*V-(으)려고 : A connective ending used when one has an intention or desire of doing a certain act. / ex) 대학교에 가려고 열심히 공부해요. 안경을 찾으려고 불을 켰어요.                                 *N전에/후에 :  before/after  /  ex) 1년 전에 한국에서 여행을 했어요. 저는 수업 후에 복습해요.  

Speaking Practice - Beginner

10. V-(으)려고, N전에/후에

** This story contains graphic and explicit material it is not recommended for children. For mature audiences only. ** 18+
The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig from Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris Illustrations by Ian Falconer
Read by me Teacher Alyse. Listen and follow along.
Send me a message me for your free pdf copy of this book.
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914
The way the pig is labeled based on his Vietnamese heritage, despite being born in the U.S., mirrors the real-world experiences of many immigrants and their descendants. Even when someone identifies as fully American, they can still be seen as "other" because of their background. The parrot's insistence on framing the pig's identity through an ethnic lens—rather than his actual achievements—reflects how media narratives and public discourse can shape (and sometimes distort) the way individuals are perceived.
This is especially important now, given the ongoing discussions about immigration in the U.S. Many immigrants and first-generation Americans face similar struggles with identity, belonging, and how they're portrayed in society. The story also highlights how insecurities—whether about identity, appearance, or status—can be exacerbated by external judgments.
Themes and Interpretation
•	Identity and Stereotyping: The pig’s frustration highlights how labels—whether about ethnicity or body image—can shape and limit a person’s self-perception.
•	Media Manipulation: The parrot, representing a journalist, distorts facts for a sensationalized story, raising questions about bias and ethics in reporting.
•	Self-Perception and Insecurity: The pig’s struggles with his body image illustrate how external judgments can create deep-seated insecurities.
•	Cultural Commentary: The story subtly critiques societal assumptions about identity and heritage, showing how people (or animals) can be boxed in by others’ perceptions.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk ( Adult 18+) 

The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig

Transcript
Jeg sidder nu ved siden af en flod. Det er sådan, at jeg er faktisk i Japan i øjeblikket. Så jeg sidder i Kyoto ved en flod i Kyoto. Og jeg er omgivet af nogle forskellige fugle, som du måske kan høre en gang imellem i baggrunden. Der er også forskellige mennesker, der kører forbi og snakker i telefon og så videre. Lige over mig flyver der to ørne. Jeg kan også se forskellige ænder. Og der er en lille slags hejre. En hvid hejre. Og lige før sad der også en stor hejre, men den er fløjet væk nu. Så jeg er taget ud på tur i dag. Uden det store formål. Jeg havde bare lyst til at komme lidt ud, fordi jeg havde siddet indenfor og kigget på min computer hele dagen. Og vejret er rimelig godt. Det er en smule koldt stadig. Det er marts, men solen skinner en gang imellem. Ellers er der overskyet. Øj, der lander lige en fugl. Ja, så jeg har fornyeligt købt en cykel. Og det er en brugt cykel. Jeg brugte mange dage på at finde den rigtige cykel. Men til sidst fandt jeg en, som jeg synes var til en god pris. Og som jeg synes kunne det, jeg synes den skulle kunne. Specielt var der mange af cyklerne, som ikke havde gear. Eller det vil sige, de havde kun ét gear. Men det er lidt hårdt med cykler, der kun har ét gear. Så jeg synes, det var godt at finde en med flere gear. Men jeg fandt min cykel og købte den. Og så har jeg i dag taget cyklen. Cyklet måske tre kilometer væk fra der, hvor jeg bor. Uden noget specielt formål. Udover bare at komme ud og nyde vejret. Måske kunne jeg godt tænke mig at finde en kuglepind. Fordi det er gået op for mig, at jeg ikke har nogen. Så jeg kan ikke skrive i min notesbog. Hvilket ellers ville være en god ting at gøre, når man er ude at rejse, synes jeg. Så jeg tror, det næste jeg vil gøre, er at prøve at finde en kuglepen. Ja, jeg tror måske, det er alt, hvad jeg havde at sige i denne omgang. Men jeg håber, at du kan bruge det til noget. Og jeg håber, at du vil lytte med i næste episode. Så mange tak for denne gang. Vi ses.

Daglig Dansk

Episode 2


Imagine the frustration and disappointment of walking out of a job interview, knowing that you could have done better. You reflect on missed opportunities and wonder what you could have done differently. Well, worry no more! This business English episode is here to equip you with the essential insights and strategies to nail your first interview. From meticulous preparation and researching the company to mastering professional appearance and effective communication skills, this speech covers it all. But that's not all; it holds a powerful tip that can make all the difference in leaving a lasting impression on your interviewer. To uncover this valuable secret and enhance your business English proficiency, I invite you to book specialized Business English lessons. Get ready to transform your interview game and seize those career opportunities that come your way.

LEARN BY LISTENING

How to Ace a Job Interview

The difficult question on two Slavic languages and their co-existence in one country

Russian vs English facts and much more

Should I learn Russian or Ukrainan?

我爱你wǒ ài nǐ=I love you

520是一个网络语言，和“我爱你”的发音相似，在网络上为了方便，所以520也就成了我爱你！
现在很多情侣在520表达爱意，有的人连结婚的日子也选在了5月20日这天。像今天，中国就有很多对新人去民政局领证了，真是特别的一天。大家也在520这一天大声跟你爱的人说一声”520-我爱你“吧。
520 is a buzzword with a pronunciation similar to 'I love you'. For convenience to express, 520 has became 'I love you'!

Nowadays, many couples express their love on 520, and some even choose May 20th as their wedding day. Today, many new couples in China have gone to the Civil Affairs Bureau to obtain their certificates, which is really a special day. 

Chinese buzzwords 중국 신조어，유행어  

A special day "520" in China

 ¿Quieres conocer mi historia? ¿Cómo aprendí el idioma, cómo fue mi aventura y cómo llegué al nivel de nativo?

Howtoiga

como aprendí el idioma más bonito del mundo 

2023就快結束，回想番今年嘅大小事，成立夠鐘煲粥一定係其中一樣啦。從年初開始有呢個諗法到年中終於開始第一期，中間都經歷左好多嘢。為左準備今期節目，我地都認真回憶左下今年嘅重要高光時刻，發現其實呢一年都做左唔少嘢，你嘅2023又過得點呢？新一年有冇咩一定要做嘅事？