Did you know that there are more than 1 million words in English? I know it’s hard to believe, so keep counting, I mean keep listening. 

#187 Beautiful Words in English

The Speak English Now Podcast is your resource for practicing your English speaking and listening. You will learn English with the Question and Answer (TPRS) and Point of View techniques. You won’t need any grammar nor boring exercises. You will also learn about the English culture and the language itself. Finally, you will get valuable advice on learning English. All the audio is in English and you can get the text at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com

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Have you ever seen a huge mountain with presidents’ faces? Today, we learn about Mount Rushmore. What’s special about it? Let’s find out! Hi! I’m Georgiana, and I’m back with a new episode. I’m here to help you speak English fluently. If you want to help me, SHARE the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. On my website, you can find the 5 Secrets to Speaking English and my premium courses. Before we start, get the transcript. Visit: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast It’s completely free! Ok, let’s start! Mount Rushmore is a giant and famous place in the United States. It’s located in South Dakota, inside the Black Hills. On this big mountain are huge carvings of the faces of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These presidents are very important because they did great things for America. The carvings of Mount Rushmore are huge. Each president’s face is as large as a tall building! People made this long ago, starting in 1927 and finishing in 1941. So, it took 14 years to complete. They did not have modern machines, so it was very tough work. Mount Rushmore is special for a few reasons:  George Washington was the first president to help start the country. Thomas Jefferson made America bigger by buying a large area of land from France, known as the Louisiana Purchase. Theodore Roosevelt protected nature and made sure businesses treated people fairly. Abraham Lincoln kept the country together during the Civil War, which was a very difficult time.  Mount Rushmore is also meaningful because of its location. Before it became a monument, Native American tribes, saw the Black Hills as a sacred place. The story of Mount Rushmore includes these tribes and their connection to the land. When people visit Mount Rushmore, they can explore the Avenue of Flags. This path has flags from all 50 states in the USA. It makes people feel connected to everyone in the country. It is a reminder that, even though we are different, we are all part of one big nation. Mount Rushmore is not only beautiful because of the nature around it. It also makes us think about the leaders who shaped America, and reflect on how we can all help make the country better. Making Mount Rushmore changed the mountain forever. It turned a natural place into a symbol of America’s history. This means different things to different people. Some see it as a celebration of freedom and great leaders. Others remember the land and the first people who lived there. Great! I hope you’re enjoying this episode! And now, let’s continue with a mini-story!

#294 Mount Rushmore

Transcript: Hi! I’m Georgiana, and I’m back with a new episode. I’m here to help you speak English fluently. And what do you need to speak fluently? You need to LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, and LISTEN. 

#293 English expressions - Good for you!

Today, we will learn how Easter is celebrated in the United States and Australia. We will hear Tom and Sarah's conversation about their plans for Easter this year. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing boring rules. Hi! Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. I'm Georgiana and my mission is to help you improve your fluency. If you want to support me, please share the podcast with your friends and family. It would mean a great deal to me. Thank you! Remember that you can get the text of this episode on my website SpeakEnglishPodcast.com Okay! Let’s start! Tom, from the United States, and Sarah, from Australia, were catching up on a video call before the Easter holiday. As they started chatting, they quickly realized they had different traditions and plans for celebrating the holiday. Let's listen to their conversation: Tom: Hey, Sarah! Happy Easter! Sarah: Happy Easter to you too, Tom! I hope you're doing well. Tom: Yes, I'm doing great. So, what are your plans for Easter this year? Sarah: I plan to attend church and celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have a big Easter dinner and spend time together. Tom: That sounds lovely. I'm also planning to celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have an Easter egg hunt and decorate Easter eggs. Sarah: Oh, that's a great tradition. We also decorate Easter eggs but don't have an egg hunt. Tom: That's interesting. Every family has their own traditions. Sarah: Definitely. What other traditions do you have for Easter? Tom: We usually go to church and have a big Easter brunch. We also exchange Easter baskets filled with candy and small gifts. Sarah: That sounds like so much fun. We don't exchange Easter baskets but give each other Easter cards. Tom: That's sweet. Do you have any special Easter foods that you eat? Sarah: Yes, we usually have ham, deviled eggs, and hot cross buns. Tom: That sounds delicious. My family has roasted lamb, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Sarah: That sounds amazing. It's interesting to see how different cultures celebrate the same holiday. Tom: Yes, I agree. Speaking of cultures, I heard Easter is celebrated differently in Australia. Can you tell me more about that? Sarah: Sure! In Australia, Easter is also a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, since it's celebrated in the fall season there, it's more of a harvest festival. We also have a lot of outdoor activities like camping and hiking. Tom: That's so cool. I didn't know Easter was celebrated as a harvest festival in Australia. Do you have any special Easter foods that you eat? Sarah: Yes, we have hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, just like in the US. But we also have meat pies, seafood, and others. Tom: That sounds amazing. I'll have to try them sometime. Sarah: Definitely. Maybe we can exchange some Easter foods and try each other's traditions. Tom: That's a great idea, Sarah! Sarah: Ok! I'll see you later. Happy Easter! Tom: Happy Easter!

#292 Happy Easter 2024

Hi! I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode. I'm here to help you speak English fluently. And what do you need to speak fluently? You need to LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, and LISTEN. :) If you want to help me, SHARE the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. Get the transcript here: speakenglishpodcast.com/291-what-is-minimalism/ In our previous episode, we talked about  Diogenes syndrome. It's when people collect too many things. Today, I will talk about practically the opposite: minimalism. A few years ago, this lifestyle became popular. The concept of minimalism is about removing unnecessary things and focusing on what's important. Seems logical, right? Well... Sometimes, attempting to live a minimalist lifestyle can actually be more stressful than just accepting a little bit of clutter. Finally, it's about finding a balance that works for you. Here are some principles of minimalism: - Simplicity: Enjoy the simple and the necessary. - Utility: Have only things you use that are useful to you. - Quality: Prefer fewer things, but of better quality. - Consciousness: Think and choose what really matters. - Order: A clean, organized space helps you think and live better. - Peace: Seek tranquility in your environment. - Autonomy: Live with the essentials and take care of your resources. - Experiences: You value moments and friendships more than material possessions. Marie Kondo is famous in the world of keeping things tidy. She's from Japan and has taught many of us to ask if our belongings make us happy. She's had a big influence, and for some time, we all followed her advice on folding clothes neatly and getting rid of things we don't need. But now, she mentioned that after having three kids she can't be as strict anymore. If Marie Kondo has found a balance, we don't have to be perfect either. A while ago, I was inspired by ideas of living simply, so I tried to make my life more minimalist. I planned it well in my mind, but it was hard to do. To be honest, it lasted only two weeks. :) Now, I try to be sensible. I keep only what I need, and I don't worry if things are a bit messy. So, I believe it's not about keeping your space perfectly clean and tidy all the time. It's more about creating a home where you feel cozy and calm. Sometimes, things are a little messy, like the shoes not being in the right place. But it’s okay! I hope you found this episode interesting, and that it helped you practice your English a bit too. What do you think about minimalism? Is it just a fad, or... Does it have value?   Get the transcript here: speakenglishpodcast.com/291-what-is-minimalism/

#291 What is Minimalism?

Hi, everyone! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today, we are going to talk about idioms and specific vocabulary related to movies in English. And with a mini-story, you are going to improve your fluency. I’ll tell you a story while asking you many questions that you have to answer right away. It’s like talking to another person in English. Please visit SpeakEnglishPodcast.com to get the transcript of today’s episode. And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Let’s get started! As I said today, we will look at some specific words and idioms related to movies in English. Let’s start! 1. Get the show on the road When someone tells you to get the show on the road, they urge you to start doing something. They want you to start, even if there are some mistakes and things that hinder your progress. Examples:  “Let’s get the show on the road, or we’ll be late.” “We’re finally ready to get the show on the road.” “It’s about time we got the show on the road!” “Come on, the fans are waiting outside, and we must get the show on the road!” 2. To kick off a show or kickoff In show business, to kick off a show means to start a performance. We also use this expression to refer to the first performance among many. A kickoff celebration is a party that celebrates the beginning of something. You can simply call this party a kickoff. Examples: “The advertising campaign is ready to kick off the show.”  “Kickoff will be at 10 o’clock prompt.”  “Tom is coming to the kickoff tonight.” 3. Popcorn movie Do you enjoy eating popcorn? But what’s a popcorn movie? When you want to watch a movie just for entertainment, you will usually watch a popcorn movie. Although they are called popcorn movies, you don’t necessarily need to eat popcorn while watching them. Let’s say that this kind of movie will not give you a new perspective on life. Many of the summer blockbusters are popcorn movies, and the great thing is that you can watch them with friends or family.  A blockbuster is a very successful product like a movie or a book that makes a lot of money. For instance, a Hollywood studio releases many movies in search of a blockbuster. Here are some popular popcorn movies you have already watched: Transformers (2007), Spider-Man (2002), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Mission: Impossible (1996), Forrest Gump (1994), Batman Begins (2005), The Fast and the Furious (2001), etc. 4. Live up to the hype If a movie or a show is up to the hype, it means there is enough interest in it. Movie critics and bloggers become excited about something by generating a lot of buzz or hype. Generally speaking, it’s hard to live up to the hype, but the best movies can generate many expectations before they are released. Examples: “I watched that movie you recommended last week, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I loved it! “I am happy to say that your performance lived up to the hype.” 5. Sell out We can use the expression to sell out in several ways. But if tickets are sold out, it means that all available tickets for a movie, concert, etc., have been sold. And also when we want to buy something in a store or on the Internet. If they are sold out, they are no longer available. Examples:  “We sold out all the movie tickets in the first couple of hours.” “My favorite T-shirt sold out everywhere.” Before we continue, I want to give you a useful tip on how to understand movies in English. First of all, you should keep in mind that movies are meant for native speakers and are full of expressions and phrasal verbs. And yes, actors usually talk fast. And the reason they speak so fast is that they have memorized their lines. I believe that the biggest problem English students have is that they don’t listen enough. First, you have to build a good foundation by listening to many hours of content with clear audio and good pronunciation. Over time, understanding movies will become easier. Before I move on to the next section, go and get the transcript of this episode at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast Do you know how you can help me? You can share the podcast with your friends and family. And tell them to go to SpeakEnglishPodcast.com to get my free mini-course. That would mean a lot to me. Thanks.

#187 Beautiful Words in English

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