English Speeches' Newsletter #22

Learn English with Speeches, News, Grammar, Quizzes & More

Presented by

Hello, English Speeches community!

We're thrilled to bring you the 22nd edition of our newsletter, packed with enriching content to supercharge your English learning journey. Here's a quick look at what's in store for you:

  • 🌍 Unlocking the Past: This week, we delve into a 4,000-year-old rock that's a treasure map for archaeologists. Learn key terms like 'archaeology' and 'slab' while exploring this fascinating discovery.

  • 📝 Master the Art of Persuasion: Our Article of the Week offers a treasure trove of over 400 persuasive speech topics. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned speaker, you'll find fresh and engaging topics that resonate with your audience.

  • 🎬 A Magical Movie Experience: Hop on the Hogwarts Express with us as we explore 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' in our 'Learn English with Movies' series. Our animated guide, Anna, will help you dissect the movie's rich vocabulary, grammar, and themes.

  • 🎤 The Power of Storytelling: Don't miss our featured speech by award-winning journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay. She discusses the art of storytelling in journalism, offering a unique blend of narrative craftsmanship and cultural context.

We can't wait for you to dive into this week's content. Your feedback fuels our passion, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts. Enjoy and happy learning! 😊

🌍 ENGLISH WITH NEWS

4,000-Year-Old Rock: A Treasure Map for Archaeologists

This week, we're diving into an exciting discovery in the world of archaeology. A 4,000-year-old rock, known as the Saint-Belec slab, is making headlines as Europe's oldest known map. Found in northwestern France, this ancient slab is being used by researchers to find lost monuments and ancient sites. The markings on the slab could take up to 15 years to fully understand, but they are already helping to uncover new historical treasures.

Key Words:

  • Archaeology: (n.) the study of human history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts.

  • Slab: (n.) a large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or wood.

  • Monument: (n.) a statue, building, or other structure made to honor a person or event.

  • Treasure: (n.) valuable things like gold, jewels, or ancient artifacts.

  • Ancient: (adj.) belonging to the very distant past, often thousands of years ago.

This discovery is more than just a milestone in archaeology; it's a window into our past. It demonstrates how the quest for knowledge and the power of curiosity can unveil secrets that have been hidden for millennia!

📝 ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

400+ Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

This week, we're diving into a treasure trove of persuasive speech topics. The article provides a list of over 400 topics that are great for anyone interested in public speaking. These topics are neatly organized into categories, making it easier for you to find one that genuinely interests you.

Here are some key takeaways:

  • Choose What Interests You: The article emphasizes the importance of picking a topic that you are passionate about. This makes your speech more engaging and fun.

  • Fresh and Unique Topics: It suggests avoiding topics that have been overdone. Instead, look for something new and fresh that will grab your audience's attention.

  • Audience Matters: A good persuasive speech topic is one that your audience cares about. The article advises considering what your audience wants to hear.

  • Research and Delivery: The article also offers tips on researching, writing, and delivering your persuasive speech, making it a comprehensive guide for public speaking.

These tips are not just about rules; they're about practical application. For a more detailed look, we recommend checking out the complete article linked below.

🤝 PARTNERS

Quit sending emails like a dinosaur.

It’s the year 2023 and all the top newsletters are using beehiiv.

beehiiv was created by the same early Morning Brew employees who scaled their daily email to over 4 million subscribers. And now every newsletter on beehiiv has access to the same tools and winning formula.

So what exactly does beehiiv offer?

  • World-class growth tools like the referral program and recommendation network

  • Monetization via the beehiiv Ad Network and premium subscriptions (i.e. beehiiv helps you get paid)

  • Seamless content creation with a sleek collaborative editor

  • Best-in-class inbox deliverability of 98.7%

  • Oh and it’s the most affordable by a mile…

Take your newsletter to the next level — get started for free.

🎬 LEARN ENGLISH WITH MOVIES

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Welcome to a spellbinding new episode of 'Learn English with Movies,' where the magic of cinema meets the art of language learning. Today, we're boarding the Hogwarts Express to delve into the enchanting world of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' Your animated guide for this magical English lesson is Anna, who's as excited about wizardry as she is about teaching English!

Here's our mesmerizing line-up:

  • Wands and Words: We'll dissect the movie's captivating narrative, exploring its rich vocabulary, grammar, and themes.

  • Everyday Enchantments: To make complex language concepts easy to understand, we offer practical examples from the movie.

  • Emotions and Elixirs: Dive into the emotional depths of the characters and learn English expressions to articulate similar feelings.

  • Wizarding World Wonders: Gain insights into the magical universe of Harry Potter, enriching your understanding of this unique world.

Improve your English skills with our movie analysis on our YouTube channel. Engage in consistent practice and share your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy this cinematic learning experience!

🤔 SPEECH RECAP QUIZ

  1. What does "lightning-shaped" describe in the movie?
    a. Harry's wand
    b. Harry's scar
    c. The shape of a spell

  2. Who is Dudley?
    a. Harry's friend
    b. Harry's cousin
    c. Harry's pet owl

  3. What is the Philosopher's Stone capable of?
    a. Making someone invisible
    b. Granting eternal life
    c. Turning water into wine

Remember to check your answers. The correct solutions are provided at the end of this newsletter. Scroll down to see how you did!

📚 GRAMMAR ESSENTIALS

In each edition of our newsletter, we simplify tricky grammar rules to help you master English step by step. This week, we're focusing on Adjective Phrases and Compound Sentences, both prominently featured in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.'

What are Adjective Phrases?

An adjective phrase is a group of words that describe a noun. For example, in the phrase "a baby boy with a lightning-shaped scar," "with a lightning-shaped scar" is an adjective phrase describing "a baby boy."

What are Compound Sentences?

A compound sentence is made of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction like "and," "but," or "so." For example, "Harry befriends Ron and Hermione, and their bond grows strong quickly."

Examples from 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone':

Adjective Phrase: "Harry, Ron, and Hermione uncover a hidden secret."

Compound Sentence: "Harry is a wizard, but he doesn't know it."

Common Mistakes:

Don't confuse adjective phrases with adverb phrases. Understanding the context is key to grasping the intended meaning.

Mastering these grammar essentials will make you more fluent in English. Consistent practice is the key to overcoming any language barriers you may face.

🌟 ENGLISH TOOL

Download from Our Premium Library!

We've crafted the English Speeches Exclusive Library just for you!

For those of you who have been eagerly waiting for more ways to delve deeper into our content, here is what you will get:

  • 📚 Dive Into a Vast Library: Gain immediate access to over 250 folders, nearly 1,000 files from the speeches showcased on our channel.

  • 🎙️ Sharpen Your Listening Skills: Enjoy detailed speech transcripts and immersive audio recordings to perfect your comprehension and pronunciation.

  • 📩 Weekly Learning Boost: Every week, receive an email with the latest speech's PDF transcript, audio, and a specially designed English lesson. Dive in, learn, and repeat!

  • 🌱 Stay Updated & Engaged: With new premium content added regularly, your learning experience will always feel fresh and engaging.

Don't just take our word for it! Here's what some of our subscribers have to say:

Learning is a journey, and every speech is a new destination. We deeply trust in the value of our work and its impact on those learning English. That's why we're offering a 30-day trial for you to explore and experience firsthand. Get your FREE trial today!

🎤 ENGLISH SPEECHES

Palki Sharma: The Art of Storytelling in Journalism

In this edition, we bring you an insightful speech by Palki Sharma Upadhyay, an award-winning journalist and Managing Director at Wion, India's only international news channel. Palki delves into the power of storytelling and the need for homegrown perspectives in journalism.

Why this speech is a must-listen for English learners:

  • Narrative Craftsmanship: Palki discusses the art of storytelling, offering English learners a chance to explore vocabulary related to narrative techniques and journalism.

  • Cultural Context: Understanding the speech requires a grasp of Indian history and current affairs, enriching your English learning with cultural knowledge.

  • Formal Language: Palki's speech is a great example of formal English, helping you understand the tone and vocabulary used in professional settings.

  • Global Perspectives: The speech touches on international relations and media, giving you a range of vocabulary that is globally relevant.

Don't forget, you can download the transcripts, audio files, and English lessons related to this speech from our exclusive library.

📝 VOCABULARY SPOTLIGHT

In this edition, we're focusing on the words 'perspective', 'colonized', and 'validation' from Palki Sharma's speech.

Perspective: This noun means a particular way of considering something. It is often used to talk about different viewpoints on the same issue.

Example in a sentence: "Palki Sharma emphasizes the importance of sharing India's perspective on global issues."

Colonized: This is the past participle of the verb 'colonize,' which means to take control over another country, occupying it with settlers.

Example in a sentence: "Palki mentions that while India gained independence 75 years ago, many still feel colonized in their minds."

Validation: This noun refers to the action of confirming or approving something.

Example in a sentence: "She questions why Indians seek validation from foreign press."

Expand your English vocabulary with these intriguing words!

🗨️ SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE

"Weigh In On"

In this section, we're exploring a phrase used by Palki Sharma in her speech: "weigh in on."

"Weigh in on" is a phrase that means to give your opinion or thoughts about something, usually in a discussion or debate.

Example in a sentence: "Palki Sharma mentions that from tea sellers to CEOs, everyone in India can weigh in on both local and global issues."

Incorporating this phrase into your conversations can make your English sound more natural and fluent.

📖 ENGLISH RESOURCES

Ultimate English Mastery Combo

Unlock the power of English with this comprehensive combo, meticulously crafted by the English Speeches team, celebrated creators with over 4.5 million YouTube subscribers.

+3000 English Phrasal Verbs: Delve into the intricacies of English phrasal verbs with over 3000 entries, each accompanied by clear explanations and examples.

Learn English with Speeches: Embark on a transformative journey through iconic speeches. This eBook not only offers clear explanations and practical exercises but also provides insights into the cultural nuances and real-life contexts of English.

Together, these resources promise a holistic learning experience, ensuring you communicate effectively and confidently. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer to elevate your English proficiency!

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

When you're learning English, putting in just a little effort won't get you far. Unlike some things, language learning doesn't work on a half-effort, half-result scale.

In fact, anything less than your full commitment might leave you stuck at the starting line. The secret lies in continuous, dedicated work.

It's the hard work, practiced day in and day out, that builds your skills. Every word learned, every grammar rule applied, it all counts when you give it your all.

So don't cut corners in your learning journey. Full effort leads to full rewards, building an English skillset that will last a lifetime. Keep pushing!

English Quiz Answers: 1.b | 2.b | 3.B

We're grateful for your continued companionship on this language-learning voyage. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, or inquiries. Together, we'll keep exploring, expanding, and expressing ourselves with confidence in the English language!

Keep learning and thriving,

Ricardo
Founder, English Speeches YouTube Channel

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Your feedback helps us create the best English newsletter possible.

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.