When we read books or watch TV and movies, we’re usually interested in them because they tell stories that are very different than our daily lives. They might introduce us to different countries, or a type of job we don’t know about. But there is a genre of fiction that can show us another world that doesn’t even exist.

Science fiction is based on a made-up idea of what the future will look like. It might show ideas of future technologies and how they affect people. Science fiction is interesting because even though it may not be based in reality, some people feel like it can tell the future.

Sara tells Kellie about a science fiction book she is reading and how much she likes it. Learn more in today’s English lesson about a made-up future. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“Good morning, everybody! Today, it’s raining cats and dogs.”

—Ebaby!’s Sheila, speaking about getting a lot of rain -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

There are many different types of people in the world. Where we live and what we look like makes us special. Because of this, people from Europe will often act differently than people from Asia. But if we take those differences, and say they are always true, we are making a stereotype.

Some stereotypes are harmless, but many stereotypes can be very mean. Placing many people into one category, just because they look or act a certain way, is unfair. Stereotypes often give us an incorrect understanding of other people. A common phrase in English is don’t judge a book by its cover. We should get to know people before we decide what they are like.

Kellie is sad because one of her friends was stereotyped. Find out what Brian thinks in today’s English lesson about judging people. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Each state in the United States has a unique character. Texas is a great example because many people have heard rumors about Texan cities. The city of Dallas has been popular for many reasons. Some lucky people working in the oil industry became rich there, and there was even a TV show about this culture. Today, Dallas is called the “Silicon Prairie” because there are many technology companies there.

Austin is another city in Texas with a unique personality. A lot of young people began moving to Austin because of the city’s music and film culture. They gave the city a hipster atmosphere, which some people love and others avoid. But no matter what, most people agree that Austin’s breakfast tacos are delicious, and some people travel miles to eat them.

Gary recently returned from Texas. Listen as he tells Jessica about his experience in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

In recent years, people have worked to raise awareness of climate change and its effects. One of these effects is global warming, which has many of its own negative results. Some of these include the melting of polar ice caps and rising sea levels. While most people agree that it is important to work against these unnatural changes, others say that the situation is baloney.

When the effects of global warming hit home, many people react by trying to minimize their carbon footprint. They might ride a bike instead of driving a car, and they might also turn down the heat in their houses. The important thing is to stay optimistic and believe that we can improve our world if we work together.

Andy is concerned about global warming. Listen as he and Brian discuss this important issue in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

When you’re learning a new language, it can be difficult to speak with correct pronunciation. The sounds may not feel natural to you. The good news is that there are many fun ways to practice clear articulation. One very popular way is to repeat tongue twisters. Tongue twisters are short expressions that use the same sound or sounds many times.

Although tongue twisters might sound ridiculous, they are actually a great way to exercise your tongue muscle. If you have trouble with the English ‘p’ sound, try the famous tongue twister about Peter Piper who picked a peck of pickled peppers. If you want to work on the English ‘b’ and ‘t’ sounds, you can repeat the story of Betty Botter who bought some bitter butter. You’ll be an expert in no time!

Andy is practicing tongue twisters as speech therapy. Listen to today’s English lesson to hear him explain his love of tongue twisters to Kelsey. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“So, today, I wanted to teach you about the word mesmerizing. And I’m going to use my lava lamp as an example. If I’m in my bed, my eyes always go towards the lava lamp.”

—Ebaby!’s Kat, speaking about watching her beautiful lava lamp -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

During the winter, it is cold and dark. The days are short, and many people begin to feel sluggish because they can’t see the sun. People who live far in the north or south might not see the sun at all during the winter. It is normal to feel a little sad in the dark of winter, but some people feel very depressed. They might suffer from SAD

There are many ways to feel better during the winter. Some people are able to sleep it off and feel recharged in the morning. And sometimes, just being with friends can lift one’s mood. People who are suffering from SAD might want to buy a sunlamp. These special lights are similar to sunlight, and they can help people to feel good during the winter.

Gary and Andy are bummed out by the dark days of winter. Hear about their feelings in today’s English lesson about winter blues. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

It’s common to have anxiety over your education. After all, it takes a lot of time and effort to be a student! A good student needs to attend classes, do homework, study for tests, and shouldn’t forget about hobbies and friends.

While education can improve life, it is a huge expense for many people. Some students get financial help from their family or government. Other students may work a job and study at the same time. However, if a student still doesn’t have enough money to pay for school, they might have to borrow money from a bank. This allows the student to get an education, but it also means they will need to repay the loan at a future date.

Kelsey and Andy are talking about the necessary evil of student loans. Find out what they think in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

When was the last time you visited the dentist? Did it make you feel really anxious? Going to the dentist isn’t fun for most people. First, you have to fill out pages of forms. Then, you have to wait for a while. When the dentist is ready to see you, you need to sit in the dentist’s chair and open your mouth wide as he looks at your teeth. If the dentist finds a problem, he might want to start drilling! Yikes!

On the other hand, maybe you like going to the dentist. You might listen to music when filling out the forms. You might read a magazine when waiting. If you take very good care of your teeth, brushing them and flossing them every day, maybe the dentist won’t want to start drilling holes in your teeth. You probably think the dentist is helpful, not sadistic.

Learn what Andy and Dominique think about going to the dentist in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com