American English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

162 - Discover Illinois with Jackie (from "Ask Jackie") Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

Illinois is situated in the heart of the American Midwest, and it's known as the "Prairie State" because over 60% of it is covered in farmland. Despite the number of natural wonders found in Illinois, what attracts most visitors is the vibrant city of Chicago ("The Windy City").
Situated on the scenic shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a hot spot for music lovers and art enthusiasts. It's not only home to world-class museums and iconic architecture, it's where today's guest, Jackie Katsis, is from! Jackie is an ESL teacher and a well-known YouTuber from the channel "Ask Jackie."
We'll begin today's episode by getting to know this wonderful Chicagoan, and then we'll discover her state with her. You'll hear about Jackie's experience with tornadoes, learn the nuances of the Chicago accent and we'll take a deep dive into the culture she grew up in (we cover mouth-watering food, music, lifestyle and more).
Let's get a local's perspective on how to make the most out of our next trip to the beautiful state of Illinois! :)

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Jackie's Chicago Recommendations

Portillo's - Italian Beefs + Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
Kingston Mines - Listen to Jazz / Blues
Do an architecture tour on the Chicago River
Take a walk in Millenium Park and see "The Bean" (Cloud Gate)
Go shopping on Michigan Avenue
Walk a lot and enjoy the art and architecture!

Learn with Jackie
Jackie Katsis is a well-known ESL teacher from Chicago. You can find her content here!

Website - https://www.askjackie.com.br/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AskJackie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjackiebr/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

161 - 10 Words a Day: Handy-Dandy Reduplications Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

I know, I know, 99% of you are saying what in the world is that? What in the world is a reduplication?
Well I just told you one: Handy-dandy. Handy by itself means useful or practical, in American English you can add dandy for emphasis, intensification and to give it a playful and poetic effect. Handy-dandy is a reduplication.
In English, you’ll hear reduplications in songs and casual conversation! Many times it just involves repeating the first word and changing one consonant or one vowel, like handy dandy, flip flop or chit chat. Sometimes you’ll actually hear the exact same word repeated, like boo-boo or yo-yo. Sometimes reduplications rhyme, but not always. Yet, there is always a certain rhythmic nature to them.
And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like rhythm!? If you want to add some spice and flavor to the way you talk in English, keep listening! Today, we’ll go through 10 Common Reduplications and how to use them in everyday contexts.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

160.2 - How Cereal Became The Number One Breakfast Food in the U.S. Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

You've seen it, right? The long cereal aisles in a U.S. supermarket? Crammed from top to bottom with colorful boxes? I bet you have.
Cereal arouses a sense of nostalgia in a lot of the Americans that I know; it brings about memories of childhood, simpler times, family breakfasts. It's a wonderful topic of conversation that you can have with native speakers. Ask them: What was your favorite cereal when you were a child? You'll see their eyes light up. Then maybe you can share something that you learned in today's lesson!
Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Raisin Bran Muffins:

1/2 cup vegetable oil (or canola)
2 cups buttermilk (I use low-fat)
2 eggs
2 cups flour
4 cups Raisin Bran cereal
1 cup sugar
1.5 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon all spice

Optional Topping:

1/2 cup chopped pecans (small)

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix all of the muffin ingredients in order. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes, so that the cereal softens.
Bake in a muffin tin at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes (depending on the color and size of your muffin tin.) I like the pecans to develop a very toasty flavor, so I generally cook them closer to 18 minutes.
Let cool at least 10 minutes. Top with butter and/or honey.

Each batch makes about 18 muffins. My family doubles it and it makes 36 at a time! We freeze them. Then, in the morning, we microwave each muffin for 40 seconds, slice in half and spread a bit of butter on each side. :)
Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

160 - Expression: Gimme Some Sugar! Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

You're sitting on the couch and your significant other is too far from you. Want them to cuddle up next to you? Say: "Gimme some sugar!"
"Gimme some sugar" is a common American English expression used to express desire for physical affection, whether that be some cuddles, a hug, a kiss or even a fist pump! It's a playful idiom, and today, you'll learn its origin and hear a number of examples so that you can hear how native speakers would use it in various contexts.
The second part of this lesson will answer the questions: "How cereal became a popular breakfast food in the U.S." Stay tuned, the story is short, sweet, and relevant!
Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

159 - 5-Minute English: Home Renovation Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Last month, my family and I moved into a new home. In English, it's what we'd call a fixer upper; it's a home that needs updates, it needs renovation, it needs to be remodeled in various ways. We are in the process of fixing our house up, and today you'll hear a true story about the process.
In this 5-minute English episode, you'll learn how to talk about home renovations and repairs in English. This is a topic-specific lesson, so it's jam-packed with vocabulary you will need if this topic arises in conversation.
If you sign up to premium content, or just the 5-minute English courses, you will receive an image sheet with pictures of all of the key vocabulary discussed, you'll see a video with those images and shadowing exercises to work on your pronunciation, as well as many exercises and quizzes to help you retain the words you hear. You also have an annotated transcript! Believe me, as a language learner myself, this is incredibly helpful for understanding a text.

For the full list, quiz and other bonus content, be sure to sign up to ⁠the Academy⁠ to access Season 4.
Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Mentioned in Episode

Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines (this book is fantastic if you want to give someone a gift!)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

158 - Moving Across the U.S. with Lucas Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

Moving across the United States is a significant event that brings with it a mix of excitement and challenges. Just last month, Lucas made the cross-country road trip from California to North Carolina, and today he's here to talk about the experience.
This is a casual and fun conversation with lots to take away, even if you're not relocating! We talk about the change of scenery from the West to East Coast, the vast and diverse landscape of the U.S., and how the culture differs as you travel. Learn how to make the most of a cross-country roadtrip from the careful planning to the unique cuisine. Hopefully at some point you also get the chance to take a roadtrip! :)
Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

157.2 - New Year's Resolution Statistics for the U.S. Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

Every January, as the clock strikes midnight and the New Year unfolds, millions of people around the globe start a familiar ritual: they start their New Year’s Resolution. A resolution is a firm decision or commitment to oneself to achieve some sort of goal. Usually one is made with hope for self-improvement.

In today’s lesson, we’ll talk about a few different studies and surveys about the top New Year’s resolutions in the United States! My hope is to uncover cultural insights - not only about our aspirations and priorities for 2024, but how we can be more successful at achieving our goals.

Because this is an English lesson, we’ll cover more than just culture. I’ll explain new vocabulary and phrases as we progress through this lesson, specifically words related to statistics in English.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Mentioned in the Audio

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

157 - Expression: To Get The Ball Rolling Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

This lesson has two parts. In part one, you'll learn the common English expression "to get the ball rolling" you'll hear a joke and you'll do some pronunciation exercises.

In part two (which will be posted shortly), you'll learn about New Year's Resolution Statistics for the United States! What are our priorities in 2024? How convinced are we that we'll succeed at keeping our resolutions?

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

156 - Chats with Shana: My Christmas Memories (+10 Must-Know Oxymorons) Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Today you’ll learn 10-Must Know Oxymorons to avoid confusion in conversation and the canvas for introducing these words will be a story about my Christmas Memories.

An oxymoron is a literary device that has two contradicting terms, such as "pretty ugly," or "awfully good."

This lesson will have two parts: First you will hear the story which contains all of the oxymorons in context. As a challenge, I want you to listen closely and find 10 of the 15 oxymorons mentioned.

At the end, I'll tell you all of the oxymorons and provide further explanation on how to use them!

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

155 - Decades: The 1980s with Alex Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Earlier this year, I asked some friends and family members if they could write a short story about their favorite decade. A decade is a ten-year time frame. For example, 1970-1979 is a decade. 1980 -1989 is another decade. I asked some friends and family members if they could write a short story about their favorite decade.
My thought was that it would be interesting to step out of the 2020s and relive a decade in the life of someone else.
What would their world look like? Culturally? Politically? What were they doing? What is it that made that decade so memorable?
Today, my uncle Alex will paint his 1980s world for you in his own words. Get ready for college, fun on the beach, Silicon Valley in its infancy and a big earthquake. Oh! And of course a lot of decade-specific vocab! Do you know what a walkman is? By the end of this episode you will.

Want to take your learning further?

⭐ ⁠⁠Visit the website⁠⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected