This week I will be focussing on New Year’s traditions.
By the time you listen to this podcast, the new year will be behind you. How did you celebrate the solar new year? Join me in this brief foray into the new year’s traditions we celebrate in our home.

Philosophical Friday

New Year’s episode of Philosophical Friday

Leemos un fragmento de "La respiración cavernaria", de Samanta Schweblin, donde lo cotidiano se vuelve intenso y lleno de significado.

A media voz: lecturas y lectores 

Ep. 12: Realismo

Welcome to Easy Chinese with Emily! In this episode, you'll learn how to talk about free time, weekend plans, work schedules, and outdoor activities through a simple and practical Chinese story.

What You'll Learn:

How to talk about weekend plans and free time,
Discussing work, being busy, and feeling tired,
Inviting friends and making plans together,
Talking about hobbies and outdoor activities like hiking.

Key Vocabulary:
爬山 (páshān, to go hiking)
朋友 (péngyǒǒu, friend)
打电话 (dǎdiànhuà, to make a phone call)
天气 (tiānqì, weather)
星期六 (xīngqīliù, Saturday)
工作 (gōngzuò, work)
忙 (máng, busy)
累 (lèi, tired)
休息 (xīuxī, to rest)
时间 (shíjiān, time)
高兴 (gāoxìng, happy)
运动 (yùndòng, exercise)
空气 (kōngqì, air)
一起 (yìqǐ, together)

Grammar Points:
现在是...的时候 (now is the best time to...)
要不要 + V...? (want to...?)
每天都 + V... (do something every day)
想 + V... (want to do...)
和...一起... (do something together with...)
有的时候... (sometimes...)
会 + V... (will / usually...)
在 + 地方 + V... (do something at a place)
能 + V... (can / be able to...)

This story uses simple HSK2-level Chinese with clear English translations. Perfect for beginners who want to improve their listening, reading, and speaking skills while learning practical everyday Chinese!

Watch the video version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X47u2ddVYXM&t=6s

Easy Chinese with Emily | HSK1-2 Stories

HSK 1-2 | 去爬山 Going Hiking | Beginner Mandarin

Learn the Korean word for “home.”
This episode shows simple ways to describe where you live and rest in everyday Korean.

Key expressions:

집에 있어요.
(I am at home)
집에서 쉬어요.
(I rest at home)

Korean Places in Real Life

EP.03 — Home in Korea (집)

Beginner Chinese Listening

AI Vocabulary in Chinese

有一天，他劝我用心地画一副漂亮的图画，好叫我家乡的孩子们对这件事有一个深刻的印象。
And one day he said to me: You ought to make a beautiful drawing, so that the children where you live can see exactly how all this is.
他还对我说：如果将来有一天他们出外旅行，这对他们是很有用的。
That would be very useful to them if they were to travel some day.
有时候，人们把自己的工作推到以后去做，并没有什么妨害，
Sometimes," he added, "there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day.
但要遇到拔猴面包树苗这种事，那就非造成大灾难不可。
But when it is a matter of baobabs, that always means a catastrophe.
我遇到过一个星球，上面住着一个懒家伙，他放过了三棵小树苗…
I knew a planet that was inhabited by a lazy man. He neglected three little bushes...
于是，根据小王子的说明，我把这个星球画了下来。
So, as the little prince described it to me, I have made a drawing of that planet.
我从来不大愿意以道学家的口吻来说话，
I do not much like to take the tone of a moralist.
可是猴面包树的危险，大家都不大了解，对迷失在小行星上的人来说，危险性非常之大，

But the danger of the baobabs is so little understood, and such considerable risks would be run by anyone who might get lost on an asteroid,
因此这一回，我贸然打破了我的这种不喜欢教训人的惯例。
that for once I am breaking through my reserve.
我说：“孩子们，要当心那些猴面包树呀！”
"Children," I say plainly, "watch out for the baobabs!"
为了叫我的朋友们警惕这种危险——他们同我一样长期以来和这种危险接触，却没有意识到它的危险性
My friends, like myself, have been skirting this danger for a long time, with-out ever knowing it;
我花了很大的功夫画了这副画。
and so it is for them that I have worked so hard over this drawing.
我提出的这个教训意义是很重大的，花点功夫是很值得的。
The lesson which I pass on by this means is worth all the trouble it has cost me.
你们也许要问，“为什么这本书中别的画都没有这副画那么壮观呢？”
Perhaps you will ask me, "Why is there no other drawing in this book as magnificent and impressive as this drawing of the baobabs?"
回答很简单。
The reply is simple.
别的画我也曾经试图画得好些，却没成功。
I have tried. But with the others I have not been successful.
而当我画猴面包树时，有一种急切的心情在激励着我。
When I made the drawing of the baobabs I was carried beyond myself by the inspiring force of urgent necessity.

小王子-The Little Prince-Read in Chinese

小王子第十三章：警惕危险

*This story contains graphic and explicit material it is not recommended for children, only for mature audiences*
The Faithful Setter by David Sedaris concerns a couple of dogs who debate whether or not it's cheating for the male dog to be a "stud" used to impregnate other dogs. He husband argues that it's not cheating, it's only work.
Send me a message me for your free pdf copy of this book and if you would like discuss it.
I hope you enjoy it.
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and other stories from David Sedaris ( Adult 18+) 

The Faithful Setter  (Adult 18+)

Today we're talking about an idiom that comes from the sport of boxing. I hope you find it useful!

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

Have you ever done this with a towel?

How can a person wear her heart on her sleeve? What does this mean and what does it say about her personality? Listen and learn.
