The amount of courses and teachers promising and encouraging you to speak like a native is overwhelming! But is that or should it be the ultimate goal? I discuss this, giving mine as well others' points of view on this subject.

British English with Maria

To speak like a native or not  - that is the question!

第11课  现在几点
一、听力  第一部分
1. 吃饭    
2. 看电影    
3. 九点  
4. 看书   
5. 北京  

第二部分
6. 男：现在几点？
女：现在五点。
7. 男：你什么时候见李老师？
   女：我下午一点十分去学校见李老师。
8. 男：我想看电影。
女：好啊，下午我有时间，我们一起去。
9. 女：你星期六工作吗？
 男：不工作。
10.女：你什么时候去北京？
男：9月17号去，住三天。

第三部分
11. 我十点去工作，现在在家。
   问：他几点工作？
12. 现在八点，我们九点前去看电影。
   问：他们几点去看电影？
13.  我中午十二点不看书。
问：他十二点看书吗？
14. 我下午喝茶，中午十二点前不喝茶。
问：她什么时候喝茶？
15. 他在北京住三天，星期五回家。
问：他什么时候回家？


HSK1   第11课  现在几点

Lectura de un texto de Galeano sobre Cervantes preso en Sevilla. Ritmo, tensión y creación literaria: cómo el español cuenta una vida difícil y el nacimiento de una voz que fundaría la novela moderna.

Un mar de palabras

Episodio 6: En un lugar de la cárcel

В этом подкасте я расскажу вам, как описывать дождь, снег и ветер на русском языке. Вы узнаете простые и интересные фразы, которые помогут вам говорить о погоде. Я объясню, что означают слова "накрапывает", "барабанит", "моросит" и другие. 

In this podcast, I will tell you how to describe rain, snow, and wind in Russian. You will learn simple and interesting phrases to help you talk about the weather. I will explain the meanings of words like "накрапывает", "барабанит", "моросит"and more. 

Music from this episode:
"Снег идет" - Майя Кристалинская 
" Снег кружится" - ВИА "Пламя"

Russian with Irina

Как описывать дождь, снег и ветер. How to Describe Rain, Snow, and Wind

Are you ready to get that idiom monkey off your back and learn 7 more idiomatic expressions to help you improve your IELTS band score?

The idioms in this podcast are quite useful. They should add another string to your bow. In our IELTS speaking exam we should also learn how to paraphrase. Learning how to paraphrase adds a really important string to your bow, as well. In order to gain a band score 6, it’s important to attempt to paraphrase as well as use connectives. Using connectives, like therefore, however, and to be honest, can add another string to your bow.

When we know how to use idioms, we can improve our IELTS band score, because it’s important to use some less common idiomatic vocabulary in your IELTS exam. Idioms are very common and used in everyday daily life. As a rule of thumb, they help the examiner to know if you have spent time studying common idiomatic phrases.

So, keep your chin up. And keep studying. Because idioms are easy to learn. You just have to take the time to learn them, and practice using them. Don’t let learning idioms worry you, because they really are fun. They won’t get you into hot water. Learning idioms cannot get you into trouble. On the contrary, they will show the IELTS examiner that you are dilligent, studious, and hard working. Nobody’s going to hit the roof just because you’ve learned a few idioms. Of course not! No one is going to be angry with you for studying idioms! They are a vital part of your English language skills. Native English speakers use idioms day in, day out.

Don’t forget to take the quiz and learn the meanings of the idioms in this podcast. 

And don’t forget to book a lesson with me, so I can help you get the IELTS band score you need. And if you dont know many idioms, dont you think it’s time to get that monkey off your back?

IELTS Speaking Practice

7 Idioms

Un corvo aveva rubato un pezzo di formaggio e si era posato sul ramo di un albero per mangiarlo in tranquillità. Una volpe, che passava sotto quell’albero, lo vide e volle prendergli il formaggio. Così, gli disse che lui, il corvo, era il migliore tra gli uccelli e presto sarebbe diventato il loro Re: aveva delle piume meravigliose, un becco possente e delle belle zampette slanciate. 
«Peccato solo che tu sia muto!» aggiunse la volpe. Il corvo, pieno d’orgoglio per tutti i complimenti ricevuti, volle dimostrare alla volpe che anche lui aveva una bella voce: spalancò il becco e cominciò a cantare. 
La volpe, non appena il formaggio gli cadde dal becco, fece un gran balzo e lo afferrò con i suoi artigli.
«Caro corvo, potresti senza dubbio essere il Re degli uccelli, se solo tu avessi un po’ di cervello.»

Spesso, la verità ci acceca e ci porta a commettere delle sciocchezze.

Favole di Esopo 

Favole di Esopo - Il corvo e la volpe 

Olá, tudo bem? Seja muito bem-vindo a mais um episódio do podcast Aprenda português.
Neste episódio vamos começar a falar sobre os quatro temperamentos. Você já ouviu falar sobre os temperamentos? Sabe qual é o seu? Vamos escutá-lo!
Segue o link para acessar o texto com a transcrição do episódio:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yCFyfX-wlMtmXK34WUHYVMae7Bjs-1hb/view?usp=sharing.
Até a próxima!


Aprenda português

Episódio 4 - Os quatro temperamentos

In this episode of English Learners Boost, we explore the power of consistency in language learning. I’ll share practical tips, real-life examples, and the inspiring journey of my student, Matus, who has stayed motivated for four years using Duolingo’s gamification and streaks. As his tutor for two years, I’ve witnessed his incredible progress in fluency. Plus, don’t miss a special invitation to book an English lesson with me on iTalki! Tune in and discover why small, daily efforts can lead to big results. 🎧✨ #KeepGoing #ConsistencyMatters