Real, everyday American English — The American Year, Summer to Fall (Part 2). You hear 40 phrases Americans actually use, each spoken clearly with a natural-speed repeat, the stressed syllable marked, and a short note on when to use it. Then take the matching quiz. Phrases in this episode (CAPITALS = the beat): Memorial Day's the last Monday in May. [muh-MOR-ee-ul DAYZ thuh LAST MUN-day in MAY.] It's the unofficial start of summer. [its thee un-uh-FIH-shul STAHRT uv SUH-mur.] We're firing up the grill. [weer FYR-ing UHP thuh GRIL.] We're heading to the lake for the weekend. [weer HEH-ding tuh thuh LAYK fur thuh WEE-kend.] Happy Fourth! [HA-pee FOHRTH!] What are you doing for the Fourth? [WUH-dur yuh DOO-ing fur thuh FOHRTH?] We're going to see the fireworks. [weer GUH-nuh SEE thuh FYR-wurks.] The neighbors set off fireworks all week. [thuh NAY-burz set AWF FYR-wurks awl WEEK.] My dog hates the fireworks. [my DAWG HAYTS thuh FYR-wurks.] Bring a blanket and get there early. [BRING uh BLANG-kit un get thair UR-lee.] Sparklers are fine for the little ones. [SPAHR-klurz ur FYN fur thuh LIH-dul WUNZ.] It's a cookout kind of day. [its uh KUUK-owt KY-nuh DAY.] Labor Day's the first Monday in September. [LAY-bur DAYZ thuh FURST MUN-day in sep-TEM-bur.] This is our last barbecue of the summer. [this iz owr LAST BAHR-bih-kyoo uv thuh SUH-mur.] The pool closes after Labor Day. [thuh POOL KLOH-ziz AF-tur LAY-bur DAY.] No white after Labor Day. [NOH WYT AF-tur LAY-bur DAY.] It's a holiday for working people. [its uh HAH-luh-day fur WUR-king PEE-pul.] School starts next week. [SKOOL STAHRTS NEKST WEEK.] We've gotta do back-to-school shopping. [weev GAH-duh DOO BAK-tuh-SKOOL SHAH-ping.] The kids can't wait to go back. [thuh KIDZ KANT WAYT tuh GOH BAK.] Who'd you get for a teacher? [HOO-juh GET fur uh TEE-chur?] Open house is Thursday night. [OH-pun HOWS iz THURZ-day NYT.] The first day's a half day. [thuh FURST DAYZ uh HAF DAY.] …and more in the episode