Drug enhanced sport, for or against?

Drug enhanced sport, for or against?

13, November, 2025

Episode 258: The Enhanced Games: good or bad idea?

In this podcast we try to get our heads around allowing drugs in sports. This is a planned event for May 2026, taking place in Las Vegas. What’s your reaction to this? Listen in to find out more.

Using a SWOT to enhance personal learning
Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we try get our head around a controversial idea…. The Enhanced Games which encourages performance enhanced drugs in sport. Listen in to our surprise.

Notes

The Enhanced Games, planned to take place in May 2026, is certainly a provocative new sporting event. These games will allow athletes  to use performance-enhancing drugs and technologies without restriction. Supporters argue it’s a bold step into the future, embracing scientific progress to push human limits. In their view, banning enhancements is outdated and hypocritical—many athletes already use legal but powerful aids, and enforcement is inconsistent. Supporters of the Enhanced Games claim that it will level the playing field by making enhancement transparent, allowing peak performance through choice, not concealment.

However, critics warn it’s a dangerous precedent. Removing bans on enhancements could pressure all athletes into taking substances just to remain competitive, risking long-term health. It also raises ethical questions about the true meaning of sport and fair competition.

If you want to check out The Enhanced Games, click here to see their website.

Recap & Takeaways

As a language learner this podcast is great for hearing genuine spontaneaous surprise. Listen in to how Chris expresses his suprise, make a note of how you would react to this surprising information.

You will also hear some expressions in this natural, unscripted conversation between native British speakers. What do you think they mean?

I’m all ears

That’s just weird

Take a back seat

Real athletes wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole

I bet

It’s a no brainer

Drugged up to the eyeballs

To eat our own words

I can’t see it taking off

 

 

 

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What’s a language SWOT?

What’s a language SWOT?

13, November, 2025

Episode 257: What’s a language SWOT?

In this podcast we look at how to enhance your motivation by doing a language SWOT analysis. Normally SWOTs are used in project management, but they can also be applied to language learning. Tune in to find out what it might mean for you.

Using a SWOT to enhance personal learning

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we explore how to kick start your motivation by doing a language SWOT. Never heard of a SWOT analysis ? No worries, we’re got you covered.

Notes

So what’s a SWOT analysis?

It’s a planning tool used to identify and evaluate the internal and external factors that can impact the success of a business, project, or initiative. The acronym SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

  • Strengths are internal advantages that give an organization a competitive edge. These might include strong brand recognition, skilled staff, or efficient processes.

  • Weaknesses are internal limitations or areas where the organization may fall short, such as poor customer service, outdated technology, or limited resources.

  • Opportunities are external factors that the organization could exploit to its advantage. These could include market trends, technological advancements, or regulatory changes that open new markets.

  • Threats are external challenges that could negatively impact the organization, such as new competitors, economic downturns, or shifts in consumer behavior.

Conducting a SWOT analysis helps decision-makers understand where they currently stand and what factors they need to consider in planning for the future. It encourages a balanced view by highlighting both positives and negatives.

Recap & Takeaways

Now let’s apply the same principle to language learning.

To begin, list your Strengths—these are internal factors that support your learning. For example, you might have strong motivation, prior experience with similar languages, good study habits, or access to native speakers.

Next, identify your Weaknesses—areas where you struggle or face limitations. These could include poor pronunciation, limited vocabulary, difficulty with grammar, or lack of consistent study time.

Then consider your Opportunities—external resources or situations that can help your progress. This might include access to language apps, immersion programs, online tutors, language exchange partners, or traveling to a country where the language is spoken.

Finally, evaluate your Threats—external challenges that could slow your learning. These might include a busy schedule, lack of confidence, unsupportive environments, or distractions from other commitments.

By organizing your language learning experience in this way, you can create a targeted action plan.

 

 

 

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What are the advantages of using music to work on grammar

What are the advantages of using music to work on grammar?

1. Enhanced Memory Retention: Research suggests that music can aid in memory retention by creating strong neural connections. When grammar rules are set to music, learners may find it easier to recall and apply them in real-life language situations.

2. Increased Engagement: Music has the power to captivate learners’ attention and create an immersive learning experience. By incorporating music into grammar lessons, educators can boost student engagement and motivation, leading to more effective learning outcomes.

3. Improved Pronunciation: Music often emphasizes rhythm and melody, which can help learners improve their pronunciation and intonation. By singing along to grammatically correct lyrics, students can practice proper pronunciation patterns in a natural and enjoyable way.

4. Enhanced Vocabulary Acquisition: Many songs feature rich and varied vocabulary, providing learners with exposure to new words and expressions. By listening to and analyzing song lyrics, students can expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of grammatical structures in context.

5. Cultural Understanding: Music is deeply intertwined with culture, offering learners valuable insights into the customs, traditions, and values of English-speaking communities. By exploring music from different genres and time periods, students can develop a richer appreciation for the cultural nuances of the English language.

6. Positive Emotional Association: Music has the ability to evoke emotions and create positive associations with learning experiences. By incorporating music into grammar lessons, educators can create a supportive and enjoyable learning environment that encourages risk-taking and experimentation.

7. Increased Fluency: Singing along to songs can help improve fluency by promoting natural rhythm and flow in language production. Through repeated exposure to grammatically correct lyrics, learners can develop a greater sense of fluency and confidence in their speaking and writing abilities.

8. Cross-Cultural Connections: Music is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries. By exploring English-language music from different cultures and regions, learners can develop a deeper understanding of global perspectives and forge connections with speakers of English around the world.

9. Personalized Learning: Music offers learners the opportunity to engage with language in a personalized and self-directed manner. By selecting songs that resonate with their interests and preferences, students can take ownership of their learning and tailor their study materials to suit their individual needs.

10. Long-Term Retention: Studies have shown that information learned through music tends to be retained for longer periods compared to traditional learning methods. By integrating music into grammar instruction, educators can help students build a solid foundation of language skills that will endure over time.

In summary, scientific evidence supports the use of music as a valuable tool for working on grammar for learners of English. By harnessing the power of music, educators can create engaging and effective learning experiences that enhance memory retention, increase engagement, improve pronunciation, and foster cultural understanding and fluency.

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Build holiday vocabulary?

If you are planning a holiday in an English speaking country you will need some vocabulary, maybe new vocabulary.

The best way to remember what you need is to make a mind map as the visual map is much easier to remember than lists and lists of words.

Take a look at this clip and then make your own Holiday Mind Map.

Holiday Mind Map

Notice the use of the present continuous grammar tense which is used to talk about things that are planned.

Christmas far from the North Pole

Is it possible to get in to the Christmas spirit thousands of miles away from Lapland ???

In this Vblog Chris and Sue take you on a fun trip around Toulouse to soak up the Christmas atmosphere in South West France. There are only blue skies, no snow in sight but a lot of French cheese, cakes, chocolate, Canadian whisky and even a Christmas flamingo !!

You’ll see how Sue tries to get Chris into the Christmas spirit in a city a far, far away from Santa’s grotto. 

What do you think, is Christmas too commercial or just an excuse to have some fun in winter?

Click here to go to Two Frogs Travel YouTube channel and see beautiful Toulouse at Christmas.

Wherever you are in the world, hot or snowy climes we wish you a very Happy Christmas!

 

 

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