2021

Tax season is upon us. Most people pay 4 types of taxes that are listed on their paycheck Federal Tax (tax paid to the government) State tax (tax paid to the state you live in) Social Security Tax Medicare Tax Social Security and Medicare are associated with the federal government.   The most important fact is that American’s have to pay federal and state taxes every year. When you get a job, you fill out (complete) a W-4 tax form. It asks you certain questions. Based on the questions, the state and federal governments withhold (hold) money from your paycheck every time you get paid. The withholdings (the money) go to the state and federal government. You are paying taxes from your paycheck each week or biweekly so that you don’t have to pay the government a large amount at the end of the year. If you are self-employed, you have to pay your taxes quarterly (4 times a year).   Federal tax rates are based on income. The federal government has tax brackets; categories of tax percentage based on income. Often, the higher the income, the more tax a person pays. State taxes is typically a certain percentage for all people   In the U.S., American’s must file their taxes by April 15th. For the tax year 2020; January 1, 2020-December 31, 2020, American’s have until April 15, 2021, to file their taxes with the federal government and their state government.   To file your taxes means completing a 1040 form and mail it to the federal government.   American’s often use the verb “do” when they talk about their taxes. For example, I need to do my taxes. That means gathering their W-2 (a statement employers give employees to show home much they were paid and how many…

When we talk about age. We use the verb “to be”. I am 30. He is 19. She is 25. We are 42. They are 51.   Young: Having lived a short time Examples: I am young. He is young. She is young. We are young. They are young.   Old: Having lived many years Examples: I am old. He is old. She is old. We are old. They are old. It is old. Saying that someone is old. Or, calling (telling) someone their old, can be a perceived as rude.   “middle-aged”: A person who is around 50 years old. Could be used for someone 45-55 years old. Examples: He is a middle-aged man. The tour was full of middle-aged people.   If you are talking about the approximate age of a person, people say… A person’s name is in her/his 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. Examples: Mike is in his 20s. She is in her 30s. He looks like he is in his early-40s. They are in their mid-50s. He is in his late-60s.  

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday! The Super Bowl is the annual championship game for the NFL (National Football League). The game is played on the first Sunday in February. The game typically starts around 6:30 pm.   The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched things on TV. People love to watch the football game. Also, people like the halftime show. Many people watch the Super Bowl just for the halftime show. Lastly, people love to watch the commercials (advertisements) that are shown during the Super Bowl. The commercials can be heartful or funny and they are always talked about the next day.   People have Super Bowl parties! People gather at someone’s home where they all watch the Super Bowl. There are typical foods that are often served at Super Bowl parties, they are… buffalo wings chicken wings sandwiches sliders (mini sandwiches) chips and dip nachos pizza, potato skins party sub (a sandwich that could be 3-5 foot long or more)

 There is a school for children from 3-5 years old. This school is called Preschool. Preschool is very common, even typical. But it is not mandatory. Preschools have half-day or full-day programs. Many parents have to pay for preschool. There are preschools for low-income families, where they might not have to pay any money. After preschool, children go to elementary school to start kindergarten.   K-12 Grade In the U.S., children officially start school at 5 years old. Children go to kindergarten. After kindergarten, the children go to grade 1st grade (grade 1) and continue until 12th grade. Then, they go to college. All public elementary, middle, and high schools are free. Parents pay nothing for their children to attend public schools. There are no fees for the education, books, or supplies. Public schools usually offer free lunch and sometimes free breakfast for students from low-income families. Elementary School Middle School High School Kindergarten 1st grade 2nd grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade 9th grade (freshman) 10th grade (sophomore) 11th grade (junior) 12th grade (senior)     After students complete the 12th grade, they graduate high school and receive a high school diploma. For students or older adults that cannot go to high school. There is another option, they can get a GED (General Education Development) certificate. A GED is not equivalent to a high school diploma, but many colleges will accept it when applying.   College Level Education You must first earn an undergraduate degree before you can earn a graduate degree. Undergraduate Level Associates Degree: A.A., A.S., etc. two years full time 60 credits/22 classes Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. B.S, etc. four years full time 120 credits/40 classes   Graduate Level Master’s Degree: M.A., M.S. or MBA two years full time 36-54…

Want to have more English conversations in 2021? Here are some tips.   Get Yourself in the Right Mindset! (Positive Thoughts!) Be brave! Don’t worry   Be curious = ask questions   Give someone a compliment.   Find something you have in common. Then, talk about it. For example, if you live in the same city. Ask the person questions like… Have you been to __________? What is your favorite place to eat at in __________?   Talk about current events. Talk about what is going on in the world.   Talk about yourself You can talk about yourself, then ask the other person questions about the topic. For example, I have a dog. Do you have a dog? Have you ever had a dog? Do you like pets.   Talk about TV, shows, or a series. Have you seen anything good on TV lately? Do you have Netflix? Have you seen the show __________?     DON’T WORRY ABOUT AWKWARD MOMENTS.