Monthly Archives: December 2008

Let’s Ring in the New Year!

The new year is fast approaching (arriving soon). We use the expression to ring in the new year to mean to welcome or to celebrate the new year. We usually use this expression like this: – “We’re ringing in the … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 22 Comments

Peace on Earth

ESL Podcast wishes you a very happy holiday season from beautiful Los Angeles, California – the “City of Angels.”  In the Christian tradition, the angels greeted (said hello to) the shepherds (those who take care of sheep in the fields) … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 19 Comments

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

This is the time of year when many people are thinking of giving and receiving gifts. A popular short story about gift-giving is “The Gift of the Magi” published in 1906, written by American writer O. Henry (whose real name … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 10 Comments

Fast Food Nation

The United States is known for its many low-cost (inexpensive, cheap) restaurants called fast food restaurants.  The idea is that you can get your food within a few minutes after you order it.  The most common food is hamburgers at … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 15 Comments

Excuse Me, May I Have your Attention, Please?

QUESTION: Mauro from Italy wants to know how to get the attention of a person or a group of people whom he doesn’t know, in both formal and informal situations. ANSWER: The simplest phrase to use is “excuse me” and … Continue reading

Posted in Language & Terms | 11 Comments