Listen to me reading a short news article about the pros and cons of internet dating, as part of my Conversational English course.

Listen to English with Pip

News article: online dating

げんきのごい

＃0-0あいさつGreetings

はい、こんにちは。ようへい先生です。え、今日はみんなの日本語の31課でならう ”閉（と）じます”ということばを、お話ししたいと思います。で、みなさんは14課で、”閉（し）めます”ということばも ならっています。”閉じます”と”閉めます”、どうちがいますか。
じゃ、・「ドアを閉じます」と・「ドアを閉めます」、これは2つとも正しいですか？ うん、これは正しいんですね。・「ドアを閉めます」・「ドアを閉じます」。でも、・「ドアを閉めます」の方がいいです。「ドアを閉めます」の方がいいです。しぜん（natural)ですね、”閉じます”もOKですが、少しだけ変（へん）です。
えー、他にも・「窓を閉めます」・「窓を閉じます」これも両方（りょうほう）大丈夫ですが、 えー、・「窓を閉めます」の方がいいです。”閉じます” でもいいんですが、”閉めます” の方がいいです。はい、じゃ、31課で、どういう風（ふう）に使っているんでしょうか。え、51ページの７に出てきますんで、 じゃあ、ちょっと読（よ）みますね。
・目を閉じると、友達と泳いだ川の音が聞こえる。

はい、「目を閉じると」。うん、”目” ですね、「目を閉じます」と使っていますね。で、これはじゃあ、「目を閉（し）めます」は言うことができますか。できません。「目を”閉じます”」ですね。はい、OKですか。じゃ他にもですね。えー・「口を閉（と）じます」これも・「口を閉じます」 がいいです、・「口を閉（し）める」は言いませんね。はい、で、あと、じゃあ”本” ですね・「本を閉（と）じます」・「本を閉（し）めます」。これも・「本を閉じます」しか言うことができません。じゃあ、もう1つ、え～・「かさを閉（と）じます」ですね、・「 かさを閉（と）じる」ね。これ・「かさを閉める」は言うことができません。
じゃ最後（さいご）にもう1つ。インターネットの画面（がめん）、スクリーンですけど、画面、・「スクリーンのタブを閉（と）じる」ですね。タブ、タブはわかりますか。 英語でtabs、screen tabですかね。えー、そのインターネットのタブを閉じる。えー、・「ネットのタブを閉（し）める」は言うことができません。・「ネットのタブを閉じる」。はい、こういう使い方をします。えー、みなさん、覚（おぼ）えといてください。じゃ、今日も聞いてくれてありがとうございます。 
日本語の勉強がんばって。バイバイ👋


ようへい先生　N4～N3　レベルの生徒（せいと）へ　(^^♪

＃４　閉じる vs 閉める 　　 みんなの日本語 31課・14課

Office politics refers to the intricate interplay of interpersonal relationships, power dynamics, and organizational culture. While often viewed negatively, understanding and navigating these dynamics can be crucial for career advancement.

Key Strategies:

Build strong relationships: Cultivate genuine connections across departments.

Focus on performance: Deliver exceptional results consistently.

Communicate effectively: Maintain clear and open communication.

Maintain neutrality: Avoid taking sides in conflicts.

Develop a thick skin: Let go of negativity and maintain a positive attitude.

Understand organizational culture: Familiarize yourself with unwritten rules and power structures.

Be mindful of your actions: Avoid engaging in negative behaviors.

Seek mentorship: A mentor can provide guidance and support.

Prioritize well-being: Take care of your mental and emotional health.

Conclusion

Office politics is an inevitable part of the workplace. By understanding its dynamics, building strong relationships, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can navigate these challenges effectively and create a more positive work environment. Remember, while office politics can be a complex issue, your focus should always be on your professional development and achieving your career goals.

The Global Professional Podcast

Office Politics: Navigating the Corporate Landscape - Episode 118

“It’s sad to say, but there have been too many times I’ve seen terrible examples of plastic waste. The one time that really sticks in my mind was about 2 months ago when I visited a very famous and beautiful lake, just a stone's throw from my hometown. The whole area is famous for its natural beauty and scenery, and has become a very popular place for tourists to visit.




I went there with a couple of my friends, as we thought it would be the perfect place to enjoy some of the wonderful natural scenery the country has to offer.




I can still clearly remember as we took a path down to the lake, there were plastic bottles and bags tossed everywhere all the way down to the shore of the lake. The lake itself was in an even worse state, with plastic bags, bottles and discarded styrofoam boxes floating on the water, which was a pretty depressing sight. 




It was obvious that so many ignorant visitors to the lake bring along some food or drinks to have a picnic, leaving their waste behind, or just tossing it into the lake without a thought about the harm they are doing.




I was so disgusted and ashamed by the sight that we took lots of photos to post on some public social media groups, and try to bring some attention to this environmental mess. It was truly heartbreaking to see such a beautiful place destroyed by people's ignorance, as well as making my blood boil, that nobody seemed to care.

IELTS 85 Speaking

Describe a time you saw a lot of plastic waste-IELTS speaking part 2

Кому вы обычно звоните, когда вам грустно? 

Слова-помощники для прослушивания подкаста. 

жил был — once upon a time
бездомный Пёс — homeless dog
бродил одиноко — wandered lonely
искал — was looking for
он придумал — he got an idea…

А что если поселиться в телефонной будке? — Why not settle down in a telephone booth?
Это была блестящая мысль! — What a wonderful idea it was!
постелил коврик, лёг и стал смотреть — he spread out the rug, lay down and began to look at (the) …
высокий потолок — high ceiling
вид из окна~ — view from window
свой собственный телефон — his private telephone
вдруг — suddenly
позвонить кому- нибудь — to call smb.
Луна  — Moon
Я прекрасно устроился! — I am really well set up!



Russfriend  (all about russia) 

О.  Шихзаманова  "Кому позвонить?" B1

In this episode, I reflect on the deeper meaning behind learning a language — not as a method, but as a human experience. Drawing from my personal journey with English and Japanese, I explore how immersion, necessity, and emotional connection are more powerful than textbooks. Language is not just communication — it’s identity, context, and the silent culture between words.

Immersive Italian

Language is a Bridge to a Culture - Immersive Italian Podcast Ep.2

Hello everyone! Welcome to my podcast "Like a Greek". Today I read one of my favorite poems "Όσο μπορείς" by Κωνσταντίνος Καβάφης.