Here I recite some lines from the Iliad. This part centres around Hector's finding Andromache, and their final dialogue. 

Ancient Greek Now

Iliad 6.369-465

बच्चों इस कहानी से हमें ये सीख मिलती है कि किसी व्यक्ति के बाहरी रंग रूप से उसकी बुद्धिमत्ता का अंदाजा नहीं लगाया जा सकता इसलिए हमें सिर्फ इसलिए कि किसी ने खराब कपडे पहने हैं या वो देखने में अच्छा नहीं है; उसके बारे में गलत विचार नहीं बनाने चाहियें।

Stories from Panchatantra 

बाज की सीख 

皆さんは、日本語を勉強するとき、どんなペンやノートを使っていますか。
お気に入りの文具で仕事や勉強をすると気分が上がりますよね。
今回は、フミがお気に入りのペンについて話します。 

What kind of pens and notebooks do you use when studying Japanese?
Doesn't it raise your spirits when you use your favorite stationaries at working or studying?
This time, Fumi talks about his favorite pen.

♤ キーワード
・ばかにする（make fun of, look down）
* Fumi using the word in the sense of the latter. 
・見栄（みえ：vanity, feeling of showing off）
・映える（はえる：look good, look cool）
・しょぼい（shabby）
・難民（なんみん：refugee, In figurative meaning, people who are unable to get something）
* Aya using the word in the sense of the latter. 
・しっくりくる（perfect match, feel right in one's hand）

♧ 理解度チェッククイズ
1. フミが最近よく使っているのは、どんなペン？ 
2. フミが海外で働いていたときに使っていたのは、どんなペン？

♢ 前回のクイズの答え
1. 中国でタブーとされている贈り物は？ 
→ 時計
2. それをプレゼントとしてあげるのは、どのくらい失礼？
→ 結婚式に喪服で行くくらい失礼

BGM special thanks：MusMus

アヤさんとフミさんの日本語雑談（Aya and Fumi’s Japanese Chit-Chat）

Episode 26：お気に入りのペン


   a. Plug and play - Something that is easy to install or use without much effort.
      Example: "The new printer is plug and play; you can start using it right away."
   b. Crash course - An intensive and brief learning experience.
      Example: "I took a crash course in coding to prepare for the project."
   c. Hit the delete button - To eliminate or remove something completely.
      Example: "Let's hit the delete button on that idea; it's not feasible."
   d. On the same wavelength - To have a shared understanding or similar thinking.
      Example: "We work well together because we're on the same wavelength."
   e. Digital footprint - The trail of information left behind by someone's online activity.
      Example: "Be mindful of your digital footprint; it can impact your reputation."


IELTS Podcast 雅思博客

Technology-related idioms:

Silver and Ravine hate their hotel room and decide to try the science room and the sweet room. A witch shows up to scare them.

Vocabulary:
gurney: a table or stretcher with wheels, used to transport patients
cadaver: a dead body used for science
specimen: a part of a plant or animal used for scientific study
resurrect: to come alive again
racket: the tool used to hit the ball in tennis, it also means a lot of noise
picking a lock: opening a lock without a key

Learn English with Stories

Story: The Honeymoon- part 2

'옹기종기'는 크고 작은 것들이 귀엽고 다정하게 모여 있는 모양을 말해요. 서울 구도심의 오래된 언덕 골목에 서로 기대어 있는 작은 집들을 상상하며 따라 해보세요. 지금 여러분의 책상 위에는 어떤 물건들이 귀엽게 옹기종기 모여 있나요?

'Ong-gi-jong-gi' describes small and large things gathered together in a cute and friendly way. Imagine old, small houses leaning against each other on a hilly alley in Seoul. What cute items are gathered 'ong-gi-jong-gi' on your desk right now?

Korean Words of Senses

Ep.1 옹기종기 (Ong-gi-jong-gi)

An interview in a foreign language is not an easy task.  But, there are steps you can take to get ready now!  

Here are some tips on getting ready for an interview in English.  

Questions?  Comments?  Reach out.  www.italki.com/communicate 

Confident English Interview Podcast

What can I do to prepare for an Interview in English?

A podcast a day keeps the doctor away!

An in depth look at three idioms. 
Step 1: Learn the history behind them. 
Step 2: Repeat the stories to friends at dinner parties. 
Step 3: Pretend you are smart and cultured. 
Step 4: Profit!

The Jerome Meadows Experience

Idioms - Gut Feeling, Honeymoon Period, In Deep Water

Today we're going to talk about renting an apartment, 租房, after this lesson, you'll be able to talk about some details of renting an apartment in Chinese.
New vocabulary:
租房子/公寓： rent an apartment
中介: agent
租金: rent
房东: landlord
看房: see the house
预算: budget
物业费: management fee
押金: deposit
精装修: fine decorated
两房一厅一卫: two bedrooms, one living room and one bathroom