Listen to me reading a short news extract on why people are forced to leave their homes and seek to move to another country, as part of my Conversational English course 

Listen to English with Pip

Seeking asylum

Hello everyone, here is the first episode of my podcast: For Gamers Out There.
 
Todays comment is going to be about a game named Dusk.

Disclaimer: this game hasn’t been designed for children and is more appropriate for a mature audience. This episode will not contain any kind of graphic description as I wish to remain family friendly but your discretion is highly advised if you wish to look up the game online.

Here is the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xA-ki7J2HZQ2c5swzZvGD_TNpwbaecYcHc9kSge74Xk/edit?usp=sharing

Don't hesitate to check my profile: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/12242555

I hope you'll enjoy, don't refrain from leaving your feedback and engage in discussion if you liked the topic or not :).

For gamers out there

Ashes to Ashes, Dusk to Dusk

Introducing my country: MALTA 🇲🇹   ... What about yours?!

Intro

shā jī jǐng hóu

意思是通过惩罚一个人来警告其他人，比喻用惩罚某个个体的办法来警告别的人。
这个成语通常用来形容通过惩罚一个人来警示其他人，以达到警示或震慑的效果。

Chinese idioms (中国成语)

杀鸡儆猴

Hi, and welcome back to Captain Seasalt and the ABC Pirates with Teacher Alyse!
Today, we’re going on an adventure to learn words that start with the letter W Are you ready? Listen carefully, repeat after me, and then try reading them on your own.

willow tree, watering hole, water buffalo, wildebeest, wallaby, wildflowers, walrus, wagon, watermelon, whale, warthog, worms, wolf, woodpecker, waterfall

Great job! Keep practicing, and if you’d like free flashcards to follow along, send me a message. You can also watch this Super Simple Songs Captain Seasalt video on YouTube to learn even more!
See you next time—bye for now!

Captain Sesalt & The ABC Pirates

Letter W

Using Spoken Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking

Discourse markers, such as "well," "so," "you know," and "I mean," are common in everyday speech. These words and phrases help guide conversations, signal a change in thought, or give the speaker time to think. For IELTS Speaking, using discourse markers effectively can enhance your fluency and coherence, making your responses more natural and organized.

Here are some key ways to use spoken discourse markers during the IELTS Speaking exam:

Starting Your Response: Using markers like "well" or "actually" can give you a moment to collect your thoughts before answering a question. For example, if asked about your favorite hobby, you could begin with, "Well, I really enjoy painting because it's relaxing."

Organizing Ideas: Words such as "firstly," "secondly," and "finally" can help structure your response when explaining something in detail. This makes it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas.

Clarifying and Rephrasing: Discourse markers like "I mean" or "in other words" are useful for clarifying points or rephrasing if you feel your initial response wasn’t clear enough. For instance, "In other words, I think traveling teaches us valuable life skills."

Filling Pauses: Using phrases like "you know" or "let me think" can fill pauses naturally, preventing awkward silences during your speaking test.

However, it's essential not to overuse discourse markers, as it can make your speech sound unnatural. Practice using them in moderation to sound fluent and confident in your responses.

IELTS Speaking Practice

IELTS Speaking - using discourse markers

Advanced Chinese Listening Comprehension：现代社会阶层

HSK 5 & Superior Soundscapes

In this episode, we explore one of the most fascinating chapters of French gastronomy: la Nouvelle Cuisine.
We'll start by discussing what makes French cuisine famous around the world, then dive into the origins of Nouvelle Cuisine, the chefs who shaped it, and the principles that make it lighter, fresher, and more creative than traditional styles.


Learners will discover new vocabulary about food, cooking techniques, flavor, and presentation—while understanding how this culinary movement transformed the way the world thinks about cooking. Perfect for French learners who love culture, food, and elegant simplicity.