Hancock International College
June 2015
Volume 3, Issue 6
HIC UPDATES:
June 3rd: Community Conversation Practice – American Recipes
June 11th: Final Exams
June 12th: End of Spring 2015 quarter
June 15th: Last day for Essay Contest submissions (see page 3)
June 24th: First day of Summer 2015 quarter
ESL Practice is a chance for students to
practice a variety of language skills for
real world situations.
Monday – Thursday 1:30 - 2:30 P.M.
Free for HIC students
American History Corner
During the American Revolutionary War, the Congress decided that the country
needed a flag to represent the united colonies. On June 14, 1777 the Second
Continental Congress passed a Flag Resolution. This day is still celebrated as Flag
Day in the United States.
The resolution said that the United States Flag would have 13 red and white
alternating stripes and that there would be a blue area with 13 white stars. They
didn't give an exact description of the flag and there were several different
versions.
Honor the Flag
The United States flag is a
symbol of our freedom. Many
men and women have died
over the years to preserve our
freedom and the flag represents
them as well. There are rules of
flag etiquette some of which
include never letting the flag
touch the ground, how and
where it should be displayed,
and that it should be lit up if
flown at night.
Did Betsy Ross sew the first flag?
Legend has it that seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag from a
sketch that George Washington gave her. No one is sure if this story is fact or just
a myth, but it makes for a good story.
Changing of the flag
The flag has changed over the years. Here is the history of changes:
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January 13, 1794 - The number of stars and stripes was each changed to
15.
April 4, 1818 - Changed the number of stripes back to 13 and allowed for
one star for each state.
June 24, 1912 - Officially gave the proportions of the flag as well as the
arrangement of the stars. The stars would be in six horizontal rows of eight
each with a single point of each star to be pointing upward.
January 3, 1959 - Changed the star pattern to seven rows of seven stars
each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
August 21, 1959 - Changed the star pattern again to nine rows of stars
staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
Details of the United States Flag
The official flag is to be 1.9 times as long as it's width. It has thirteen red and white
alternating stripes with a red stripe on the top and on the bottom. The blue part
in the upper left is called the Union. The Union is to be 7 stripes tall. There are 50
white stars in the Union representing the 50 states. They are in 11 staggered
horizontal rows of 5 and 6 stars.
What are the names of the flag?
The US flag has several nicknames. The most popular ones include the Star
Spangled Banner, the Stars and Stripes, and Old Glory.
Star Spangled Banner
This is a nickname for the United States flag. The original Star Spangled Banner
flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore which was part of the War
of 1812. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about the battle and flag that was later
turned into a song. The song eventually became the National Anthem of the
United States.
Reference: www.ducksters.com/history/united_states_flag.php
Take the
American History Corner QUIZ on
page 4
June 2015
Volume 3, Issue 6
Father’s Day Spotlight
What does Father's Day celebrate?
Father's Day is a day to celebrate fatherhood as well as your father's contribution to
your life.
When is Father's Day celebrated?
Third Sunday of June (June 21, 2015)
Who celebrates this day?
Father's Day is celebrated throughout the world. It is a popular holiday in the United
States where many children, young and old, celebrate the day with their dads.
What do people do to celebrate?
Most people spend the day with their dad. Many people give gifts, a card, or cook
their dad a meal. Typical Father's Day gifts include ties, clothes, electronics, and
tools. Since the day occurs on Sunday, a lot of people go to church with their dad to
celebrate the day.
History of Father's Day
The original Father's Day is thought to have been founded by Sonora Dodd in
Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. Sonora and her five siblings were raised by
their single-parent dad. She thought that since there was a Mother's Day, there
should be a day to honor fathers as well.
In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson visited Spokane and spoke at the Father's Day
celebration. He wanted to make the day an official US holiday, but Congress didn't
agree. President Calvin Coolidge tried again in 1924, but the day still didn't' become a
holiday. The main reason was because many people felt that they day was too
commercial. That the only reason to have the holiday was so that companies who
sold ties and men's clothing could make money.
In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday of June as Father's
Day. The national holiday was finally signed into law in 1972 by President Richard
Nixon. Since then the day has become a major holiday in the United States.
Around the World
Here are some dates when the day is celebrated in different countries:
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Russia - February 23
Denmark - June 5
Brazil - Second Sunday of August
Australia and New Zealand - First Sunday of September
Egypt and Syria - June 21
Indonesia - November 12
Fun Facts About Father's Day
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There are around 70 million fathers in the United States.
Sonora initially wanted the day to be on her dad's birthday which was June
5th, but the preachers needed more time after Mother's Day to write their
sermons, so the day was moved back to the third Sunday in June.
There was a movement in the 1930s to combine Mother's Day and Father's
Day in to Parent's Day.
Around $1 billion is spent each year on Father's Day gifts.
For many dads, they consider being a father the most important job they
have.
STAY SOCIAL!
EVENTS AT
Orange County Great Park
The Park is conveniently
located off the 5 or 405
freeways at San Canyon
Avenue and Marine Way in
Irvine.
Certified Farmers Market
Every Sunday
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. rain or shine
Location: Farmers Market
The Great Park Certified
Farmers Market features fresh,
locally grown fruits and
vegetables, handcrafted
artisan products, live music
and entertainment, and a
selection of gourmet food
trucks.
Movie on the Lawn:
Casablanca
Friday, June 5th
8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Lawn
FREE
Join us for a classic film on the
outdoor big screen. Bring lowback chairs, blankets and a
picnic or purchase items from
food trucks or the snack bar.
Movie on the Lawn series will
feature Flashback Friday films
Movie on the Lawn:
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Saturday, June 6th
8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Lawn
FREE
Join us for family blockbuster
on the outdoor big screen.
Bring low-back chairs,
blankets and a picnic or
purchase items from food
trucks or the snack bar. Movie
on the Lawn series will feature
Blockbuster Saturday movies
Reference: www.ducksters.com/holidays/fathers_day.php
For more information visit
www.ocgp.org
June 2015
Volume 3, Issue 6
CATESOL Annual IEP Level Student Essay Contest
Sponsored by ELS Language Centers
AWARD: $100 Gift Card for Book Purchases
TOPIC: For ESL students, living in an English-speaking country is a
wonderful way to develop language skills. During their stay,
students often have experiences that give them a clearer
impression of culture in California.
PROMPT: Describe an experience at your Intensive Language
Program that gave you some insight into American culture.
ESSAY CRITERICA: The essay must be typed, double-spaced,
and maximum 500 words (not including contact information).
The following information should appear at the top of the
essay:
 Jessica Moreira, 949-679-2000, [email protected]
 Hancock International College, 4199 Campus Drive Suite
600, Irvine CA 92612
 Student’s name, ESL Level, address, telephone, and email
Deadline for submissions: Monday, June 15, 2015
Adult Level Student Essay Writing Contest
Sponsored by Cambridge University Press
AWARD: $100 worth of educational texts by Cambridge and
publicly read the winning essay at the CATESOL conference
TOPIC: “Technology in My Old and New Country” Technology is
important in every country. Compare and contrast how you
used technology in your home country and how you use it now
in the U.S.
PROMPT: Describe how technology helps you communicate
and how it connects you with family and friends. Describe how
it helps you with goals, such as learning a new language or
doing new things at home, school, work, and in the community.
ESSAY CRITERICA: The essay must be typed, double-spaced,
and maximum 500 words (not including contact information)
and no fewer than 300 words. The following information should
appear at the top of the essay:
 Jessica Moreira, 949-679-2000, [email protected]
 Hancock International College, 4199 Campus Drive Suite
600, Irvine CA 92612
 Student’s name, ESL Level, address, telephone, and email
Deadline for submissions: Tuesday, June 30, 2015
For writing assistance go to
ESL Practice, Monday – Thursday from 1:30-2:30 PM
Do you have friends?
Do they want to learn English?
Are they looking for a school?
Recommend Hancock!
We are looking for dedicated
learners who want to improve
their English in a fun and
academic environment.
Intensive English as a Second
Language (IESL)
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
ESL Practice
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
TOEFL iBT Preparation and
Social & Cultural Research
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Hancock International College
University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92612
Tel +1-949-679-2000
[email protected]
www.hancockcollege.us
Running late to class?
Call the Director of Administration.
Want to transfer?
Let the Director of Admissions help
you.
Have any questions about your
academics?
Tell our Director of Academics.
We are here to help!
June 2015
Volume 3, Issue 6
American Culture Corner QUIZ
WORD FUN!
1) What day is celebrated in the United States each year on June 14?
a. Independence Day
d. Veterans Day
b. Flag Day
e. Labor Day
c. Memorial Day
2) Who is thought to have sewn the first version of the United States flag?
a. Martha Washington
d. Betsy Ross
b. Thomas Jefferson
e. Abigail Adams
c. Deborah Read
3) How many red and white stripes does the US flag have?
a. 2
d. 7
b. 10
e. 13
c. 2
4) What did the thirteen stars in the blue field of the first US flag represent?
a. The thirteen signees of the Declaration of Independence
b. The thirteen men who wrote the constitution
c. The thirteen battles of the Revolutionary War
d. The thirteen ideals of democratic government
e. The thirteen American colonies
5) In the official US flag, what is the blue part in the upper left called?
a. The Union
d. The Ocean
b. The Continent
e. The Navy
c. The Sky
6) How many stars are in the blue field of the current US flag?
a. There are still 13
b. 27, one for each amendment to the Constitution
c. 50, one for each state
d. 55, one for each state and territory
e. 100, one for each Senator
7) Which of the following are rules of flag etiquette?
a. The flag should never touch the ground
b. Where the flow should be flown
c. How the flag should be flown
d. The flag should be lit up if flown at night
e. All of the above
8) Who wrote the National Anthem about a flag that was flown during the War of
1812 called The Star Spangled Banner?
a. Betsy Ross
d. Francis Scott Key
b. Ben Franklin
e. Katherine Lee Bates
c. Irving Berlin
9) Which of the following is a nickname for the US flag?
a. Old Glory
d. Union Jack
b. Stars and Bars
e. All of the above
c. None of the above
10) True or False: The US flag has never changed since it was first designed in 1777.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
Community Conversation Practice (CCP)
is a chance for students to practice
speaking skills in the real world.
Every Wednesday
11 a.m. – 12 (noon)
HIC Newsletter Dictionary
Arrangement: an act of arranging; state of being arranged; a final
settlement; adjustment by agreement
Contribute: to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common
supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes
Horizontal: at right angles to the vertical; parallel to level ground; side to
side
Official: a person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties
Resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after
voting; a resolve; a decision or determination
Vertically: being in a position or direction perpendicular to the plane of the
horizon; upright; up-down
Summer Vocab
A
Air conditioner
August
B
Backpacking
Baseball
Bathing suit
Beach
Berries
Bikini
Blistering heat
Boating
C
Camp
Camping
Canoeing
D
Daisy
Diving
E
Ease
F
Fan
Flowers
Fourth of July
Fresh fruit
Frisbee
G
Gardening
Grass
H
Heat
Hiking
Holiday
Hot
Humidity
I
Ice cream
Independence
J
Journey
July
July fourth
June
L
Lightning
M
Muggy
O
Ocean
Outdoors
Outside
P
Park
Picnic
Play
Popsicle
R
Recreation
Relax
Rest
Road trip
Rose
S
Sandals
Sandcastle
Sailing
Sea
Searing heat
Seashore
Season
Shorts
Showers
Sightseeing
Stifling
Summer
Summer solstice
Sun
Sundress
Sunflower
Sunhat
Sunny
Sunscreen
Sweltering
Swim
Swim fins
Swimming cap
Swimsuit
T
Tan
Thunder
Thunderstorm
Travel
Trip
Trunks
V
Vacation
Visit
Voyage
W
Warm weather
Watermelon
Water park
Water-ski