Monthly Archives: May 2017

Remembering POWs and MIAs

Yesterday was Memorial Day in the United States, a federal (national) holiday to remember those soldiers (members of the military) who have died in active military service (died while fighting as a soldier). During the Vietnam War (fought during the … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 3 Comments

Share Your Spare

Have you ever thought about giving one of your kidneys – the part of your body that cleans your blood – to a stranger, to someone you don’t know? Scientific progress has made it easier and safer to transplant organs – … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 6 Comments

Color or Colour? Spelling as a Political Act

If you’re an English learner, you may be annoyed  at (bothered by) the differences in spelling in American English and British English. We Americans use “color” and the British use “colour.” We write “realize” and they write “realise.” You might think … Continue reading

Posted in Language & Terms | 6 Comments

Thank You Always Fits*

Several years ago, saying “thank you” got Chantel Jennings a job. Jennings, a student at an American university, was studying in Spain when she received an award that included $500 to use any way she wanted. She used it to … Continue reading

Posted in About ESL Podcast, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Crime Bills

Let’s talk about money, lots and lots of money. Currently, the United States prints its bills (paper money) in seven denominations (amounts):  $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. There was a time, however, when higher denominations were printed for … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | 6 Comments