My name is John - Jina langu ni Yohana
I'm 30 years old - Nina umri wa miaka thelatini
I'm from Kenya - Mimi ninatoka Kenya
One of my hobbies is reading - Moja ya kozi yangu ni kusoma
I've been learning Swahili for a year - Nimekuwa nikijifunza kiswahili kwa mwaka mmoja

Austine Sikuku

How to Introduce Yourself in Swahili

Sana sisu on johdos sanasta sisä. Mutta mitä sisu on? Miksi sillä on niin suuri merkitys suomalaisille? 
Tässä jaksossa pohdin mitä sisu ja sisukkuus merkitsevät. 

Suomea for you

15. jakso: Sisu

春といえば、日本では新しい始まりです。
このエピソードでは日本の文化と私が今年の春から新しく始めたことについて話しています。

ゆかのにほんごカフェ

#4 春・新しい始まり N3-N1

SANDRA: So … what should we do?
JULIE: Well, I like to do arts and crafts, and I’m really good at
drawing. What do you think?
SANDRA: Hmm … how about playing a board game? That would 
be more fun.
JULIE: OK. Let’s play Scrabble! I’m really good at spelling, too!
SANDRA: Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that!

LANGUAGE NOTES
• So … Notice how the “o” sound is drawn out here, combined with the intonation, which 
shows boredom.
• I’m really good at “Really” means “very” and is used to emphasize “good.” It goes before 
the adjective.
• What do you Notice the pronunciation here — it sounds like “Whaddaya.”
• Hmm … is used to show that the speaker is thinking. It is also used to show that the speaker 
disagrees with an idea.
• How about is used to make a tentative suggestion. The speaker is introducing an idea and 
doesn’t want to sound too strong.
• Let’s is used to make a strong suggestion. The speaker feels confident about the plan.
• Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that! “Oh, yeah?” is used in a joking way to show a bit of friendly 
competition. Notice the emphasis on “that,” which refers back to “good at spelling.”

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 22: What you are good at!

Written by:  Meika Hashimoto
Illustrated by: Gillian Reid 

Book from: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/79016

📚✨ Welcome to story time with Teacher Vanessa! 🌈🎉 Today, join me as we dive into a captivating tale about Dragon's culinary adventures. 🐉🍳 But wait, Kitty wants to show off her cooking skills too! 🐱🍽️ With over six years of teaching experience worldwide, I'm here to make learning a joyous journey for children of all ages and levels. 🌍🎓 Join my fun and engaging classes that will ignite a lifelong love for learning. Book your lesson today and let's embark on our next story time adventure together! 📖💫 #StoryTimeWithTeacherVanessa #FunLearningExperience #BookYourLessonNow




Story Time with Teacher Vanessa

Kitty and Dragon: Kitty Cooks Dinner

Are you feeling a knot of anxiety in your stomach every time company news breaks? Are you worried about potential layoffs or restructuring? Job insecurity can be a real drag on your well-being and career growth. I understand your concerns. Here are some key signs to watch for that might indicate it's time to explore new opportunities:

Is your company experiencing constant downsizing, hiring freezes, or departmental mergers? These frequent changes can create a stressful atmosphere and signal potential instability.

Does your manager avoid discussing future goals or your role in the company's direction? A lack of transparency regarding career paths and long-term plans can be a red flag.

Are there limited opportunities for professional development? Is there a culture of stagnation and a lack of encouragement for upskilling or reskilling? A dead-end job can hinder your long-term career aspirations.

Do you feel underutilized or constantly passed over for challenging projects? Is your skillset not being leveraged effectively? Feeling undervalued can be demotivating and impact your sense of purpose.

Is your job impacting your mental or physical health? Are you experiencing burnout, anxiety, or decreased work-life balance? Prioritizing your well-being is crucial, and a toxic work environment might require a change.

 Leaving a job is a significant decision.  Before making the leap, consider:

Do you have an emergency fund to cover expenses during a job search?
Research current trends and opportunities in your field.
What kind of work environment and opportunities do you seek?

I can assist you in crafting a strong resume and cover letter, offer practice interviews, and connect you with valuable job search resources. Don't hesitate to schedule an appointment and explore your options.  Remember, your career path is yours to navigate.

The Global Professional Podcast

 Is It Time to Say Goodbye? - Episode 103

Ich werde sehr oft von meinen Schülern gefragt, ob ich ihnen "österreichischen Dialekt" beibringen kann. Warum das nicht so einfach ist erkläre ich in dieser Folge.

Kleine Kaffeepause

Der österreichische Dialekt

Forget the fancy suits and practiced answers.  Job interviews are about why, not what.  Why are you here? Why should we care?  The truth is, the scripted responses you rehearse might not resonate.  But what if you could tap into your authentic self, the one brimming with passion and ideas?  That's the power of mastering impromptu speaking.

Think of an interview not as an interrogation, but a conversation fueled by purpose.  Impromptu speaking allows you to sound natural and convincing.  It lets you ditch the script and dive straight into the wellspring of your "Why."  The interviewer throws a curveball question?  No problem.  You can think on your feet,  demonstrating your ability to adapt and solve problems –  essential skills in today's ever-changing workplace.

Imagine being asked about a weakness.  A scripted response sounds robotic.  But with impromptu fluency, you can talk about a past challenge, how you learned from it, and how that experience fuels your drive to succeed.  It's a story, not a statistic.  Stories connect.  They show your human side, your ability to overcome obstacles – all qualities that make you a compelling candidate. 

Confidence is another perk.  When you can speak confidently and articulately without a script, you project a powerful presence.  It shows you believe in yourself and your ideas –  the kind of person who inspires trust and gets things done.  So, ditch the memorization and embrace the impromptu.  It's not about having all the answers, but about the passion and purpose behind them.  That's the "Why" that will land you the job.

Don't wait for the interview to start honing your impromptu skills.  Start conversations with friends, family, or even strangers.  Challenge yourself to think on your feet and express yourself clearly.  Record yourself and watch it back.  Sign up for a session and we can focus on improving your impromptu speaking ability to make sure you get hired!

Impromptu Speaking and Job Interviews - Episode 93

In this episode you'll learn about some colors in spanish, and how to use them to describe things in your conversations. 