Cover art for podcast Speak English Now through mini-stories with teacher Georgiana

Speak English Now through mini-stories with teacher Georgiana

292 EpisodesProduced by Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.comWebsite

Hi, I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. And I've been helping you speak English since 2011. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.I help people develop their fluency in English using effective and proven techniques, such as mini-story and point-of-view techniques. I am als… read more

11:58

#157 Valentine’s Day in the United States (rep)

Listen to a new episode of Speak English Now Podcast, your favorite material for practicing your spoken and heard English. You will also learn about lifestyle and culture, language, vocabulary, and how to improve your English more effectively.

Transcript:

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

In today’s episode, I will talk about Valentine’s Day in the United States. And with a mini-story, you will improve your English speaking.

Remember! You can get the transcript at speakenglishpodcast.com.

Ok. Let’s get started!

Although it is a very commercial holiday, Valentine's Day has a fascinating history that goes back to ancient Rome! In the United States and other parts of the world, people celebrate February 14 by giving away candy hearts and red roses.

Historians believe that Valentine's Day originated in ancient Rome as a pagan fertility festival.

But despite its origins, in 1300, it officially became a holiday associated with love and romance.

The Roman Pope officially declared February 14, "Valentine's Day." It was then associated with love because many believed that birds began their mating season on February 14.

There was more than one St. Valentine.

There have been multiple St. Valentines throughout history, like a bishop and a pope.

But the most common one was the one who challenged Emperor Claudius II.

Back then, Claudius had forbidden marriage because he thought it would distract young soldiers.

However, Valentine disapproved, so he illegally married couples until he was captured.

After he was convicted, young couples would visit his cell and give him flowers and cards. It’s said that he died on February 14.

Let’s see how Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day nowadays.

Since 1840 sending cards became a tradition and Americans send out 145 million Valentine's Day cards every year.

Americans spend a lot of money on Valentine’s Day

About 50% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day and spend about $19 billion a year, and over $2 billion on candy alone. That’s a lot of money, right?

But do you know where most of the money goes?

Americans spend almost 5 billion dollars on jewelry on Valentine's Day!

They also spend more than $3.7 billion on going out at night, followed by flowers, clothes, and candy.

Ok. Now let’s get a bit romantic.

Nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine's Day.

[END of EXTRACT]

Get the transcript at: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com

Educational emoji reaction

Educational

Interesting emoji reaction

Interesting

Funny emoji reaction

Funny

Agree emoji reaction

Agree

Love emoji reaction

Love

Wow emoji reaction

Wow

Listen to Speak English Now through mini-stories with teacher Georgiana

RadioPublic

A free podcast app for iPhone and Android

  • User-created playlists and collections
  • Download episodes while on WiFi to listen without using mobile data
  • Stream podcast episodes without waiting for a download
  • Queue episodes to create a personal continuous playlist
RadioPublic on iOS and Android
Or by RSS
RSS feed
https://speakenglishpodcast.libsyn.com/radiopublic

Connect with listeners

Podcasters use the RadioPublic listener relationship platform to build lasting connections with fans

Yes, let's begin connecting
Browser window

Find new listeners

  • A dedicated website for your podcast
  • Web embed players designed to convert visitors to listeners in the RadioPublic apps for iPhone and Android
Clicking mouse cursor

Understand your audience

  • Capture listener activity with affinity scores
  • Measure your promotional campaigns and integrate with Google and Facebook analytics
Graph of increasing value

Engage your fanbase

  • Deliver timely Calls To Action, including email acquistion for your mailing list
  • Share exactly the right moment in an episode via text, email, and social media
Icon of cellphone with money

Make money

  • Tip and transfer funds directly to podcastsers
  • Earn money for qualified plays in the RadioPublic apps with Paid Listens