Monday, January 31, 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Rebellion in the Arab World



VOAVideo: Now You Know: Rebellion in the Arab World

Could the turmoil in Tunisia spread elsewhere? Will Egypt become the Arab world's Berlin Wall? Tunisia's president has fled his country and Egypt's president may be the next to go. VOA's Todd Grosshans looks at what may be the seed of rebellion in Arab nations throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

VOAVideo: Anti-Government Protests in Egypt Continue

The mood on the street is still that they're very angry with President Mubarak. Many people still want him to leave and they're not happy with the changes to the government that he announced Saturday. He announced a new Cabinet, he announced a new vice president - a position that hasn't been filled in his three decades of power. Omar Suleiman fills that position. He's a former military man. And for some people on the street, they do see that as progress. They support the army here, and the fact that a former army man has filled that post does mean that some people are, perhaps, giving the current government a chance and think that the protests should end.

VOAVideo: Tunisia Coup Inspires Unrest in Jordan

The popular uprising in Tunisia has also sent reverberations through the kingdom of Jordan, long seen as a model of stability in the Middle East. Demonstrations recently drew thousands to the streets and organizers say they are ready to keep up their protests if the government dominated by King Abdullah does not do enough to alleviate poverty, inflation, unemployment and corruption. VOA Correspondent Luis Ramirez has this report from the Jordanian capital, Amman.

Breaking News English: Violence erupts across Egypt

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians are continuing their angry protests against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Al Jazeera news said the unrest could be the biggest pro-democracy demonstrations in Egyptian history. (download many activities)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Broken Instruments Are Music to the Ears of These School Repairmen



VOA Learning English Video: Broken Instruments Are Music to the Ears of These School Repairmen

LARRY JERNIGAN: "I like the fact that I work around music all day, that my job involves music, it involves the support of music, and it involves the education of music."

Charles West and Larry Jernigan have worked together for almost 20 years. They fix musical instruments for the Washington, D.C., public schools. Last year, they repaired more than 600 instruments.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Vietnamese clients wax poetic over ear picking

SJ Mercury: Vietnamese clients wax poetic over ear picking By John Boudreau

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -- To most Westerners, the idea of paying someone to stick little scoops and tweezers into their ears is downright unnerving. To Vietnamese, it's an art. (read more and WATCH THE VIDEO)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

US President Addresses the Nation with Call for More Jobs, Cooperation



VOAVideo: US President Addresses the Nation with Call for More Jobs, Cooperation

U.S. President Barack Obama appealed to what he called Americans' creativity and imagination in urging the nation toward innovation and competitiveness. In his annual State of the Union address, Mr. Obama proposed new government investment even as the new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives pushes to cut government spending. VOA's Carolyn Presutti summarizes the speech and the Republican response.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 2 - Front Vowels, Part 2



JenniferESL: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 2 - Front Vowels, Part 2

Topic: Front vowels Practice 5 vowel sounds.

This is a lesson in TWO PARTS.
Part 2 gives further explanation on vowel length. A lesson summary and an exercise to check comprehension are included.

A version of this video with NO CAPTIONS will soon be available.

STUDENTS: Additional practice is available at EnglishCafe. See links below.
Full lesson http://www.englishcafe.com/Pronunciation-English-Vowel-Sounds-Lesson-2-Part-2-Front-Vowels-118818/
Listening quiz http://www.englishcafe.com/quiz/front-vowels-can-you-hear-difference-118507

TEACHERS: Related teaching ideas are available on my WordPress blog. http://englishwithjennifer.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/sentence-scramble-practice-with-front-vowels/

Music credits:
"radioFlier" by Desibell retrieved from http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Pop-Rock/Pop/radioFli-desibell-5647/
"Smart, Easy Listening" by Enrique Plazaola retrieved from http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Easy_Listening/Instrumental/smart_e-Enrique_-9644/

FOR MORE MUSIC BY ENRIQUE PLAZAOLA, please visit http://www.enrique-plazaola.com/

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Short Story: ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ by O. Henry


VOANews Short Story: ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ by O. Henry

We present a funny short story, “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry. The plot of the story is based on characters Bill and Sam who plan a scheme. They would ride up in a horse and buggy, snatch this kid and sell him back to his old man for $2,000. Brilliant, right? Wrong!

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Zhou Brothers: A Painting In Honor Of President Hu Jintao's State Visit



WH.gov: The Zhou Brothers: A Painting In Honor Of President Hu Jintao's State Visit

A behind-the-scenes look at The Zhou Brothers original multi-textural oil painting that President Obama gifted to President Hu Jintao of China in honor of the State Visit. Featuring the last eight Presidents of the United States and the Great Wall of China, watch as renowned Chinese American contemporary artists, DaHuang and Shan Zuo Zhou, explain the significance and creation of the painting.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Five More Years for Giant Pandas in US Zoo



VOAVideo: Five More Years for Giant Pandas in US Zoo

The Chinese pandas at the National Zoo in Washington have a new lease on American life. They will stay in Washington DC for five more years. The announcement and the signing of a Chinese-American agreement for cooperative research and breeding took place at the Zoo on Thursday. During the ceremony, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were in the background, enjoying a breakfast of bamboo and "fruitsicles". Producer Zulima Palacio has the story.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Welcome President Hu Jintao!



VOAVideo: Obama Hosts Hu in State Visit

Military bands and a 21-gun salute were part of the welcome for China's President Hu Jintao as he began the first White House state visit by a Chinese leader in 13 years.

WH.gov: China State Visit Arrival Ceremony (full video approx. 30 min)

President Obama welcomes President Hu Jintao to the White House for a state visit in an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. January 19, 2011.

wh.gov: Presidents Obama, Hu Meet with Business Leaders (video 10 min)

President Obama and President Hu of China meet with American and Chinese business leaders at a roundtable meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. January 19, 2011.

WH.gov: President Obama and President Hu Press Conference (video 70 min)

President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House. January 19, 2011.

WH.gov: State Visit Working Lunch at the State Department (video 21 min)

Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcome President Hu Jintao of China to the State Department for a lunch during President Hu's state visit. January 19, 2011.

WH.gov: State Dinner with President Hu of China (video 16 min)

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host President Chu of China at a State Dinner at the White House. January 19, 2011.

VOANews: Obama, Hu Vow Increased Cooperation

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, on Wednesday stressed the need to cooperate - even while acknowledging differences on trade, China's currency, and human rights.

President Obama's speech:

At a time when some doubt the benefits of cooperation between the United States and China, this visit is also a chance to demonstrate a simple truth. We have an enormous stake in each other’s success. In an interconnected world, in a global economy, nations -- including our own -- will be more prosperous and more secure when we work together.

The United States welcomes China’s rise as a strong, prosperous and successful member of the community of nations. Indeed, China’s success has brought with it economic benefits for our people as well as yours, and our cooperation on a range of issues has helped advance stability in the Asia Pacific and in the
world.

We also know this: History shows that societies are more harmonious, nations are more successful, and the world is more just, when the rights and responsibilities of all nations and all people are upheld, including the universal rights of every human being.

Mr. President, we can learn from our people. Chinese and American students and educators, business people, tourists, researchers and scientists, including Chinese Americans who are here today —- they work together and make progress together every single day. They know that even as our nations compete in some areas, we can cooperate in so many others, in a spirit of mutual respect, for our mutual benefit.

What Deng Xiaoping said long ago remains true today. There are still great possibilities for cooperation between our countries. President Hu, members of the Chinese delegation, let us seize these possibilities together. Welcome to the United States of America. Hwan-ying. (Applause.)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Anxious Students Gain on Tests by Writing About Fears

VOA Learning English: Anxious Students Gain on Tests by Writing About Fears

A new study offers a possible solution for students who waste brainpower on worrying about exams EDUCATION REPORT

Monday, January 17, 2011

MLK Day!

USCitizenpod's MLK Day Special!

Today we will review the 96Qs (45) and the new 100Q (48, 84, 85, 100) related to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You can get the MLK Day handout here. Also check out the following links.

  1. more MLK videos on US Citizenship Podcast
  2. MLK Center
  3. Simple Wikipedia: MLK
  4. Enchanted Learning: Martin Luther King, Jr.

WH.gov: President Obama on Dr. King's Legacy

The President speaks about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance of persistence in achieving broader goals in remarks at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. January 17, 2010.

VOANews: Obama to Honor Martin Luther King Jr

President and Mrs. Obama to participate in Washington ceremony honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Sean Banville is a busy, busy man. He writes free ESL lessons for his four ESL websites: Breaking News English, ESL Discussions, Famous People Lessons, and his new website: ESL Holiday Lessons.

ESLHolidayLessons.com for Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrates the birth date of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders.
Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

Famous People Lessons.com English Lesson Plan on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the most important leader of the American civil rights movement.
Word Doc PDF MP3 Listening Online Exercise

ESL Discussions.com Conversation Questions on Racism
What kind of world would it be if there was no racism?

USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

  • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
  • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
  • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
  • A male citizen of any race (can vote).

Friday, January 14, 2011

Backyard Astronomers Discover Black Holes and Other Wonders



VOAVideo: Backyard Astronomers Discover Black Holes and Other Wonders

Amateur Astronomer Gus Johnson didn't set out to witness what scientists say is the first ever observed birth of a black hole. But that's just what he did in 1979. His discovery of Supernova 1979c was only the third supernova in another galaxy ever detected by an amateur. But it has become one of the most important and studied since. Amateur astronomers have been making discoveries for at least 400 years, dating to Galileo's spotting of Jupiter's moons. VOA's Laurel Bowman introduces us to the hobby that helps professional scientists every day.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Learn Pronunciation of English Vowels 1 - Introduction



JenniferESL: Learn Pronunciation of English Vowels 1 - Introduction

New series: English vowel sounds.

Topic: This is the first lesson in a series of videos I'll make on English vowel sounds. 15 sounds are presented.

Objective: To make learners aware of how vowel sounds are made in English by calling attention to voicing, lip position, tongue position, and other characteristics of these sounds.

STUDENTS:
Additional practice for this lesson is available on EnglishCafe. Read a text summary and watch a short review of the 15 vowel sounds.

Video review: http://www.englishcafe.com/blog/english-pronunciation-vowel-sounds-lesson-1-introduction-review-115627
Complete lesson: http://www.englishcafe.com/lessons/learn-english-pronunciation-vowel-sounds-1-introduction-115677

TEACHERS:
A related blog post is available on my WordPress blog.
http://englishwithjennifer.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/student-stumper-26-phonetic-symbols/
A version of this video with NO CAPTIONS is available at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btuZ0e1qC6A

Music credits:
"radioFlier" by Desibell retrieved from http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Pop-Rock/Pop/radioFli-desibell-5647/
"Smart, Easy Listening" by Enrique Plazaola retrieved from http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Easy_Listening/Instrumental/smart_e-Enrique_-9644/

FOR MORE MUSIC BY ENRIQUE PLAZAOLA, visit
http://www.enrique-plazaola.com/

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Monday, January 10, 2011

National Pinball Museum Features Lights, Buzzers and a Slice of American History



VOAVideo: National Pinball Museum Features Lights, Buzzers and a Slice of American History

Washington DC is filled with some of America's best known museums and many more less famous ones. Take a look inside one of those lesser-known establishments, and you'll find a place filled with passion, noise, and a speeding silver ball. VOA's Arash Arabasadi has the story.

For more info, see National Pinball Museum.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Pop Quiz - Wild Animals (Part 2)



ESL Cafe Dot Com: Pop Quiz - Wild Animals (Part 2)

Learn American English with this series of pop quizzes. In this episode - "Wild Animals" (Part 2), I give the answers to the quiz from part 1: http://t.co/VMMm9Wl

Friday, January 7, 2011

Where Did the English Language Come From?

VOA Learning Engish: Where Did the English Language Come From?

Proto-Indo-European is believed to be the ancestor of most European languages. First of a two-part series EXPLORATIONS (download mp3)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011