In this episode, Andrew and Alina share updates about what’s new at Culips! You’ll learn about the second European meetup happening in Hamburg, Germany on October 18th. They also introduce the October challenge, which is focused on linking words that will help you create better-connected sentences.

European Meetup #2 – Hamburg, Germany

Join fellow English learners for a relaxed, friendly chat in a welcoming environment. Perfect for all levels!

October Challenge: Connecting Words

Theme: Linking words and connectors to create longer, more natural sentences

How it works:

It’s completely free and perfect for learning to express complex ideas while connecting with other learners!

How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge

Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very useful English expressions: “cut someone some slack” and “give someone the benefit of the doubt.” These are common phrases that English speakers use to ask for understanding, forgiveness, or trust when someone is under pressure or when we are unsure about their actions.

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What if you could speak with anyone, in any language, in real time? In this bonus episode, Andrew explores that idea with a clear, step-by-step look at live translation. He reads a news article and explains the key ideas and terms in easy to understand English, showing how Apple, Google, and Meta are pursuing the “universal translator” and what it could mean for travel, work, and daily life.

What you’ll learn

How it will improve your English

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In this episode of Chatterbox, Andrew and Anna talk about street smarts: the practical skills and awareness people should have in order to stay safe and confident in cities. They share personal stories about living in places like Madrid, London, Seoul, and Canada, and explain how experiences such as pickpocketing or mugging can change the way people think about safety. The hosts also compare life in big cities to life in smaller towns or the countryside, showing how different environments require different kinds of common sense.

This episode is great for upper-intermediate English learners who want to understand everyday English conversations about real-life situations, build up vocabulary related to safety and street crime, and practice listening to natural storytelling from native speakers.

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In this episode, Andrew and Indiana continue their fun conversation about things that are overrated or underrated. They share their opinions on topics like walking 10,000 steps a day, biohacking, pineapple on pizza, vinyl records, and even the idea of being famous. They compare their different views, tell stories, and explain why some things deserve more love while others are praised too much.

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Do bad things really come in threes? In this episode, Andrew tells you four mini stories from his week that will make you wonder about this old superstition. From unexpected moments during his evening run to tech troubles that tested his patience, you’ll hear authentic English storytelling that takes you from frustrating lows to feel-good highs.

Make sure to check out the free interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary to get the most out of this episode.

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In this episode, Andrew and Indiana talk about Indiana’s recent trip to Colorado. She shares stories about all of the activities she enjoyed during her time there, such as attending a wedding, spotting mountain goats on a hike, and adjusting to the thin air of “the Mile High City.” Indiana also tells Andrew about trying local craft beers and visiting the surreal art installation called Meow Wolf.

If you’re an intermediate English learner who wants to improve your listening skills while hearing a natural conversation about travel, culture, and the different landscapes of the United States, then this episode is for you!

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In this episode, Alina recaps the Culips meetup that happened in July, introduces the next Culips meetup, and tells you all about the September challenge!

September Challenge: Let’s talk about work

Theme: Work-related English (interviews, dress codes, workplace situations)

How it works:

It’s completely free and perfect for practicing professional English skills while connecting with other learners!

How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge

Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!

The 2025 Culips Meetup in Prague.

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very useful English idioms: to go off the rails and to get out of hand. These are common expressions that English speakers use to describe situations that become chaotic, unmanageable, or out of control. You’ll hear Andrew and Indiana explain the meaning, give background, and share many everyday examples. They also act out short conversations to show how these expressions are used naturally in real life.

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In this episode, Andrew talks about his recent trip to Sapporo, Japan. He tells you about exploring the Susukino district, visiting the coastal town of Otaru, and discovering beer and sake festivals throughout the city. You’ll also hear about many of his other adventures including witnessing a car accident and navigating the city without Google Maps for an extra challenge!

This episode is perfect for intermediate English learners who are ready to take it to the next level with their English fluency. Andrew’s storytelling is clear, understandable, and designed to help you build your vocabulary, comprehension, cultural knowledge, and communicative fluency.

Make sure to check out the free interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary to get the most out of this episode.

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