Monday, January 26, 2009

ESLPod Blog: President Obama’s Inauguration Speech Explained


Click the far right bottom button, & choose CC for subtitles.

President Obama’s Inauguration Speech Explained
Dr Jeff McQuillan: Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday. All presidents deliver (give, say) a speech after they are sworn in (take an official oath or promise). These speeches are often difficult to understand for non-native speakers, since they usually contain some poetic language and difficult vocabulary. Below is the entire text of President Obama’s inauguration speech, with difficult words explained in parentheses. You can watch the actual speech on YouTube here. I have given the entire speech without explanations at the bottom of the page.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

VOAVideo: We the People


VOAVideo: We the People

People from all over the United States came to Washington's National Mall, enduring the freezing winter cold as they waited for hours to hear and see Barack Obama inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. Reporter Zulima was out on the National Mall talking to people, and produced this report.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

NYTimes: What are your hopes for the Obama administration?


What are your hopes for the Obama administration?
The New York Times asked more than 200 people in 14 states (half red, half blue) to identify their greatest hopes for what Barack Obama might accomplish during his time as president. Their answers do not represent any kind of scientific sample—they come from people who shared their thoughts outside supermarkets, at parks, in restaurants. We grouped their responses into the 29 "hopes" below. Click on each speech bubble to hear their voices, and then choose the hopes you agree with by clicking on "I Hope So Too." Use the tabs to see which hopes are the most popular. If your hope is not represented below, include it in the comments section.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

VOAVideo: A Walking Tour of the Inauguration



VOAVideo: A Walking Tour of the Inauguration
Correspondent Jim Malone walks you through the major locations of Inauguration Day and provides interesting highlights of previous inaugurations. Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and there are traditions to follow on this history-making day.

Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on 20 January 2009.

Listen and Watch the events unfold with LIVE VOA coverage!

  • Live Radio Show: 1600-2100 UTC (11:00A-4:00P EST)
  • Live Video of Swearing In Events: 1630-1800 UTC (11:30A-1:00P EST)
  • Fullscreen Viewing Available!

VOA Inauguration FAQ

Sunday, January 18, 2009

VOAVideo Obama Bringing New Style to Government



Obama Bringing New Style to Government
President-elect Barack Obama brought to the campaign what many saw as a fresh approach and new style. He not only attracted huge crowds when he spoke of change, but he also inspired an army of volunteers. During the transition period, Mr. Obama's aides have said the new president will use some of his campaign's style and innovation to bring about change. VOA's Jim Fry found Obama volunteers in Ashburn, Virginia still hard at work even as inauguration day approached.

Friday, January 16, 2009

VOANews: Foreign Student Series: Answering Your Questions


In part 17, we answer questions about on getting into an American college or university and about learning English. Transcript of radio broadcast: 14 January 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

VOANews: Short Story: 'To Build A Fire'

Harpreet announces the election results for her class

VOANews: Short Story: 'To Build A Fire' by Jack London
A man struggles for his life in the frozen Yukon. Transcript of radio broadcast: 10 January 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Milpitas Library Grand Re-opening!


The Milpitas Library re-opened to the public on January 5.

The Milpitas Library Grand Re-Opening ceremony begins Saturday, January 10, 10 a.m., at 160 North Main Street, on the front steps of the historic Milpitas Grammar School with a traditional ribbon cutting. Activities occurring from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include activities for children, tours, art and local history displays, artist talks, cultural performances and historic perspectives.

ESLPodcast 55 - A Trip to the Library
I read in the local paper that a new public library had just opened two weeks ago in my neighborhood. I wanted to check it out. ...

ESLDiscussions: Libraries
Would society be better if there were ten times more libraries?

Thursday, January 8, 2009