This podcast is for those who enjoy listening to short stories. I will explain some vocabulary at the end of each episode and then you can listen again.... and again (if you  like)!

Stories to Stimulate!

This podcast is aimed at intermediate to advanced students who are interested in seeing life through the eyes of an online English teacher living in Cape Town, South Africa.  

The real life of an English teacher in Cape Town

Want to learn 5 common idioms that can be used in both business and ordinary life? Nicole will introduce them to you so clearly and  simply that you can use them in your conversation immediately!

5 Weekly Idioms 

今天聊什么

什么！在办公室睡觉

Dona Terezinha e Seu Carlos se encontram na rua:

Dona Terezinha: Boa tarde, Seu Carlos! Como o senhor está?
Seu Carlos: Olá, Dona Terezinha! Boa tarde! Eu estou bem, obrigado! E a senhora?
Dona Terezinha: Estou bem também! Obrigada!
Seu Carlos: Estou um pouco apressado hoje  porque preciso buscar minha neta na escola. Foi um prazer vê-la! Até logo!
Dona Terezinha: Igualmente! Seu Carlos! Até logo!


Suas Aulas de Português

Encontro rápido (com transcrição)

En este episodio de Español consciente practicamos cómo presentarte en español de forma natural y sin presión.

Aprenderás: a decir tu nombre, a decir de dónde eres, y a decir a qué te dedicas.

Todo con español claro, repeticiones guiadas y un ritmo tranquilo para ganar confianza al hablar.

Español consciente

Cómo presentarte en español de forma sencilla y consciente (A2–B1)

今天，我们来看看道德经的第一章。Now let's look at the first chapter of Tao Te Ching.
"道，可道，非常道。名，可名，非常名。无名，天地之始；有名，万物之母 。故常无欲，以观其妙；常有欲，以观其徼。此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。"
The Tao that can be followed is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth.
While naming is the origin of the myriad things.
Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery
Ever desiring, you see the manifestations.
These two are the same
When they appear they are named differently.
This sameness is the mystery,
Mystery within mystery;
The door to all marvels. 
(Translated by Yi-Ping Ong)


Wisdom From the Past 古典智慧拾贝

古典智慧拾贝之道德经第一章 Tao Te Ching Chapter One

你聽過「沙發衝浪」嗎？還是你有沙發衝浪的經驗？
今天的這一集，我邀請到一位在台灣朋友——晶晶，來跟我們分享她在台灣沙發衝浪的經驗。
晶晶在澳洲、紐西蘭、加拿大都打工過，這次回來台灣，用這個特別的方式在台灣旅行，看看不同人的生活。如果你想看看她這次旅行的經驗，歡迎到她的Instagram去看看：thelifeofjing！
If you'd like to check out Jingjing's experience couchsurfing in Taiwan, go check out her Instagram: thelifeofjing!

My podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
If you'd like to support me, please subscribe and leave a review on your podcast platform. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can also join Mandarin Journey with Areta on Patreon to download the vocabulary list and exclusive exercises. ✨

Mandarin Journey with Areta

Ep.9 訪問：沙發衝浪（B2）

今期雪條和朱古力請了兩位返場嘉賓雪糕和可樂上來一起討論獨立的人格是怎樣的，社會對獨立女性的定義是不是讓我們覺得我們就應該孤獨終老？我們會不會在嘗試走向獨立的時候過分苛刻自己而變得迷失？迷失的時候我們是怎麼面對的？
Note：本期為普通話節目


夠鐘煲粥 Congee Time

EP43. 所謂獨立女性： 我們真的没必要對自己太苛刻

Enjoy the nineteenth episode of Culture To Grow, which allows you to travel the world from the comfort of your home, your car, or if you are still half asleep in your bed.

In this episode, we will be doing something slightly different. Since going forward, the first Monday of every month, we will embark on a thrilling journey that will immerse us in the sights, sounds, and stories of a different country each time. 

In this series, we won't just be tourists, we'll be explorers. We'll connect with a local to learn about the country, its culture, and dispel some of those stereotypes that we may all have. 

But enough from me. It's time to meet someone who knows this destination better than anyone I know. Our guest today is Fatima, she will be our guide as we travel to Iran. 

Let's go! 

Culture To Grow

Episode 19: Let's Travel to Iran!

Barbecue is a much-loved part of American food culture, with different areas having their own special flavors and cooking styles. From the Carolinas to Texas, there's a lot to learn about how barbecue styles are different across the country — and what better place to learn than at a museum!

Planned to open next spring in Kansas City, Missouri, the Museum of BBQ says it will be the world's first museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the history and culture of the cooking style.

"Barbecue is a feast for your senses," says food writer Jonathan Bender, who is opening the museum with chef Alex Pope. "Here in one of the BBQ capitals of the world, we're creating a place where you can immerse yourself in the stories of barbecue."

The museum will have rooms based on different barbecue styles, and what it calls "the main American regions of barbecue" — the Carolinas; Memphis, Tennessee; Texas; and Kansas City.



There will also be an oversized pot of "barbecue beans" for kids to play in, and a gift shop where visitors can buy things like barbecue spices, sauces and aprons.

Bender says the museum will be a place "where barbecue comes alive."

Kansas City is one of the barbecue capitals of the world, home to more than 100 local barbecue restaurants and many barbecue competitions. The city's barbecue style is famous for its "burnt ends" — charred pieces of slow-cooked beef brisket — often served with a thick, sweet, tomato-based sauce.

But the best styles and flavors are often debated among lovers of the cooking style — which is something the museum may help to encourage among its visitors!

"Barbecue isn't just food. It's culture," Bender told CNN Travel. And the founders hope visitors will come away from the museum with a new appreciation for barbecue and the community it creates.