Welcome back to English-Podcasts. In this episode we discuss chocolate, ranging from it’s origins to how much chocolate Elvis used to eat…in other word loads and loads of trivia to test you and give you useful vocabulary.
Notes
Chocolate is one of the most popular food types and flavors in the world, and many foodstuffs involving chocolate exist, particularly desserts, including cakes, pudding, mousse, chocolate brownies, and chocolate chip cookies.
Chocolate bars, either made of solid chocolate or other ingredients coated in chocolate, are eaten as snacks all over the world.
Gifts of chocolate molded into different shapes (such as eggs, hearts, coins) are traditional on certain Western holidays, including Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Hanukkah.
Chocolate is also used in cold and hot beverages, such as chocolate milk and hot chocolate, and in some alcoholic drinks, such as creme de cacao or chocolate stout.
Although cocoa originated in the Americas, West African countries, particularly Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, are the leading producers of cocoa in the 21st century, accounting for some 60% of the world cocoa supply.
But how much do you know about chocolate, on this, world Chocolate day? Listen to some of the trivia facts and answers in this podcast to check your knowledge
Recap & Takeaways
ACTIVE PREPARATION
Here are some of the questions we ask each othe, what do you think is the answer?
1. Who invented chocolate?
2. What is the melting point of chocolate?
3. What role did chocolate play in the invention of the mircowave?
4. What is the most famous chocolate from Switerland?
5.Which animal can be killed by eating chocolate?
6. Is white chocolate really chocolate?
….. plus many, many more !!!Â
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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!Â
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In this podcast, we challenge each other with our knowledge of the London and Paris underground transport systems. It’s a fun podcast full of fun facts and overflowing with numbers !.
London Underground or Paris Metro, which one is the best?
Welcome back to English-Podcasts. In this episode we dive into numbers; how long, how old, how far, how many, how often, how much. Challenge yourself to catch all the numbers we mention.
Notes
The London underground transport system, commonly known as the Tube, is the way most Londerners get around. It’s old and dusty but Londoners love it.
You’ll need to listen to the podcast to find out all the details!
This podcast is perfect for practicing numbers, comparatives and superlatives.
Here is a recap:
Adjectives
Comparatives
Superlatives
Long
Longer than
The longest
Easy
Easier than
The easiest
Comfortable
More comfortable than
The most comfortable
You will also hear the comparatives/superlatives of these adjectives: old – fast – expensive – deep – short – far – complicated
Also listen out for the adjectives and the nouns used in this conversation especially when Chris and Sue ask each other questions:
Long
The length
Deep
The depth
High
The height
Wide
The width
How long is the system? How many stations are there ? How deep is the deepest tunnel? How far is the station? How long does it take to travel through the entire system? How old is the metro?
What is the depth of the deepest station? What is the length of the distance between….
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Episode 216: Using Mindfulness in Language Learning
In this podcast, we’ll explore how incorporating mindfulness practices can deepen your connection to the English language, foster greater fluency, and cultivate a sense of presence and clarity in your learning process.
Join us as we delve into practical mindfulness techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into your language learning routine. From mindful listening exercises that enhance your comprehension skills to improving your confidence.
Notes
But mindfulness is more than just a language learning hack – it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. We’ll explore how mindfulness can help you overcome language learning challenges, navigate cultural nuances, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Whether you’re a beginner embarking on your English language learning journey or an advanced learner looking to refine your skills, this podcast is for you.
Recap & Takeaways
By cultivating mindfulness in your language learning practice, you’ll not only enhance your linguistic abilities but also cultivate greater presence, resilience, and compassion in all aspects of your life.
So, grab your headphones, find a quiet space, and join us on this transformative journey to mindful English fluency.
Subscribe now and let’s embark on this empowering adventure together!
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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.
More than 100,000 people are granted French nationality every year.  This represents around 2.5% of foreigners living in the country and is well above the number in Germany (1,5 %) and Italy (2 %), but way under the UK (4,2 %) and Spain (5,2 %).
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016 many Brits living in France have applied for French nationality.
Before 2015, 386 British residents in France applied for French nationality. The year after the number rose to 1,363 and in 2018 it was 3173.
Why would they do this ? What are the benefits compared to permanent resident status ?
Well, having voting rights is a very important difference, as is the freedom to travel freely in the European Union. Other people have also mentioned being able to avoid long queues at airports and a greater sense of stability.
But it’s a long road to achieving nationality:
Firstly, getting a slot for the interview is difficult as the interviews are limited. Then you have to wait at least a year for the actual interview. In the meantime you have to gather together many financial and personal  documents getting copies and translations.
During the actual interview the documents will be scruperously checked, you’ll be asked questions about your motivation and some questions about France…. some easy, some not so easy. Â
So how much do you know about France ? Enough to pass the citizenship test ? Try this quiz to find out !
Could you pass the test to gain French nationality?
These 40 questions cover just some of the possible questions in the Gaining
French Nationality booklet.
This quiz starts with the most frequently asked questions which most people
could answer, and then it gets progressively more difficult with questions
which people who have read the citizenship booklet should be able to answer,
and then it finishes up with some really tricky questions that will
really stump you ..... Bonne chance !!
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