Kikokushijo Academy Wordcast

In today’s lesson, entitled The Right to Sing, you will listen to a passage about how a simple little song became a household word, so to speak. You will also learn a what a copyright is and what laws protect music and other original work. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Wordcast website as a separate track.  And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to help boost your vocabulary skills! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Oh No! Another El Niño!, you will listen to a passage about how the unusual warming of surface waters in the South Pacific affects the weather all across the globe. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled O Christmas Tree! you will listen to a passage about how the Christmas tree tradition got started and about the real-vs.-artificial Christmas tree debate. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.    Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled From Dynamite to Peace, you will listen to a passage about how Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel developed a safe and effective explosive for industrial use. You will also learn why he established the Nobel Prizes to honor those people who have made valuable contributions to mankind. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers to this week's questions can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track. Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Bonus track. 

In today’s lesson, entitled A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away, you will listen to a passage about how Star Wars influenced the Hollywood film industry and why some collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for vintage Star Wars action figures. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Bonus Track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled It’s Elementary, you will be listening to a passage about how literature’s most famous detective helped pave the way for modern-day detectives’ crime-solving methods. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  Answers to today's Listening Comprehension questions are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  You may also download the lesson and keep it for your reference.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track to improve your understanding of the lesson itself and to give your vocabulary a big boost! 

In today’s passage, entitled “Fear Itself,” you will learn about various types of phobias and how fear can drive people to do things that are not always logical. Answers to Listening Comprehension Questions can be downloaded on the KA Voicecast website.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Bonus track to boost your vocab knowledge.

In today’s lesson, entitled Earth Impact, you will be listening to a passage about the Chelyabinsk Meteor incident. You will also learn why astronomers are keeping a close eye on some space objects that may be on a future collision course with our planet. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary Words bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, you will be listening to a passage about Cleopatra, one of the most powerful and most famous women in history. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.     Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.       Be sure to check out the Key Vocabulary bonus track! 

In today’s passage, entitled “Waste Not, Want Not,” you will learn about how much food is being wasted globally every year—this, in spite of the fact that millions of people around the world go to bed hungry every day. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.   Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track or PDF download.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to improve your understanding of the passage itself, and give your vocabulary a big boost!

In today’s lesson, entitled One Team, One Nation, you will be listening to a passage about how one of history’s most influential leaders used rugby to unite a divided nation. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening. Answers are available on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.    Be sure to check out the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track to give your vocabulary a big boost!

In today’s lesson, entitled The Power of Social Media, you will be listening to a passage about how Facebook and other social-media networking sites got their start and about how dramatically “being connected” has changed the way we communicate today. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website as a separate track.  Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track! 

In today’s lesson, entitled Pay It Forward, you will be listening to a passage about the philosophy of “forward giving” and how it may have gotten its start in a play written more than 2,300 years ago. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening. Answers can be found on the KA Voicecast website.       BE SURE TO LISTEN TO THE KEY VOCABULARY BONUS TRACK!   

In today’s lesson, entitled What’s In A Name? you will learn how some of America’s cities and natural landmarks got their names. You will also learn about the controversy surrounding the name of the tallest mountain peak in North America. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening. Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track for this lesson.      

In today’s lesson, entitled The Magical World of Reading, you will learn about all the positive effects reading has on your brain, imagination, and even character. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening.  

In today's lesson, entitled Music to Our Ears, you will learn about what "buskers," or street performers, have to go through to earn the privilege to perform in some of London and New York's prime locations.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.   Answers will follow immediately after the closing jingle.  You may also listen to the Listening Comprehension Questions and Answers track on the KA Voicecast website.   Be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.  This will help you improve your understanding of the passage itself and give your vocabulary a big boost.  

In today’s lesson, entitled Mission to Mars, you will be listening to an informational passage about the planet Mars.  You will also learn about the many challenges scientists and engineers must overcome in order to establish a future settlement on the Red Planet. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.    Be sure to listen to the KEY VOCABULARY bonus track.  This will help you better understand the passage itself, and give your vocabulary a big boost!

In today’s lesson, entitled Finders, Keepers, you will learn about how, during the 16th to 18th centuries, gold and silver and other precious commodities were transported from the New World (the Americas) to Europe. You will also learn about why modern-day amateur and professional treasure hunters have identified the Florida coastline as a “hotspot” for finding sunken treasure and striking it rich. Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow. 

In today’s lesson, entitled An Aviation Mystery, you will learn about American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart and the events that led up to her disappearance nearly eighty years ago.  Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.    The correct answers will follow immediately after the closing jingle, so stay tuned.  Answers are also available on the KA Wordcast website as a separate track.   You can also download the lesson in PDF format and keep it for your reference.    And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.   This will improve your understanding of the passage itself and give you a bigger, better active vocabulary. 

In today’s lesson, entitled Speaking of Swagger, you will be listening to a passage about the words and phrases William Shakespeare “invented” and contributed to the English language.  You will also learn about why some language experts believe that throughout history, linguistic changes have so often been made by young women.   Listen carefully to the passage and then answer the questions that follow.  It’s always a good idea to take notes as you listen, but remember: don’t let your note-taking distract you from your listening.  The correct answers will follow immediately after the closing jingle, so stay tuned.  Answers are also available on the KA Wordcast website as a separate track.   You can also download the lesson in PDF format and keep it for your reference.    And be sure to listen to the Key Vocabulary bonus track.   This will improve your understanding of the passage itself and give you a bigger, better active vocabulary.