哄堂大笑[hōng táng dà xiào]：roar/house/big/laugh；The people of the whole house burst out [into] laughter.
唐朝 táng cháo：Tang Dynasty.
冯相 féng xiàng: the name of a person
官员 guān yuán：Government official
靴子 xuē zi：boots
同僚 tóng liáo：associate;colleague;fellow-officials
惊奇 jīng qí：wonder; be surprised



乐读中文 (Lè Dú Zhōngwén) - "Joyful Chinese Stories"

哄堂大笑[hōng táng dà xiào]

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Slow Japanese! Do you like traveling? What is your best memory of it?

Usage of Slow Japanese:
STEP 1. Listen to the episode without seeing scripts.
STEP 2. Go to mochifika.com/podcast/ and check "Key vocabularies of this episode", listen again to the episode while seeing the list.
STEP 3. Check the whole script, it'll fill the gap in your understanding.

Scripts and key vocabularies of this episode are here:
https://mochifika.com/podcast-script/slow-japanese-episode-10-my-best-trip/

Slow Japanese

Episode #10 - Memory of my best trip

There is a difference in meaning between thinking about something and thinking of something! Do you know what it is? Learn about the difference in today's episode. Give me an example of each in the comments!
👉 Book with me: https://italki.com/teacher/8476284

Stairway to English: Short easy to understand episodes to improve your English grammar and fluency

I was thinking about it and it made me think of you! Learn the difference between think about and think of

“Bienvenidos. En este dictado de nivel A2 vamos a viajar a Sevilla, una ciudad muy especial del sur de España. Escucharás una historia sencilla con elementos típicos de la ciudad y vocabulario útil para tu español. Prepárate y empezamos.”

VAMOS AL LÍO ¡¡¡ESCUCHA!!!

DICTADO A2: "Un día en Sevilla".

LECTURA COMPRENSIVA.


ESTE CUENTO NOS HABLA DE: El Enigmático Mensaje parte 1.


Elena se encontraba en su estudio, frente a su ordenador, intentando encontrar la inspiración para su próxima novela. De pronto, un golpe sordo resonó en la puerta principal. Al abrir, se encontró con un sobre manila sin remitente. Con el corazón acelerado, lo abrió y encontró un solo papel con una frase escrita a mano: "El mar guarda secretos".

Intrigada, Elena salió a la calle y se dirigió al faro, un lugar al que solía ir para encontrar paz y tranquilidad. Allí, mientras contemplaba el inmenso océano, recordó una antigua leyenda local que hablaba de un tesoro escondido en las profundidades del mar y de una maldición que pesaba sobre aquellos que intentaran encontrarlo.

Al regresar a su casa, Elena se encontró con Martín, quien había venido a informarle sobre una serie de extraños sucesos que habían estado ocurriendo en el pueblo: desapariciones inexplicables, pesadillas recurrentes entre los habitantes y un creciente sentimiento de temor.

Martín, al escuchar la historia de Elena y el mensaje misterioso, se dio cuenta de que ambos hechos podrían estar conectados. Juntos, decidieron investigar más a fondo, adentrándose en un laberinto de secretos y peligros que los llevarían a descubrir una verdad oculta que sacudiría los cimientos del pueblo.

Spanish Reading Comprehesion

The Enigmatic Message part 1

Vidéo avec sous-titres et images: 
https://youtu.be/ClWAjLweqXg?si=FJ6yqVtnOeRgPT-t


French Stories For All

Changement d'heure

Are you ready to get that idiom monkey off your back and learn 7 more idiomatic expressions to help you improve your IELTS band score?

The idioms in this podcast are quite useful. They should add another string to your bow. In our IELTS speaking exam we should also learn how to paraphrase. Learning how to paraphrase adds a really important string to your bow, as well. In order to gain a band score 6, it’s important to attempt to paraphrase as well as use connectives. Using connectives, like therefore, however, and to be honest, can add another string to your bow.

When we know how to use idioms, we can improve our IELTS band score, because it’s important to use some less common idiomatic vocabulary in your IELTS exam. Idioms are very common and used in everyday daily life. As a rule of thumb, they help the examiner to know if you have spent time studying common idiomatic phrases.

So, keep your chin up. And keep studying. Because idioms are easy to learn. You just have to take the time to learn them, and practice using them. Don’t let learning idioms worry you, because they really are fun. They won’t get you into hot water. Learning idioms cannot get you into trouble. On the contrary, they will show the IELTS examiner that you are dilligent, studious, and hard working. Nobody’s going to hit the roof just because you’ve learned a few idioms. Of course not! No one is going to be angry with you for studying idioms! They are a vital part of your English language skills. Native English speakers use idioms day in, day out.

Don’t forget to take the quiz and learn the meanings of the idioms in this podcast. 

And don’t forget to book a lesson with me, so I can help you get the IELTS band score you need. And if you dont know many idioms, dont you think it’s time to get that monkey off your back?

IELTS Speaking Practice

7 Idioms

Lesson 1: Build a Study Habit as Solid as the Titanic’s Hull
The Titanic’s hull was state-of-the-art, yet it wasn’t indestructible. Similarly, your study habits need to be strong, but they don’t have to be perfect. Start small—just like the shipbuilders who started with a blueprint. Dedicate 10–15 minutes daily to learning your language. Research shows that consistent practice, even in small increments, leads to long-term success.
Your daily routine is your hull. If it’s solid, you’ll keep floating, even when you hit minor obstacles.
________________________________________
Lesson 2: Spot the Icebergs Before They Hit
The Titanic didn’t see the iceberg until it was too late. When it comes to studying, your "icebergs" are distractions, unrealistic expectations, and burnout. Be mindful of these obstacles before they derail you. Set realistic goals, like learning five new words a day instead of fifty.
Think of distractions like incoming icebergs on the horizon—acknowledge them, steer clear, and keep your focus steady.
________________________________________
Lesson 3: Lifeboats Are Non-Negotiable
The Titanic’s lack of lifeboats was its greatest tragedy. In language learning, lifeboats represent backup plans for when life gets overwhelming. Too tired to study grammar? Watch a short video in your target language instead. Feeling stuck on vocabulary? Try a language game instead of a workbook.
Lifeboats are your Plan B—your way to keep moving forward even when your primary routine is disrupted.
________________________________________


💃🏻111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 57 - Lessons to be learnt from a sinking ship - the Titanic 

Today's phrase is "to probe"

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yuC-p53_L5WmIzvQkNzlOzrZdiOQHjNAvfHCJQL-1xw/edit?usp=sharing