Kikokushijo Academy Wordcast

In today’s passage, entitled “The Age of Humans,” you will hear about the huge impact we humans, in our relatively short history, have had on our planet and every living thing on it. Listen carefully to the passage and answer the questions that follow. As you listen, it’s OK to jot down some notes of important details and ideas, but try not to let your note-taking get in the way of your listening. Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You may also download the lesson in PDF format to keep for your reference.  And be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to boost your word power!

In today’s passage, entitled “The Rise of Megacities,” you will hear about what makes a “megacity” and why more and more cities around the world will soon enter the “Megacity Club.” You will also learn about some of the problems cities encounter when they become overpopulated. Listen carefully to the passage and answer the questions that follow. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You may also download the lesson in PDF format to keep for your reference.  And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track!

In today’s passage, entitled “Saving the Rhinos,” you will hear about a baby rhinoceros named Lofo that barely escaped death. You will also learn about why protecting large herbivores (animals that live on plant life) like the African rhino is vital to our planet’s environmental health. As you listen, it’s OK to jot down some notes of important details and ideas, but try not to let your note-taking get in the way of your listening. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You can also download the lesson in PDF format to keep for your reference.     Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track! 

In today’s passage, entitled “Nurturing the Arts,” you will hear about why many schools across America no longer offer arts classes. You will also learn about what the Los Angeles school district is doing to ensure that its students receive a well-rounded education.   Answers to the Listening Comprehension question can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Alternatively, you may download the lesson in PDF format to keep for your reference.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to boost your word knowledge! 

In today’s passage, entitled “A Letter for Change,” you will hear about a socially conscious Massachusetts schoolgirl who had an idea for a much-needed change and decided to let the U.S. President know what was on her mind. You will also learn a little about the extraordinary woman who has been selected to be the face of the new $20 bill. As you listen, it’s OK to jot down some notes of important details and ideas, but try not to let your note-taking get in the way of your listening. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track. You may also download the lesson to keep for your reference.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to help boost your word skills. 

In today’s passage, entitled “Totally Awesome,” you will hear about why experiencing the sensation known as “awe” can make you a better person. You will also learn about some of the experiments researchers have conducted to study the impact “awe” has on human behavior and relationships. Listen carefully to the passage and answer the questions that follow. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You may also download the lesson to keep for your reference.   Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY WORDS bonus track.  

In today’s passage, entitled “A Hobbit Mystery,” you will hear about the discovery of a previously unknown species of early humans. You will also learn about some of the different methods forensic scientists and researchers use to date prehistoric artifacts and human remains. Listen carefully to the passage then answer the questions that follow.  Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track and downloadable PDF.   Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to boost your word knowledge! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Virtual History, you will learn a bit about the Great Fire of London of 1666. You will also hear about a fascinating new mobile phone app that can transport you back in time to key historical moments. That’s right. Time travel—well, sort of. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions are available as a separate track on the KA Voicecast website.  And be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to boost your word knowledge! 

In today’s lesson, entitled The Curious Case of the Walking Encyclopedia, you will listen to a passage about Kim Peek, an American savant who had a remarkable ability to memorize all sorts of things. You will also learn a little about autism and how our attitude towards people with autism has changed over the past thirty years.   Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to help boost your word knowledge!

In today’s lesson, entitled The Choshu Five, you will listen to a passage about five young Japanese men who, during Japan’s Edo period, risked everything to come to London and learn about Western ways.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.   Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to help boost your word knowledge! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Where Are the Women?, you will learn a bit about the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. You will also hear why the Statue of Liberty and all that she stands for are not equally represented in parks and public squares in America’s great cities. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to boost your word knowledge! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Robotic Critters, you will listen to a passage about a handy new robot that is fact, not science fiction. And you will learn how researchers have used, of all things, the cockroach as a model for the new robot’s design and how they intend to put the “bot” to practical use. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track. You may also download the lesson in PDF format for your reference.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY BONUS track! 

In today’s passage, entitled “Killer Diseases” you will hear about how, in the 14th century, an epidemic wiped out nearly half of Europe’s population and also about how some diseases are transmitted from person to person.   Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track and PDF file.    Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to boost your word knowledege!

In today’s lesson, entitled The Ship of Dreams, you will listen to a passage about the events leading up to and following the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers to Comprehension Questions are available on the KA Voicecast website.     Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Words bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Going Bananas, you will listen to a passage about why bananas are often called “Nature’s Perfect Power Snack.” You will also learn about a disease that could wipe out banana crops all over the world. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers to the Listening Comprehension Questions are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track. 

In today’s lesson, entitled A Broader View of Beauty, you will listen to a passage about where the Barbie doll’s creator got her inspiration, and why, after nearly 60 years, Barbie is undergoing a big transformation. Answers to the Listening Comprehension questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You may also download the lesson in PDF format to keep it for your reference.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track.  

In today’s passage, entitled “Man Up!” you will learn why one paleoanthropologist believes that mankind (and men in particular) has “let himself go,” so to speak, because of all this convenience and comfort. You will also hear about some of the amazing physical and mental feats that our human predecessors were capable of. Listen carefully to the passage then answer the questions that follow.     Listening Comprehension Questions and Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track and downloadable PDF. 

In today’s lesson, entitled Seeds for Humanity, you will hear a passage about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway where a group of scientists have been planning ahead against a possible “doomsday” future. Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Sustainable Living, you will hear a passage about the “ecological” and “carbon” footprints we all leave on the planet just by going about the business of daily living. You will also learn why pet dogs … well, you’ll see in a few minutes. Answers to the LISTENING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.   Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track!

In today’s lesson, entitled Drone Worry, you will listen to a passage about why remote-controlled drones and airplanes have the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration worried. You will also learn about some of the practical ways in which drones are being used today. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Bonus track!!