School Blog

Learning Idioms in Context: Gary’s Path To Success

September 18, 2019September 20, 2019 Paul Huber

Here is a story of a young man with a fantastic mindset on how to be successful. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

Success comes to those who desire it. Gary is a young man who loves to plan to do things systematically. He doesn’t need to beat around the bush when communicating with other people. He speaks clearly and makes sure that all his ideas are well understood easily.

Gary is a solution seeker as he believes that a stitch in time saves nine. He makes sure to face any challenges as early as possible. He never runs out of time to think of a possible solution to all issues he encounters. On the other hand, he is also a person that values the art of saving. He only buys what he needs. He said that when it rains, it pours so he prepares for it. Life is full of surprises, so he saves money in the bank for his future.

Gary is also famous for being a perfectionist. At the beginning of a project, he always sees to it that everything starts with a good plan. While it is true that well begun is half done, he still works at his best until the end of the project. Through this mindset, any project he undertakes has a snowball’s chance in hell to fail. All tasks are well thought and performed according to his plan. As others may have different strategies, Gary’s road to success is inspiring and realistic.

Beat around the bush

Meaning

to speak vaguely, or avoid talking about something directly

Example Sentences

I asked Mila why she was always late for work, but instead of giving me a straight answer, all she did was beat around the bush.

You need to speak clearly about what you want to do in your next project. If you beat around the bush, you are making things complicated.

A: Mom, my best friend told me to save money and buy for two extra shirts.

B: Please stop beating around the bush and tell me what you are talking about.

When it rains, it pours

Meaning

something good or bad that is occurring many times then something good or bad also happens

Example Sentences

Bella perfectly understands that when it rains, it pours, so she saves a portion of her salary as much as possible.

My younger sister wanted to clear out her debts and worked hard at her job. As they say, when it rains, it pours so she was also promoted after a few months.

A: Hannah, why you are so thrifty now, and you don’t go out too much.

B: Yes, I need to save now as when it rains, it pours. I don’t know when my boss will suddenly fire me.

Well begun is half done

Meaning

a good beginning makes a good ending

Example Sentences

Well begun is half done so when you have started a project well, you can finish it smoothly, too.

Although well begun is half done, you should still do your best until the end of the semester.

A: I’m afraid I’ll never be able to finish my English homework.

B: You have already written a good essay. Well begun is half done.

A snowball’s chance in hell

Meaning

something that has no chance to happen or succeed

Example Sentences

Your dream is too unrealistic. It has a snowball’s chance in hell that you can achieve it.

Fe has a snowball’s chance in hell of studying higher education in the US as she never started to learn English.

A: Do you think I can be a flight attendant someday?

B: That is a snowball’s chance in hell because there is a height requirement. You are just 4 feet tall.

A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning

a problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible before it gets worse

Example Sentences

There is something wrong with your car. You should take it to the shop as it is better to get it checked as a stitch in time saves nine.

If you have many book reports to do for your final paper, start now. Do not begin to write a week before the deadline as a stitch in time saves nine.

A: I can see that you failed two subjects for our preliminary examination. You should do your best in all our class participation, book reports and projects for midterm and final assessment.

B. Thank you for your advice. I will do better now as I also believe that a stitch in time saves nine.

Quiz

1. Never try to ____________ when you are delivering a speech as this is not a good practice of an excellent public speaker.

2. Allan has been saving a lot of money and has no plan of spending his vacation abroad as he believes that ____________.

3. Although ___________, Gemma always makes the best term paper in school at all times.

4. You got _____________ when you wish to be promoted as a supervisor, but you always come to work an hour late.

5. Maya knows that her book report is a week away from its deadline, but she has already started to finalize it as she believes that _____________.

Learning Idioms in Context: Robert’s Big Dream

September 14, 2019September 15, 2019 Paul Huber

Here is a story of a fresh graduate who is always happy and positive. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

Robert just graduated in college a few months ago. There is a dime a dozen about this young man but you can still learn from him. He is one of the many aspirants to become a famous actor. Nothing is terrible about it, but chances are closing to his door as he always focuses on growing to be a star. Any penny for your thoughts about this? There is nothing wrong to dream, but achieving it is a different story as you need to be realistic. This got into a snowball effect. Robert ignored other opportunities. With this, he is experiencing difficulties when he decided to look for a job.

Let’s face it: A lot of people in today’s world hopes to be successful like their model icon Jack Ma or Warren Buffet, two of the successful businessmen in the world. There is nothing wrong to be like them, but weighing the situations and realities in life should be part of the decision in leading your journey in life to be successful. While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, and the probability of achieving your goal in life should always be realistic. Despite the failure, Robert is still very positive. He keeps on smiling in every rejection he received from every audition. He can wait.

Robert has always been patient and kind to everybody though he has encountered many failures in life. He believes that “you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar”. He always stays kind to the needy and be there for all his friends when they need him. This is Robert, the man who has a big dream with a big heart.

A dime a dozen

Meaning

things that are common, easy to acquire, and of no or little value

Example Sentences

Watching movies online is a dime a dozen nowadays, but this act is illegal.

Businesses that are losing money are a dime a dozen.

A. I am afraid I’ll get a low paying job.

B. Life doesn’t need to be complicated, Ella. Jobs with low salary are a dime a dozen, but you need to do your best to get the high paying ones.

A penny for your thoughts

Meaning

it is a way of asking what others are thinking

Example Sentences

You are serious today, a penny for your thoughts.

The group has been so quiet about the low result of their project then suddenly the leader asked, “A penny for your thoughts, guys.”

A. Hi Bill, this is our new classmate. Do you know her, a penny for your thoughts?

B. No, this is the first time I met her.

A snowball effect

Meaning

a situation in which an action or event leads to the same actions or events

Example Sentences

We have to start thinking that we can win the game today and it will be a snowball effect.

Ella has been so positive in life. Her outlook in life has a snowball effect.

A. You keep on failing all your weekly quizzes. What is happening to you?

B. I think my initial failure to my science subject has a snowball effect on all subjects.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink

Meaning

you can provide ideas or offer assistance to others, but you cannot force them to accept whatever you offer

Example Sentences

Bob always wanted me to become a lawyer, but his father wanted him to be a cop. It is happening that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

My best friend is still single, and this causes his unhappiness. I had told him to try accepting suitors, but he refused. Things are getting worse that no matter you wanted to help, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

A. Shane is still not listening to us. He always plays mobile games, and his studies got affected.

B. Yes, I have tried my best to advise him about the harmful effects of too much playtime in mobile games, but as you know, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar

Meaning

You can get people to agree with you quickly by being kind or polite instead of being rude.

Example Sentences

Ana has been acting rude due to the restaurant server gave the wrong meal but did not get any refund because of her attitude. Put yourself in Ana’s shoes next time and be kind and you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

At all times, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. This is a good practice that makes you a better person.

A: This hotel is expensive, but the air conditioner is not working. Let’s talk to the hotel manager and make a scene unless he gives us a full refund.

B: We can get the refund if we ask nicely. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Quiz

1. Life is too short. Things that are _____________ should be ignored and aim to be successful.

2. Candy’s girlfriend is nice and pretty. Do you know her, _______________.

3. Word of mouth causes ____________ that leads some businesses to their success.

4. Many of his friends tried to offer help but he did not accept them. It is always true in some cases that ___________________________.

5. Ruben has been the king of politeness and has won most of his classmate’s trust. With this, it is authentic that ________________________.

How Do I Apply For A Student Visa In The United States?

September 12, 2019September 12, 2019 Paul Huber

Every year, thousands of young people and university students want to apply for a student visa to study in the United States. The first thing you should know is the two categories of student visa. These visas are commonly known as F-1 and M-1 visas. However, there are specific criteria that a student must meet to apply for a student visa, as detailed on the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS) page.

First, you must be enrolled in an academic program, a language training program, or a vocational program. Your school must have the approval of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) Student and Visitor Exchange Program. Essentially, you must be enrolled as a full-time student of the institution. You must have English language proficiency or be enrolled in courses to gain English proficiency. Lastly, you must have sufficient funds available to cover your expenses throughout the course of study.

Differences of student visas:

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Visa category allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student of an institute, university, conference, conservatory, high school, or other institution or language training program. Also, you must be enrolled in a program that culminates in obtaining a diploma or certificate. The school must be authorized by the US government to accept international students.

M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 Visa category includes those students who are in vocational or non-academic programs, other than language training. Students with an M-1 visa are not permitted to work during their studies. The M-1 student visa applicants must have proof that there is a sufficient fund available to pay all tuition fee and living expenses for the whole period of stay.

J-1 Visa

A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa given to research scholars, professors and exchange visitors participating in programs that enhance cultural exchange, primarily to obtain medical or business training in the USA.

Sometimes, students want to work or need to work during their stay in the United States. Students with the F-1 visa can only work inside the university or its campus during the first one under certain conditions and restrictions. Any employment outside the university premises must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Officer before they start to work.

What are the requirements in securing a student visa?

When obtaining your student visa, you must meet a series of requirements and submit documents to study in the United States:

Be admitted to an institute, university or school recognized by the United States government
Be a full-time student in the USA
You should have a passport with a validity of at least six months longer than the time you will stay in the United States
You should have completed the Form I-20 for F-1 and M-1 visas or Form DS-2019 for the J-1 visa

What is the I-20 form?

This is a document that your institute, school or university will send you once you have been admitted. This document is essential to apply for your F-1 and M-1 student visa in the USA.

What is the DS-2019 form?

This is the form that is used for the exchange visitor program.

When can you apply?

You can apply for your American student visa when you meet all the requirements mentioned above and can get it in advance depending on the type of visa you have applied:

F-1 and M-1 Visa: up to 120 days in advance of the start date of your study program that appears on the I-20 form
J-1 Visa: at any time before the date on the DS-2019 form

How much does it cost?

Obtaining your American student visa is not free and involves paying two things. The first is $200 for your I-901 SEVIS Fee. The second is an additional charge of $160 for visa applications at the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country.

How to apply and secure a student visa?

After all the previous necessary steps, you are now in the process to get your student visa. The procedure to obtain the visa includes the following five steps:

Submission of the I-20 form

First, once you have been accepted, your institute or university will send you the I-20 form for the F-1 visa or the DS-2019 form for a J-1 visa to confirm that you have been admitted by an institution authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to enroll non immigrant students. You must read and sign this form.

Payment of SEVIS fee

Second, you will have to pay a tax of $200 for the SEVIS fee. Be sure to print a copy of the payment receipt. You must pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before the date of your visa interview.

Fill in the Form DS-160

Thirdly, you must fill out a new non-immigrant visa application form. This is the DS-160 form that must be completed online. In this form, you must upload a photograph of yourself. Once this form is completed, you must print the “confirmation sheet” with the bar-code to present it at your embassy appointment.

Make the appointment

Fourth, you must make an appointment with the US embassy of your country. You can also do this online. To find the website of the US embassy in your country, enter your country on the following page: https://www.usembassy.gov/

Preparation of the appointment at the embassy

Fifth and last, once you have the appointment, prepare for your interview to obtain the American student visa. You should take the following things with you to the interview:

A printed copy of the appointment
Your passport is valid for at least six months longer than the time you are going to stay in the US and your previously issued passports
The confirmation sheet of the DS-160 form with the barcode that you filled in step number 3
Receipts for payment of the student visa application
Form I20 for the F-1 and M-1 Visa or form DS-2019 for the J-1 Visa
SEVIS fee receipt
Multiple photos

In addition, it is also advisable to carry:

Financial documents that provide evidence that you have sufficient funds available to pay all your expenses for the first year of studies in the United States
Academic documents that demonstrate your preparation. These may include your institute’s grade certificates and your results on the SAT and TOEFL exams
If you have obtained a scholarship, it is also advisable to present all the documentation of it

What happens next after applying for a student visa?

There are three situations that may occur:

It is approved
Goes into the administrative process
It is rejected

If you are approved for a student visa, you could legally enter the United States, although there are two things you should always keep in mind:

You cannot enter the country within 30 days of the program you are going to begin.
When travelling to the United States, you must present your passport with your student visa and your I-20 or DS-2019 form at the immigration post.

How long is the student visa valid?

The validity of a student Visa varies depending on the type of Visa:

F-1 Visa: the validity is equal to the estimated time the study program will take
M-1 Visa: the validity is a maximum of one year
J-1 Visa: the validity varies between 4 months and 36 months depending on the program

POLY does not offer legal advice. Please click this page for more info about student visas. It is imperative that each student should consult an immigration lawyer where they reside, since laws or procedures may vary in each state.

Essential Reasons to Study Abroad

September 11, 2019September 11, 2019 Paul Huber

When parents are asked on what they want for their child in the future, most of them respond that they want their children to finish their studies. As a general rule, parents always want their children to become successful. Seeing your children grow and succeed in their studies is one of the things that give you more pride and joy. One of the ideas that lead a person to success is the chance to study abroad. For some, the idea of studying abroad has always been going around but remain undecided. This article will discuss the things that you can gain when you study abroad, like studying in an ESL School in the USA. This can help you decide and encourage you to live that great experience.

Many kill two birds with one stone and become tourists and students. Hence, they decide to continue their academic studies in another country. They take advantage of their free time to know the tourist destinations of the city where they are located and those around them. Without a doubt, studying abroad is worth spending. One example is the desire to study abroad, particularly in an English school in the USA.

Learn or improve a second language in an English School in the USA

Mastering a second language is one of the main reasons why young people and professionals decide to study abroad. Learning a language is a task that requires great effort. Within your daily activities, it is not easy to find the time to learn. On the other hand, if you decide to study abroad, this will become part of your daily routine, and you will learn it in a simple and agile way. Living with other people who speak that language and communicating with them regularly will make your language level increase significantly.

Travel on weekends and holidays

Who doesn’t like to travel? Studying abroad is a huge opportunity to travel and get to see scenic places in that country. You will not only know where you are going to study, but you can also travel on weekends and holidays to nearby cities. ESL Schools in the USA, especially in California, will give you the best scene as this state has various spots to discover. Many opportunities that will offer you the possibility to study and spend a season in that destination.

Make new friends and learn a new culture when staying in an ESL School in the USA

The idea of meeting new friends from different nationalities is fascinating. You will not only meet new friends but experience a multicultural exchange. You will learn to integrate into a lifestyle different from yours. Adjustment to a different lifestyle and appreciate the customs and traditions of the country in which you study are also expected. The fact of having to know a new culture will make you a more independent and self-confident person. This is a fact that will also allow you to know yourself better.

Acquire new skills and knowledge

The interaction with professors and specialists of recognized institutions have different criteria to share their knowledge. In addition to increasing knowledge, studying abroad provides added value to your academic preparation. Taking an English class in an English School in the USA is beneficial because many institutions have international prestige and quality.

Get a better job with more competitive pay and higher educational attainment

You have a competitive advantage that facilitates job placement with a better salary when you have completed a course abroad. Also, continuing academic preparation abroad provides more excellent status by having a higher level in the education system. This is true when you plan to enhance more your English communication skills in an ESL School in the USA.

Be more independent when you are studying in an English School in the USA

By being away from your country of origin, family and friends, you will become a more independent person. This gives you another perspective on situations and even your own country. You will learn to see the world differently and open to new ideas that will make you grow as a person. During the first weeks, it can be hard, but it won’t take long to get used to and extract the flavor of this independence. Inevitably, a unique opportunity to self-realize, mature and improve significantly as a person.

Strengthen the love and value of family

Being away from home is always a matter of nostalgia. In this case, you know what your goals are, and that gives you the strength to continue. But it does not stop bringing to your mind the value of being close to yours, the incalculable thing of being at home. This will strengthen family ties. Indeed, we do not know what we have until we lose it. Now you have not lost it, but you will value every phrase of your mother, every day in your family or every night in the tranquility of your home.

You become more organized and productive

Studying abroad requires more significant control over money and time to achieve your objectives and cover expenses. Learning to manage your expenses and get around in an unknown environment without family support is not something you learn overnight. Many times going to another country translates into a party, sleepless nights and many friends. However, when studying a higher level of course or degree is complicated. Since you want to have time to travel and learn more about that country like its work visa applications, you need to organize your time efficiently. You will have to be more productive and learn to work under pressure.

Upon your return, you will be glad that you had this experience not only from studies, but this made you grow. After this, you will be more understanding and feel more connected for humanity. You will have a different life and different opportunities. Whether you decide to leave or to meet a personal goal, studying abroad like studying in an English school in the USA can teach you a lot. You won’t find the answers in the place you go or in the people around you but when you leave your comfort zone will show yourself who you are. Remember that two heads are better than one and a person full of knowledge and experience lives a fuller life.

What do you think about these top reasons for studying abroad? Could you add more? Share your opinions!