English

High school teacher Mr. Sedlacek 1970

High school reunion

Kurt Andersen always remembered being inspired by his 11th grade English teacher, Gary Sedlacek. So he decided to give him a call.

High school reunion
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an announcement on immigration reform in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., August 2, 2017.

Trump pushes a plan to reduce legal immigration, prioritizing English-language and job skills

Trump pushes a plan to reduce legal immigration, prioritizing English-language and job skills
Dancer Link Berthomieux says that when French people use the English word ‘black,’  “It’s a trendy way to say ‘noir.’”

Why the English word 'black' became the new 'noir' in France

Why the English word 'black' became the new 'noir' in France
Salmon

Why we all need a little respect for the word 'moist'

Why we all need a little respect for the word 'moist'
Acadieman is a French Acadian superhero (or perhaps anti-superhero) who speaks Chiac.

Purists don't like this mix of Acadian French and English, but it may be helping the French language in Canada

Purists don't like this mix of Acadian French and English, but it may be helping the French language in Canada
Drones help identify objects on Laos's historic Plain of Jars

Drones allow access to a historic site in Laos that American bombs made off-limits

"The mysterious plain of jars in Northeastern Laos is still one of the biggest uninvestigated archaeological sites in Southeast Asia."

Drones allow access to a historic site in Laos that American bombs made off-limits
An adult education language class at Ahrens Educational Resource Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Learning English on the fly

Donald Trump is hardly the only political candidate to complain about immigrants not learning English. But has he ever tried to find a convenient, affordable English class?

Learning English on the fly
bangla lead

In Bangladesh, an app that lets women speak without fear

The app, called Maya, provides a platform where women can freely speak about their emotional, medical, legal, and social needs anonymously, without being judged.

In Bangladesh, an app that lets women speak without fear
Child laborers in the Philippines

These photos of Filipino children working in mines and on sugar plantations will make you cry

"It has been four years since I stopped schooling. I only reached the sixth grade level and then had to stop so I could work."

These photos of Filipino children working in mines and on sugar plantations will make you cry
Le Rencontre, a French-speaking meetup at the Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston, Maine.

In Maine, a little French goes a long way

Fifty years ago, kids caught speaking French in Maine schools might be punished. Today, schools are teaching it to help young people regain their heritage, in a state where 20 percent have a Franco-American background.

In Maine, a little French goes a long way
Emoya Shantytown1

Well-off tourists can now spend a night in a fake South African slum

For 82 US dollars, you can "experience" poverty in a fake slum in South Africa, the only one in the world "equipped with under-floor heating and wireless Internet access."

Well-off tourists can now spend a night in a fake South African slum

Straight outta ESL class: learning English by learning slang

If you want to learn English as it's spoken, you have to practice phrases like "the guy's a total flake." That's how students learn at UCLA Extension's American Language Center, where the slang is snappy and up-to-date.

Straight outta ESL class: learning English by learning slang
Dancers relax after performing during a Diwali Festival in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley gets linguistic enlightenment from India

The language of tech start-ups, innovation and business deals are deeply influenced by the many Indians who live and work in Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley gets linguistic enlightenment from India

Innocent home videos are becoming Pakistani 'porn' on YouTube and destroying lives

In a society where women are covered, even small, private acts that express femininity, like girls dancing fully-clothed in the rain, can be seen as sexual. Cell or home videos are being exploited on YouTube as "porn."

Innocent home videos are becoming Pakistani 'porn' on YouTube and destroying lives