Thanksgiving, a Traditional American Holiday

November 29, 2014 18:38 UTC USA Thanksgiving, a Traditional American Holiday

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Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November. The month of November comes in autumn, the main season for harvesting crops. Thanksgiving is an autumn harvest festival like those found in many cultures. Today the holiday is a time of family reunions, parades and watching football games on television. And, oh, yes, food! For millions of Americans, Thanksgiving is a day spent cooking, eating and spending time together. The writer O. Henry called Thanksgiving the one holiday that is purely American. It is not a religious holiday. But it does have a spiritual meaning. Some Americans travel long distances to be with their families. They eat a large dinner, which is the main part of the celebration. For many people, Thanksgiving is the only time when all members of a family gather together. The holiday is a time of family and family reunions. The government says the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for long-distance travel. This is when people usually return from gatherings. Thanksgiving is all about family and food But let’s get back to the food. The star of the Thanksgiving meal is the turkey! Roasted turkey is the main dish in a traditional American Thanksgiving meal Roasted turkey is the main dish in a traditional American Thanksgiving meal This large bird roasts in the oven all morning. The smell of celery, onion and herbs fill the house and makes everyone hungry. Two traditional side dishes are mashed potatoes and sweet potato casseroles. And there is another -- stuffing -- a bread-and-vegetable mixture that is literally stuffed into the turkey and then baked. While people cook the Thanksgiving meal and talk with family members and friends, others might be watching American football games on television. Two American traditions, Thanksgiving Day parade and football Over the years, Americans have added this tradition to their Thanksgiving celebrations. A number of football games are played on Thanksgiving Day. Another tradition is the television broadcast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Spiderman balloon in Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 28, 2013. The Spiderman balloon in Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 28, 2013. The parade takes place every year in New York City. Employees of the Macy's store on Herald Square organized the first parade in 1924. Many of the workers were immigrants and wanted to hold a big parade like the ones in Old World Europe. So they dressed in special costumes and borrowed some animals from the zoo. They also carried small balloons that floated just overhead. And then sometime in the afternoon, the dinner table is set. It is time for what everyone has been waiting for. Dinner is served! Some families have more than one dinner table at Thanksgiving. Children may eat together at their own table. Usually, the people who are invited to dinner belong to the same family. But anyone can bring a friend. In fact, many Americans live far away from family members. So, getting together at Thanksgiving is not always possible. Many people in this situation have a dinner party and invite their friends who are also without family for the holidays. Serving those less fortunate It is important to remember that the United States is home to many poor and homeless people. They cannot buy a Thanksgiving dinner or spend the holiday with friends and family. All across the country, religious and service organizations provide holiday meals for older adults, the homeless and the poor. Richard Brown (L) is hugged by volunteer Jane Johnson during Thanksgiving meal served to the homeless in 2013 Richard Brown (L) is hugged by volunteer Jane Johnson during Thanksgiving meal served to the homeless in 2013 Whether you are eating with family and friends or serving meals to the homeless, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Before the meal begins, it is traditional for everyone to say a few words about what they are most thankful for. I’m Anna Matteo. Happy Thanksgiving! ______________________________________________________________ Turkey Fun Facts According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 253 million turkeys were raised from January 2013 through September 2014. An estimated 46 million turkeys were raised in the state of Minnesota alone. You can buy a turkey from the store or directly from a turkey farm. Buying a turkey directly from a turkey farm costs more because they are raised in pastures and without the use of antibiotics. The average 16-pound turkey costs about $21.65 in 2014. This is slightly less than it cost in 2013. A more recent Thanksgiving tradition is the U.S. President pardoning a turkey -- or saving it from being killed. Jerri Watson wrote this story. George Grow edited it. The production music is titled “The Holly and the Ivy” and is not available for redistribution.

November 23, 2014 22:51 UTC
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Latin America Catholics Converting to Protestants 

In this July 27, 2013 file photo, Pope Francis waves to people from his popemobile in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Latin Americans who were born into Roman Catholic families have increasingly left the faith for Protestant churches, while many others have dropped organized religion altogether in a major shift in the region’s religious identity, according to a survey released Thursday Nov. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

Latin American Catholics Converting to Protestants

 Almost 40 percent of the world’s Catholic population, about 425 million people, lives in Latin America. In 2013, for the first time in history, a Latin American, Pope Francis, became head of the Catholic Church.

But a recent study from the Pew Research Center says people in Latin America have increasingly lost faith in the Catholic Church. The study looked at religious beliefs and practices in 18 countries in South and Central Americas and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

A significant number of people are switching from Catholicism to Protestantism. Experts say that from 1900 to the 1960s, at least 90 percent of Latin Americans were Catholic. But the new Pew study suggests that membership in the Catholic Church has decreased as much as 20 percent. Members of God's Assembly attend a Pentecostal service in September 2014.Members of God's Assembly attend a Pentecostal service in September 2014.

Members of God's Assembly attend a Pentecostal service in September 2014.

Most new Protestants are members of Pentecostal denominations. Pentecostals believe in what they call “gifts of the Holy Spirit.” These gifts include things like divine healing and exorcism-- the practice of forcing an evil spirit to leave a certain place or a person’s body. Many say they have seen or experienced a sudden cure from illness or injury by a divine healing. Another of these gifts is ‘speaking in tongues’ – an act that many Pentecostals believe is a personal conversation with God.

Maria Helena de Almeida is a member of one Pentecostal denomination in Brazil. She says she turned away from Catholicism as a teenager because she wanted to become closer to God.

“I was baptized and christened, but I was empty inside and I knew something was lacking. Even though I was Catholic, I never prayed to idols, because I believed there was a Supreme Being - God! And I used to talk to Him. When I was a child, my neighbor used to take me to a Protestant church, and that's where I met God. That's why, at age 18, I became a Protestant.”

Religious views often differ within Latin American families. Ms. de Almeida says some members of her family remain Catholics, including her mother and brother.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis met with a group of Protestants in southern Italy. He wanted to apologize on behalf of Catholics around the world who treated those converting to Pentecostalism unfairly.

"I am the shepherd of the Catholics and I ask you to forgive my Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil," he said.

Though many are leaving Catholicism, Latin Americans have a generally favorable opinion of Pope Francis. At least half of Catholics in 14 countries have a very favorable opinion of him. But former Catholics do not have strong feelings one way or the other towards the Roman Catholic Church leader.

Many Catholics believe some of the church’s teachings do need to be changed. About 65 percent of Catholics questioned in the study say the church should permit birth control. Around 60 percent say the church should end its ban on divorce.

Last month, Pope Francis convened a two-week synod to discuss the church’s teachings. Even without any change, some observers believe the synod was a signal that the church might ease its position eventually.

I’m Jonathan Evans.



 Jonathan Evans wrote this story for Learning English. This story contains additional material from Religion News Service and the Pew Research Center. Hai Do was the editor. ______________________________________________________________

Words in this Story 

Catholic - n. a person who is a member of the Roman Catholic Church

denomination - n. a religious group

Pentecostal - n. a member of a Pentecostal religious body that emphasizes individual experiences of grace, spiritual gifts such speaking in tongues and divine healing, expressive worship and evangelism

Protestant – n. a member of one of the Christian churches that separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century



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Scientists Create New Maps of Ocean Floor

BY: October 17, 2014 03:02 UTC Science in the New Scientists Create New Maps of Ocean Floor We know more about the surface of the planet Mars than we know about what is at the bottom of Earth’s oceans. Until recently, scientists had mapped only about 20 percent of the sea floor. But our knowledge of the deep seas is changing because of information from satellites. Scientists have produced a new map that provides a detailed picture of the oceans. The map is expected to help oceanographers, industry and governments. The new map is two times as detailed as the map made 20 years ago. David Sandwell is a geophysics professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California. He and other scientists worked on the mapping project. He says they turned to space to look deeper into the ocean. He spoke to VOA on SKYPE. “The way we’re doing that is to use a satellite altimeter, a radar to map the topography of the ocean surface. Now that seems sort of strange that you'd map the topography of the ocean surface when you really want to get at the sea floor. But, the ocean surface topography has these bumps and dips due to gravitational effects that mimic what’s on the sea floor.” The scientists collected and studied information from two satellites. Some of the data came from the European Space Agency's Cryo-2 satellite. It was placed in Earth’s orbit to watch sea ice. The other satellite is the American space agency’s Jason-1. It is studying the surface of the oceans. Scientists combined the satellite data with images gathered by sonar equipment on ships. Sonar works by sending sound waves through the water. When the sound waves hit an object, its presence is confirmed. “That enables us to look at smaller-scale features and also features that are buried by sediments in the ocean basins.” The new map shows the sea floor as it has never been seen before. It shows thousands of underwater mountains and places where continents pulled apart. It shows where earthquakes were active many years ago. They all are buried deep underneath the ocean floor. In one place, three mountain ridges join at the same area. Huge tectonic plates can be seen clearly there. “It’s called the Indian Ocean Triple Junction. It’s one of my favorite spots in the ocean because it really displays the theoretical aspects of plate tectonics perfectly. You have three plates -- the African plate, and the Indo-Australian plate and the Antarctic plate -- all connected at this one point in the center of the Indian Ocean.” David Sandwell says the map is a powerful tool for fisheries, those interested in protecting the environment and for oil exploration. “(The) petroleum exploration industry is interested in how to reconnect the continents, bring them back together tectonically so you can map the basins (on) one continental margin -- say, Africa -- and use that to establish where the similar basin would be on the other continental margin in South America.” If scientists know that information, they may be able to find oil fields. The new data also will help scientists improve their estimates of ocean depths. This information can help ships travel safely and improve military operations and scientific projects worldwide. “This new gravity map really provides a reconnaissance tool for planning shipboard surveys. You don’t have to go out with your ship and start looking for something new -- we can target that with the gravity and then go out with the ship and do the high resolution survey to really understand these features.” Mr. Sandwell thinks scientists will make many more discoveries as they examine the new map and the information it provides. The work is described in the journal Science. I’m Christopher Cruise. This story was reported by VOA Science Correspondent Rosanne Skirble. Christopher Cruise wrote the story for Learning English. He also produced the program. The editor was George Grow. _____________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
surface – n. the upper layer of an area of land or water
map – n. a picture or chart that shows the rivers, mountains and streets in a particular area
detailed – adj. including many details; including a lot of information
device – n. an object, machine, or piece of equipment that has been made for some special purpose
underneath – prep. below or beneath (something)
 underneath

EVALUATION  

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Music You Won’t Hear Anywhere Else

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Hello, and welcome to As It Is from VOA Learning English! I’m Christopher Cruise in Washington. Today on the program we will hear music from one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans, Louisiana.. “They be playin’ in the parks. They be playin’ in the Back Street Culture Museum, and St. Augustine’s Church, and you can also catch them in Congo Square playing New Orleans music.” Music from a place with a style all its own, today on As It Is… Brass Bands in New Orleans and on TV Many people are still talking about the fourth and final season of the HBO television program “Treme.” The show was set in a neighborhood unlike any other. Treme is one of the oldest parts of New Orleans, and a place with a style of music all its own. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. And within the city, many will tell you that jazz began in Treme, in a place called “Congo Square.” For almost 300 years, African-Americans have been coming to Congo Square to play music and dance. And for over a century, the music they play and dance to has been the music of brass bands. Benny Jones, Sr. is the leader of the Treme Brass Band. “They be playin’ in the parks. They be playin’ in the Back Street Culture Museum, and St. Augustine’s Church, and you can also catch them in Congo Square playing New Orleans music.” New Orleans is a city not just of jazz, but of parades -- everything from Mardi Gras parades to funeral parades. And when jazz musicians march in the street it is called “Second Line” music. Benny Jones says the name “Second Line,” comes from the music’s beginnings in the military. “The band would play right behind the soldiers -- that’s where the brass band got the name ‘Second Line.’ They were playing marching music. So when they got to the streets, they changed the beat of the music. They put the New Orleans beat in it, puttin’ the street beat on the bass drum and which a snare drum would tie into it and therefore how come it come to be a Second Line brass band.” Much of the marching that Second Line brass bands do is to burial grounds. “You can always -- at any given time -- you may see a band leaving a funeral parlor or church doing a New Orleans traditional jazz funeral. If you’re playing for an older person, you’re looking for a strait-out, traditional Jazz funeral: ‘A Closer Walk with Thee,’ ‘In the Sweet By-And-By,’ ‘Precious Lord’ -- that is funeral music. And when you’re playing for younger people, today they ache for the up-tempo music. So they hire a young band and they do a real up-tempo music for their funeral.” Hurricane Katrina destructionHurricane Katrina destruction In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans. The Treme neighborhood was especially hard-hit. Benny Jones and most of his band moved to the western United States after the storm. Today, however, Treme is recovering. And Mr. Jones sees plenty to suggest that the area’s traditions will carry on. “I played in the Young Men’s Olympic Parade. I’m the leader of a band -- they like traditional music. Right behind me they have another traditional band. In the back, they have another, modern music, now the younger band they play the up-tempo music, like the rebirth music. So everybody’s playing a variety of music on the parade.” Today, the music continues to change. Young people respect the brass band tradition, while adding modern sounds like reggae and hip-hop. It is a kind of music that keeps marching on. And that’s our program for today. It was based on a story by reporter Richard Paul. Next Monday on As It Is we will have another report about American music. We will tell about the growing popularity of mariachi music -- especially in the states along the border with Mexico. And we will tell how some Americans used music to support and then oppose an amendment to the United States Constitution. We would like to know what you want to hear about on a future show. We read every message you send us. Write to us at: VOA Learning English Washington, DC 20237 USA Or send an e-mail to: LearningEnglish@VOANews.com You can also go to our website -- learningenglish.voanews.com -- and click “Contact Us.” While you are there, you can read, listen to and download our programs. You can follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, iTunes, Twitter and on our YouTube Channel, all at VOA Learning English. I’m Christopher Cruise. Thanks for listening!

What is the Best Way to Learn a Language?

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U.S. first lady Michelle Obama learns some Chinese from pre-school students at the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School in Washington. ( March 2014)



From VOA Learning English this is As It Is.  I’m Anna Matteo in Washington.

Today on, As It Is, we will hear about something our listeners do every day they hear, read or watch VOA Learning English --  learning a second language.

We will hear whether being surrounded by a foreign language, or immersed in it, is the best way to learn a language.  Or are traditional lectures with grammar rules and vocabulary lists the best way to learn to speak like a native speaker.

Steve Ember has more on that topic.

What is the best way to learn a new language?  A small study of foreign language learning in adults compared two methods. One is known as the explicit or classroom method.  This is the kind of traditional classroom teaching where students are taught a lot of information about grammar rules.

The other method is known as the implicit or immersion method. The idea here is to learn much the way children do when they learn a native language. That is, by being with native speakers and absorbing the language that surrounds them, generally without a lot of explanation. Teachers may combine these two methods into what Professor Michael Ullman calls immersion-style classroom teaching. But is that necessarily a better way to learn a language?

Mr. Ullman was the senior investigator for the new study. He is a professor of neuroscience at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington.  He says he was surprised to find that combining the two methods might not help the brain in processing the new language.

MICHAEL ULLMAN: "You know, if my life were on the line, and I had to learn a language, what would I do? I'm not sure. One possibility would be that, to start with explicit and then go to immersion, right? Start with classroom and then go to immersion. But there is this possibility that classroom could hurt later immersion. That's what, you know, one possibility of interpreting our data."

The twenty-one adults in the experiment learned Brocanto2, a thirteen-word language created for the study. The words and grammar rules relate to a computer game similar to chess that the learners played. For example, "Blom neimo lu neep li praz" means "The square blom-piece switches with the neep-piece."
                             
The researchers tested the people three to six months after they had learned the language, to see how well they could remember it. The study found that those who had learned it with the immersion method had brain waves similar to those of native speakers of a language when speaking that language.                                                                      

Professor Ullman says those who trained with the classroom method also became more native-like in their brain processing.  But only the immersion group showed full native-like processing of the grammar.  Still, he says teachers should be careful how they use the results of his study.

MICHAEL ULLMAN: "You know I would not make any curriculum changes based on this. Nevertheless, it is suggestive, and I think it warrants further research to see whether in fact what kind of training might in fact be best not just for reaching the native brain bases but also for, you know, maximum proficiency in different aspects of language, like grammar, you know, syntax and lexicon. So I think further research is warranted. And it may be, for example, that a combination of classroom and immersion might be best. But we don't know that."

I'm Steve Ember.

And I’m Anna Matteo.

So which way of learning a language is working best for you?  Do you think immersion is the best way to learn a language? Or do you believe the traditional lecture model is good enough? Let us know in our comment section!

And find us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for more Learning English stories.

What is the best way to learn a language?

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What is the best way to learn a language? Question image QUIZ link:

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immersion (adj.) "The other method is known as the implicit or immersion method." In this article, what does immersion mean?

•  a way of teaching languages that involves both traditional and non-traditional methods 
• not speaking your native language at all while another language 
• learning a language in everyday life and not in a classroom
• a method of learning a foreign language by being taught entirely in that language 

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Hundreds of California Homes in Need of Water

Vickie Yorba, 94, stands next to a water tank in front of her home in East Porterville, California, Sept. 15, 2014. Her water well is one of 290 in the area that ran dry in the state’s historic drought. (AP Photo/Scott Smith)

10/12/2014  

Severe drought has struck California for a third year. The lack of water is affecting farms, cities and small communities. California’s Central Valley is usually fertile. But the lack of rainfall has left hundreds of homes without water.                                                  
The Porterville Area Coordinating Council provides food and other help to needy families. But right now, the families badly need water. Some of the land has not been planted because of lack of water. A man drives up to an old food-package house. The building serves as the headquarters of the Porterville Area Coordinating Council. The man’s pick-up truck is loaded with plastic barrels. A volunteer fills these containers with water. Nearby people are loading cars and other vehicles with cases of drinking water. 
Debbie Martinez lives on a ranch, a large farm that is not connected to the local water system. She has a water well. But she says it is dry.
“Yes, it’s been (dry) three years. My neighbor had given me water, but their wells are going dry, too.”
California’s system of aqueducts carries water to cities and small towns. But this part of Tulare County is far from any city. A lower than normal amount of water under the ground has left some wells with little or no water. Council volunteer Fred Beltran says this situation has affected more than 300 homes in this neighborhood.
“And these are all individual wells that are drying up or they’re pumping poor quality of water, which is either sand, dirt or high nitrates.”
California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed bills to regulate ground water to prevent shortages. He ordered delivery of emergency drinking water for people who have none.                                  
Tulare County water expert Denise England says people need clean water for drinking and cooking. 
“But the bigger challenge we’re facing now is what we’re calling sanitation water, so water that’s not potable, that’s not drinkable, but you can take a shower with it or do your dishes with it or bathe.”
Elva Beltran directs the Porterville Area Coordinating Council. She says her group has provided large open-air water tanks for many people. She says, “We have 54 tanks right now.”
The Council gets its money from area residents and religious groups.
Much of the work here involves giving water to people like Michael Burrough.
“I don’t know what else to do. All the water we can get is from the sources like right here. Other than that, I have to buy water and I don’t really have the extra money to buy cases of water.”
Officials say providing these families with water is highly important. But for now, the people depend on their neighbors, local government and private agencies to get the water they need to survive.
I’m Anna Matteo.
This report was based on a story from VOA reporter Mike O’Sullivan. Jeri Watson wrote the story for Learning English. The editor was George Grow. 
_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

right now – idiom, immediately
well – n., a deep hole in the ground through which water can be removed
ranch – n., a large farm for raising horses, beef cattle or sheep
delivery – n., the act of taking something to a person or place; something taken to a person or place
regulate – v., to make regulations (rules) for
aqueduct – n., an artificial channel for conveying water
resident – n., a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis 

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OTHER WORDS:  BY:

drought

      n   sequía    f  

Traducción diccionario Collins Ingles - Espanol   

drought-stricken exp. aquejado de sequía

drought-stricken	exp.	afectado por la sequía
drought is the curse of Spain	exp.	la sequía es el azote de España
last summer's drought is a dis...	exp.	la sequía del verano pasado es ya un recuerdo lejano
an annual cycle of drought alter...	exp.	un ciclo anual de sequías alternando con inundaciones
the worst drought in {or} ...	exp.	la peor sequía que se recuerda

» Ver todos los resultados

***

drought también se encontró en el diccionario Español-Inglés
aquí la sequía es una plaga	exp.	drought is a scourge here
la sequía hizo estragos en el ...	exp.	the drought wreaked havoc in the countryside
el informe estudia los efec...	exp.	the report examines {o} looks into the effects of the drought struck       pt, pp     -   strike    awe-struck      adj   pasmado, atemorizado   horror-struck      adj     →   horror-stricken   Traducción diccionario Collins Ingles - Espanol    Diccionario colaborativo     Inglés-Español to be struck dumb exp. quedarse sin habla [Fig.] he struck it rich exp. le salió el gordo (IDIOMS) a sound struck my ear exp. un ruido hirió mi oído [Liter.] his head struck the beam exp. dio con la cabeza contra {or} en la viga the clock struck the hour exp. el reloj dio la hora to be struck by lightning exp. ser alcanzado por un rayo the ship struck an iceberg exp. el buque chocó con {or} contra un iceberg the clock struck the half-hour exp. el reloj dio y media {or} dio la media it forcefully struck him that ... exp. le llamó poderosamente la atención que ... the tower was struck by lightning exp. cayó un rayo en la torre the tower was struck by lightning exp. la torre fue alcanzada por un rayo he survived being struck by lightning exp. sobrevivió tras haberle caído un rayo the storm struck violently and destructively exp. la tormenta se abatió violenta y destructiva a ghastly sight struck our eyes exp. se nos presentó un panorama horroroso they struck sparks off each other exp. por efecto mutuo hacían chispear el ingenio (IDIOMS) his van allegedly struck two people exp. según se afirma {or} supuestamente, su furgon... his speech struck the right/wrong note exp. su discurso fue/no fue acertado the clock has struck exp. ha dado la hora ya where the lightning struck exp. donde cayó el rayo » Ver todos los resultados *** struck también se encontró en el diccionario Español-Inglés recibir un golpe exp. be struck lo vino Dios a ver exp. he struck lucky (MODISMOS) se sacó la lotería exp. he struck lucky [Fig.] se le apareció la Virgen exp. he struck lucky le cayó {o} le tocó la lotería exp. he struck lucky [Fig.] quedarse en la luna de Paita exp. to be struck dumb [Latam] Andes;(MO... el reloj dio las tres exp. the clock struck three acaban de sonar las diez exp. it has just struck ten el buque chocó con una mina exp. the ship struck a mine le asaltó una idea exp. he was struck by an idea