Speak with Nick

If you’re learning English, then first listen to my advice in Italian on how to get the most from this podcast.

Back to school - Interview with Maya

So thanks Maya for agreeing to this interview. Um, what year are you going to be in this year when you go back to school?

In the fourth year.

Mm-hmm.

And, and, so now, how old are you?

I’m nine.

Nine years old, right.

And um, are you happy to go back to school? Do you think it’s a good thing?

Yeah, because I need to see my friends, I really need to see them.

You really need to see your friends, right. So you miss your friends.

And, err, listen, the school holidays here are quite long, in Italy they are, um, 3 months long. In England they are only a month and a half. What do you think is better? Would it be better to have shorter holidays?

I think shorter, I want them like England, because it’s better. Because then, you don’t know what to do. Then you finish your homework, and then you don’t know what to do.

Then maybe your friends are on holiday so you can’t, um, say, “come over so we can play”. So yea, I think it needs to be one… a month and a half.

OK. Well they’ll probably be difficult to organise because here in Italy it’s so hot in the south, isn’t it. 

Yeah.

It’s even hot here, no?, but, but you know, if schools maybe had air conditioning that would be good wouldn’t it. No? You could have shorter holidays. It would be easier for Mummy and Daddy.

And em, so, what’s your favourite memory from err, or some of your favourite memories from the Summer holidays this year? What have you done?

I liked Puglia.

Mm hmm. Puglia was good, yeah.

Yeah, and then Bibione

and scout camp.

Scout camp yeah. What? So, you did some camping as well?

Yes.

Fantastic. That’s brilliant.

On my own.

And. On your own. Well, with your scout friends.

Yeah.

Brilliant.

And em, tell me about the equipment you need at school. Have you got your bag, your books, your pens?

Yeah, I have everything. I got my books. I got my notebooks. I got my pens. I got my pencils, rubber, um, pen-sharpener (?) …  pencil sharpener.

Yeah pencil sharpener. What have… you’ve got, also a compass this year, right?

A compass, yeah..

And err, what, what do you use the compass for?

To make nice circles, for like things for Halloween, Easter, or Christmas things, yeah

And when you’re gonna make… 

Cause I have a teacher that likes to do, um, creative stuff. So, yeah.

That’s really good. That’s really interesting.

And err, so um, what are you not looking forward to about going back to school? What are you not looking forward to?

Um, like, not waiting 15 minutes outside because my teacher is late 

Is that in the morning?

Yeah, in the morning.

Oh right. So sometimes that happens, they’re late?

At 8 o'clock.

Oh dear. Oh dear.

But at least you… it gives you more time to chat with your friends, doesn’t it.

Yeah but, still … it…  and then, last year, it was very cold.

Yeah?

So, we like this, like … 

So you were freezing outside.

freezing outside like oh my god, when she’s coming?

And err, yeah, I was very very…

Okay, but it’s nice and warm in school is it, once you get in?

Yeah. It’s nice and warm because they have nice um …um… those …

What are they called? They’re called radiators, aren’t they… 

Radiators

.. in English. They have some nice warm radiators.

Radiators

Okay, very good Maya. Well, thanks very much for this interview.

Okay

Bye bye.

Bye.

Language Focus

“Thanks for agreeing…” Thanks for viene sempre seguito da un verbo+ing. Un altro esempio è ‘Thanks for listening!’

“To go back to school" To go back vuole dire ritornare nello stesso posto.

“Come over” Vieni da me.

“they’ll [will] probably be difficult to organise” In questa frase sarebbe stato meglio usare il condizionale ‘would’ per un caso ipotetico e non il futuro ‘will’.

“When she’s [is] coming?” Piccolo errore di grammatica di Maya: con il verbo essere per formulare la domanda il verbo viene prima del soggetto: ’when is she coming? 

Well done for reading!

www.speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

Why I go tent camping!

Camping is something I first experienced as a young boy scout in England. Those first times under canvas with my friends were exciting and fun, but they weren’t without some hardships, like hiking for miles and miles under the rain, then sleeping in a cold, wet draughty tent feeling hungry, more like military training than boy scouts. I’m sure it was good for our character, but I’m glad to say my camping trips aren’t that extreme anymore, however it always still feels like an adventure.

Thanks to those experiences, both good and bad, being outdoors in nature and camping under the stars are in my veins. Since the birth of our daughter we have invested in some good camping gear to make the most of summer camping holidays here in Italy and nearby Croatia.

Modern society tells us that we should live in a secure house and be on guard for intruders, yet our ancient ancestors moved around the countryside in small sociable groups. Camping is a social activity. You need to work together to pitch the tent and set up camp, to prepare the meals and wash the dishes for example. When we go on our camping trips, sure, we choose a good campsite with quality facilities, but you can still find that same ancient human communal spirit, especially between those who are braving the elements in a tent. So, you meet some great fellow campers, who are always ready to chat and help you out if you need anything.

The joy of camping for me is putting together a temporary home in the outdoors, but it’s also about getting back to basics away from the stresses of modern life, unplugging from technology and reconnecting with the great outdoors, cooking and eating in the fresh air, stargazing and waking up with the sounds of nature. All these things have enormous benefits for your mental and emotional wellbeing, lifting your mood and helping you to sleep more deeply. 

I want to give you some tips for happy camping! Today, you don’t have to be a super tough adventurer to survive camping in a tent, but I do suggest that you invest in a quality waterproof tent so that you stay dry if and when the rain pours. Also, invest in quality mattresses and bedding, because if you’re not comfortable and warm when you sleep you will not enjoy the experience. Then choose a quality campsite where you have the comforts you need around you, like good clean wash rooms and a supermarket. Other essential pieces of equipment are a rechargeable torch, a camping stove to cook simple meals (when you don’t decide to go to the restaurant), a cooler or portable fridge and comfy camping chairs for relaxing. I also suggest a small tool kit, a first aid kit and a power bank for your phone just in case. And before you go it’s best to make a checklist so you don’t forget anything.

The last thing is to simply embrace mother nature and a spirit of adventure. If you’re prepared, as the scouts say, a relaxing and rejuvenating experience awaits you. So go and create some special memories with your friends and loved ones in the great outdoors.

Happy camping!

A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it

Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

In my house when we were kids and we started to get a rumble in our tummies as hunger kicked in, we would say to Mum “What’s for dinner?”, or “What are we having for lunch?”, or “Can I have a biscuit?”

A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description. You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

Experience is the best teacher

My 9 year old daughter has just left on a week’s camping trip with her scout group. It’s the first time she has gone away from home for a week without us. And it’s made me think about the importance of experience.

I’m pleased to say that when we left her she was full of enthusiasm and in good spirits, thanks to the good friends and great leaders. A few days before leaving, she did voice some concerns but we were able to reassure her. Obviously she is bound to face some moments of difficulty at camp, but as we say ‘it’s all good’.

Life, like anything, can’t be taught, it has to be lived, experienced. Albert Einstein said “The only source of knowledge is experience”, whether that means our personal experience or other people’s, it’s true. We learn by doing.

Experience is our way of making sense of the world around us and there is no substitute for it. At an early age we are told that fire will burn us, or a knife can cut us, but until we have experienced it, hopefully not too seriously, the information doesn’t really sink in.

It’s no surprise then that learning by doing is the most effective and simple way to learn a new language. It’s how you learnt your first language! Ask anyone who has become proficient in English how they did it, and they will always say something along the lines of, ‘I stopped studying and I started using the language’: work, travel, relationships, life experiences. So if you really want English as your second language then you need to live it. That’s why I’m an English coach not a teacher and I always offer and encourage real English moments for my students.

If you physically do the things you need and want to do in your life, you will easily memorise the associated words and phrases because they are directly connected with your actions and emotions. Later you will be able to reflect on your experiences and mentally retrace the steps in the new language. Just like the time you found the courage to speak English on holiday to order a drink or chat with someone. It was a real experience.

With experiences come mistakes. Now, some mistakes can be life threatening involving fire or knives, but speaking English has no such dangers. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you can’t remember the word or you simply don’t understand. At school we learn that mistakes are bad and to be avoided, but mistakes should be celebrated with positivity, because if you’re not making any errors it means you’re not learning.

So, just like the young scout who courageously heads off on camp for the first time, I invite you to jump into English learning. Trust your instincts. Know that you can. Get active and live your life with the language, accept and embrace your mistakes, and learn through meaningful experiences.

Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

Why we want to look good

We spend so much of our time in the bathroom, cleaning and shaving, cutting our nails, doing our hair and applying creams and makeup. People can spend even more time carefully choosing what to wear. Never ending titivating, trying to make ourselves at least presentable and at best drop dead gorgeous. So why do we do it

There are of course many reasons. First, a quick look at the animal kingdom reveals one of the biggest: the importance of being an attractive mate. It seems that the biggest, most impressive and colourful tail feathers usually win the game. Another reason is simply to feel good about ourselves. And the processes of male grooming and female beauty treatments can be fun and therapeutic, and also social. Sometimes, it’s to set a good example to our children, or to please our partner. How we appear to others is also connected to our identity and individuality. Even those who say they have turned their back on being smart and presentable have made a choice. It’s also possible to become trapped in social conventions, where you feel like you must wear a certain uniform to fit in.

They say ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’. This is especially true in fast paced business situations where you have little time to stand out from the crowd. The very first information we receive when meeting a new person is visual and we subconsciously arrive at conclusions long before any words are spoken. This instinct comes from our ancient past, from a time before language as we know it today. Within seconds of meeting someone we are deciding if they are friend or foe, or a potential mate.

It’s a good idea to be aware of what you look like and what it communicates to other people. For example, making an effort to look good suggests that you’re not lazy and that you pay attention to detail. Good personal hygiene is not only pleasant for other people it reflects self discipline and personal awareness. These things give the idea that you're a motivated ‘go - getter’ who knows success. But, also be aware that just wearing an expensive business suit can label you as a ‘power dresser’, which is when a person attempts to win work and influence people by how they dress.

Anyone who’s been around the block a few times knows that ‘you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’, and yet we continue to fall for superficial beauty. Just think about how many people in the world today across the internet are admired and praised simply because of their good looks. Only experience teaches us to be cautious and not always trust your eyes, there are many ‘sharks in Armani suits’, as the saying goes.

For whatever reason you want to look good there’s no doubt that feeling good about your appearance boosts your confidence. It gives you higher self esteem, especially if you receive compliments. You feel, act and speak more positively and this undoubtedly improves your life. You stop worrying about other people’s opinions and start being proactive.

Some people believe in ‘love at first sight’, but that has to be superficial, just a visual attraction. True and lasting love must take into account behaviour and personality, not just looks. In this world of the deep fake and the super famous I believe it’s important to remember that how you act, your morals and staying true to your word are among the most important qualities, even if they may go unnoticed by the crowd.

A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description. You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it

Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

Emigrating - Is the grass greener?

Many people around the world are forced to emigrate for unpleasant reasons like war or famine. I’m fortunate, I emigrated for love, curiosity and adventure. About twenty years ago my wife and I packed up our life in the UK and moved to Italy. Our move came mainly from my desire to get to know my wife's home country and to experience living ‘la vita bella’!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. This podcast is an extract from my free email entitled “The Importance of REAL English Practice”, July 2023. A full transcript can be found in the description.

Nick here from Speak with Nick. I hope you're well and practising your English! 

I want to share something really important with you, which will save you a lot of time with your English learning!

You know, you can't learn anything in life unless you actually do it! How did you learn to ride a bicycle, for example? You had to practise lots of new things, find your balance and confidence, and you probably fell off a few times! There was no rule book.

Richard Branson said:  “You don't learn to walk by following rules.You learn by doing, and by falling over."

So, you have to put yourself through the motions with positivity and curiosity, and yes you'll make many mistakes along the way.

But the simple fact is, you can become good at anything in life if you do the right practise. So what is the right practice for English?

Language is physical and practical, just like driving a car or riding a bicycle. If you want to understand and speak English you've got to make new physical movements with your mouth everyday, to reproduce the sounds and rhythms you hear. You must listen everyday to real speaking, on YouTube for example, to get used to the new phrases and words you want to understand. Just like you did when you learnt your first language when you were a child.

We need language to communicate with the world around us, to do the things we want to do in our lives. Things like ordering a coffee, asking for directions, talking to our future partner, or negotiating a business deal. But if it has no real use, or has little meaning to you, it will be very hard to remember the new words and structures.

This is why, 'grammar textbook English' that is constructed to demonstrate grammar rules in books, is a waste of your time. It has no real meaning to you and so it's quickly forgotten. Grammar is important, but the only time you should look at grammar is when you need to apply it to a real life situation to communicate a message with the right meaning.

So the right way to practise speaking is ... out loud while you are doing real things in your life, like cooking or walking your dog for example. You can do this by yourself or with family and friends. The magic combination of personal meaning and physical action will make it so much easier for you to remember the language. It will create strong connections in your brain. And it will normalise the process of using English.

To put it very simply, we learn by having experiences doing real meaningful stuff!

The importance of having real experiences with English is why I offer monthly online LIVE Events. If you want to find out more about my next LIVE event visit my website:

https://www.speakwithnick.it/index.php/eventi/ 

And then come and have a real experience with me!

That in a nutshell is why real practice is so important.

Do you have any questions for me? I’d be so happy to hear from you, simply reply to this email.

Speak to you soon, ciao for now!

Nick.

This podcast is an extract from my free email entitled “The Importance of REAL practice”, July 2023” To learn more about me visit my website speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

The Magic of Music. The very first sounds we hear from the womb, when we are only about 20 weeks old, are the sounds of our mother’s body and the constant beat of her heart, the rhythm of life. At around 25 weeks we can hear the reverberation of our mother’s voice and other noises coming from the outside world. Even before we are born we are listening to the symphony of life.

In all corners of the world, who hasn’t experienced the magic release of dopamine (one of the feel good chemicals in our brain) as we lose ourselves in music. Pleasing melodies, changes in musical direction, rhythms and lyrics all speak to us on an emotional level, consoling us in times of difficulty, energising us, or stimulating our creativity and imagination. 

Music can give us ‘goosebumps’, also known as ‘chills’ or ‘frisson’. Those shivers down your spine as your body and mind are thrown into an ecstatic state of joy. The health benefits of listening to your favourite music are countless: from high tempo beats for physical exercise, to slow soft meandering tones for relaxation. And how many of you also use songs to learn English?

I’ve been helping Italians with their English for more than 15 years and when I meet new students there are nearly always two important things missing: 1. a lack of real listening and 2. a lack of real practice out loud. Fortunately, English learners have a huge archive of pop songs from the past and present to help them to improve.

As an English language coach one of my mottoes is ‘stop studying and start practising’, but singing is even more fun and there are many great benefits to the karaoke method. The lyrics in pop songs, from The Beatles to Harry Styles are colloquial, which means when you listen and sing along you are using genuine spoken English, full of contractions and common idiomatic phrases. And those repetitive melodies that won’t leave your head keep you practising long after you’ve stopped listening. To take this learning method to the max, make sure that you sing out loud and pay close attention to forming the exact same vocal sounds. The last step is to take your favourite phrases from the song and adapt and use them in your own life.

For 20 years I’ve been hosting and producing a radio programme called “The English Lesson” which you can listen to on radiobelluno.it. I simply play a popular song from the past or present and translate it into Italian. It works for both people who are simply curious about the meaning of the song and for those who are learning English.

So whether you’re an Elvis impersonator under the shower, a Beyonce Knowles in the bath or a Rolling Stone in your car, tune in, pump up the volume and sing along with your favourite artists. And remember, incorporate your favourite phrases into your daily speaking practice! Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

For dog lovers

Are you a dog owner, do you have a four legged friend? When I was a kid we had a miniature smooth-haired dachshund called Sam. I remember coming home from school knowing that our new family member was going to be waiting for us. I remember my Mum telling me that it was a ‘big responsibility having a dog, like having a baby that never grows up’, but it was lots of fun too.

The joy of having a cute puppy, for me and my sister especially, was immense and exciting. New routines and responsibilities, those first difficult nights when he was crying, the initial excitement of taking him for a walk - ‘walkies!’, and house training to stop the puddles and smelly piles on the carpet.

For a small dog Sam was big on personality and very head strong, and unfortunately was never taken to obedience classes. So while he was adorable, he also stole food, wanted to attack any other dogs (even though he was only 20cm high), would escape from the house and run away, and couldn’t be let off the lead. Today the internet and TV are full of dog trainers with top tips to keep your pooch in line, but dog training just wasn’t very common back then. The dog is a pack animal and as such is happy when he has a top dog to obey. My Mum was the only one who had some control over Sam, just because she was the food provider. The famous phrase is ‘don’t bite the hand that feeds you’. In the 1980’s an Irish dog trainer called Barbara Woodhouse became very famous with her TV programme ‘The Woodhouse Way’. She firmly believed ‘there are no bad dogs, just bad owners’. The best thing about the show was watching her discipline the owners with her high pitched strict school teacher voice, you could almost see the dogs laughing and thinking, ‘I told you it was you!’

Now, many years later, my family and I have our own dog and although I’m not a severe school teacher type, I like to think I make a pretty good alpha male. If you follow me on Instagram or Youtube then you’ve probably already seen Gypsy, our salt and pepper miniature schnauzer. With the help of some treats I have put in some time to teach her some simple commands. One essential command is a raised hand and a call so she comes back to me when she’s off the lead. This usually works unless she’s taken by the scent of a deer or another dog, in which case I admit it’s not always effective.

Some people prefer cats to dogs and I don’t mind cats, but I am 100% a dog lover. I find cats are often aloof and unconcerned by your presence, but a dog will attentively love you till the end no matter what. All pets are a great source of love and companionship for many people, who would otherwise be lonely. They also keep us fit. I love my morning walk with Gypsy. She’s such great company and always ready to listen with zero judgement. She constantly reminds me to live in the moment.

If you have children, some space and time, then adding a dog to your family is a great decision. They teach such great lessons like, responsibility, caring and kindness, respect, patience and the power of unconditional love. And, due to their shorter lifespan, one of the biggest life lessons of all. One day when you finally have to say goodbye to your faithful friend you will likely realise that they loved you so much more than you ever did or ever could.

Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.

English Summer Holiday Memories

Here in Italy the schools have closed for Summer and it’s holiday time again. If you are lucky enough to be able to take time off now to avoid the august crowds, then maybe you’re already on holiday, listening to this podcast on a beach, in the mountains or in a bustling city. 

But what memories do you have of your summer holidays as a child? I don’t have many photographs of when I went on my family holidays in the 70’s and 80’s in England. We only had real film cameras back then and we didn’t take many photos compared to today, of course, that doesn't mean I don’t have some special memories.

I used to live in the Midlands in the UK and a common destination for us was Wales. One of my earliest memories was camping with my mum and dad and sister at Lake Bala. I remember standing in the middle of a blue tent as heavy rain pounded on the canvas and wind whipped the sides, watching little rivers of water flow all around us and wondering if the tent was going to protect us from the elements.

I do also have some sunny, although faded childhood memories of being at the seaside town of Tenby in South Wales in the mid 1970’s. Sandy beaches, buckets and spades, walks along the coast, old fishing villages, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, fish and chips, ice cream, and, ‘fingers crossed, hope you’re lucky with the weather!’

And after the holiday when you were back home chatting with friends and neighbours the number one question was always, ‘how was the weather?’. Now I live in Italy and I find it interesting that the number one question after a holiday for Italians is ‘Come era il cibo? / how was the food?', a telling sign of different climates and different cultures.

The English dream of good holiday weather, warm sun and blue seas. By the end of the 1970’s, with more flights available and package holiday deals, for the first time in history the Brits were spending more on holidays abroad than at home. And showing off your tan to your neighbours once you got back to cold rainy England, was considered proof that the weather was amazing.

The British cultural change to holidaying abroad is represented in a classic British TV comedy series, which aired between 1975 and 1979, called Fawlty Towers. It starred the Monty Python legend John Cleese as a grumpy owner of an outdated seaside guest house. It made hilarious fun of the traditional British seaside holiday and further encouraged us to get on a plane and jet off to new glamorous foreign destinations. If you listen to my podcast to improve your English I fully recommend the series Fawlty Towers.

And so, what memories will you take home with you after this Summer? What memories do you see your children making? I wish all of you happy summer holidays!

A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description. You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it

Ciao for now!