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.

I’m recording this podcast on a Sunday Morning. The house is quiet and I have some precious time to myself. 

In most Western countries, whether you’re religious or not, Sunday is known as a day of rest, but maybe things are a little different nowadays.

I grew up in England and I remember when shops were not allowed to open on a Sunday. The Sunday Trading Act of 1994 governs the right of shops in England and Wales to trade on a Sunday. Prior to 1994 buying and selling on Sunday had been illegal. I was 23 years old in 1994 and when the law changed I remember thinking, great I can buy stuff on Sunday! But I also remember other people weren’t so happy, and now I have to say I understand why, we need a day of rest!

As someone who grew up in England I always consider Sunday to be the last day of the week, after Saturday the second and final day of the Weekend. But that’s not the same in other parts of the world.

According to Wikipedia on their page entitled Sunday: The International Organization for Standardization’s recognizes Sunday as the seventh day of the week, while in the United States, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, and most of South America, Sunday is recognised as the first day of the week.

That’s why on Western digital calendars there is the option to set Monday or Sunday as the first day of the week. 

The name for Sunday (according to dictionary.com) stems from the [15 Century] Middle English Language word sunnenday, which itself comes from the [5th Century] Old English word sunnandæg, the translation from the Latin diēs sōlis day of the sun.

To conclude I’d like to suggest that Sunday is the perfect time to stop and reflect on where you are and where you want to go in life. One step at a time.

If you’re here because you want to improve your English, then I suggest first going for a walk (preferably in nature) to clear your head, and then set yourself a simple task for the week. Put pen to paper, write it down - if it’s only in your head it’s just an idea or a dream and it can float away - write it down now in your diary or in a notebook and make it real!We are habitual creatures, our habits create our lives. So, one great new habit could be to talk in English OUT LOUD by yourself for 5 minutes everyday about something you are doing, something like cooking, getting dressed, or your work. Start with the English you know and make notes about what you need to add. This is a great way to practise your English, because we learn by doing and this practice everyday will normalise the use of English for you. Remember mistakes are a normal part of the learning process, just start speaking!

Whatever you plan to do today, and whatever day it is for you today, I wish you positive, peaceful and relaxing Sundays!

You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it

Ciao for now!