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
23 episodes
Florida Man: Tuba Player gets BANNED from Beach (Intermediate)
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 s...
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27:05
Beauty and the American Frog Prince Folk Tale (Upper Beginner / Lower Intermediate)
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....
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16:32
Holograms Steal Man's Wife (FMF) (Intermediate Level)
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 PostFirst, I read...
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16:53
The Dog Who Could WALK On Water! (Beginner / Intermediate Level)
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! ...
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20:57
Florida Man Feeds Hank the Alligator and Gets Arrested (FMF)
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.T...
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12:38
The Two Wagoners (Intermediate Level) Folk Tale
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 sto...
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28:43
FMF "Man Pretends to be Firework by Screaming Firework Noises"
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 withou...
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30:48
Californian 250-Year-Old Man! (Intermediate - Advanced)
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 introd...
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32:23
FMF: Florida Cashier BUSTED for Lottery Scam
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 ...
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19:10
Getting Common Sense from Anansi Spider (West African Folk Heritage!)
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...
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14:29
Florida Man Drunkenly STABS Friend for Hogging TV Remote (FMF)
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...
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19:56
Man, the Burro and the Dog (A Story About Getting Older)
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 s...
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15:34
Florida Man Gets Naked and Chases People!!! FMF
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...
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13:37
Paul Bunyan Takes Care of Mosquitoes
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 PeckFirst I read the...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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14:10
Florida Man THROWS Baby at Police!!! FMF
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 throu...
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18:24
George Washington and the Legend of the Cherry Tree
This episode is about George Washington and the Legend of the Cherry TreeI read the folk story "The Cherry Tree Legend" from the book "A Treasury of American Folktales" Compiled and annotated by Catherine PeckFirst I read the wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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23:37
Tall Tales from a Liar's Club
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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20:32
Annie Oakley Gets Her Gun
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 st...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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22:14
The Jersey Devil Folk MONSTER!
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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11:05
Buffalo Bill: American Folk Hero
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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Season 1
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Episode 5
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15:12
Paul Bunyan's Kitchen
In this episode, I read a folk story about Paul Bunyan, the Giant Lumberjack. I got the story from Americanfolklore.net and it is retold by S.E. Schlosser. I read the story slowly first. Then, I breakdown the different vocabulary ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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15:27