Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano
www.ccnn.org.ni
March
March, 2009
and two of its
Traditions 1
International Women’s Day is a Whole Month in the United States of America In 1987 a bipartisan iniciative to declare what first was International Women’s Day, then Women’s Week into March, the month for women was passed by the US Congress and Senate. In the northern hemisphere, March is when spring begins; a time of new life as well as the beginning of the year in many cultures because of the spring season. Another more traditionally known celebration in March is St Patrick’s Day; more than the Patron of Ireland the secular version of the holiday is celebrated in English and non-English speaking countries around the world. Cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Wilwakee, Chicago, Baltimore, Las Vegas and Cleveland have very long-running traditions in taking part in huge celebrations where people of Irish descent and of other descents wear green, eat Irish food and have Irish beverages. Two traditions; one from recent history and one with more time in place, could be complemantary if one is to imagine Simone Beauvoir celebrating St. Patrick’s Day like one of the boys. Women’s Day is more of a big deal in Nicaragua than St. Patrick’s Day, Nicaragua has many other Patron Saints that are celebrated around the year in different towns. I trust however that smaller more intimate celebrations will take place in O’Shea’s Pub in Granada and Shanon’s Pub in Managua. The Editor.
Communicative English This program is composed of Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate and Advanced courses taught in twelve levels through which students are expected to develop the four abilities of the English Language: Listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension and written expression. The program is based on a communicative approach of learning a second language. Each course presents topics of great interest to students creating opportunities to generate discussion and promote the development of linguistic and communicative abilities.
www.ccnn.org.ni
March, 2009
Harlem Renaissance On February 19th, CCNN Teacher, Mr. Adolfo Beteta presented his interesting and hard-hitting Lecture about African American History in the Emily Dickinson Library.
Their major achievements and latter influence in shaping a cultural and social movement. Paintings and poetry were provided for further in-depth analysis and to share the experience of art.
Children’s
Prep Programs
Students are instructed through methods based on experimentalism and an integral approach to the English Language through reading, listening, speaking and writing. The Experimental Method encourages children to make thier own discoveries and to advance at an individual pace, through fun class projects.
Children learn through their own curiosity CCNN’s prep programs for Children have been developed with the main goal of setting a strong foundation in the student’s process. This will be the base of learning more, at a greater pace later, in more demanding levels. Programs in CCNN have been carefully designed with the purpose of integrating activities that encourage, and make the learning of a new language an entertaining experience.
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Six individuals from various fields: Marcus Garvey, James Weldon Johnson, Duke Ellington, Aaron Douglas, Bessie Smith, and Langston Hughes.
www.ccnn.org.ni
March, 2009
To The Courts, In Remorse Indran Amirthanayagam
Drop all charges against Tissanaiyagam. his glaucoma needs treatment and his wife will be grateful,
I agree we must not interfere with funerals. leaves a bitter taste on the BBC’s tongue. Inevitably advisors will counsel banning that Commonwealth voice. Yet, then we must cope with reporters in disguise, especially these pesky bloggers who feel empowered to write what they see and hear
can make bread out of flour or yams sprout in a mineswept Vanni. And let me not forget the political analysts who worry in public that a failed state will be our cup of tea. I trust you will still drink our fabled single leaf beverage and visit our white sand, black sand, red sand, blue sand beaches.
On February 14, Indran Amirthanayagam preseted his most recent poetry works “Creación Después del Tsunami”. in CCNN. Indran Amirthanayagam was born in 1960 in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). When eight years old, he moved with his family to London, and at 14 to Honolulu, Hawaii. He began writing in Honolulu. He writes poetry and essays in English, Spanish and French. http://indranamirthanayagam.blogspot.com/
Moment of Insight Adolfo Beteta
Although by now you’re on the brink of insanity Just think about the whole cosmology of your existence And it will become a far more productive day Within your mental resistance of escaping Or better yet absconding like a thief in the night, And don’t be shy because you’re not to blame Because I too wish I can take flight into the unknown So I can be at peace without the grim memory of days like this. So an immortal peach from China is all I need to ward-off evil spirits Remarkably persistent in making my life impossible To overcome the weak say But weaker are those who can’t accept their darkness And learn to live with it like bats upside-down sleeping in caves Somewhere between West Virginia and Ecuador; And thus legacies are born, Hatched from Easter eggs hunting Like predators keenly nocturnal at heart but frightened by the day Unless beneath an American Elm in Autumn sleeping the years away Like Rip Van Winkle with nothing else to live for – To die for – To be reborn for… And this becomes routine and routines kill Like Thoreau said once upon a time in Walden Pond, And it’s only in that pond that I get to see my reflection Just to realize I got lost like Alice trying to chase a hare.
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…and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps will feel less inclined to speak at public acts of grievance.
taste and touch as if witness
www.ccnn.org.ni
March, 2009
Valentine’s Day Celebration “Be My Valentine” was the theme of a fun and didactic classroom activity that put manual skills and creativity to work. Students made Valentine’s Day cards and displayed them in CCNN’s Nejapa Campus to warm the hearts of all.
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American Corner In the Nicaraguan Central Bank’s Library, AMERICAN CORNER has a small collection of audiovisual resources on topics like: American Music, American History, and Biographies. AMERICAN CORNER has three computers with Internet access. Located on the second floor in the Library’s reading area. AMERICAN CORNER schedules movie presentations every week, or by visitor’s request. All our services are free of charge. Visit Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tel. 255-7171 ext 238
Kids recently made handicrafts on an activity organized during thier summer vacation.
americancorner@cablenet.com.ni Second Floor Biblioteca Roberto Incer Barquero Central Bank of Nicaragua Library By Pass 7 sur, Managua, Nicaragua
www.ccnn.org.ni
March, 2009
CCNN Activities for March Workshop for CCNN faculty By Kate Cory-Wright Monday, March 9 Time: 2:00-3:00pm Place: Room 4
“Travelling with a VIP and Role of Diplomatic Security in the State Department” Guest Speakers: Craig Mattei and Patrick Colwell
Wednesday March 11 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Place: ¨Emily Dickinson¨ Library Audience: Level 8-10-12 students Workshop for CCNN faculty ¨What’s new in ELT¨? ¨Cognitive strategies for vocabulary purposes¨ By Kate Cory-Wright Friday, March 13 Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Place: Room 4 Workshop for Public School teachers American Corner and CCNN Presenters: CCNN faculty Friday, March 20th Time: morning Place: León
American Corner, EducationUSA Adviser and Academic Children Coordinator from the Binational Center organized a presentation at
UAM-Managua.
On February 26th 2009 at 6 p.m., American Corner Coordinator, Education USA Adviser and Academic Children Coordinator from the BNC visited UAM (Universidad Americana) in Managua to present their respective services to the students’ community. 29 students (16 Females and 13 Males) attended the event. The presentation took place at the Auditorium “A” in this university. The first presentation started with EducationUSA Adviser, who explained how to apply to 5 different Fulbright Programs and talked about Advising services. The second presenter was AC Coordinator Mrs. Manzanares, who provided information about the services available to the public and finally the last presentation was conducted by the Academic Children Coordinator from the BNC. He gave information about the importance of taking preparation courses for TOEFL and GRE.
¨Women’s History Month¨ Lecture by Adolfo Beteta (CCNN faculty) Saturday, March 21 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Place: ¨Emily Dickinson¨ Library Audience: levels 9-10-11-12
CCNN’s Newsletter General Director.............Diego Delgadillo Academic Director...........Jorge Moreno Children’s Program.........Asdrúbal Canelo Adult’s Program.................Franklin Tèllez Librarian............................Maria Victoria American Corner.......... Nubia Manzanares Adviser........................Alejandra Alemán Comments: AlvaroAVergara@gmail.com
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Women’s History Month Guest Speaker: Allie Almero Tuesday March 10 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Place: ¨Emily Dickinson¨ Library Audience: Level 8-10-12 students
Workshop for CCNN faculty and Public school teachers By Kitty Johnson (RELO) Tuesday, March 10 Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm Place: ¨Emily Dickinson¨ Library