A drink bar is something you can find in family restaurants and does not have alcohol all the time. So why is it called a bar? If free time is not free, what does "no time" mean?

In this special two-part episode, lecturer Jackson Lee returns to test Cheeky Academics Host Emily on her knowledge of more words used in the Land of the Rising Sun. This episode is ideal for those who are interested in how English is used in the local context of Japan. Listen and play along!

Salaryman? Career woman? What does "don't mind" actually mean? In this special two-part episode, Emily discovers how English is used in Japanese daily life with English Language university lecturer Jackson Lee, who has been living in Japan for a couple of years. If you are not familiar with Japanese language or would like to find out how English is used in a local context, this "Guess the Meaning" episode is for you.

Continuing from the last episode, Emily and the girls recall some of their precious moments as English teachers in Japan—particularly the ones that make their heart soar.

p.s. Can you identify all the different characters voiced in this episode? ;)

In this podcast, Emily discusses how teaching in Japan has impacted the lives of some English teachers living in Japan. Listen to their stories about gaining confidence to step in front of the classroom every day, dealing with challenging situations, and what are some of the moments that made this job so worth it.

For the next part of this podcast, tune in next week!

In this episode, English teacher Donald Ball a.k.a. Don talks about how he conducts his lessons and the interesting stuff students have written about for tasks. Sometimes you wonder how their thought process goes which is the perfect opportunity for teachers to investigate and learn from students!

Life can take a person to many places. As for high school English teacher Donald Ball a.k.a. Don, he began his journey to the Land of the Rising Sun from a young age. From learning how to write his name in Katakana to arriving in Japan the same year as the 2011 disaster, Japan eventually became a place that he now calls home.

Welcome to the Cheeky Academics where we talk about language learning, music education, pedagogy and anything related to academia.

This episode talks about how we were made to see ourselves through the lenses of others. As teachers, it is imperative that we are always presentable—and it is not easy nor cheap to be so every day. The energy we deliver in the classroom also impacts how much learning takes place. Also, how did the pandemic affect the way we dress and groom to give our best impressions? Tune in to find out more.

Are you a music student? Tired of people asking you to play your instrument for them? We can relate. If you're not a music student but would like to be one, hopefully these tips can give you some pointers. Playing an instrument sounds cool—especially if you want to share your music online—but have you considered investing in maintenance too? Listen to our stories before you sign up for classes or invest in an instrument.

Hosted by Emily and Dr Pravina.

Sometimes, teachers get stuck. It's not because we ran out of luck. In this podcast, Dr Pravina shares some useful tips for music teachers who want to spice up their lessons. This is great for both new and current music teachers. It's about time we make scales more fun!