More Stories about Michael Jackson

Breaking News English: Michael Jackson dies aged 50

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ESL Discussions: Michael Jackson

• What do you think of Michael Jackson?

Famous People Lessons.com: Michael Jackson

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A Great Musical Talent Passes

VOAVideo: A Great Musical Talent Passes

Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. He leaves behind an enormous legacy of pop/rock music that he wrote, produced and performed in a groundbreaking career that spanned decades. Even though his star waned in recent years, he was still beloved by millions of fans. VOA's Deborah Block reports.

Eating Spoiled Food

ESL Podcast 490 – Eating Spoiled Food
Be careful that the food you eat is fresh. Learn how to talk about it when it isn’t in English in this episode. Download Podcast

Tip: when the weather is hot, food spoils much more quickly--even when food is kept cool or in the shade.

Michael Jackson

People around the world are paying their respects to International pop star Michael Jackson. Jackson died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on Thursday at the age of 50 in Los Angeles. An autopsy is planned for Friday (June 26th), though results aren't likely to be final until toxicology tests could be completed. The Los Angeles County Coroner says if a cause can be determined by the autopsy, they will announce the results. Meanwhile, a day after his death people around the world are reacting and paying tribute to the pop icon. VOA's has more on the story.

VOANews: The Talented but Tragic Life of Michael Jackson
On IN THE NEWS: Fans mourn the death of ''the King of Pop'' in Los Angeles at age 50. Next month he was supposed to start a comeback tour in London.

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Studying in the US: The Job Market

VOANews: Studying in the US: The Job Market
Employers are hiring fewer college graduates and fewer interns because of the recession. Part 40 of our Foreign Student Series.

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Are Cheaper Meals Costing Americans Their Health?

VOAVideo: Are Cheaper Meals Costing Americans Their Health?

Nutritionists warn that people in the United States are at risk of obesity and long-term health problems as they substitute cheap, fast food for healthy meals to try to weather the economic slump. From Washington, Kate Moody reports.

Parties Promote Make-It-Yourself Cleaning Products

VOAVideo: Parties Promote Make-It-Yourself Cleaning Products

Reports suggest that commercial home cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that could affect human health and the environment. An advocacy group that has sought better regulation and greater disclosure about cleaning products is promoting a way to help consumers create their own eco-friendly cleaners. It is called the Green Cleaning Party. VOA's June Soh reports on this grass-roots effort. Amy Katz narrates.

Words and Their Stories: Like a Rolling Stone

VOANews: Words and Their Stories: Like a Rolling Stone
How an old proverb led to a popular rock and roll band, song and magazine. Transcript of radio broadcast: 19 June 2009

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Studying in the US: A Free Year at a Community College

Studying in the US: A Free Year at a Community College
Part 39 of our Foreign Student Series looks at a job training program for people from certain countries. Transcript of radio broadcast: 17 June 2009

Two-year colleges in the United States are also known as community colleges. Students earn an associate degree. Or they can train for a job for a year or two and get a certificate.

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Happy Father's Day!

My Dad, Gene Pio Gagliardi

VOANews: What Modern America Expects of Its Dads
''Fathers are now expected to not only be providers but also caregivers for their kids,'' says one expert.

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ESL Discussions: Fathers

• What’s the best piece of advice your father has given you?

Stimulus Funds Provide Job Training and Food

VOAVideo: Stimulus Funds Provide Job Training and Food

In February, President Obama signed a massive stimulus package to create jobs and boost the sluggish U.S. economy. Today, stimulus funds are flowing across the United States for projects ranging from highway construction to development of alternative energy. Mike O'Sullivan reports, stimulus funds are bringing jobs and other benefits to Los Angeles.

Watching Videos on the Internet

ESL Podcast 487 – Watching Videos on the Internet
Learn to talk about how people steal movie and music files on the Internet in this episode. Download Podcast

Winning the Lottery and Retiring

Dan thanking his friends and family at his retirement party.

Dan retired on June 19 after 30+ years as a teacher & administrator.

We will miss you, Dan!

ESL Podcast 192 – Winning the Lottery
Aug 21, 2006 ... I'd probably just retire and buy myself a nice new house. Daniela: Yeah, that sounds nice.... Download Podcast

Words and Their Stories: Get Your Act Together

VOANews: Words and Their Stories: Get Your Act Together
Some expressions that might be heard at business meetings. Transcript of radio broadcast: 11 June 2009

A woman from Japan was telling a friend about her trip to the United States. The woman had visited major businesses and investment companies in New York City and Chicago. "I studied English before I left home, " she said. "But I still was not sure that people were speaking English."

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White House Anniversary Greetings

Gene & Elinor Gagliardi display an Anniversary Greeting

from the President GW Bush and the First Lady ,

given in honor of their fifty-first anniversary.

Over fifty years ago, my parents Gene and Elinor Gagliardi met at the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana. They graduated on June 15, 1957, got married on June 16, and drove for the next four days across the country so that my father could accept his naval comission on the USS Hancock. Fifty-two years and five children later, they are still going strong.

Last year, I knew that I would be out of town on their anniversary, so I wanted to do something extra special. I filled-out a simple online application at WhiteHouse.gov, and six weeks later my parents were thrilled to receive anniversary greetings from President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

Instead of applying online, the Obama administration requests that people interested in receiving Golden Anniversary, Wedding, Birth greetings, etc submit their request in writing six weeks before the event to:

The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, DC 20502-0039

Please check EHow or USGovInfo for further requirements.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

LISTEN: ESLPodcast 53 - Understanding Men and Women
You know, they had their first wedding anniversary last week. Guess what her husband gave her? Download Podcast

Getting a Performance Evaluation

Click the photo to enlarge.

ESL Podcast 484 – Getting a Performance Evaluation
Working hard or hardly working? Find out about performance evaluations at work in this episode. Download Podcast

Happy Flag Day!

ESL Holiday Lessons.com English Lesson Plan on Flag Day
Flag Day is celebrated in the United States on June 14. It commemorates the birth of the country’s flag on June 14, 1777.

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Hong Kong Candlelight Vigil Draws Thousands - A Video Poem

VOAVideo: Hong Kong Candlelight Vigil Draws Thousands - A Video Poem

For the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square events of June 4, 1989 upwards of 200,000people gathered in Hong Kong's Victoria Park for a candlelight vigil, honoring the many pro-democracy protestors who were killed 20 years ago. VOA reporters Heda Bayron and Pros Laput prepared this poetic look of this solemn event.

Stand by Me

The School will sing this song on the last day.

Ben E. King - Stand by me

When the night has come, and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we will see
No, I won't be afraid, oh, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Whoa stand now, stand by me, stand by me
*Solo*

And darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Whoa stand now, stand by me, stand by me
So darlin', darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh stand by me
Whoa stand now, oh stand, stand by me...

We are the World

The School will sing this song on the last day

ESL 3 May 2009 Photos