Podcast: Shakespeare

April 24, 2013, 6:55 am

Did Shakespeare die on the same day he was born?

The exact day of Shakespeare’s birth is not known for sure. The Bard’s birthday is typically cited as April 23rd (1564), the same day as his death (1616). In his birthplace, people have been celebrating the Bard during this week of April for over 200 years! Today’s podcast is all about Shakespeare, the most famous writer of all time. This reading is from our Famous People lesson section. The full lesson plan comes with warm-up questions, vocabulary review tasks, a reading, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. Share this free podcast with your language learners as a preview to the lesson plan or for extra listening practice.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous People English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Gaming Addiction.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 161st episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast for Earth Day.

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Podcast: Coke

May 8, 2013, 8:06 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Chris Hadfield

≪ Previous: Podcast: Shakespeare

Podcast: Coke

The First Coca Cola

The First Coca Cola Was Sold on May 8th, 1886. Do your students enjoy learning about interesting history? Coca Cola is an interesting topic for your business English class. This week’s mini-podcast for English learners is an audio preview of ESL-Library’s Famous Things lesson plan on Coke. The full lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous Things English Lesson Plans.

Browse through our podcast archive here. This is our 163rd episode.

Your students can subscribe via our blog or through iTunes. Introduce your students to ESL podcasts on iTunes today!

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Podcast: Chris Hadfield

May 15, 2013, 8:50 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Allergies

≪ Previous: Podcast: Coke

Podcast: Chris Hadfield

The Astronaut Who Made Space Travel Cool

Were you and your students following Chris Hadfield’s updates and videos from space? Were you blown away by his Space Oddity video? We hope you’ll try our NEW ready-made lesson plan on Chris Hadfield. This week’s mini-podcast for English learners is an audio preview of ESL-Library’s Famous Things lesson plan on this extraordinary astronaut. The full lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. Your students will review the commonly confused words “affect” and “effect” and will practise using “not only, but also” to talk about multitalented people like Hadfield.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous People English Lesson Plans.

Browse through our podcast archive here. This is our 164th episode.

Your students can subscribe via our blog or through iTunes. Introduce your students to ESL podcasts on iTunes today!

Related in the ESL-Library: ESL Materials on Air and Space Travel

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Podcast: Allergies

May 22, 2013, 8:22 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Mount Everest

≪ Previous: Podcast: Chris Hadfield

Podcast: Allergies

Three Types Of Allergy Tests

Do you or your students suffer from allergies? Is it allergy season for you right now? Not knowing what you are allergic to can be very frustrating! This week’s mini-podcast for English learners is an audio preview of ESL-Library’s Health Matters lesson plan on allergies. The full lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary review exercises, role-play activities, discussion questions, and a writing assignment. Your students will interview an allergy sufferer.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Health Matters English Lesson Plans.

Browse through our podcast archive here. This is our 165th episode.

Your students can subscribe via our blog or through iTunes. Introduce your students to ESL podcasts on iTunes today!

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Podcast: Mount Everest

May 29, 2013, 7:53 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Surveillance

≪ Previous: Podcast: Allergies

Podcast: Mount Everest

The 60th Anniversary of the First Everest Ascent

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the first recorded ascent of Mount Everest. This week’s mini-podcast for English learners is an audio preview of ESL-Library’s updated Famous Places lesson plan on Mount Everest. The full lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary review exercises, comprehension questions and discussion questions. You may also be interested in some of the recent articles we shared on our Facebook page, or some Everest discussion topics on our blog.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous Places English Lesson Plans.

Browse through our podcast archive here. This is our 166th episode.

Your students can subscribe via our blog or through iTunes. Introduce your students to ESL podcasts on iTunes today!

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Podcast: Surveillance

June 5, 2013, 7:09 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Vegetarians

≪ Previous: Podcast: Mount Everest

Podcast: Surveillance

Who is keeping an eye on you today?

Does your school have surveillance cameras? What about a computer lab? Do you and your students feel like you are being watched on a regular basis? Our NEW Discussion Starters lesson plan on Surveillance will get your students talking! The full lesson plan includes a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. We hope this lesson will give you plenty of things to talk about. Your students will also get to practice the difference between “every day” and “everyday”. This is a common error that our editor Tanya recently blogged about.

If your students enjoy talking about controversial subjects, check out 70+ topics you may not see in ESL textbooks.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Discussion Starters English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 167th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here.

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Podcast: Vegetarians

June 12, 2013, 11:30 am

≫ Next: Podcast: The History of Ice Cream

≪ Previous: Podcast: Surveillance

Podcast: Vegetarians

10 Reasons Why People Choose To Become Vegetarian

Eat Your Veggies Day is coming up on June 17th! Challenge your English learners to say this seven-syllable word: Vegetarianism [vej-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm]. Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our Health Matters section. The reading provides a list of 10 reasons why people choose to become vegetarians. The full lesson plan includes warm-up questions, a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension questions, and a role-play activity. Your students will also learn the difference between a vegan, a lacto-vegetarian, and a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Health Matters English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Minimum Wage.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 168th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here.

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Podcast: The History of Ice Cream

June 19, 2013, 9:23 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Minimum Wage

≪ Previous: Podcast: Vegetarians

Podcast: The History of Ice Cream

Who thought of waffle cones and what is the origin of the sundae?

Ice Cream Soda Day is on June 20th! Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our Famous Things section. Your students will learn the history of ice cream, as well as some other fun facts about America’s favourite treat! The full lesson plan includes warm-up questions, a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. Your class will have fun coming up with their own ideas for 31+ flavors while learning the expression “anything goes”.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous Things English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Minimum Wage.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 169th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here.

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Podcast: Minimum Wage

June 26, 2013, 8:58 am

≫ Next: Podcast: Frida Kahlo

≪ Previous: Podcast: The History of Ice Cream

Podcast: Minimum Wage

Is it enough to make life worth living?

How much is minimum wage in your country? How do consumers help keep minimum wage low? Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our Discussion Starters section. The full lesson plan includes warm-up questions, a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. This topic will surely get your students talking!

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous Things English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Minimum Wage.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 170th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on the History of Ice Cream.

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Podcast: Frida Kahlo

July 3, 2013, 4:32 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Cirque du Soleil

≪ Previous: Podcast: Minimum Wage

Podcast: Frida Kahlo

Agony on Canvas

At the age of 18, Frida Kahlo suffered serious injuries in a bus crash. During her recovery she painted a self-portrait, the first of many that would record events and emotions from her life. Our Famous People lesson plan on Frida Kahlo is featured in the lesson plan library this week. The full lesson plan includes warm-up questions, a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. You and your students can preview the reading in this week’s podcast preview. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous People English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 171st episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Minimum Wage.

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Podcast: Cirque du Soleil

July 10, 2013, 7:22 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Interrupting

≪ Previous: Podcast: Frida Kahlo

Podcast: Cirque du Soleil

A Rags To Riches Story

The world-famous Cirque du Soleil began as a small troupe of street performers. In recent years it has grown into one of the largest entertainment enterprises in the world. Our Famous Things lesson plan about the Cirque du Soleil is NEW this month. The full lesson plan includes warm-up questions, a reading, vocabulary review exercises, as well as comprehension and discussion questions. It also introduces some idioms about the sun. You and your students can preview the reading in this week’s podcast preview. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Famous Things English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 172nd episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Frida Kahlo.

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Podcast: Interrupting

July 17, 2013, 1:41 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Apologizing

≪ Previous: Podcast: Cirque du Soleil

Podcast: Interrupting

Paying Attention To Word Stress

Sometimes you need to interrupt another person when they are speaking. There are polite and impolite ways of interrupting. Today’s mini-podcast features a list of useful expressions from a lesson plan on Interrupting in our Functional English section. You will hear the expressions presented twice. The first time the interruptions are presented individually. The second time, they are used to interrupt a speaker. The speaker being interrupted in today’s podcast is Detective Bossley from our Detective series!

To use the full lesson plan on Interruptions, which includes example conversations, discussion questions, conversation practice, and a group activity, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Functional English section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. Help your students learn the art of interrupting politely.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 173rd episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on the Cirque du Soleil.

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Podcast: Apologizing

July 24, 2013, 3:59 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Glorifying Criminals

≪ Previous: Podcast: Interrupting

Podcast: Apologizing

How to say sorry …and how to respond to an apology

One of the first things a language learner needs to learn is how to say sorry. Today’s mini-podcast features a few useful expressions for apologizing and responding to an apology. Check out our ready-made Functional English section for a full lesson plan to use with your beginners. To use the full lesson plan on Saying Sorry, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Functional English section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 174th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Interrupting.

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Podcast: Glorifying Criminals

July 30, 2013, 8:45 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Elderly Drivers

≪ Previous: Podcast: Apologizing

Podcast: Glorifying Criminals

How did Bad become Cool?

Do your students enjoy talking about current events? This topic was hot in the news this month after Rolling Stone featured the accused Boston bomber on the cover of its magazine. Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our latest Discussion Starters lesson about Glorifying Criminals. To see the transcript and use the full lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Discussion Starters section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Elderly Drivers.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 175th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Apologizing.

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Podcast: Elderly Drivers

August 7, 2013, 8:12 pm

≫ Next: Podcast: Defense Of Marriage Act

≪ Previous: Podcast: Glorifying Criminals

Podcast: Elderly Drivers

How old is too old to drive?

Do you hate driving behind elderly drivers? Are you concerned about an elderly driver in your own family? This topic becomes more important as our parents and grandparents approach their 70s and 80s. Having a discussion with your aging loved one about giving up the keys can be very difficult. Discussing the topic in class is another story! Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our latest Discussion Starters lesson about Elderly Drivers. To see the transcript and use the full lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Discussion Starters section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Prison Labor.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 176th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Glorifying Criminals

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Podcast: Defense Of Marriage Act

August 21, 2013, 11:55 am

≫ Next: Podcast – Michael Jackson

≪ Previous: Podcast: Elderly Drivers

Podcast: Defense Of Marriage Act

Section 3 Ruled Unconstitutional

Do your students enjoy talking about current events? Are they comfortable talking about controversial subjects? The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was recently ruled unconstitutional in the US. Today’s mini-podcast features a reading from our latest Famous Things lesson plan about DOMA. In the related lesson plan, English learners review reciprocal pronouns. To see the transcript and use the full lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Famous Things section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Prison Labor.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 177th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Elderly Drivers.

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Podcast – Michael Jackson

August 27, 2013, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: Podcasts – 9 Tips For Quitting Smoking

≪ Previous: Podcast: Defense Of Marriage Act

Podcast: Michael Jackson

The King of Pop

Do your students enjoy talking about famous people? Are they interested in Michael Jackson? Today’s podcast features a reading from our Famous People lesson plan on Michael Jackson. In the related lesson plan, English learners get to pretend to be tabloid reporters. To see the transcript and use the full lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Famous People section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Prison Labor.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 178th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

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Podcasts – 9 Tips For Quitting Smoking

September 4, 2013, 10:04 am

≫ Next: Podcast – Prison Labor

≪ Previous: Podcast – Michael Jackson

Podcast: 9 Tips For Quitting Smoking

Why is it so difficult to quit?

Are some of your students trying to quit smoking or another bad habit? Today’s podcast features a reading from our Health Matters lesson plan on Quitting Smoking. In the related lesson plan, English learners read 9 Tips For Quitting Smoking. They discuss how bad habits are formed, and why it’s so difficult to quit. They also take part in a role-play activity to practice using “should”. To see the full transcript and use the ready-made lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Health Matters section. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…Prison Labor.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 178th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Michael Jackson.

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Podcast – Prison Labor

September 11, 2013, 9:19 am

≫ Next: Podcast – George Washington

≪ Previous: Podcasts – 9 Tips For Quitting Smoking

Podcast: Prison Labor

A Booming Business Behind Bars

How do you and your students feel about prison labor? Should companies be allowed to make big profits by employing prisoners for reduced wages? Do prisoners deserve employment rights just like everyone else? Today’s podcast features a reading from our NEW Discussion Starters lesson plan on Prison Labor. In the related lesson plan, English learners read a short passage about Prison Labor. They discuss the effects on tax payers and compare prison labor to slavery. They also review useful vocabulary. To see the full transcript and use the ready-made lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our Discussion Starters section. You may also be interested in our related lesson plan on Private Prisons.

If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…David Beckham.

Introduce your students to iTunes today! This is our 179th episode.

Check out previous podcasts here, including last week’s podcast on Tips for Quitting Smoking.

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Podcast – George Washington

September 18, 2013, 9:27 am

≫ Next: Podcast: 7 Tips for Avoiding Food Poisoning

≪ Previous: Podcast – Prison Labor

Podcast: George Washington

America’s Founding Father

Yesterday was Constitution Day (Sept. 17) in the US. Many teachers choose to observe “Constitution Week,” and use a few days to cover related materials. Today’s podcast features a reading from the first lesson plan in our American Presidents section. In this lesson plan, English learners read a short bio about the first US president, George Washington. They discuss the American Revolutionary War, and talk about what made Washington a great leader. They also review useful vocabulary. To see the full transcript and use the ready-made lesson plan in class, log in to ESL-Library and choose our American Presidents section.

Did you know?
We add a new lesson plan to the American Presidents section every month. There are only four more to go, which means this section will be fully completed by the end of 2013. If you’re not a subscriber, join ESL-Library today. We hope you’ll share this free listening practice with your students.

Check out our full collection of Ready-to-Print Functional English Lesson Plans.

Coming soon to our podcast…David Beckham.