In this funny and moving memoir, an English teacher interweaves stories of his encounters with adult students who came to the San Francisco Bay Area from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Peru, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Venezuela, and Vietnam to study this “foreign” language.
“Teaching English as a Second Language is a good gig. It’s satisfying to sharpen one’s understanding of a linguistic point and then present it to a class with lucidity and life. But getting that point across is not what this book is about; it is about what happens in the endlessly unpredictable world beside the point–where surprises spring from the quirks of languages (theirs and ours) and, of course, from the quirky humans who speak them.” -from the author’s prologue
A companionable recollection of a life interrogating culture through language. – Kirkus Reviews
About the Author:
Philip O. Chomak was born in Brooklyn, New York and taught English to international students for thirty-eight years, in Oakland, San Rafael (at Dominican University), and Berkeley, California. As a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Chomak studied story writing with Nobel-Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer. He lives with his wife in the Bay area.
Leave your creative mark on the library by painting beautiful bookends that will live in our Young Adult collection! Then design and create a handful of buttons to add flair to your jacket or backpack.
This event is for teens and tweens 11+. Space is limited; register at the Children’s Reference Desk or by calling us at (415)485-3322.
Join us on a National Park Service Ranger-led field trip to Crissy Field. We’ll explore Crissy Marsh, hike up to the Golden Gate Bridge, or you simply enjoy an afternoon at the beach with your family! Lunch will be provided. The shuttle will depart the library at 10am and we plan to return by 3pm.
This is a free event, including lunch. All ages welcome. Youth 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more and sign-up, visit the Children’s Room Desk, email us at library@cityofsanrafael.org, or call us at (415)485-3322.
In partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks, Marin County Free Library, National Park Service, Marin Municipal Water District, Main County Parks, California State Parks, San Rafael Public Library, and One Tam.
In conjunction with our Summer Reading Program…Reading Takes You Everywhere…
Learn the basics of cross stitching by creating your own project. Choose from 8-bit character designs, simple phrases, or flowers and animals. We’ll provide everything you need.
Experienced cross stitchers are welcome too!
Please register at (415) 485-3321 to ensure we have enough supplies for all.
In the Curious Circus books are alive, boots can sing, and hoops will float and dance before your eyes! Invisible balls will be flying, so get ready to catch them in this interactive, unexpected dive into our imaginations!
Don’t miss the fun magic and stories from magician Mike Della Penna. Mike is always a barrel of laughs and brings fun tricks perfect for the whole family.
Learn about the history of the jaguar, an introduction to the music, dance and instruments of indigenous Mexico. This is an interactive demonstration for the entire family.
About the Author:
Come enjoy a storytime brought to you in partnership with the National Park Service!
