American English Podcast

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163 - 5-Minute English: The Post Office and Mail

American English Podcast

My grandma permanently moved to the United States from Spain in the 1950s and the only way she could afford to keep in contact with friends and family was through writing letters; flying and international calls back then were not in her family’s budget. Email didn’t exist yet. She sent postcards and letters,  pictures of her kids and eventually her grandkids. In her lifetime, the United States Postal Service (USPS) was her lifeline to the people she’d left overseas. Today, I'll tell you a bittersweet and very informative story about my grandma and her relationship with the post office and mail. Through it, you'll learn over 20+ words in context! Can you relate to this story? Let me know what you think. You can write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, or on Spotify in the comments. If you would like to help me decorate my office, please send me a real postcard!  Shana Thompson P.O. Box 9074 Asheville, NC 28815 I create this podcast because of YOU. You have no idea how excited I would be to see you're not just a figment of my imagination (haha). Plus, your card will end up on my wall! :) Premium Content for this episode is available with both of these: Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file. All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150) Support the show

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162 - Discover Illinois with Jackie (from "Ask Jackie")

American English Podcast

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! :) 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/ Premium Content:  Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file. All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150) Support the show

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161 - 10 Words a Day: Handy-Dandy Reduplications

American English Podcast

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. Premium Content:  Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file. All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150) My Favorite English Resources Support the show

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160.2 - How Cereal Became The Number One Breakfast Food in the U.S.

American English Podcast

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! Premium Content:  Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file. All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150) 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! Support the show