A place to learn more about the UK, motivation, grammar and learning tips with a little bit of laughter.

Teacher Joseph's Podcast

Want to crush it at your next social event? We've got your back!
This episode of Spanish Unplugged will give you the phrases and tips you need to break the ice, understand local humor, and join the conversation at any party or gathering.

🎙️ Dive into the culture, language, and all the socializing tricks you need to make a great impression!
💡 Want this guide? Drop me a message and I’ll send it your way!

Spanish Unplugged Podcast

EP9: Ice Breaker Master: No More Awkward 😎

If you see someone sitting alone in a restaurant, you might assume they're waiting for someone, or perhaps they're grabbing a quick lunch on their break.

But more and more people around the world are purposely dining alone.

Japan has a special word for this: ohitorisama, which refers to people confidently doing things alone without worrying about what others think.

A recent survey found that 23% of Japanese people eat out alone, up from 18% in 2018. And in the US, solo dining reservations have risen 29% over the last two years, according to restaurant reservation site OpenTable.

OpenTable CEO Debby Soo thinks remote work is one reason for the increase, with people looking for a break from their home offices.

The increasing popularity in solo dining comes as more people are living alone. In 2019, the Pew Research Center found that 38% of US adults ages 25 to 54 were living without a partner, up from 29% in 1990. In Japan, single households now make up one-third of the total; that’s expected to increase to 40% by 2040, according to government data.

Growing interest in solo travel — particularly among travelers ages 55 and over — is also leading to more meals alone.

But Soo thinks there could be more to it than that.

"I think there's a broader movement of self-love and self-care and really … enjoying your own company," Soo said.

As a result, many restaurants are redoing their seating, changing their menus and adding other special touches to appeal to solo diners.

But some aren't always happy to seat one diner. A Michelin-starred London restaurant caused a stir last year when it started charging solo diners the same price as two customers. The restaurant, which has 34 seats, offers an eight-course menu costing about $280 per person.

Other restaurants say it's worth seating one person because solo diners will often come back and eat there again.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Party of One: Solo Dining Increasing in Popularity

Many paintings and statues are of nudes - people with no clothes on.
So why did they start covering their naughty bits with fig leaves, which is a really BAD idea?
("Naughty bits" - I will leave you to your imagination as to what they are. There are also hundreds of words to describe them, from biological terms to very weird slang expressions!)

The Social Evolutionary

Why do naked people in art wear fig leaves? It's scary!

Dans ce podcast, je vous explique deux expressions bien connues des français :
Tu es un Harpagon !
Tu es un Dom Juan.
Ces expressions sont des antonomases. Une antonomase, c'est une figure de style qui consiste à donner un sens à un nom propre, et ainsi en faire un nom commun.

Vous pouvez regarder ces deux pièces de théâtre de Molière dans les liens suivants :
L'avare : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU8Ch5qV4ek
Dom Juan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2L20KESZI

Littérature franco latine en quelques minutes seulement !

Les grandes antonomases de la langue française : #1 Harpagon - Dom Juan

In this episode of "English Learners Boost," we explore "The Advantages of Taking a Break." Discover how taking breaks can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and boost creativity. Learn practical tips and real-life examples to incorporate effective breaks into your daily routine. Plus, don't miss our special segment on how to improve your English skills with personalized lessons through my iTalki profile. Tune in and find out why taking a break is a smart strategy for achieving your goals!

English Learner's Boost

The Advantages of Taking A Break

Spanish México

CASA LUIS BARRAGÁN.

In this one minute challenge you'll find some questions to answer to get your daily portion of speaking.

We all live a busy lifestyle but want to practice too, right?

Welcome the topic - Boring things.

Enjoy, share and apply!

One minute speaking challenge - Challenge yourself to speak English daily!

Boring things

En este episodio aprenderás a usar los verbos tener y haber, y tambien aprenderás las diferencias que hay entre los dos verbos. 