March 2025 Newsletter - Sports in American Culture: Much More Than a Game

One of the most fascinating parts of living between two cultures is uncovering unexpected differences. When I first arrived in the U.S., I never imagined that sports, not language, food, or customs, would be my biggest culture shock. In Israel, sports are the passion of dedicated fans, fiercely loyal to their teams. But in America, sports are everywhere, woven into social events, workplace conversations, pop culture, and even daily language (read more). Attending a game is an experience, much like going to a Broadway show, complete with unique traditions. Take football, for example: before the game even begins, fans gather in stadium parking lots for tailgating an all-out celebration with barbecues, music, and excitement in the air. Sports here aren’t just about the game; they’re about community, tradition, and shared moments.

Last month, we celebrated the Super Bowl, one of the most quintessentially American events and it reminded me just how deeply sports are woven into the cultural fabric here. It’s not just a championship game; it’s a nationwide celebration. During Super Bowl weekend, life seems to pause. People host watch parties, supermarkets and electronics stores roll out special promotions, and the excitement is everywhere. Even the commercials are analyzed as much as the game itself, and the halftime show is as big a spectacle as the competition on the field.

This phenomenon isn’t limited to football. In the U.S., sports, whether baseball, basketball, or even the Olympics, bring people together in a way that feels almost celebratory. Every major sporting event becomes a festival. Take the US Open in tennis: while die-hard fans come for the matches, many others attend just for the experience. Next year, the excitement will reach new heights as the U.S., alongside Canada and Mexico, will host the World Cup, with the final match happening right here in New Jersey, just 25 minutes from my house. The world’s attention will be on this region, turning it into the global hub of sports for a few weeks.

Sports in America influence everything from the economy (championship tickets are sold for thousands of dollars) to advertising and even everyday language. Expressions like “Monday morning quarterback” (someone wise after the fact) or “Throw in the towel” (to give up) are widely used, even by those who aren’t sports fans. In job interviews, you might be asked about your favorite team, or hear phrases like “team player” or “hit the ground running.” Sports idioms are everywhere, shaping how people communicate.

That’s why I always emphasize: learning a language isn’t just about words and grammar, it’s about culture, too. To truly master English, it’s essential to understand how it’s spoken in real life, including sports references, pop culture expressions, and everyday phrases that bring conversations to life.

Quarterly Spotlight

In this quarter’s spotlight, we interviewed Ana, who teaches math with us and helps teenagers through their college application process. In addition to being a teacher, Ana is also a professional soccer player.

Tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to JBE Tutoring?

“I am originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio, I grew up loving sports and outdoor activities. I always enjoyed math in school and when I got to Ohio State University, I wanted to find a way to combine these two passions in my studies. I was able to do this by completing a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Sport Industry and minors in Statistics, Computer Science, and Spanish. While in college, I worked as a performance analyst with the Columbus Crew professional soccer team and completed my thesis on Game Statistics in Major League Soccer. After graduating, I moved to Montevideo, Uruguay, where I'm a dual citizen, to play professional soccer and work as a College Advisor for Uruguayan students interested in studying in the U.S. This is where I further developed my passion for education, and connecting with students, preparing them for the SAT and ACT exams as well as guiding them through the college admissions process. I wanted a change, and wanted to have more flexibility as well as the chance to work with students in a one-on-one setting, and that's when I found JBE Tutoring. I am able to now work with students individually, and connect on a personal basis to help them through math, statistics, and the college process.”

What makes JBE Tutoring special and why do you enjoy teaching with the company?

“JBE Tutoring is special due to the hands-on help that both students and tutors receive. As I get to work with students one-on-one, I can develop a connection with them and help them with their goals using teaching techniques that are best for each one. Tutors and families also receive hands-on support from Judy, which makes JBE feel more like a family. The students come ready to sessions to learn and are able to either work through specific assignments, or go over general topics, to feel more confident in their classes at school.”

How do you tailor your lessons for individuals and for groups?

“I work mainly with students from 7th grade to college, and work mainly with students individually. For individual lessons I like to spend the first few classes getting to know the student's strengths. I always focus on the student's strengths, as these are the tools to help them feel more confident in the subject they are working on. Once we’ve found their strengths, I can use this information to help them improve in other areas using similar methods. For example, some students prefer to review all the material to create a study guide they can review from, whereas other students have more success with repetition and practice problems. Being able to gear each lesson individually can help students see improvement in any subject.”

What do you find most enjoyable about teaching? What brings you happiness and satisfaction in your interactions with students?

“My favorite thing about teaching is when students have those light-bulb moments. It is amazing to see the instant change a student has once a new topic or concept clicks. These moments might not happen in every session, but when they do I always feel excited to see the improvements they've made. These light-bulb moments show students that they always had the ability to master the concept, it just sometimes had to be unlocked.”

How do you build a close connection with your students in an online teaching environment?

“Even though an online teaching environment can seem disconnected, I've always found a way to connect with my students even through a camera. I like to get to know my students, and also share with them my story, so we can connect and grow through the process. Whenever students have upcoming tests, I make sure to give them an extra confidence boost and always ask how the exam went afterwards. When students are having a hard day, and they are able to share that with me, I can change the lesson to be more engaging and push them only at the right moments. Connecting with students is my favorite part about being a tutor, and I think it's fundamental to get to know the students to have success on the academic side.”

We really enjoyed chatting with Ana, and on behalf of JBE students, I’d like to thank Ana and wish her and her team success in the league.

Quarterly Highlights: What We’ve Been Up To

In January, we held 2 free webinars, covering two important topics:

• English Pronunciation Session with Teacher Daniela: Following the success of our December session for Israelis living in the U.S. and by popular demand from those living in Israel, we held another webinar at a convenient time for them. During the session, Teacher Daniela highlighted the importance of correct pronunciation and explained the differences between pronunciation, enunciation, and accent. She also shared practical tips on mastering challenging sounds that many Israelis tend to mispronounce.

• College Admission Prep Session with Ana, College Advisor: In this session, Ana broke down the complex college application process, especially for parents who didn’t study in the U.S. and are new to American higher education. She explained key steps, how to prepare, and the best time to start. Feedback showed that these sessions helped families get organized and, most importantly, motivated them to take action!

Upcoming Events: What’s Next

Upcoming Relocation Prep Sessions – May 2024: As every year, we’ll host two sessions in May for families preparing to relocate. These will cover the U.S. education system, school options, and the importance of language and math readiness.

Know someone who could benefit? Share this with them and invite them to sign up here for updates!

Ongoing Group Activities in Israel:

• Kids & Teens (Ages 5-16): Interactive English sessions for those looking to improve and strengthen their skills.

• Women’s English Sessions: A warm, supportive space to practice speaking, guided by our American teachers.