This short, powerful novel introduces the reader to George and Lennie, two farm workers in the US, dreaming of a better life during the Great Depression. The story is a heart-wrenching exploration of friendship, hope and love. Steinbeck’s writing is simple yet interesting, which makes it accessible for English learners. 

Audiobooks with Pip

Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck: Chapter 1

When the word after "不" is the first, second, or 
third tone, "不" should be read in the fourth tone, 
and when the word after "不" is in the fourth tone, 
"不" should be read in the second tone.


HSK vocabulary

“不”variation of tone

Can I Say - Can I Do

Sri Lanka

In this episode, we will review the areas you feel confident about when using your language and the areas you feel less confident about so that you can begin to find direction in your language plan. 

Meaningful Language Learning

Evaluating Your Language and Community Vision

Cafes are a popular meeting place — whether you're meeting a friend, meeting someone for the first time or even having an informal business meeting.

But Shojo Cafe is not the place to go if you're planning to talk to people. The new cafe in Osaka doesn't allow any sound — that means no music or talking, and orders must be made silently.

The cafe opened in April, as a space where people can go to enjoy some peace and quiet in a busy city.

It's run by AB Possible, an organization that supports people with disabilities. Many of the cafe employees are deaf or have hearing difficulties, and a space like this allows them to play an active role in society, the organization said.

Customers are asked to make their orders silently, such as by writing or pointing at the menu.

Sign language is also encouraged — and if you're interested in learning, there are informal sign language classes after the cafe closes. Classes are one hour long and cost 2,000 yen — or about $13 — which also includes a cup of matcha.

The organization said that, unlike a normal cafe where people talk to each other, the silence in Shojo Cafe will help customers focus on other things — like the color and taste of the cafe's tea and sweets. Customers can even try making the matcha themselves.

Cafe owner Haruna Matsumoto told The Asahi Shimbun the idea for the cafe came after she visited a silent cafe in Vietnam, and all she could hear was the sound of rain and people walking.

"I got to know the comfort of silence and the lively way the cafe staff worked," Matsumoto said, adding that she wanted more people to learn about both things.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

No Talking Allowed at Osaka's Silent Cafe

"I know a lot of words but I can't recall them while speaking." If this is a sentence you've uttered as a Language Learner, this episode is a must for you. 

Acquiring New Vocabulary in collocations is a great way to make sure you move from Passive Retention of words to Active Use.



All Things English

Vocabulary Acquisition - Introduction to Collocations

Analysis of the cultural, social and linguistic content, of the text of the song Centro di gravità permanente di Franco Battiato
Analisi culturale, sociale e linguistica del testo della canzoneCentro di gravità permanente di Franco Battiato
Análisis cultural, social y lingüístico de la letra de la canciónCentro di gravità permanente di Franco Battiato

SOLO MUSICA ITALIANA  PODCAST

Centro di gravità permanente di Franco Battiato|Aprende italiano cantando|Learn italian singing

Repasa estas preguntas y respuestas en árabe usando verbos en presente. 

Aprende árabe con Radia 

Oraciones verbales

1 - Qué es la que hay?
“What’s up!” This is a phrase you can use when you great your friends.

2 - Chavo
Money. It’s the equivalent of dinero.

Example: Mi amiga me ha prestado chavo. — My friend lent me money.

3 - Pela'o
“Broke” in terms of not having money.

Example: Estoy pela’o, no tengo chavo. — I’m broke I don’t have any money.

4 - Brutal
Something that is amazing!

Example: Esa pelicula fue brutal! — That movie was amazing!

5 - Acicala'o
Flashy or well put together (in terms of dressing and style).

Example: Ese tipo está acicala’o con las cadenas puestas. — That man is flashy with his chains on.

6 - Guagua
Bus or truck

Example: I’m going to take the bus tomorrow. — Voy a coger la guagua mañana.

7 - Revolú
Mess

Example: Limpia este revolú. — Clean this mess.

8 - Corillo
Group of friends (gang)

Example: Saldré con mi corillo. — I will go out with my friends.

9 - Birras
Beer

Example: Pásame una birra. — Pass me a beer.

10 - Parquear
To park (the car)

Example: ¿Dónde parqueaste el carro? — Where did you park the car?

11 - Bregar
To deal with (something)

Example: No puede venir porque está bregando con cosas de la casa. — He can’t come because he’s dealing with things at home.

12 - Al garete 
Disaster or mess

Example: La situación está al garete por el gobierno. — The situation is a disaster because of the government.

13 - Ahorita (Orita)
Meaning “later.” Not to be confused with “ahora” which means now. Ahorita is an abstract time in the future.

Example: Te llamo ahorita, estoy ocupado ahora. — I’ll call you later, I’m busy right now.

14 - Embuste o Embustero
Lie or Liar. The equivalent to mentira and mentiroso

Example: Él es un embustero, no le creas. He his a liar, don’t believe him.

15 - Bochinche
Bad gossip that usually includes some sort of defamation.

Example: Ellos me dijeron un bochinche de tu amiga. — They gossiped to me about your friend.




