Author Archives: Dr. Lucy Tse

I Need to Go to the Restroom…Now!

Posted on Tuesday - August 12, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: One of our listeners, Natalia, recently asked what the common and polite way is to say that you have to go to the bathroom. ANSWER: In the U.S., the most common terms are bathroom and restroom for the room … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 17 Comments

Your Questions for the ESL Podcast Third Anniversary Video Podcast

Posted on Friday - August 8, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

We have celebrated our past two anniversaries by producing a video podcast. We want to do that again this year, but we need your help. This year, Jeff will be answering listener questions. Do you have a burning question (something … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | 67 Comments

Writing a Blog as Medicine

Posted on Thursday - August 7, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

There are many types of blogs. The ESL Podcast Blog is one for learning. Other kinds of blogs are confessional, where people tell others about something they’ve done, often things that was a secret and/or wrong in some way. Many … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 8 Comments

What Are “Cooties”?

Posted on Thursday - July 31, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Brian in the U.S. asked: What are “cooties”? I watch “Arthur,” the cartoon (show with animation (drawings)), every morning, and the characters often say, “You have cooties!” but I do not understand! Please help! ANSWER: Cooties are imaginary (not … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 11 Comments

Poll: Which Superpower Would You Want?

Posted on Monday - July 28, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

It’s summertime and the movie theaters are full of blockbusters (very successful; earning a lot of money) movies. The number 1 movie in the U.S. this week is The Dark Knight, a movie about Batman. I haven’t seen it yet, … Continue reading →

Posted in Polls | 23 Comments

“Summertime” by George Gershwin

Posted on Monday - July 21, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

We’re in the middle of summer and it has brought to mind (made me remember) the song “Summertime.” This is a song that was part of a well-known musical (show or movies with singing) called Porgy and Bess, and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Karaoke English | 10 Comments

What a Font Says About You

Posted on Tuesday - July 15, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

A font is the size and style of printed letters and words, like these: The latest trend (fashion; something new that many people are doing) for important people or celebrities is to commission (hire someone to make or create something) … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 14 Comments

Shoe Store and Bakery?!

Posted on Monday - July 7, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

We’ve all seen places where two business are run out of the same storefront (outside view or entrance to a store). There are a lot of strange combinations and sometimes it is difficult to see how the two business complement … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 7 Comments

Trouble for the Airline Industry

Posted on Tuesday - June 17, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

The airline industry (business) is in trouble all over the world, and the U.S. is no exception (the same as everyone else). In the U.S. in recent months, four smaller airlines have filed for bankruptcy, which is when a person … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Current Events | 9 Comments

What Does “Fair Enough” Mean?

Posted on Thursday - June 12, 2008 by Dr. Lucy Tse

QUESTION: Keisuke from Japan wrote us an email and asked, “What does “fair enough” mean? I saw people saying it many times in movies but I didn’t understand exactly what it meant.” ANSWER: “Fair enough” is a response we give … Continue reading →

Posted in Language & Terms | 14 Comments