Americans Prepare to Celebrate New Year's Eve

VOAVideo: Americans Prepare to Celebrate New Year's Eve

Around the world, millions of people will welcome the new year on Friday night by taking part in small, intimate gatherings - or larger, more boisterous celebrations. Throughout the United States, many will break out party hats and uncork champagne or other libations.

'Guerrilla Gardeners' Tackle Urban Eyesores

VOAVideo: 'Guerrilla Gardeners' Tackle Urban Eyesores

In major cities across the globe there's a new kind of urban guerilla. They're not handling rifles and guns. They're planting flowers. It's called "Guerrilla Gardening" and as Mana Rabiee reports it's a new kind of urban graffiti, environmental style.

Black Swan , The Tourist , Tron: the Legacy Top Holiday Movie List

VOAVideo: Black Swan , The Tourist , Tron: the Legacy Top Holiday Movie List

Winter Holidays. This is the time of the year when many movie goers crave lavish productions. And holiday movies echo that spirit. Hollywood shines with glitz, over-the-top special effects and expensive film productions. Three fit the bill: Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky, The Tourist by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Jeff Kosinski's Tron: the Legacy. VOA's Penelope Poulou has a review.

Holidays a Time for Giving, Making Connections

VOAVideo: Holidays a Time for Giving, Making Connections

The holidays, in the United States are often a time for reaching out to others, as much as for celebration. And this outreach can take any number of forms. VOA's Mike O'Sullivan looks at some typical holiday volunteer efforts -- including a charity food and toy drive and a project that links North American shoppers with craft workers in the developing world.

The Sounds of Christmas

Cover Art from Pink Martini's first holiday album.

VOA Learning English: The Sounds of Christmas

Music from the top holiday albums this year AMERICAN MOSAIC (download MP3)

Santa Claus Helps Raise Money for Animal Shelters

VOAVideo: Santa Claus Helps Raise Money for Animal Shelters

The Washington Humane Society got some help from a familiar figure this year, as the Christmas holidays approached. The Humane Society is the only open-access animal shelter in the Nation's Capital, and cares for nearly 30,000 animals a year. It recently invited Washingtonians to photograph their pets with Santa Claus, in exchange for a charitable contribution. Dozens of proud dog owners showed up to help animals and those who care for them in the shelters. VOA's Ruslan Petrychka was there for the event. Carolyn Presutti narrates his report.

Short Story: 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry

VOA Learning English: Short Story: 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry

A husband and wife give each other the most special Christmas gift of all AMERICAN STORIES download MP3 (Right-click or option-click and save link)

ESLPod's Blog “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (updated 122808)

American Charities Face Increased Demand during Holiday Season

VOAVideo: American Charities Face Increased Demand during Holiday Season

What many commentators refer to as "The Great Recession" in the United States officially ended more than a year ago. But like people all over the world, a great many Americans are still struggling financially. One indication of just how bad things really are is the number of people who are still turning to charities for help. As Mike Osborne reports, those charities are also being squeezed by the financial downturn, especially in this holiday season.

ESL Podcast 641 – Sharing With Others

ESL Podcast 641 – Sharing With Others

It’s always nice to share. Learn how to talk about it in English in this episode. Download Podcast

Elmo Visits the White House Kitchen

WH.gov: Elmo Visits the White House Kitchen

Elmo joins White House Chef Sam Kass in White House kitchen to talk about the importance of healthy and delicious school meals following President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act - http://wh.gov/OoZ - This legislation is an important step forward toward ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and that all children have access to healthy, nutritious foods at school.

Elizabeth Edwards Dies of Cancer

VOANews: Elizabeth Edwards Dies of Cancer

The estranged wife of former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Word of The Day for December 6, 2010

EnglishCafeDotCom: The Word of The Day for December 6, 2010

Can you guess the word of the day? (Join EnglishCafe on Facebook and maybe you will be featured in the next "Word of The Day" video.)

Milton Hershey, 1857-1945: He Created a Successful Business and Built a Sweet Town

VOA Learning English: Milton Hershey, 1857-1945: He Created a Successful Business and Built a Sweet Town

The Hershey Name Means Chocolate to Millions of Americans PEOPLE IN AMERICA download MP3

Illegal Immigrants in US Push for Passage of Dream Act

VOAVideo: Illegal Immigrants in US Push for Passage of Dream Act

U.S. lawmakers before the end of the year are expected to consider a controversal immigration reform measure that would give tens of thousands of young illegal immigrants a chance to become legal residents by going to college or joining the armed forces. The proposed legislation is known as the Dream Act . VOA's Chris Simkins tells us about it.

Babies and Intelligence: The Latest Findings

VOALearning English: Babies and Intelligence: The Latest Findings

Scientific studies offer better understanding of how babies learn SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

UNESCO Lists 'Intangible Heritage' Traditions

VOA Learning English: UNESCO Lists 'Intangible Heritage' Traditions

They include French cooking, Spanish Flamenco and Iranian carpet weaving EXPLORATIONS download MP3

Neediest | A Teacher in Training

N.Y./Region: Neediest | A Teacher in Training - nytimes.com/video

After losing her eyesight, Libin Zhang, alone in a new country, rediscovers an old dream.

World AIDS Day

ESL Holiday Lessons: World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed on December the 1st each year.
Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

ESL Discussions: AIDS

What do you know about AIDS?


VOA Classroom: Nations and Groups Promise $12 Billion to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria

Read and listen to the article! Open the activities on the right side of the page to improve your English. Skill Level: BASIC

VOAVideo: HIV Patients in Asia Still Face Discrimination

Despite public awareness campaigns, people with HIV-AIDS in Asia say they still face social stigma and discrimination. Nearly 5 million people in the region have been infected by the virus. Heda Bayron has this report from Bangkok.

VOAVideo: International AIDS Day Provides Opportunity for Progress Report

International AIDS Day provides an opportunity to examine the efforts to combat the deadly virus that attacks the human immune system. In South Africa, whose 5.7 million HIV victims make it the most affected country in the world, officials and activists are assessing an ambitious campaign launched by the government on AIDS Day last year. VOA's Scott Bobb has this report from Johannesburg.