Hello, and welcome to the Beyond the Textbook Korean podcast! 🌟
In today’s episode, we explore so-called “sleeping expressions” that appear in textbooks but sound awkward in real-life conversations.

For example, phrases like “Bikisehyo (비키세요)” and “Cheonmaneyo (천만에요)” are grammatically correct but often avoided in daily speech. Why?
Because of Korea’s cultural preference for indirect speech and humility.

📌 Bikisehyo → Jamkkanmanyo / Excuse me

📌 Cheonmaneyo → Aniehyo / It’s okay / No problem

Still, there are exceptions. In emergencies or professional contexts, direct expressions like “Bikisehyo” may be necessary for clarity and safety.

👉 Remember: Language is not just grammar—it’s culture.
By practicing expressions that reflect the Korean mindset, you’ll sound more natural and take your Korean to the next level.

See you in the next episode! Hwaiting! You got this! 💪

Reading Korea.

Textbook Korean vs Real Life: Why “Bikisehyo:비키세요” Sounds Awkward

여러분은 평소에 졸릴 때 어떻게 잠을 깨나요?
여러분만의 잠 깨는 비결이 있나요?

Do you have any tips for how to stay awake or to wake up when you're sleepy?
I could use some help from you!

Yejin's Podcast for Korean Learners

How do you stay awake? What is your 비결?

Today we are talking about our old schools (alma maters), more specifically the colleges or universities. We will be learning vocabulary that will help you talk about this topic such as the environment, tuition, ranking, major etc. Let’s go!

Note: This podcast is intended for language learning ONLY. Not for promoting or criticizing any political party or ideology. Let’s keep it friendly and accessible to all :)

Also, all of the experiences are the hosts’ own experiences so please do your own research if you need more information.



Chillchat (Learn Chinese and Chill)

Talk About Your University/Old Schools in Chinese

Another current part 2 topic with example answer.
As I commute into the city for work every day, I always do my best to avoid the rush hour traffic, which is not always easy. I usually get up at 6 am and catch the bus at 6.30 to beat the heavy traffic, and go for a relaxing coffee before starting work. 

 However, about 2 weeks ago, I slept in on a monday morning and didn’t wake up until 8am,missing the early bus, and not catching the next one until 8.30, which i knew would mean being late for work due to the traffic.

Normally the bus ride into the city centre takes about 45 minutes, but because of taking the bus during the peak rush hour it now took almost 2 hours. The traffic was unbelievable, and cars were bumper to bumper, moving at a snail’s pace, for the entire journey.

What made it even worse was that the bus was full, and passengers were packed like sardines , which also meant I had to stand for the full journey. To try and pass the time, I just read the  news using my mobile phone, as well as messaging my boss to let him know I would be late for work due to the heavy traffic.

I’m not the  most patient person and being stuck in a traffic jam like this is something I really hate, and always something I try to avoid. I also take pride in always being on time for work, and felt absolutely terrible  to be over an hour late on this day. I now set 2 alarms every night to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. 

IELTS 85 Speaking

Describe a traffic jam you were stuck in - IELTS speaking part 2

The word whisky comes from the Scottish Gaelic word "uisge". But it's meaning is very surprising!
I also look at the origin of the word vodka.

The Social Evolutionary

Doctors recommend drinking 2 litres of whisky a day???

C'est bientôt l'été ! 

Au programme :

- le festival de musique baroque d'Auvers sur Oise du 8 mai au 25 septembre avec une mention spéciale pour le groupe Canticum Novum (si vous aimez la "musique du monde", foncez !)


Douce France

#1 Les festivals de musique en France : musique baroque et world music 

In this episode I talk about how a friend was attacked by a dog while riding her bicycle. Book an English class with me . My teacher profile: https://italki.com/teacher/1947582 Thanks for listening! Visit my website  Spotify or Apple Music  and search "Streetwise English Podcasts for more of my full-length podcasts or visit  https://www.streetwisenglish.com

Streetwise English

SWE 88 Attacked by a Dog

The largest diamond found in more than a century has been unearthed at a mine in Botswana, and the country's president showed off the fist-sized stone to the world on August 22.

The Botswana government says the huge 2,492-carat diamond is the second-biggest ever discovered in a mine. It's the biggest diamond found since 1905.

The diamond was presented to the world at the office of Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. It weighs about half a kilogram and Masisi was one of the first to hold it.

Masisi said: "I am lucky to have seen it in my time." He said "wow" before calling government officials over to take a closer look.

Officials said it was too early to value the stone or decide how it would be sold. Another smaller diamond from the same mine in Botswana was sold for $63 million in 2016, a record for a rough gem.

Naseem Lahri, Botswana managing director for Lucara, the Canadian mining company that found the diamond, added: "I am very proud. It is a product of Botswana."

Lucara said in a statement that it recovered the "exceptional" rough diamond from its Karowe Mine in central Botswana. Lucara said it was a "high-quality" stone and was found intact.

It was located using X-ray technology designed to find large, high-value diamonds.

The weight would make it the largest diamond found in 119 years and the second-largest ever dug out of a mine after the Cullinan Diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 1905.

The famous Cullinan was 3,106 carats and was cut into gems, some of which form part of the British Crown Jewels.

Botswana, a country of 2.6 million people in southern Africa, is the second-biggest producer of natural diamonds behind Russia and has unearthed all of the world's biggest stones in recent years.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Huge Botswana Diamond is Biggest Found Since 1905

IELTS Speaking Part 3 topic: Universities. Q. 4-6.

4. Which is more important, research or teaching? Why?
5. How should students spend their summer vacations? How do/did you spend it?
6. What are the advantages of private universities than public universities? 

How did you answe these questons?

What ideas did you pick up while listening?

Please send me a message if you need some help.