Today we're talking about a noun that we can use to talk about the first few lines in an email, or maybe the first couple of minutes of a conversation, where we say things like, "how are you doing?" or "I hope you had a great new year?" This is the word pleasantries. I hope you find it useful!

Don't forget that I'm a full time business English coach and tutor right here on iTalki, so if you have a strong work ethic around improving your English then feel free to book some of my time and let's get to work. I look forward to meeting you soon!


DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

I hope you had a great week!

This episode serves as an introduction to the genre and format of the LIC podcast, and also to myself as its host. Hopefully after listening, you will be able to decide if this podcast is of any interest to you.

Languages in Context

LIC #1 - Introduction

Practice your OET Nursing Speaking Roleplay with this guided simulation based on official OET card #4. In this episode, Kevin (The English Native) demonstrates how to handle a home visit scenario, where a nurse advises a patient’s spouse about care options — including arranging a full‑time carer at home or considering a nursing home.

You’ll hear:

✅ How to build empathy and rapport with family members

✅ Useful phrases for reassurance and advice

✅ Strategies for discussing sensitive topics like independence, guilt, and financial concerns

✅ A full five‑minute roleplay transcript mapped to OET speaking criteria (empathy, open questions, responsiveness, structure)

🎧 Perfect for OET candidates who want to:

Improve fluency and pronunciation through shadowing

Learn exam‑ready vocabulary for care home and family support topics

Understand how to respond naturally to patient concerns

This is part of Kevin’s OET Roleplay Practice series — designed to help you score higher in the OET Speaking sub‑test with real‑world, exam‑authentic practice.

Kev's English Podcast

OET Nursing Roleplay (Care Home Advice, Card 4):

Այս թողարկումը հետաքրքրասեր մարդկանց մասին է, ովքեր ուզում են ամեն ինչ իմանալ բոլորի մասին։ Իսկ դուք վստահո՞ւմ եք այդպիսի մարդկանց...

․․․ մասին 

Հետաքրքրասիրություն #11

Contrary to last time, “This is exactly what the internet says!” I have summarized what I topics by that.
Please listen to it!


みなさま、ごきげんよう前回とは逆に、"これはネットの情報通りだ！」 というトピックをまとめてみました。
ぜひお聞きください！


Moekoの日本語ベラベラtime

Epi6 : 「それはたしかに、そう！」NIPPON【Japanese Podcast】

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE POLITE. THAT IS THE ETIQUETTE QUESTION

ETIQUETTE IS A SET OF COMMONLY KNOWN RULES OF PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR WITHIN A GROUP OF PEOPLE OR A SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

At work, etiquette is a code that governs the expectations of how people should and should not behave at work, although there isn’t a universal agreement on what exactly is acceptable or not. It is the responsibility of the company and managers to develop a code and to set expectations in the workplace.

Most of us also have a set of unwritten rules that govern our family lives that are known to all members of the group, so the concept of etiquette is not new to us. We are familiar with how our behaviour affects and influences others, and so it is important to behave correctly, or face the consequences.

At work and in business, there are a set of rules or conventions that differ from one country to another, however, politeness and showing courtesy to others is universal. In some cultures, courtesy and showing respect is paramount to your success in business, at work and in job interviews.

Other cultures value directness, which may be taken as a rude gesture by someone from a different background.

BizPod - The Business English Podcast

BizPod Episode 7 - The Etiquette of Business

㊗️🐰🧧🎇🧨I returned from Canada, so it's been a while. Today we are going to take a look at which traditional Chinese Lunar New Year custom is hated by everyone! At the end, I'll also share the experience and story of a foreign friend who visited Taiwan for Chinese New Year!

㊗️🐰🧧🎇🧨I好久不見，我從加拿大過年回來了。今天我們要來看看有哪一個傳統的中國過年習俗，是被大家討厭的！我也會在最後分享一個外國友人來台過年的經驗和故事！

㊗️🐰🧧🎇🧨I好久不见，我从加拿大过年回来了。今天我们要来看看有哪一个传统的中国过年习俗，是被大家讨厌的！我也会在最后分享一个外国友人来台过年的经验和故事！

News with zhe

#61过年有什么习俗你觉得该废掉？

When you think about rainforests, you might think of somewhere with a tropical climate — somewhere like the Amazon or the Congo.

But in fact, a very large rainforest can be found in a country famous for its dreary weather: the UK.

The Eden Project, an attraction in southwest England, calls itself the world's largest indoor rainforest.

Sometimes referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the Eden Project was created in 2001 from an old clay pit. It's famous for its two enormous biomes, which are designed to look and feel like rainforests and tropical regions from all over the world.


Collage of the Eden Project's iconic biomes seen from the inside and outside.
The Rainforest Biome is about 16,000 square meters in size, and is full of plants found in tropical climates, like sugarcane, pineapples and bananas.

There are rare and unusual plants too, like the titan arum — a flower famous for its terrible smell that only blooms around once a year.

The Mediterranean Biome is a little smaller at 6,540 square meters, but has plants from the Mediterranean and regions with similar climates, such as California, South Africa and Australia.

The Eden Project is not just a place for people to look at plants, though — there is an environmental message behind the attraction, and it aims to teach visitors about the importance of looking after the environment.

As well as activities and workshops that teach visitors about the importance of living sustainably, the Eden Project even offers courses for a university degree!

And there's plenty of other things to see and do, too.

Throughout both biomes, visitors can find art and installations which focus on important topics like climate change.

And every year, the Eden Project hosts the Eden Sessions, a series of outdoor music concerts. Famous artists such as Amy Winehouse, Elton John and Oasis have performed at the Eden Sessions in the past.