Welcome to Bite-Sized Books! 📚 Each week, we explore a new story in our online reading club. 🌟 Join us for a weekly dose of literary fun! 🎉 Let’s dive into the world of books together!

Bite-Sized Books - A Reading Podcast for Kids!

Bite-sized topics to boost your English vocabulary! 
Get the workbook for each episode to learn the vocabulary. 
They are free for a limited time only!  

Tiny Talks! Tiny Talks about Big Topics!

听众朋友你们好，欢迎来到茶时话中文，我是Penny。这是一个纯中文话题节目，我来和你用中文聊聊生活中有意思的话题，同时学习一些汉语词汇。让我们一边喝茶一边聊起来吧。

当下的中国互联网上，有一句有意思的话，“在上班和上进之间，选择了上香；在求人和求己之间，选择了求佛”。意思是年轻人宁愿选择去寺庙上香拜佛，也不愿意去上班；比起向外索取，更愿意信仰佛教。

当然，这是一句开玩笑的话。但是数据显示，今年以来，寺庙门票订单量同比增长310%；从2月起，预订寺庙门票的人群中，90后、00后占比接近50%。这说明，现在去寺庙参观祈福的人中，有一半是30岁以下的年轻人。怪不得这句话这么火爆。

我觉得，这说明了两件事。第一，当代中国年轻人的压力和焦虑很严重，在升学，就业、婚嫁上面，年轻人都面临很多艰难的选择。许多的年轻人祈求考试通过，升职加薪，找到自己的另一半。有人说，当代中国的年轻人接受了很多西方的外来文化，不再对中国传统的文化感兴趣，年轻人的寺庙热，就是对此判断的有力回击。

第二，以前的寺庙都是深藏不露地在深山老林里，充满了神秘。但是现在，许多寺庙注册了社交媒体账号。甚至有一种寺庙经济，悄悄在年轻人中间走红。中国传统的儒释道（儒家思想、道家思想和佛家思想）也被越来越多的年轻人所接受。很多年轻人人对传统文化和修行方式感兴趣。虽然真正的儒释道精神，很难领悟。但是这不妨碍大家对传统文化的喜爱和追随。

当然了，在寺庙里走一走能获得的片刻宁静，对于当下浮躁焦虑的年轻人来说，也是莫大的安慰和鼓励。这才是这句话火起来的直接原因吧。

好了，希望你喜欢今天的内容，这里是茶时话中文，我是Penny，我们下次见。

互联网hù lián wǎng Internet
上进 shàng jìn make progress
上香 shàng xiāng offer incense to deity
寺庙 sì miào temple
索取 suǒ qǔ ask for
订单量 dìng dān liàng order quantity
同比 tóng bǐ on year-on-year basis
祈福 qí fú pray for good fortune
升职加薪 shēng zhí jiā xīn promotion and salary increase
回击 huí jī hit back 
深藏不露 shēn cáng bù lòu hide deep not reveal
走红 zǒu hóng become popular
领悟 lǐng wù comprehend
妨碍 fáng ài hinder
浮躁 fú zào impetuous
莫大 mò dà great/utmost

茶时话中文 Tea Time Chinese

茶时话中文 - 在上班和上进之间选择上香

Listen to the trip of these friends to Lebanon. 

Aprende árabe con Radia 

A trip to Lebanon

Ρήμα μαγειρεύω // find out more on insta @ellinotopia & spotify @itsallgreektome

it's all Greek to me!

Verb to cook 

3 Useful Phrases for the IELTS Speaking Test To Start Using!

 The IELTS Speaking test may seem challenging at first, but with proper preparation, achieving a band score of 8 to 9 is definitely within your reach. However, if you approach the interview unprepared, it is unlikely that you will meet your desired band score.

The IELTS Speaking test typically lasts for around 11-14 minutes and aims to evaluate your pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary. It consists of three parts and follows an informal interview format between the examiner and the candidate.

What are Some Useful IELTS Interview Expressions?

1. Opening Statements
How you open your statements is your first opportunity to impress the examiner. Making a good first impression will boost your chance of getting a high band score!

Examples:

Today, I’d like to share with you about…
In this talk, I’m going to tell you how…
I want to tell you about…

2. Closing statements
The manner in which you end your statements plays a vital role in the IELTS speaking test too. It shows how fluent you are and how coherent your responses are!

Examples:

In conclusion…
To sum up…
To summarize

3. Beginning the Main Body of Your Speech 
Once you are asked a question or given a topic to talk about, be creative and use phrases and expressions that the examiner will find appealing!

Examples:

 First and foremost….
And why do I find it so appealing? It is, after all…
To begin with… 

While it is not advisable to memorize your answers word for word for the IELTS Speaking test, there are certain foundational elements that you can familiarize yourself with. Memorizing these elements will help you structure your responses effectively without sounding robotic or rehearsed, which is something you should avoid at all costs.

 With my experience in preparing thousands of students globally, you'll become fluent at expressing your ideas naturally in no time.

Join my classes now to achieve your IELTS speaking goals quickly.

IELTS-SPEAKING 8-9 BAND IS POSSIBLE. DAILY SPEAKING PRACTICE PART 1,2 & 3. Listen daily.

3 Useful Phrases for the IELTS Speaking Test To Start Using!

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Slow Japanese! How often do you go shopping? I do... not so much! Let's talk about your shopping style.

Usage of Slow Japanese:
STEP 1. Listen to the episode without seeing scripts.
STEP 2. Go to mochifika.com/podcast/ and check "Key vocabularies of this episode", listen again to the episode while seeing the list.
STEP 3. Check the whole script, it'll fill the gap in your understanding.

Scripts and key vocabularies of this episode are here:
https://mochifika.com/podcast-script/slow-japanese-episode-9-shopping/

Slow Japanese

Episode #9 - Do you like shopping?

First, you're going to be hearing those tips that you've read in the title, and then will come a section where I give you some words with definitions and example sentences to better your understanding. Be sure to go and request a lesson with me to learn even more!

All About English and How You Learn It!

Tips on Keeping Yourself Motivated with Your Language Studies

🧠 Confidence & Communication — What’s the real connection?

If you’re a non-native English-speaking manager, you’ve likely felt it:

👉 You know what you want to say…
But in the moment, the words vanish. Doubt creeps in. Confidence slips away.

The truth is — language and confidence are deeply connected.
How you feel when you speak matters just as much as the words you choose.

Try this 1-minute confidence reset before your next meeting:

✨ Close your eyes
✨ Inhale slowly (4 seconds)
✨ Hold (4 seconds)
✨ Exhale gently (6 seconds)
✨ Repeat 3 times

Then say quietly to yourself:
💬 “My voice matters. I speak with clarity.”

🌿 Confidence doesn’t mean speaking perfectly. It means showing up — grounded, clear, and present.

If you’re ready to feel more confident in your communication, I’d love to help.

📩 DM me anytime — let’s build that confidence together.

#BusinessEnglish #ConfidenceAtWork #LeadershipCommunication #MindfulCommunication #NonNativeSpeaker #PublicSpeaking #ExecutivePresence #SoftSkillsMatter #SpeakWithConfidence #CareerGrowth

Job Interview Preparation | CEO Interview Strategies From Diverse Business Sectors!

🧠 Confidence & Communication — What’s the real connection?

Learn about the current water crisis and why some people are calling it the next gold. We also take a look at a company that makes water out of thin air. 
Great lesson for everyone who's interested in technology, innovation, ecology, and engineering, and entrepreneurship.
