Ever heard the saying "it's not my fault"? 🤔 This week on 'The Macondo Man Tales', we explore the classic story "La culpa es de la vaca" (The Cow's Fault/Blame the cow for no prosperity) and how it perfectly illustrates the tendency to pass the blame. From leather exports to "stupid cows," this tale will make you think twice about responsibility.

Hey! Here is the my very first podcast aimed at advanced learners of English. We'll look at ways to go from B2 up to C2. I hope you enjoy!

Make mistakes - it's good for you. The Method Of Paradoxical Intention. Episode 400 If you have anxiety, fear of speaking, worry about making mistakes when speak English, listen to this recording. It can revolutionalize your development! What is Paradoxical Intention? Paradoxical intention is a therapeutic technique, primarily developed by Viktor Frankl, that involves intentionally doing or wanting the very thing you are trying to avoid. The idea is to break free from the anxiety or fear that fuels the unwanted behavior or symptom. Here’s the core concept: The Problem: You’re struggling with a particular issue, and the more you try to fight it, the worse it seems to get.. The Paradoxical Approach: Instead of fighting the problem, you intentionally try to create or exaggerate it. The Paradoxical Approach: Instead of fighting the problem, you intentionally try to create or exaggerate it. That's it in a nutshell. If you want to go deeper into it, please read the works of Victor Frank - Logotherapy and be amazed on how it can potentially help you in your success in life! Join my 1-1 private coaching to ace your English goals with ease, speed and comfort! #job interview #career coaching #preparing for presentations #communication skills #IELTS test #mindset #psychology

Today we're talking about some vocabulary that we can use to talk about working late at night, early in the morning, or even through the night. I hope you find it useful! Don't forget that I am a full time business English tutor and coach right here on iTalki, so feel free to book some of my time if you want to improve the way that you communicate, in English, at work. I look forward to meeting you!

Will something good finally happen to you in the New Year, or are you just dreaming? Listen to the podcast below about the importance of your first dream for the New Year.

My English grammar is poor - how to improve that? Episode 399 Why learners think their grammar is poor: 1 .Comparison with Native Speakers 2. Fear of Judgment 3. Perfectionism 4. Focus on Mistakes 5. Cultural Differences 6. Lack of Confidence 7. Unrealistic Expectations 8. Overly Focused on Formal Grammar Which one are you? Did you even know that ALL students do it and you are not alone in it? :) How to correct the thinking pattern: Reframe the Belief: Instead of “My grammar is poor,” rephrase it to something more constructive, such as: “My grammar is still developing,” “I’m making progress in my English,” or “I’m learning new grammar every day.” This shift in mindset is crucial. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Celebrate small victories. Notice your improvements, no matter how subtle. Track your progress. Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: View mistakes as opportunities for growth. Don’t dwell on errors; instead, learn from them and move on. This is a key part of the language learning process. Compare Yourself to Your Past Self, Not Native Speakers: Focus on your own improvement, recognizing that language acquisition takes time and dedication. Celebrate your progress. Build Confidence: Engage in activities where you can feel successful. This might involve writing, speaking, or simply listening to English. Focus on the positive aspects of your ability. Focus on Communication, Not Just Accuracy: The most important thing is to communicate effectively, even if your grammar isn’t perfect. Emphasis should be on understanding and being understood. Which point did you like best that you are going to incorporate in your mental image from now on? and let me know what are your current challenges are that I can help you to overcome them step by step. Join my 1-1 coaching classes and we'll dive deep.

Today we're talking about a noun that we can use to talk about the first few lines in an email, or maybe the first couple of minutes of a conversation, where we say things like, "how are you doing?" or "I hope you had a great new year?" This is the word pleasantries. I hope you find it useful! Don't forget that I'm a full time business English coach and tutor right here on iTalki, so if you have a strong work ethic around improving your English then feel free to book some of my time and let's get to work. I look forward to meeting you soon!

[conversation 1] A : 생선이 어디에 있어요? B : 왼쪽으로 쭉 가세요. 생선은 고기 가게 옆에 있어요. A : 주스는 어디에 있어요? B : 앞으로 쭉 가세요. 술 옆에 있어요. [conversation 1] A : Where are the fish? B : Go straight to the left. It is next to the meat store. A : Where are the juice? B : Go straight forward. They are next to the liquor section. [conversation 2] A : 이 근처에 백화점이 있어요? B : 네, 있어요. 이쪽으로 쭉 가세요. 그럼 오른쪽에 있어요. A : 얼마나 걸려요? B : 10분쯤 걸려요. A : 고맙습니다. [conversation 2] A : Is there a department store around here? B : Yes, here is. Go straight this way. Then it is on the right. A : How lon does it take? B : It takes about 10 minutes. A : Thank you. [vocabulary] 위 above/on 아래 under/below 앞 front 뒤 behind 옆 beside/side 안 inside 밖 outside 오른쪽 right side 왼쪽 left side [grammar point] N이/가 N에 있다/없다 N이/가 있어요 means that N is located or exists, while N이/가 없어요 means the opposite. N에 is used with N이/가 있어요 to show where N is located.