American English With Brent

Improve your English skills by analyzing a powerful and unexpected address from former First Lady Melania Trump. Join us as we break down her vocabulary and speaking style to help you master advanced conversational English in a real-world context.✅ 50% OFF the Breaking News Decoder Course https://brent-watson-s-school.teachable.com/l/pdp/the-breaking-news-decoder?coupon_code=LAUNCH50💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/join📺 Link to Newscast: https://youtu.be/47WmYY7agFQ?si=bkh9hSboVOid0rDy Vocabulary List 1. Calling On (Phrasal Verb) Definition: To ask a specific person to speak or answer a question. Example: In a meeting, the boss is calling on different team members to hear their ideas. 2. To Address (Verb) Definition: To speak directly to someone, or to try to solve a problem. Example: The president will to address the nation on television tonight to discuss the new law. 3. First Lady (Noun) Definition: The wife of a president or the head of a country. Example: The First Lady often works on projects to help children and education. 4. Behind all of this (Phrase) Definition: The hidden reason or person responsible for a situation. Example: The police want to know who is the person behind all of this planning. 5. Rarely (Adverb) Definition: Not very often; almost never. Example: I rarely eat fast food because I prefer to cook healthy meals at home. 6. Lingering (Adjective) Definition: Lasting for a long time or staying longer than expected. Example: Even after the party ended, there was a lingering smell of perfume in the room. 7. Ignited (Verb) Definition: To start a fire, or to cause a strong emotion or argument to begin. Example: The news about the tax increase ignited many protests in the city. 8. Convicted (Verb/Adjective) Definition: Formally found guilty of a crime in a court of law. Example: The man was convicted of stealing and had to go to prison. 9. Disgraceful (Adjective) Definition: Very bad or shameful; behavior that makes people lose respect for you. Example: It is disgraceful to treat elderly people with no respect. 10. Speak Out (Phrasal Verb) Definition: To publicly say what you think, especially to protest something unfair. Example: More people are starting to speak out against the high cost of housing. 11. Accomplice (Noun) Definition: A person who helps someone else commit a crime. Example: The thief did not work alone; he had an accomplice who drove the getaway car. 12. Co-Conspirator (Noun) Definition: A person who plans a secret, illegal act with others. Example: He was charged as a co-conspirator for helping plan the bank robbery. 13. Categorized (Verb/Adjective) Definition: Grouped together because they are similar. Example: The files are categorized by date so they are easy to find. 14. Casual Correspondence (Noun) Definition: Informal communication, like friendly emails, texts, or letters. Example: Most of my emails are for work, but I enjoy casual correspondence with my friends. 15. Overlapped (Verb) Definition: When two things happen at the same time or cover the same area. Example: My English class and my work shift overlapped, so I had to change my schedule. 16. Social Circles (Noun) Definition: The groups of friends or people you socialize with. Example: When you move to a new country, it takes time to build new social circles.

Ditch the textbook drills and start speaking more naturally with two hours of English immersion powered by real-world news. Designed specifically for B1-B2 learners, this deep dive will help you master the phrasing you need to discuss global events with total confidence.

🛑 Change the way you read the news in English with this FREE news vocabulary guide: https://american-english-with-brent.kit.com/bcb3b9f6f2

Master the essential language of global news with this B1-level lesson on current events vocabulary. You will explore nineteen key terms and learn to identify "trap words" like "scrambled" and "the heart" that carry specialized meanings in the context of news reporting.🛑 Change the way you read the news in English with this FREE news vocabulary guide: https://american-english-with-brent.kit.com/bcb3b9f6f2Link to Newsclip: https://youtu.be/kw-PtUyec_o?si=m6XHEhZW68WcdE1o1Critical(Adj.) Very important, or a time of danger."The peace talks are at a critical stage right now."2Crossroads(Noun) A time when you must make a big decision."The country is at a crossroads about its new climate rules."3Pause(Noun/Verb) A short stop."The leader asked for a 24-hour pause in the fighting."4Claiming(Verb) Saying something is true, even without proof."The rebel group is claiming they did the attack."5Within Reach(Idiom) Almost finished or possible to get."After months of talking, a new trade deal is finally within reach."6Firing Back(Phrasal Verb) Answering quickly when someone attacks or criticizes you."The politician is firing back at the bad news."7"Fake News"(Noun) Stories that are not true but look like real news."People must watch out for fake news on social media."8Manipulate(Verb) To control someone or something in a tricky or bad way."The company tried to manipulate the price of their products."9Ultimatum(Noun) A final warning ("Do this, or else...")."The President gave an ultimatum: leave the area or face war."10Colonial(Adj.) About a strong country controlling a weaker country."The two countries are still talking about their colonial history."11Torturers(Noun) People who hurt others on purpose to get information."The human rights group wants the police to arrest the torturers."12Middle Ground(Noun) A point where two fighting sides can agree."The two leaders are trying to find middle ground on the new law."13Scrambled(Verb) To move or work very fast because of an emergency."Workers scrambled to fix the internet after the attack."14Avert(Verb) To stop something bad from happening."The city worked fast to avert a flood."15Catastrophe(Noun) A terrible event that causes a lot of damage."The big hurricane was a catastrophe for the town."16The Heart(Noun/Metaphor) The center or most important part of a problem."Money is at the heart of the government's problems."17Strait(Noun) A narrow strip of water that connects two big seas."Ships are waiting to pass through the strait safely."18Obliterate(Verb) To destroy something completely."The bomb was strong enough to obliterate the whole building."19Power Grid(Noun) The system that brings electricity to a city or country."The winter storm broke the city's power grid."

Are you planning a trip to the United States anytime soon? In today's lesson, we'll break down a real American newscast and learn essential vocabulary to help you understand why you might want to stay home instead.🛑 Change the way you read the news in English with this FREE news vocabulary guide: https://american-english-with-brent.kit.com/bcb3b9f6f2💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinLink to Original Newscast: https://youtu.be/GE2qZDAdqcI?si=bhw-PXVAYlseICIf1. SufferingDefinition: Feeling pain, sadness, or hardship.Example: The medicine helped reduce her suffering after she broke her leg.2. Stretch (time)Definition: A continuous period of time.Example: I had to work on the computer for a long stretch of six hours without a break.3. A lack of...Definition: Not having enough of something.Example: The business failed because of a lack of money.4. StaffingDefinition: Providing workers or employees for a business.Example: The restaurant is having staffing problems, so service is very slow today.5. Calling Out (work)Definition: Telephoning your boss to say you cannot come to work, usually because you are sick.Example: I have a bad cold and a fever, so I am calling out of work today.6. PartialDefinition: Not complete; only a part of something.Example: We only got a partial refund for the canceled flight, not the full amount.7. Government ShutdownDefinition: When a government temporarily stops its normal services because politicians cannot agree on a budget.Example: During the government shutdown, the national parks and museums were closed to the public.8. Union (work)Definition: An organization of workers that protects their rights and fights for better pay or safety.Example: The factory workers joined a union to get better health insurance.9. EndureDefinition: To suffer through a difficult situation with patience, without giving up.Example: The team had to endure a very long and boring meeting.10. Pissed OffDefinition: (Informal/Slang) Very angry or annoyed. Note: Because this is informal, it's best to use it only with friends, not in professional settings.Example: He was really pissed off when someone scratched his parked car.11. NormalcyDefinition: The state of being normal, regular, or typical.Example: After the big storm, it took weeks for the town to return to normalcy.12. ConsistencyDefinition: Doing something the same way over time, which makes you reliable.Example: Consistency is important in customer service; every customer should be treated well.13. Close ProximityDefinition: Being very near to something or someone.Example: We chose this hotel because it is in close proximity to the train station.14. CornerDefinition: The place where two lines, walls, or streets meet.Example: The coffee shop is located on the corner of Main Street and First Avenue.15. Punch through a wallDefinition: To hit a wall so hard with your fist that it makes a hole. It is usually used as an exaggeration to show extreme anger.Example: The computer crashed and deleted his project; he was so angry he wanted to punch through a wall.16. Ridiculously FrustratingDefinition: Extremely annoying or upsetting, to a degree that feels crazy or unreasonable.Example: Waiting on the phone for two hours to speak to a bank agent was ridiculously frustrating.17. FaultDefinition: Responsibility for a mistake or a bad situation.Example: It was my fault that we missed the train, because I woke up late.18. LayersDefinition: Different sheets or levels of material placed one on top of another.Example: It is very cold outside, so you should wear several layers of clothing.19. MatrixDefinition: A complex system or environment where things are connected and develop.Example: Trying to understand the complex matrix of international tax laws can be very difficult.

Improve your English vocabulary today by reading breaking news about President Trump asking other countries for help. I will teach you key words from the article so you can understand advanced news topics with confidence.🛑 Change the way you read the news in English with this FREE news vocabulary guide: https://american-english-with-brent.kit.com/bcb3b9f6f2💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinLink to Newscast: https://youtu.be/7wc9691_Mb4?si=I9XiRdT2HFTxmDlU1. Quote * Definition: To repeat exactly what someone else said or wrote. * Example: The newspaper article will quote the president's speech.2. Especially * Definition: More than usual; particularly. * Example: I love Italian food, especially pizza.3. In Conjunction * Definition: Working together with someone or something. * Example: The police are working in conjunction with the community to improve safety.4. Commercial Products * Definition: Items made to be sold to the public to make a profit. * Example: The company makes commercial products like soap and shampoo.5. Pop Up (Internet Verb) * Definition: To appear suddenly on a computer or phone screen. * Example: A new advertisement will pop up when you click that link.6. Popups (Internet Noun) * Definition: The small windows that suddenly appear on a screen, usually showing ads. * Example: I use a special program on my browser to block annoying popups.7. Capability * Definition: The ability, skill, or power to do something. * Example: This new smartphone has the capability to translate languages instantly.8. Mine (Water bomb) * Definition: A hidden bomb placed in the water that explodes when a ship touches it. * Example: The navy had to carefully remove a mine from the harbor.9. Close-Range Missile * Definition: A flying weapon that travels a short distance to hit its target. * Example: The army tested a new close-range missile during their training.10. Defeated * Definition: Having lost a game, battle, or election. * Example: The defeated team shook hands with the winners after the match.11. Artificial Constraint * Definition: An unnatural limit or rule created by people, not by nature. * Example: The manager's strict deadline felt like an artificial constraint on our creativity.12. Decapitated * Definition: Literally: to have the head removed. In the news: to remove the leader of a group. * Example: The criminal organization was decapitated when the police arrested its top boss.13. Continually * Definition: Happening again and again over a long time. * Example: The old machine continually makes a loud noise while it is running.14. Still Underway * Definition: Currently happening; not finished yet. * Example: The construction of the new hospital is still underway.15. Embassy * Definition: The official office of a country's government in a foreign country. * Example: If you lose your passport while traveling, you should go to your country's embassy.16 & 19. Compound * Definition: A group of buildings closed in by a fence or wall. * Example: The government officials lived and worked in a secure compound.17. Fairly Limited Information * Definition: Only having a small amount of facts or details about a situation. * Example: We have fairly limited information about the new company policy so far.18. It's Not Clear * Definition: It is confusing, uncertain, or not easy to understand yet. * Example: It's not clear what time the meeting will start tomorrow.