What exactly is a potluck, and why are they so popular?

In this episode, we talk about one of our favourite Canadian ways to get together; everyone brings a dish, and together you make a meal! We share stories about potlucks with friends, neighbours, family, and even pre-pandemic classroom potlucks! 

We discuss potluck etiquette, dietary restrictions, what to bring, how much food is enough, and why Canadians often find it easier to share the cooking rather than have one person prepare an entire meal.

Misha tells us about her cookbook club, where potlucks become a little more serious and there's maybe a little too much food. (Okay, there is definitely too much food.) And Larissa tells us about a few times when she attended potlucks that didn't quite turn out right but were fun anyway. 

You'll hear lots of natural Canadian English and useful vocabulary along the way, including words and phrases related to food, hosting, cooking, dietary restrictions, and social gatherings.

So grab a plate and join us for a delicious conversation about Canadian potlucks!

And stay tuned for the Extra English Podcast app! Launching this Tuesday, Septemeber 1st. 

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What is summer camp like in Canada?

In this episode, Misha and Larissa talk about the Canadian tradition of sleepaway camp. They share their own childhood experiences, including homesickness, bunk beds, camp counselors, swimming, campfires, and all the little traditions that make camp feel like its own world.

They also talk about how summer camp has changed, why some parents are more hesitant to send their children away than they used to be, and the idea of “family camp,” where the whole family goes together.

Along the way, you'll learn lots of useful Canadian English and hear a natural conversation about childhood, parenting, friendships, and life in Canada.

Have you ever been to summer camp? What was it like?

Let us know about your camp experiences!

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In this episode of Extra English Podcast, we talk about chores and housework — the jobs we love, the jobs we hate, and the chores that never seem to end!

We talk about vacuuming, sweeping, laundry, garbage and recycling, cleaning bathrooms, yard work, and the realities of keeping a house clean with children around. We also get into some interesting Canadian everyday life, including Repair Cafés, sharing things with neighbours, community recycling programs, and why having a housekeeper is considered a luxury for many people in Canada.

Along the way, you'll hear useful everyday English, such as housework, clutter, and housekeeper, in context. You'll also hear a few expressions that we definitely DON'T recommend using — including “grass vacuum” and “haunted holes”! 😄

If you're learning English, listen for the way we naturally talk about everyday routines, preferences, frustrations, and experiences.

Question for you: What chore do you like — and which one do you absolutely hate?

Let us know in the comments!

🎧 Extra English Podcast is a conversation podcast for English learners who want to understand natural Canadian English and learn about everyday life in Canada.

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Have you ever wondered why Canada has a beaver on the nickel, a caribou on the quarter, a loon on the loonie, and a polar bear on the toonie?

In this episode, we talk about some of Canada's most iconic animals, share funny personal stories, explain where the words loonie and toonie come from, and share plenty of natural English vocabulary along the way.

You'll learn why beavers are more dignified than they might first seem, why the loon's call is considered both beautiful and a little spooky, and which animal each of us thinks should appear on Canada's next coin!

As always, expect natural Canadian English, lots of laughter, and a few moments where we admit we definitely aren't biologists.

🎧 Perfect for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their listening while learning about Canadian culture.

What animal would you put on a Canadian coin? Let us know!

Loon / Diver call 3 by nicStage -- https://freesound.org/s/432603/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Loon photo by Paul Crook on Unsplash

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What was your first job?

In this episode, we take a trip back to our teenage years and talk about the first ways we earned money. From delivering newspapers as a child to babysitting at 12, working in libraries, and trying out jobs in the service industry, we share our own stories and memories from our early working lives.

You’ll learn about the kinds of jobs teenagers often have in Canada, what those experiences teach us, and some of the funny (and sometimes challenging!) moments that come with your first job.

Join us for a nostalgic conversation about first paycheques, childhood responsibilities, and the beginning of our working lives!

As always, this episode is great for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to practice listening to natural Canadian English and learn about Canadian culture. 

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Last week, we introduced you to camping in Canada. This week, we're taking you deeper into the wilderness!

In Part 2, you'll learn about portagining, which is one of the most unique and challenging parts of canoe camping. Larissa shares stories from her teenage son's recent backcountry adventure, while Misha talks about taking her toddler on his very first camping trip. We also chat about swimming in the beautiful rocky lakes of Ontario, and the episode ends with Larissa inviting herself on Misha's family's next camping trip!

This episode is packed with natural Canadian English, real-life stories, and plenty of vocabulary to help you understand conversations about camping, travel, and the outdoors.

Grab a coffee, put on your headphones, and join us around the campfire for Part 2 of our Canadian camping adventure! 🛶🏕️

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Whether you're planning your first camping trip or you're just curious about Canadian outdoor culture, this episode is for you! 🏕️

Join us as we talk about the different ways Canadians camp—from rugged backwoods adventures where you carry everything on your back, to relaxing weekends at car campgrounds. We talk about tents, trailers, RVs and the pop-up campers that were everywhere when we were kids.

Along the way, you'll learn vocabulary and hear natural English conversations about campfires, bugs, swimming in Canadian lakes and rocky shorelines on the Canadian shield.

If you're learning English, this episode is a fun way to improve your listening while discovering an important part of Canadian culture. Grab a cup of coffee, imagine you're sitting around a campfire, and join us!

🎧 Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to build vocabulary, improve listening skills, and learn more about life in Canada.

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What does it feel like to leave the place where you grew up and start over somewhere completely different?

In this episode, we look back on our first experiences living in big cities after growing up in small towns. We talk about the excitement, the surprises, the challenges, and the lessons we learned along the way.

Misha shares the intimidating experiences she had in her first month in Montreal and a few tales from her time living in the Lao capital of Vientiane.

Larissa talks about life in Doha, Qatar, including what it was like driving there and why she always felt much safer than many people expected.

Along the way, we discuss culture shock, feeling out of your comfort zone, becoming more independent, and what it's like to go from being a "big fish in a small pond" to just another person in a much bigger world.

If you're learning English, this episode is full of natural conversation, useful vocabulary, and authentic Canadian English. Whether you've moved across the world or are simply curious about life in other places, we hope you'll enjoy listening.

🎧 Grab a coffee, settle in, and join us for another relaxed conversation!

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What makes a town "small"? We have a very Canadian answer: the number of Tim Hortons. One or none? That's a small town, just like the ones we grew up in.

In this episode, we look back at what it was like growing up in small-town Ontario in the 80s and 90s. We share stories about the freedom kids had, the sense of community, and the moments that would probably never happen today.

Misha tells the story of a strange encounter with two police officers who somehow knew her name without having to ask. Larissa remembers the time her dad was late to pick her little sister up from school, so the principal simply drove her home. We also talk about Block Parents, knowing your neighbours, and why so many kids spent their days outside until the streetlights came on.

Of course, small-town life wasn't perfect. We discuss some of the downsides too, including the lack of diversity and the fact that you lose touch with peers when everyone moves away.

Whether you grew up in a small town or are just curious about this part of Canadian culture, this episode offers a fun glimpse into everyday life in Ontario—complete with a healthy dose of nostalgia and a few surprising stories.

🎧 Perfect for English learners who want to learn natural Canadian English while exploring Canadian culture.

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Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument?

In this episode, Misha and Larissa talk about their musical journeys, from childhood piano lessons and middle-school music classes to guitars, flutes, cellos, and even a Celtic harp. Along the way, they share stories about school bands, learning to read music, borrowing instruments from the library, and the surprising things that stay in your muscle memory long after you've stopped practicing.

You'll also hear about a bird that got trapped inside a piano, a son who seems determined to learn every instrument in existence, and the unforgettable time a border guard asked for a harp performance during a vehicle inspection.

This episode is full of natural English conversation, personal stories, and useful vocabulary related to music, learning, and hobbies.

What instruments have you played? Let us know in the comments!

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