When the temperature starts going up, you might go crazy trying to stay cool. Turning on a fan might help for awhile. However, when it really gets hot, the only way to monitor the temperature is with air conditioning.

Although running an AC isn’t as efficient as using a fan, it’s much more comfortable. With a push of a button, your house feels as cool as you want it. It’s the perfect climate, no matter how hot it is outside.

Why doesn’t Gary want to turn on his AC? Find out in today’s English lesson about being frugal. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Of 196 countries in the world, 45 have royal families. For people who live in countries without royalty, the idea of having a king or queen probably seems very strange. But for people who have grown up learning about their countries’ royal families, it’s just part of life. It would probably seem strange to them to live somewhere without a royal family.

We can only guess what it must be like to live your life as a royal. It seems likely that you could have what you want because your family has money, and it’s hard to picture royalty getting their hands dirty in the garden. But today, especially, people born into royalty seem to do a lot of things that we do. They go to school, serve in the military, and help out in places like hospitals. Life is definitely glamorous at times, but it also includes work. After all, royalty are people, too.

What are Marni and Jeff’s opinions about royalty? Find out in today’s English lesson about people in the news. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth!” This was the famous call from P.T. Barnum’s circus during the 19th century. Barnum loved showing the world amazing and grotesque discoveries. He had a big circus show, but he also had a huge sideshow business. In his sideshows, he had many exhibits, and the most famous was probably his Fiji Mermaid.

Barnum wanted people to believe that he had a real mermaid. He said that he found her mummified body near the ocean. Many people came to see this amazing creature, who was half-human and half-fish. However, people later learned that Barnum created the Fiji Mermaid. It was, perhaps, his greatest hoax.

Andy tells Marni that he is a truther. Listen to what he thinks about the Fiji Mermaid in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up. I’m fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of ‘journalism.’ —Actress Jennifer Aniston, speaking about media rumors (The Huffington Post) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for thousands of years to treat illness and pain, using thin needles throughout the body. To be a great practitioner of acupuncture takes years of study and practice. People who like acupuncture see their practitioner regularly for treatments to help with their medical problems.

While some people are skeptical of its benefits, many are convinced that acupuncture is relaxing. Even if a person does not have a medical problem, she might want treatments when she’s feeling stressed. Other people believe that acupuncture is important for one’s good health. It is a practice that is used around the world by millions of people.

Jessica and Brian are talking about the benefits of acupuncture. Can you guess who’s tried it and who hasn’t? Learn more in today’s English lesson about alternative medicine. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Five minutes? Ten? One hour?

Generally, men need less time than women. Not because men are not put together, but because most men have short hair. Women with long hair will agree that taking care of yourself (or your hair) can be a lot of work!

Whether you roll out of bed and head out the door or you spend hours making your hair less frizzy, hair care is a daily chore. What shampoo do you use? What kind of hair dryer? Do you diffuse your hair? Should you?

Lily and Jessica are discussing the basics of hair care. Read on to find out who’s a slob and who’s not in today’s English lesson about hair. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Pandas are only one of thousands of endangered animals in the world. The number of pandas is dwindling, mostly because people are using the land where pandas used to live. There are many pandas living in zoos around the world, which helps them from becoming extinct, and between 1,500 and 3,000 living in the wild in China.

Many people find pandas intriguing. Their black and white coloring is certainly unique and unlike other animals’. Their diet is 99% bamboo. They look cute and soft, and they seem gentle, but they are bears. And several countries, including China and the United States, work hard to help panda numbers grow. They are an extraordinary animal.

Rafael has an interesting idea for helping pandas. Does Marni agree with his plan? Learn more by reading today’s English lesson about this giant bear. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Hoot, hoot! You might have heard this sound from an owl at midnight while camping. They are nocturnal animals, which is just one of many interesting facts about them. The tiniest owl is the Elf Owl, which is five inches tall. The largest is the Great Gray Owl, which can be as tall as three feet!

They are both majestic and creepy, cute and vicious, odd and inviting. Their huge eyes are adorable, but they are big so they can hunt their prey. Their feathers are beautiful, but they hide their sharp talons. Some people love them, others hate them. But unless you’re nocturnal, the owl will have the last hoot!

Nestor saw an owl while he was camping. Listen as he and Marni discuss in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Adele is nothing but class. She reached out to me privately and publicly…. What a beautiful soul.—Singer Kesha, speaking about how Adele supported her during a difficult time (popsugar.com) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Sit back, relax, and enjoy your whirlwind tour of as many major attractions as you can possibly hit in one day. Bus tours are good way to see a new country or city if you want to visit a bunch of different sites in a short amount of time. They’re also great if you don’t want to worry about getting lost. Just make sure you don’t forget where the bus is parked!

On the other hand, if you spend all your time on a bus with a bunch of other tourists, you probably won’t have a very authentic, local experience. Plus, sometimes the best parts of visiting a foreign country are the experiences you didn’t plan or expect. Find out if Amy and Devan like to go on bus tours, or if they’d rather rough it. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com