English Waffle

In this episode, Owain and Mike talk about idioms. They give some and examples and try to guess where the expressions come from. Listen to find out whether they know their history.

The guys also have some important news for regular listeners of the podcast!

Enjoy the episode! 

In this episode, Mike and Owain talk about the word 'foreigner'. Is it a positive or negative word? Do you consider yourself to be a foreigner? Is it good or bad to be a foreigner? Or is it all a load of cobblers?

And what's all this got to do with The English Waffle theme tune?!

These are all good questions. Listen and find out as we waffle on, starting off quite defensive, but then having a useful discussion about World Englishes, British English, and learning English in general.

Hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, Mike talks to Alex Asher about Online language learning. They talk about what are the benefits of learning online versus going to a physical classroom, and some of the challenges that teachers/learners may find.

To prepare you to listen and help you check your understanding, think about these questions:

• What things does Alex mention about Online language learning (4-6min)?

Listen to the end to hear the answers. Write in if you want to ask us a question about this chat or just make a comment. 

In this episode, Mike and Owain discuss a topic suggested by a listener, Laura Camila, who lives in China. Laura wanted to hear our experiences of and views on going out with someone from another country. Both Wafflers have experiences to share although they're not sure how much they want to reveal.

Listen to find out about who Mike and Owain have dated and how it worked out or didn't as the case may be. Here are some questions to guide your listening:

• What has been Owain's experience with intercultural dating?

Enjoy listening!

Transcript

Transcript PDF Download

Language Analysis

In this episode, Owain and Mike are talking about their own language experiences. Find out what languages they speak and what languages they're learning. They waffle on a bit so you won't get to much help with learning tips, but you will hear something about their shared past!

To prepare you to listen and help you check your understanding, think about these questions:

• What languages does Mike speak?

Listen right to the end to hear the answers.

Write in if you want to ask us any questions about this chat or just make a comment: https://englishwaffle.co.uk/contact-us

In this episode, our regular raconteurs, Owain & Mike, are back for a bit of lockdown loquacity. Find out what they've been doing while they've had to stay at home.

The conversation took place about 3 weeks ago, but is still highly relevant to our current situation, even though the rules in the UK have now changed for the better.

Here are some questions to help guide your listening during the first half of the conversation - answers at the end of the episode:

• Has lockdown been good or bad for Mike? What reasons does he give?

Links:

The English Waffle Website: https://englishwaffle.co.uk/

• Transcript, PDF Download, Language Analysis

UK Guidelines for behaviour during the Coronavirus pandemic:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

In the episode, Mike talks to published author and TED Talk Speaker Tom Graham about his sustainable tourism project, Make a Difference. They talk a bit about Tom's inspiration behind the venture, what challenges lie ahead in the Covid-19 era, and an idea of how the Philippines might avoid getting left behind in the global future.

Here is Tom's TED talk, Genius of the Poor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-JxeTd8kAw&t=4s

And Make A Difference website https://madtravel.org/

In this episode, Owain interviews his friend Mike MacDonald about music and how he's playing, listening and watching during these strange times. They talk a little bit about what life under lockdown is like for Mike and why it's not really affecting is ability to perform.

Find out how you can watch Mike and his friends play and listen to one of the tracks from his band's first album.

Also, we have set you a challenge. Listen right to the end to hear the launch of a new virtual music project and try to answer the question I ask you. Write in with your answers and we will offer you a free online English lesson with Mike or me.

Links to Mike:

https://www.facebook.com/angus500

Links to Gary:

https://www.facebook.com/events/552496345387474/

https://www.thequadropheniaproject.com/

Link to the band, Dapper:

https://www.facebook.com/dapperband/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCloAwd9-soUCeeQ5EB6isUA/featured?disable_polymer=1

In this episode, Mike and Owain are back to their waffling best with a short chat about baking. Listening to this exchange between two brilliant culinary minds will help you...

Hold on a minute! I hear you say. Yes, just joking. Just like everyone else at the moment, the guys are struggling to come up with things to do and have turned to baking as a means of connecting with family and students alike. Find out more and listen till the end for a brief analysis of the conversation!

In this episode, Owain talks to his friend Lorenzo who is in Madrid. They discuss what it is like to be in a small flat with a family during this crisis and how they are dealing with lockdown (a state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a security measure).

The actual conversation is about 13 minutes long. At the end, there is extra help with some of the vocabulary used in the conversation.