2023-03-11 Thomas Jefferson: Complex
VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Thomas Jefferson. Although he took office in 1801, he is still one of the country’s best-known and most popular…
2023-03-04 John Adams: Second
VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about John Adams. In 1796, he was elected as the country’s second president. Being second can be difficult. And being…
2023-02-25 George Washington: Reluctant
VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about George Washington. He was the first president of the United States. He served from 1789 to 1797. But he…
2023-03-10 China’s Reopening Causes Student Housing Crisis in Australia
A surprise rule by China requires Chinese college students overseas to learn in-person if they want their education to recognized back home. The rule has caused a housing rush for…
2023-03-10 Black, Latin Actors, Directors Try to Tell Their Stories
At Sunday’s Academy Awards, or Oscars, in Los Angeles, Angela Bassett will be one of the few Black actors considered for a major award. Bassett is nominated for a best…
2023-03-10 American Stories: Chicken Little
And now an American Children’s Story from VOA Learning English. Today’s story probably had its start long before it was published in Europe long ago. It might have first been…
2023-03-10 Syllable Dropping in Speaking
Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about syllable dropping in American English pronunciation. Question: Hi, VOA Learning English, I’m Herbert from Germany. Throughout my…
2023-03-09 Russia Hits Ukraine with Biggest Missile Strike in Weeks
At least six people died early Thursday as Russia launched a wave of missiles into Ukraine. It was the first large missile attack by Russia since the middle of February.…
2023-03-09 Self-taught Chefs Win Michelin Guide Star
Georgiana Viou is self-taught chef, or cook, from the west African country of Benin. She moved to France in hopes of becoming a translator. Instead, she opened a restaurant there.…
2023-03-09 Businesses Use AI Tools Despite Risks
More American businesses are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to come up with new ideas and to deal with customers. Mattel is known for making children’s toys. The…
2023-03-09 Poetry and Syllables
Last week, we looked at two kinds of poems, the cinquain and the diamante or diamond poem. We explored parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs with poems. Many…
2023-03-08 Egypt Struggles with Economic Problems Intensified by Ukraine War
Egypt is in an economic crisis made more severe by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The conflict, now in its second year, has increased food and energy prices. High inflation, the…
2023-03-08 In Ethiopia’s Tigray, Children Return to School but Trauma Remains
The war in Tigray is over, but the trauma remains. Tsega Fitsum is a volunteer teacher at the Mai Weyni school in the Tigray capital, Mekelle. She said, when school…