https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/987 Learn English as you read and listen to a weekly show about American idioms and expressions. Our stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English. Download free texts, MP3s and PDFs. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US-LEARN/img/logo.png https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/987 en 2026 - VOA 60 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:15:46 +0000 Pangea CMS – VOA Spring is an exciting time, but watching grass grow in any season is not something people want to be doing. Find out what it means when people say something is “like watching grass grow.” https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/watching-the-grass-grow-is-not-fun/8003108.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/watching-the-grass-grow-is-not-fun/8003108.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8008674.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8008674.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:11:48 +0000 Words and Their Stories https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8006750.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8006750.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:14:12 +0000 Words and Their Stories Spring in the U.S. means that the landscape is turning green. So, it is a good time to teach some idioms and expressions using the word "green." Some may surprise you. Is having a "green thumb" a good thing or something that needs a doctor's care? You will hear all about it in this program. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/words-and-their-stories-green-idioim-expressions-garden-jealousy/2688277.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/words-and-their-stories-green-idioim-expressions-garden-jealousy/2688277.html Sat, 08 Mar 2025 22:05:59 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8001669.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/8001669.html Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:40:50 +0000 Words and Their Stories A dish is more than something you put food on. Find out about different uses of the term on this Words and Their Stories program. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-to-dish-up-something-good/7980848.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-to-dish-up-something-good/7980848.html Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7990601.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7990601.html Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:33:14 +0000 Words and Their Stories English has several expressions that come from older technology. Today, we explore "dailing in," "tuning in," and "moving the needle." https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-importance-of-being-dialed-in-/7979814.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-importance-of-being-dialed-in-/7979814.html Sat, 22 Feb 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7982443.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7982443.html Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:30:01 +0000 Words and Their Stories Some birds, called raptors, are known for their extremely sharp vision. Eagles, hawks, and owls can see their prey from very far away. Learn how we use these birds in our English expressions. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/don-t-miss-a-thing-with-eagle-eyes-/7963085.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/don-t-miss-a-thing-with-eagle-eyes-/7963085.html Sat, 15 Feb 2025 22:00:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7973671.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7973671.html Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:08:42 +0000 Words and Their Stories This week on Words and Their Stories, we find out about expressions to describe when two people have a lot of similarities or are very close. They might work together. But do not read too much into that. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/what-does-it-take-to-be-a-power-couple-/7963076.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/what-does-it-take-to-be-a-power-couple-/7963076.html Sat, 08 Feb 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7964022.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7964022.html Wed, 05 Feb 2025 19:45:21 +0000 Words and Their Stories There are many types of politics that do not involve a specific political party. This story talks about several. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/what-are-kitchen-table-politics-/7953635.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/what-are-kitchen-table-politics-/7953635.html Sat, 01 Feb 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7957843.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7957843.html Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:13:01 +0000 Words and Their StoriesScience & Technology https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7956092.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7956092.html Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:49:43 +0000 Words and Their Stories This week on Words and Their Stories, we talk about expressions describing taking on too much. We cannot always add to our list of things to do. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/sometimes-we-spread-ourself-too-thin-/7940837.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/sometimes-we-spread-ourself-too-thin-/7940837.html Sat, 25 Jan 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7941440.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7941440.html Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:43:47 +0000 Words and Their Stories Some of our body movements happen without thought. Learn two of them in this "Words and Their Stories." https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/knee-jerk-when-you-are-not-in-control-/7937763.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/knee-jerk-when-you-are-not-in-control-/7937763.html Sat, 18 Jan 2025 22:05:00 +0000 Words and Their StoriesLessons of the Day https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7939224.html https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/7939224.html Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:20:45 +0000 Words and Their Stories