Describing the different ways to say "but" that are appropriate for the contrast level.

The English Toolbox

Levels of "But"

日本の子供たちに人気の習い事ランキングを紹介しています。皆さんの国ではどんな習い事が人気ですか？

日本語でおしゃべり　podcast for Japanese learners

＃23 子供の習い事ランキングの話

En el episodio de hoy vemos un uso del subjuntivo condicional, pero no la típica frase si...si, sino que usaremos el nexo de subjuntivo "a condición de que + subjuntivo".

Reyes from Spain

Nos vamos al cine a condición de que no le digas nada a tu madre

US and China agree to framework deal to restore trade war truce.

Delegations to present plan to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping after Geneva ceasefire came under pressure


The Short And Sweet English Learning Podcast

US and China agree to framework truce framework

This time, I'm talking about the Japanese nursery rhyme "Oshogatsu".
This was written by Kume Higashi and the music was composed by  Rentaro Taki.
This song was written about  120 years ago, but it is still often played in the city at the end of the year.The meaning of this song is as folows.

How many more nights will it be New Year's?
Let's fly kites and play with a spinning top at New Year's.
Come, come quickly New Year's Day

今回は　日本の童謡『お正月』について　お話しています。
作詞（さくし）：東くめ（ひがし　くめ）・　作曲（さっきょく）：滝廉太郎（たき　れんたろう）
歌詞（かし）
1.もういくつ寝（ね）ると  お正月（しょうがつ）　お正月には  凧（たこ）あげて　こまをまわして 　あそびましょう　　はやく 来い来い（こい こい） お正月
2.もういくつ寝（ね）ると  お正月（しょうがつ）　お正月には  毬（まり）ついて　追羽根（おいばね）ついて  あそびましょう　はやく　来い来い　 お正月
意味（いみ）：
１ばんは、「あと　何回　ねたら、お正月かな？　お正月には　たこあげや　こままわしをして　あそぼう。はやく　来て　来て　お正月」　２ばんは「まりつきや　はねつきをして　あそびましょう」に歌詞が　変わります。
この曲は、お正月を楽しみにしている気持ちを歌っています。

120年ぐらい昔に作られた曲ですが、今でも　年末になると　スーパーなどで　よくこの曲が流れます。この曲をきくと、「もうすぐお正月だなあ」と思います。







やさしい日本語（にほんご）

童謡『お正月』　Children’s song"Oshogatsu(New Year)"

In Zen, the act of sitting down and doing nothing isn’t about idleness. It’s about allowing the mind to rest and reset. When you stop forcing progress, you invite understanding to emerge naturally. This stillness isn’t passive—it’s active receptivity.

In language learning, this means stepping back from constant effort to allow the language to settle into your subconscious. Play a podcast in your target language without trying to grasp every word. Let the rhythm of the language flow through you. Over time, your brain will pick up patterns and nuances effortlessly.

Research supports this approach: studies on the brain’s default mode network (DMN) show that periods of quiet reflection are crucial for consolidating memories and integrating information. In short, doing nothing allows your brain to do its most creative and productive work.


💃🏻111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 56 - How the Zen principle of Sitting Down, Doing Nothing can help you 

В этом эпизоде мы узнаем других русских писателей, кроме Толстого и Достоевского. Я порекомендую 7 отличных авторов и укажу лучшие произведения, чтобы вы смогли их найти и прочитать. 
Очень советую к прослушиванию тем, кто хочет расширить свои знания о русской литературе. 
Это первая часть из серии. Следующий эпизод будет посвящен литературе ХХ века.

Россия по-русски

Не только Достоевский

In this episode, we explore how the Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura, plays a vital role in language learning by regulating confidence, personal power, and the ability to express oneself authentically. Located near the stomach, Manipura is not only metaphysically tied to self-esteem but also biologically connected to the enteric nervous system and the vagus nerve, both of which influence stress regulation, digestion, and cognitive clarity. By engaging in mindful practices such as breathwork, posture alignment, and intentional vocalization, learners activate the Solar Plexus Chakra, enhancing both their fluency and emotional resilience. We also discuss how certain languages with strong rhythmic, tonal, or assertive qualities engage this chakra more directly, creating a feedback loop where language study supports chakra balance, while chakra activation boosts memory, confidence, and communicative ease.

Tip 74 - Speak from Your Core: How the Solar Plexus Chakra Empowers Language Learning

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 1 - Weekends.

Here are the questions that will be asked:

Q. How do you usually spend your weekends? [Why?]
Q. Which is your favourite part of the weekend? [Why?]
Q. Do you think your weekends are long enough? [Why/Why not?]
Q. How important do you think it is to have free time on the weekends? [Why?]

Do you record your answers when you are answering those questions? Do you listen to your performance? 