Transcript is available ⁠⁠on meikasensei.com⁠⁠ for vocabulary description, and pictures, and more.

Using this podcast for EXTENSIVE LISTENING & SHADOWING can be effective. Each episode is 2-3 minutes long without long intro or music. So you can just listen during chores or walks.

【⁠やさしいにほんごブログ⁠】I post a blog with simple vocab and grammar with furigana for beginners, and natural Japanese for intermediate. This is the podcast version! The blog is designed to reflect the trends and seasons in Japan at that time. 

やさしいにほんご Podcast with Meika Sensei for Extensive listening & Shadowing

Ep. 5 Beginners : となりの人が夜3時までパーティーをします | Neighbors party until 3am.

Hi friends! Welcome to 'The Magical World of Words.' Today, we're going to spend time with Léo the cat and his friend Filou the dog. We're going to find out why cats make funny sounds. Are you ready for a day full of surprises and learning? Let's go on an adventure with Léo and Filou!

Salut les amis ! Bienvenue dans 'Le Monde Magique des Mots'. Aujourd'hui, on va passer du temps avec Léo le chat et son copain Filou le chien. On va découvrir pourquoi les chats font des sons rigolos. Êtes-vous prêts pour une journée pleine de surprises et d'apprentissage ? Alors, en avant pour une aventure avec Léo et Filou !

Le Monde Magique des Mots

Léo's Funny Sounds Adventure

Preparation for lessons

Dance before you get old

Sara got an email from a company.
“I got the job! I’m going to celebrate!” she shouted.
Her sister looked at her and said,
“Hold your horses. Did you read the whole email?”
Sara checked again.
It was only an interview invitation.
She laughed and said, “Oops… I got too excited!”


Ali saw a big SALE sign and ran into the store.
“I’m going to buy everything!” he shouted.
His friend laughed and said, “Hold your horses! Check your wallet first.”
Ali stopped. He only had $10.
He smiled and said, “Okay… maybe just one T-shirt.
Idiom: Hold your horses

Meaning:
Wait a moment. Slow down. Don’t rush. Be patient.

It’s used when someone is too excited, impatient, or moving too quickly.

It is an informal expression.
Why “horses”? 
In the past, people rode horses.
If the horses moved too fast, you had to hold them to stop them.
So “hold your horses” means control yourself and slow down.

Example Sentences
“Hold your horses! I’m not ready yet.”
“Hold your horses before you spend all your money.”
“Hold your horses — let’s think about this first.”


“Hold your horses! I’m still talking.”
“Hold your horses before you quit your job.”
“Hold your horses — we need more information.”

Do you make decisions quickly, or do you take your time?

Have you ever been too excited and someone told you to calm down?

English Mini Lessons

Hold your horses

Feeling stuck with English? You’re not alone! In this episode of English Learners Boost, Teacher Ian, a licensed science teacher and English tutor, shares common struggles every learner faces—from pronunciation and grammar to speaking fears—and practical tips to overcome them. Hear an inspiring story, get actionable advice, and discover how you can boost your confidence and skills. Plus, learn how to book a personalized English lesson with Teacher Ian on iTalki!

English Learner's Boost

You’re Not Alone: The English Struggles Every Learner Shares

Sophie has a new kitten and does not want to take a nap.

Yasmine's English Reading

Sophie's Nap

皆様

大変長らくお待たせいたしました。

Podcaster Kaichi, この度、マイクを新しく買いました。

ちょっとは、「イケボ※」になりましたかね？

※いけてるボイス=Cool voice

まだセッティングがいまいちなので、聞きづらいかもしれませんが

今後はもっといい音声でお届けできるようにがんばっていきますから、お時間があったら是非聞いて行ってください。



【ひとことフレーズ】

・物持ちがいい、物持ちが良い

→　一つの物を大切に、長く使うこと

例）わたし、実は、物持ちが非常にいい、というか、貧乏性（びんぼうしょう）なんです。



・最上位機種（さいじょういきしゅ）

→　いくつかあるシリーズや製品の中で、一番グレードや性能がいい商品

例）レクサス RX450Hは　SUVシリーズの中でも最上位車種（しゃしゅ）である。

例）Iphone 13 Pro Max は Iphoneのシリーズの中でも最上位機種である。



Real-Life Japanese with Kaichi

44. 新しいマイク買いました！ Blue Yeti X

Narrator: Queen Elizabeth the First was born in 1533. Her father, King Henry the Eighth, was disappointed that his second wife Anne Boleyn had not produced a son and he had Anne’s head cut off when Elizabeth was only two years old. Elizabeth received the same education that a son would have and studied classical and modern languages, history and religion.

Narrator: When Henry died in 1547, Elizabeth’s younger brother Edward briefly became king, but on his death in 1553, her older sister Mary took over. Mary was a Catholic and wanted to bring England back into the Catholic faith after her father had broken with the Catholic Church and the Pope in Rome. She tried to achieve this by force and had 300 Protestants burnt at the stake. When “Bloody Mary” died childless in 1558, Elizabeth became queen.

Narrator: The first challenge Elizabeth faced was to bring the country together after the religious conflicts it had experienced during Mary’s rule. The Church of England that she set up occupied a middle ground between the Catholic and Protestant faiths and allowed some freedom in people’s personal beliefs as long as they attended church regularly. This saved England from further violence, although there were constant threats from both sides.

Narrator: Elizabeth was very skilled at presenting an image. She had many pictures of herself painted wearing expensive clothes and jewelry as well as makeup to make her face look pale, sometimes showing herself as a goddess or other figure from classical myths. She traveled around the country regularly on horseback so she could see and be seen by her people, who were very loyal to her.

Narrator: Elizabeth never married. Many men both at home and abroad wanted to marry her, but she played them off against each other. This meant she could avoid taking sides in various domestic and foreign political and religious conflicts, but it also meant that when she died, there would be no clear heir. She saw herself as married to the country...

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Queen Elizabeth the First 

①教育界人士的观点是什么？
②家长的观点是什么？
③你认为什么样的父母才可以让孩子在家上学？