英语博客：Water for Africa - analysis time.

Scientists say the notoriously dry continent of Africa is sitting on(1) a vast reservoir of groundwater. They say that the total volume of water in aquifers underground is 100 times the amount found on the surface. The British Geological Survey and t

英语博客：Analysis time, a Chinese revolt.

Today we will analyze part of a newspaper article in depth. Wukan, China - The Chinese fishing village that went into open revolt(1) against government control last year held elections on Saturday, an event that(2) some local people said was the firs

英语博客：The York Minster.

The York Minster. I couldn't visit York Minster without telling you about it. What is a minster? It's the name of a major cathedral that used to be associated with a monastery, and considered the most important building representing the church in a l

英语博客：A Super Duper Slither Scooter.

It's time to rock and roll. Glide, wobble, balance, and slither. Let's try something new to get ourselves moving. Did you know that the part of the brain that deals with balance, also deals with focus? Isn't that interesting. An educational specialis

英语博客：I'm back, with details of a yucky cold.

I'm sorry that I missed a couple of podcasts last week; I was really sick. When I spoke to you last, I was beginning to lose my voice and feel achy with a sore throat. I assumed, however, that with some good food, and a good night's rest, that I woul

英语博客(A cup of English):018 Entertainment at the mall.

Beginners. Having four children is wonderful, but it can be a lot of hard work. Sometimes, I find myself in the car driving all over town taking the kids to different activities. Two have swimming, so the younger two have to come along. Sometimes, my

英语博客(A cup of English):088 The Pizza Man.

Beginners. The other day, I was driving along when I saw a man dancing on the side of the road. It wasn't something that I hadn't seen before. This man stands on the side of the main road and dances around waving a sign. This sign advertises pizza. T

英语博客：Crunchy crickets.

house, at night, when everyone is asleep, the sounds of nature fill the air. Actually, the noises don't come from outside, but inside the house, and I'm not talking about my husband snoring. Chirp, chirp, chirp, is what we hear. It is the familiar so

英语博客：A kindergarten tree walk.

Kindergarten is proving to be quite a fun place for my daughter. They went on their first field trip the other day; it was a 'tree walk'. They have been studying trees: how they grow, and how they change with the seasons, so a tree walk was the perfe

英语博客：The best bargains at Ross.

Do you like to shop? I actually do not like to at all. I always find that I am in a hurry, I don't enjoy looking through aisles and aisles of clothes for just one piece that I like, and I get impatient when I have to wait in line. But, one thing make

英语博客(A cup of English):040 D'Anjou bakery.

Beginners. The D'Anjou bakery is a special place to visit that is located quite close to Wenatchee. A quick drive on the highway, past the town of Cashmere, will take you to this place of delights. If you are not careful, you will miss the turn-off,

英语博客(A cup of English):034 A Creeping Fog.

Beginners. Some people say that the weather is changing all over the world. Do you believe that? What do you think? I'm not sure if it is true, but sometimes the local weather does something unusual. Here in Wenatchee, the weather is normally very re

英语博客(A cup of English):027 Late for school!

Beginners. This morning was an ordinary morning. I woke the kids up. Wakey, wakey, I said gently to them, as usual. I brought the two youngest their breakfast drink that they like to drink in bed. They are spoilt, I know. The oldest two get themselve

英语博客(A cup of English):032 Daytime visitation.

Beginners. Snow keeps us busy. It needs to be moved and removed. If it is not moved, life becomes difficult. Cars, trucks and buses have difficulty driving along the streets and up the hills if there is too much snow. Around our house the snow builds

英语博客(A cup of English):047 Choose a hat.

Beginners. Do you love to shop? Some people are addicted to shopping; they love to go out and buy things. Others enjoy window shopping, which is safer for your wallet. I am not a big shopper; I have to love something before I am willing to buy it. Ho

英语博客(A cup of English):049 Do not enter!

Beginners. The other day I was walking by my children's bedrooms, when I saw a sign on one of the doors. It said, Domini and Robert, DO NOT ENTER! One of my two oldest boys had become impatient with sibling intrusions. Sometimes they walk into their

英语博客(A cup of English):054 An English confusion.

Beginners. Some people say that it must be easy for me to live here, because of the language; it is the same as in England. Yes, that's right. But, there are some interesting differences. There are many sayings and spellings that are different. If yo

英语博客(A cup of English):057 What a criminal!

Beginners. On the highways here in the United States you will find some signs that say, Buckle up! We love you. The message is to remind people to fasten their seat belts to stay safe. It's a good idea. Another thing that is available on the highways

英语博客(A cup of English):059 Wild old ladies.

Beginners. On my recent trip to New Zealand, I met lots of different people. In Los Angeles, where I waited to catch the plane to Aukland, I met three older ladies who were going on the same trip. We sat in the airport and chatted. They were very int

英语博客(A cup of English):061 How ridiculous!

Beginners. It's very interesting going to another country and experiencing the culture, even if the people from that country speak the same language. Among English speaking nations, there are well known differences. Our accents are different, of cour