Today we're talking about a phrase that we can use to discuss hobbies, interests, or background, that we share with our colleagues. This phrase is to have things "in common". We also discuss a common mistake that international English speakers make when using this word. I hope you find it useful!

If you're trying to improve the way that you communicate in English at work then feel free to book some of my time, it would be great to meet you. See you soon!

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

Do we have anything in common?

・東北地方の方言の紹介
・東北地方の特徴について
・岩手県の方言「ほんでね」「おしょし」「ふたつける」「んだなす」「よろすく」「よがんす」の紹介
・意味と発音について
・まとめ

Nihongo tokidoki Inaka hougen with Megumi Na

「ほんでね」ってどんな意味なの？ Learning the Tohoku dialect.

Modern Chinese(時代華語)Book1- Reading(短文)

There are many reasons to leave a job, but having a good way to talk about this is really important in job interviews! Whether you were fired or you quit, there are some great, neutral, nice ways to talk about this. I hope you find today's podcast useful!

I'm not quitting, we're just parting ways.

Welcome to English Learners Boost, your go-to podcast for improving your English language skills! In this episode, titled 'English for Travelers: Essential Vocabulary and Phrases for Exploring the World,' we're taking you on a linguistic journey to prepare you for your next adventure. Whether you're planning a dream vacation, a business trip, or just want to navigate foreign cities with confidence, we've got you covered. Join us as we delve into must-know vocabulary and phrases to enhance your travel experience and make communication a breeze. Get ready to unlock the world with English Learners Boost

English Learner's Boost

English for Travelers: Essential Vocabulary and Phrases for Exploring the World

El 1 de octubre se celebra el Día Internacional del Café, y qué mejor manera de conmemorarlo que hablando sobre los sorprendentes beneficios para la salud que esta bebida puede aportar, y cómo evitar los riesgos asociados a su consumo. 

Vocabulario: 
-Café
-Cafeína
-Beneficios
-Enfermedades

¡Hablemos de salud!

A propósito del día internacional del café

你好！你现在听到的是一位中文老师的日记（ri4ji4, diary），你可以在这里听到在新鲜(xin1xian1, fresh)真实(zhen1shi2, real)的中国生活。我是Amber，很高兴你能听到我的中文播客(podcast)。
9月8日 天气晴 星期四

孩子上学去了，我终于又有时间来更新(geng1xin1, update)我的播客。继续说说我的生活。
昨天我去学游泳了。这已经是我第三次学游泳。记得(ji4de2, remember)第一次是还在大学的时候，但我实在太怕水了，考试没有通过(tong1guo4, pass)，实际上是因为我也没有学会。第二次，是我的男朋友教我，他是游泳队的，比较专业(zhuan1ye4, professional)，但是我学了两次，眼睛又发炎（fa1yan2, inflame）了，不得已（bu4de2yi3, have no alternative but to），又没学成。这次呢，是我从小到大的好朋友教我，因为她的游泳卡10月就要过期(guo4qi1,expire)了，可是，她还有80次没有用。她希望我帮他用用她的卡，不然，剩太多次，可真的浪费(lang4fei4, waste)了，为了感谢我帮她用卡，她就教我游泳。这么好的事，简直就是为我量身定做（liang2shen1ding4zuo4, tailor-made）的，省了游泳票的钱，还省了教练(jiao4lian4, coach)的钱。真是天时地利人和(tian1shi2di4li4ren2he2)，再不学真的说不过去(shuo1bu2guo4qu4,can’t be explained away)。
因为有之前的基础（ji1chu4, learn before）昨天的学习效果(xiao4guo3, effect)很不错。从最开始下水，觉得胸闷(xiong1men4, chest distress)，到最后，已经可以顺利(shun4li4, successfully)的漂(piao1, float)起来了，可是，心理(xin1li3, mental)上的障碍(zhang4ai4, obstacle)还是很大，我不敢(gan3, dare to)放手，手还是得靠(kao4, get near to)着泳池(yong3chi2, swimming pool)的边，才能有安全感(an1quan2gan3,sense of security)。虽然好友给我做了很多心理建设(jian4she4, build)，可是还是迈(mai4, stride)不过去。不过我觉得，我的闺蜜(gui1mi4,close female friend)真是一名好教练，她把水描述(miao2shu4, discribe)成了一个人，这是我之前教我游泳的老师或者男朋友从来没有做过的事，让我相信水，水就会给我力量（li4liang4,power），她让我去感受水的力量。她说：“要想学好游泳，首先你要相信水，把自己交给水，然后再相信自己，水里有力量，你自己身上也有力量，与生俱来（yu3sheng1ju4lai2, innate），你要去感受这些力量，去互动(hu4dong4, interact)，最后你会知道这是非常神奇(shen2qi2, magical)的”。真的，她把一个体育(ti3yu4,sports)课活生生(huo2sheng1sheng, real)上成了哲学(zhe2xue2,philosophy)课，太高大上（gao1shang4da4, high-end,elegant and classy, abbr. for 高端大气上档次）了！在欢乐的笑声和水池里的“汩汩”声中，我的游泳课顺利的结束了，非常期待（qi1dai4, look forward to）下一次。
中国有句话，“事不过三”，也就是说，事情一般都不能、不会或者不应该超过（chao1guo4,exceed）3次。这已经是我的第三次学游泳了，事不过三，这一次我一定得把它学会了！
对了，有一个问题留给你！刚才我说了一句，天时地利人和，你听到了吗？如果没有听到，再去听听。实在不行，请看我的文字稿。所以呢，我的问题是：你知道什么是“天时地利人和”吗？

中文小天地 Little Chinese world

学游泳

One of Kafka's best-known works, The Metamorphosis was first published in 1915. It is often cited as one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is still widely studied in high schools, colleges, and universities across the world. This striking novella tells the story of salesman Gregor Samsa who wakes one morning to find himself mysteriously transformed into a huge insect.

Gregor subsequently struggles, unsuccessfully, to adjust to his new condition. The cause of Gregor's sudden and inexplicable transformation is never revealed, and Kafka himself never gave an explanation. The bulk of the story deals with Gregor's attempts to adjust to his new condition as he deals with being burdensome to his family, which is repulsed by the strange, giant, and verminous creature Gregor has become.

Literary critics and readers alike have generally interpreted The Metamorphosis to be a parable about the individual’s sense of finding himself victimized by large impersonal forces in society which are beyond one's grasp or ability to deal with. Horror, humor, and the surrealism of dreams are all present from the first sentence and stand to this day in this illuminating evocation of the condition of the modern, alienated anti-hero.

Written by Franza Kafka; English translation read by Jason Rosette

Teacher JR Public Speaking's Podcast Wonderworld

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (English version narrated by Jason Rosette)

"If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be, and why?"

This may be your idea of a nightmare interview question — and yes, employers really use it.

Your answer won't reveal anything about your ability to, say, use Microsoft Excel or drive a forklift truck. But it may tell your potential boss something about your "soft skills."

It's been said that hard skills will get you an interview, but soft skills will get you a job.

Hard skills are things you might learn at university, like how to write computer code or speak French.

Soft skills are the things you might not be able to prove with a qualification, but that will help you succeed in the workplace.

These could include being good at things like problem-solving, time management, and communicating with others or understanding how they feel — even being a good listener.

Employers say soft skills are more important than ever as the world adapts to remote and hybrid working patterns, because being able to communicate clearly and adapt to new situations is even more vital to success.

Some have called soft skills innate. But can we learn them or at least improve them?

"Yes," says jobs website Indeed.

It says the keys are to communicate regularly with the people on your team, be open to feedback, and pay attention to the way others overcome challenges including how they interact with people to do so.

Indeed also says it's important to simply get to work on time. This will help with time management, and also helps you achieve your goals and stand out from your colleagues.

Amanda Vickers, CEO of training company Speak First, told The Guardian that it's also important to try to understand what other people's needs and motives might be. This will help you adapt and work successfully with different people.

So, which ice cream flavor are you?

Well, the flavor isn't important but your answer could demonstrate soft skills such as creativity, quick thinking and even self-awareness.

Just don't choose vanilla.