Kikokushijo Academy Wordcast

In each lesson of KA Wordcast: Idioms and Phrasal Verbs, we introduce listeners to a number of important idioms, phrasal verbs, and other common English expressions and explain how to put them to effective use.  English is a funny language.  Sometimes, even a simple four-letter word can have multiple meanings and be the basis for dozens of phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions.  Take the word “slip,” for example.  As a noun, a “slip” can be a small mistake, a piece of paper, a docking place for a boat or ship, or even an article of clothing.  As part of a verbal phrase, it can mean to slide, to dress or undress, to leave quietly, and many others—as you’ll see today as we look at some common “slip”-based phrasal verbs and very useful related idiomatic expressions.   To test your knowledge of today’s phrases before the lesson begins, take the quick “pre-test” that is downloadable from our website.  Then, after the podcast, use the answer sheet to see how well you did. 

Today, you will be listening to a passage entitled To Kill A Mockingbird about one of the most famous novels of the 20th century and the book’s author, Harper Lee.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening. And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.   This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself and give your vocabulary a big boost.   

Today you’ll be listening to a passage entitled The Great Exhibition about how a Victorian-age exposition event in London set the precedence for the future of World’s Fairs. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening.  And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.   This will improve your understanding of the passage itself and give you a bigger, better active vocabulary.  

This week, the theme is trouble, those difficult situations that we all find ourselves in from time to time. Today, we will look at eighteen common idiomatic phrases and expressions that you can use to talk and write about those “low points” in our lives.  And we close off with a couple more phrases that will help you stay positive when things are not as good you’d like them to be.    To test your knowledge of today’s phrases before the lesson begins, take the quick “pre-test” that is downloadable from our website.  Then, after the podcast, use the answer sheet to see how well you did. 

Today you’ll be listening to a passage entitled What We Eat about how our eating habits have changed over the past sixty years and how this new diet is affecting our health. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.   This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself and give your vocabulary a big boost.   

In today’s lesson, entitled Seeking Advice, you will be listening to two letters.  In the first very short one, a young man seeks advice about a specific career choice.  The second longer letter is the reply and advice the young man receives. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening.    Q&A will follow immediately after the closing jingle.      Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track.     

Today we will be looking at twelve of the most commonly used STAND-based phrasal verbs as well as a handful of useful, STAND-related idiomatic expressions.  You are likely to come across all of today’s phrases in everyday conversations, in books and magazines, in film and on TV, and on the Internet.  Make sure you take the pretest exercise before the lesson begins to test your knowledge.  Answers are available on the KA Wordcast website.   

In today's lesson of KA Wordcast Listen and Learn, you will be learning about the Space Race of the 1960s.  Listen to the passage carefully and answer the ten questions that follow.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.  This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself, and give your vocabulary a BIG BOOST!

In each Listen and Learn broadcast, we present you with additional material that will give your listening comprehension skills and confidence a big boost.  Each week, you will listen to a short passage on a different topic.   The topics are not only interesting and useful in their own right; they are the very topics that test-makers love to include on their exams.  After you listen to the passage, you will take a short quiz—ten comprehension questions that will make sure you understand and retain the information and ideas contained in the passage.  Today’s passage is entitled Why Waste Water?     ·     Key vocabulary words from the passage are explained in the bonus track.  Each word is spelled out, clearly defined, and accompanied by its most common synonyms and antonyms.   Sample sentences show you how the word is used—and how to use it.  What better way to build up your active vocabulary!

Today we will look at 22 common (but very informal) idiomatic expressions that you can use to describe a person's character--good or bad.   Be sure to check out the PRETEST exercise to get some real practice with these new phrases.   The PRETEST and ANSWER SHEET are available on the KA Voicecast website. 

Today we will be looking at twenty common phrases and expressions that have to do with love, romance, and relationships—just in time for Valentine’s Day.      Make sure you download the PRETEST EXERCISE and ANSWERS from the KA Voicecast website to test yoiur knowledge of the today's phrases before or after you have listened to the podcast. 

Today, we look at some very useful and common English phrases based on the word "BREAK"   Be sure to challenge yourself with the pretest exercise, available on the KA Voicecast website. 

For many of us, the beginning of a New Year often is “just like starting over,” and so for this lesson, we will take a look at some terrific phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions that you are likely to hear your friends, classmates, family, and co-workers use when they start talking about their 2015 New Year’s resolutions, those firm promises they have made to themselves to study harder, live healthier, be nicer—to be all-round better people.  And by the way, if listening regularly to KA Wordcast is one of your resolutions for 2015, that’s fantastic news!     To test your knowledge of today’s phrases before the lesson begins, take the quick “pre-test” that is downloadable from our website.  Then, after the podcast, use the answer sheet to see how well you did. 

In today’s passage, “Art Attack,” we will be talking about why some people destroy works of art. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Jot down some notes as you listen, but make sure your note-taking doesn’t distract you from your listening. And be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track. This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself, and give your vocabulary a big boost. 

Today’s passage has to do with a time-honored custom: the sending and receiving of holiday-season greeting cards as practiced in the West and in Japan.     Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track. This will help improve your understanding of the passage itself and give your vocabulary a big boost. 

.   The title of today’s lesson, “Laughter is the best medicine,” is an old saying that means that laughing and cheerfulness are very good for you and can help solve many problems, both physical and emotional—and, according to the latest scientific research, that’s no joke!  Today we will look at twenty of the most commonly used and heard idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs about laughter and humor.

Today you will be listening to a passage entitled “Comet 67P and the Origin of Life” about the Rosetta spacecraft, a data-gathering probe the European Space Agency sent into outer space more than a decade ago to search for answers to one very important question.   Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track. This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself and give your vocabulary a big boost! 

Christmas is just over two weeks away, and the big rush to buy holiday gifts for friends and family is already upon us. So now is a good time to learn some fun and useful expressions about shopping.  There are dozens of shopping-related phrases in the English language, but today we will only look at twenty of the most common and widely used.  In fact, many of today’s phrases have become song, book, or movie titles, so you’re probably quite familiar with them. 

In today’s passage, “A Solid Eight,” you will hear how recent studies have shown that a naturally occurring internal body clock governs our sleep cycles.  You will also take a step back in time and learn about our ancestors’ unusual sleep customs.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s a good idea to jot down some notes of significant details and ideas as you listen, but try not to let your note-taking get in the way of your listening.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track.  This will help improve your understanding of the passage itself as well as give your vocabulary a big boost!  

Today’s story, “Jigsaw Puzzle Discovery,” is about a dinosaur that, until about 50 years ago, no one knew had ever existed.  Even after it was discovered, scientists could find out very little about it.  But now, new clues have helped solved the mystery of this intriguing creature.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track.  This will help improve your understanding of the passage itself, as well as give your vocabulary a big boost.