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Read along then answer the questions on a google document and share it with the teacher.

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The plant where Raul works closed. Raul is laid off. He cannot find a job in
town that uses his skills. He does not want to move. He wants to learn a new job
skill.

Raul calls Kris at the technical school. I need to learn some new job skills.
When do you hold classes? Raul asks. Kris replies, We have classes during the
day and in the evening.

How long would it take me to finish? asks Raul. Most programs are two
years long. That is one reason why students come to our school, Kris says. Other
reasons are cost and class size. Both are lower than at other schools.

Could I visit your school on Friday? Raul asks. Yes says Kris, Ill see
you then.

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The plant where Raul works closed. Raul is laid off. He cannot find a job in town that uses his skills. He does not want to move. He wants to learn a new job skill. Raul calls Kris at the technical school. I need to learn some new job skills.

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March 31 Reading

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Conversation 1 - In the Meeting

A: Thanks for attending the meeting. Is everyone here?
B: Yes, we are all here.
A: I'm sure you are all aware of the recent health scare.
C: Yes, what should we do about our business trips?
A: We want you to put off all travel for a month.
D: What about working in the office?
A: You can work from home, but just check in with the office daily.
B: Also, please check out the company health page for updates.
A: Yes, and keep us posted on your activity.
E: Can I still come in to the office?
A: Yes, just be safe. Wash your hands often and monitor your health.
E: I will take extra precaution.
A: Thanks everyone. Take care of yourself and be safe.

Conversation 2 - At Yoga

Conversation 3 - In the Office

W: Why did you go home early yesterday?
M: I thought I was coming down with something.
W: Oh, did you catch the flu?
M: No, I just needed to recharge my batteries.
W: Yeah, you looked a bit haggard.
M: Yeah, after a good night's sleep I felt as fresh as a daisy.

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A: Thanks for attending the meeting. Is everyone here? B: Yes, we are all here. A: I'm sure you are all aware of the recent health scare. C: Yes, what should we do about our business trips? A: We want you to put off all travel for a month.

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Do you think it should be free?

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universally free

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

There should be universally free healthcare.

Something that is 'universally free' is free for everyone. Notice the following:

1. In Canada, healthcare is universally free.

2. I believe in universally free job training.

get treated

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

Anyone can come in and get treated.

When we visit a hospital we 'get treated' by a doctor. Notice the following:

1. It took forever to get treated.

2. I got treated by the school nurse.

a really big tragedy

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

I think it's a really big tragedy right now.

A 'tragedy' is a situation that is very sad and unnecessary. Notice the following:

1. That over 30 million Americans have no health insurance is a really big tragedy.

2. It's a really big tragedy that world hunger still exists.

pay into a system

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

If you pay into a system.

When you pay taxes to the government, that means you pay into a system. Notice the following:

1. If you pay into a system, you should get something in return.

2. In England, you pay into a system for healthcare.

top-of-the-range coverage

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

If you want top-of -the-range coverage.

Top-of-the-range coverage is the highest quality insurance you can buy. Notice the following:

1. Most people can't afford top-of-the-range coverage.

2. Top-of-the-range coverage is very expensive.

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universally free Your browser does not support the audio tag. There should be universally free healthcare. Something that is 'universally free' is free for everyone. Notice the following: In Canada, healthcare is universally free. I believe in universally free job training. get treated Your browser does not support the audio tag.

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Short passages just to practice. Read as you wish.

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Learn new Vocabulary and topics as you read along.

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Listen to short animated audio lessons that highlight 25 grammar points. These lessons are made especially for beginner ESL students. These lessons come with a free printable book that syncs with the lessons.

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These are long passages about American History, from the discovery to now. Read as you listen to the recording

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There are 246 fifteen-minute programs and 5 four-minute programs. That is about 62 hours of listening.

About 'The Making of a Nation' Radio Program

Introduction and Overview of 'The Making of a Nation' (You may skip this one.)

1400s-1500s

1600s-1776

1. Slavery Arrives as Colonial Expansion Heads South

2. By 1750, Almost One in Four People in the Colonies Were Slaves

3. British Defeat the French in a Struggle for North America

4. Britain Says No to 'No Taxation Without Representation'

5. A Tea Party at Night, on the Road to Revolution

6. A Declaration for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

1776-1800

1800-1825

1825-1850

1850-1861

1861-1865 - The Civil War

1865-1880

1880-1900

1900-1916

1916-1919 - World War I

1. Wilson Is Re-elected in 1916 on a Promise: 'He Kept Us Out of War!'

2. 'Right Is More Precious Than Peace': U.S. Enters World War One

3. 1918: American and German Forces Meet on a Battlefield Near Paris

4. Technology Helps the Allied Forces Win World War One

5. President Wilson Begins Negotiations for a World War One Peace Treaty

6. World War One Ends, but Wilson Knows His Battle Is Only Half Over

1919-1929

1929-mid-1930s- The Great Depression

mid-1930s-1945 - World War II

1945-1950

1950s - Korean War

1. Truman Faced Communist Fears, Real or Imagined

2. War Hero Is Elected President in 1952

3. Conflict in Korea Spills Over Into Eisenhower's Presidency

4. 1950s Popular Culture Helped Take Minds Off Nuclear Fears

5. A Freeze Hits US-Soviet Relations After World War Two

6. The Space Race Heightens Cold War Tensions

1960s - Kennedy Becomes President

1. Election of 1960 Brings Close Race Between Kennedy, Nixon

2. Kennedy Begins His Presidency With Strong Public Support

3. The Presidency of John Kennedy Begins With Great Energy, but Ends in Tragedy

4. Johnson Takes Over Presidency After Kennedy's Murder

1964 - Vietnam War

1. Johnson Wins a Full Term in 1964, Defends Vietnam Policies

2. Civil Rights Movement: In the '60s, a Struggle for Equality in US

3. The '60s Become a Time of Social Revolution and Unrest

1968 - Richard Nixon Becomes President

1997 - Bi-centenial

1988 - George H. W. Bush Becomes President

1. George Herbert Walker Bush Is Elected President in 1988

2. George H. W. Bush's Presidency Saw End of Cold War

1993 - Bill Clinton Becomes President

2000 - George W. Bush Becomes President

Other History Broadcasts (Explorations, Agricultre Report, ...)

Holiday Special

Christmas in America During the 19th Century

More Stories about History in Other Sections on This Website

These are not included in the count at the top of the page.

About

These are good for people studying English because it is possible to read along while listening.

These are in VOA's Special English.

These will print very cleanly (without printing the MP3 player and menu.)

The source of the original pre-edited material is http://voanews.com/specialenglish/.
"All text, audio and video material produced exclusively by the Voice of America
is public domain. However, some images and graphics are licensed for use and
covered by all applicable copyright laws."

Though the source material was in the public domain, I have done some editing. If you need the public domain version of any of these stories, please visit http://voanews.com/specialenglish/.

Other VOA Material on This Web Site

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American History in VOA Special English (ESL/EFL)

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There are 246 fifteen-minute programs and 5 four-minute programs. That is about 62 hours of listening. Introduction and Overview of 'The Making of a Nation' (You may skip this one.)