American Slang

Knot your Average Pastimes: Crochet and Culture with Helen

💬 Show Notes Dive into the crafty world of crochet and the imaginative realms of tabletop gaming in this cozy episode of American Slang with our returning favorite, Helen. From the comforting click of a crochet hook to the roll of dice in Dungeons and Dragons, Helen takes us through her top hobbies which are stitching together communities and sparking creativity off-screen. Whether she’s unraveling yarn on the train or conjuring characters in Dungeons & Dragons, Helen's passions are a testament to the therapeutic and social power of traditional pastimes in our modern age. Plus, we'll unravel the meaning behind idioms like "frogging your work," "stick to your knitting," and "throw in the towel," and discover how they weave into the fabric of everyday conversation. Get ready to be charmed by tales of handmade warmth, shared potlucks, and the timeless allure of a good book. It's an episode that'll knock your socks off and leave you smiling! Tune in, get inspired, and maybe even pick up a hook or a set of dice yourself. And remember, when it comes to life's rich tapestry, sometimes the best thing to do is stick to your own knitting. Enjoy the yarns we spin in this episode, and don't forget to check out the transcript for a full pattern of idioms and expressions discussed! Listen now to American Slang, where hobbies and expressions intertwine. 🧶🎲📚 Link to webpage and transcript:  https://movingenglishlessons.com/a-podcast-about-hobbies/ [https://movingenglishlessons.com/a-podcast-about-hobbies/]

Alabama Slang and Culture

Welcome to today’s podcast where we will talk to Paige Poole about Alabama’s culture, history, and language.  I met Paige through work since we are both Virtual Educators for the Department of State’s English language programs.  I had heard her being interviewed in a podcast in Spanish and really wanted to have her on the podcast after hearing her fascinating stories.  In this episode she shares about her hometown, and some anecdotes about growing up in Alabama and how living abroad changed her perspective.  She also talks about what it was like to be a lesbian growing up in such a religious part of the USA. If you are interested in culture, diversity, and language, this is a great episode for you to listen to.  Check out the transcript and supplementary materials. [https://movingenglishlessons.com/alabama-slang-and-culture/]

Culture and Idioms in Illinois

In this episode, I interview Ivan Crespo, an ESL pronunciation and communication teacher and Ph.D. student in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. In this episode, Ivan shares some differences he has noticed between American culture and Brazilian culture.  He also shares the most common idioms and expressions he hears Americans using on campus and we discuss the academic lifestyle and some fascinating aspects of American culture and language in the Midwest.  https://movingenglishlessons.com/culture-and-idioms-in-illinois/ [https://movingenglishlessons.com/culture-and-idioms-in-illinois/]

Maine Slang and Idioms

In this episode, I interview Misha Sanborn, a potter from Maine. She tells us about her passion for clay, for making pots, and the satisfaction that comes from making everyday art. Check out the transcript for idioms!

New Orleans: Language and Culture

In this episode, we hear about the lively culture in New Orleans, Louisiana from Elena Mutonono. Share the episode with your friends! [https://movingenglishlessons.com/new-orleans-language-and-culture/] In this episode, we hear about the lively culture in New Orleans, Louisiana from Elena Mutonono.  Elena goes into the overall vibe of New Orleans and tells us about what it is like to live there.  She explains how the city “gets into you” and it is difficult to leave because there are so many advantages to living in such a diverse place in the United States.  However, she explains that New Orleans isn’t a typical “American” city and stands out as a more laid-back and creative place.  We delve into some of the colonial history, and the French influence that is evident in the architecture, cuisine, language, and street names.  Elena also shares some of the difficult aspects of living in New Orleans like the history of slavery and how plantations are still used for weddings and celebrations and how she copes with all of the hurricanes.   Elena is launching the Smart Teacher’s Library for online teachers who want to work harder, not smarter, and you can ⁠find read about it here⁠ [https://www.elenamutonono.com/library-early-enrollment/?mc_cid=29e817fbca&mc_eid=b8681b2887]. Find out more about Elena Mutonono's podcast, blog, YouTube channel and amazing courses on her website: https://www.elenamutonono.com/ [https://www.elenamutonono.com/]