El Carbonero es una canción folklórica de El Salvador considerada por muchos salvadoreños como un segundo himno nacional, ya que relata las costumbres de la época. Esta canción es bastante conocida y es incluso representada en actividades culturales por personas que la bailan vistiendo trajes típicos.

Esta canción popular fue creación de don Pancho Lara (Francisco Antonio Lara Hernández), nacido en 1900 en la hacienda La Presa en Santa Ana, poeta y músico al que se le atribuyen alrededor de 400 composiciones, muchas infantiles y las mas famosas de perfil folclórico y popular.

En síntesis El carbonero trata de un personaje de orígenes humildes que baja de las cumbres cargando carbón de madera que venderá en las calles de pueblos y el mercado.
impresiona la capacidad lírica y el poder de concreción de don Pancho Lara, quien murió el 12 de mayo de 1989 y que fue declarado Hijo Meritísimo de El Salvador un mes después. “El Carbonero” es un legado para El Salvador. 

Cultura Salvadoreña 

El Carbonero 

My Chinese friend Han and I finally had the chance to sit down for a conversation. He had asked to be on my podcast to share his experience as my student, but with our busy schedules and limited time outside of class, we kept putting it off or rescheduling for the past six months. Finally, we found a mutual time that worked, so here’s the podcast!

I hope this episode speaks to those of you who’ve ever felt stuck learning English, who know the words but struggle to speak, who feel the pressure of exams but don’t feel confident in real conversations. Because learning a language isn’t just about passing tests, it’s about unlocking opportunities, building connections, and having the freedom to express yourself in any situation. If you’ve ever wished for that kind of confidence, this episode is for you!

LEARN BY LISTENING

Testimony From My Chinese Friend and Student 

Liam and Ava, soaked at a rainy bus stop, misunderstand each other over the phrase "Tell me about it." After a funny rant and clarification, Liam considers booking English lessons for better fluency.

Rainy Rant & English Secrets: A Misunderstanding Leads to a Lesson

Jenna and Max are at a cozy café when suddenly Max gets an email.

Max (staring at his phone, confused):
Hey, Jenna, this guy I’m working with just said, “Give me a shout.” What does that even mean?

Jenna (stirring her coffee):
It just means to contact him.

Max (frowning):
Wait… but “shout” means to yell. So, does he want me to yell his name?

Jenna (laughs):
No, no! He’s not asking you to actually shout. It just means to message him, call him—basically, let him know when you need something.

Max (nodding slowly):
Okay… so, if I say “I’ll give you a shout,” it means I’ll call you?

Jenna (approving):
Exactly! Or text, or email—whatever works.

Max (thinking hard):
Hmm… but what if I really do shout your name? Like—HEY, JENNA!

[SFX: Café customers turning to stare]

Jenna (covering her face, whispering):
Okay, maybe don’t do that in public…

Max (grinning):
Got it. So, if I’m stuck on my project later, I can just say, “Jenna, I’ll give you a shout?”

Jenna (thumbs up):
Now you’re getting it!

Max (pauses, tilting head):
Wait… I have to ask—how do you know all these phrases so well? It’s like English just clicks for you.

Jenna (shrugging, playfully):
Well, let’s just say I found the cheat code.

Max (leaning in, curious):
Cheat code? What, like a secret trick?

Jenna (grinning):
Kinda! I trained with English Teacher Smith on iTalki. It wasn’t just lessons—it was real conversation, real corrections, and now, boom! English feels natural.

Max (raising an eyebrow, impressed):
That actually sounds pretty smart.

Jenna (pulls out phone, taps screen):
Here, see? Just click the profile, book a speaking lesson, and you’ll be talking like a pro in no time.

Max (smirking, clicking on phone):
Alright… I’ll give Teacher Smith a shout then.
(books lesson)

Here's How To Give Me A Shout Without Shouting

Jorge is shopping at a clothing store.

Salesperson (Lily):
This jacket fits you really well! Would you like to size up and try a bigger size?

Customer (Jorge, confused):
Size up? You mean bigger size?

Lily (nodding):
Yes, exactly! "Size up" just means trying a larger size than the one you have.

Jorge (scratching his head):
Hmm… Size up? You mean, when I grow bigger?

Lily (laughing):
Haha, no, no! "Size up" just means trying a bigger jacket. Not growing, just a bigger size!

Jorge (still confused):
So… Size up means I wear bigger clothes, but I don’t grow taller?

Lily (smiling):
Yes! "Size up" means getting a bigger size of the same jacket. You don’t need to grow taller for that!

Jorge (nodding, still unsure):
Okay, okay, I try bigger size jacket. I think I understand!

Jorge (curious):
By the way, your English is really good. How do you speak so well?

Lily:
Well, I took speaking lessons with Teacher Smith on italki! She’s amazing for improving English.

Jorge:
Really? How I book  lesson with her?

Lily:
It’s super easy, just click on her profile on italki and book a speaking lesson!

Jorge:
Wow, easy? I book it now!

Have You Ever Sized Up?

Two friends, Alex and Jamie, are chatting in a park.

Alex: Hey Jamie, did you hear about the surprise party tonight?

Jamie: No, I haven’t. Are you serious?

Alex: Absolutely! And don't worry, I'm just pulling your leg about the party details.

Jamie: (Looking confused) Wait, what do you mean by "pulling your leg"? Are you actually grabbing my leg?

Alex: (Laughs) No, no! "Pulling your leg" is an idiom. It means I'm just joking or teasing you. I'm not doing anything physical at all.

Jamie: Oh, I see! I thought you meant something literal.

Alex: I can understand the confusion. English idioms can be tricky. "Pulling your leg" simply means I'm kidding.

Jamie: Honestly, I always have a hard time understanding or remembering idioms. How do you do it so easily?

Alex: Well, Mrs. Smith on italki taught me all the tips and tricks for mastering them.

Jamie: Really? How do I get her to teach me too?

Alex: It's super simple, just click her picture on italki and book a lesson.

Jamie: Wow, so simple! I've just booked my lesson. I can't wait to finally get the hang of these idioms.