Digest

This podcast episode from VOA Learning English covers a range of topics, starting with a report on the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. It highlights the success of vaccination campaigns in driving the disease out of much of the world but also addresses the challenges in eliminating polio completely, particularly in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The episode then shifts to the issue of school attendance in the U.S., exploring the challenges faced by schools in ensuring regular student attendance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines various factors contributing to absenteeism, including mental health struggles, transportation issues, and a shift in attitudes towards school. The episode then delves into the meaning of absenteeism in the context of education, explaining its significance and the concerns surrounding its increase after the pandemic. It also discusses potential reasons for the rise in absenteeism, including confusion about when to stay home and a possible shift in attitudes towards school. The latter part of the episode focuses on American English pronunciation and expressions. It addresses the use of hesitation noises like "uh" and "um" in American English, providing examples and opportunities for listeners to practice. The episode then explores common American English expressions used in apologies and responses, highlighting the frequent use of "sorry" and the acceptance of apologies with phrases like "it's okay," "no problem," and "no worries." The episode continues to explore other common American English expressions, including those used to express surprise, like "oh my gosh" and "oh my god." It explains the origins of these expressions and discusses the use of "gosh" as an alternative to "god" for religious reasons. Finally, the episode concludes by highlighting the common American English expression "bye-bye" used to end a conversation, emphasizing its informal nature and use in both spoken and written communication.

Outlines

00:00:00

Global Health and Education Challenges

This episode explores global polio eradication efforts, highlighting the success of vaccination campaigns and the ongoing challenges in eliminating the disease completely. It also examines the challenges faced by schools in the U.S. regarding student attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring factors contributing to absenteeism and potential solutions.

00:18:11

American English Pronunciation and Expressions

This segment focuses on pronunciation practice, specifically addressing the use of hesitation noises like "uh" and "um" in American English. It then explores common American English expressions used in apologies and responses, surprise, and ending conversations.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the main challenges in eradicating polio worldwide?

  The main challenges include reaching remote areas, maintaining high vaccination rates, and addressing vaccine hesitancy in some communities.

• What are some of the reasons for the increase in school absenteeism after the pandemic?

  Reasons include mental health struggles, transportation issues, a shift in attitudes towards school, and a lack of understanding about the importance of regular attendance.

• How are schools trying to address the issue of absenteeism?

  Schools are implementing various strategies, including identifying students with attendance problems, communicating better with parents, and offering incentives like financial rewards or mentorship programs.

• What are some common American English expressions used to express surprise?

  Common expressions include "oh my gosh," "oh my god," and "gee whiz." These expressions are often used in informal settings and reflect a range of emotions, from excitement to shock.

• How can listeners practice their pronunciation of hesitation noises?

  Listeners can practice by using the pronunciation practice videos available on the VOA Learning English website, which provide examples and opportunities to repeat the sounds.

Show Notes