Monthly Archives: May 2014

They Encourage, Challenge, and Entertain

Posted on Thursday - May 29, 2014 by Warren Ediger

This time every year, thousands of young people graduate from colleges and universities. We usually celebrate this occasion by a ceremony (a traditional event) we call graduation or commencement. The word graduation emphasizes what they have finished; commencement emphasizes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 13 Comments

“Pocket Dialing” Disasters

Posted on Tuesday - May 27, 2014 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Pocket dialing — also called “pocket calling,” “butt dialing,” or “butt calling”  (with “butt” referring to the part of the body you sit on) — is when you accidentally make a phone call using your cell phone because you sit … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 2 Comments

Podcasts This Week (May 26, 2014)

Posted on Sunday - May 25, 2014 by Paolo T

Is your limited English standing in your way? Do you want to improve your English now? Learn English even faster with the help of the Learning Guide. In it, you’ll get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 6 Comments

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Posted on Tuesday - May 20, 2014 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

It has long been an accepted (widely-believed) axiom (rule; law) in the world of marketing (selling things to people) that you never ask people how much money they would pay to buy something. If you ask a group of consumers … Continue reading →

Posted in Business | 30 Comments

Podcasts This Week (May 19, 2014)

Posted on Sunday - May 18, 2014 by Paolo T

Get the full benefits of ESL Podcast by getting the Learning Guide. We designed the Learning Guide to help you learn English better and faster. Get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural notes, and more. Get the … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 17 Comments

How To Win At Rock-Paper-Scissors

Posted on Thursday - May 15, 2014 by Warren Ediger

As long as I can remember, children – and others – have played rock-paper-scissors, also called roshambo. Sometimes it’s played as a game, usually between two players. Other times it’s used as a way to choose, for example, who goes … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 5 Comments

The Town That (Almost) Never Was

Posted on Tuesday - May 13, 2014 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Today, I’m going to tell you about a town that did not exist (was not real), then came into being (became real), then disappeared (stopped existing) again. The story begins with a drafting (drawing plans and maps, usually for building) company … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 6 Comments

Podcasts This Week (May 12, 2014)

Posted on Sunday - May 11, 2014 by Paolo T

We are grateful to our members and donors, because we are only able to produce this podcast with the generous help of our listeners. If you enjoy our podcasts, please consider supporting ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member today! … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 5 Comments

Boomerang Kids

Posted on Tuesday - May 6, 2014 by Dr. Lucy Tse

The term “boomerang kids” refers to adult children who move back into their parents’ house after a period of living on their own. (This is a boomerang, which when you throw it, returns to you.) Traditionally, Americans expect to finish … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 40 Comments

Podcasts This Week (May 5, 2014)

Posted on Sunday - May 4, 2014 by Paolo T

Is your limited English standing in your way? Do you want to improve your English now? Learn English even faster with the help of the Learning Guide. In it, you’ll get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 3 Comments