Language Learning: How To Stay Motivated

Language Learning: How To Stay Motivated

04, December, 2024

Episode 238: Language Learning: how to stay motivated

In this podcast, we talk about staying motivated when language learning. Listen in to our 10 tips.

How to stay motivated learning English

Welcome back to English-Podcasts. In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of language learning. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our “why” to get us back on track. This podcast will provide some useful tips to keep going.

Notes

When we start learning something new, it can be a novel experience at the start and we want to put a lot of effort into our learning, but as time goes on, we can start to flag and at times we just cannot get the motivation to continue learning.

Lack of motivation is a common problem faced by many language learners, so if you’re struggling to get motivated to learn, you aren’t alone! For those of us who have taken up the task of independently learning a language, low motivation can be even more difficult without peers around you for encouragement.

To kick-start your motivation you may need to reveiw these points:

Why do I need this language ? Is it for work, for travel, for intectual stimulation, to learn a song, to watch a film ?

Recap & Takeaways

BEFORE LISTENING, THINK ABOUT YOUR ORIGINAL GOAL

You  should always have clear goals in sight, review and change your goals regularly.

Have some form of testing in place to find out whether they have successfully achieved your aim. This could be a traditional test on-line or just a conversation in a language club….. but do expect progress to be in small baby steps.

Language is essentially about communication, so join a club (on-line) or a class, or a group. Having a support group is fun too.

Listen up to our 10 tips and let us know if you find them useful…. we would love to hear from you! 

 

 

 

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Tips for Writing E-mails

Tips for Writing E-mails

04, December, 2024

Episode 237: Tips for Writing E-mails

In this podcast, you can pick up tips on the best way to start and finish your mails without causing any cultural misunderstandings!

Writing effective emails
Welcome back to English-Podcasts. In this episode we discuss the cultural minefield of modern communication. How are e-mails different to letters and phone calls? No need to worry anymore, we have the answers.

Notes

Email has become the top method of communication in the workforce. Reasons for emails vary from business correspondences to personal messages.

They can be as short as one word and as long as a novella, but that does not mean that these are all appropriate or even effective.

It’s important  to learn how to effectively use email at work.

Worldwide email use continues to grow at a healthy pace. In 2015, the number of worldwide email users will be nearly 2.6 billion. By the end of 2023, the number of worldwide email users will increase to over 4 billion.

E-mail communication has taken over other forms of communication; how often do you write a letter ? It’s even taking over phone calls. All the more reason to have the correct forms of introduction and closing….. listen up to our tips.

Recap & Takeaways

BEFORE LISTENING, THINK ABOUT YOUR E-MAILS

Who do you write to?

How does your relationship change over time with your correspondants? Are you friendly, but not friends? Are you in a position of authority or not?

What kind of information are you asking for in your e-mails? Should the tone be friendly or firm?

THESE CULTURAL ASPECTS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

How long are your e-mails? Would a phone call have been quicker?

As language learners, an e-mail may seem an easier option than picking up the phone. Take a listen to our upcoming podcast on phone calls to great some useful tips.

 

 

 

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Planning a Holiday Getaway

Planning a Holiday Getaway

04, December, 2024

Episode 236: Planning a Holiday Getaway

In this podcast, you can hear us plan a holiday getaway in real time. You’ll be challenged by numbers, numbers and more numbers!

Planning a holiday getaway

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we plan a holiday getaway in real time, you’ll hear us clicking away, making mistakes and finally coming up with a good destination which fits Sue’s budget.

Notes

Have you ever tried to book a holiday on line? It’s pretty confusing, isn’t it?

Listen to Chris and Sue go through the different options, flights and prices. There’s a lot of detailed information in this podcast, so you may need to listen several times.

This podcast is a great way to practice number comprehension; listen out for the times of flights, the dates of the holiday, the holiday budget, and the times of the stopovers.

There’s plenty of work do with this one! Not forgetting that planning a holiday getaway is a great way to boost your morale in these cold winter months.

 

Recap & Takeaways

BEFORE LISTENING, THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS

What’s the furtherest you’ve ever travelled?

How do you feel about flying?

Where have you been?

What’s your usual budget for a holiday?

What do you usually do on holiday?

What type of souvenirs do you buy from your holiday?

AFTER LISTENING

Write down all the numbers you heard. Can you reconsitute the flight itinery?

 

 

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Describing pain and symptoms

Describing pain and symptoms

04, December, 2024

Episode 235: Describing pain and pain symptoms

In this podcast, we hear from 4 people who describe very different health mishaps. You’ll hear plenty of useful vocabulary.

Describing pain and symptoms

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we hear from 4 people who’ve experienced varying degrees of pain ranging from a bee sting to a hangover. Listen up for great vocabulary!

Notes

It can be surprisingly difficult to describe pain and symptoms. What does pain really feel like….

Each of us experiences our pain differently, making it highly subjective—and that makes it a challenge for a doctor to evaluate.

Before listening check out this website describe pain and symptoms to a doctor to help with the vocabulary.

These to 4 people describe the ailments and accidents that they had, including a last one that is more self-inflicted than an accident.

 

Recap & Takeaways

When we talk about illness we often use the Passive Voice e.g. “I have been stung”, rather than “A bee stung me”.

Listen out for these words:

To be stung – a sting

To be swollen – to swell – a swelling

My ankles were broken  – a broken ankle – to break

A slipped disc

My head is trobbing – a head ache

 

 

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A Few Days in New York

A Few Days in New York

04, December, 2024

Episode 234: A Few Days in New York

In this podcast, Sue chats to Laura halfway through their holiday in New York. Can you guess some of the grammar you’ll hear?

Buying and selling on-line

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we travel to New York to visit the sites and talk grammar. Listen carefully to the things we love about the Big Apple and some of the things which we couldn’t get used to!

Notes

Have you ever been to New York ? Is it on your list of things to do ? Do you like big cites ? Do you live in the USA? What do you think of tourists to your country?

Listen to this podcast in which Laura, a French-British young women talks to Sue about her holiday, or vacation as they say in American English.

In this podcast Laura talks about these famous sites:

The Empire State Building

The Rockerfeller Center

The Statue of Liberty

The Met Musuem

China Town

Central Park

The Subway

Can you think of any other places that you’d like to visit?

Learn more about the New York Skyline with our quiz, full of fun fact and great vocabulary.

https://english-podcasts.com/the-new-york-skyline-quiz/

Recap & Takeaways

If you are learning English, listen very carefully to how Laura talks about her trip. She is half way through her holiday so notice how she describes actions/events in the past and then actions/events in the recent past and then actions/ events in the future. This podcast is a great way to see all these grammatical structures.

Notice the use of the Simple Past tense to indicate something that Laura did in the past. 

I booked the hotel on line. I bought a Tourist pass before I came 

Sue asks Laura; How did you cope with the jet leg when you arrived?

Notice the use of the Present Perfect tense which Laura uses to describe something she has done recently, within the last few days but without mentioning the exact day.

I have been to see the Statue of Liberty. I‘ve done so many things.  I have taken a cab. I’ve been to wrong places. I have been to Five Guys. I’ve spoken to quite a few people from new York.

Notice the use of the Present Continuous tense to describe a current situation.

Sue asks Laura: How are you getting around ?

People in the street are all carrying a cup of soda or coffee.

Notice the use of the future tenses.

Sue asks Laura: What are you doing after this diner? When are you heading back ?

I’m going to visit Brooklyn Bridge and the Highline later this afternoon.

 

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Very Superstitious! Just how superstitious are you?

Very Superstitious! Just how superstitious are you?

04, December, 2024

Episode 231: Very superstitious! Should you let superstitions  be part of your life?

In this podcast, we dive into the “for” and the “against” of living your life in tune with superstitions.

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we talk about superstitions. The fascinating thing about superstitions is that we often believe in them despite knowing, on some level, that they can’t be true. Why do we do this?

Notes

For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety – which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and angst. This is particularly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty – notably wars and conflicts. Indeed, Researchers have observed how in Germany between 1918 and 1940 measures of economic threat correlated directly with measures of superstition.

Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.

Superstition is also highly prevalent within sport – especially in highly competitive situations. Four out of five professional athletes report engaging with at least one superstitious behaviour prior to performance. Within sport, superstitions have been shown to reduce tension and provide a sense of control over unpredictable, chance factors.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Recap & Takeaways

ACTIVE PREPARATION

Before listening take a moment to think of at least 5 superstitions you have in your country.

Now take the time to think why people “believe” in these actions and behaviour.

LISTENING

You’ll hear Chris give reasons why people adhere to superstitions and why Sue says they are all nonesense.

AFTER LISTENING

Write 10 questions asking WHY? WHAT ? WHEN? HOW MANY etc and then write your answers.

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