Join your English teacher, Helen, and her guest, Ira, to talk about a shared love of language and culture. This episode was recorded before the war in Ukraine, so that is not discussed. Practise your listening and put yourself in Ira’s shoes with Helen’s corrections and explanations on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and interesting phrases. 

Lesson Themes:
01:13  Do Russians use small talk?
04:38  Is Russian a beautiful language?
07:02  Literature and Dostoevsky
07:55  Intriguing complexity of Russian names
12:23  “Do” and “did” in positive sentences for emphasis
15:33  “Subtle” and the silent B
17:28  “Broaden your horizons” and other idioms

Visit www.englishwithhelen.com for supplementary materials.