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it's all Greek to me!

Public Transport 

I spent my first month in Japan living on this tiny island in Ehime prefecture called Yugejima. Have a listen and see what you think :) 

April in Tokyo

#1: 弓削島、愛媛

不免 (bù miǎn) and 未免 (wèi miǎn) are both adverbs that are used to indicate that something is inevitable or cannot be avoided. However, there is a subtle difference in their meanings.
不免 (bù miǎn) means "inevitably" or "unavoidably," and it is used to indicate that something is certain to happen or cannot be avoided. Here is the structure when using 不免：objective reason,+不免+result
未免 (wèi miǎn) means "unavoidably" or "unnecessarily," and it is used to indicate that something is unnecessary or excessive. You use it when you can’t agree to something. Here is the structure when using 未免：（scenario, can be omitted in the sentence)，+未免+judgement
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between the two, with pinyin provided for the example sentences:
不免 (bù miǎn)
* 这种天气下出门，不免有些冷。 (zhè zhǒng tiānqì xià chūmén, bù miǎn yǒuxiē lěng) (It is inevitably a little cold when going out in this kind of weather.)
* 他的职业生涯结束了，不免有些伤感。 (tā de zhíyè shēngyá jiéshù le, bù miǎn yǒuxiē shāngǎn) (His career has ended, and it is inevitably a little sad.)
未免 (wèi miǎn)
* 这道题的难度未免有点大。 (zhè dào tí de nándù wèi miǎn yǒudiǎn dà) (The difficulty of this problem is unnecessarily large.)
* 他的表演未免有些夸张。 (tā de biǎoyǎn wèi miǎn yǒuxiē kuāzhāng) (His performance is unnecessarily exaggerated.)
* 你这么做，未免太过分。 (nǐ zhème zuò, wèi miǎn tài guòfèn) (What you are doing is unnecessarily extreme.)


Difference between A and B in Chinese with Shanmei

Difference between 不免 (bù miǎn) and 未免 (wèi miǎn) 

Script : https://youtu.be/R7RFMcMhgXA?si=vBH8H5lyrbDxhVsQ

PDF : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yK96r4TDwKtFcuiOTY1mvLdiC_ntf70YAO3Q0a5qTyE/edit?usp=sharing

Instagram : @prof.crystal.kim
Youtube : https://youtube.com/@Prof.CrystalKim?si=QnH2Yj31wDH5rFLa

KOREAN TOPIK 1,2

KOREAN TOPIK 1 Ep.4

In Kendrick Lamar's extremely popular song "Not Like Us", he refers to Drake as a ball boy.  What the heck does that mean?  Find out in this episode.

Grammar Without The Rules

Episode Three: Ball Boy

*This story contains graphic and explicit material it is not recommended for children, only for mature audiences*

Today’s story The Cow and the Turkey addresses issues of greed and revenge. I hope you enjoy it. 

Send me a message me for your free pdf copy of this book and if you would like discuss it.
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914

The cow was notoriously cheap, so it surprised everyone when she voted yes for the secret Santa
scheme. It was the horse’s suggestion, and she backed it immediately, saying, “I choose the turkey.” The pig, who considered himself an authority on all things gifty, cleared his throat. “That’s not actually the way it works,” he said. “It’s secret, see, so we each draw a name and keep it to ourselves until Christmas morning.” “Why do you always have to be like that?” the cow asked, and the duck sighed, “Here we go.” “First you ask me to give someone a Christmas present,” the cow continued, “and then you tell me it has to be done your way. Like, ‘Oh, I have four legs so I’m better than everyone else.’ ” “Don’t you have four legs?” the pig asked. The cow loosed something between a moan and a sigh. “All right, just because you have a curly tail,” she said.


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk ( Adult 18+) 

The Cow and the Turkey (Adult 18+)

Dubai has begun work on a new $35 billion airport terminal that will become the world's busiest when it's finished, according to the state's ruler.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the new terminal at Al Maktoum International airport will one day handle up to 260 million passengers per year.

But if that sounds like a travel nightmare, the CEO of Dubai Airports has different ideas. Paul Griffiths said that at the 400-gate airport there will be less walking, less waiting and no queues.

Griffiths said that airports around the world have gotten lazy and this one will change the way airports work.

His plan includes having security and passport checkpoints spread out around the terminal to save people time.

But 260 million is a lot of passengers. It's more than double the number that used the world's busiest airport in 2023. Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, handled 105 million passengers last year.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), the state's main airport at the moment, was second in that list with 87 million passengers.

However, all of that traffic will move to Al Maktoum over the next few years, according to Sheikh Mohammed.

Al Maktoum, which first opened in 2010, will be five times bigger than DXB when it's finished.

It's not only at the airport that building is taking place. Sheikh Mohammed said that an "entire city" will be built in the area around the airport, with homes for a million people.

"Dubai will be the world's airport," he said on X, and the world's "new global center."

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Dubai Starts Work on 'World's Busiest' Airport

Title: Decoding Common Leadership Phrases: A Guide to Effective Business Communication

Leaders often rely on certain phrases to convey messages, inspire action, and foster collaboration. These phrases, though seemingly simple, carry significant weight and can make or break a leader's effectiveness. Understanding the nuances behind these common leadership phrases is essential for fostering positive relationships and driving success in various business scenarios.

1. "Let's touch base"

2. "Think outside the box"

3. "We're in this together": Building a sense of unity and camaraderie among team members is crucial for achieving common goals. This phrase emphasizes collective responsibility and fosters a supportive work culture. Authenticity is key here; leaders must demonstrate their commitment to teamwork through their actions.

4. "Lead by example"

5. "It's a learning opportunity"

6. "Stay laser-focused"

7. "Let's brainstorm"

8. "Own your mistakes"

9. "Communicate with clarity"

10. "Celebrate our successes"


In conclusion, mastering common leadership phrases is essential for effective business communication. By understanding the nuances behind these phrases and employing them strategically, leaders can inspire their teams, foster collaboration, and drive success in various business scenarios. However, authenticity, clarity, and consistency are paramount in ensuring these phrases resonate with employees and contribute to a positive work culture.

The Global Professional Podcast

Episode 66

Shadowing: An Easy Way to Speak Better (no transcript today)