Listening Supplement

The practice of chocolate giving began around the 1950s or early 1960s when confectionery companies in Japan started promoting the idea of women giving chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day. This marketing strategy boosted chocolate sales during a period that was traditionally not associated with gift-giving.

As air travel gets cheaper, more and more people are visiting famous sites aroundthe world. Although this increase in tourism brings economic benefits to the areas around these sites, tourists also cause unexpected problems. In particular, some famous works of art are being affected.

The sense of smell is an important tool for animals that live together in groups. Dogs and wolves, for example, use smell to communicate with their families and with other groups. In a similar way, smell is important for humans.

Over the past 20 years, more and more individuals have been buying locally produced food because it is better for both people's health and the environment.

Thousands of years ago in Australia, people traveled long distances without getting lost. Aboriginal people had a special way to help them travel. They used songs to describe the mountains, rivers, and rocks that people would see while they were traveling.

Dog sledding is one of the toughest sports in the world. A driver stands on a sled and guides a team of dogs that pulls the sled through the snow. Both the driver and the dogs must be very strong in order to compete.

TeamworkMark is a high school student. Every year, his school holds a festival. For this year's festival, Mark's class wanted to do a dance performance. Mark suggested that they dance to jazz music, which he likes. At first, most of his classmates (did not agree with) him.

Nearly three-quarters of the world's maple syrup is produced in the Canadian province of Quebec, and the industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the province's economy every year. Producers there are legally required to join the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers and to obey its regulations.

Around AD 550, the Ancient Pueblo people, or Ancients Puebloans, first settled the highlands of Mesa Verde in the US state of Colorado. Because of its high altitude, Mesa Verde received more rainfall than the surrounding lowlands, which were often affected by long droughts.

Some researches found that providing a pleasant educational setting can improve children’s progress in reading, writing, and math by up to 16% in a year. Factors such as amount of daylight, temperature, and indoor air quality were found to have the greatest effect.

In this episode, we dive into the intriguing world of the word 'ennui'. Explore with us as we trace its roots from French to English and Japanese, and discover the rich layers of meaning it carries. 'Ennui' is more than just boredom - it's a reflection of our existential struggles and a unique linguistic connection between cultures.

The kimono is a traditional Japanese garment, known for its elegant design and intricate patterns. The history of the kimono can be traced back over a thousand years and has evolved significantly over time. Let’s find out more.

It’s almost time to enjoy freshly picked stone fruits! Did you know that while only a few varieties of cherries may be available at grocery stores, there are many commercially cultivated and wild types of cherries? There seem to be more than one hundred kinds. Let’s find out more about cherries.

Dive into the fascinating life and works of Japanese novelist Morio Kita, known for his humorous essays and thought-provoking stories. Explore his journey as a psychiatrist turned author and the impact of his writing on readers around the world.

Griots are a unique ethnic group found predominantly in northern West Africa. But what is a Griot, and why are they so important?

This episode is a summary of an ongoing issue over the use of water resources of the Nile River. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River has caused a decade-long water supply dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. Egypt and Sudan fear that the dam will reduce the Nile River's water volume, while Ethiopia argues that it is essential for economic development. The dispu...

Here is another topic on AI technology. This episode covers more specific words related to the topic. Enjoy your reading and listening!

Children’s growth and learning happens at remarkable pace. Let’s find out commonly used words when describing child development.

Listen while following the transcript with your eyes. There are three multiple choice questions at the end of the transcript. We hope you try them!

What is AI technology and how is it changing our lives? Answer: AI technology refers to the use of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as decision-making and problem-solving. This technology is making a significant impact on our lives by changing what we do and how we interact with the world around us. What are some of the practical benefits of A...

Marie Curie is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished scientists of the 20th century. Born in Poland in 1867, she moved to France as a young woman to pursue her studies. It was there that she met and married Pierre Curie, with whom she would go on to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of radioactivity. Together, the Curies discovered two new elements, radium and polonium, and th...