Do you love Instagram? We do at IEC@OCC! Instagram is a great way to connect with people from your community and learn more about the area. Check out these accounts, which we think are some of the best Instagram accounts of Orange County, to learn more about OC life. Be sure to also read our Instagram Slang to understand some of the vocabulary you will read on IG. #enjoy!

Best Instagram Accounts of Orange County

bestfoodoc

Where are the best restaurants in Orange County? Find out on this account! You will learn about local farmers markets, restaurants, bars, and food trucks. More than 69,000 people follow this account for foodie advice in OC!

https://www.instagram.com/bestfoodoc/

orangecountyoutdoors

Explore beautiful Orange County nature with the help of this account. From activities on land (such as hiking and camping) to water activities like sailing, this account encourages you to get outside and connect with California wildlife.

https://www.instagram.com/orangecountyoutdoors/?hl=en

orangecountycommunity

If you are looking for beautiful places that will give you that Instagram-perfect photo, then this account is here to help. See the best places to watch the sunset, beautiful streets, and perfect beaches. You will seriously fall in love with OC!

https://www.instagram.com/orangecountycommunity/

iecatocc

What’s life like as an international student in Orange County? Our IEC@OCC account gives you a great idea! Meet our teachers and our students and also get an idea of the activities that we have for students. Come see why we are such a fun place to study English!

https://www.instagram.com/iecatocc/

Instagram Slang

Do you know these commonly used words, phrases, or acronyms?

Hashtag (#)

This symbol is called a hashtag. It is also called a “pound sign” when used on the telephone.

#Instagood

This common hashtag should be used for your favorite photos.

#Instamood

A photo should reflect your current mood when you use this. For example, if you are feeling peaceful and you post a photo of a California sunset, you could use #instamood.

#tbt

Throwback Thursday is an excuse to post old photos. Share ones of you and your friends from your home country and use this hashtag! #fbf is another common hashtag: it means “Flashback Friday” and is used in the same way.

#Wcm and #mcm

These hashtags mean “Woman Crush Monday” and “Man Crush Monday.” They are an excuse to post a photo of your boyfriend or girlfriend.

#iecatocc

Tag IEC@OCC in your photos using this hashtag!

 

Further learning

Use these questions for discussion or answer them in writing.

1. Do you use social media? What platforms do you use?
2. What are some of the advantages of social media?
3. What are some of the disadvantages of social media?
4. Do you think people spend too much time on social media?
5. Is it possible to be “authentic” on social media? Why or why not?
6. If you have Instagram, do you follow people who you have not met in person?
7. Do you think some people overshare on social media? What is an example of oversharing?
8. What do you think about people who make money from Instagram?
9. Is life better without social media?
10. What do you think it means when people talk about “authenticity” on social media?

Cover photo from Pixabay.