American English Podcast - Sonoro | Shana Thompson

176 - Expression: What Goes Around Comes Around Nov 19, 2024

Hello and welcome to today’s episode! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a popular expression in English: What goes around comes around.

It’s a phrase you’ve probably heard in movies, TV shows, or even in real life, but what does it really mean? And how can you use it in your everyday conversations?

We’ve got a fun-packed lesson for you! First, we’ll break down the meaning of this expression, and to get us laughing, I’ll share a little joke. Then, we’ll explore some real-life examples so you can see how it fits into different situations, from friendships to the workplace.

At the end, we’ll do a pronunciation exercise and a tongue twister about Ferris Wheels! Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we learn all about the origin of the Ferris Wheel.

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175 - Funny Chat with My Dad (+Superlatives!) Nov 07, 2024

Some of you have been listening to this podcast since episode number one, and so you might remember my dad, Joe. He was a guest on episode 44 to talk about driving in the US, and in episode 43 when he talked about his experience living and working in Alaska.

After I posted those episodes, some of you sent me messages on how much you enjoyed listening to my dad. so I dragged him back today! The conversation you'll hear in this episode is lighthearted, funny, and it's full of English idioms. That wasn't the goal for this episode, it just happens to have a lot of idiomatic language because that's the way my dad speaks. Since he speaks clearly, I bet you'll understand a lot of the idioms he used from context.

The goal of this episode is for you to hear superlatives in context. What's a superlative form?

The superlative form is used to express the highest or lowest degree of an adjective or adverb within a group. For example: Our tree in our front yard is the tallest in the neighborhood. There is no tree taller than ours; ours is the tallest. "The tallest" is the superlative form.

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174 - 5-Minute English: Swimming Oct 24, 2024

Today, we’re diving into the topic of swimming. Whether you’re someone who loves the water or maybe you're a bit nervous around it, swimming is a great activity to talk about because it evokes very specific memories. The more memories we can recall, the easier it is to chat!

Just thinking about this topic reminds me of so many wonderful times at the pool. Today, I’ll share these stories; they’ll be used as a canvas to introduce words, expressions and collocations related to the topic of swimming. My goal is for you to walk away from this lesson feeling ready to talk to a native speaker about your experiences in the pool!

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173.3 - The Trail of Tears: The Tragic Story of Native American Removal Oct 08, 2024

The Trail of Tears is one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, and it's a story that can only be understood by evaluating how the relationship between Native Americans and white settlers evolved over time. What happened? What caused so much tension between the groups? What led to the forced removal of thousands of Native Americans from their homeland? Listen to today's episode and find out.

By understanding historical context, you'll better understand modern political discussions between native tribes and the United States.

Disclaimer: I'm not Native American, so creating this episode made me anxious. It's very important to me that everything I say is culturally sensitive and accurate. If you are a native, please know that I would love to talk to you! Write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, and don't hesitate to tell me your thoughts.

Learn more about Native American Boarding Schools:

PBS Documentary: Unspoken: America's Native American Boarding Schools

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173.2 - Native Americans and Cherokee Culture Oct 04, 2024

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at

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In today's episode, we'll start by answering the question: Who are Native Americans? Then we're going to dive into the fascinating culture of the Cherokee people, who are one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S.. We'll discuss their traditions, their language, and deep connection to the land. We'll also cover how their society was structured historically. Personally, I find the clans very interesting, so we have to cover that. Be sure to stay tuned until next week, we're going to be talking about the Trail of Tears.

Disclaimer: I'm not Native American, so creating this episode worried me. It's very important to me that everything I say is culturally sensitive and accurate. If you are a native, please know that I would love to talk to you! Write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, and don't hesitate to tell me your thoughts.

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Wealthiest Tribe of Appalachia - Cherokee
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173 - Expression: To Cry One's Eyes Out Sep 22, 2024

If you've ever been so emotional that you cried uncontrollably, Episode 173 is for you! In Part 1 (this episode), you will hear a joke, learn the English expression "to cry one's eyes out," and you'll practice your pronunciation (specifically cases where d+y = j). Stay tuned for next week when we’ll talk about the Cherokees and The Trail of Tears.

If you would like to support this podcast, you can leave me a review on Spotify or your favorite podcast player, buy me a coffee, or sign up to Premium Content to learn more with each episode. Thank you once again to all supporters!

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172 - Chats with Shana: 10 Must-Know Southern Foods Sep 13, 2024

Southern cuisine is more than just food—it's a reflection of history, traditions, and the diverse cultural influences. From Native Americans bringing corn to the table, to the fisherman of the Carolinas and Georgia introducing shrimp to grits, there's a story behind all of the classic must-try Southern dishes. Learn vocabulary, hear stories, and learn what you should order for breakfast, lunch and dinner when you're here! :)

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171.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with Amelia Earhart Aug 29, 2024

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self.

Welcome to today’s episode of the American English Podcast, where we dive into the life of one of aviation's most iconic figures—Amelia Earhart. You may know her for her groundbreaking flights, but beyond her celebrated achievements, her mysterious disappearance remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century. Join us as we explore her incredible journey. In it, you will learn 10 Irregular Verbs in English.

Had you ever heard of Amelia Earhart before this episode? Who is an inspiring female from your country? Let me know on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast.

Verbs Heard in Lesson

To dream - dreamt / dreamed
To do - did
To throw - threw
To teach - taught
To fly - flew
To mistake - mistook
To quit - quit
To fight - fought
To feel - felt
To fall - fell

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171 - Expression: When Pigs Fly! Aug 22, 2024

Today, we’re diving into a phrase that’s all about the impossible, the absurd, and the downright ridiculous. Ever seen a pig soar through the sky? Of course not! And that’s why we say, "When pigs fly!" 🐷✈️

In today’s lesson, you’ll hear a joke, practice your pronunciation and we’ll explore where this quirky expression comes from. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to use it in multiple everyday contexts.

Pigs might not have wings, but Amelia Earhart sure did. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, and the first female to attempt a flight around the globe. Amelia was a pioneer in aviation and her story is fiercely inspiring! Be sure to stay tuned until part 2 to hear it! It’ll be posted shortly. ❤️

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170 - Chat with Charlie: British Culture in Harry Potter Aug 14, 2024

By now, you probably know how much I love connecting language and culture. To me, they go hand in hand! And that's why in today's episode, I've invited Charlie Baxter from The British English Podcast on the show to talk about Harry Potter.

Together, we'll dive into the magical world of Harry Potter, but not simply the fictional side of it. Harry Potter, in many ways, was inspired by real places in the United Kingdom and aspects of British culture, from the school system to social structure and class. If I'm honest with you, even if you're not a Harry Potter fan, this episode might be eye opening. We not only compare British English with American English, we compare life!

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169.2 - The Magical World of Harry Houdini Aug 01, 2024

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The theater is packed. Anticipation electrifying the air. It's the early 1900s, and you're about to witness the legendary Harry Houdini, whose name has become synonymous with death-defying escape acts. Can he truly break free from the police? Is it really possible for him to escape from water-filled tanks while upside down and locked up? Let's find out!

In today's lesson, we'll be talking about Harry Houdini, who is one of the most iconic magicians and escape artists of all time. Houdini's story is one of perseverance, showmanship, and the pursuit of the extraordinary. Today, we can relive his life, especially those moments he spent on stage doing the work he loved best.

This is an English lesson, so as I go along, I'll explain words and phrases that may be challenging. My goal is to help you understand the story without knowing all of the vocabulary! If you want the script, the quiz and other bonus material for this podcast, be sure to sign up to Premium Content.

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169 - Expression: To Vanish Into Thin Air Jul 23, 2024

Hi everyone. Welcome back! I am curious, have you ever heard a story about a magician making a rabbit disappear? Have you ever seen it? Maybe you've read a novel, perhaps a mystery, where a character disappears and nobody knows what happened to them. These scenarios perfectly illustrate our expression of the day, which is to vanish into thin air.

To vanish into thin air conjures images of something or someone disappearing suddenly and completely, almost like magic. But where did this phrase come from, and why do we use it to describe such mysterious disappearances? Join me today as we explore the origins, usage, and intriguing examples of how to use this idiom in real life contexts.

Anyway, be sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, which is about the world-famous magician Harry Houdini. I've been wanting to tell his story and talk about his magic for a long time now. I promise you, it'll be an exciting episode full of descriptions and explanations of challenging words. And of course, it'll have you on the edge of your seat. Be sure to stay tuned for part two, it'll be posted shortly.

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168.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with The Statue of Liberty Jul 08, 2024

Imagine you are on a ferry slowly approaching Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The sky is a brilliant blue with just a few clouds drifting overhead. There's a cool breeze; it's hitting your face, and the smell of salt from the ocean water is around you. To your right is the New York City skyline. Lower Manhattan is magical with all of its high rises, but nothing compares to the Statue of Liberty ahead of you. She's massive! In fact, if she were a building, she'd be about 20 stories high.

Being in front of her, Lady Liberty is surreal because she's so well-known and such a powerful symbol of hope, freedom, and democracy. She's also a symbol of the United States, but what's her story?

In today's lesson, you're going to hear a short story about the Statue of Liberty. In it, you'll hear ten irregular past tense verbs. Here they are:

1. to be

2. to take

3. to break

4. to bring

5. to build

6. to stand

7. to make

8. to flee

9. to see

10. to lead

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168 - Expression: To Spread One's Wings Jul 02, 2024

Welcome back to this week's episode! It'll begin with a joke. Then, we move into the expression of the day, "to spread one's wings," breaking down its meaning and providing vivid examples to help you understand how to use it in everyday life. Finally, we'll practice pronouncing this phrase and its various conjugations, ensuring you're ready to use it confidently.

Stay tuned for the upcoming cultural episode (part 2) about the Statue of Liberty—it's also packed with American English insights and language tips!

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167 - 5-Minute English: Bad Driving Jun 20, 2024

The whole world has bad drivers. No country or city in the world is immune. What’s funny is that most of us don’t consider ourselves bad drivers! We tend to judge others.

In this 5-Minute English lesson, I’m going to tell a fictional story about the worst driver in the world. You’ll hear:

Vocabulary related to bad driving
Actions that people take against bad driving
How bad drivers are punished

This lesson will be intense in terms of vocabulary, it’s a more advanced listening exercise. If you regularly learn with this podcast, I highly recommend signing up to Premium Content, so you can get the full lesson that goes along with this audio. You’ll have the chance to master this vocabulary with my help, work on your pronunciation and more.

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166.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with McDonald's Jun 06, 2024

Welcome back to the second part of episode 166. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about Irregular Verbs and McDonald’s. You guys know McDonald’s, right.? Big Macs, Filet-o-Fish, Happy Meals?

In this lesson, you'll hear a short story about the founding and expansion of the world-famous fast food restaurant. In it, you'll hear 10 Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense. Here they are:

1. To begin (began)

2. To make (made)

3. To speed (sped)

4. To eat (ate)

5. To leave (left)

6. To see (saw)

7. To buy (bought)

8. To take (took)

9. To rise (rose)

10. To grow (grew)

The story is shorter than my typical cultural lesson and that’s because the real focus here is mastering verbs. For those of you who have a high intermediate level or higher, you may already know most of these; this lesson will help reinforce the correct past tense forms (they'll be presented in many new contexts!).

Watch the corresponding video here.

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166 - Expression: To Take It With A Grain Of Salt May 29, 2024

In today's episode, we'll begin by going through the commentary you guys made on Culture Shock in the United States. Afterwards, I'll tell you a joke, we'll go over the expression "to take it with a grain of salt," and we'll do a pronunciation exercise.

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