We’re Maria and Pablo! And we’d like to share our lifestyle and culture with you. Improve your listening comprehension, increase your vocabulary, and fluency and learn something new in each episode!

Maria & Pablo Spanish

Frases o palabras que se usan en Perú y que tienen otros significados en otros países. Contenido para quienes están interesados en la cultura peruana y estén aprendiendo español como segunda lengua.

Learn Peruvian Spanish

Tune in to elevate your English: Engaging content for sharper listening skills, one episode at a time!

Daily English Podcast

Daily English Podcast Chapter # 18

ことばは生き物だという表現があるように、どんな言語にも日々新しいことばが生まれています。
時折、ネイティブ話者でも意味がわからないことばに出会うことがありますよね。
今回は、最近気になっている新語について話します。

As the expression "language is a living thing" suggests, new words are being created every day in every language.
Even native speakers sometimes encounter words whose meanings they do not understand. 
This time, we talk about new words that have been on our minds recently. 

♤ キーワード
・体たらく（ていたらく：a miserable or pathetic state of a person / affairs）
・造語力（ぞうごりょく：word-building capacity）
・無限（むげん：infinity）
・効率的（こうりつてき：efficient）
・早送りする（はやおくりする：fast forward）
・巻き戻す（まきもどす：rewind）

♧ 理解度チェッククイズ  
1. 「アルモンデ料理」とはどんな料理？ 
2. 「タイパ」は何の略で、どういう意味？

♢ 前回のクイズの答え 
1. フミが最近よく使っているのは、どんなペン？  
→ フリクションという書いた文字が消えるペン
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？
→ 胸ポケットで映える、ちょっと高めの金属製や木製のペン 

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 27：最近気になっている新語（2023）

Beginner Chinese Listening：你认识他们吗？Do you know them?

Beginner Chinese Listening

One of the key drivers of workplace anxiety is the fear of the unknown. When faced with a high-stakes negotiation, it's natural to feel apprehensive about the potential outcomes and the consequences of our actions. To combat this, it's important to thoroughly prepare and gather as much information as possible. Research the other party, understand their interests and priorities, and anticipate potential objections or roadblocks. The more informed and prepared you are, the more confident and in control you'll feel during the negotiation process.

Another common source of workplace anxiety is the fear of confrontation or conflict. Many people shy away from negotiations, worried that they'll come across as aggressive or that the interaction will turn adversarial. However, effective negotiation is not about winning at all costs; it's about finding a mutually beneficial solution. Approach the negotiation with a collaborative mindset, focusing on finding common ground and exploring creative options that address the needs of both parties.

Instead of viewing the negotiation as a high-stakes battle, consider it an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and demonstrate your value to the organization. Shift your mindset from "I have to win" to "I have the chance to find a solution that works for everyone." This subtle shift in perspective can help reduce the sense of personal threat and allow you to engage in the negotiation process with greater confidence and composure.

Finally, it's important to remember that workplace anxiety is a natural and common response to high-pressure situations. Rather than trying to eliminate it entirely, focus on developing strategies to manage and channel that energy in a productive way. Engage in stress-reducing activities, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness practices, to help you stay grounded and focused during the negotiation process.



The Global Professional Podcast

Anxiety when Negotiating - Episode 58 

こんにちは、あかりです。やっと休(やす)みが取(と)れます！

Usage of Slow Japanese:

STEP 1. Listen to the episode without seeing the scripts.

STEP 2. Go to ⁠mochifika.com/podcast/⁠ and check "Key vocabularies of this episode", and listen again to the episode while seeing the list.

STEP 3. Check the whole script, it'll fill the gap in your understanding.

👉Support the Mochifika project, and see full scripts + access to the additional materials!⁠

https://www.patreon.com/mochifika⁠

Buy me a coffee:⁠

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mochifika⁠

Slow Japanese

Episode #61 - Vacation after a long time

🎭 La Muñeca de Sofía 🎭

Sofía encontró una muñeca antigua en un mercado de antigüedades. Sus ojos de vidrio parecían seguirla a donde fuera, pero a pesar de lo inquietante que era, decidió comprarla. Al llegar a casa, la colocó en su habitación, sin notar que, desde ese momento, pequeños sucesos extraños comenzaron a ocurrir: las luces parpadeaban, los objetos cambiaban de lugar y, por las noches, juraba escuchar susurros.

Una noche, Sofía despertó con una sensación extraña. Miró hacia su escritorio y vio la muñeca… pero esta ya no estaba sentada donde la había dejado. Ahora estaba en la silla, frente a su cama, con su cabeza inclinada como si la estuviera observando. Atemorizada, la tomó y la guardó en un armario, pero al día siguiente, la muñeca apareció nuevamente sobre su cama, con una siniestra sonrisa en su rostro.

Desesperada, Sofía llevó la muñeca de vuelta al mercado, pero el vendedor la miró con sorpresa. “Esa muñeca… yo nunca te la vendí”, dijo con un escalofrío en la voz. En ese instante, la muñeca cayó al suelo y se escuchó una risa tenue en el aire. Sofía salió corriendo sin mirar atrás, jurando no volver a comprar nada en ese lugar. Pero cuando llegó a casa, su corazón se detuvo: la muñeca la estaba esperando en su habitación.

Spanish Reading Comprehesion

Sofia's doll

What does it mean to be innovative in business?

In order for a business to survive in today's world, it is important that we regularly review what we are doing and how we are doing it. By considering new ideas and new ways of doing things, and trying to innovate, we can improve on our products/services, increase sales, reduce costs and make our processes more effective and efficient. Innovation is key to increasing profits.

There are several ways a company can be innovative with their products and services. Today we will look at four of them.

1. Using the latest technology to improve your product/service

When we think of innovation, we often think of new technologies. While they might be impressive, we should not use new technologies just because they are available. It is important to consider how the technology can improve our product/service and make a difference to our customer. Companies that produce cars, toiletries, household appliances, etc. often have a large R&D department to work on making their products better.

2. Responding to customer demands by changing what is on offer

By listening to customer feedback, we can get their opinions on how we are doing and find out about what it is that they want. We also need to be aware of changes in customer demands and keep up with the times. When fast-food restaurant McDonald's realised that the market wanted healthier choices, they introduced fruit and salads, while removing the 'super-size' option from their menus.

The Habits of Professionals Growing Into Strong, Confident English Communicators

Innovation in business

MacAuley Culkin becomes a Dad again (no transcript today)