📖In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we celebrate Banned Book Week by looking at one of the most famous poets in American history: Maya Angelou. She was a writer, performer, and civil rights activist whose words inspired millions. Her most famous book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, tells the story of her difficult childhood and how she found her voice through poetry.

We share highlights of Maya Angelou’s life, from her childhood in the South to becoming San Francisco’s first African American female streetcar conductor, and later an international performer. You will hear how she faced challenges, built a career as an actress, dancer, and writer, and used her voice to speak out against injustice.

We also read her powerful poem Caged Bird. The poem uses the image of a bird in a cage as a metaphor for people who are not free. We explain advanced vocabulary and poetic phrases, giving you the chance to practice listening to complex English while improving your fluency and confidence.

Banned Book Week is a time when people discuss books that have been removed from schools or libraries. Sadly, Angelou’s famous memoir has been banned in some places. Reading in English is one of the best ways to grow your vocabulary and language skills, and her work is a great example of literature that can help you master the language.

🔗Previous MLK Episodes 1 and 2

🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbb

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📜 SOURCES

Caged Bird Poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-bird

Oprah Winfrey Interview

Inauguration Poem

📝 Vocabulary list:

1) Banned book – a book that has been removed from libraries or schools.

2) Struggles – difficult experiences or challenges.

3) Traumatic – very shocking or upsetting, causing lasting emotional pain.

4) Speak out – to say what you think openly, especially about something wrong or unfair.

5) Civil Rights Movement – the social movement in the U.S. fighting for equal rights for African Americans in the 1950s–60s.

6) Memoir – a book that someone writes about their own life and experiences.

7) Honorary degree – a special academic award given to someone for their achievements.

8) Analogy – A comparison between two things to help explain something.

9) Leap – to jump with energy or joy.

10) Seldom – almost never; rarely.

11) Rage – very strong anger.

12) Long for – to strongly want or desire something, especially something hard to get.

🎧 Are you struggling with phrasal verbs and want to learn how to use them? We're here to help!

In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we continue our series on phrasal verbs. They are one of the most difficult parts of English because one small word can completely change the meaning. In today’s lesson, we focus on phrasal verbs with the word throw, and you will learn how native speakers really use them in daily life.

You will hear clear explanations of five common phrasal verbs: throw up, throw down, throw out, throw in, and throw back. Each one has several meanings, and we give you examples from real situations. The key to mastering phrasal verbs is not just memorization, but learning them in context. With these examples, you will understand the differences more easily. The episode also shares tips to help you remember phrasal verbs and start using them in your own conversations.

By listening to this episode, you will practice your listening comprehension and build your English vocabulary in context. Phrasal verbs may seem confusing at first, but the more you hear them and use them, the easier they will become. Follow along, and soon you will be using these phrases with more confidence—just like a native speaker!

🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

Take lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387

Phrasal Verbs Explained Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdt-dHCmwVj1j6GJNBRUY2TJHXGS0lBj

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Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc

📝 Vocabulary list:

1. Throw up

• To vomit (bring food back out of your stomach).
• To raise your hands quickly in the air.

2. Throw down

• To put something on the ground with force.
• To party, dance, or have a lot of fun.
• To fight or challenge someone.
• To share knowledge or strong arguments.

3. Throw out

• To put something in the trash.
• To remove someone from a place.
• To reject an idea or case.
• To suggest ideas quickly.

4. Throw in

• To add something extra for free.
• To return the ball into play in sports.
• Throw in the towel → to give up or surrender.

5. Throw back

• To return something.
• To drink something quickly, often alcohol.
• To remind someone of the past.
• Throwback (noun) → something old that reminds you of the past.

📖 In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we talk about books that can help you improve your English. Did you know that reading and listening to English are two of the best ways to get better at the language? Reading is a great way to learn new words, understand grammar naturally, and see how native speakers really use English.

We also explain “input,” which means reading or listening to English as much as possible. The more input you get, the more your English will improve. Trying different types of books will give you new vocabulary and help you understand English better.

To help you get more input, I share my recommendations for books I’ve read recently, including both older classics and modern stories. You’ll hear short summaries of each book so you can decide if you want to read them. The books include Washington Square by Henry James, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, and All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Many of these also have movie or TV versions, which can help you practice listening and review the story.

🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

Take lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387

📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbb

Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc

Source🔗:

Washington Square on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=washington+square+movie+1997

Reese’s Book Club: https://reesesbookclub.com/the-complete-list/

Previous Episodes: https://rss.com/podcasts/learnenglishpodcast/2024102

https://rss.com/podcasts/learnenglishpodcast/2084843

📝 Vocabulary list:

1) Mobility – the ability to move your body.

2) Classic – an old and famous book, film, or piece of art

3) Novella – a story that is longer than a short story but shorter than a full novel.

4) Adaptation – a film, TV show, or play that is based on another story.

5) Historical fiction – a story set in the past that mixes real history with invented characters.

6) Campy – silly or exaggerated in a way that is funny.

7) Converge – to come together from different directions.

8) Problematic – causing difficulties or not acceptable.

9) Perspective – a way of thinking about or understanding something.

10) Scandal – an event that shocks people because it shows something wrong or dishonest.