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Learn English Podcast

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Nov 13, 2023 • 11min

E11 Learn English Podcast Listening Practice: Why Americans Love These 4 Holiday Drinks

🍂 It is officially the "holiday season" in the United States, that time period from Halloween to New Year's where the weather gets cold outside and people are in a festive mood. Part of the way to celebrate the season is with drinks that you will only find this time of year. What drinks to American's love to get into the fall and winter mood?🥂On this episode of the Learn English podcast, we’re diving into something that many people look forward to as the weather gets colder: seasonal drinks! we discuss four of the iconic seasonal drinks in the United States. From the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte to festive Eggnog, we’ll explore the drinks that are closely tied to the holiday season in the U.S. Learn about the origins, ingredients, and cultural significance of these beverages.☕If you want to learn more about American holiday traditions, this episode is for you! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary list1) Seasonal Drinks: Beverages associated with a specific time of year, such as fall and winter.2) Juggernaut: A term used to describe something extremely popular or powerful, like the pumpkin spice latte.3) Customary: traditional or commonly done in a particular society.4) Hard drink: A drink containing alcohol.5) Visually Appealing: Attractive in appearance; something that looks nice.6) Seasonal Flavorings: Ingredients or tastes associated with fall and winter spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and cloves.7) Carbonated: containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, making the liquid fizzy8) Custard: a thick, creamy dessert made from milk, eggs, and sugar9) Frothy: having a light, airy, foamy texture10) Caught fire: Became very popular.
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Nov 6, 2023 • 9min

E10 What is Veteran's Day? The History and How It Is Celebrated

🎖️ This week on the Learn English Podcast, we're diving into an important American holiday - Veterans Day. Celebrated every November 11th, this day is important for the United States and its citizens. But have you ever wondered why this day is celebrated every year on November 11th? We’ll discuss into the history behind it, how Americans celebrate, and the special meaning it holds for people across the country.🇺🇸 First, we’ll explore the origins of Veterans Day, going all the way back to World War I. You’ll learn how the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, marked the end of the war and why that date became so significant. In addition to its history, we’ll talk about how Veterans Day is celebrated today. From parades and speeches to special banners recognizing local veterans, this holiday is a time when communities come together to honor the brave individuals who have served.⭐ Understanding these cultural practices will help you become more familiar with life in the United States and the importance of Veterans Day to American society. Practice your listening skills and gain a greater appreciation of its significance in American culture. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and tune in to more of our podcast episodes for engaging insights into cultural events and traditions.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary List:1) veteran: a person who has served in the armed forces2) commemorate: to remember or celebrate something officially3) truce: an agreement to stop fighting for a time4) federal holiday: a holiday observed by the federal government of the United States5) military cemetery: a cemetery where only veterans are buried6) Sacrifice: the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else7) Patriotic: having or expressing devotion to one's country8) Hesitant: reluctant, unsure, or unwilling to take action9) Decimated: to destroy or kill a large proportion of10) Proclaim: To declare something officially or publicly.
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Oct 31, 2023 • 14min

E9 Listening Practice: How Do Americans Really Celebrate Halloween?

🎃Halloween is a popular holiday in the United States that is celebrated on October 31st. But do Americans really got all dressed up and go trick-or-treating? Do children bring home bags and bags of candy? And what does Halloween celebrate anyways?🧙‍♂️Welcome to the special Halloween episode of the Learn English Podcast! In the U.S., Halloween is a big deal! Kids love dressing up in costumes, attending school parades, and, of course, trick-or-treating for candy. Adults get into the fun too, often dressing up for parties. In this episode, we'll tell you more about the history of Halloween, the different traditions that are celebrated, and how you can get involved in the festivities. We'll cover costumes, candy, decorations and more!👻No matter how you choose to celebrate, Halloween is a fun and exciting holiday. Join use to learn everything you know to properly celebrate Halloween like an American. Grab your candy bowl, dim the lights, and let's get ready to learn some English! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary List:1) to date back: To originate from a particular time in the past.2) spirit: A supernatural being or force.3) bonfire: A large outdoor fire.4) costume: Clothing worn to disguise oneself or to represent a character.5) All Saints Day: A Christian holiday celebrated on November 1st.6) trick-or-treating: The practice of children going door-to-door on Halloween asking for candy.7) jack-o'-lantern: A pumpkin with a carved face and a light inside.8) to carve: To cut or shape something from a solid material.9) to scoop out: To remove something with a scoop.10) to get into the spirit of something: To enjoy or participate in something enthusiastically.
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Oct 23, 2023 • 17min

E8 Five Classic Halloween Movie Recommendations to Help Improve Your English!

👻Do you struggle with understanding native English speakers when they talk? Are you looking for a way to increase your English input? Are you ready to improve your English language skills while enjoying the spooky season of Halloween? Join us in this special episode as we discuss a range of Halloween-themed movies filled with ghosts, ghouls, and monsters, perfect for watching during the spooky season!🎥🧟‍♂️ Watching movies in English is a great way to get exposure to the language and help improve your listening skills, vocabulary and pronunciation. Not only do you get to listen to native speakers, but you can also be exposed to the written language if you watch with subtitles. In this episode, we will discuss five Halloween classics that you can use to help you learn more about Halloween traditions while improving your English. These films are popular with Americans, especially during the month of October, and range from a scary horror movie to a comedy to even an animated option. There is sure to be an film for everyone!🎬🍿You’ll learn about these classics, how they’ve become part of Halloween traditions, and how to find these movies on streaming platforms. You'll walk away knowing more American culture and the holiday that is Halloween! Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let's get ready to learn some English! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodStreaming guide: https://www.justwatch.comhttps://watchany.stream/📝 Vocabulary List:1) Spooky: Scary, frightening, or mysterious.2) Gory: Shockingly violent or bloody.3) Slasher film: A horror film featuring a masked killer who brutally murders a group of people.4) Lead character: The main character in a story.5) Iconic: Very famous and widely recognized.6) Dark humor: Humor that is based on dark or disturbing subjects.7) Cult classic: A film or other work that has gained a loyal following over time.8) Cult following: A group of people who are devoted to a particular person, thing, or idea.9) Witch trial: A legal proceeding against a person accused of being a witch.10) Phenomena: A remarkable or exceptional event or person, often used to describe something very successful or impressive.11) Decapitated: Having had one’s head cut off.12) Cultural impact – The influence or effect something has on society, values, or traditions.
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Oct 16, 2023 • 18min

E7 How to Stay Motivated While Learning English

🧠How can you stay motivated while learning English? We all know learning a language takes time, effort, and commitment, but what happens when you feel frustrated or feel like you’re not making progress? Once you have been studying for months or even years, it can be easy to get discouraged and lose motivation. This is especially true once you hit the intermediate-plateau where you feel like you aren't making any progress. It can be frustrating if you have spent years studying, but feel like you still can't speak fluently or understand native speakers. 🎧If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated with your language learning journey, this week’s Learn English Podcast episode is just for you! In today’s episode, we explore one of the most important factors when learning a language: motivation. Motivation isn’t about studying for hours every day—it’s about keeping a steady plan. With the right motivation, you can explore new resources like podcasts, videos, and books that will help you improve your listening, speaking, and vocabulary skills.🗣️Are you learning English for work, school, or just for fun? Knowing your reason for learning will help you stay on track. By setting small, achievable goals, like having a 10-minute conversation or watching your favorite TV show without subtitles, you can see real progress, even when it feels like you’re stuck. Don’t miss this motivating episode, where you’ll get actionable tips on how to stay motivated, how to keep a consistent study plan, and even how to take a break when needed. Now let's get back on track with your language learning journey!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary List:1) Motivation: the reason for doing something2) Seek out: try to find3) Plateau: a period of little or no progress4) Phenomenon: an unusual or interesting event or fact5) Reevaluate: assess something again6) Nebulous: unclear, vague7) Stagnating: failing to progress or develop8) Burnt out: exhausted, tired9) Regressing: becoming worse10) Engaging: interesting and involving
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Oct 9, 2023 • 18min

E6 American Culture: Why Don't Americans Use the Metric System?

📏If you're tuning in from outside the U.S., you're likely comfortable with the metric system. But for many Americans, it’s a source of frustration. Almost every person in the world is familiar with the metric system. Almost every country in the world uses it for their system of measurement, its the official units of science and medicine, and has a universal understanding. However, the key word in these sentences is "almost". 🌍Not every country uses the metric system, and the United States is one of those countries. Not only do Americans not use the metric system, they have a hard time understanding what the units mean. Why is this? Why do American struggle to use a system that's known the world over? Why hasn't the United States adopted the metric system yet? And why do Americans love their customary units so much? 🎧In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we discuss this weird part of American culture - the use of the customary units and the reasons why the United States has not fully adopted the metric system. We'll explore the cultural ties, industrialization, and the influence of tradition on the American way of measuring. Learn about what is stopping the United States from switching, why everything from infrastructure to education would have to change, and why Americans might not want to pay for that change after all.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website: Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/ Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod 📝 Vocabulary List:1) customary units: a system of measurement used in the United States, based on British imperial units.2) graduate degree: a degree earned after completing a college or university program.3) consensus: a general agreement.4) Straightforward: Easy to understand or simple; not complicated.5) Legislation: Laws or legal regulations enacted by a governing body.6) Incentive: Something that motivates or encourages someone to take a specific action.7) Discomfort: A state of unease or lack of comfort; feeling awkward or uncomfortable in a situation.8) Monetary: Related to money or currency; often used in the context of costs or financial considerations.9) Point of reference: A basis for comparison or understanding.10) off the top of my head: without thinking about it carefully.11) to get the hang of something: to learn how to do something.12) Take into consideration: To think about or include something in your thought process.
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Oct 2, 2023 • 16min

E5 English Vocabulary: How to Use the Word "Dude" Like an American

💬In this episode of the Learn English podcast, we talk all about the word "dude". American's use a lot of informal language with each other. We can't help it, it's in our nature. One of the most common slang words used between American's is "dude" because its just so universal. From disbelief and astonishment to skepticism and amusement, "dude" can be used to express almost any emotion.🏄‍♂️So how can you use it correctly and speak like a native? When should you use it and when shouldn't you? When someone calls you "dude", is that a good or a bad thing? And how did we all start using this word anyways?🗣️Learn about the history of the word, when to use the word "dude", and the multiple meanings of the phrase, "dude seriously?!?". Learn how to incorporate "dude" seamlessly into your conversations, how to pronounce it in different ways to express different emotions, and how to sound like a native speaker when you use it! Understand the subtle variations in intonation and context so you can master this American slang term. Whether you're aiming for a casual chat with friends, wanting to vent your frustration, or even trying to show your appreciation or surprise, we've got you covered. Master the nuances to sound like a native speaker in any scenario!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary List:1) per se: in itself, by itself2) dude: a casual term used to address a male or female3) well-dressed: wearing stylish and fashionable clothes4) rugged: strong and sturdy, and usually more rural5) ranch: a large farm, especially one used for raising livestock6) Vernacular: the everyday language spoken by a particular group of people7) Ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere8) derogatory: insulting or disrespectful9) inflection: the rise and fall of the voice in speech10) cut off: to interrupt someone or something
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Sep 25, 2023 • 16min

E4 Explore American Culture: Why Don't Americans Use Vacation Days?

💼There's a stereotype that Americans are always working, but is that really true? Do American workers ever take a vacation? And if not, why?📅In today's episode of the Learn English Podcast, we explore this key aspect of American life - work culture and unused vacation days. Taking time off work is necessary to help prevent burnt out and improve mental health. However, American's receive less vacation days than most other employees in developed countries. Even though they receive less time off, most Americans do not use all of the vacation days every year.🎧But why do so many Americans refuse to use their vacation time? In this episode, we discuss American work culture and learn why it can be hard for Americans to take time off even if they want to. We’ll look at the idea of “living to work” instead of “working to live” and how this affects our everyday lives. Whether you’re learning English, curious about American life, or want to understand workplace issues, this episode is for you!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝Vocabulary List:1) stereotype: a simplified and often negative image or idea of a particular type of person or thing2) work culture: the shared beliefs and practices of a company or industry related to work3) paid time off: time away from work for which an employee is still paid4) to live to work instead of working to live: to prioritize work over personal life5) Contract worker: An employee hired for a specific task or period, usually without long-term employment benefits.6) Promotion: the action of raising someone to a higher office or rank.7) Falling behind: to fail to keep up with others or with what is expected.8) Burnout: physical or emotional exhaustion, typically resulting from intense or prolonged stress or frustration.9) Counterintuitive: Contrary to what one would intuitively expect; surprising.10) Great Resignation: a term used to describe the large number of people who quit their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.📜SOURCESBBC: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211209-why-its-so-hard-for-some-workers-to-ask-for-time-offBloomberg News: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-30/less-than-half-of-us-workers-use-all-their-vacation-days#xj4y7vzkg
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Sep 18, 2023 • 13min

E3 American Culture: When Does the School Year Start in the United States?

☀️If "summer" in the northern hemisphere is from June to September, why is back to school shopping done in July? What is the normal school year schedule like for most students and when is summer break? And why are more schools joining this trend to start the school year so early? 🏫In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, will explain how the U.S. school calendar has changed over time. You’ll learn why schools used to start in September but now begin in August, even though it’s still very hot in many parts of the country. Learn about how school funding, the timing of holidays, and the growing pressure of standardized tests is impacting school start dates across the country. 🎧If you’re learning English and want to know more about American life, this episode is perfect for you. It’s a great way to practice your listening skills while learning about the U.S. school system and this important part of American culture. 🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website: Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/ Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod 📝 Vocabulary List: 1) public school: a school that is funded by the government 2) trend: a general direction in which something is developing 3) line up with: to agree with or match something 4) Labor Day: a holiday celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of September 5) school district: a group of schools that are administered by the same governing board 6) federal regulation: a rule or law that is made by the federal government 7) standardized test: a test that is given in the same way to students in many different schools or places 8) semester: one of two periods into which an academic year is divided 9) summer break: a period when schools are closed during the summer 10) back to school time: the time when schools reopen after summer break 11) dead time: time that is wasted or not used productively 12) Fahrenheit: a temperature scale used in the United States
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Sep 12, 2023 • 15min

E2 How Long Will It Take to Improve Your English and Become Fluent?

⏳Ever wondered how long it'll take to finally master English? Are you stuck in the dreaded "intermediate plateau"? Wondering how much time do you need to put in daily or weekly to see results? Then this episode of the Learn English Podcast is for you!🗣Many language learners hit what's called the "intermediate plateau," where progress seems to slow down even though you're working hard. Sound familiar? You’re not alone—this is a normal part of language learning. It can be frustrating when you feel like you have spent years studying, but still can't speak fluently or understand native speakers.🎧We’ll break down what this plateau means, how it happens, and most importantly, how to push past it. Together, we'll look at expert advice, including insights from language-learning experts who has some valuable tips on navigating this tricky phase. We discuss different guides that you can use to estimate how long it will take you to learn English. By the end of this episode, you'll have a better understanding of your language-learning timeline and what steps you can take to improve your English fluency. If you've been studying English for a while and feel stuck or frustrated, this episode is for you!🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary List:1) Plateau: a period of little or no progress2) Polyglot: a person who knows and can speak several languages3) Tune in: to start listening to a radio or television program4) Hurdle: an obstacle5) Ballpark figure: a rough estimate6) To be on your mind: to be thinking about something7) To go through something: to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation8) To run across: to meet or find by chance9) To get to the heart of something: to understand the most important part of something10) To set realistic goals: to establish goals that are achievable📜SOURCESStorylearning: https://storylearning.com/DreamingSpanish: https://www.dreamingspanish.com/methodU.S. State Department: https://www.state.gov/foreign-language-training/

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