In this episode of “English Vibes,” we explore NASA’s recent $843 million contract awarded to SpaceX to develop a vehicle for the decommissioning and safe return of the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth. We delve into the history and significance of the ISS, SpaceX’s pivotal role, and the challenges ahead. The episode includes a vocabulary review and discussion questions to enhance your English learning experience. Tune in for an engaging mix of space exploration and language practice!

English Vibes

SpaceX Given Contract to Destroy Space Station

 This is a short meditation story about a very small star, but even a small light can make a big difference. 💫

«Stories & Mind»

"The Star and the Traveler"

"The Lion, the Donkey, and the Fox" by Lev Tolstoy is a brief  tale adapted from an ancient fable by Aesop.


"The Lion, the Donkey, and the Fox"  by Lev Tolstoy 

Experience the beauty of Russian winter through Pushkin's eyes. This short podcast features "Winter Morning," one of Russia's most famous poems, beginning with the iconic line "Frost and sunshine; day of wonder!" 

Winter Morning: A Journey into Pushkin's Poetry

This little story by Lev Tolstoy is about patience, creativity, and emotional intelligence — the ability to stay calm, think clearly, and find a smart solution instead of giving up 💪

А little story  — “The Jackdaw and the Pitcher.”

Una piccola favola di Lev Tolstoj — “La taccola e la brocca.” Ci aiuta a capire cosa proviamo, a gestire lo stress, e a rimanere motivati passo dopo passo.



 “La taccola e la brocca”  & l’intelligenza emotiva ( EQ)

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, helps us stay calm, focused, and motivated.
Without it, frustration takes over.  The crow wanted a prize but couldn’t manage her emotions. She got impatient — and lost it all.

“The Crow and the Crab ” by Konstantin Ushinsky

Фразеологизмы (или фразеологические обороты, идиомы)  - это устойчивые словосочетания, где слова теряют своё прямое значение и приобретают переносное, образное значение. Их нельзя переводить дословно на другой язык.

Образные выражения или идиомы

Сегодня мы поговорим о русском языке — не просто как о средстве общения, а как о мощном инструменте развития интеллекта. Вдохновением для этого выпуска стали работы профессора Сергея Савельева, нейробиолога, который исследует мозг и особенности мышления человека. Гибкость синтаксиса  русского языка требует от мозга постоянной активации областей, отвечающих за анализ, прогнозирование и удержание контекста. Это всё — функции, связанные с парадоксальным мышлением и творчеством!