Episode 118
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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.
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.
As it turns out, Valentine's Day was voted the best day of the year to get engaged.
Because what better day to propose than a day devoted to love and romance?
For me, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to tell others how important they are in my life.
And what does Valentine's Day mean to you?
Ok! Let’s continue with a mini-story.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
And like that, I'll tell a story with questions and answers.
Are you ready?
Jack and Emily were completely in love with each other.
Were Jack and Emily fighting?
No, no fighting. They were in love. How much were they in love?
Not at all, a little, a lot?
A lot. They were absolutely in love.
Were they in love with each other or with themselves?
With each other. They were in love with each other.
Jack and Emily went to have dinner at a romantic restaurant.
Did Jack and Emily have dinner on a boat?
No, no. Not on a boat. It's a romantic restaurant.
Why did they go to that restaurant?
To have breakfast, lunch, or maybe dinner?
Dinner. They went to have dinner. They didn't have breakfast or lunch. They went to have dinner.
Jack leaned across the table to offer Emily a spoonful of the delicious cake.
Did Emily lean across the table to offer him a spoonful of sugar?
No, no. Emily didn’t lean across the table. It was Jack who leaned across the table.
What did Jack lean in for?
To offer Emily a spoonful of the delicious cake.
What did Jack offer?
A spoonful of the delicious cake.
As he leaned over, Jack knocked over a candle that burned off some of her hair.
What did Jack knock over?
A glass of wine?
No. He didn't knock over a glass of wine. He knocked over a candle.
Did the candle burn anything?
Yes. It burned off part of Emily's hair.
Whose hair did the candle burn?
Emily's. Emily's hair. It burned Emily's hair.
In the end, nothing serious happened to Emily and they ate for free.
Did something serious happen to Emily?
No, nothing serious happened to her.
Did they have to pay for dinner?
No, they didn't have to pay for dinner. They ate for free because of the accident.
The next day, Emily said, "There's too much fire in our relationship!"
Did Jack say, "We need a fire extinguisher for our relationship"?
No, no. Jack did not say that. Jack didn't say anything. Emily said their relationship had too much fire.
What was wrong with the relationship?
Fire. Emily said there was too much fire in their relationship.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
Valentine’s Day
a holiday celebrating love on February 14.
romantic dinner
a special meal shared by a couple.
sweetheart
a person you love romantically.
lean across
move your upper body over or toward something.
greeting card
a card containing a message for a special occasion.
spoonful
the amount that fits in one spoon.
admirer
someone who has affection or respect for another person.
knock over
cause something to fall accidentally.
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keep it up our lovely teacher and mother