in Peru and has taught English as a Second Language to children, adolescents and adults. Sara has been working with Learning Across America for nearly four years and loves it!
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

Childhood Literacy and Behavioral Development

For au pairs, parents, and people who work with children – this class provides tools and activities to support literacy and childhood development. This is also a great supplemental class for people pursuing careers in childhood development. Using practical lessons and activities, you will develop an understanding of learning processes and stages of literacy learning.

Class will also focus on the development of independence and responsibility - discussing ways to encourage children to make responsible choices and to be accountable for their actions. This relates to their schoolwork, to everyday life and to how they make connections to the world.

Instructor
Your teacher, Sara Lenore is a Teacher and Reading Specialist. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Boston University and her Master's Degree in Literacy from Pace University. She has a TEFL Certificate from her studies in Peru and has taught English as a Second Language to children, adolescents and adults. Sara has been working with Learning Across America for nearly four years and loves it!
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

Food has a way of transporting us back to a place or to the company of someone special, reminding us who we are and where we are from. Food triggers memories of family, friends, and moments in our past.

Bring your best - or worst - food memories and even those kitchen mishaps with you to class. We will discuss recipes, books, movies, and of course, cookbooks, and what we can do to savor the food experiences that we have had. Come prepared to share your stories and to laugh.

Each student will create a short cookbook of recipes that have a special place in your memory, which will then go into a class cookbook. The cookbook project will be a showcase of your collective families, friends, countries, cultures and places that influence you.

SCHEDULE
(Times below listed in Eastern Time.
Click here for more details.)

Class meets online
Wednesday 6pm–9pm
Friday 6pm–9pm
Saturday 10am–1pm
Sunday 10am–1pm

 

 

Your course will consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework and final assignment as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

You will receive details on how to log in to your online class sessions one day before the start of the course. Once the final online class session has concluded, you will have one week to submit your independent coursework and final assignment to your teacher.

Students are required to be present during all live online class sessions. However, your independent coursework can be completed at your leisure before the deadline one week after your online class ends. We wanted to create flexibility in completion as we know many au pairs now have increased work hours due to COVID-19.

If you have any questions at this time, please email us at learningacrossamerica@bmcc.cuny.edu. Please continue to stay safe.
 

Andrea Seiger, author of 111 Places in Washington, DC You Must Not Miss, is an educator and world traveler who has lived in Washington DC for 31 years. She has lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has traveled thousands of miles on the Mayan Route of Mexico. Ms. Seiger loves to road trip around the Mid-Atlantic US and beyond.

English Pronunciation: Confidence Combo for Careers

This course covers three major areas that help you achieve confidence and success: Presentation Skills, Speaking Techniques, and Pronunciation. Classes focus on a combination of skills needed to enhance your business and your personal lives.

Interview Strategies

• Do you freeze when you are asked: “Tell me about yourself” during an interview?
• What is Really Listening? Are you too nervous to Really Listen?
• How do you answer awkward questions?
• What questions can, and should, you ask? Telephone interviews; ZOOM interviews. How are they different from face-to-face interviews?
  
  Speaking Techniques
• Pronunciation: Are certain sounds, words, or combinations of words difficult to say? Does the last word of your sentence get lost?
• Projection: Are you asked to repeat yourself when you order something? Can people hear you easily?
  
  Presentation Skills
• Most people fear giving Public Presentations. Do you?
• Learn various techniques to overcome your specific fear of speaking.
• Learn types of breathing to relax; breathing to energize.

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  Instructor
  Elizabeth Marner-Brooks is an Associate Professor at The New School for Public Engagement, where she teaches Listening/Speaking, Pronunciation, and Reading. Elizabeth has created and taught courses in Presentations, Public Speaking, “Acting for Non-Actors”, and “Be Assertive: Speak Up & Speak Out” for The New School.
  
  During her career as a professional actor and public speaker, Elizabeth represented major corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and CBS Television Network throughout the United States..
   

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  More information
  To read specifics about class schedules and requirements for this course, click here.

  ---

  Prerequisites
  There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

  ---

  Registration and Enrollment
  This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

  

English Pronunciation: Confidence Combo for Careers

This course covers three major areas that help you achieve confidence and success: Presentation Skills, Speaking Techniques, and Pronunciation. Classes focus on a combination of skills needed to enhance your business and your personal lives.

Interview Strategies

• Do you freeze when you are asked: “Tell me about yourself” during an interview?
• What is Really Listening? Are you too nervous to Really Listen?
• How do you answer awkward questions?
• What questions can, and should, you ask? Telephone interviews; ZOOM interviews. How are they different from face-to-face interviews?
  
  Speaking Techniques
• Pronunciation: Are certain sounds, words, or combinations of words difficult to say? Does the last word of your sentence get lost?
• Projection: Are you asked to repeat yourself when you order something? Can people hear you easily?
  
  Presentation Skills
• Most people fear giving Public Presentations. Do you?
• Learn various techniques to overcome your specific fear of speaking.
• Learn types of breathing to relax; breathing to energize.

  ---

  Instructor
  Elizabeth Marner-Brooks is an Associate Professor at The New School for Public Engagement, where she teaches Listening/Speaking, Pronunciation, and Reading. Elizabeth has created and taught courses in Presentations, Public Speaking, “Acting for Non-Actors”, and “Be Assertive: Speak Up & Speak Out” for The New School.
  
  During her career as a professional actor and public speaker, Elizabeth represented major corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and CBS Television Network throughout the United States..
   

  ---

  More information
  To read specifics about class schedules and requirements for this course, click here.

  ---

  Prerequisites
  There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

  ---

  Registration and Enrollment
  This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

  

English Language in Business

Business is built on relationships. In this class, you will improve your English conversation and writing skills needed to develop those meaningful business relationships, building a work-life based on integrity, community, and authenticity. Class includes interactive activities focusing on workplace communication and review of case studies to sharpen business communication skills.

In this class you will:

• Collaborate with other students to create group presentations
• Build advanced workplace vocabulary Read about companies and their leaders
• Listen to and analyze real interviews, presentations, and phone calls
• Review case studies of actual workplace issues.

Instructor
Wendy Trach has been teaching ESL/English for over eleven years. In addition to teaching Learning Across America courses at BMCC, she teaches in the Language Immersion Program at a CUNY school in Brooklyn during the week. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and mass communication from the University of Florida, a master's degree in English education from Queens College, and a Cambridge University CELTA certificate. Wendy loves working with students and exploring language, literature, culture, and life.
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

English Language in Business

Business is built on relationships. In this class, you will improve your English conversation and writing skills needed to develop those meaningful business relationships, building a work-life based on integrity, community, and authenticity. Class includes interactive activities focusing on workplace communication and review of case studies to sharpen business communication skills.

In this class you will:

• Collaborate with other students to create group presentations
• Build advanced workplace vocabulary Read about companies and their leaders
• Listen to and analyze real interviews, presentations, and phone calls
• Review case studies of actual workplace issues.

Instructor
Wendy Trach has been teaching ESL/English for over eleven years. In addition to teaching Learning Across America courses at BMCC, she teaches in the Language Immersion Program at a CUNY school in Brooklyn during the week. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and mass communication from the University of Florida, a master's degree in English education from Queens College, and a Cambridge University CELTA certificate. Wendy loves working with students and exploring language, literature, culture, and life.
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

English Conversation for Business and Workplace Success

In this fun and dynamic class you will:

• Act out workplace situations
• Build Vocabulary
• Practice asserting yourself in a business context
• Build confidence in social conversation (crucial to success)
• Review technical writing for resumes and presentations
• Learn how to match yourself to a job posting.

Instructor
With over 15 years of ESL teaching experience, Alexis Tenenbaum is energetic, compassionate, and excited to both teach and learn from her students. She has a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Liverpool and a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from American University. Alexis has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and is passionate about travel.
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.

English Conversation for Business and Workplace Success

In this fun and dynamic class you will:

• Act out workplace situations
• Build Vocabulary
• Practice asserting yourself in a business context
• Build confidence in social conversation (crucial to success)
• Review technical writing for resumes and presentations
• Learn how to match yourself to a job posting.

Instructor
With over 15 years of ESL teaching experience, Alexis Tenenbaum is energetic, compassionate, and excited to both teach and learn from her students. She has a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Liverpool and a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from American University. Alexis has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and is passionate about travel.
 

More information
Our online classes consist of a pre-assignment, independent coursework, and final assignment, as well as live online class sessions with your teacher/other au pairs. Credit for J-1 visa students is 36 hours. Students earning J-1 visa credit must attend all sessions and complete all homework.

To read specifics about class schedules and requirements about this course, click here.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online. Add to cart and check out.