The show where we unpack the unspoken parts of English. The pragmatics, the cultural subtext, the moments where you understand every word someone said but still have no idea what they actually meant.

Context Clues

Practical English for A1–A2 learners (or anyone needing a fresh start). One phrase, one concept, one conversation at a time. Clear teaching. Cultural context. No overwhelm.

Fresh Start English

You understand everything but can't speak fluidly? You're not stuck — you're at the threshold. Tools to think in English, sound natural, and breakthrough. 

Think In English

Explanations of the registration process in Russia.

Living in Russia

Russian Registration

This is the first short episode in the story where two people meet. See the transcript below to help aid your comprehension.

Welcome English learners! Today we’re going to begin a story that will last for several episodes. You can listen to the story episode by episode and grow your vocabulary and listening skills. Enjoy!

James looked over his shoulder. He saw something running toward him very fast. His heart started beating rapidly. He thought it was a person, but when he turned to face them, he realized that it wasn’t a person. It was a large black dog. The dog was getting closer and closer, but it wasn’t barking at him. In fact, the dog looked happy. Then he saw why the dog was running. There was a tennis ball bouncing and rolling toward him and the dog was chasing it.

James looked up and saw a woman about one hundred yards away from him. She was short and blonde. The dog grabbed the ball with his mouth and started running back toward her.

“Good boy!” she said.

“That’s a beautiful dog you have,” James said to her.

“Thanks! Actually, he’s not my dog. I’m just watching him for a friend this weekend.” she replied.

“Oh, I see,” said James. “Well, how did your friend get you to dog-sit for them?” James asked.

“That’s actually along story,” she answered with a smile.

James liked her smile and he had time to spare. He walked casually toward her and the dog. 

“I’ve got time. What’s the story?” James asked. “My name’s James, by the way.”

“Jennifer. Nice to meet you. Well, it actually started a few months ago when I was hanging out with my friend…” she said.

Well, that’s the end of the story for this episode. Tune in to the next episode to hear more about what happens with Jennifer and James. Be sure to write down any new vocabulary and listen again to improve your comprehension. See you next time!


Stories in English

James Meets Jennifer

みなさんの住んでいる場所は田舎ですか？
都会ですか？

また、どんな場所に住みたいですか？

Natural Nihongo Chat

「田舎」と「都会」について


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

To day we're talking about the word "virtually" and "practically". I hope you find this vocabulary useful! These are both words that we can use to say that something is almost completely true.

Don't forget that I'm a full time English coach and tutor, right here on iTalki. So if you use English as a second language at work and you'd like to improve your professional communication skills then feel free to book some of my time and let's get to work!

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

I do this virtually every day

LUGARES DE INTERÉS EN EL BARRIO DE SAN ÁNGEL EN LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.

Spanish México

はい、こんにちは。今回はポッドキャストの14回目です。すっかり夏です。暑いのでエアコンをつけています。筋トレを再開しました。今月も相変わらず忙しかったです。先週末は生徒さんと梅田駅の近くで寿司を食べました。とてもおいしかったです。

Hello, this is episode 14 of season 2 of my podcast. Summer has definitely arrived. It’s hot and I have the air conditioning on. I have resumed muscle training. This month has been busy as ever. Last weekend I had sushi with my students near Umeda station. It was very tasty.

今日は日本語の単語の覚え方について話したいと思います。新しい単語を覚える時、フラッシュカードを作る人が多いです。しかし、フラッシュカードの単語が完全にランダムだと、覚えるのが大変です。どの単語を、どれぐらい、いつまでに覚えればいいか考えてみましょう。私が日本語のレッスンで使う２つのアイデアについて話します。

Today I would like to talk about how to remember Japanese words. When learning new words, many people make flashcards. However, if the words on the flashcards are completely random, it can be hard to remember them. Think about which words you need to learn, how many and by when. I will talk about two ideas I use in my Japanese lessons.

１つめは、教科書の単語を覚える方法です。日本語の勉強で教科書を使っている場合は、この方法がいいです。まず、教科書の単語を１０個選んで、フラッシュカードに書いて、覚えます。一週間後、フラッシュカードの日本語だけを見て、その単語を使って、文章を作ってみます。単語の意味を思い出せない時は、辞書じゃなくて、教科書を見ます。教科書の日本語の文章だけを見て、単語の意味を思い出せるかチェックしましょう。

The first method is to learn vocabulary from textbooks. This method is good if you are using textbooks in your Japanese studies. First, choose 10 words from the textbook, write them on flashcards and memorise them. After a week, look at only the Japanese on the flashcards and try to make sentences using the words. If you cannot remember the meaning of a word, look in the textbook, not the dictionary. Look at only the Japanese sentences in the textbook (not the translation) and see if you can remember the meaning of the word.

２つめは、よく使う単語を覚える方法です。日本語のレッスンでよく会話をする場合は、この方法がいいです。まず、レッスンで使った単語を１０個選んで、ノートの同じページに書いて、覚えます。一週間後、単語の意味だけを見て、それを日本語でなんと言うか思い出してみます。思い出せない時は、辞書じゃなくて、ノートを見てみましょう。そして、レッスンの会話の内容を思い出せるかチェックしましょう。

Japanese Lessons with Mayuna

S2 Ep14. 単語の覚え方

【北海道Hokkaido生活】
〈#166〉2月27日月曜日　天気/晴れ　気温/-6℃ 

中標津町/なかしべつちょう
モアン山/もあんざん
・標高およそ356m
・およそ20人が冬の景色を楽しむため、スノーシューをはいて、山の頂上まで登った。
・防風林などを眺めて、写真をとって楽しんだ。




［単語］
標高/ひょうこう…高さ。どのくらい高いかを説明する時に使う。
およそ…だいたい
スノーシュー/すのーしゅー…小さいスキーみたいなもの
頂上/ちょうじょう…山の一番上
防風林/ぼうふうりん…風が強いために、家などが壊れないための木
眺める/ながめる…見る


レッスン待ってます♪

