May 2013

All of the below events are open for the public. We would like you to plan carefully before registering with us so that we have enough seats for participants. If you register for our events but change your plan, kindly notify us by email to irchanoi@gmail.com. If you would like to be an American Center member, please register.

***REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS EXCEPT THOSE NOTED OTHERWISE.  Register here.***

All events take place at 1st Floor of the Rose Garden Tower at 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi, except those noted otherwise.  Remember to take your ID with you.

Conversation Hour with Cassie

Tuesdays, May 7/14/21/28, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Speaker: Cassie Brenn, Guest Speaker

This is Cassie’s last month at the American Center, so let's celebrate the great times we've had over the last 2 years with fun and games!  Join us all month for Pictionary, word riddles, Taboo, charades, Trivia contests and more.  Let's practice English and share some laughs!  

World Press Freedom Day

Friday, May 3, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Speaker: Christopher Hodges, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Hanoi

Join Chris Hodges at the American Center for a discussion of this important day.

Film Showing: The Kids Are All Right (2010) 

Friday, May 10, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Host: American Center

from Amazon.com
Academy Award® nominees Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star in this funny, smart and vibrant portrait of a modern American family. Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) are your average suburban couple raising their two teens, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), in Southern California. But when the kids secretly track down their “donor dad,” Paul (Mark Ruffalo), an unexpected new chapter begins for everyone as family ties are defined, re-defined and then re-re-defined. Fall in love with the big-hearted comedy that critics are calling “one of the best films of the year!” (Michael Phillips, At the Movies)

TOEFL Guide - Intensive Session 1

Tuesday, May 14, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Host: Alumni of USG Exchange Programs

Following the two General Sessions in the TOEFL Guide series, Intensive Session 1 focuses on different strategies to deal with the areas assessed in Task 1 of the TOEFL’s speaking test. Participants will gain better awareness of their strengths and weaknesses through group analysis of samples. They will have a clearer picture for how to improve their skills with valuable input from experienced TOEFL instructors and on site practice.

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO)

Friday, May 17, 3:00 - 500 PM
Venue: American Club, 19 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hanoi.
Register at https://creator.zoho.com/pashanoi/form/610

Come over to the American Club for an afternoon of music, flashmob and great prizes in celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia! Learn about lesbian, gay, transgender and transsexual rights and the resources available in Hanoi to help those who need it. Bring a friend and your questions for the experts who will be there to talk to you individually!

Fighting Wildlife Trafficking

Wednesday, May 22, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Bob Burks, FREELAND Foundation

Please join our guest speaker Bob Burks from FREELAND Foundation in discussion on importance of combatting wildlife trafficking, and share our opinion why saving wildlife matters to you.

American English Club

Thursday, May 23, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Host: American Center

Whether you notice it or not, fashion plays significant part in our lives. Do you care about how you look when you go out? And have you ever thought about how your appearance expresses your personality, or how you dress also relates to bigger issues such as the image of a nation or IPR? If you are interested in the topic, join us in the American English Club where everybody is welcome to talk and share and have fun!

Book Club: "The Princess and the Pea" and "The Ugly Duckling"

• Read-along session: Tuesday, May 14,  11:00 – 12:00 noon
• Book Club: Friday, May 24, 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Host: Cassie Brenn, Guest Speaker

Join in our Book Club to read and discuss the two folk stories by Hans Christian Anderson, The Princess and the Pea and The Ugly Duckling. These short stories are perfect for your busy schedule.  Revisit these classic folk stories from your youth and join in the fun activities and discussions!  Get ready for the Book Club event by coming to the read-along session.

To prepare for the Book Club, you have the options of either (1) come and get a hard copy of the stories or (2) borrow our Kindle device. For the latter option, please bring your ID card – we will make a copy of it and take a picture of you to attach to the registration form that you will fill in on spot.

Adapting to Climate Change Risks and Disasters in Vietnam

Tuesday, May 28, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Rosario "Chato" Calderon, USAID Vietnam

Learn how Vietnam is especially vulnerable to Climate Change  disasters. Test your innovative  ideas in this exciting exercise and win prizes.

Yes, Study in the United States and Succeed!

Wednesday, May 29, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Speaker: Dr. Lynne McNamara, Executive Director, the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF)

Do you dream of studying in the U.S.? Are you seeking financial aid/scholarship? If yes, join us for the discussion with Dr. Lynne McNamara, VEF Executive Director, to get useful information and helpful tips on why study abroad, how to find a U.S. government scholarship, how to “survive” and succeed in the U.S.

TOEFL Speaking Guide Intensive Session 2

Wednesday, May 29, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Speakers: Alumni of USG Exchange Programs

Intensive Session 2 continues to give participants insights into speaking task 2’s requirements and offers them some strategies to best prepare for this task. Participants will gain better awareness of their strong and weak points through on-site practice. They will also have a clearer vision of what to focus on when they prepare for the test at home. In addition, this session offers participants the chance to ask questions of their concerns with the presence of experienced TOEFL instructors and a successful test taker.