🎖️Today is Veterans Day here in the United States, and it is a holiday to celebrate those who have served in the military. To help celebrate the day, we have a special episode of the Learn English podcast. On this episode, we're diving into the fascinating history of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the cultural impact they had with their slogan "go for broke".

🇺🇸 The 442nd was a segregated unit made up of Japanese-American soldiers who fought bravely for their country. These soldiers faced discrimination at home, yet they risked everything to prove their loyalty and bravery on the battlefield. You'll hear how these soldiers went on to become one of the most decorated units in US military history. From breaking through the Gothic Line in Italy to rescuing the "Lost Battalion" in France, their courageous actions and willingness to "go for broke" in battle helped win WWII.

✨Their courage and sacrifice made “go for broke” a phrase that means risking it all in battle. In this episode, you’ll also discover how the phrase “go for broke” is still used in American English today. We’ll share clear examples of when and how to use this phrase in conversation, whether you’re talking about chasing a dream, taking a big risk, or giving it your best effort. By understanding the background of this expression, you’ll be able to use it naturally in your English. Join us as we explore this important chapter of American history and unpack the lasting impact of the 442nd's motto, which has become a widely-used English idiom.

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

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

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

📜 SOURCES

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/442nd-regimental-combat-team

https://www.nvlchawaii.org/442nd-regimental-combat-team/

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/04/05/this-japanese-american-army-unit-is-the-reason-we-celebrate-national-go-for-broke-day/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_for_Broke!_(1951_film)

📝 Vocabulary List:

1) Veterans Day – A holiday in the United States to honor people who have served in the military.

2) Isolationist: Someone who believes their country should avoid foreign wars and conflicts.

3) Internment camp: A camp where people are detained during wartime, often based on ethnicity.

4) Segregation: The practice of keeping people in separate groups, usually based on race or religion.

5) Decorated: Awarded with medals or honors, often in the military.

6) Patriotic: Having or showing love for one's country.

7) Casualties: People who are killed or injured in a war or accident.

8) Fortifications: Strong buildings or walls that protect an area during war.

9) Liberate: To free or release someone or something.

10) Go for broke: to risk everything in pursuit of a high reward

🗓️ It's the first week of November, and here in the United States that means it is almost Election Day. The US presidential election is one of the most closely watched events in the world with a lot of people waiting to see who will win. However, presidential elections in the United States can be confusing because a key part of the process is the Electoral College system. But how does this system work, and why was it created in the first place? And why doesn't the United States just elect the person who gets the most votes?

🗳️ In this episode, we explain the history and controversy surrounding the Electoral College, and why the popular vote doesn't always determine the winner. You'll learn about the original intentions behind this unique voting system, the role of electors, and the ongoing debates around its fairness and relevance in modern times. We’ll explore how the system still impacts elections today, giving extra influence to rural states and, at times, allowing candidates to win without the majority of vote. You'll also learn about the concept of "swing states" and which states will determine the next president of the United States.

🇺🇸 Whether you're a US citizen or just fascinated by American politics, understanding the Electoral College is crucial to making sense of presidential elections. By the end of the episode, you'll have a much clearer picture of this complex and sometimes confusing aspect of the US democratic process. Tune in and take a step closer to mastering English while staying informed about U.S. culture!

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

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

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

📜 SOURCES

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/nebraskas-blue-dot-prove-pivotal-electoral-college/story?id=115274378

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/22/1201183160/taylor-swift-instagram-voter-registration

https://x.com/tbonier/status/1828457890228629534

https://www.vox.com/politics/23848897/florida-red-trump-desantis-republican-2024-election

📝 Vocabulary List:

1) Electoral College - the system in the US where electors from each state vote to elect the president, rather than a direct popular vote

2) Discretion - the freedom to make decisions or choices

3) Literacy - the ability to read and write

4) Fraction - a small part of something

5) Diverse - including people of many different races, cultures, etc.

6) Rural - relating to the countryside rather than the town

7) Swing state - a state where voters are fairly evenly divided between the two main political parties, so it could go either way in an election

8) Voter registration - the process of signing up to be eligible to vote in an election

9) Upset - a surprising defeat of the expected winner

10) It pains me - an expression used to convey emotional distress or sadness about a particular situation

🎃Halloween is nearly here and we are getting ready for it with this special episode of the Learn English Podcast. Halloween usually involves scary things such as witchcraft, ghosts, and magic. There's one cultural event in American history that has all of these elements that frequently gets mentioned at Halloween, and that is the Salem Witch Trials. But what were the trials and why did they occur?

🧙‍♀️Join us as we discuss this dark chapter of American history. From the trials themselves to the cultural impact, we'll uncover the truth behind this haunting period. In the late 1600's, people believed in witches, and in one small town, fear took control. In this episode, you’ll discover the details of the Salem Witch Trials, including what life was like in Puritan Massachusetts. The Puritan's strict religious beliefs and culture helped create the atmosphere that led panic that occurred in Salem.

🕯️We’ll also explore different theories about why these accusations of witchcraft began. We'll analyze the evidence, question the motivations behind the accusations, and discuss the lasting legacy of the Salem Witch Trials. And finally, we'll recommend resources you can use to learn more about the trials while also improving your English.

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

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

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

Streaming guide: https://www.justwatch.com/ and https://watchany.stream/

📜 SOURCES

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/09/07/the-witches-of-salem

https://www.travelandleisure.com/salem-massachusetts-halloween-season-7871591

📝 Vocabulary List:

1) Accused - Blamed or charged with a crime or wrongdoing.

2) Colonized - Settled and established control over an area.

3) Puritan - a member of a Protestant group in the 16th and 17th centuries that sought to purify the Church of England

4) Bewitched - to influence or affect as if by witchcraft

5) Submissive - Willing to obey or follow others.

6) Pious - Deeply religious and following religious rules

7) Shunned - Deliberately ignored or avoided.

8) Contorting - Twisting or bending out of shape.

9) Mass Panic - A widespread and intense fear among many people.

10) Convulsions - Sudden, involuntary movements of the body.

11) Hallucinations - Experiences of seeing or hearing things that aren’t real.

12) Remorse - Regret or sorrow for a wrongdoing.

13) Convicted - Found guilty of a crime in a court of law.

14) Haunted - Believed to be inhabited by ghosts.

15) Psychic - A person who claims to have abilities to perceive beyond the physical senses.