What is it:

The Special English Web site is an excellent tool to practice and improve your American

English.  VOA Special English radio programs are broadcast every day of the year on the

VOA network.  Each broadcast starts with world news, followed by a short feature report

and a 15 minute feature.

Find a report that interests you.  You can find our scripts by topic or by the name of the radio

program. Read along and listen to the audio report.  At the same time you will learn new

information about a variety of subjects from issues in the news to American history.

Three Elements Make Special English Unique

• It has a core vocabulary of 1500 words.  Most are simple words that describe objects,

          actions or emotions.  Some words are more difficult.  They are used for reporting world
          events and describing discoveries in medicine and science. 

• Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use

          active voice.  They do not use idioms.

• Special English broadcasters read at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of

          standard English.  This helps people learning English hear each word clearly.  It also
          helps people who are fluent English speakers understand complex subjects.

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