PAS Program Calendar
Events in October 2008
Please register here to attend our free public events
If you would like to be American Center member, please register.
You can register to these events online, by email (irchanoi@gmail.com), by phone (844-3850 5000, ext. 6207, 6149) or by fax (844-3850 5120).
Our office is located at the Rose Garden Tower (RG), 170 Ngoc Khanh Street. You can leave your vehicle at VKO Supermarket's vehicle keeping area. Remember to take your ID with you.
U.S. Election 2008
Time: 14:00 - 15:30, October 10, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
How the candidates are chosen and what the unusual candidates this time (First African American candidate nominated for President, second woman candidate for Vice Presidency, role of Hilary Clinton) say about the changing nature of US politics.
Drawing Contest: America in My Eyes
Young adults 14-20 years old are invited to participate in a drawing contest in the American Center at 10 a.m. on October 11, 2008. Participants will have one and a half hours to draw a picture that shows their thoughts about the United States and the American people.
Prizes will be awarded for First Place ($40), Second Place ($35), and Third Place ($30). Certificates will also be given to all winners. The decisions of the judges are final.
The American Center will provide paper and crayons to participants. Participants need to bring a copy of their ID or birth certificate to participate in the contest.
Register online by September 30, 2008 to take part in the competition. The Center can host up to 50 participants, based on first come, first serve, so we encourage you to register soon.
We will hold an award ceremony for the contest winners at 10a.m., October 18, 2008.
Hip Voters, Hip Politics - American Youth Involvement in the 2008 Election
Time: 15:00 - 16:30, October 15, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
American youth have been involved in national politics to varying degrees over the years. Recently, these dynamics have changed, and this year the impact of young Americans on the political race has been particularly strong. Politicians from both the Republican and Democratic Party are responding to this, and are trying to reach out young voters more than ever. This talk will discuss how young Americans think about politics, why they are getting involved now, and why their voice matters in the U.S. elections.
Film Show: The American President
Time: 10:00 - 12:00, October 17, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
What sounds like the high-concept romantic comedy pitch from hell--widower president falls for smart lobbyist while the world watches--is actually intelligent, charming, touching, and quite funny. Granted, it's wish fulfillment all the way (when was the last time you saw a president who was truly presidential?), but in the capable hands of writer Aaron Sorkin (TV's Sports Night) and director Rob Reiner, The American President is incredibly enjoyable entertainment with quite a few ideas about both romance and the government. Michael Douglas stars as the president, who after three years in office starts thinking about the possibility of dating. When he auspiciously encounters cutthroat environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), sparks begin to crackle and the two begin a tentative but heartfelt romance. Of course, his job gets in the way--their first kiss is interrupted by a Libyan bombing--but darn it if these two kids aren't going to try and make it work! However, they hadn't counted on the president's Republican antagonist (Richard Dreyfuss), who starts carping about family values. The predictable plot--Douglas finally goes to bat for his lady and his country--is leavened by Sorkin's wonderful, snappy dialogue and a light touch from the usually subtle-as-a-sledgehammer Reiner. Both manage to create a believable White House-office atmosphere (with a crack staff including Martin Sheen, Michael J. Fox, Anna Deavere Smith, and Samantha Mathis) as well as a plausible and funny dating scenario. The true success of the movie, though, rides squarely on Douglas and Bening; this is unequivocally Douglas's best comedic performance (ergo his best performance, period) and Bening, usually such a good bad girl, takes a standard career-woman role and fleshes it out magnificently. You can see in an instant why Douglas would fall for her. One of the best unsung romantic comedies of the '90s. --Mark Englehart
Presentation Skills for Academic Success
Time: 15:00 - 16:30, October 17, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
Public speaking skill is sometimes considered one of the most importantly valued skills that an individual can possess. This skill can be used for almost anything. Most great speakers have a natural ability to display the skills and effectiveness that can help to engage and move an audience for whatever purpose. Language and rhetoric use are among two of the most important aspects of public speaking and interpersonal communication. Having knowledge and understanding of the use and purpose of communication can help to make a more effective speaker communicate their message in an effectual way.
Come to join this training at the American Center!
You also have a chance to practice your skill and overcome your fear of speaking in front of the group as practice makes perfect. Register now or you will be late, only the first 60 registers can be accepted.
Overview of US Higher Education with a Focus on Undergraduate Studies
Time 15:00-16:30, October 20th, 2008
Venue: 3rd Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
Thinking about studying in the US? Start equipping yourself with the background information you will need before you begin the application process. A presentation, organized by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the Public Affairs Section (PAS) will provide facts and figures on the structure, types of degree programs, admission process, affordability and other aspects of US Higher Education with a focus on the undergraduate level.
Hear songs, learn lyrics, and all sing together
Time: 17:00 - 19:00, October 24, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
One of the easiest and most entertaining ways to learn language is through song. In this session, participants will be given the opportunity to learn 2-3 songs in English. Songs will be performed, and participants will be asked to decipher and interpret lyrics, on an individual and group basis. Conceptual meanings of songs will also be discussed, focusing on methods of expression that coincide with song. Finally, participants will be invited to practice and learn the song, thus achieving a deeper understanding of the song and its conceptual language components."
Speaker Program: Pronunciation - The Sounds of American English
Time: 15:00 - 16:30, October 29, 2008
Venue: 1st Floor, Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
In this workshop, the consonants and vowels that typically cause difficulties for Vietnamese speakers will be reviewed and communicative activities to address these problem areas will be explored and practiced. Participants will also learn about sounds (Aaah!, Huh? etc.) that have communicative meaning in English and practice using them to respond to common situations. Participants will be encouraged to self-monitor their own speech to perceive patterns of strengths and weaknesses in their own pronunciation of English.
US-Vietnam Relations
Events for the Public
