Las notas del episodio

Did Reza make and keep his New Year's resolution to learn something new?

Feedback, news and questions:

We are still waiting for a recipe for dulce de leche.

Thanks to Emilse (Argentina) and Daniel (Mexico) for their messages.

Gramática:  some and any

Craig brought Reza some salt from Chile (positive sentence)

He didn't bring him anything from Argentina (negative)

Have you got any souvenirs from Laos (question)

Can I have some food? (Use 'some' for requests)

Reza would like some fish

Would you like something to eat? (a more closed, specific offer)

Would you like anything to eat? (an open offer)

Craig likes some classical music (not all classical music)

Craig likes any jazz music (all jazz music)

Pick any card

Craig likes anything with chocolate

He likes some fruit desserts

Pronunciación: Nice to meet you - Pleased to meet you

What are you doing? = Watcha doin'?

"Whatcha!" (In London)

"'Boutcha!" (in Belfast)

Phrasal verb: get (a)round

Craig really gets around - he goes to many places

Craig's mum finds it hard to get around these days (moverse, desplazarse)

It has got around that the French president is said to be having an affair.

At Christmas dinner, families get around the table.

There's no getting around the fact. = you can't avoid it.

Sportsmen and women try to get around the rules.

I'll get that parcel round to you = to deliver

Reza never gets around to decorating his flat.

Vocabulary Corner: money

ganar = to earn/to win

win a competition, win a game, win at the casino, win the lottery

earn a salary, earn respect, earn money

borrow (from) = tener prestado / lend (to) = prestar

A bank lends money to you. You borrow money from the bank.

a loan = un prestamo  

Good luck getting a bank loan in Spain these days!

pay for - I'll pay for the drinks - It's my treat (te invito)

It's on me

I'll get it

It's my shout (British colloquial English)

It's my round

Reza's Top Tip: Presentations

Have good notes

Check your English (spelling and grammar) on slides and visuals

Practise in front of the mirror

Speak to a family member, pet dog or cat

Check body language as you present

practice, practice, practice!

Use (small) note cards, but don't read a full text.

Make eye contact

Smile a lot!

Contact Reza at [email protected] for help with translations and presentations.

Send us an email, or a sound file (mensaje de voz en mp3) with a comment or question to [email protected] or [email protected].

Puedes darnos estrellas y una crítica en iTunes.

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called See You Later - licensed by creative commons under a by-nc license at ccmixter.org.