A podcast for learners of English by an Australian English teacher, spoken in slower English, on a range of topics from coffee to Japan!

Comprehensible Australian Podcast

Modern Chinese(時代華語)B1- Reading(短文)

If you need a script, feel free to send a message on italki :)

100% Real Korean Conversation

100% Real Korean Conversation Ep.2 Restaurant, Cafe

Let's learn letter I words. Listen and repeat then chant
igloo, insect, iguana, ink
I have an igloo. 
I have an insect.
I have an iguana.
I have ink.

Phonics The Alphabet 

Letter I

De acuerdo con Marco Polo, el origen de las piñatas se encuentra en las celebraciones de año nuevo en China y en su forma original representaban animales. De ahí, la tradición viajó a Italia y, por último, llegó a México, en donde los frailes la utilizaron como herramienta de evangelización.

Existen indicios de que en Mesoamérica había tradiciones similares. Los mayas acostumbraban romper recipientes de barro rellenos de cacao y los mexicas llenaban cazuelas de barro con tesoros y alhajas, las decoraban con plumas y listones y las rompían durante las festividades en honor al dios Huitzilopochtli.

La forma actual de las piñatas surgió en el siglo XVI en Acolman de Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México, cuando los frailes comenzaron a celebrar las “misas de aguinaldo” o “posadas” durante los días previos a la Navidad. En ellas se usaba la piñata como alegoría para evangelizar a los pobladores de la región.

Actualmente, las piñatas se elaboran a partir de una olla de barro o cartón moldeado cubierto de papel colorido y se rellenan con dulces, fruta, cacahuates y juguetes. Después se rompen con un palo.

Los siete picos representan los pecados capitales: soberbia, avaricia, lujuria, ira, gula, envidia y pereza.
Sus brillantes colores simbolizan la tentación.
Láminas de oropel o latón: hacen referencia a los engaños del mundo.
Venda en los ojos: nos recuerda que la fe es ciega.
Palo con el que se rompe la piñata: es la fuerza y la virtud que destruyen los engaños y pecados.
Dulces, fruta, cacahuates y juguetes: son las riquezas del reino de los cielos que se otorgan como premio a la fe y la perseverancia.
De esta forma la tradición de la piñata nos recuerda que la fe ciega y la voluntad vencen al pecado y nos hacen merecedores de las recompensas divinas.

De acuerdo con la tradición, se debe vendar los ojos de las personas antes de que pasen a golpear la piñata. También tienen que girar treinta y tres veces sobre su propio eje con la finalidad de que pierdan la orientación

Spanish México

EL ORIGEN DE LA PIÑATA.

¿Estás cansado de decir siempre "me gusta"? En este episodio te enseño algunas alternativas. ¡Tu español sonará más natural!

CocoLoco Spanish

9 formas alternativas de decir "me gusta"

In Episode 71, we explore the emotional undercurrents that often go unnoticed but heavily impact our ability to learn a language — insecurity, guilt, unworthiness, tension, and those jittery feelings that creep in when we're learning something difficult.

I gently walk you through the importance of first acknowledging, accepting, and validating your emotions. Why is this important? Because what we resist emotionally tends to persist. And when left unexamined, these emotions become silent saboteurs to your learning journey.

Supported by research in neuroscience and psychology, I explain how emotional tension activates the brain’s stress response, impairing memory and disrupting attention. But when we recognize these emotions as valid signals — not flaws — we begin the process of healing and learning at the same time.

I share tools rooted in cognitive reappraisal (Brooks, 2014) and self-compassion science, encouraging you to embrace your learning pace, your imperfections, and your worthiness to grow. We talk about how language learning isn’t just about fluency — it’s about coming home to yourself.

This episode is a reminder that you are allowed to move slowly, to feel deeply, and still make meaningful progress. In the presence of your most difficult emotions, you are still a learner with purpose — and that is a beautiful thing.

Until next time, I wish you inspired, grounded, and gentle learning. 🌱

111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 71 - Learning Through Insecurity: How to Turn Self-Doubt into Strength

Have you wondered what is important in a job interview?


How should you speak to HR people? What skills do you illustrate best?


What if you start speaking of a wrong thing that will ‘demotivate’ an employer from hiring you?


Have you had these thoughts when preparing for a job interview?


Most people forget they have value, they stand for something, and they have a character that (if positioned properly, and I help my private students to do that), if positioned properly, you can communicate ‘in a matching’ manner.


The job interview process is a science; it takes meticulous research into the ‘unobvious traits that need to be brought up', such as pulling out your beliefs and attitudes as a'sales point’ that can potentially be the defining factor in being hired.

In today’s recording, I’ll have you sold on some ideas my CEO students, C-level managers, and vice presidents of companies told me to share with you! J Since I have direct access to these people,.

You don’t want to miss this podcast.

Apply for my 1-on-1 private job interview training now and be fully prepared for a new chapter of your life.



Job Interview Preparation | CEO Interview Strategies From Diverse Business Sectors!

Soft skills VS Hard skills in a Job Interview.

Albert Pierrepoint - Britain's Last Hangman [with transcript for study]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JEWMP6gCSwci_u8yCBOPzVsJ8-FvQsUA/view?usp=drivesdk