Americans and Food - Listening Comprehension

Voice of America News Online (www.voanews.com) has a Special English section where you can listen to podcasts online and read the written transcripts that accompany them.

Here's an interesting podcast on Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma which deals with America's unhealthy and destructive relationship with food.
Click here to access the audio file and the transcript: http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-02-17-voa1.cfm

I suggest you read the transcript first, then listen to the podcast, then listen again with the transcript in front of you. If this topic doesn't interest you, check out the many other podcasts listed on the Voice of America website.

Stress & Intonation in English - Practice

Please go to the link below to read about and practice stress and intonation in English.
http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa100500a.htm

Sample TOEFL Test

Want to practice the TOEFL online for free?
Go to http://www.ets.org/ . In the right hand column, click TOEFL. When the new page appears click TOEFL Practice. Online, also in the right hand column. You will then enter your email address and will be directed to the sample test. It can only be taken once.

English Idioms! Item One: "Birthday Suit"

Words and Images is a great blog for learning English idioms and slang words through pictures. For example, click on the photo above to go to the blog and learn what "birthday suit" means in English

Practice English Online!

Here are a few of my favorite ESL websites where you can practice English for FREE!

OWL Online Writing Lab (Purdue University)
Activities for ESL Students (A project of the TESL Journal)
Englishpage.com (from Language Dynamics)
The Bangkok Post Learning Post (Bangkok English Language Newspaper ESL site. Warning! The English used is very British!)