The letter A can represent seven different vowel sounds in English. In this episode, we focus on four of them: /æ/ as in cat, /ɑː/ as in car, /eɪ/ as in name, and /eə/ as in care. Learn how to produce each sound with correct tongue, jaw, and lip positions, hear clear examples, and practice distinguishing these essential vowels for natural British pronunciation.

British Pronunciation Tips 

British Vowel Masterclass – Lesson 2: The Many Faces of the Letter A

When we feel we have had a "setback" in our language learning - we often tell ourselves stories that keep us stuck. In this podcast episode, I will offer some ideas for how we can prevent that from happening, and when it does, how we can start to move forward again.

In summary, what I say is that first we need to assess what has REALLY happened. And we need to look at the STORY we are telling ourselves - about what happened. (We can do this by writing or talking to a coach or a friend or to ourselves using the questions below). 

If we can question the stories we have told ourselves about this setback - it becomes easier to take action to get ourselves moving again. Byron Katie is an author who created 4 questions that are helpful in changing our beliefs. The questions are: 1. Is it true? 2. Can I absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do I react when I believe that thought? 4. Who would I be without that thought? 

Turning the setback into an opportunity to take action - any action - can help us get moving again. Getting support is also very helpful. 

Writing or speaking exercise (talk into your phone!) -- take 7-10 minutes and see what you discover!:

1. Think of a time when you were trying something new (learning to play a musical instrument, starting a new routine, exercise or diet) - and you had a "perceived setback" - or when you felt you hit a wall/were blocked/"failed." What did you tell yourself at that time? Was that "story" really true? What happened after that? Did you continue doing the thing? 

2. Now think of a skill you have mastered. Maybe it's cooking something or riding a bike or being a professional or an entrepreneur. Did you ever have any "setbacks" along the way? (I am sure you did!) What steps did you take to keep going forward? Did you get support to move past these obstacles - or how did you help yourself to continue? What happened next? 

If you want - save your words and share them with me! I would love to hear what you think!  


Hear and There

3. "Setbacks," the stories we tell ourselves, and getting unstuck

Do you want to know how to say Good Bye in Thai? Let's listen to this Episode. I hope you can greet in Thai after you listen to my episodes. Enjoy!

Learning Thai with Kru Tarntawan

Saying Good Bye

The anti-establishment artist Banksy and fashion clothing brand Guess lock horns.

Transcript of audio here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13yXSZZ4xYi0SSlaryDJVz15PCVhic4ae/view?usp=sharing

Schedule a class with me here: https://teach.italki.com/teacher/12103910

Lisa's Podcast

Banksy wants people to shoplift? 

En este nuevo episodio vamos a escuchar a Enrique, un minero del municipio de Muzo, Boyacá, quien nos cuenta sobre su vida y su trabajo con las piedras preciosas más deseadas en Colombia, las esmeraldas. 
Remember this episode is a dictation activity, listen to it as many times as you need and write what you understand; when finished check the document with the transcription, you will find it in the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F6-7SdhK0PzuD3gRG1XmhRf7FT3eeRXwgVI6SccX-xw/edit?usp=sharing

Real Spanish Podcast

Dictado: La vida de un minero

Hello people :)

Les comparto mi primer truco o estrategia para mejorar DRAMÁTICAMENTE mi aprendizaje de idiomas. Tómate un tiempo y escucha, estaré muy feliz de responderte cualquier pregunta que tengas al respecto y si comienzas a hacer esto de forma regular verás como llevas tu español al siguiente nivel. Or your money back. lol

About Cuba with Ruben

Un truco que llevará tu aprendizaje al siguiente nivel :) 

Zoznámte sa s príbehom Štefana Baniča, slovenského vynálezcu padáka. Tento podcast, nahovorený pomaly a jednoduchou slovenčinou, je ideálny pre študentov. Vypočujte si zaujímavý skutočný príbeh a zlepšite svoju slovenčinu!

Learn Slovak Through Stories

Príbeh slávneho Slováka o ktorom ste nikdy nepočuli

the most effective ways to learn a new word.

Build Your English Thinking

03 Avoid the Forgetting Curve when leaning a new word

Idiom "It Threw Me" (with transcript)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PcBGc2Y0DnkPfcIEQ2SXRZBD2ilr7BxN/view?usp=drive_link