In this week's Chillchat Baiwei and Karen discussed Karen's favorite kind of Chinese riddle - 歇后语 (xiē hòu yǔ). Besides explaining what it is, we also listed some fun examples to see how it works. As usual, it's a fun but challenging language game for Baiwei, but he enjoys it. Hope you guys enjoy it as well! 

Note: This podcast is intended for language learning ONLY. Not for promoting or criticizing any political party or ideology. Let’s keep it friendly and accessible to all :)

Also, all of the experiences are the hosts’ own experiences so please do your own research if you need more information.

Chillchat (Learn Chinese and Chill)

My Favorite Kind of Chinese Riddle - 歇后语 (xiē hòu yǔ)

In this episode we're going to listen to a monologue about her daily routine. Let's start now.
最近特别特别忙。一般我早上七点就醒了。躺一会儿之后，大概到七点二十吧，我就得起床。起来之后第一件事情，先喂猫，然后稍微把家里打扫一下。八点之前，我肯定就吃完饭了。然后我一般会看半小时书。我很喜欢看书，中文的英文的都会看。我一般九点去上班，中午有两个小时休息时间。下午五点下班，回家之后我可能会去健身房，运动一个小时左右，然后回家休息或者放松。

Story Chinese

我的一天 my day (elementary level)

How can you use critical thinking more? Listen to the podcast to find some tips.

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In English exams like the IELTS test, there are speaking or writing questions that require critical thinking skills. If you feel weak in this area, you’re not alone. Many people do. The reason is that critical thinking is challenging, and this isn’t helped by the fact that not all education systems or schools focus the same energy on developing such skills. So what does it mean to think critically, and how can you do it more often?

***What is critical thinking?***

There are many different aspects to critical thinking. It may be about using your knowledge to predict what consequences different actions will have. It may be about looking at information and then forming opinions or reaching conclusions. It may also be about understanding when some important information is missing, and being able to gather the extra information that you need. In your work life or student life, these skills are vital for finding solutions to problems. If you have them and can present your analyses to other people effectively, you will be a valued member of any forward-thinking team.

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If you want to work on your critical thinking with a qualified, experienced teacher, and to practise applying it when speaking or writing, please get in contact with me or book a class.

English exam skills

Critical thinking

Este es la primera parte de un episodio triple sobre la figura del gaucho. 
Hablaremos sobre el gaucho, la literatura gauchesca y la lengua gauchesca. 


Porteña

Los gauchos ¿realidad o ficción?

En este episodio, Jon (Madrid) y Joan (Barcelona) hablan sobre las cosas que más echan de menos de España cuando están viviendo en el extranjero. ¡Relájate y escúchanos!

¡Qué Pasa! Podcast en Español

Españoles fuera de España - ¿Qué echamos de menos? Parte 1

In this episode, I share how colouring artwork becomes a powerful tool for language learning. As you hold a pencil and see colours take shape, your brain engages in multisensory integration, which improves vocabulary, pronunciation, and memory. Different strokes and the pressure of your hand influence focus and relaxation, while specific colours stimulate grammar, listening, and speaking skills in unique ways. The act of colouring calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and helps anchor new words and expressions into long-term memory. Through mindful colouring, you don’t just create art — you create a more fluent, confident, and joyful version of yourself as a language learner.

💃🏻111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 81 - 🎨 Colour Your Way to Fluency:  How Your Colouring Artwork Awakens Language Learning

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Leadership and politics. Q1-2.

1. Do you think people are born to be leaders? Why/ Why not?
2. Can leadership skills be taught? Why/ Why not?

Which idea can you use in your answers if the same type of question would come up on your test?


For more IE;TS podcasts - check my podcasts section and get more ideas.

To be trained by me personally - send a class request.

You can count on my full support and assistance!

IELTS-SPEAKING 8-9 BAND IS POSSIBLE. DAILY SPEAKING PRACTICE PART 1,2 & 3. Listen daily.

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Leadership and politics. Q1-2.

Governments across the world are busy encouraging people to buy electric vehicles (EVs) as countries try to meet climate targets.

In some places, customers have been given incentives to buy EVs, making them cheaper than oil-powered cars at the showroom.

But drivers have been wondering whether new EVs will hold their value over time.

It's a topic that has received a lot of attention online. A number of different sites report that in many markets the prices of secondhand EVs are depreciating faster than the prices of oil-powered cars.

Depreciation is to be expected with all vehicles. As soon as a new car is driven away from the showroom, it loses some of its value.

But aging EVs are a little different to aging oil-powered cars — they come with a unique set of challenges.

In the first half of 2023, Car Dealer magazine reported that 29 of the top 30 biggest depreciating used cars were EVs.

The EV market is growing all the time, and while a few years ago there was not enough supply to meet customer demand, that's no longer the case.

Previously, customers looking for an EV might have settled for a used vehicle, but they don't have to anymore.

New models may also promise newer battery technology or longer battery life, causing people to choose a new vehicle over an older one. Perhaps they are also encouraged by those generous government incentives to buy new.

But it might not be all bad news for EV owners who are looking to sell their used vehicles. Writing for Euronews, Geraldine Herbert argues that increased public confidence in EVs will help slow depreciation rates, because people will feel more comfortable buying older vehicles.

In the next few years, the EV market will keep growing as countries end sales of new oil-powered cars, and according to Herbert this means that more EVs will keep more of their value over time.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Do Electric Vehicles Hold Their Value Over Time?

CONJUGACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL EN TIEMPO PRESENTE.