What a difference six months make. If you asked me a year ago what my plans were, I probably would have said something along these lines: “Well, considering Covid restrictions seem to finally be easing, and considering the fact that we haven’t really been in the South of France that long, I think we should probably stay at least another year or two or three. Try to put down some roots. Keep trying1 to build a little community here.”

English with TedPal

Changing in directions and phrases with "keep"

A podcast tracing the history of Liquid Paper, a product that was once found in almost every office in the world. Although it was made obsolete by the rise of the word processor, its invention and rise to fame is still a remarkable and inspiring story.

The Bumper Book of Great English Stories

Great Business Stories 3: The Story of Liquid Paper

Listen and repeat then try reading them on your own.
dad, pad, bag, rag

Follow me for more phonics.


Phonics Short Vowels

dad, pad, bag, rag

En el episodio de hoy de Your Spanish Journey, charlamos con Frank Roche: escritor, periodista y actual estudiante de español en italki, que se animó a escribir su primer cuento enteramente en esta segunda lengua. Frank nos cuenta sobre su proceso y también nos da algunos consejos útiles para comenzar a practicar esta habilidad.

Your Spanish Journey

Charlas que motivan. HOY: La magia de ESCRIBIR en español- Frank Roche (escritor y estudiante)

ぼくたち、飲（の）みにいくのだけど、あなたも来（き）ませんか？
We are getting together for some drinks.
Would you like to come?

はい！よさそうですね。
Yes!  That sounds great!

いつ、どこで待（ま）っていればいいですか？
When and where should I meet you?

うちのオフィスビルの前（まえ）で、６時（じ）でどうですか？
How about at 6 o'clock in front of our office building?

では、その時（とき）に会（あ）いましょう。
See you then.


Useful words and expression.

はい、ありがとう。
Yes, thank you.

わかりました。
I understand.

あなたのいいたいことはわかります。
I see what you mean.

けっこうです。
No, thank you.

またの機会（きかい）に。
Maybe another time.

考（かんが）えさせてください。
Let me think about it.

あまり、したくありません。
I'd rather not.






Cheerful life

人（ひと）をさそうとき

This episode is part two of the episode How to Answer, "Why Should We Hire You?" In this episode, you will increase your English vocabulary for everyday conversations in your personal life or work. You'll learn seven definitions for the phrases and idioms I used in the last episode. You'll also get some homework at the end so you can continue to improve your English communication skills. 

If you currently work or want to work with native English speakers from the U.S., you won't want to miss it!

Episode originally published on September 4, 2020.
Transcript at https://www.express-to-impress.com/hit-the-ground-running-phrase/.
Infographics for this episode at https://www.pinterest.com/ExpresstoImpress/. 

Express to Impress

Hit the Ground Running and Other English Phrases

One of the most incredible entertainments in the world, Carnival is a four-day celebration of music, dance, food and drink, all over Rio. The event means a lot to the people from the poorest neighborhoods, who work hard for months preparing for it. It is an opportunity for the whole community to go out and have fun together. It ends with the Samba Parade for which the performers and dancers dress up in the most amazing costumes.

English Mini Lessons

The Rio Carnival 

ギフト

私（わたし）にとって５月（ごがつ）前半（ぜんはん）は悩（なや）む時期（じき）だ。なぜなら５月11日（じゅういちにち）は母（はは）の誕生日（たんじょうび）、そして５月の第2（だいに）日曜日（にちようび）は母の日（ひ）があるからだ。

毎年（まいとし）どんなことをしたら、母が喜（よろこ）ぶか考（かんが）える。実家（じっか）を出（で）てからは、母に会（あ）いに実家（じっか）に帰（かえ）って旅行（りょこう）に連（つ）れていって、美味（おい）しい食事（しょくじ）を共（とも）に楽（たの）しんだが、今年（ことし）は少（すこ）し忙（いそが）しく実家に帰れそうもないので、ギフトを贈（おく）ることにした。誕生日ギフトはコーヒー豆（まめ）と水出（みずだ）しコーヒーポット、母の日ギフトとしてカーネーションを選（えら）んだ。

今年贈るカーネーションは「プラムタルト」という品種（ひんしゅ）だ。花（はな）の中心（ちゅうしん）が濃（こ）いピンクで、白（しろ）い縁（ふち）取（ど）りが特徴（とくちょう）の華（はな）やかな品種で、花が好（す）きな母も喜ぶと思（おも）う。贈り物（もの）で日頃（ひごろ）の感謝（かんしゃ）の気持（きも）ちが伝（つた）われば嬉（うれ）しいと思う反面（はんめん）、ギフト選びは難（むずか）しい。母の場合（ばあい）は趣味（しゅみ）や好物（こうぶつ）が分（わ）かってるから選びやすいが、父（ちち）の日はさらに悩みそうだ。

皆（みな）さんは毎年どんな風（ふう）に感謝を伝えてるのだろう。