Studying English at ECSD also means living and participating in the everyday routines around San Diego. To understand and navigate the wonderful world of Southern California, it is necessary for international students and travelers to know some key English words and phrases.
The following is a short-and-sweet lesson in English vocabulary as compiled by ECSD staff and teachers, thematically categorized for quick & effective English learning!
Food: Restaurants, Grocery Stores, & More!
- “Grocery store” (n., common): also called a “supermarket”; a very large store containing daily necessities from shampoo to household items to fresh produce & frozen food – many grocery stores also have a pharmacy (*Important Note: In the U.S., common grocery stores are referred to by their name alone. In San Diego, these are “Vons”, “Ralphs”, & “Albertson’s”.)
- “Shopping cart” (n., common usage: “cart”): a pushcart on wheels (see also, “shopping basket” [n., common]: a smaller plastic container with handles, used for less items)
- “Checkout” (n., common): the multiple lanes at the front of the store where a cashier will price and bag items
- “Aisle” (n., common): a single row in a grocery store, usually numbered with short descriptions of items found on the shelves on either side (ex: Aisle 9 Paper towels, Disposable Plates & Utensils, Garbage Bags, Household Cleaners)
- “Prepared Food” (n., common): this is a section of a grocery store that contains “ready-made” meals, baked goods (breads, cakes, pastries), salad bars, and deli meats & cheeses
The Weather Outside:
- “Overcast” (adj., common): used to describe a completely cloud-covered sky, seen most often during early morning and Winter
- “Santa Ana” (Proper Noun, common): “having a Santa Ana” refers to very hot, dry weather, and (less colloquial) experiencing the hot and dry Santa Ana winds that seasonally blow in Southern California, most often in Fall
- “Muggy” (adj., common): weather that is hot with lots of moisture in the air; muggy weather is not typical of San Diego, but can occur occasionally
- “Sunscreen/sunblock” (n., both common): protective lotion people use to block UV rays, with strengths determined by SPF
- “Shades” (n., casual, common): sunglasses, familiarly
- “Air Conditioning” (n., common usage: “AC”): an indoor air-cooling system
Getting From “A” to “B” (Without Stopping By “C”)
For Taxis:
- “Cab” (n., common): more commonly used than “taxi”, a casual car transportation service reached by phone or on the street
- “Cab company” (n., common): more colloquial name for a taxi service (ex: “Do you know of any good cab companies near La Jolla?”)
- “Operator” (n., common): operates the phone line for a cab company & takes requests from clients
- “Location” (n., common): required by the operator to call a cab; where a caller would like to be picked up
- “Destination” (n., common): where a caller would like to go or be dropped off
- “Fare” (n., common): the amount charged at the end of a cab ride, determined by a fee per mile plus an initial pick-up rate & tip for the driver
For Public Transportation:
- “Bus route” (n., common): usually marked by a number, the route is comprised of all bus stops/pick-up points
- “Trolley” (n., common): the rail system that covers South and Eastern San Diego County
- “Coaster” (Proper Noun, common): train system that connects North San Diego with Downtown (also a “commuter train” – it only runs in San Diego County)
- “Transfer” (v., common): to change from one bus route to another
- “Transfer” (n., common): ticket showing payment allowing rider to change (transfer) buses
ECSD students use and learn English vocabulary (such as the words & phrases listed above) when they study English at EC San Diego. Immersion into American life along with daily English lessons makes ECSD the perfect place to learn English!