American English Podcast Sonoro | Shana Thompson

Welcome back to the second part of episode 166. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about Irregular Verbs and McDonald’s. You guys know McDonald’s, right.? Big Macs, Filet-o-Fish, Happy Meals?
In this lesson, you'll hear a short story about the founding and expansion of the world-famous fast food restaurant. In it, you'll hear 10 Irregular Verbs in the Simple Past Tense. Here they are:
1. To begin (began)
2. To make (made)
3. To speed (sped)
4. To eat (ate)
5. To leave (left)
6. To see (saw)
7. To buy (bought)
8. To take (took)
9. To rise (rose)
10. To grow (grew)
The story is shorter than my typical cultural lesson and that’s because the real focus here is mastering verbs. For those of you who have a high intermediate level or higher, you may already know most of these; this lesson will help reinforce the correct past tense forms (they'll be presented in many new contexts!).
Watch the corresponding video here.
Premium Content: 


Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file.

All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150)

My Favorite English Resources


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we'll begin by going through the commentary you guys made on Culture Shock in the United States. Afterwards, I'll tell you a joke, we'll go over the expression "to take it with a grain of salt," and we'll do a pronunciation exercise.
Premium Content for this episode is available with both of these:


Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file.

All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150)

Support the show
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Chats with Shana episode, I'm going to reflect on various aspects of US culture. Although I talk about culture all the time on here, it's not often we talk about some basic things, like everyday life things that can cause culture shock. The truth is, I don't often think about the topics I'm going to discuss today; they're pretty random! We'll cover eggs, air conditioning, driving, beauty, flags, portion sizes and the one thing nobody can stand: U.S. bathroom stalls.
We all form our own opinions based off of our own experiences in life. This episode is full of opinions and thoughts, but I'd love if it weren't a one-sided conversation. Did you experience culture shock in the U.S.? Please share your thoughts on what you find strange or different in the United States! I'd love to hear from you. :)
Disclaimer: My third point in the audio WILL make some of you angry, I can feel it already. Please don't hate me, though! I like you soo much. Just think of the points I made here as conversation starters for your next English class; sometimes more controversial ideas lead to more in-depth language practice! :)
Premium Content for this episode is available with both of these:


Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file.

All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150)


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most popular films of 1997 was by far “ Titanic.” It won 11 Academy Awards! If you saw the film, or even just previews of it, you know the plot. There’s a love story between Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) that develops while aboard a huge ship called Titanic. The Titanic was a real ship that set off on its first transatlantic trip from England to the United States in 1912. I know you know what happens; the ship hits an iceberg and sinks.
I thought about retelling this story and I know English speakers would tell me: Oh no, Shana, really? That ship has sailed, literally.
That ship has sailed is an expression that means that the opportunity has passed; this topic is no longer new or very exciting. It’s been talked about way too many times! That ship has sailed. So instead of doing my long, cultural lesson, I’ve decided to change it up! I’ll tell you a brief summary of the Titanic and in the story, you’ll hear 10 irregular verbs in the simple past tense.
This lesson also includes an explanation of the terms and a quiz.
*****
Transcript and Video
Sign up to Season 4 for the downloadable PDF of this lesson, as well as the PDF transcript, mp3 and more.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life can't possibly get worse! You've lost your job, you have no money, and then to top it off, your dog dies. You've hit rock bottom; you've reached the lowest possible point in your life.
To hit rock bottom is a common expression in American English, and in today's lesson you'll learn exactly how to use it. In addition to learning how to use this idiom, you'll hear a joke, we'll hear comments from the audience, and we'll go through a pronunciation exercise!
Premium Content: 


Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file.

All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150)


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My grandma permanently moved to the United States from Spain in the 1950s and the only way she could afford to keep in contact with friends and family was through writing letters; flying and international calls back then were not in her family’s budget. Email didn’t exist yet. She sent postcards and letters,  pictures of her kids and eventually her grandkids. In her lifetime, the United States Postal Service (USPS) was her lifeline to the people she’d left overseas.

Today, I'll tell you a bittersweet and very informative story about my grandma and her relationship with the post office and mail. Through it, you'll learn over 20+ words in context!

Can you relate to this story? Let me know what you think. You can write to me on Instagram @americanenglishpodcast, or on Spotify in the comments.

If you would like to help me decorate my office, please send me a real postcard! 

Shana Thompson
P.O. Box 9074
Asheville, NC 28815

I create this podcast because of YOU. You have no idea how excited I would be to see you're not just a figment of my imagination (haha). Plus, your card will end up on my wall! :)

Premium Content for this episode is available with both of these:


Season 4 (Episodes 150 - 200) = Each episode includes a quiz, the PDF transcript (the text of the audio) with definitions of challenging words and the mp3 file.

All Premium Content for Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (Episodes 001 - 150)

Support the show
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices