Happy New Year!!! For many people, these words mean that it’s time to set a new goal. A New Year’s Resolution is something a person wants to do in the new year. The most common New Year’s Resolutions are familiar to all of us. We all want to lose weight, spend less money, and enjoy life more. The internet has many tips on how to do these things.

So, should you jump right in after setting a New Year’s Resolution? Maybe. On one hand, you’re excited and ready to start making progress. On the other hand, it’s easy to feel frustrated and stressed out after only a few weeks. Please keep in mind that you have the entire year for this goal. Do just a little bit every day and soon, you’ll achieve your goal.

Jessica is telling Andy that she can’t stand all the new people at her gym this month. Listen to today’s English lesson to learn why everyone wants to work out right now. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Are you a person with a lot of plans? Do you know what you’re doing next weekend, next month, and next year? Planning can be fun. We can plan an adventure, a trip to a tropical island, or a wedding. Or perhaps, you’re fixin’ to do something smaller. For example, maybe, you want to start taking French lessons. Maybe, you just want to go to bed early tonight. When talking about plans, we can say we’re fixin’ to do something. It doesn’t matter if it’s next year or in 5 minutes.

The US is a very large country. The English you hear in New York might be a little different than the English you hear in Texas. People in some states use special words and expressions. In Texas, for example, people say they are fixin’ to do things. This means they are preparing to do something. If a friend in Texas asks you to keep a secret, they probably want to tell you about something new they’re fixin’ to do. This expression is used mainly in the American South, in states like Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and many others.

Speaking of secrets, Dominique has one. You’ll find out what it is in today’s English soap opera! -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Is it February 14th, and you’re still looking for the one? Does Valentine’s Day make you feel pathetic? For singles, this commercialized holiday is often unpleasant, like a Singles Awareness Day. But if you don’t have a significant other, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, celebrate something different.

February 14th now has a new name. It’s called Galentine’s Day. The word Galentine is a combination of gal and valentine. It’s a day to be happy and treat yourself to nice things. On Galentine’s Day, you can do whatever you want, even if that’s only a TV marathon. You should feel single, free, and happy.

Andy’s love life had a rough year. Now he’s sad and single on Valentine’s Day. Can Jessica come up with a plan for her friend? -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Carrie Fisher was a role model for many people. She was an incredible actress, a witty person, and an advocate. Her iconic acting role was as Princess Leia in the 1970s classic, Star Wars. She inspired many women and girls to be strong, just like Princess Leia. And many people still love to dress up as Princess Leia and wear buns in their hair.

In addition to being a wonderful actor, Carrie Fisher also spoke about her own mental illness. She was bipolar, but instead of hiding it, she talked to people about it. She helped many people who also have mental illnesses to feel more comfortable and to talk to their friends and family. On December 27, 2016, Carrie Fisher passed away. Many people miss her greatly.

Gary is a big fan of Carrie Fisher. Listen as he tells Dominique about her in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“I’m coming so clean cut with the message of hope and understanding… what could you be fearful of?” —Chance the Rapper, speaking about his music appealing to Middle America (GQ) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Why are you learning English? Why don’t people in England, Canada, Australia, and the US learn your tongue? Here’s an idea: Why don’t we all learn a new and different language together? In 1887, a Polish eye doctor thought this was a good idea. He wanted the world to be able to communicate in a language that didn’t belong to any country. This doctor invented a new artificial language and named it Esperanto.

Esperanto is an easy language to master. There are only 16 grammar rules and there are no irregular verbs. So, is Esperanto catching on? Maybe, slowly. It is spoken all around the world. Some people even learn it in childhood, like famous businessman George Soros. But other people are skeptical. English, for example, is already spoken by so many people. Does the world really need another language to connect people.

Andy has good reasons for learning Esperanto. Listen to this English lesson as he explains his reasons to Marni. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

We can all do amazing things when we focus. Of course, some people have a great ability to focus, and they do amazing things all the time. These people know that taking the first step is the most important part of the process. For example, you might want to sing in front of an audience, but you don’t know how. However, if you have a mind to do this, you will be able to find a way.

When you have a mind to do something, you are determined to do it. In other words, you have a strong want to do this thing, so you will find a way to do it. If you have a mind to sing in front of an audience, then you might begin by singing for your friends. After some practice, you can find a good place to sing for an audience. When you have a mind to do something like this, you will probably be successful.

Kelsey has a mind to make a music video, but she’s nervous. Watch today’s English lesson to hear Jordin’s advice. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Imagine that you’ve moved to another country. You feel very excited to be out of your comfort zone. There’s a new language to learn, new things to see, and a new culture to embrace. It’s intense, but it’s great! Or is it? Maybe, you feel really homesick. Perhaps, you think that you don’t have an ear for languages. Would you go home? Would you tough it out? Or would you live in the expat bubble?

An expat is a person who is working or living in a foreign country. Some expats get over their culture shock. Then, they happily immerse themselves in the local language and culture. Other expats can’t get over their culture shock. It’s just too difficult to adjust to a new language and culture. Often, these expats live in the expat bubble. To live in the expat bubble means to spend time only with other expats, only speaking your native language, only eating foods from home.

Andy’s friend is living in the expat bubble. Listen to this English lesson to get some good advice on how to leave the expat bubble. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Malia Obama is the daughter of Barack Obama. As a teenager, she lived in the White House with her family. Now, Malia is 18 years old. It’s time for her to go to university… but first, Malia will take a gap year. Then, feeling rejuvenated, she will start her studies at Harvard University. Do you know what a gap year is, and why it’s so popular nowadays?

After high school, many students are burnt out. They feel like they’ve spent their entire lives in school. They want to rest their brains and see the world. A gap year gives students the chance to make a difference. To do this, students must delay university by a year. During the gap year, a student might work, travel, or volunteer in a program like AmeriCorps.

Marni is adamant that Malia Obama will use her time wisely. But can she convince Romeo that a gap year is a good idea? Listen to today’s English lesson to find out. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“The whole shebang. All the help you can get.” —Actress Dakota Johnson, speaking about going to therapy as a child (Vogue) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com