Episode 206: The history of reggae music

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What is thanksgiving all about?

’July

Episode 204: What is Thanksgiving all about?

Thanksgiving is a North American tradition that comes around every year at this time of year, but what is it all about?

Episode 204: What is Thanksgiving all about?

The last Thursday in November is a major celebration day in the USA, it is a national holiday and a time for friends and family to get together.

You have surely heard of Thanksgiving, it is often portrayed in American movies and TV series, but do you really understand why it’s so important to Americans.

In this podcast Chris and Sue, as 2 Brits, discuss some of the interesting traditions, facts and controversies surrounding this North American national holiday .

Why is it celebrated? How many Thanksgiving Dinners were there? Who were the first Pilgrims? Where did they come from? What do people eat at this dinner?

Notes

But even though Thanksgiving is a special holiday and a precious time spent with friends and family for many North American, Chris and Sue raise the issue that for many others it is considered to be a “national day of mourning” to be viewed as a terrible time when colonists wiped out Native Americans and their culture. They feel that this period of history is “white-washed” out of history – which leads many Americans to ignore the holiday.

Recap & Takeaways

Enjoy the podcast and listen out for useful vocabulary, and of course you can consolidate your knowledge and vocabulary by doing the Thanksgiving quiz with 20 great questions.

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Can I improve my listening skills?

November 03, 2023

Episode 203: How can I improve my listening skills?

The ability to listen, hear and understand English is a vital skills in order to learn a language and without good listening skills, it is almost impossible to learn any language?

Episode 203: How can I improve my listening skills?

Understanding what people are saying to you is the first step to taking part in a conversation….. but the problem for many learners is UNDERSTANDING ! But just what is the problem? Accent ? Vocabulary? Speed of speech ?

Many learners say “Accent” and as we know there are many, many English accents this can really cause difficulties. In this podcast we talk about accents and how to get used to them.

Notes

Improving listening skills is one of the most important aspects of language learning and one of the skills that is often not focused on by teachers and trainers of languages.

The long and short of it is that if you can’t hear, listen to or understand what is being said, then you have very little chance of learning that language.

Recap & Takeaways

Here we give some ideas of how you can work independently on listening skills – nobody else can do it for you.

However, it is not a quick fix and takes a lot of work and time – but a vital element of language learning.

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Déjà vu; seen it before ?

26, July, 2026

Episode 247: The curious case of Déjà Vu

Ever had the feeling that you know what is going to happen next? Ever thought you have been to a place before, even though you know you haven’t been there before? This could be Déjà Vu – to find out more, listen to the podcast …

The curious case of déjà vu

by English Podcasts | Podcasts in English

In this episode we look at that feeling that we feel things and situations are strangely familiar – that somehow we have already lived these experiences, this is the curious case of Déjà Vu!

Notes

Have you ever walked into a place for the first time and felt like you’ve been there before?

Or had a conversation that seemed oddly familiar, even though you know it’s never happened?

That eerie, mysterious feeling is déjà vu.

In this episode, we’re diving into the science, psychology, and theories behind this strange phenomenon.

What causes it?

Is it a glitch in the brain, a trick of memory, or something more?

Let’s explore the curious case of déjà vu.

Recap & Takeaways

Takeaways for Language Learners:
Interestingly, déjà vu can also happen when learning a new language.

Have you ever encountered a word or phrase that feels strangely familiar, even though you don’t recall learning it?

This could be your brain recognizing patterns, drawing connections between languages, or tapping into subconscious memory.

The more you immerse yourself in a language, the more these moments happen—so trust the process!

Exposure, repetition, and curiosity are key to making the unfamiliar feel familiar.

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