Welcome to the debut episode of Language Diaries! Uncover language learning insights, conquer challenges, and boost your confidence for an enriching journey ahead.

Language Diaries

Episode 1: Embracing the Language Journey

2月6日のNHK WEB EASYをゆっくり読(よ)んでいます。ただしい発音(はつおん)に練習(れんしゅう)につかえます。
「留学生400人ぐらいが日本に来ることができるようになる」

【たんご】
日本(にっぽん)・・私たちはふだんは「にほん」といいます
去年(きょねん)・・昨年(さくねん)と同じ意味です。去年のほうがカジュアル。

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/k10013460591000/k10013460591000.html

I AM YOUR JAPANESE TUTOR

【beginner～intermediate 】2.6 NHK WEB EASY pronunciatuon

In dieser Episode lernst du mehr über die vietnamesische Küche mit all ihrer Vielfalt und Genialität!

Vietnam: Fakten und persönliche Erfahrungen 

Episode 3: Das vietnamesische Essen

Welcome English learners! Today we’re continuing the conversation between Jennifer and James. In the last episode, James had just met Jennifer while he was walking in the park. Her dog had fetched a ball and had come close to him. Jennifer was in the middle of telling him why she started dog sitting for her friend. Listen to the story in this episode to grow your vocabulary and listening skills. Enjoy!
“I was having coffee with my friend, Sarah, and we were talking about how difficult it is to live up to the standards of being a “modern woman.” Jennifer started her story.
“Oh, that sounds like an interesting conversation…” James responded. “I’ve always felt like it must be almost impossible for women to balance career and family. Especially single women.”
“Well, yeah, that’s what we were saying to each other. There’s a lot of pressure on women to be “independent,” as if they don’t need men in their lives. I think marriage and family are great and I hate the stigma that is sometimes given to housewives in our society.”
“That’s an interesting perspective to hear from a woman.” James replied. “You wouldn’t know that based on what you see in the media.”
“Exactly. Anyways, Sarah is married, so she and her husband are taking a trip this weekend. She works as an accountant, so she stays busy, but she wants to have kids, too. That’s why we were talking about “modern women.” Anyhow, I offered to watch their dog for the weekend, so here I am!” Jennifer explained.
“I see. That’s nice of you to do for her!” James appreciated this small act Jennifer was doing for her friend. He wanted to learn more about her, but she had a question for him.
“So, what brings you out to the park on a Saturday morning?” Jennifer inquired.
“I like to go for a walk when I’m thinking about something.” James told her.
“Ah, ok. So, can I ask what’s on your mind?” Sarah asked with an inquisitive look on her face. 
James was more than happy to tell her.


Stories in English

Why Jennifer is Dog Sitting

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Natural environment. Q3-4.

Please check for Question 1-2 in my podcast section

and these are 2 more:

3. What can the government in your country do to deal with those problems?
4. What technological innovations should the world develop to protect the environment?

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

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

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Natural environment. Q3-4.

Spanish star Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis at the age of 38, he has announced.

Nadal won 22 Grand Slam singles titles during his career, including the French Open 14 times.

He has been one of the greatest players of the modern game, sharing his time at the top with his longtime rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The tennis world has long debated which man should be called the "Greatest of All Time" — or "GOAT."

Nadal hasn't been able to compete much during the past two seasons because of injuries. He has entered just two of the last eight major tournaments.

He said that next month's Davis Cup finals — when he'll play for Spain — will be his final tournament.

"It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make," he said. "But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end."

Nadal was known for his physical style of play — he played every point as though it were his last, but he was especially strong on clay courts.

There is a statue of Nadal outside those slow, red courts in Paris on which he enjoyed so much success.

As well as his French Open titles, he won the US Open four times and won Wimbledon and the Australian Open twice each.

"I think it is the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined," Nadal said.

His last major title came in Paris in June 2022. Nadal's tally of Grand Slams has since been surpassed by Djokovic, who has now won 24 majors.

In total, the Spaniard won 92 singles titles, spent 209 weeks as the world's number one player and earned almost $135 million in prize money.

He said: "Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true."

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Rafael Nadal Retires from Professional Tennis at 38

In many of the world's richer countries, young adults feel they can't afford to start a family. They also see the idea of buying a house as an impossible dream.

So, they're going on holiday instead!

And Elizabeth Currid-Halkett from the University of Southern California told CNN that young people are happy to take on some debt to go on a trip.

That's because it feels like a very small amount of debt compared to the cost of college or a house.

In fact, a May 2024 survey by US money website WalletHub found that two out of five Americans agree: they think it's worth going into debt to be able to have a good vacation.

Some call it "doom spending" — spending money on short-term pleasure, not saving it for something bigger in the future.

People point to the fact that house prices have increased much faster than wages, and so young adults today feel that saving for a home isn't realistic.

They feel the money would be better spent on a nice vacation.

There are also airlines that let customers book a flight but pay for it later, something that may appeal to these younger travelers.

However, experts say doom spending is a risky way to use your money, especially if it becomes a habit.

Money expert Louise Hill told Sky News that spending on short-term pleasure also makes it even harder to save for big things in life like a house or a family.

She said: "By the time you've saved enough for it, think about whether you still really want it."

Many Americans Happy to Go into Debt for a Vacation

In this English language podcast we talk a self-defense personal security alarm. Book a class with me and tell me about your self defense tactics. https://italki.com/teacher/1947582 Thanks for listening!  Visit my website for more of my podcasts (streetwisenglishdotcom)

Streetwise English

SWE23 Self Defense Personal Security Alarm

【北海道Hokkaido生活】
〈#150〉1月26日木曜日　天気/晴れ　気温/-10℃ 

・日本に寒波がきた
・7年ぶり
・去年は雪が多かったけど、今年は寒波。
・九州でも-3℃になった
・水道凍結が心配
・水道凍結すると、水道が破裂する
・水を落とす
・大変なので、家からでたくない。


寒波/かんぱ…とても寒い
凍結/とうけつ…こおる。水が固くなる。
破裂/はれつ…こわれる
膨らむ/ふくらむ…大きくなる


レッスン待ってます♪