In this episode, Andrew and Kassy have a catch-up and share what’s been happening in their lives lately. They talk about reading challenges, useful reading and productivity apps, and Kassy’s recent sports adventures.

The Simplified Speech series features native speakers having clear, natural, and easy-to-understand conversations. By studying with this Simplified Speech episode, you’ll improve your English listening skills, increase your vocabulary, and learn how to talk about recent events happening in your life.








Fun facts
In this episode, Andrew talks about reading in Korean, the language he’s learning. Although reading in a foreign language is often undervalued by many learners, it’s actually a very effective way to improve your language skills. It can help you learn new vocabulary, improve grammar and sentence structure, and understand the cultural nuances better.



Expressions included in the study guide



 	* And all that jazz
 	* To fangirl out
 	* Smack dab in the middle
 	* To bow out
 	* To crave
 	* Hooked



Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: Katerina Holmes (Pexels.com)

Simplified Speech #169 – Andrew and Kassy catch up

Culips English Podcast: Practical English Learning Made Fun  Learn and Explore: Join Culips for an exciting English learning journey. Our podcast focuses on teaching English idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs through fun and engaging conversations. Each episode helps you master English for real-life situations.  Unique Learning Experience: Culips stands out by blending language skills with cultural insights. Our diverse hosts make learning relatable, covering a variety of everyday topics. You’ll pick up practical language skills and gain cultural understanding, enhancing your English fluency in an enjoyable way.  Your Path to Fluency: As your ideal learning partner, Culips provides easy-to-understand lessons on daily English usage. Learn from native speakers and immerse in different cultures, making your English learning journey rewarding and effective.

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In this episode, Andrew is interviewed about his life in South Korea by Alastair Budge, host of the English for Curious Minds podcast. Andrew discusses his journey from Canada to Korea, his initial experiences teaching English in a small mountain city, and how he handled cultural differences and embraced the unpredictability of life abroad. As you listen to Andrew's interview, you'll gain insights into South Korean culture and the challenges and rewards of living in a foreign country.








This episode will help you improve your English in several ways:

Vocabulary building: Learn new words and expressions related to interviews, cultural experiences, and teaching abroad.

Listening comprehension: Practice understanding spoken English in a natural, conversational setting.

Cultural insight: Gain a deeper understanding of South Korean culture and the life of a foreigner who lives there.

Pronunciation and intonation: Improve your pronunciation by listening to Andrew's natural speech patterns.

Interactive learning: Discuss the episode with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for speaking practice.

 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Become a Culips member:
 	* Bonus episode 54: Click here.
 	* Listen to the full interview on Alastair’s Youtube channel:

Bonus episode #102 – Andrew gets interviewed

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna are trying out something new – they’re playing a conversation game! The goal of the game is to make deeper conversations, moving beyond small talk. The hosts go through a range of questions, from light-hearted to deep and thought-provoking, and then discuss each other’s responses. As they answer these questions, they share their personal experiences, memories, and take time to reflect on their lives. Make sure to give this episode a listen to find out more and improve your communication skills!

What You Will Learn:

 	* How to discuss hypothetical situations using conditional sentences.
 	* How to effectively participate in a conversation, ask follow-up questions, and express your opinions respectfully.
 	* How to make your speech more engaging by using descriptive adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language.









How This Episode Will Help You:

 	* Grow your vocabulary with vocabulary related to conversation, communication, and relationships.
 	* Build your listening skills by following a natural conversation between native English speakers.
 	* Learn idiomatic expressions like "think on your feet" and "Goldilocks."
 	* Gain a deeper understanding of British and Canadian cultures.
 	* Use the study guide and join the member community on Discord to practice asking and answering similar open-ended questions.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Chatterbox #320 – Connecting through conversation

In this episode, Andrew shares a story about going on a picnic with his wife to the Han River Park in Seoul, South Korea. He describes their preparation process, the convenient amenities available at the park, and the awesome time they shared together. As you listen to Andrew's story, you'll learn new vocabulary related to picnics, outdoor activities, and more. Plus, you’ll also improve your listening skills and ability to follow a long-form story in English.








This episode will help you improve your English in several ways:

Vocabulary: You'll learn new words and phrases about picnics, adventures, and outdoor experiences. This will help you discuss these topics more effectively in English.

Listening: By focusing on Andrew's story, you'll practice understanding spoken English and following the main points of a narrative.

Speaking: Andrew's picnic experience might inspire you to share your own stories about enjoying outdoor activities with friends and family. You can also practice your English by discussing this episode with other Culips listeners on our Discord server.

Pronunciation: Listening to Andrew's natural English will help you improve your own pronunciation and intonation, as you become more familiar with the rhythm and flow of the language.

 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Become a Culips member:

Bonus episode #101 – Perfect Picnic

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy will teach you two fun expressions to make your English even better: "spruce up" and "deck out." You will learn how English speakers use these expressions to talk about making something look or work better. For example, you might spruce up your clothes for spring or deck out a game room with cool new gadgets. Get ready to "spruce up" your English and "deck out" your vocabulary with this fun and informative episode!

What You Will Learn:

 	* The meaning of "spruce up" and "deck out"
 	* How to use these expressions in real life
 	* Where these expressions come from and why we use them
 	* Tips for using "spruce up" and "deck out" in your own English conversations









How This Episode Will Help You:

 	* Learn two new expressions to make your English more natural
 	* Become more fluent by using expressions English speakers use every day
 	* Discover how people in the U.S. and Canada "deck out" their houses with lots of lights and decorations for holidays like Halloween and Christmas
 	* Practice talking about these topics with our community on Discord
 	* Use the study guide to learn even more related expressions, test your knowledge with a quiz, and practice using the new vocabulary in various contexts

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Catch Word #276 – Spruce it up

Episode description:
In this episode, Andrew interviews Jesús Florez, a Culips listener originally from Colombia. Jesús talks about his journey of becoming a highly proficient English speaker with an American-like accent. He discusses his background story of meeting his wife online and moving from Colombia to the United States. He tells Andrew all about the intensive work he did to improve his pronunciation and the resources he used to achieve fluency, plus he shares some valuable tips with English learners! If you want to know how to become a fluent English speaker and perfect your pronunciation, this episode is for you!

What you'll learn in this episode:

 	* Effective strategies for mastering an American-like accent.
 	* The importance of input (listening) in working on pronunciation.
 	* Helpful tips for improving pronunciation in a foreign language.
 	* Benefits of learning from both native and non-native English teachers.
 	* The importance of the visual aspect of pronunciation.









How this episode will help improve your English:

 	* Expand your vocabulary related to language learning
 	* Improve listening skills by following a natural unscripted conversation.
 	* Learn useful expressions like "get [something] off the ground" and "take precedence".
 	* Improve speaking by discussing your own language learning journey using the study guide questions.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Simplified Speech #169 – Andrew and Kassy catch up

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