You must know about Black Friday. It’s the first Friday after Thanksgiving, and it’s the biggest time in the US. This year Black Friday is on November 27th. Here is a list for you to shop.

1. Water Tower Place

📍 835 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Located on the famous Magnificent Mile, this is downtown Chicago’s most iconic shopping mall.

You’ll find flagship stores like Macy’s, American Girl, and Sephora. This store is great for combining shopping and sightseeing — the area is beautifully decorated for the holidays.

🕒 Tip: It gets crowded early on Black Friday morning; so take public transport if possible.

2. Woodfield Mall

📍 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173

It’s one of the largest malls in the Midwest with 300 stores including Apple, H&M, and Nordstrom.

Black Friday here often features huge discounts and early openings.

🕒 Tip: It’s about a 40-minute drive from downtown Chicago. Arrive early for parking and plan to spend the day — there are tons of dining options inside.

Finally, don’t forget that Black Friday is the US's biggest discount of the year!

Meet the Writer:

This article is written by Qingyu Wu (Garret) who is studying English here at UIC Tutorium. Garret wants to pursue a future in finance because he likes economics and wants to earn money.

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in the US. Traditionally, people are grateful for their life and express appreciation for their family, friends, health, and good fortune at Thanksgiving. In America, during the holiday, people will have a huge meal, often with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberries. But different cultures celebrate Thanksgiving differently. As a means to learn how people celebrate Thanksgiving, I interviewed people from different cultures at UIC, including one of the faculty members here at the Tutorium as well as a UIC student.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country?

Mrs. Carolyn: We celebrate Thanksgiving with the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes. Those are some of the most classic American dishes from my family background. But it is interesting, many families in the US celebrate Thanksgiving similarly, but they might have a slight difference. For example, some people will have cranberry sauce. Where other families might have a favorite dish like green bean casserole. Green bean casserole is a dish that started maybe 20 years ago. It is kind of a modern Thanksgiving dish. And the trend in the US is more and more families are having vegetarian or vegan options at their Thanksgiving.

What is your favorite dish on Thanksgiving?

Mrs. Carolyn: My favorite dish is my grandma’s cranberry salad, which has fresh cranberries, orange and celery. And I also like stuffing!

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country?

Jenice: Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is the fullest. Chuseok carries the meaning of celebrating abundance and harmony, as it is the time when our farming ancestors harvested the grains and fruits they had cultivated throughout spring and summer. Families gather to honor their ancestors through memorial rituals called ‘charye’, and they share traditional foods such as ‘songpyeon’. Chuseok is not only about celebrating the harvest but also about spending quality time with family, giving gifts, and playing traditional folk games.

So, different people have different forms of celebration. Given that celebration surely makes humans enjoyable. Everyone should congratulate us on having a celebration. Because in this special festival, we can call our kinship and family members to come to your place, gather your family and friends, talk to each other, and enjoy this feeling that everyone all gather here and connect each other with their relationships.

Meet the Writer:

This article is written by Ping-Hsuan Chan (Austin) who is studying English here at UIC Tutorium. Austin is passionate about art and history and wants to pursue an education in art in the future once he’s finished with his English studies.

Have you ever wanted to sit down and chat with our amazing faculty? Well, now you can! Each week, we will ask our faculty a few questions to get to know them better and maybe even enjoy a few laughs. If you have a question you would like to ask our teachers, email your questions to our newsletter editor.

What inspired you to start teaching English?

I've always loved teaching; in fact, when I was little, I would set up a classroom after school and pretend to be a teacher! I got into English teaching specifically because when I was doing a language exchange in China, I had a few opportunities to teach English as a volunteer, and I loved it!

What’s your favorite part of teaching your students?

I love making connections about the differences/ similarities between English and their native language. I also love seeing lightbulb moments and seeing them grow in their confidence in English! 

What’s something your students have taught you?

They have taught me that you are never too old or too busy to learn. At the Tutorium I've had students who are 75 years old and who work a ton after class. I admire that these perceived societal obstacles don't stop them! 

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or song to share with learners?

In my previous job, we read The Giver and watched the movie version as well. I really enjoyed hearing my students' perspectives on it. 

What’s your secret to helping students feel confident using English?

Number one, to associate learning English with positive experiences. Number two, to remember that making mistakes is part of the process, and even I'm still learning new English words! Number three, let them do most of the talking and push through the discomfort instead of always coming to the rescue.

How has your teaching style changed over time?

I think I've become more attuned to my specific students and their needs. I will sometimes take a break and do a mini lesson on the "th" sound for example, instead of just pushing through, if I see that's an immediate need.

What advice would you give to new teachers?

Try to always be learning a new language in small doses yourself! I find that being on a Mandarin and Spanish language journey helps me connect with what my students are experiencing and what would be helpful to them.

If you could teach anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I've been dying to walk the Camino de Santiago and teach in Spain. I would also love to teach in Taiwan or Japan. I'm also going to Mexico during the winter break, and I'm really excited about it!

Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28. There are NO classes on these days. Classes will begin again on Monday, December 1. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break! 

Unfortunately, after fall comes winter, and Chicago winters can be challenging and cold. Now is the best time to prepare for the cold weather.

Chicago stores that sell affordable, warm clothes include Target, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Burlington, and Nordstrom Rack. You can also shop at thrift stores to find inexpensive, used winter boots and clothes.

OIS Adjusting to Winter Event 

Want even more information about how to be prepared for Chicago winters? Winter safety and outdoor fun will also be included. Then, hop on a bus for the short trip to the loop where Chicago hosts the annual Christkindlmarket. Join the Office of International Services for their informational event about Chicago winters here!

Date: December 2, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Registration at the OIS front desk is open NOW. The OIS office is in SSB.  Please visit the office in person to sign up and complete the participant waiver form. Registration for this event is not available by phone or email.

Are you studying with us next semester?  Did you know that Tutorium students may audit courses without fees if they receive approval from the college offering the course and collect the required signatures on the audit form? The time frame for getting permission and signing up is short and is at the beginning of each semester. So you should make your plans now and be ready to work on the paperwork as soon as class starts in January. 

Don’t forget to register for the Spring Semester!

Are you planning to continue to study English here at the Tutorium? We sure hope so! Don't forget to register for classes for the Spring semester. Register by December 2, 2025, for a 5% discount! You received an email with instructions on how to register. Search for it in your UIC email. If you attempt to register and receive a 'HOLD' message, please contact tutorium@uic.edu. (*Not available to Shorelight UIC Global students.)

We want your photos. At the end of every term, we make a short video celebrating the completion of another semester, and we include all of the pictures our students share with us. We especially love photos of you and your classmates in class, exploring Chicago, at class parties, and having fun with your teachers.

Please send us any photos that you took this semester for us to share in the Tutorium End-of-Session video. You can send the photos to us at tutorium@uic.edu. You can also tag #tieuic in your photos on Facebook and Instagram so we can find and share your memories. View past End of Session videos on the Tutorium YouTube channel.

We gathered together over delicious pizza, chips, and pop, and talked about things we're grateful for in this thankful season.

Why are so many people excited about eating turkey and watching football? Well, that is because Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day for gathering with family and friends to celebrate the season. One American tradition is eating a big Thanksgiving meal: mashed potatoes, green beans, turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, and delicious pumpkin pie.

After enjoying a big meal, some people like to watch a football game, venture outside, and toss a football around if the weather is nice. Others might spend the day kicking off their Christmas movie marathon and decorating the tree. No matter how the day is celebrated, Thanksgiving is a day to be with family and friends and to remember all the reasons to be thankful. 

Here are some fun ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving right here in Chicago. 

The following section of the newsletter is written by Vit Vanicek, one of our teachers here at the Tutorium. With Vit's advice, you're sure to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Chicago is a beautiful city. It's not because it has the Lake or the architecture is fascinating. It's because there are so many interesting and exciting places and pieces of culture to learn and explore. As you settle in here, you may wonder which parts to see, which places to avoid, and what to do first. But most importantly, just like the textbooks and materials you use in your classes, Chicago is a source of English and experience. To learn more about how you can make the most out of living in Chicago, read more>>.

The following section of the newsletter is written by one of our advisors here at the Tutorium. Our advisors are here to help answer questions and steer you toward the right path for you.

In the US, it is very common for a student to change majors.  

Why do people change majors?

What are the dangers of changing majors?

It is important to major in something you are good at, something in which you can get a job, and ideally, something you enjoy.  Switching majors can be useful, but don’t do it too late in your studies unless you have lots of time and money.

Every semester, the Tutorium conducts research to improve our program. We get information from teachers and students. To collect this information from students, we use online surveys near the end of the semester. 

This week, you will complete a Student Services evaluation. Next week, you will complete the Course evaluation. Your teacher will tell you when. These evaluations are online, and you can complete them on your computer or your phone.

These evaluations will ask you about your learning experience. Because these evaluations are online, you can change your answers only before you click the "Done" button. You can also write comments, and we encourage you to do so. 

After the semester ends and we have sent you your grades, our director and your teachers will look at the evaluations, and the Curriculum Committee will also study the information for the whole program. Thank you for your help.

No problem! To learn how to download the app, watch this short video. You can check your grades, course assignments, and everything Blackboard right from your phone!  

Email questions to tutorium@uic.edu.
Or contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting.