Author Archives: Dr. Lucy Tse

How Americans Spend Money

Posted on Tuesday - September 8, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Last week, Jeff blogged about how much money top athletes make, but what about average (typical; normal) Americans? How people spend their money tells us a lot of about them and a recent article in Time magazine lists how average … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 26 Comments

I Feel Like a Fool…And a Cup of Coffee

Posted on Tuesday - September 1, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Lilin from China wants to know the meanings of the phrase “feel like.” ANSWER: The phrase “feel like” can be confusing because it has two different meanings, both of which are very commonly used. First, “feel like” is used … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 26 Comments

“As Time Goes By” from Casablanca

Posted on Thursday - August 20, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

In this week’s English Cafe 203, Jeff talked about the classic movie Casablanca. The main hit (very popular) song from this movie was “As Time Goes By.” The video below has a montage (collection of short videos edited together) from … Continue reading →

Posted in Karaoke English | 27 Comments

Giving In to Guilty Pleasures

Posted on Tuesday - August 11, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Guilty pleasures are things that we enjoy, but that we are embarrassed or ashamed that we like.  There can be guilty pleasures in all categories: food, TV shows, music, sports, and more. In terms of food, one of my guilty … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States, Television and Movies | 25 Comments

What on Earth?!

Posted on Tuesday - August 4, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Andrea in Italy wants to know the meaning of the phrase: “What on Earth…?” ANSWER: We often use the phrase “What on Earth…?” and a similar phrase, “What in the world…?,” when we want to express surprise, confusion, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 10 Comments

Fourth Anniversary Video Podcast

Posted on Wednesday - July 29, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

It’s hard for us to believe that it’s been four years since ESL Podcast began. In fact, as of next Monday, we will have released 500 ESL Podcast episodes and 200 ESL Cafe episodes!  It’s amazing to us that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | 39 Comments

Music from the Movie “Once”

Posted on Tuesday - July 28, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

I recently got around to seeing a small-budget (made with little money) 2007 movie called Once, and I haven’t been able to get the music from the film out of my head. The movie isn’t a musical (movie with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Karaoke English | 11 Comments

The Fourth Anniversary Video Podcast & Flat Jeffrey

Posted on Friday - July 3, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

ESL Podcast’s fourth anniversary is at the end of July, and we need your help with our video podcast this year. We have listeners all over the world, and as much as Jeff (and Lucy) would like to visit all … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | 19 Comments

Using Cell Phones in Public

Posted on Tuesday - June 30, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

Cell phones are everywhere, but should cell phones be used everywhere? This year in California, a new law went into effect banning (making illegal) the use of cell phones while driving without a hands-free (not holding it with one’s hand) … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States, Polls | 14 Comments

“Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child”

Posted on Thursday - June 25, 2009 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Hazem in Egypt wants to know the meaning of this saying: “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” ANSWER: Spare the rod and spoil the child is a saying that means that children will not behave well if they … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 10 Comments