📖 In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we celebrate Banned Book Week by exploring the life and work of one of America’s most famous poets and writers, Maya Angelou. She was a powerful voice in literature, performance, and the civil rights movement. Her most famous book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, tells the story of her challenging childhood and how she found her voice through writing and poetry.

We highlight Maya Angelou’s inspiring journey, from growing up in the South to becoming San Francisco’s first African American female streetcar conductor, and later, an international performer and activist. Learn how she overcame obstacles, built her career as a dancer, actress, and writer, and used her words to fight for justice and equality.

In this episode, we also read her famous poem, “Caged Bird”, which uses the image of a bird in a cage as a metaphor for oppression and freedom. You’ll learn advanced vocabulary, poetic phrases, and expressions that will help you improve your English listening comprehension, fluency, and confidence.

Banned Book Week reminds us of the importance of literature that challenges ideas and inspires thought. Sadly, Angelou’s memoir has been banned in some schools and libraries, making it an important work to study and discuss. Listening to her story and poems is a great way to expand your English vocabulary, practice real-life English, and enjoy powerful literature.

🔗Previous MLK Episodes 1 and 2

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📜 SOURCES

Caged Bird Poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48989/caged-bird

Oprah Winfrey Interview

Inauguration Poem

📝 Vocabulary list:

1) Banned book – a book that has been removed from libraries or schools.

2) Struggles – difficult experiences or challenges.

3) Traumatic – very shocking or upsetting, causing lasting emotional pain.

4) Speak out – to say what you think openly, especially about something wrong or unfair.

5) Civil Rights Movement – the social movement in the U.S. fighting for equal rights for African Americans in the 1950s–60s.

6) Memoir – a book that someone writes about their own life and experiences.

7) Honorary degree – a special academic award given to someone for their achievements.

8) Analogy – A comparison between two things to help explain something.

9) Leap – to jump with energy or joy.

10) Seldom – almost never; rarely.

11) Rage – very strong anger.

12) Long for – to strongly want or desire something, especially something hard to get.