An interesting and funny look at the world. For students who have a reasonable vocabulary, but need to learn common expressions to progress to an advanced level.
Standard British accent.

The Social Evolutionary

啊，是星星吗？
Ah! You mean the stars?
对了，就是星星。
Yes, that's it. The stars.
你要拿这五亿星星做什么？
And what do you do with Five-hundred millions of stars?
五亿一百六十二万七百三十一颗星星。
Five-hundred-and-one million, six-hundred-twenty-two thousand, seven-hundred-thirty-one.
我是严肃的人，我是非常精确的。
I am concerned with matters of consequence: I am accurate.
你拿这些星星做什么？
And what do you do with these stars?
我要它做什么？
What do I do with them?
是呀
Yes.
什么也不做。它们都是属于我的。

Nothing. I own them.
星星是属于你的？
You own the stars?
是的。
Yes.
可是我已经见到过一个国王，他…
But I have already seen a king who...
国王并不占有，他们只是进行‘统治’。这不是一码事。
Kings do not own, they reign over. It is a very different matter.
你拥有这许多星星有什么用？
And what good does it do you to own the stars?
它可以使我变得富有。
It does me the good of making me rich.
变富有了你想干什么？
And what good does it do you to be rich?
富了就可以去买别的星星，如果有人发现了别的星星的话。
It makes it possible for me to buy more stars, if any are ever discovered.
小王子自言自语地说：“这个人想问题有点象那个酒鬼一样。”
"This man," the little prince said to himself, "reasons a little like my poortippler..."

小王子-The Little Prince-Read in Chinese

小王子第三十章：拥有星星

En este episodio platicamos un poquito sobre la importancia de "la madre" en el argot mexicano y analizamos dos de los usos más comunes en el español de México.

Con un ojo al gato

"Por mi madrecita" Profe Susana ft. Profe Martín J

La vérité sur l’apprentissage du français que les débutants ne veulent pas entendre. Dix conseils pour apprendre le français. 

French With Frederic

The truth about learning French

Examples of a range of more advanced, more formal, or more descriptive words and phrases that you can use as an alternative for "good"

Never at a Loss for Words

Episode 2 - Synonyms for good

ხელის გასვრა To get hands dirty Пачкать  руки
ხელის განძრევა To get down to work Приниматься за работу

Lamzira's Georgian podcast

Georgian phrasal verbs 4

What is coarticulation, and why does it make listening and speaking hard in a foreign language? Learn more in this podcast, from my Youtube channel "Adventures with Alex"!

Adventures in English with Alex

Coarticulation - Listening and Speaking Tips in English

Positive thoughts for the New Year!
This is from a blog post I wrote at the start of 2021, but I think it is still really important now.

Last year was bad? Let's remember the good things.

Persuasion shouldn't be avoided. It's a good thing. Businesses need to be persuasive.  Whether it's securing a new client, rallying a team, or negotiating a deal, the ability to influence and inspire action is paramount. 

The good news? Persuasion isn't about manipulation. It's about understanding your audience and crafting messages that resonate with their needs and goals. Here's how to hone your persuasive communication skills:

Tailor your message to resonate with the specific interests and motivations of your audience. Research their background, challenges, and communication style. 

People care about how something improves their situation.  Instead of listing features, explain how your product or service solves a specific problem or fulfills a desired outcome. 

Back up your claims with credible statistics, case studies, and testimonials. Data adds weight to your arguments and builds trust. 

Weave compelling narratives that illustrate your points and connect with your audience on an emotional level. Stories are memorable and foster empathy. 

Persuasion is a two-way street. Pay close attention to your audience's concerns and questions. Address them directly and demonstrate your willingness to understand their perspective.

Avoid jargon and technical terms. Use strong verbs, active voice, and concise language to ensure your message is easily understood. 

Speak with conviction and enthusiasm. Projecting confidence makes your arguments more believable and inspires trust. 

Your body language and tone of voice play a significant role in persuasion. Make eye contact, maintain good posture, and speak with a clear, steady voice. 

Clearly articulate the action you desire from your audience. Do you want them to sign a contract, invest in a project, or simply consider your point of view? 
