Author Archives: Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Fall Festivals, Part 1

Posted on Tuesday - October 25, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Many countries have a tradition of the harvest festival, a point we mentioned recently on ESL Podcast 723. Harvest refers to the food you take out of the fields (places where food grows) to sell or eat.  A festival is … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 24 Comments

Liquor Stores and Libraries

Posted on Tuesday - October 18, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

According to a recent study (research investigation), the closer teenagers (those ages 13 to 19) live to places where alcohol is sold, the more likely they are to binge drink. Binge drinking is when you drink excessively (too much) over … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 26 Comments

Nobel Committee Reminds Me Why I’m Not an Economist

Posted on Tuesday - October 11, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

The Nobel Prizes are among the most prestigious (highly respected or honored) awards given to people who have accomplished something great in their field (area of work or study). Yesterday the Nobel Committee awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Economics … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Current Events | 29 Comments

#SortofInteresting

Posted on Tuesday - October 4, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Almost everyone on the Internet has heard of Twitter, a micro-blogging (a mini or small blogging) service where you are able to send short, 140–characters–or–less messages to people who “follow” you on the service. (We talked about it briefly here.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 13 Comments

Keeping Fit While Being Cool

Posted on Tuesday - September 20, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Okay, so you don’t work out (exercise) as much as you should. Perhaps your exercise routine (habits; things you do regularly) are getting a little stale (dull; boring; old).  Are you ready for the latest, greatest approaches to keeping in … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 19 Comments

Gadgets by Gender

Posted on Tuesday - August 30, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

A gadget is a small, often electronic device (machine) such as a cellphone or calculator. Gender usually refers to whether someone is a man or a woman. As things, gadgets are neither male nor female, but there is definitely a … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 21 Comments

How to Be an Angelino: Part 2

Posted on Tuesday - August 23, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Last week I talked about the importance of shortcuts in the life of an Angelino (someone living in Los Angeles). Today I’ll add another essential (necessary) element (part) of life in L.A.: Expect people to be flaky. To be flaky … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 23 Comments

How to Be an Angelino: Part 1

Posted on Tuesday - August 16, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Every city and region (part of a state or country) has its own culture, its own set of customs, beliefs, and unwritten rules. I will soon complete my 20th year here in Los Angeles, and in honor of (to celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 26 Comments

Angry Birds in the Field of Dreams

Posted on Thursday - August 4, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Baseball, as you probably know, is our national sport in the United States. Its influence can be seen in both popular culture (movies such as Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams) and in the recreational (sporting; games) choices of Americans themselves. … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in the United States | 19 Comments

ESL Podcast’s Sixth Anniversary Video: The (Really) Serious Episode

Posted on Thursday - July 21, 2011 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Join us at English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcast in celebrating our sixth anniversary with our annual video episode! This one is called The (Really) Serious Episode, and when you watch it, you’ll see why. Thanks to all of … Continue reading →

Posted in About ESL Podcast | 42 Comments