Today we’re diving into… articles! Yes, those tiny words — “a,” “an,” and “the” — that cause disproportionately large headaches. 

English in a Minute

Articles in English

Сегодня в эфире отрывок из романа Николая Васильевича Гоголя “Мертвые души” об одном очень интересном качестве русских людей.

Слова, которые объясняю в этом выпуске: на́добно - (устар.) надо, нужно, необходимо - need to; на Руси́ - (устар.) in Russia; не угна́ться - когда не можешь догнать кого-то, потому что он быстрее - not keeping up; кой в чём (или кое в чём) - в чём-то другом - in something; иностра́нец - гражданин другой страны - foreigner, alien; перегна́ть - обогнать - to overtake; уме́ние - способность делать что-нибудь, приобретённая знанием, опытом - ability, skill; обраща́ться - поступать, вести себя по отношению к кому-нибудь - to handle; пересчита́ть - сосчитать многих или многое, сосчитать заново - to count; отте́нок - особенность в виде мало заметного перехода от одного к другому, дополнительное свойство - shade, tone, hue, tint; то́нкость - мелкая подробность, специальная сторона чего-нибудь - subtlety; век - 100 лет, (просторечие) всегда, постоянно - century, age, time; смека́ть - соображать, догадываться о чём-нибудь - to see, understand; осо́бенность - feature; разли́чие - разница, несходство между чем-нибудь - difference; го́лос - voice; язы́к - tongue, language, speech; миллио́нщик - человек, у которого есть миллион, мил  лионер - millionaire; ме́лкий таба́чный торга́ш - небольшой торговец табаком - small tobacco merchant; по́дличать - вести себя подло, подобострастно, совершать подлости - to act meanly; в ме́ру - умеренно - in moderation, in a measure; не то - не так, по-другому - not that; мудре́ц - мудрый человек - sage, wiseacre, mage; поме́щик - землевладелец-дворянин -  landlord, squire; душа́ - в старину: крепостной крестьянин - serf peasant; ина́че - иным способом, по-другому, в противном случае, а то - otherwise, differently; не́жели - чем - than; сло́вом - в итоге, в общем, короче говоря - in short; восходи́ть - ascend, rise, go up.

Хороших вам книг, друзья!

Reading Russian

Отрывок из романа “Мертвые души” Н.В. Гоголь

I talk about preparing for a road trip to Las Vegas. I also talk about a great song called "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson. Look it up. You will love the song too I hope. 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

Streetwise English

SWE 62 On the Road Again Driving to Vegas - Willie Nelson Song

A : Madame ?
B : Bonjour madame, je voudrais un croissant au beurre, deux pains au chocolat et une brioche au sucre, s'il vous plaît.
A : Oui madame, et avec ceci ?
B : Je vais prendre aussi une tarte pour six personnes.
A : Qu'est-ce que vous préférez comme tarte ? Nous avons des tartes aux pommes, aux fraises, au citron...
B : Une belle tarte aux fraises, c'est très bien.

Vocabulaire :
je voudrais : queria, I would like
le beurre : manteiga, butter
le sucre : açúcar, sugar 
et avec ceci ? : mais alguma coisa?, anything else?
je vais prendre : vou querer, I’ll have
une tarte : torta, pie
préférer : preferir, to prefer
une pomme : maçã, apple
une fraise : morange, strawberry
un citron : limão, lemon
un gâteau : bolo, cake
le pain : pão, bread
comme : como, like, as


Professeur Maxime : dialogues

à la boulangerie-pâtisserie

In this story, a snowman named Jingle is a selfish husband whose job is more important than his marriage. This is Part 4 of 5. 

The dance group had met in the morning for a quick rehearsal. Today was their last day to practice before the big show. 

Even though the other dancers commented that it was already good enough, Jingle and the winking snowwoman worked very hard on their close embrace. 

Then, while everyone was packing up, getting ready to go distribute their flyers… 

Ding-ding ding-ding 

The ringing came from behind Jingle. He said, “Ugh… Doesn’t Candy know how stressed I am? What does she want now?” 

He turned, but instead of his wife, he saw his snowman neighbour. Confused, Jingle went over to talk. 

“You look disturbed,” said Jingle. 

“It’s Candy. She’s been hit by a car.” 

Jingle was shocked. He noticed the neighbour was holding a candy cane. 

“This is her cane. I picked it up after the accident. I immediately called an ambulance and she was taken straight to the hospital. It’s bad, Jingle, really bad. Come with me, let’s go together.” 

Jingle hesitated. He looked at the candy cane, then at the dance group in the distance. Then back at the candy cane. 

“Thank you for bringing me this. But I can’t go with you. I’ve got to distribute these flyers today. It’s our last chance, and the whole group is counting on me. They need me. Tell Candy I’ll be there after work.” 


Being a Cloud

Jingle the Snowman

In this episode we chatted about ‘socializing’, covering questions like ‘socializing style and personality, ‘how often do you socialize’, ‘what’s your ideal socializing occasion’ etc. Let’s go!

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)

How to Chat about SOCIALIZING in Chinese

The №1 killer of any language fluency and personal success in a job interview or IELTS speaking.

If you want to succeed in your IELTS speaking performance - having more ideas to bring to the table or if you are a job interview performer - sound more natural and stay on the point without being stuck - you want to listen to this potentially life changing podcast.

What might it be, you are wondering? What is the topic?

It's quite simple, and we are all told this by language tutors: confidence... We are told "we all need to become confident."  Is this right? Self-confidence is game changer!

Since I am a second language learner, which means I am going through the same steps as my students do, and I can understand them quite well but if I was told to become confident when learning a language - it would seem quite vague, would it be the same for you? 

Teachers tell us to be confident, but how can we be?! How do I be confident? 

What is confidence? What is it made of?

These questions are never answered because the 'confidence field' is too vague and broad, and sadly, it's overlooked as the main, foundational ingredient for someone's change!

Listen to the podcast; within it, you'll find a massive bonus that will amplify your learning and can inspire you to sel-find ideas you've never dreamed of. Give it a shot; you might like it.

better and Better..
Anatoly 

The Habits of Women Growing Into Strong, Confident English Communicators

The №1 killer of any language fluency & personal success!

여러분 안녕하세요! 잘 지냈나요?
한국에서 이번 주 월요일과 화요일은 연휴였어요. 
여러분은 연휴 때 보통 어떤 걸 하며 시간 보내는 걸 좋아하나요?
This Monday and Tueday was a holiday in Korea.
What do you usually like to do on holidays?