In this bilingual podcast we read a Standard Arabic text, translate it and comment on some vocabulary and  grammar points as well as some cultural insights. 

Arabic zone - Esma'ni

Unlock the Olfactory Code: A Linguist's Guide to Scent-Based Memory Encoding

Fellow linguists, ever wondered if there's an untapped sensory pathway to accelerate language acquisition? Move beyond traditional auditory and visual models. In Episode 96 of 111 Tips for Learning a Language, we dissect a fascinating neuromorphic learning strategy: harnessing the Proustian effect for lexical and syntactic retention.

This episode isn't about another app or mnemonic device; it's a deep dive into the privileged neural architecture of the olfactory system and its direct link to the hippocampus and amygdala—the core hubs of memory consolidation and emotional recall. We explore the rigorous science of context-dependent memory and present a methodological framework for creating potent, scent-anchored memory traces.

In this episode, you will discover:

The neurobiological evidence for smell as a superior encoding context.

A replicable protocol for establishing a "signature learning scent" to enhance recall fidelity.

How to architect a scent-vocabulary palette for categorical lexical priming.

The implications of olfactory learning for affective filter reduction and long-term retention.

Forget what you know about learning. Remember with your nose.

💃🏻111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 96 - How 🧴Your Nose💐can help you learn a language

なんで日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)しているのに、会話(かいわ)ができないの！？ 
How come I can't speak Japanese even though I'm studying Japanese!?


이렇게 열심히 공부하고 있는데 왜 대화가 못 돼!?

NANAのにほんごpodcast 

なんで日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)しているのに、会話(かいわ)ができないの！？ | How come I can't speak Japanese even though I'm studying Japanese!?

👇Find Us:
Youtube/Discord/Podcasts platforms: Blabla Chinese
Website: www.blablachinese.com

Blabla Chinese 

24. If You Have Superpower 如果你有超能力

Latest science news from https://www.sciencenews.org/

News in Slow English

25th May 2025 (Science News)

Short story 「あめだま」
I read a story written by Nankichi Niimi.
He is a Japanese author of children's literature.
Although his life was only 29 years, he left us with many stories to tell.
This story is JLPT-N4 level.

I created this episode quiz.
Please listen and then try the quiz!
Please use it for listening and shadowing practices.

☆Script for this episode
The scripts (URL) are listed in the overview section of the channel.

Simple Japanese Listening with Meg（めぐ）Smile

#3 Short story あめだま storytelling //N4 Level

春秋时期，宋国有一个农夫，他性子很急，他担心自己田里的禾苗长不高，就天天到田边去看。可是，一连好几天过去了，禾苗一点儿也没有往上长。他在田边焦急地转来转去，自言自语地说:“我得想个办法帮助它们长高。”

有一天，他终于想出了办法，急忙奔到田里, 把禾苗一棵棵地往上拔, 从大清早一直忙到太阳落山，累得筋疲力尽。他回到家里气喘吁吁地说:“今天可把我累坏了，但力气总算没白费, 禾苗都长高了一大截。”

他儿子一听，心想居然还有这样的好事，连忙跑到田边去看，却只见满田的秧苗都枯死了。

这就是成语“拔苗助长”的由来，后人用它来比喻不管事物的发展变化规则，急于求成，只会将事情弄糟。

HSK6 Vocab Based - Short Story Podcast

01. 成语故事-拔苗助长 Idiom Stories--Bá miáo zhù zhǎng

Standing desks have been promoted as a healthy alternative for office workers who don't want to stay seated in front of a computer all day. But a new study suggests that standing desks may not be so good for us after all.

A research team, led by scientists at the University of Sydney, has found that standing for over two hours a day may increase the risk of developing circulatory diseases that can prevent the proper flow of blood in the body.

The researchers looked at data from over 83,000 adults in the UK who were not suffering from heart disease at the start of the study. For seven days, the participants wore a device on their wrists that recorded the time they spent sitting or standing each day.

After collecting this data, the researchers recorded any heart disease or circulatory health problems the participants experienced over the following seven years.

The research team calculated that after standing for two hours, every extra 30 minutes someone stands increases their risk of having a circulatory disease by 11%.

And although standing was not associated with an increased risk of health problems like heart disease or stroke, standing does not reduce the risk of developing such health problems either.

Speaking to The Guardian, Matthew Ahmadi, one of the authors of the study, said the key point of the study's findings is that standing instead of sitting doesn't provide any health advantage, and could increase health risks for some people.

Emmanuel Stamatakis, one of the other authors of the study, told The Guardian that moving around during the day and getting regular exercise are better ways to reduce the risk of heart disease.

"Take regular breaks, walk around, go for a walking meeting, use the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, or use that lunch hour to get away from the desk and do some movement," he said.