Every year, ELS Language Centers has a special contest. This contest is about multilingualism and multiculturalism. It is called Many Languages, One World (MLOW). This year, students studied the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Then, they wrote essays about multilingualism and the UN agenda. These essays were in a language that they learned. Winners of the MLOW contest will receive a free trip to New York City. There, they will go to the Global Youth Forum and share their ideas with the United Nations General Assembly.

The students in this contest have an online interview. They talk to someone about the ideas in their essays. They explain why these ideas are important. Many of these students think that language is a gateway. Knowing many languages helps them talk to people from other countries. They like learning about different world views and global governance. These students want to win the MLOW contest. Then, they can work together to make action plans for the future.

Watch today’s English video to see some of these amazing students during their online interviews. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

My husband, he’s a comedy writer, and he’s constantly stunned by what I don’t know, what I missed out on. He’s like, “What were you doing during your teen years?” —Actress Ellie Kemper, speaking about not being familiar with pop culture (npr.org) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

People who grew up in the 1980s have fond memories of the film Ghostbusters. Who could forget the fat, green ghost, Slimer, or the attack of the giant Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man? Many people think it would be impossible to improve upon Ghostbusters, so when Columbia Pictures announced that they were releasing a remake of the movie, there was a big controversy.Some Ghostbusters fans are angry. They think the new movie can’t possibly be as good as the original. They are angry that the famous comedian Bill Murray will not be in the new movie. However, other people are excited about the all-female cast. They are happy that female comedians like Melissa McCarthy are getting more exposure. They think the new version of Ghostbusters will be just as funny, if not funnier!Romeo and Brian are big fans of the original Ghostbusters. Listen to the dialog to find out what they think about the remake. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Everyone has a source of stress in their life… and most people have more than one! Maybe, it’s a difficult job or a family you need to support. Perhaps, it is a program of study that you take very seriously. It can be challenging to relax when you have important things to worry about. You might even feel like any minute you’re going to go crazy! When your stress level gets too high, it’s a good idea to let loose and clown around for a little bit.If someone is “clowning around,” they are not being serious. They are acting funny. They might tell jokes or make weird faces. They might do a dance or sing a song. People usually clown around to entertain others, but sometimes, it can be fun to clown around by yourself. Clowning around is a great way to get rid of stress and get a smile back on your face. After all, laughter is good for you!The team is feeling pretty stressed out about the commercial they are working on. Watch the video to see how Andy cheers them up. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

In the beautiful Scottish Highlands, there is a large lake called Loch Ness. This lake is famous for many reasons. However, the most popular story about Loch Ness is that there is a very old creature living in the lake. Many people travel from far away, hoping to see the famous Loch Ness Monster. Some think that the monster is the last dinosaur, but others are skeptical and think these stories are just a hoax.

Believers like to call this creature Nessie. They say it’s logical that humans cannot capture this amazing legend. However, many other people say that there is just not enough proof that Nessie is real. They refuse to be duped into thinking that giant creatures like this could live on Earth.

Romeo is telling Gary about a TV show that said the Loch Ness Monster might be real. Do either of them believe it? Listen to today’s English lesson to find out. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Last week, you met the winners of the 2016 Many Languages, One World (MLOW) essay contest. These incredible students want to empower others through language. They each studied the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and wrote an essay about cultural awareness. In late July, ELS Educational Services will fly them to New York. There, they will attend the Global Youth Forum at Hofstra University. Then, they will share their ideas with the United Nations General Assembly.

Each winner had a different main argument in their essay. However, all of these students want to unite the world. They believe that learning language is good for personal growth. In their essays, they gave their own testimony about how language changed their lives and the lives of their families and friends. Together, they want to foster understanding and respect for all cultures.

Hear the winners share ideas from these incredible essays in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

It’s been great, because we definitely agree on those things, so that’s why it’s a perfect reflection when it comes to food, wine, music, and all the ceremony stuff. It’s just been a blast.—Actor Skylar Astin, talking about planning his wedding to actress Anna Camp (Popsugar.com) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Are you looking for that special someone? Do you want to be on TV? There’s a way to fall in love AND get famous! Each year, male contestants try to win the heart of one woman on a TV show called The Bachelorette. It’s a very competitive show. At the end of each episode, men must go home if they don’t get a rose from the woman. Hopefully, the woman will find love by the end of the show.

But maybe, you don’t want to be on TV. Maybe, you’d rather just watch it while you eat popcorn on the couch. A person who is a hopeless romantic might be hooked on The Bachelorette. They hope that the woman will find true love on the show. Other people think that TV shows like this one are staged and trashy. Either way, the new season of The Bachelorette is coming on soon! Will you watch it? -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Have you ever lived with a roommate? Sharing your space can be difficult, but sometimes, really good friendships happen between roommates. For example, maybe, you and your roommate discover that you both like the same music. Or perhaps, you are both interested in exercise, so you become jogging buddies. You and your roommate are making friends. You have started getting chummy.We use the expression “get chummy” to talk about becoming good friends with someone. You could get chummy with a classmate, a co-worker, or even someone you meet at the coffee shop! Some of us get chummy with new people very easily. Other people take time to get to know someone. But whether it takes minutes or months, it’s a great feeling to make a new friend!Jordan and Kelsey are getting to know each other. Watch the video to find out what they talk about. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

You’re late for an important meeting, but you’re still looking for a place to park your car. There’s an empty parking spot, but it says that parking in that zone is regulated, and you’re not supposed to park there now. What do you do? If you keep driving, you will be even later. But if you park there, you will probably get a parking ticket.

Parking tickets are very common. Almost every US driver has had at least one parking ticket. Parking enforcement can make one feel very frustrated. In fact, some people simply cannot stand it and fight tooth and nail against their parking tickets in court. However, they don’t usually win, and they still must pay because they parked in the wrong place.

Jessica just got her first parking ticket. She and Andy have strong opinions about parking enforcement. Listen to today’s English lesson to learn these opinions. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com