In this podcast for adult, independent English learners I talk about the importance of practising talking about controversial issues. How will we ever make authentic connections in a second language if we haven't practised the vocabulary needed to express nuance, and delicately, cautiously and respectfully present opposing perspectives? In this podcast I present some of that language, and discuss the importance of using it before we need it! 

Birdsong English Explains

Ep.3 Courting controversy!

有点 (yǒudiǎn) and 一点 (yīdiǎn) both translate to "a little" or "slightly" in English. However, they are used slightly differently in Chinese.

有点 (yǒudiǎn) is used to describe a small amount or degree of something. It is often used to describe an adjective or an adjective phrase. For example:

这个电影有点好看 (zhège diànyǐng yǒudiǎn hǎokàn) means "this movie is a little bit good-looking."
这个饭有点辣 (zhège fàn yǒudiǎn là) means "this meal is a little spicy."
一点 (yīdiǎn) is used to describe a small amount or degree of something, but it is often used to describe a noun or a verb. For example:

我想吃一点苹果 (wǒ xiǎng chī yīdiǎn píngguǒ) means "I want to eat a little bit of apples."
我会说一点中文 (wǒ huì shuō yīdiǎn zhōngwén) means "I can speak a little bit of Chinese."
In general, 一点 (yīdiǎn) is more commonly used than 有点 (yǒudiǎn) in Chinese. However, both can be used to describe a small amount or degree of something, and the choice between them depends on the context and the specific word or phrase that they are modifying.

Difference between A and B in Chinese with Shanmei

有点 (yǒudiǎn) VS 一点 (yīdiǎn) 

News in Slow English

13th June 2025 (BBC HOMEPAGE)

Let's make Japanese sentences together.

If you make a sentence in Japanese, write it in the comment section! I will correct your sentences!

【Today's  topic】

【きょう、⚪⚪をなくしました】
　　　　　　　➕
　　　　(あなたのきもち)

in my case👩
きょう、ネックレスをなくしました。
すごいショック。

 Today I lost a necklace which was given by my grandmother

ex)きょう、さいふをなくしました。
　 きのう、とけいをなくしました。

Short sentences ➕ your feelings = you can speak a lot of Japanese！

Japanese teacher Noriko’s room

【きょう、⚪⚪をなくしました】

¡Hola! Soy el profesor Smith y estás escuchando esto en este momento porque estás buscando a un profesor de inglés que te ayude a aprender cómo expresarte en inglés. No es que no sepas muchas palabras, es solo que no sabes cómo usarlas para expresarte. Si este es tu problema, entonces reserva una clase conmigo y te enseñaré cómo expresarte en inglés.

LEARN BY LISTENING

Soy tu profesor de inglés.

I podcast secondo San Luca

Brief Intro on the new lessons

📩 Aprende una palabra coloquial al día: https://acortar.link/d8H9at

Español coloquial

Ayer me pegué una leche

Uno de los usos menos conocidos del indefinido es el que se relaciona con el fututo. Los españoles lo usan mucho, pero los que aprende español como lengua extranjera no. Por esa razón, he decidido hacer este vídeo convertido en audio que podéis escuchar aquí o ver en YouTube en 5 minutos de español.