In these podcasts, I will provide some guidance to English vowel pronunciation and sentence speaking patterns.  These are for B1 to C1 students who want to be better understood or take the IELTS.

Accelerate your English Pronunciation with Ralph

These podcasts are for anyone who is preparing for the IELTS.
There will be a variety of lengths of podcasts featuring advice for some aspect of the Speaking test. 

Accelerate Your IELTS Speaking with Ralph

I'm working on a book about living abroad and cultural differences.
The first story "Time" is being revised.
Another Weekend of Hunting is chapter 4 from my book.
Marta comes near the end of book one.

Expect the Unexpected

In this episode we will look at the comparisons between learning a language and creating art. We look at the threshold between learning and creating in the privacy of our own mind and sharing our work with the public and how that relates to moving from static learning to active conversation.

Philosophical Friday

Philosophical Friday with a quote from Stephen King

This week I will be focussing on New Year’s traditions.
By the time you listen to this podcast, the new year will be behind you. How did you celebrate the solar new year? Join me in this brief foray into the new year’s traditions we celebrate in our home.

New Year’s episode of Philosophical Friday

Join in while I share with you some interesting ways of accessing language learning without pressure. I will also share some New Year’s rituals in our family that tie in with this same kind of physical approach to language learning that could also be seen as something of a philosophy.

Foundations of Learning

Have you ever wondered what different kinds of celebrations are celebrated at the end of the year in different cultures? In honour of our German heritage we celebrate Heilig Abend and new this year, the Rauhnächte. In honour of our North American heritage we celebrate Christmas. And in the tradition of a Celtic past we celebrate the Feast of Lights at Winter Solstice.

Holiday Special. Today I’d like to share with you some end-of-year traditions we celebrate in our home which is a mixture of three cultures.

In this episode we are using a quote from modern day rapper, author and philosopher Robert Gwisdek from his fictional tale, The Invisible Apple, and in German, Der Unsichtbare Apfel. In this episode we are exploring the dilemma of seeking guidance or trusting one’s intuition.

Robert Gwisdek

In this episode on Samhain, otherwise known as Halloween, we will briefly look at where this festive holiday came from and learn some new words and phrases in just under 6 minutes.