American English With Brent

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.

The world is reeling from the New Supreme Leader’s first official message, but the mainstream media is completely missing the terrifying subtext hidden in his words. Today, we’re decoding the exact English phrases he used to reveal the shocking truth behind this historic address.🛑 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/KqznM8tJI3s?si=4rylgtLzCp_nAjIBVocabulary ListHand it over to youDefinition: To give control, responsibility, or the chance to speak to someone else.Sentence: "That is all for the weather report; now I will hand it over to you, Sarah, for the local news."Highlights Definition: The most important or interesting parts of a story or speech.Sentence: Before the full interview, the news anchor shared the highlights of the president's speech.Bases Definition: A place where members of the army live and work.Sentence: The government decided to move its military bases away from the border to reduce tension.InfrastructureDefinition: The basic systems a country needs, like roads, bridges, power, and water.Sentence: The new leader promised to spend more money on infrastructure to help the economy grow.Goes on to sayDefinition: A phrase used to introduce the next part of what someone said or wrote.Sentence: The report goes on to say that many people are still without electricity after the storm.UnityDefinition: When people or groups agree and work together for a single goal.Sentence: After the difficult election, the country needed unity to solve its problems.ProxiesDefinition: Smaller groups or countries that act on behalf of a more powerful country.Sentence: Some experts believe the conflict is being fought by proxies instead of the two main powers.DemonstrationsDefinition: Public meetings or marches where people show they are for or against something.Sentence: Thousands of people joined the demonstrations in the city center to protest the new law.Look out forDefinition: To watch carefully for something or someone.Sentence: Travelers should look out for any changes in flight schedules this weekend.Gulf CountriesDefinition: Nations located around the Persian Gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.Sentence: Several Gulf countries are meeting today to discuss the price of oil.Strait of HormuzDefinition: A narrow and very important waterway for shipping oil between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.Sentence: Much of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz every day.RhetoricDefinition: Language or speech that is intended to persuade people, but is sometimes not sincere.Sentence: Despite the angry rhetoric from both leaders, they are still willing to talk.Taken outDefinition: (In a news/military context) To destroy something or remove someone from power.Sentence: The general confirmed that the enemy's radar system was taken out during the mission.ViaDefinition: By way of; through.Sentence: The diplomat traveled to the capital via a private plane.CuriousDefinition: Strange, unusual, or wanting to know more about something.Sentence: It was a curious decision to close the border right before the holiday.Droning and MissilingDefinition: Attacking using drones (unmanned aircraft) and missiles.Sentence: The news reported hours of droning and missiling over the industrial zone last night.Come under fireDefinition: To be criticized or attacked (physically or with words).Sentence: The mayor has come under fire for how he spent the city's budget.Store (verb)Definition: To keep something in a safe place for future use.Sentence: The company needs a large warehouse to store all of its new equipment.