In this episode, I conclude 5 very useful sentences for shopping in supermarket. The first time I read very slowly, the second and the third times I read very fast just like the native speakers speak in daily life. You can listen to the podcast once a day to understand these sentences naturally. 
1. 请问牛奶在哪里？
Qǐngwèn niúnǎi zài nǎlǐ?
May I ask where the milk is？

2.  请问在哪里付钱？
Qǐngwèn zài nǎlǐ fù qián?
May I ask where to pay？

3. 你有会员吗？
Nǐ yǒu huìyuán ma?
Do you have any members?

4. 你要袋子吗？
Nǐ yào dàizi ma?
Do you want a bag?

5. 你怎么付？
Nǐ zěnme fù?
How do you pay?






Travel In China

5 must-know sentences for shopping in the supermarket

In this episode you can hear days of the week and some questions and answers to them. Enjoy it!

Let's speak Albanian

Days of the week / Ditët e javës

As there are 4 areas: Speaking, Reading, Writing & Listening and I’ll add the 5th one – Thinking in English I’ll be presenting you with some tools daily to enhance each area.

Let’s dive into the third Part for today and it’s on Listening & Comprehension:

Here are the comprehension questions:

Where is Chicago in the United States?

a The west coast
b The Midwest
c The south
d The east coast

What sport do the Chicago Cubs play in Wrigley Field?

a Rugby
b Football
c Soccer
d Baseball


Why was Keith impressed by the Chicago Water Tower?

a It supplies water to the entire population.
b It is one of few landmarks that survived a historical fire.
c It is the tallest building in the city.
d It is the only remaining monument of the World’s Fair.


What event was important for Chicago in 1892?


a The World’s Fair took place here.
b Jackson Park became open to the public.
c The Great Fire destroyed a large part of the town.
d Wrigley Field was constructed.


How did Keith arrive to the rooftop of the Willis Tower?

a He used an indoor elevator.
b He climbed the building’s exterior.
c He walked up the interior stairs.
d He took an outdoor elevator.

See you in the part 4 and it will be on Speaking. 

Check out my posts - you'll find a lot of valuable tools to practice your English every day for free!

The Habits of Women Growing Into Strong, Confident English Communicators

Daily 2 minute English Listening Practice for today. 

Target audience: English-speaking beginners
Length: ~13 minutes
Focus: Key Portuguese sounds that differ from English

Music used in the podcast
Song: Brazilian Sunsets, by Ketsa
Source: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/
Free to use with attribution

Braziliant

🎙️ Episode 1: Introduction to Portuguese Sounds (Brazilian Portuguese)


In this episode of "English Learners Boost," we delve into the topic of overcoming the fear of speaking and provide you with effective strategies to boost your confidence in conversations. Speaking a new language can be daunting, but by implementing the right techniques, you can overcome your fears and become a more confident English speaker. Join us as we explore practical examples, such as active listening and practicing with language partners, and discuss the importance of focusing on fluency rather than perfection. Additionally, we highlight the significance of expanding your vocabulary and improving your pronunciation to enhance your conversational skills. Tune in to discover valuable insights and actionable tips that will empower you to overcome your fear and engage in confident and enjoyable conversations in English.

English Learner's Boost

Overcoming the Fear of Speaking: Strategies to Boost Your Confidence in Conversations

Luke Littler became the youngest world champion in darts history on January 3 when the 17-year-old Englishman beat three-time champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final.

"Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy," Littler said after beating van Gerwen. "I can't believe it."

The teenager has also become a sporting sensation. He's an ordinary English teenager who enjoys fast food and video games but has an extraordinary talent for throwing darts.

That talent has earned him fame and fortune. He made $1.28 million in prize money during 2024 and he added another $620,000 to that when he won the 2025 World Championship.

He has become one of the most talked about sports stars in the UK since finishing as the World Championship runner-up in 2024.

According to Google, he was the most searched sportsperson in the UK in December, and the third-most searched celebrity, behind only Donald Trump and Kate Middleton.

Littler's success has also helped bring darts back into the mainstream.

Although Littler is young, he's been working at his game for more than a decade. There are videos of him throwing magnetic darts while still wearing a diaper.

Van Gerwen was previously the youngest world champion in the elite Professional Darts Corporation competition, winning the 2014 final at age 24.

Van Gerwen said losing his record "hurt" but was full of praise for Littler.

"Every 17 years a star gets born," Van Gerwen said, "and he is one of them."

Many were already wondering if Littler can reach Phil Taylor's record of 16 world titles. Claiming a first title at age 17 will now supercharge that conversation.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

17-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Darts World Champion

*This story contains graphic and explicit material it is not recommended for children, only for mature audiences*
In “The Squirrel and the Chipmunk,” a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.
Send me a message for your free pdf copy of this book and if you would like to discuss it. 


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and other stories from David Sedaris ( Adult 18+) 

The Squirrel and the Chipmunk (Adult 18+)

I'm going to talk about an article of newspaper, which is about one Japanese company that have been making it for 50 years! It... it is a narrow house with a red roof. It's usually put around kitchen for them!  
***********************************************
先日、新聞を読んでいたら、こんな記事がありました。

アース製薬の「ごきぶりホイホイ」が、今春、発売５０年を迎えた。

５０年間、ずっと　ゴキちゃんを何とかしたい日本中の人たちが　使っていたということか～と感心していると、

記事と一緒に掲載されている１枚の写真に目が行きました。　その写真では、女性従業員が　右手にサウジアラビア向けHOYHOYを、左手にアメリカ向けHOYHOYを持って、にこやかに笑っています。

へえ～！！！

ごきぶりホイホイって日本だけじゃなくて、世界でつかわれていたんだ！

ホンダ、トヨタの車が世界で販売されているのは知っていたけど、こんなものまで…という驚きでいっぱいでした。

ところで、５０年というと、私より少し歴史が若いということになります。
それで、思い出したのですが、そういえば、私が子どものころは、ホイホイなかったな・・・
確か、ゴキブリやハエとかが出てきたら、ハエたたきを持って、パシッと一撃！　ハエたたきというのは、プラスティックでできた　長さが５０㎝ほどの棒の先に　約１０センチ四方ぐらいの板状のものがついているものです。それで、ゴキブリやハエを追いかけて、狙いを定めて、叩くのです。とても原始的なやり方で　家の中の害虫を　やっつけていました。

ときに大きめのゴキちゃんが、黒く光った羽をひろげて、パア～と飛んだりすると、もう絶叫です。「うきゃ～～！！！」って叫びながら、ハエたたきを握りしめて　逃げたものです。

それがあるときから、紙でできた赤い屋根の細長い家のおかげで、ずいぶんゴキちゃん事情が変わったと思います。ハエたたきで追いかけることも、ほとんどなくなったと思います。

今は、さらに進化したゴキちゃん用商品が出ているので、ほとんどゴキちゃんに会うことはなくなりました。でも、「１匹見たら、１００匹はいる」ということらしいので、たぶんどこかにたくさん潜んでいるのだと思います。

おーい、ゴキちゃん、勝手に人ん家に住まないで！家の人より大勢で住むなら　家賃払ってよね！


やさしい日本語（にほんご）

来ないで！　Don’t come!

Technology plays a crucial role in today's modern workplace, and dealing with outdated or malfunctioning equipment can be a significant challenge for HR professionals. Addressing these issues promptly is essential to maintain productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational efficiency.

When faced with technology issues, it's important to first identify the root cause. This may involve troubleshooting hardware, software, or network problems. Once the issue is identified, take appropriate steps to resolve it. This might include updating software, replacing faulty hardware, or seeking assistance from IT professionals.

To prevent future technology issues, it's crucial to implement regular maintenance and updates. This includes scheduling routine maintenance checks, ensuring software is kept up-to-date, and providing employees with training on proper equipment usage. Additionally, consider investing in redundant systems and backup solutions to minimize downtime in case of failures.

Addressing technology issues effectively requires a collaborative approach between HR and IT departments. HR professionals can play a key role in communicating with employees about technology-related disruptions and providing support. They can also work with IT to ensure that employees have the necessary training and resources to use technology effectively.

By proactively addressing technology issues and implementing preventive measures, HR professionals can contribute to a more efficient and productive workplace.