Making Resolutions for the New Year

Making Resolutions for the New Year

12, May, 2025

Episode 245: Making Resolutions for The New Year

In this podcast, we look into setting resolutions for the New Year, and should we even bother setting resolutions?

New Year's Resolutions

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we examine the good and the bad of setting resolutions for the New Year. Is it of any use? Did you know that 93% of all resolutions made on 31 December are abandoned just a week or two later?

Notes

Whether or not to set New Year’s resolutions depends on your mindset, personal goals, and what works best for you. Here’s a breakdown to help decide:

Reasons to Set Resolutions:

  1. Fresh Start Effect: The new year feels like a clean slate, which can motivate you to pursue goals.
  2. Reflection and Growth: Resolutions can help you evaluate your past year and set intentions for growth.
  3. Structure: Setting goals gives you direction and a framework for self-improvement.
  4. Accountability: Declaring a resolution often makes people more committed to their goals.

Challenges with Resolutions:

  1. Unrealistic Expectations: If goals are too lofty, it can lead to frustration and burnout.
  2. Pressure and Guilt: Not achieving resolutions can cause feelings of failure.
  3. Short-Term Mindset: Many resolutions fade by February because they lack a long-term plan.
  4. External Influence: Resolutions driven by societal pressure rather than personal desire often lack meaning.

Recap & Takeaways

Alternatives to Resolutions:

  1. Set Intentions: Focus on a word or theme for the year (e.g., “balance” or “growth”) rather than rigid goals.
  2. Break It Down: Set small, achievable goals throughout the year instead of one big resolution.
  3. Reflect Regularly: Monthly or quarterly reviews can help you adjust goals as life changes.
  4. Celebrate Progress: Focus on the process and celebrate small wins along the way.

Ultimately, if resolutions inspire and motivate you, go for it! If they feel overwhelming, there are other ways to reflect and grow without the pressure. What’s your take—do you set resolutions, or do you prefer another approach?

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Desert Island Discs, Chris’ choice

Desert Island Discs, Chris’ choice

12, May, 2025

Episode 243: Desert Island Discs, Chris’ choice

In this podcast, we imagine we are castaway on a desert island with just 8 discs. The discussion around the choice of discs is a great way to remind us of certain moments in our lives.

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we talk about music and link it to some significant moments in our lives. It’s a great way to talk about the past as well as musical preferences. 

Notes

Desert Island Discs is a well known radio show on the BBC, in fact it’s been on air since 1942 ! That first Desert Island Discs was recorded in the BBC’s bomb-damaged Maida Vale studio on 27th January 1942 and aired in the Forces Programme at 8pm two days later. Nowadays it is a staple of BBC radio with over 1000s of people interviewed over the years.

The principle of the show is that the interviewee has to imagine they are castaway on a desert island with only 8 discs to listen to. That is a real challenge ! 

Which discs would you choose? Would you choose music which reminds you of people, of situations or significant experiences in your life ?

Listen in to our choices and reasons for chosing them. In this podcast you can hear Chris’ choice and in another podcast you can hear Sue’s choice. 

Recap & Takeaways

Talking about 8 discs is a great way to talk about your life and important experiences.

While listening to the podcast, make a note of Chris’ songs and why he choose them.

Now think about your choice. How would you explain your choice? Do you know all the vocabulary? Can you explain in a clear and engaing way? This is an opportunity to practice talking about events and experiences in your life…. get going and enjoy your moment as a castaway on a desert island !

Why not go to the BBC Sounds website and listen in to some of the interviews. You might become a fan !

 

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Desert Island Discs Sue’s choice

Desert Island Discs Sue’s choice

12, May, 2025

Episode 242: Desert Island Discs, Sue’s choice

In this podcast, we imagine we are castaway on a desert island with just 8 discs. The discussion around the choice of discs is a great way to remind us of certain moments in our lives.

Welcome back to English-Podcasts In this episode we talk about music and link it to some significant moments in our lives. It’s a great way to talk about the past as well as musical preferences. 

Notes

Desert Island Discs is a well known radio show on the BBC, in fact it’s been on air since 1942 ! That first Desert Island Discs was recorded in the BBC’s bomb-damaged Maida Vale studio on 27th January 1942 and aired in the Forces Programme at 8pm two days later. Nowadays it is a staple of BBC radio with over 1000s of people interviewed over the years.

The principle of the show is that the interviewee has to imagine they are castaway on a desert island with only 8 discs to listen to. That is a real challenge ! 

Which discs would you choose? Would you choose music which reminds you of people, of situations or significant experiences in your life ?

Listen in to our choices and reasons for chosing them. In this podcast you can hear Sue’s choice and in another podcast you can hear Chris’ choice. 

Recap & Takeaways

Talking about 8 discs is a great way to talk about your life and important experiences.

While listening to the podcast, make a note of Sue’s songs and why she choose them.

Now think about your choice. How would you explain your choice? Do you know all the vocabulary? Can you explain in a clear and engaing way? This is an opportunity to practice talking about events and experiences in your life…. get going and enjoy your moment as a castaway on a desert island !

Why not go to the BBC Sounds website and listen in to some of the interviews. You might become a fan !

 

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Subscribe to our Facebook group and page, our Youtube channel and to our Instagram to get all the latest podcasts, quizzes and blog posts.

Planning a Holiday Getaway

Planning a Holiday Getaway

12, May, 2025

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

12, May, 2025

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

12, May, 2025

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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