In this episode of Your Spanish Journey, I'll give you some helful tips on how to discern and choose the best teacher for you.

Your Spanish Journey

Poem of the Day

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost

В первом выпуске представлю мой проект.

Итальянский язык с Андрюша

Introduzione (представление проекта)

Try it now！ 听播客回答问题，Listen to the podcast and answer the questions below. There will be a text tomorrow after you finish the exercise！
1.校外的房子怎么样？xiào wài de fáng zi zěn me yàng?
2.离学校近的房子贵吗？lí xué xiào jìn de fáng zi guì ma ?
3.住宿舍有什么好处？zhù sù shè yǒu shén me hǎo chù?


他们在聊啥？What are they talking about？

租房zū fáng:renting a house

La volpa invita a pranzo la cicogna e le fa uno scherzo ma la cicogna le renderà pan per focaccia.

Vittorio per Voi

La volpe e la cicogna

In our second episode, we discuss the communication between different cultures. A second way of categorising cultures is based on how they see the time. In this instance, we talk about monochronic and polychronic cultures.

The Age of Humans

Episode 2: Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures

North Macedonia is a small European country with no coastline. It's surrounded by places that are more popular with tourists, including Greece to the south.

But wait — don't write off North Macedonia just yet! Here are just a few good reasons to visit a country Lonely Planet calls a "little-known gem."

Many travelers start with a place that's been described as one of Europe's best-kept secrets: Lake Ohrid.

The area, which includes the lake and the old town of Ohrid, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's easy to see why.

Old monasteries look down over the clear blue waters of the lake, which is one of Europe's oldest and deepest.

The town, which is said to be home to 365 churches — one for each day of the year — is also one of Europe's oldest. You can walk along the walls of the fortress, look around the town's old streets or relax by the water.

But there's more to see in a country that was part of Yugoslavia until 1991. Travel away from the lake and you'll find green national parks that are still home to bears, wolves and lynx.

But don't worry: there are lots of places where you can enjoy nature without getting close to those animals! Some people like to walk 2,500 meters to the top of Ljuboten, which means "the peak of love."

In winter, those same mountains are great for skiing. Many visitors choose to go to Mavrovo National Park, which is not far from Ohrid.

The capital, Skopje, is in the north of the country. It's a city full of quirky statues and lots of different types of architecture.

And don't miss the beautiful painted mosque in the nearby town of Tetovo.

North Macedonia might not be a hidden gem for much longer!




Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

North Macedonia: 'Little-Known Gem' Worth a Visit

As the US navigates what some experts have described as a loneliness epidemic, employers and employees across the country are trying to address what for many people is a lack of real friendships at work.

It's not a new thing, but remote work has only intensified the problem, says leadership expert Michael Bungay Stanier.

"People have this desire to be seen and be heard," Bungay Stanier says, but on video calls, the group gets right down to business rather than having the natural, informal interactions of a real room. It reduces people to "little heads in squares."

It's not easy to talk about this lack of friendship at work "because it feels like a shameful confession," Bungay Stanier says. But his clients are beginning to bring up the subject.

Awkward as it may be, these are conversations worth having, according to psychology professor Laurie Santos.

At-work friendships are good for employers, too. Santos says research shows that workplace friendships and a sense of belonging are vital to employees' happiness — and companies' success.

We assume that friendships at work are "a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have," she said.

But "maybe one of the reasons we're all so disengaged at work ... is that we're actively not investing in the thing that might matter the most for our happiness at work, which is our connection with other people," Santos said.

Some large companies began paying more attention to employee health long before the pandemic, often focusing on physical health.

Today, more employers are looking at ways to really improve people's mental health and well-being.

And experts say there is a lot that companies can do, even rethinking physical spaces in the offices with relationships in mind.

More than anything, remember the importance of everyday greetings at work — even if they make you a bit uncomfortable. A simple hello, Bungay Stanier says, could be the beginning of the end of loneliness.

Why It's Important to Have Friends at Work


Decreased Productivity: Employees who are not adequately trained may struggle to complete tasks efficiently, leading to lower productivity and missed deadlines.

Increased Errors and Mistakes: Insufficient training can result in errors and mistakes that can negatively impact quality, customer satisfaction, and the organization's reputation.

Lower Morale and Engagement: Employees who feel underprepared may experience frustration and decreased job satisfaction, leading to higher turnover rates and lower employee engagement.

Slower Onboarding: New hires may take longer to become productive if they lack adequate training, which can increase costs and reduce efficiency.

Addressing the Training Gap

To mitigate the negative consequences of insufficient training, organizations must prioritize ongoing learning and development initiatives. This includes:

Needs Assessments: Regularly conducting comprehensive assessments to identify training gaps and ensure that training programs are targeted and relevant.
Tailored Training Programs: Developing customized training programs that address specific needs and learning styles, leveraging a variety of delivery methods such as online courses, workshops, and in-person training.
Continuous Learning: Encouraging employees to participate in ongoing learning and development opportunities, such as online courses, conferences, and professional certifications.
Mentorship and Coaching: Pairing employees with experienced mentors or coaches to provide guidance, support, and opportunities for skill development.
Performance Reviews: Using performance reviews to identify training needs, provide feedback, and recognize employee achievements.