Hazel Breaks the Ice

Hazel has a Black Friday shopping plan. Asher has one question: Why would anyone shop until they fall down? Listen to their story, then learn what “shop till you drop” and “stock up on” mean. Practice saying “advertisements” with Lisa Rogers, and find out what it means when a store sells out.Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM#EnglishAmericanStyle

“Count our blessings? Do we need a calculator?”Hazel and Asher are drinking hot apple cider and looking back on their year. Hazel is thankful for their friendship. Asher is thankful for that, too, and for pizza with extra cheese.Listen to the story, then practice everyday American English with Lisa Rogers. Learn what “count your blessings” means, use “look back on” to talk about the past, and practice saying “gratitude.” You’ll also hear the difference between “I feel gratitude” and “I am grateful.”Say it like: GRA-tih-toodSyllables: GRAT • i • tudeStress the first syllable. Clap or tap along with Lisa, then say the word at a natural pace.00:00 Do we need a calculator?00:21 Hazel and Asher Count Their Blessings05:48 Idiom: Count your blessings06:51 Your turn: Name three blessings07:15 Phrasal verb: Look back on07:57 Your turn: Share a happy memory08:24 Pronunciation practice: Gratitude10:01 Background of the idiom11:52 Gratitude versus gratefulWhat are three things you’re grateful for? Try saying your answer in English.Subscribe to English American Style on YouTube for more stories and practice with Lisa Rogers: https://beacons.ai/english_american_styleMusic licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM#EnglishAmericanStyle #LearnEnglish #AmericanEnglish

Hazel has a complaint about everything on her autumn walk with Asher: the cold, the fallen leaves, and getting up early. Then she decides to turn over a new leaf. Can she stick to her plan when the wind sends leaves straight into her face?Join Lisa for an American English story, everyday expressions, and pronunciation practice.In this full lesson, you’ll learn:• “Turn over a new leaf”: to make a fresh start by changing a habit or behavior.• “Stick to”: to continue doing something or following a plan, even when it becomes difficult.• “Hesitated”: paused before speaking or acting because you were unsure or needed time to think.Pronunciation practice: hesitatedSay it like: HEZ-ih-tay-tidSyllables: hes • i • tat • edPut the stress on the first syllable, HEZ. The -ed ending adds a syllable and sounds like “id.” Follow Lisa through the slow practice, clap or tap along, and repeat the word at a natural pace.Episode chapters:00:00 Welcome00:14 Hazel Turns Over a New Leaf: the story05:18 Share your ideas06:00 Idiom review: turn over a new leaf07:22 Phrasal verb: stick to08:57 Pronunciation practice: hesitated11:50 Where “turn over a new leaf” comes fromYour turn: Is there a habit you would like to change? Write a sentence using “turn over a new leaf” or “stick to” in the comments.Subscribe to English American Style on YouTube for more stories, idioms, phrasal verbs, and pronunciation practice with Lisa.Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM#EnglishAmericanStyle #LearnEnglish #AmericanEnglish #EnglishIdioms

What does it mean to “jump out of your skin”?Hazel loves Halloween, but she isn’t prepared for Asher’s surprise. A plastic skeleton, a sudden scare, and a flying bowl of popcorn lead to a funny misunderstanding about an American English expression.In this episode of English American Style, Lisa explains “jump out of your skin,” meaning to be extremely startled or frightened. Learn how to use the phrasal verb “creep out,” then practice saying “inquisitively” with syllable, stress, and movement exercises.In this lesson:• Idiom: Jump out of your skin• Phrasal verb: Creep out• Pronunciation: Inquisitively• Bonus vocabulary review: ExasperatedPractice with us:• I almost jumped out of my skin when…• ______ really creeps me out.Listen to the story, repeat the pronunciation practice, and try using these expressions in your own sentences. Subscribe to English American Style on YouTube for more stories and American English practice with Lisa.Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM#EnglishAmericanStyle #LearnEnglish #AmericanEnglish

What does it mean to have “a skeleton in your closet”?In this episode of English American Style, Hazel discovers an old photograph that Asher would rather keep hidden. A shiny silver outfit and a band called the Electric Bananas lead to a conversation about embarrassing secrets.Join Lisa as she explains the idiom “a skeleton in the closet,” explores the phrasal verb “live it down,” and guides you through pronunciation practice for “embarrassing.”In this lesson:• Idiom: A skeleton in the closet• Phrasal verb: Live it down• Pronunciation: Embarrassing• Bonus: Using “photograph,” “picture,” and “photo” in everyday American EnglishPractice question: Have you ever done something funny or embarrassing that your friends or family wouldn’t let you live down? Share a lighthearted example in the comments.Follow English American Style for more stories, everyday expressions, and pronunciation practice with Lisa, Hazel, and Asher.Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM

What does it mean to “take a beat”?Asher has agreed to help Hazel move into her new apartment, but a spilled coffee, a GPS problem, and a closed road leave him feeling exasperated. Hazel encourages him to pause, take a breath, and think.In this full lesson of English American Style, Lisa shares “Asher Takes a Beat,” then explains the idiom “take a beat” and the phrasal verb “run into.”Practice the five-syllable word “exasperated,” with stress on the second syllable, and revisit “figure out,” meaning to understand something or find a solution.In this lesson:• Idiom: Take a beat• Phrasal verb: Run into• Pronunciation: Exasperated• Bonus review: Figure outPractice question: What do you do when you run into an unexpected problem? Try answering with one of this episode’s expressions.Follow English American Style for more American English stories and lessons with Lisa, Asher, and Hazel.Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM#EnglishAmericanStyle #LearnEnglish #AmericanEnglish

What does it mean to go on a “blind date”?In this episode of English American Style, Hazel arranges for Asher to meet a friend she thinks he’ll like. Asher isn’t sure what a blind date involves, but their first meeting gives him a chance to discover what they have in common.Then Lisa explains blind date, meaning a date with someone you haven’t met before, and the phrasal verb set up, used here to describe arranging for two people to meet as possible romantic partners. You’ll also practice the pronunciation of compatible, with stress on the second syllable.In this lesson:• Idiom: Go on a blind date• Phrasal verb: Set up• Pronunciation: Compatible• Bonus: The history of “blind date,” plus a review of “break the ice” and “warm up to someone”Practice question: Would you ever go on a blind date, or have you gone on one before?Music licensed through SoundstripeCode: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM

What does it mean to “hit the gym”?In this episode of English American Style, Asher tells Hazel about getting back into a regular exercise routine. Their conversation introduces the American English idiom hit the gym, meaning to go to the gym to exercise. Asher Hits the GymThen Lisa breaks down the phrasal verb warm up, including several ways it can be used in everyday English, and practices the pronunciation of flexibility.In this lesson:• Idiom: Hit the gym• Phrasal verb: Warm up• Pronunciation: Flexibility• Bonus: Four ways to use “warm up”Practice question: Do you hit the gym, or do you prefer to exercise somewhere else?

Hazel needs a new laptop, but the first one she likes is more expensive than she expected. Follow Hazel and Asher as they compare options and find a better deal while learning everyday American English in context.In this lesson, you’ll learn the idiom “cost an arm and a leg,” the phrasal verb “cut back on,” and practice pronouncing “economical.”Listen to the story first, then stay for Lisa’s review and pronunciation practice.Music licensed through Soundstripe Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM

Hazel is nervous at her first photography club meeting because she doesn’t know anyone. In this episode, she learns what Americans mean by “break the ice,” how to use the phrasal verb “warm up,” and how to pronounce “introduction.” You’ll also hear where the idiom “break the ice” came from.Music licensed through Soundstripe Code: WWXSKWT0LQQ0ELNM