What we did this summer and our exciting plans for your learning experience.
We’re back from our summer trips and rearing to go ! This means that we have lots of new ideas and plans to help improve your English and motivate your learning.
In this podcast we tell you about where we went in the summer and outline our new, exciting plans for the coming months. Join us on this exhilarating journey and allow us to empower you to soar to unprecedented heights in your language learning endeavors!
How to talk “footy” to football fans.
Football will be in the news for a month during the World Cup 2022. Are you able to talk "footy"? Do you know the football jargon that we hear around us in the bars? Take the opportunity this month to go to bars and start up a conversation with other people about the...
Ozzie slang
As part of the Australian series, this podcast takes you into the world of real Ozzie slang…. in other words, Australian informal language.
Do you know what an ambo is ? Or what about “sunnies”…. you shouldn’t leave home in Australia without them !
Listen as Laura tests Sue on her knowledge (or rather lack of knowledge !) about Ozzie slang.
A holiday guide to Australia; what to do and what to expect
Following the series of podcasts about Australia, this one is devoted to the best holiday things to do and to expect. Is Australia on your bucket list ? Over 5 million people visit Australia every year. It's certainly a long way from everywhere, but is it worth making...
Is Sydney really the “best city in the world”?
Recently a marketing company carried out a survey to find out which city people perceived as being the best in the world….. and Sydney came out on top !
While on holiday there Sue caught up with Laura, who’s been living there for the past three and a half years, to see if the city really does live up to the hype.
Desert Island Discs Chris
Desert Island Discs is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. Each week a guest, called a "castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight recordings, a book and a luxury item that...
Desert Island Discs Susan
Desert Island Discs is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. Each week a guest, called a "castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight recordings, a book and a luxury item that...
5 minute Grammar: Present Perfect Simple
Take 5 minutes to brush up your English grammar. This verbal explanation and quiz will help you to understand the Present Perfect Simple tense better. Most learners find the concept of the Present Perfect difficult to grasp. It is a particularly of the English language which takes a bit of time to get used to. So start now…
How to make your English colorful – use expressions and idioms!
How colorful is your language ? Do you want to sound like a native speaker ? Well in that case, you better start using expressions and idioms to make your English come alive !
So tune in to this podcast and listen as we test each other with 15 expressions, you’ll hear that some we know well and some we don’t know at all
Oscar films of 2023
The Oscars are a lot of Razzle Dazzle, but what about the actual films? Do they live up to all the hype? Were you disappointed by the films or do you think they are really the cream of the crop? Have you seen any of the films up for best picture? If not, click on the...
15 Amazing facts that you didn’t know about daylight saving time
Daylight saving time (DST), also daylight savings time or daylight time (the United States and Canada) and British summer time (United Kingdom), is the practice of advancing clocks (typically by one hour) during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock...
a.i, does it enhance or replace your learning experience ?
As an English learner do you think it’s a great tool or just cheating and laziness ? Do you use Google translate to help you with your written English ? Do you enhance your text by putting it through an a.i software?
Listen as we discuss the pros and cons of a.i and see how we think it’ll affect the learning and teaching experience.
Welcome to Toulouse, our home town. Episode 1
Visit Toulouse, this is a guide book in a quiz. This quiz is full of interesting and off-the-wall facts about the Pink City. You won’t know the answer to some of the questions but don’t worry take it as an opportunity to learn more about Toulouse if you plan to spend a few days here.
History in the streets of Toulouse Episode 2
Discover Toulouse as we stroll around the narrow streets and learn about the city’s history by looking at the unusual street names. The accompanying quiz will help you build vocabulary which is often used in tourist guide books.
Chris and Sue’s bucket lists
Bucket Lists Sue and Chris talk about a Bucket lists. Before listening, do you know what bucket lists are? While listening. 1. Does Sue want to swim with dolphins? 2. Where does Chris want to go for his bucket list? 3. Where does Sue say she thinks the Northern Lights...
Why do people love quizzes?
Who invented the umbrella? Why is the Mona Lisa so famous and why was Pol Pot in Cambodia? Why do people love quizzes? How many flies does it take to fall off a horse and what does Albert Einstein have in common with Justin Bieber? These questions and many more are...
Guns, Gingerbread and the American Constitution
An American woman describes her everyday life living with guns to a European, who listens in amazement,
Tribute to The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2nd June 2022
You must have noticed it..... Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her 70 year reign this week, yes her Platinum Jubilee! The celebrations are taking place all over the globe from New Zealand to Canada, from South Africa to India. And don't forget Australia ! We have a...
What is the best thing to read ?
Which books are the best for building vocabulary and consolidating sentence structure comprehension? Take a listen to this podcast which is brimming over with tips about Graded Readers.
Food Hell
Food Hell, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever eaten? Why don’t you like it ? Is it the taste, the texture, the smell or just the idea of it? Listen to our choices, do you think they are cultural or universal choices? This podcast is a great way to build vocabulary to express likes and dislikes about food.
Understanding digital body language
Have you heard of “non-verbal communication”? This is what we refer to in every language as body language, eye contact, nodding, moving your body to say you agree or disagree with the speaker. Have you found that digital meetings have changed the dynamics of the “traditional” face to face meetings and lessons? Take a listen to this podcast in which Chris and Sue discuss their experiences and give tips on how to adapt our body language to suit the new way of communicating.
Bastien’s bucket list
Listen to Bastien talk about his bucket list with Chris. Listen to more bucket list podcasts by searching the term 'bucket list' in the search bar.
Grammar brush up: Short answers
Grammar brush up: Short answers. Test yourself. How quickly can to answer?
Christmas far from the North Pole
Come with us 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 !!
What to do in Santorini in a week
Sue asks Chris about a recent holiday he spent on the Greek island of Santorini. Listen to some recommendations about what to do, where to go, what to eat and where to stay on the island. Chris talks about some of the places that everybody knows on Santorini,...
Vanlife adventure
Have you ever heard of the term, "Vanlife?" or rather the hashtag #Vanlife ? It is a growing trend where people convert vans to a fully contained living area that enables them to travel and work virtually anywhere in the world whilst pursuing their dream of travel,...
Buying and Selling on-line
Have you ever sold anything online? In recent years it has become part of our everyday life. The internet is full of sites specializing in selling second-hand items from houses, to cars, to handbags, to children’s toys.
Listen as Sue asks Chris about his experience, about the benefits and the pitfalls.
How is India going green?
Ahead of the Climate crisis meeting with world leaders, COP26 in Glasgow in October 2021, Chris talks to Renu, who lives in India, about how India is going green. Air pollution in India is a serious health issue, of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in...
Iconic Bikes
Are electric bikes considered as cheating ? Do they bring back the pleasure of cycling ? Listen to what Chris says about his experience.
Empowering women in India
Listen to Chris and Renu talking about Renu's project, empowering women in India. Renu was born in UK and practiced as a UK Lawyer for 10 years. She qualified with an MSc in Ayurveda in 2006 from London and has been an Ayurveda Practitioner and Teacher since then....
A 1000 Shakespearian words
Did you know that Shakespeare coined* over 1000 words, many of which we still use today and some of them we use everyday! But WHY did he invent so many words ? This is a good question. He didn't it simply to fit in with the rhythm of his text, he needed words with the...
Ayurveda the science of life
Ayurveda the science of life is an medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population report using it. Ayurveda therapies have varied and evolved over more than two...
Euros 2020: Football and Racism
Dave, a West Ham supporter, gives his opinion about England’s performance in the Euros 2020 and the harsh criticism that the players received, and also Victoria who runs an equality blog, Feminists of Reading.
North Indian Food
Listen to this interview of Renu, an Indian living in North India about North Indian Food. Do you like spicy food or is it too hot for you? Do you know what millet is? What do you think an Indian person living in India would eat as their ideal food?
Victoria – English Food Blogger
Victoria - English Food Blogger Susan caught up with Victoria - English Food Blogger, an enthusiastic food blogger from England who talks about her interests in food and blogging. Victoria's blog is available here for those that would like to read about her food and...
Chocolate trivia for International Chocolate day
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...
Being an expat in France and India
Life as an expat in France and India
A few days in New York
A few days in New York. 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...
What is yoga all about
Do you know what yoga is all about? Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy, which began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga typically emphasizes physical postures...
Covid-19 series part 3: History of Eyam Plague Village
In this podcast Chris and Sue talk about a lockdown situation that took place in the 17th century in a village called Eyam which is located in north Derbyshire. Back then the situation was very serious and the majority of the villagers lost their lives to the plague....
10 Reasons your Photos are Bad.
Do you know the expression "a photo is worth a thousand words ? Well, with amateur photography this is not always the case..... Are you sometimes disappointed with your photos ? When we visit great places we want to capture the moment on our phone cameras or with a...
Rishikesh Northern India
Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary "Kedarkhand" - Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the asura king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, using two jute ropes at the point where the present...
Animated Podcast Number 2: Calculate your Carbon Footprint (How green are you?)
So what's an animated podcast ? Good question ! It's a podcast with pictures, learning tips and clues. In short, it's just a helping hand to help you understand the conversation and the context. This is Animated Podcast number 2 in a series of 10, in which each one...
What is a bucket list?
A bucket list is a list of activities or things that people really want to do before they die, as depicted by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the 2007 film of the same name, where two people realise their wildest dreams. In this podcast Sue and Chris talk about a...
Chris’ Jokes – Episode 1
listen to Chris' 5 minutes of fame, as he tells some pretty good jokes (well that's what he told us to write anyway) - we hope you like them!
The travel bet
The travel bet The travel bet - which is quicker, public transport or the car? have you ever wondered if you should give up your car journey in favour of using public transport? Which is the cheapest way to travel? Follow Chris and Sue as they bet on the quickest way...
Effective Presentation Skills Tips episode 1
Effective Presentation Skills Tips episode 1 Effective Presentation Skills Tips episode 1 is part of a series of podcasts aimed at helping people to be more effective when presenting in front of an audience. Sue and Chris talk about some of the pitfalls in...
PHRASAL VERBS: Take
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English, we use them hundreds of times a day but they are not always easy for learners to understand because the addition of the particle changes the meaning of the original verb completely.
Effective Presentation Skills Tips Episode 2
Effective Presentation Skills Tips episode 2 Effective Presentation Skills Tips episode 2 is the second part of a series of podcasts aimed at helping people to be more effective when presenting in front of an audience. Sue and Chris talk about some of the pitfalls in...
Numbers in Sport
Numbers in Sport. Numbers can be a difficult part of learning a new language. New learners often confuse "hundreds" and "thousands", "fifteen" and "fifty", "half past six" with "six and a half hours" etc etc etc. The only way to improve your number skills is with...
All about tea
Tea is probably the favourite drink across the world, but do you know about tea? Do you know the phrases and expressions related to tea? In this podcast we chat about the noble drink that the British (amongst others) adore. Ever heard of, "A storm in a teacup?" A mug...
Covid lockdown and stress; how are you coping?
There is no doubt that the successive lockdowns of 2020-21 have dramatically changed our daily lives on so many levels, and figures show that more people have experienced anxiety due to the social, financial and work restrictions that have been placed on us.
Rugby: European Champions Cup 2021 and Top 14
We are nearing the end of the season and it's hotting up between two great teams: Toulouse (our favourite) and La Rochelle. Listen as you'll hear how both teams made it to the final and how they are also in excellent positions in the French Top 14 league. Listen out...
Writing effective emails
Historically, the term electronic mail was used generically for any electronic document transmission. For example, several writers in the early 1970s used the term to refer to fax document transmission. As a result, it is difficult to find the first citation for the...
Help my workplace is stressing me out
The workplace is a very demanding, quick-paced and increasingly uncertain place in which we operate on a day-to-day basis, but does it always have to be a stressful place?. Pressure to meet deadlines, deliverables and working with difficult people, among other...
Hey, seen any boring films lately?
In Sue and Craig's opinion the Oscars 2021 are a bit of a wet weekend; rather dull, depressing and boring ! Chris is not really up to date with the current batch of films but listen out for what he says about them. Your language challenge is hearing 3 native speakers...
Star Wars – The Force Awakens
Star Wars - The Force Awakens In this podcast, Chris who has never (ever) seen a Star Wars film, interviews movie goers as they leave the cinema after watching Star Wars - The Force Awakens, just to see what all the fuss is about. It seems like he isn't the only one,...
Stress Awareness Month Statistics
Stress Awareness Month happens each April. It’s important to learn some strategies for coping with this particular issue. Stress awareness Month, which always happens in April, has now been going for 19 years and things just don’t appear to be getting better. Stress...
Covid-19 series part 5 : the “new” workplace, a dream or a nightmare?
The lockdown is now being partially lifted in many countries and we are all adapting to the "new normal". It's not only office based jobs that have had to adapt to home working but also jobs which are traditionally more "people" based. It seems that overnight there...
How was the Covid jab for you ?
Listen as Joyce in the UK talks about her experience of having the Covid vaccination. She gives a step by step account of what she had to do and how she feels about it.
Animal Pet Day 11th April
National Pet Day is April 11, although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion! So hug your hedgehog, bond with your bunny, and cut your kitty some catnip! Which pets do you have ? Cats ? Dogs?...
How to really Learn vocabulary part 1
In this series we are going to be looking at ways that we can enhance and improve our learning and perhaps crushing some of the myths about learning techniques that we learnt in school. Every day we meet people with different techniques for learning vocabulary, but...
European Champions Cup Rugby Last 16 qualifiers
European Champions Cup Rugby Last 16 qualifiers No Top14 Rugby this weekend and the 6 Nations has finished, but the Champions Cup rugby continues for the next two weeks - this week the last 16 clubs fight for their places in the 1/4 finals, which will be played on the...
Presentation skills: warm up your voice with diction exercises
In this podcast Chris explains the importance of breathing and focus in order to reduce stress, and Sue gives some diction exercises which help with articulation and problem sounds for different nationalities.
Explaining a process
When giving a series of instructions to make or produce something there are some common, useful and simple language features, used for clarity and simplicity. In this podcast we use the example of explaining a process for how to make something following a set...
New TOEIC Test parts – Regional TOEIC
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How to stay motivated learning English
Staying focused, motivated and driven can be tricky, especially when you have a busy working and/or family life to deal with. Check out this podcast to find 10 golden rules for staying motivated learning English. When we start learning something new, it can be a novel...
One hit wonders
A one-hit wonder is any group or solo singer that achieves mainstream popularity, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the general public solely for that momentary success. The term is most commonly used in regard to music performerswith only one...
Mystery Shopping trip
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Why are you studying for an MBA?
Why are you studying for an MBA? An MBA, or a Master of Business Administration, is a very popular choice for many today as a way of either changing career path or boosting an existing career path. An MBA is expensive, demanding and has high entry requirements, so why...
“Text me when you get home”.
The murder of Sarah Everard, a young women walking home in London, provoked an enormous reaction as hundreds of thousands of women in the UK and indeed across the world came together to demand that not only do governments improve street safety but also that threatening attitudes towards women and girls change.
6 Nations Round 5 washup
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How to REALLY celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick's Day is an iconic day in the year. Irish and non-Irish nationals love to celebrate this day which is associated with good fun, music and a lot of laughs. Listen as we caught up with Craig, an Irish guy living in Spain, who tells us all about he used to...
My travel bucket list Jean Francois
Listen to Jean-François talk about his bucket list for travel - places he has been, where he wants to go and why he wants to so there. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? If you would like to be featured for your bucket list or your travel bucket...
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up day 20
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Day 20 This week we talk about the Top 14 day 20 matches took place, and things are again hotting up at the top and the bottom ends of the table, can Toulouse strengthen their hold at the top, or will La Rochelle get back into the running for the...
Describing pain and symptoms
Describing pain and symptoms It can be surprisingly difficult describing pain and symptoms and exactly how pain feels. Each of us experiences our pain differently, making it highly subjective—and that makes it a challenge for a doctor to evaluate. There is a useful...
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 5
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Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 4
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 4 This week we talk about the Top 14 day 17 matches and look ahead to the third round of The 6 Nations tournament In a week where Toulouse lost away to Lyon, there were highlights elsewhere in the Top 14 in France, including a thumping win...
Why you shouldn’t have a Bucket List !
Why you shouldn’t have a bucket list, are they inspiring or disheartening ?
Vocabulary Experience off the beaten track in India
Sue talks to Chris about some of his experiences in India, including a bucket-list experience seeing wild elephants in the jungle, but what else did he do? Here are some explanations of some of the vocabulary used in the podcast. Return to the podcast...
Experience off the beaten track in India
Sue talks to Chris about some of his experiences in India, including a bucket-list experience seeing wild elephants in the jungle, but what else did he do? Some of the vocabulary used in the podcast explained
Animated Podcast Number 3: Spelling names in English
So what's an animated podcast ? Good question ! It's a podcast with pictures, learning tips and clues. In short, it's just a helping hand to help you understand the conversation and the context. This is Animated Podcast number 3 in a series of 10, in which each one...
How to use Tag questions in English
Tag questions are questions added to a short sentence, usually at the end, to engage the listener, check understanding or confirm that an action has heppened. Tag questions are very common in natural English and they can also have distinct meaning according to the...
Asking Polite questions in English
It's so nice to be polite isn't it? When we ask direct questions, especially to people we do not know very well, we can come across as being too abrupt or even as rude, something we would like to avoid at all costs. In this podcast we will explain how to easily change...
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 3
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 3 OK, its the Six Nations in this podcast, not The Top 14 This week we talk about the second round matches in The 6 Nations tournament and just a few words come to mind: England: strategic cul de sac Scotland : snowy Wales: grind out...
Yuka The Healthy Eating App
Yuka The Healthy Eating App that checks out the quality of your shopping basket Do you really know what you eat? Well yes! With Yuka The Healthy Eating App you can scan your products and analyze their impact on your health. In the blink of an eye, Yuka The Healthy...
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 2
Top 14 Rugby Wash-Up Number 2 This week we talk about the opening matches in 6 Nations tournament and just a few words come to mind: England: disbelief Scotland : joy Wales: disappointment Ireland: fighting spirit France: stunning Italy: keep on in there... To find...
Top 14 Rugby Washup No 1
Today we are starting a new weekly podcast about The Top 14 French rugby. We always chat about the happenings and comings and goings in the Top 14, so we have decided to do a podcast about it, at least during the rugby season. We can't go to watch rugby matches - it...
The symbols of Australia
The symbols of Australia The symbols of Australia include the flag, national colours, the coat of arms and the national anthem, but there are many other things that make up the symbols of Australia - listen to Sue interview an Australian about the symbols of...
Christmas traditions, where did they come from?
Twas the night before Christmas.... Everyone's getting in the mood for Christmas crackers, Christmas trees and a host of other traditions. But do you know the origins of these traditions? Listen as 2 Christmas "know-alls" 🙂 talk about the history of our current...
Planning a holiday getaway
Planning a holiday getaway Planning a holiday getaway - 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, while they are planning a holiday getaway. There's a...
Rugby, what’s it all about?
Rugby, what's it all about? Rugby, what's it all about? I mean, it can't be that complicated can it? Or can it? Ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Rugby Tournament, here are some questions, sent in by our listeners concerning rugby. Have we got it right? Are we on the ball...
Happy New Year in a Parallel Universe
It's New Year's eve 2020 or is it 2021? Chris meets Sue at a New Year's party, but once again they are in a parallel universe - this happens so often to these two ... Sue is at 31 December 2019 and Chris is at 31 December 2020, so Chris has lived through 2020 and it...
We interview Donald Trump for a job as a podcaster
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Drones handle with care
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Book Signing in Toulouse
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Canada – The second largest country in the world
Canada - The second largest country in the world Did you know that Canada - is the second largest country in the world? Did you know that the name 'Canada' comes from the Huron-Iroquois word 'Kanata', meaning 'village' or 'settlement'? Did you know that there are 6...
Laura Gamesmaker London 2012
Laura Gamesmaker London 2012 As the Rio Olympics get under way, Sue caught up with Laura, a gamesmaker from London 2012 to talk about her experiences. London 2012 volunteers were called ‘Games Makers’, as they helped to make the Games happen. The Games Maker...
Fast and Furious Roller Derby
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Victoria’s Gap Year
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Pronunciation tips: 20 mispronounced words
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Pronunciation tips: British town names
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A visit to Brick lane, London
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Guitars on the beach with Ian Gillan of Deep Purple
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Sebastien asks Meyer about her job and life in South Africa
Sébastien asks Meyer about her job and life in South Africa Sébastien, a French doctor from Paris interviews a South African about her life and work in South Africa, where she teaches English in a Zulu school. Sébastien met Meyer, whilst on holiday and he clearly had...
Very Bad Trip – Stephen
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The David Bowie Memorial, Brixton, London
A visit to the David Bowie memorial, Brixton, London
A visit to the David Bowie memorial, Brixton, London
A visit to the David Bowie memorial, Brixton, London Opposite the Brixton tube station in South London is a street mural on Turnstall Road, there are flowers, candles, cards, pictures, tee shirts and magazines all with a message or a picture of the music icon that...
Travelling in Burma – Nicola
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Headhunter – Lucy
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John – Rowing Coach
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UFO Witness – Louise
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Living Abroad – Phoebe
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Anesthesiologist Olivier
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Why podcasts are better than YouTube
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Understanding The COP 21
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A Columbian Living in France
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James Bond – Spectre – The movie
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Running The New York Marathon
Photo AP Running The New York Marathon The New York City Marathon (branded TCS New York City Marathon and formerly branded ING New York City Marathon for sponsorshipreasons) is an annual marathon (42.195 km or 26.219 miles) that courses through the five boroughs...
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