Phone English 2020

Level 1 – Reading

If you do not understand this English, ask a Korean-English teacher to

help you.

From Goggle Translator: 이 영어를 이해하지 못하면 한국어 영어 교사에게 도움을

요청하십시오.

The purpose of this reading is to help students work on pronunciation

and to gradually build their fluency in reading. The focus is not at
complete comprehension at this time.

Students should practice reading prior to being called. Otherwise, it

will not be very beneficial.

Recommend students look up vocabulary words they don’t understand.

Looking up the words on Dictionary.com can assist the students some
with pronunciation as they can listen to the audio. Also, recommend
students look up vocabulary words using the Papago or Google
Translator for better understanding of the words possible meaning in
Korean. I stated possible meaning because often times a sentence is
needed to comprehend the meaning and pronunciation correctly.

Additionally, there are several Korean-English teachers at school that

may be able to assist you.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 1
Catching a Cold

Vocabulary 

cure (n,v)- something that makes you well after being sick 

literally (adv)- really, actually, exactly 

virus (n)- very, very small --- that causes sickness 

to get rid of (v)- to stop, to throw away 

congestion (n)- stopped up (when your nose is congested you can't breathe)

 
miserable (adj)- very terrible feeling
 
fever (n)- heat in your head and body
 
remedy- (n) cure, something that makes you well
 
liquid (n)- wet and runny like water, milk 

to get over (v)- to finish

Reading

Many people catch a cold in the springtime and/ or fall. It makes us wonder... if
scientists can send a man to the moon, why can't they find a cure for the common
cold. The answer is easy. There are literally hundreds of kinds cold viruses out
there. You never know which one you will get, so there isn't a cure for each one.

When a virus attacks your body, your body works hard to get rid of it. Blood
rushes to your nose and brings congestion with it. You feel terrible because you
can't breathe well, but your body is actually "eating" the virus. Your temperature
rises and you get a fever, but the heat of your body is killing the virus. You also
have a runny nose to stop the virus from getting to your cells. You may feel
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
miserable, but actually your wonderful body is doing everything it can to kill the
cold.

Different people have different remedies for colds. In the United States and some
other countries, for example, people might eat chicken soup to feel better. Some
people take hot baths and drink warm liquids. Other people take medicines to
stop the fever, congestion, and runny nose.

There is one interesting thing to note- some scientists say taking medicines when
you have a cold is actually bad for you. The virus stays in you longer because
your body doesn't have a way to fight it and kill it. Bodies can do an amazing job
on their own. There is a joke, however, on taking medicine when you have a cold.
It goes like this:

If takes about 1 week to get over a cold if you don't take medicine, but only 7 days
to get over a cold if you take medicine.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 2
Night Study in Korea
Vocabulary:

crucial -- of top importance

strain – pressure

to droop -- to fall downwards

to scribble -- to write carelessly

obsession -- too-strong a focus

to outlaw -- to ban

zeal -- strong desire

slogan -- phrase expression an aim

divisive -- cause argument

to be entrenched - to hold a fixed position

fanatical -- obsession of a fan (see above)

prosperity -- increasing standard of living

Night Study Becoming Par for Course in S. Korea

Reading and Grammar: Directions: Each of the ten sentences below contains one
error. Identify and correct the error.

1) A 17-year-old boy drifts to sleep, his head dropping into the open textbook in
front of him.

2) Around him sit other teenage South Koreans struggling to stay awake as a
tutor scribbles English vocabulary on a blackboard.

3) An almost cult-like devotion to learning has been among the driving forces
behind South Korea's rapid economic development .

4) But concern is growing that the obsession with education has spun out of
control, putting children under stress and families under pressure to pay
expensive tuition.
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5) The teachings of Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher who stressed the
importance of scholarship, influence many East Asian societies.

6) In South Korea, the zeal for learning is reinforced by a belief that knowledge is
crucial to the bid to catch up with richer countries such as Japan and stay ahead
in China.

7) A slogan on the wall in Yang's English class reads: "Accomplish your dreams."

8) But dreams come at a price: His hagwon* fees are $280 a week.

9) Lee Hang Soo, vice president of Yang's hagwon, says the school provides aid
to children from poor families.

10) But he acknowledges that South Korea's education system is divisive.

 Phone English 2020
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Day 3

History of Halloween Happy Halloween!

Halloween falls on October 31st each year in North America and other parts of the
world. What do you know about Halloween? Do you celebrate it in your country?
Here is a little history about it. Vocabulary

to evolve (v)- to change little by little

spirit (n)- ghost, some people believe the spirit and body separate when a person
dies

holy (adj)- sacred, very good, related to religion. Hallow comes from the word
holy.

saint (n)- an honored, holy person

evil (adj)- very, very bad

lantern (n)- lamp or enclosed light that can be carried around

turnip (n)- a purple and white vegetable that grows in the ground

Reading

Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and changed throughout
history. Over 2,000 years ago people called the Celts lived in what is now Ireland,
the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 was their New Year's Day.
They believed that the night before the New Year (October 31) was a time when
the living and the dead came together.

More than a thousand years ago the Christian church named November 1 All
Saints Day (also called All Hallows.) This was a special holy day to honor the
saints and other people who died for their religion. The night before All
Hallows was called Hallows Eve. Later the name was changed to Halloween.

Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also believed that the spirits of the
dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil spirits would
cause problems or hurt them. So on that night people wore costumes that looked
like ghosts or other evil creatures. They thought if they dressed like that, the
spirits would think they were also dead and not harm them.
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The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by the immigrating Europeans.
Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on Halloween in
Europe some people would carry lanterns made from turnips. In America,
pumpkins were more common. So people began putting candles inside them and
using them as lanterns. That is why you see Jack 'o lanterns today.

These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It is primarily

a fun day for children. Children dress up in costumes like people did a thousand
years ago. But instead of worrying about evil spirits, they go from house to
house. They knock on doors and say "trick or treat." The owner of each house
gives candy or something special to each trick or treater.
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Day 4

Take a Bath!

Vocabulary 

a bath- (noun) cleaning one's body by sitting in water 

to bathe- verb meaning to take a bath 

shower- (noun and verb) cleaning one's body by standing under water 

showerhead- the part of the shower that the water comes out of
 
to scrub- to remove dirt by rubbing 

to rinse- to remove soap or dirt with water 

soothing- relaxing 

drain- hole in the ground or bathtub that the water goes down 

Reading

Traveling is fun because you can see how people in other parts of the world live.
One thing travelers don't often think about before traveling is
how other cultures bathe. And bathrooms, in many countries,
may be different from the kind you are used to.

In the United States, most people take a shower once a day in

the morning. The showerhead is usually mounted on the wall and cannot be
moved. The bather simply stands under the water, gets wet, scrubs with soap and
often a washcloth, and then rinses off.

Children often take a bath each night and enjoy playing with small toys such as
boats and rubber ducks. Many adults, especially women, enjoy a soothing bath to
get rid of stress at the end of the day.

It is important to remember that when you take a shower or bath in the United
States, you should be careful to keep the water inside the bathtub or shower.
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Unlike bathrooms in many countries, there is no drain in the floor. If water gets on
the floor, it cannot go anywhere and must be cleaned up with a towel or mop. It
can also cause problems for the floor. So be careful.
 Phone English 2020
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Day 5
Summer Solstice

Vocabulary 

solstice /'sol stis/- the 2 times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance
from the earth's equator 

equator /'ee kway dr/- the imaginary (not real) line the divides earth into 2 parts 

hemisphere /'hem is feer/- hemi means to divide into two, sphere means a round
object like the earth. Hemisphere means one-half of the circle. The northern
hemisphere means above the equator or (middle) of the earth.
 
ancient /'ayn shent/- very old
 
come to pass- happen 

Reading

June 21st (or 22nd) is the summer solstice for the northern
hemisphere*. Solstice in Latin means "sun standing still." On that day it seems
like the sun is standing still because there is more daylight than on any other day.
It is the first day of summer and a special day for many groups of people.

Many ancient cultures had ceremonies on solstice. They celebrated light and fire.
Many people also thought it was a time for love and growth. Nowadays many
places around the world have parades or parties.

The great English writer, William Shakespeare, said** whatever you dream on this
night will come to pass. Have great dreams on June 21! And if you are in the
northern hemisphere, enjoy the longest day of the year.

* Summer solstice is on December 21 (or 22nd) in the southern hemisphere. June

21 (or 22nd) is the southern hemisphere's Winter solstice.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 6

Test Taking Skills

Vocabulary

Anxiety -Feeling very nervous and uncomfortable

Discipline- control over your behavior

Freeze up- be unable to move or think clearly because of fear

Material- the content information in a book or test

Second, guess yourself - have doubts about a decision that felt right the first
time.

Reading

Test taking is a skill you can learn. Do you freeze up when a teacher says it’s time
for a test? Do you get so nervous that you make stupid mistakes? Unlearning test
anxiety takes mental discipline. Study the following steps and your test scores
will go up in all subjects!

1. Do your homework and go to class. This way you will know the material and
won’t have as much reason to be afraid.

2. Sleep well the night before. Review the material in the afternoon, and then relax
in the evening. Eat a good breakfast. You need to be strong and refreshed to do
your best.

3. Come prepared with paper, pen, pencil, eraser, a watch, and book or dictionary
if they are allowed.

4. Read the instructions twice. Read the questions well before you answer.
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5. Breathe. When you feel yourself start to get anxious, put your pencil down on
the table, out of your hand, close your eyes, and count to 10. If you think you
don’t have time, remember that if you’re anxious, you can’t think well and will
make stupid mistakes. Only relaxed can you do your best.
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Day 7

Improving Your English

Reading

A lot of people are always asking, "How do I improve my English?" There are
many possible answers, but here are just a few pieces of advice.

Be responsible for your own learning

Sure, you have teachers, reading materials, and websites to help you with your
English, but who is really responsible for making sure you learn English well?
Nobody but you. Make sure you are the one who is taking charge of your own
learning..

Immerse yourself in English as much as possible

Immerse means to be surrounded by something. If you are immersed in English,

it is all around you. Of course, this isn't always possible, but you can do some
things to surround yourself in English from time to time.

Listen to the radio in English. If there are no English radio stations where you
live, listen to one on the internet.

Watch TV and movies in English. If you have English channels on your TV, watch
them. If they have subtitles (the words written in your language) underneath the
picture, see if they can be turned off. Some people even tape paper across the
bottom of the screen so they can't see the words. Most DVD's are great because
you can choose the language you want to hear.

Speak English to your friends. Get a conversation buddy (friend) and speak in

English as much as possible. If it is a person whose native language is the same
as your own, you may feel silly speaking in English at first. But, don't worry.
Continue to do it and it will become more natural to you. Finding friends whose
native language is English is even better. Ask your friend to correct you when
needed.

Study or travel to an English-speaking country. Of course, the best way to

immerse yourself in the English language is to live in an all-English environment.
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You'll find yourself surrounded with the language everywhere you turn. It can be
a more difficult and expensive choice, but you may find it to be a very valuable
and helpful experience.

Other ideas. Take an English class, join an English group, find a tutor, and read
English magazines. Do whatever you can to immerse yourself in the language.

Monitor yourself

This means to pay attention to how you use English. Think (a little) about how
you are going to say something before it comes out of your mouth. But don't
think about all of the problems you have in English at the same time. Just choose
something your know you are having difficulty with and work on using it
correctly. For example, if you know that you have problems remembering to
use a, an, and the, spend a few days trying to put them into sentences as you
speak. Don't worry about anything else. Concentrate on that. When you feel that
you are improving, choose something else to work on. Just keep trying and little
by little, your English will get better every day.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 8

Friendship

Vocabulary 

spouse- husband or wife  

bond- connection, something that makes two things stick together 

twin spirit- someone very similar to you 

stranger- someone you don't know at all 

acquaintance- someone you don't know very well 

right away- immediately 

in common- things that you like or dislike are the same 

Reading

Quotes about friendship:

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

Your friend is the man or woman who knows all about you, and still likes you.

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

Some friends come into our lives for just a short time. Others come and stay
forever. Think about your closest friends. How long have you known each other?
Some people say that their spouse or family member is their best friend. Others
say they have known their closest friends for many years. And, some great
friends haven't known each other all that long, but knew right away that there was
a connection, or bond, between them. Could it be that there is a twin spirit out
there for each of us?
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What turns a stranger or acquaintance into a friend? Do you know right away if
you are going to like someone? Some people think that any stranger can become
a friend if they spend enough time together. That may be true for some people.
But, one thing most of us agree on is that true friendships seem to happen when
people have something in common. Perhaps we see a part of ourselves in our
friends. Maybe seeing the good in them helps us to see the good in us as well.
 Phone English 2020
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Day 9

April Fool's Day

I want to tell you... I just gave birth to 5 babies last weekend. Isn't that exciting?
Oh, you don't believe me? Okay then, I stole some money from a bank on
Saturday night. Now do you believe me? (Actually, I hope you don't.) April 1st, or
April Fools Day, is the day when we play jokes on people. Do you have it in your
country?

Vocabulary

a fool- someone who doesn't understand what is happening 

to tease- laugh at, make fun of someone, joke about something 

to play a joke (on someone)- to do something funny that another person doesn't
know about or suspect at first 

container- something that holds something else, like a box, a bottle, or a jar 

to play a trick (on someone)- same as play a joke 

in the spirit of fun- with an atmosphere of fun, just for fun, lighthearted 

Reading

April Fool's Day started in the sixteenth century in Europe. Before that time, New
Year's Day was celebrated on April 1st. Then a new calendar was introduced
called the Gregorian calendar. January 1st became the first day of the year, but
many people did not know about it. So, those who continued to celebrate New
Year's Day on April 1st were teased. They were called fools.
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Nowadays we play jokes on people on April 1st. For example, someone might put
salt in the sugar container so another person could "accidentally" put it in their
coffee. Or, someone might change the time on another person's alarm clock so
that person would unknowingly wake up earlier or later than planned. Or, maybe a
person would tell a lie to make someone else shocked.

After we play the trick, we say "April Fool." Then the poor person realizes he was
fooled. It is generally done in the spirit of fun and doesn't cause any real harm to
anyone. Do you have any great jokes to play on anyone today? Try it out. Just
don't forget to say "April Fool" when the other person begins looking a little
confused.
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Day 10

The Travel Bug

Vocabulary 

travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel 

to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone
begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel.
 
to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans 

to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or

comfortable place  to explore- to look around and find out new things 

exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown 

mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out 

to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time
 
vast (adjective)- very large 

perspective- view, way of seeing things 

accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good
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Reading

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there?
While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have
been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places
call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock
to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and
museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South
America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And, a few
lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth-
Antarctica.

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective
about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a
feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money,
get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.
 Phone English 2020
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Day 11

English Around the World

Vocabulary 

travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel

 
to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone
begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel. 

to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans 

to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or

comfortable place 

to explore- to look around and find out new things 

exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown 

mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out 

to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time 

vast (adjective)- very large 

perspective- view, way of seeing things 

accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good 

Reading

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there?
While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have
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Level 1 – Reading
been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places
call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock
to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and
museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South
America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And, a few
lucky people even make it to the most mysterious continent on the earth-
Antarctica.

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective
about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a
feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money,
get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 12

Saint Patrick's Day

 
Vocabulary  

emigrate- leave from a country to move to another

 
century- 100 years 

religious- having to do with church or god 

pinch- to squeeze something, to hurt someone by squeezing their skin with your
finger and thumb
 
shamrock- a plant with 3 leaves like in the pictures
 
pub- bar/ tavern, a place to drink beer or other alcohol 

marathon- a long running race (like a 10K run) 

pretend- play, act like someone else 

Reading

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in the United States on March 17. It's neither a
public holiday (we still have work and school) nor a serious holiday. It's just a fun
holiday.

Many Irish people have emigrated from Ireland to the United States over the last
few centuries. They brought St. Patrick's Day with them. St. Patrick's Day is a
serious religious holiday in Ireland, but it has been changed quite a bit in
America.

Today, in America, people enjoy St. Patrick's Day by wearing green. In fact, if you
don't wear at least one small green item, school children may pinch you. Probably
the most common symbol for this holiday is the shamrock. Since the shamrock
has three leaves, thousands of years ago St. Patrick (a religious leader) used it to
teach the Irish people about the three parts of God. Today many people wear a
shamrock design on St. Patrick's Day because it is supposed to bring good luck.
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On this day, many people also enjoy going to a pub and drinking beer. They tell
jokes and have a good time. People who don't come from Ireland like to pretend
they are Irish, too. Some cities hold parades or marathons. It's not a very big
holiday, but it can be a fun one for the people who want to enjoy it. It is very
different kind of celebration from St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.
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Day 13

The Alchemist

The Alchemist is one of my favorite books. I would like to share a little bit with
you.

Vocabulary

alchemist- a person who can change plain metal into gold, or change something
lower into something higher

shepherd- a person who takes care of sheep and takes them to different places to
find food

Gypsy- a person from a group that moves from place to place. Some people think
gypsies can know the future.

pyramids- a triangular-shaped building like in the picture below

treasure- something of great value (money or other things)

encounter- meet, find, discover

author- person who writes (a book)

as well- too

Reading

The Alchemist is an easy story with a deep message. It is a message to follow

your heart and search for your dreams. The book is about a young man named
Santiago who lives in Spain and works as a shepherd. He begins to have strange
dreams so he goes to a Gypsy to find out what they mean. The Gypsy tells him
that he needs to go to the Egyptian pyramids to find his treasure. Of course he
does not believe her. But, later he meets another person who tells him the same
thing. At last, Santiago decides to give up his life as a shepherd and go find his
treasure.
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Santiago encounters many problems as he goes on his journey. He meets many
people and learns a lot along the way. He also learns to listen to and trust the
Soul of the World. Does he ever find his treasure? And, why is the book called
The Alchemist? I can't tell you. You will have to read the book if you want to find
out.

The Alchemist was originally written in Portuguese by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian

author. It has been translated into many languages, including, of course, English.
It is a good book for people who are learning English because most of the
sentences are fairly, short and you will recognize a lot of the vocabulary. There
are definitely words you will not know at first, but with a little patience and study
you should be able to finish (and maybe enjoy) the book. And, hopefully you will
be able to follow your dreams as well.
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Day 14

Using an English/English Dictionary

Vocabulary

wide choice- lots of different ones to choose from  bilingual- two languages
 
to be against- disagree with
 
to look up- to search for something in a book 

Reading

Today's English learner has a wide choice of dictionaries in which to choose

from. There are dictionaries with American English, with British English, with
idioms or slang, and even with pictures. One of the most popular dictionaries I
have seen among many students are talking electronic dictionaries. All you have
to do is type in a word in your language and you can see it and hear it in English.
That's great, right? Well, I think it's great, too... but only sometimes.

Bilingual electronic dictionaries are fast and easy. They can be great when you
are traveling and need information quickly. But I am against electronic
dictionaries and even bilingual paper dictionaries in many cases. Let me explain...

When you reach an intermediate level of English (about the level of 5 Minute
English) you know enough of the language to ask the meaning of certain things
while using English. Translating between languages in your head takes time. You
should be translating as little as possible and you should be thinking in English
as much as possible. I strongly recommend that intermediate and advanced
students use an English-English dictionary made especially for your
understanding. For example, Longman has a good dictionary for students. Other
companies do, too.

I also feel that paper (book) dictionaries are better for studying than electronic
dictionaries. True, they take longer to use. But, for some reason, the information
you look up seems to stay in your head longer. It may be because you were
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forced to spell the word in your head and therefore "see it" more clearly in your
mind.

So what do you do if you have checked an English-English dictionary and still

don't understand something? Go to your bilingual dictionary. It is useful
sometimes. Just remember to try to stay in English as much as possible.
 Phone English 2020
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Day 15

English as an International Language

Vocabulary 

to spread- to go everywhere 

in common- the same 

communicate- talk 

complicated- difficult 

artificial- not real 

Reading

About one hundred years ago, many educated people learned and spoke French
when they met people from other countries. Today most people speak English
when they meet foreigners. It has become the new international language. There
are more people who speak English as a second language than people who speak
English as a first language. Why is this?

There are many reasons why English has become so popular. One of them is that
English has become the language of business. Another important reason is that
popular American culture (like movies, music, and McDonald's) has quickly
spread throughout the world. It has brought its language with it.

Is it good that English has spread to all parts of the world so quickly? I don't
know. It's important to have a language that the people of the earth have in
common. Our world has become very global and we need to communicate with
one another. On the other hand, English is a fairly, complicated language to learn
and it brings its culture with it. Do we really need that?
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Scientists have already tried to create an artificial language that isn't too difficult
and doesn't include any one group's culture. It is called Esperanto. But, it hasn't
become popular. But, maybe the popularity of English won't last that long either.
Who knows? There are more people in the world who speak Chinese than any
other language. Maybe someday Chinese will be the new international language.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 16

Presidents' Day

The United States has at least one holiday in every month except August. On the
third Monday of February, Americans celebrate the birthday of two former
presidents. They are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. You may have
heard of them. They were both famous U.S. presidents and they both have
birthdays in February. Even though they are different days, we celebrate both of
them on the same day.

Vocabulary 

to elect- to choose by voting*

  
unanimous- everybody agreed, nobody disagreed
 
vote*- when something is chosen by everyone writing their choice on a piece of
paper or raising their hands. The choices are counted to see who or what will win.
 
referred to- called 

Constitution- the paper that has the laws of a country written on it 

to chop- to cut by striking (hitting) with something 

to encourage- to help someone to follow something 

slavery- when someone owns another person 

civil war- a war where the people of one country 

equal- same 

assassinated- killed 
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Reading

George Washington was born February 22, 1732. He was the first president of the
United States, elected by unanimous vote in 1789. He is sometimes referred to
as The Father of Our Country. He was one of the people who fought in the
Revolutionary War and later helped write the United States Constitution. There is
a famous story about George Washington when was a young boy. It says that he
chopped down his father's cherry tree with an ax. When his father asked, "Who
did this?" young George replied, "I cannot tell a lie. I did it." Many children have
heard this story and are encouraged to always tell the truth.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. He became president in 1860.
His presidency was difficult. The states in the north and the south were divided
because of slavery. White people in the south owned black people. The north did
not like it. A civil war began between the two sides. In the end, the northern states
won and President Lincoln helped to free the slaves. He gave a very famous
speech about how everybody had the right to be free and how all people were
equal. After the civil war, Abraham Lincoln went to see a play. While he was there,
he was assassinated.

Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were very famous presidents in
the United States. Today you can see their faces on American money. George
Washington is on the one-dollar bill and Abraham Lincoln in on the five-dollar bill.
Many schools and some cities are named after each president. And, the State of
Washington and Washington D.C. were both named after President Washington.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 17

St. Valentine's Day

Vocabulary

ancient- very old

bow and arrow- used for shooting (like the picture on the left)

shoot- make something fly through the air (Shoot a gun. Shoot an arrow.)

character- a person (but usually not real) like a person in a book or in a movie

fall in love- begin to love another person

celebrate- do something fun (like a party or something special)

romantic- something that shows the feeling of love

Reading

Valentine's Day is a very old holiday. It goes back to the times of Ancient Rome.
One of the characters we often see on Valentine's Day is Cupid. He was the son of
Venus, the goddess of love. He shoots people with arrows of love. When a man
and a woman are hit by his arrows, they will fall in love.

Today people celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. Men and women who are
in love give each other gifts. The most popular gifts include flowers (especially
roses) and chocolates. Couples may also go to a restaurant for a very nice dinner
or plan something else romantic.

In the United States, Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. Children make special
Valentine's cards for their classmates. Families and friends may give candy or
other small gifts to each other. It can be a fun day.
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 18

Ground Hog Day

Vocabulary

to hibernate (verb)- to sleep through the winter

hibernation (noun)- comes from hibernate (long sleep through

the winter)

legend- old story that is told from parents to children, and

children's children, and so on for many many years

shadow- darkness made where the light can't go through (when

the sun shines you can see the dark outline of your body on the ground)

Reading

A ground hog is a small animal that digs and lives under the ground. It is also
called the woodchuck. Ground hogs live in many parts of America. In the winter
they hibernate like bears and some other animals.

There is a legend that says, a few hundred years ago, Europeans brought Ground
Hog Day to America. They said that the ground hog wakes up from his
hibernation on February 2. (February 2 is half way between winter and spring.) If
he comes up from his hole and it is sunny, he will see his shadow and be
frightened. If he sees his shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter weather.
But if he comes up and the sky is cloudy, he will not see his shadow and will not
be frightened. Then spring weather will come very soon.

Some people believe this legend and they watch the sky on February 2. Many
people are happy if it is cloudy on that day. They think spring will come soon. But
most people think it is just a fun legend. What do you think?
 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 19
Television Shows

Vocabulary
Current Events/ News- serious shows about things that are happening today or
lately
Sitcoms- comes from the words "situation comedy." Funny shows 

Sports- I think you know this 

Mystery Shows- shows about trying to find an answer to something we don't
know 
Talk Shows- shows with two or more people talking about a certain subject 
Nature Shows- shows about animals or the earth
Police/ Courtroom Dramas- shows about the police or what happens in a
courtroom 

Reading

My mother was telling me about how she and her family got their
first television when she was a teenager. Of course, it was black
and white. She said she only watched it at night. She doesn't
remember ever watching it in the morning or afternoon. When I
was young, we had only about 3 or 4 different channels. I think
they were channel 3, 4, 6, and 9. My bothers, sisters, and I would
sometimes fight about which channel to watch. But, we usually
enjoyed the same shows.

Nowadays we can get hundreds of channels on TV. I can't believe it! There are
channels with only old movies, and channels with only cooking, and channels
with only fishing. It's amazing! There is a channel for everything. I wonder how
much my brothers, sisters, and I would fight if we had hundreds of channels
when I was a child. Of course we had only one television set. These days I notice
families with 2 or 3 or more television sets in their homes. I guess it stops people
from arguing over which channel to choose from.

What kind of TV shows do you like to watch?

 Phone English 2020
Level 1 – Reading
Day 20

ESL Reading Comprehension

Reading

ESL reading comprehension is important for all new English learners. To

understand the basics of everyday life—from newspapers to job applications—a
person will need to gain adequate English reading skills. Once you begin looking
for information—you will find there are a variety of great resources to help you
choose the best stories for ESL reading along with practice questions that help
you comprehend the information.

Reading for ESL students is one of the first skills needed to begin enjoying life in
your new situation. There are a variety of stories available that will not only be
interesting and easy to read but they will also help you understand different types
of grammar and vocabulary. Basic ESL reading questions may include "who is
the main character" or "what is the setting of the story?" Once you gain English
reading skills that allow you to answer these questions accurately your language
development will be right on track.

The great thing about ESL reading comprehension stories are the varying levels
for beginners and more advanced readers. Many of the short stories will include
topics that are relevant to everyday life. There are stories about driving a car and
going shopping and even meeting new people. Once you have read the stories
you may be able to complete vocabulary exercises and grammar activities to help
you with your English reading skills. With so much variety to choose from—you
do not need to worry about getting bored or not finding something enticing to
read. Just jump in and begin a story and practice reading for ESL
comprehension.

English reading skills will help you get along in the community where you live.
You may even be able to help your friends with their ESL reading comprehension
and practice your skills together. It is important to understand what you are
reading—whether it is a story in the newspaper or a document from a government
agency. Once you have acquired this skill you will feel great about your
accomplishment.