The story of the creation of the social media giant, Instagram, and why it was acquired by Facebook for what seemed at the time like a ridiculously large sum of money. 

The Bumper Book of Great English Stories

Great Business Stories 1: Why did Facebook buy Instagram

拼音

拼音  g

What will do you when you are coping with stress? 
Share your magical "tips" with us~

Blabla Chinese 

06. How to Relieve Stress_ 如何缓解压力？

Escucha este audio-artículo y descubre la provinvia de Valencia y buenos trucos para viajar por ella disfrutando de los lugares más auténticos.

VIAJAR POR ESPAÑA  "AUDIOS"

Mi España - La Provincia de Valencia

TRANSCRIPTION (explanation included)

These expressions of gratitude traverse a spectrum of sincerity and formality. In the lexicon of everyday conversation, one might simply say "thank you," "thanks," or even add a casual "cheers" to express appreciation. When gratitude is deeply felt, phrases like "I'm sincerely grateful" and "I'm truly thankful" convey the depth of one's appreciation. In informal settings, a heartfelt thank you might be expressed with "you're a lifesaver" or "you're the best," adding a touch of camaraderie. For matters necessitating decorum, a formal approach may entail phrases like "I extend my heartfelt thanks" or "I wish to express my deepest gratitude," while emphasizing that kindness does not go unnoticed. Politeness tempers the thanks in expressions such as "I want to say thank you" and "your help means a lot to me," demonstrating genuine gratitude. A touch of wit adds a layer of playfulness to the gratitude, as seen in expressions like "I owe you one" or "you're a legend." In more refined circles, the upper class might communicate their gratitude with statements like "I'm most grateful" or "your assistance is greatly appreciated," maintaining an air of warmth. For royalty, gratitude is conveyed with grace and dignity, as in "your kindness has not gone unnoticed" or "you have my deepest thanks," underscoring the formal nature of the response. Ultimately, the choice of expression hinges on the context and the level of decorum required for the situation at hand.

LEARN BY LISTENING

How To Say 'THANK YOU' In Various English Registers

Are you feeling a knot of anxiety in your stomach every time company news breaks? Are you worried about potential layoffs or restructuring? Job insecurity can be a real drag on your well-being and career growth. I understand your concerns. Here are some key signs to watch for that might indicate it's time to explore new opportunities:

Is your company experiencing constant downsizing, hiring freezes, or departmental mergers? These frequent changes can create a stressful atmosphere and signal potential instability.

Does your manager avoid discussing future goals or your role in the company's direction? A lack of transparency regarding career paths and long-term plans can be a red flag.

Are there limited opportunities for professional development? Is there a culture of stagnation and a lack of encouragement for upskilling or reskilling? A dead-end job can hinder your long-term career aspirations.

Do you feel underutilized or constantly passed over for challenging projects? Is your skillset not being leveraged effectively? Feeling undervalued can be demotivating and impact your sense of purpose.

Is your job impacting your mental or physical health? Are you experiencing burnout, anxiety, or decreased work-life balance? Prioritizing your well-being is crucial, and a toxic work environment might require a change.

 Leaving a job is a significant decision.  Before making the leap, consider:

Do you have an emergency fund to cover expenses during a job search?
Research current trends and opportunities in your field.
What kind of work environment and opportunities do you seek?

I can assist you in crafting a strong resume and cover letter, offer practice interviews, and connect you with valuable job search resources. Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment and explore your options.  Remember, your career path is yours to navigate.

The Global Professional Podcast

 Is It Time to Say Goodbye? - Episode 103

In this episode, you will hear Daxin's experience of high school. You will find why Daxin doesn't like Beijing. Enjoy it.

大新要带妈妈去海南生活，大新的哥哥和弟弟都不同意。很多朋友也说北京更适合妈妈。北京有更好的医院，北京有更好的生活设施，北京冬天有暖气。可是，大新还是带妈妈去了海南。因为大新不喜欢北京。大新不喜欢北京，不是因为北京不好，是因为大新觉得北京不是他的地方。他总是想离开北京。大新是十七岁的时候才来北京的。那个时候，他还是一个中学生，他是高中二年级的学生。大新的学习不太好。大新上课的时候很怕老师让他站起来回答问题。但是老师还是让大新站起来回答问题了。大新的脸红得不得了，老师还要说，你们看，北京的教育比西北好太多了！西北就没有好教育！大新真的不喜欢老师的话。后来，大新在北京工作，在北京生活，可是，他就是不喜欢北京。

Dà xīn yào dài mā mā qù Hǎinán shēng huó ， Dà xīn de gē gē hé dì di dōu bù tóng yì 。 Hěn duō péng yǒu yě shuō Běi jīng gèng shì hé mā mā 。 Běi jīng yǒu gèng hǎo de yī yuàn ， Běi jīng yǒu gèng hǎo de shēng huó shè shī ， Běi jīng dōng tiān yǒu nuǎn qì 。 Kě shì ， Dà xīn hái shì dài mā mā qù le hǎi nán 。 Yīn wèi Dà xīn bù xǐ huān běi jīng 。 Dà xīn bù xǐ huān Běi jīng ， bú shì yīn wèi Běi jīng bù hǎo ， shì yīn wèi Dà xīn jué de Běi jīng bú shì tā de dì fāng 。 Tā zǒng shì xiǎng lí kāi běi jīng 。 Dà xīn shì shí qī suì de shí hòu cái lái běi jīng de 。 Nà gè shí hòu ， tā hái shì yí gè zhōng xué shēng ， tā shì gāo zhōng èr nián jí de xué shēng 。 Dà xīn de xué xí bù tài hǎo 。 Dà xīn shàng kè de shí hou hěn pà lǎo shī ràng tā zhàn qǐ lái huí dá wèn tí 。 Dàn shì  lǎo shī  hái shì ràng Dà xīn zhàn qǐ lái huí dá wèn tí le 。 Dà xīn de liǎn hóng dé bù dé liǎo ， lǎo shī hái yào shuō ， nǐ mén kàn ， Běi jīng de jiào yù bǐ Xī běi hǎo tài duō le ！ Xī běi jiù méi yǒu hǎo jiào yù ！ Dà xīn zhēn de bù xǐ huān lǎo shī de huà 。 hòu lái ， dà xīn zài Běi jīng gōng zuò ， zài běi jīng shēng huó ， kě shì ， tā jiù shì bù xǐ huān Běi jīng 。

New vocabulary:
同意     tóng yì     agree
设施     shè shī      facility
不得了      bù dé liǎo     terriblely
西北




Story Chinese

24#25


The number of tigers in India more than doubled between 2010 and 2022, according to a new study.

In 2010, there were around 1,700 tigers in the country — but there were almost 3,700 by 2022, the study said.

The study also said that tiger numbers had increased because the animals were better protected from poachers and because their habitats were better protected too.

The researchers added that the amount of contact between humans and animals has been reduced, and the country has made sure that the tigers have enough prey.

The researchers said the results show that, with the right attitude, people can make a difference.

Some people now want the country to spend more time and money on protecting other animals too.

Of all the tigers in the world, 75% are now in India, in an area of about 138,000 square kilometers.

But many of these animals live close to large numbers of people.

The researchers said some communities have benefited from the increased tiger population because it has meant tourists have visited the area to see the animals.

However, tiger attacks on humans do happen, and with India's human population growing, this problem won't go away.

But the researchers said the number of tiger attacks per year is quite small, and many more people are killed by leopards, wild pigs and snakes, and in car accidents.

However, while many have said that the increase in tigers is good news, others are not sure about the accuracy of the data, which was collected by government-supported agencies.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Number of Tigers in India Doubled in 12 Years

I talk about watching a YouTube video about a piano virtuoso. My italki teacher profile: https://italki.com/teacher/1947582 Thanks for listening! Visit my website for more of my full-length podcasts . https://www.streetwisenglish.com