“Ray is… functioning in a world that no longer appreciates men as breadwinners and warriors.”

Actor Liev Schreiber, talking about his character in the Showtime series Ray Donovan -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

As you grow older, it’s normal to want to move out of the home you grew up in. This doesn’t mean that you don’t love your family. It just means that you’re ready to live as an adult. If you’re living away from home, you have the freedom to make your own choices. Of course, you also have the responsibilities that come with it!

If you live on your own, returning to your childhood home can be a special treat. It can be a fun walk down memory lane. It can also be a little overwhelming. It’s easy to slip back into old roles and revert to behaviors you’re not proud of. It’s also hard to know if you’re living up to your parents’ plans for your life. What’s most important, though, is knowing that you’re doing what’s right for you.

Rafael and Marni are discussing their experiences with going home. Is it something they both enjoy? Learn more in today’s English lesson about family. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

When you’re out with friends having fun, someone in your group will surely bring out a camera to snap a picture. Or when you’re home alone with your cat, you might take a picture of him when he does something cute. Photographs are a great way to keep a memory forever, on your phone or on your wall. But with so many people taking pictures, there are also many bad pictures that are too dark, or too light, or out of focus because taking a great photo takes practice.

Photography has become so popular that most cities have classes to teach people how to use their cameras and how to take the best picture. Some of these classes take place outdoors to teach students about nature photography, other classes might focus on taking pictures of people inside a room.

Rafael and Gary are talking about how photography has become very popular and the importance of learning how to correctly use a camera. Find out more in today’s English lesson about how to be a better photographer. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“This is my daughter. She is the apple of my eye.”

—Ebaby!’s Dominique, speaking about how much she loves her daughter -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Our oceans are vast, full of tropical fish of all sizes, beautiful reefs, various plants, and a whole lot more. The ocean has a remarkable ecosystem unlike any other ecosystem that we know of. People who learn to scuba dive or go snorkeling see an underwater world so different from life above water that it looks like another planet.

Is there anything to be afraid of in the ocean? Well, sure. There are sharks, of course, and a few other creatures that might bite or sting you if you get in the way. But most marine animals won’t hurt people. They’re afraid of us and just want to be safe. If you don’t know how to swim, that’s a problem, but if you do, the ocean is an amazing world to explore.

Jeff is afraid of swimming in the ocean, and Marni is trying to change his mind. Find out why in today’s English lesson about snorkeling. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“The future of The Guild is still up in the air, and since we ended so well with Season 6, I felt like it was time to take a break.”

Actress Felicia Day, talking about her web series -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Have you ever seen someone stranded on the side of the road? Maybe it’s because the car ran out of gas. Maybe it’s because the GPS stopped working. Or maybe it’s because the car got a flat tire!

Your plans can fall apart suddenly if a flat tire stops you on the way to work or an appointment. It’s not always something you can avoid. Most vehicles do have storage space for jacks and a spare tire. The question is whether the person driving knows how to solve the problem. People who don’t want to fix the flat themselves can always call a mechanic or roadside assistance, but it might take a while for help to arrive.

Learn Jeff and Lily’s opinions on fixing flat tires in this English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

You’re standing in the open door of an airplane. The wind is blowing hard and your legs are shaking. The ground looks so far away. Everything is tiny… houses, cars, lakes and rivers. You know it will all be over in minutes, but it seems like so many things could go wrong. Do you jump?

People sometimes feel that unless they want to die with regrets, they need to take risks and try activities that seem dangerous. For example, they might jump from an airplane, swim with sharks, or climb a tall mountain. But you don’t have to leave your comfort zone to be happy with your life. What’s important to one person is not necessarily important to another!

Do Lily and Marni plan to go skydiving? Find out in this English lesson about an extreme sport. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“Today, I wanted to share my parakeets with you. Cleaning their cage is part of a daily routine for me.”

—Ebaby!’s Kat, speaking about her regular chores -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Try to remember the last time you were in a small elevator. Did you become short of breath? Were your hands clammy? Did you panic? If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are probably claustrophobic. People with this phobia can become sweaty, find it difficult to breathe, and want to get out right away.

If you’re afraid of small spaces, like elevators, you can always use the stairs. Most of the time, there are choices available to you that will keep you out of tight places. But not always! When there simply is no other option, staying calm is what’s most important. Remember to breathe slowly, think about relaxing things, and tell yourself that it will be over soon. It feels scary, but you will live through it.

Jessica and Marni are talking about riding in an elevator. Find out who’s claustrophobic in today’s English lesson about a common fear. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com