American English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

133.2 - Common Similes with Liz (16 - 30) Nov 19, 2022

Show notes

A simile, according to Oxford Languages is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.”

A similes comparison that the words like or as to compare things.
In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Some are literal, so they’ll sound normal, others are quite random so you may want to write these down in your notebook. If you would the full list of words, with examples and a quiz to make sure you’ve understood them, sign up to the Academy!

This is PART 2 of episode 133.

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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133 - Common Similes with Liz (1-15) Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

A simile, according to Oxford Languages is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.”

In today’s lesson, Liz and I will be going through 15 common similes that you’ll hear in everyday conversation. Some are literal, so they’ll sound normal, others are quite random so you may want to write these down in your notebook.

If you would the full list of words, with examples and a quiz to make sure you’ve understood them, be sure to sign up to The Academy.

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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

132 - Discover Colorado with Lindsay McMahon Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

In today's episode, Lindsay, host of the All Ears English Podcast, will take us on a journey to Colorado, one of the most stunning mountainous states in the western United States.
On our 3-day trip to Colorado, via audio, we'll not only get a taste of what it's like to be a tourist there, but hear from a local's standpoint what culture, beauty and adventures awaits us.
Be sure to check out the episode webpage for links to the places we talked about in this episode! :)
*****
Buy Me a Coffee
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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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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131 - 13 Common Superstitions in the U.S. and their Origins Oct 14, 2022

Show notes

We live in a day and age that is driven by science and technology, yet people are still superstitious. According to a study I read by YouGov, 9% of Americans claim to be superstitious, while another 35% admit to not being very superstitious, but somewhat. That makes over 40% of individuals in the United States somewhat superstitious.

So what does it mean to be superstitious? According to Cambridge Dictionary, it is to have beliefs that are not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but are connected with old ideas about magic. Many times, superstitious people believe in irrational, unproven signs of good and bad luck.

In today’s episode, we’re going to go through 13 common superstitions in the United States and their origins. By the end of this audio lesson, you’ll walk away with more knowledge about American culture and some new vocabulary and phrases. I’ll teach those as we go along.

Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck!

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

⭐ ⁠Buy Me a Coffee⁠

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130 - Music: "Sunday Toasted" by Zinn Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

"Sunday Toasted" is a song that was recently released by a new artist named Zinn, and it's jam-packed with American slang and vocabulary which we'll go through in this episode. This song is also full of cultural references about working and partying :).
All in all, I can't think of a more fitting song to be the first "music" episode on this podcast. By the end, you'll have a beautiful picture in your mind of a typical summer's day in the South and understand why lake culture is so big there! "You just don't know what you're missing!"
This song was written by Zinn, my husband (Lucas) and Stefan.
"Sunday Toasted" - by Zinn

Clocked out, now I’m en route
It’s about summertime
Been waitin' all damn week
There’s one thing on my mind
Yeah I'm thinking about tan lines
And moonshine, it goes down easily
Night rides, in the moonlight
A cozy on my knee
Cold beer in the YetiBeckies on deck
In the dirty water
We'll be speeding
Falling off jets
No sir, no blue collar
Out of touch, ain't no service
Soak it up
Sunday ToastedLake house, party down South
You just don't know what you're missing
Chorus*
Pull out from the dock, three deep,
three boats heading out your way
Light it up, let the speakers bleed
Got the girls choosing what to play
Yeah we bumpin' Nelly, Aldean, Country, R & B
Waiting all week, to kick back and release
Chorus*
Meet me on the table, cuz I’m heating up
We can run it back, wanna test your luck
Shoot behind the back it’s a double cup
One more shot I’m on fire

Rerack that I’m a gentleman
Who’s going next you can send them in
Better get ready cuz I’m running it
Let’s get f***

Listen to the song on Spotify

For those of you who have been following our story in Los Angeles, you may know that my husband Lucas is a Brazilian songwriter and music producer trying to get a song on the radio in English in the U.S.. A few of you have asked to listen to his songs in the past and I'm happy to announce that this is his first release in English - many more are coming out this year (from artists in Japan, Spain and Britain).

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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129.2 - The Monster Study Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

The Monster Study (aka Tudor Study) is an unethical psychology experiment that was conducted in 1939 on 22 orphans in Davenport, Iowa. The goal was to a test the theory that by deeply worrying about starting to stutter, one may develop the speech disorder. Mary Tudor, a graduate student, attempted to induce stuttering - to create the behavior - in fluent speakers with the assistance of her advisor Wendell Johnson.
The study was dubbed "The Monster Study" for the cruelty and misconduct of it. Learn more about the creators, the experiment, and what can be deduced from its results.
This study was kept OFF THE RECORD for many years; now the official documentation can be found online for anyone to view.
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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

Last note: ⁠I'm not a speech pathologist, but I do know one thing! Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you are not worth being heard. What you say has value, and it doesn't matter how fast you speak or how perfectly you speak, what you say matters.

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129 - Expression: Off the Record Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, there are two parts. In Part 1, you'll hear a joke, practice your pronunciation and learn the expression "Off the Record".
In Part 2 of today's lesson, we’re going to talk about The Monster Study, a wildly unethical study (by today's standards) that is about orphans and language development, specifically stuttering.

To amp up the learning experience in episode 129, I explain challenging words and phrases as I go along.
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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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

128 - 5-Minute English: Birthday Parties Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

In today’s episode, you’ll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and expressions related to birthday parties. From planning the celebration to describing the cake, decorations, and fun moments with friends and family, this lesson will give you the language you need to talk about birthdays in natural English.

This episode was created with a goal in mind: to help you think about the birthday parties in your own life. By the end of the lesson, you should feel more confident describing your special days—and the celebrations you’ve shared with others—in greater detail. 🎉🎂
⚠️ Like most 5-Minute Episodes, this episode type is extra challenging, but short. Listen to it multiple times and consider transcribing the audio as a listening exercise. You can also dive deeper into this lesson by joining the Academy.

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

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127 - Discover Washington with Philip Clem Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Philip Clem s a talented singer and songwriter from Seattle, Washington who has lived in San Francisco, Spain and now Los Angeles, California. Today, Philip is going to tell us about what it's like to be a local from Seattle.
In this episode, you'll learn about the state, its stereotypes (and whether or not they're true!), you’ll learn about the culture, food, weather and, of course, about our special guest.

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 (formerly “The Classroom”).

I hope that after you’re done listening to this episode, you feel like you know a local!
Interested in Philip, or his music? Find Philip on Instagram here (@philipjohnclem)

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126 - 5-Minute English: A Day At The Beach Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

In today’s 5-Minute English episode, you’ll learn the vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations you need to talk about a day at the beach. From describing the weather and the waves to explaining what people do by the ocean, this lesson will give you the language you need to discuss a classic beach day in natural 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 (formerly “The Classroom”).
Beach Recommendations

U.S. Beaches where you can drink
Nude Beaches in the U.S.
My favorite beaches in California:
- Pacific Beach - San Diego
- Pismo Beach - near San Luis Obispo
- La Jolla - near San Diego (go kayaking + look at the lion sharks below!)
- Zuma Beach - Malibu (this is our go-to beach)
- Santa Cruz (go to the Boardwalk boardwalk, SO fun!)
- East Beach (downtown Santa Barbara - I love this because of the beach / city combo:))
- Most people from California would probably also recommend Santa Monica ( go on rides at the pier and shopping on 3rd Street) / Venice Beach for its canals and Abbott Kinney Blvd for shopping, then of course Laguna Beach (go to Urth cafe!). All of the beaches south of Malibu are pretty awesome (Manhattan, Redondo, etc.)

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