Is academic success about working hard or just being naturally good at something? What do you think? 

In this episode, Nick gives you some ideas on this topic

IELTS with Nick - World Knowledge 

Do you think academic success is more about hard work or natural ability?

"Ser" para lo permanente, "estar" para lo temporal. Aprende a diferenciarlos con ejemplos claros y sencillos en solo 5 minutos. 🎙️☕ ¡Escucha Español Express y mejora tu español rápido! 

☕🎧🎙️ Español Express 🎙️🎧☕

Ser vs. Estar: La clave para no equivocarte nunca

Script

おはようございます。日本語だんだんポットキャストのゆかりです。

私は今日、ひさしぶりに、ともだちとオンラインで話しました。
　
Zoomをつかって、はなしました。

私をいれて、4人のともだちとはなしました。

京都　きょうと
香川　かがわ
千葉　ちば
大阪　おおさか・・と、みんな、べつべつの場所(ばしょ)に住(す)んでいます。

かんたんには会えないので、Zoomをします。
ひさしぶりに会うときは、

「元気にしてた？」とききます。

「元気ですか？」とほぼ、同じです。

でも、「元気にしてた？」は、

ずっと、会っていないときも、
元気でしたか？の意味(いみ)があります。


「ひさしぶり。元気にしてた？」

「うん、ありがとう。ゆかりは？」

「私もめっちゃ元気！」

といいます。

ところで、私のともだちは、
いちばんさいしょに、

"ハロー”とか、
"生(い)きてた？"と私にいいます。

これは、教科書(きょうかしょ)には、
のっていない、あいさつですね。

では、今日も最後まで聞いてくれて、だんだん、です。

また明日！

Japaneseだんだんpodcast

51 .元気でしたか？ /Japaneseだんだんpodcast

Using Spoken Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking

Discourse markers, such as "well," "so," "you know," and "I mean," are common in everyday speech. These words and phrases help guide conversations, signal a change in thought, or give the speaker time to think. For IELTS Speaking, using discourse markers effectively can enhance your fluency and coherence, making your responses more natural and organized.

Here are some key ways to use spoken discourse markers during the IELTS Speaking exam:

Starting Your Response: Using markers like "well" or "actually" can give you a moment to collect your thoughts before answering a question. For example, if asked about your favorite hobby, you could begin with, "Well, I really enjoy painting because it's relaxing."

Organizing Ideas: Words such as "firstly," "secondly," and "finally" can help structure your response when explaining something in detail. This makes it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas.

Clarifying and Rephrasing: Discourse markers like "I mean" or "in other words" are useful for clarifying points or rephrasing if you feel your initial response wasn’t clear enough. For instance, "In other words, I think traveling teaches us valuable life skills."

Filling Pauses: Using phrases like "you know" or "let me think" can fill pauses naturally, preventing awkward silences during your speaking test.

However, it's essential not to overuse discourse markers, as it can make your speech sound unnatural. Practice using them in moderation to sound fluent and confident in your responses.

IELTS Speaking Practice

IELTS Speaking - using discourse markers

El Año Nuevo es una ocasión especial en todo el mundo, y México no es la excepción. Este país vibrante y lleno de cultura tiene sus propias tradiciones únicas para recibir el año nuevo, mezclando la alegría festiva con el folclore que caracteriza a sus celebraciones. Aquí exploraremos algunas de las tradiciones más famosas que los mexicanos adoptan para dar la bienvenida al nuevo año.
Una de las costumbres más arraigadas en México es el consumo de las "uvas de la suerte". Pocos minutos antes de la medianoche, las familias se reúnen alrededor de la mesa con 12 uvas en la mano. Cada uva representa un deseo para cada mes del próximo año. El desafío radica en comer cada uva en el ritmo adecuado, coincidiendo con las campanadas que anuncian la llegada del nuevo año. Este ritual no solo es divertido, sino que también simboliza la esperanza y la buena fortuna para el año por venir.
Otra tradición curiosa y popular es dar un paseo con una maleta en la mano alrededor de la cuadra o la manzana. Este acto simboliza el deseo de viajar y explorar durante el próximo año. Algunos incluso dan un pequeño paseo con la maleta en la mano dentro de la casa. Es una manera única y divertida de atraer la prosperidad y las nuevas experiencias, marcando el Año Nuevo como una oportunidad para la aventura y la expansión personal.
La elección del color de la ropa interior para la noche de Año Nuevo es una tradición que ha ganado popularidad en México. Cada color simboliza un deseo diferente. Por ejemplo, el rojo se asocia con el amor y la pasión, el amarillo con la prosperidad y el éxito, y el blanco con la paz y la armonía. Muchas personas se toman en serio esta tradición y cuidadosamente eligen su ropa interior para asegurarse de atraer lo que desean para el próximo año.
La pirotecnia es una parte integral de las celebraciones de Año Nuevo en México. La gente se reúne en plazas y calles para disfrutar de impresionantes espectáculos de fuegos artificiales que iluminan el cielo nocturno...


Spanish México

EL AÑO NUEVO EN MÉXICO.

conjuguemos y conjugamos 

capítulo 1 (oficialmente) DECIR - TO SAY

「運動会」とか、「体育大会」とか「体育祭」とか、
色々な 言い方があります😊

日本では、子供から 大人まで、運動会に 参加する チャンスが あります😇
日本の 運動会の おもしろい ところを いくつか 紹介します💡
ぜひ聞いてくださいね🌷

【Japanese listening】全部（ぜんぶ）日本語（にほんご）で 話（はな）します📢🌷

＃１日本の運動会について(にほんの うんどうかいについて )🏃‍♂️🎌

In this episode, we dive into the common predicament of finding the bathroom in unfamiliar surroundings. Join us as we explore the various phrases and expressions you can use to seek directions to the nearest restroom or toilet. From polite inquiries like "Excuse me, could you please tell me where the nearest restroom or toilet is?" to straightforward requests such as "Can you please tell me where I can find the toilet?" we'll equip you with the essential language skills needed to navigate this important everyday situation. So, whether you're traveling abroad or simply in need of guidance in a new place, tune in to discover the right words to confidently ask for directions to the bathroom.


Phrases/Expressions:

"Excuse me, could you please tell me where the nearest restroom or toilet is?"
"Could you please direct me to the nearest restroom or toilet?"
"Excuse me, where is the bathroom?"
"Can you please tell me where I can find the toilet?"
"I'm sorry, could you help me? I need to know where the restroom is."

Language Lab: Conversations with Teacher Rose - Unlocking English Fluency

What should you say when you're searching for the bathroom?

A black sports car steadily drives down a highway towards a shipping dock somewhere on the coast of Morocco. Inside, five fruits are silent, quietly going over the plan in each of their minds. In the passenger seat is a reddening aged triangle apple named Johannesburg. His hands are stiff, the sign of an experienced carpenter, and his eyes are tired, the sign of 

“I hope this works,” says the driver, a fresh pear. “It’s our last chance to save grandma.”

Johannesburg, who had his attention fixed on the twinkling moonlight, sniffs and rubs his nose. “Trust in the plan, Pear.”

“What if the ship is empty and we risk our lives for nothing?” exclaims Pear.

A voice from the back seat speaks up. “ I trust my source like I trust my own mother.”

“No one doubts you, Grape,” says Johannesburg. “Pear is nervous—that’s all.”

It was six months ago when Johannesburg received a call from Japan. It was Pear, his brother-in-law, informing him that their grandmother, a sweet and kind raisin, had contracted an unknown virus. The aged apple tried not to panic, but became haunted by the news. A few weeks later, his worst nightmare came true. Their dear raisin grandmother had been diagnosed with the corona virus and had been reacting severely to it. It was from then on that Johannesburg started experiencing sleep difficulties: waking up screaming, tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep. He also stopped eating, unable to stomach anything but dry, plain oats.

Feeling hopeless, Johannesburg had practically given up, surrendering to his sleepless nights, stomach knots and growing depression. Then, late one night, he received a call from Grape, his long-time friend. A trusted source had informed him that a large shipment of gold was scheduled to arrive in one week’s time at Port Morocco. Grape proposed a four-man robbery, saying they could split the gold equally amongst the associates.