News in Slow English - Episode 10

News in Slow English - Episode 15

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with a discussion about the vote on Thursday by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal rules that ensure a fair and open internet, also called “net neutrality.” Next, we’ll talk about the Norwegian Parliament’s decision to decriminalize all drug use. Then, we’ll have a conversation about the discovery of a solar system that is more than 2,500 light years away. The discovery was made by NASA scientists using artificial intelligence developed by Google. And finally, we’ll talk about a new item added to UNESCO’s “intangible heritage” list -- the Neapolitan technique of pizza twirling.

• Net neutrality rules repealed in the U.S.
• Norwegian Parliament votes to decriminalize drugs
• Scientists discover a “twin” solar system with eight planets
• Naples pizza-twirling wins UNESCO heritage status

The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Superlatives. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “To get out of hand.”

News in Slow English - Episode 14

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with a discussion about the result of the Alabama Senate elections that were held on Tuesday. Next, we’ll talk about the decision announced by the French government on Sunday to ban the use of mobile phones in school for students under the age of 15. Then, we’ll have a conversation about bitcoins, which are traded on some of the stock markets. And finally, we’ll remember a French pop singer, Johnny Hallyday, who died last week at the age of 74.

- Doug Jones upsets Roy Moore in closely watched Senate race
- France to ban mobile phones in schools
- Bitcoin futures trading begins as price skyrockets
- Johnny Hallyday, the Elvis Presley of France, dies

As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll highlight the use of today’s topic: Order of Adjectives. And we’ll wrap up our program with another English expression: “To put your heart and soul into (something).”

News in Slow English - Episode 13

For the first half of our program, we’re going to look at what’s happening around the world this week. We will begin with President Donald Trump’s announcement to formally recognize the city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Next, we’ll comment on Time Magazine’s choice of 2017 Person of the Year. Following that, we’ll talk about the world’s largest battery installed in Australia that could ease power shortages. And finally, and on a lighter note, we’ll talk about the ugliest Christmas tree that set a new trend in Montreal that celebrates imperfections.

• President Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing decades of diplomacy
• “The Silence Breakers” named Time’s Person of the Year
• World’s largest battery could ease power shortages in Australia
• Montréal’s “ugly” Christmas tree becomes a tradition

As always, the second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Participle Adjectives. And we’ll close this week’s program with a new English expression: “A drop in the bucket.”

News in Slow English - Episode 12

In the first part of our program, we’re going to discuss current events. We will begin with Pope Francis's speech in Myanmar that met with criticism from various human rights groups. Next, we’ll talk about the engagement of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle. Then, we’ll have a conversation about a prediction that 2018 will be a year of higher earthquake activity due to a slight deceleration in the Earth’s rotation. And finally, we’ll talk about a man who plans to launch himself in a homemade rocket to prove that the Earth is flat.

- Pope Francis avoids direct references to Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar speech
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce engagement
- Changes in Earth’s rotation may cause more major earthquakes in 2018
- Man plans to launch himself in homemade rocket to prove that the Earth is flat

The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll demonstrate the use of today’s topic: Possessive Pronouns. And we’ll end this week’s program with a brand new English expression: “To make a long story short.”

News in Slow English - Episode 11

As always, we’re going to start the program with a discussion of current events. We will begin with President Trump’s reversal on his own decision to allow the importation of elephant “trophies.” Next, we’ll talk about two E.U. agencies leaving the UK following Brexit. Then, we’ll have a conversation about a Leonardo da Vinci painting that was sold last week for $450 million. And finally, we’ll talk about an event that shocked many soccer fans – the Italian national soccer team has lost its chance to play in next year’s World Cup.

- President Trump reverses decision to allow imports of elephant “trophies”
- Amsterdam, Paris to host key E.U. agencies following Brexit
- Leonardo da Vinci painting sells for record-breaking $450 million
- Italy fails to qualify for World Cup for first time in six decades

The second part of our show will be dedicated to American culture and the English language. In the grammar section of our program, we’ll illustrate the use of today’s topic: Personal Pronouns. And we’ll conclude our program with another English expression: “To rain on someone’s parade.”