Tom Teaches: Americanisms

Tom Teaches: Americanisms

Americanisms is designed for intermediate English Language learners. It's to help you practice your listening, your pronunciation and to learn more about the culture of the United States. If you plan on coming to live or visit the United States, this podcast gives you some cultural background that you probably didn't hear about in the classroom. Enjoy!

Episodes

August 7, 2021 27 mins

In this episode of Florida Man Friday, we hear about a young man who can't do what he loves: Playing the Tuba (on the beach at least). 



First, I read through the article in its entirety. Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. Then, I read the article once more. Hopefully you will have an easier time understanding the new vocabulary the second time thr...

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In this episode we have a combination of classic fairytales with a little American flavor. The two classic fairytales are 'The Frog Prince' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. This folktale is rather short and simple, but it's entertaining nonetheless. 

I read the story through one time. Then I go back and breakdown each sentence and any new vocabulary. Finally, I read the story one more time and hopefully...

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In this episode of Florida Man Friday, we learn about a man that claims his wife is abducted by men wielding holograms, or maybe by holograms themselves... It's unclear. 

This article is from The Huffington Post

First, I read through the article without stopping.
Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. 
Finally I read the article once more and h...

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In this Episode we meet a couple of old men who are always trying to one-up each other. They want to have the best hunting dogs. One man goes to extreme measures to get the upper hand. Even going so far as to buy a dog that defies gravity! 

As usual, I start with an introduction. Then I read the full story, without stopping. Next, I go back and explain any interesting vocabulary. And finally, I read the story again, withou...

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In this episode of Florida Man Friday, we learn about a man that loves his little green friend! Unfortunately for him, he's not supposed to be feeding this friend of his. 


First, I read through the article without stopping.
Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. 
I'll read the article once more. 

Enjoy and subscribe for more!

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In this Episode we meet a couple of men who confront adversity with very different attitudes. We also see what God and St. Peter think about these two different approaches.

As usual, I start with an introduction. Then I read the full story, without stopping. Next, I go back and explain any interesting vocabulary. And finally, I read the story again, without stopping. Hopefully by the second time hearing it, you understand ...

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In this episode of Florida Man Friday, we learn about a man that's tired of hearing fireworks late at night, so he takes matters into his own hands.

This comes from PopCulture.com 


First, I read through the article without stopping.
Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. 
I'll read the article once more. 
And finally, I'm goi...

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In this Episode we meet a folk hero from California who lived to 250 years old. 

He lived so long that the only thing left he wanted to do was die! Unfortunately for him, that wasn't possible.

As usual, I start with an introduction. Then I read the full story, without stopping. Next, I go back and explain any interesting vocabulary. And finally, I read the story again, without stopping. Hopefully by the secon...

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In this episode of Florida Man Friday, we learn about a scam that sometimes happens to lottery winners. 

This comes from the Miami Herald, and the title of the article is:

"Florida Cashier Busted for Stealing Winning Lottery Ticket"



First, I read through the article in its entirety. Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. Finally...

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In this Episode we meet a folk hero of West African Origin: Anansi Spider. 

He's a typical trickster character, but his plans backfire. As a result, all of mankind benefits!

As usual, I have an introduction to the podcast and the story. Then I read the full story without stopping. Next, I go back and break down any interesting vocabulary. And finally, I read the story again, without stopping. Hopefully by the...

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In today's "Florida Man Friday" episode we discuss an article from Knewz.com  called:

Florida man 'drunkenly stabs his friend with a medieval sword for "hogging the TV remote"'


First, I read through the article in its entirety. Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. Finally, I read the article once more. Hopefully you will have...

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This episode is an old story from the South Western United States. It has origins in hispanic culture as many stories from that part of the country do. 

First I read the whole story, with no breaks.

Afterwards, I reread the story and explain any difficult or interesting vocabulary. 

Finally, I read the story once more with no breaks. Hopefully by the second time through, you understand the story more easi...

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In today's "Florida Man Friday" episode we discuss an article from:
The Daytona Beach News Journal
 
"Deputies: Naked man chases 2 around Palm Coast Chick-fil-A parking lot"

First, I read through the article in its entirety. Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary. Finally, I read the article once more. Hopefully you will have an e...

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June 15, 2021 14 mins

This episode is about Paul Bunyan, The Giant Lumberjack. 

I read the folk story "Paul Bunyan Takes Care of Mosquitoes" from the book "A Treasury of American Folktales" Compiled and annotated by Catherine Peck

First I read the whole story, with no breaks.

Afterwards, I read the story, sentence by sentence and explain any difficult or interesting vocabulary. 

Finally, I encourag...

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This is a new segment called "Florida Man Friday" 

In today's episode we discuss an article from the New York Post entitled : 
 
"Florida Man Throws Baby at Deputies After High-speed Chase"

First, I read through the article in its entirety. Then, I go back and break down each sentence, explaining any interesting grammar and vocabulary.

Enjoy and subscribe for more!

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This episode is about George Washington and the Legend of the Cherry Tree

I read the folk story "The Cherry Tree Legend" from the book "A Treasury of American Folktales" Compiled and annotated by Catherine Peck

First I read the whole story, with no breaks.

Afterwards, I read the story, sentence by sentence and explain any difficult or interesting vocabulary. 

Finally, I encour...

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May 19, 2021 20 mins

This episode is from A Treasury of North American Folktales (compiled and annotated by Cathrine Peck) 

I read through the tale one time, then afterwards I break down any relevant vocabulary that might be confusing.  I encourage you to rewind and listen back to the story to solidify any new words or phrases, within the context of the story.

Feel free to email me at AmericanismsPodcast@gmail.com. 

I'd ...

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May 11, 2021 22 mins

In this episode, I read the story through one time and then break down the vocabulary.

In interest of keeping the episode a manageable length, I decided to not read the story back again, as I did in previous episodes.

The story starts at the 50 second mark, if you'd like to rewind and listen again. 


Please feel free to write to me with questions at AmericanismsPodcast@gmail.com and I will write ...

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November 19, 2020 11 mins

This episode is about The Jersey Devil (A.K.A. The Monster of Leeds). 

I read the folk story "The Birth of the Jersey Devil" by S.E. Schlosser from Americanfolklore.net.

First time through I read very slowly.

Then I do a breakdown of the vocabulary and interesting content, sentence by sentence.

Finally I read it one last time, at full speed. 

Enjoy and Subscribe for more!
<...

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November 14, 2020 15 mins

This episode is about Buffalo Bill. 

I read an article, first slowly.

Then I break it down sentence by sentence.

Finally I read it one last time, at full speed. 

Enjoy and Subscribe for more.


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