2024-12-20 ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ by O. Henry
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share a traditional holiday story with you, ‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry. Karen Leggett adapted this story for VOA Learning English.…
2024-12-20 Kinds and Types
Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ann in Vietnam about four words that help describe what group something belongs to. Question Dear Teacher, What…
2024-12-19 Gold Mining Operation Spreads into Protected Area of Congo
A Chinese-run gold mine in eastern Congo’s Ituri province is slowly spreading into an area that many say it should not be operating in at all. The area is the…
2024-12-19 Near a New Jersey Highway, a Large Statue of Buddha
In the eastern American state of New Jersey, a large statue of Buddha has become a gathering place for people of many religious faiths. The nine-meter-high statue has stood among…
2024-12-19 Grammar and Christmas
Many Americans experience surprise (or disappointment) when they wake up on Christmas Day. They might be surprised or disappointed by a family member’s actions. They might be happy or unhappy…
2024-12-18 Winter Work for the Gardeners
For people in parts of the world with seasons — especially cold ones — winter might seem like a time to rest and to take a break from garden work.…
2024-12-18 Youth Church Orchestra Aims to Help Musicians of Color
For more than two years, Ebonie Vazquez searched to find a music teacher of color for her son, Giovanni. He is 11 years old and loves to play the violin.…
2024-12-18 Tech Tip: How to Protect Communications through Encryption
U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications after a major hacking campaign. Federal officials released a list of security suggestions for U.S. telecommunications companies that…
2024-12-17 Spanish Scrabble Winner Does Not Speak Spanish
A New Zealand man recently won an international Spanish Scrabble competition although he does not speak Spanish. Scrabble is a board game in which players form words from letters to…
2024-12-17 Geothermal Development Faces Barriers in Southeast Asia
Indonesia and the Philippines aim to increase their use of geothermal energy to move away from highly polluting fossil fuels. However, money issues, governmental rules, and community protests have slowed…
2024-12-17 In Uganda, Cost of Attending School Keeps Children Home
The World Bank said last year that 54 percent of adults in Africa south of the Sahara Desert ranked the issue of paying school costs higher than medical or other…
2024-12-16 NASA’s James Webb Confirms Continued Expansion of the Universe
Data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed earlier information suggesting the universe is expanding at a faster rate than scientists had expected. The new finding is based…
2024-12-16 Mayans Ask Mexican Court to Recognize Lakes as Legal Persons
In the Mexican state of Yucatan, hundreds of underground lakes form a semicircular shape in the northwestern part of Yucatan state. They are called the Ring of Cenotes. The lakes…