Ramen is one of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisine. Sometimes, people will line up for hours to eat at the most popular ramen restaraunts.

In this podcast, students from Hannan University in Japan show us how to make a simple ramen dish at home.

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from the environment, world news, and sport.

In our first story, we hear about the fires raging in the Amazon. You can learn more about it here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/world/americas/brazil-military-amazon-fire.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

https://www.theage.com.au/world/south-america/what-s-happening-in-the-amazon-20190822-p52jvd.html

In world news, we learn that new submarine communications cables are being laid to connect small island nations to the rest of the world. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/sea-cable-boosts-ties-to-png-solomon-islands-amid-china-influence-20190828-p52lpt.html

https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/australia-to-support-fibre-optic-cable-lifeline-to-east-timor-20190829-p52m5u.html

And finally, in sport, we preview the first round of the finals in the AFL. Who will win? Hear our tips and read more here:

https://www.afl.com.au/ladder#/CD_S2019014/CD_R201901424

Worksheet Answers:

1. C 2. C 3. A

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from science, world news, and the environment.

In our first story, we hear that there may be life on the moon! You can learn more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/06/tardigrades-may-have-survived-spacecraft-crashing-on-moon

https://www.newsweek.com/tardigrade-living-moon-israel-spaceship-crash-1452728

In world news, we learn that a researcher from Australia has a new theory which explain why there are so many old people in the world’s so called ‘blue zones’. You can read more about it here:

https://www.vox.com/2019/8/8/20758813/secrets-ultra-elderly-supercentenarians-fraud-error

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/704080v1

And finally, in the environment, we hear about a low-tech, ancient solution to problem in dealing with water in areas with erratic rainfall. You can find about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/15/the-rain-in-spain-how-an-ancient-arabic-technique-saves-alicante-from-floods

Worksheet Answers:

1. A 2. D 3. C

Tapioka is made from the roots of the cassava plant, originally found in the north and west of Brazil. It is used as a food stuff in many places and has recently been the focus of boom in popularity in drinks in Japan. In this podcast, students from Hannan University in Japan show us how to make a delicious tapioca based drink.

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from science, world news, and sport.

In our first story, we learn the good news that the number of tigers in India seems to be on the rise. You can read more about it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/29/india-wild-tiger-population-rises-conservation

In science, we hear about researchers in Japan working on human-animal hybrids. This is an interesting story with a lot of things we all need to think about carefully. You can read more about it here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/human-animal-hybrid-japan-stem-cell-research-tokyo-genes-a9027131.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell#Research

And finally, in sport we check in on the AFL situation. Finals are just around the corner, so how are Essendon tracking? You can check out what’s happening here:

https://www.afl.com.au/video/2019-07-29/bombers-remarkable-fivegame-fightback-streak

https://www.essendonfc.com.au/

Worksheet Answers:

1. D 2. B 3. A

Sumo is probably the most famous and unique of all Japanese sports. In this podcast, students from Nara University of Education describe the history and some of the most interesting aspects of this iconic Japanese sport and cultural institution.

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from science, world news, and sport.

In our first story, we learn about how images were transmitted back to Earth from the Moon 50 years ago. You learn more about it here:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-18/the-dish-is-a-great-comedy-but-certainly-not-a-documentary/11318862

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-moon-australia/the-dish-still-beaming-signals-from-australia-50-years-after-moon-walk-idUSKCN1UD07L

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TAqXENo1rA&list=PLQDlp_GLSIUT1LUJq3eOrk6_DFNngThiz

In world news we hear about an unusual story of a man smuggling drugs in his wig. This is an enigmatic story. You can read more about it here:

https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/07/16/inenglish/1563277743_245169.html

https://inequality.org/facts/global-inequality/

And finally, in the environment we learn about a worrisome drop in orangutan numbers due to deforestation caused by the expanding palm oil industry. You can read more about it here

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-wildlife-orangutan/orangutan-numbers-drop-as-much-as-30-in-malaysian-palm-oil-estate-forests-wwf-idUSKCN1UC2BF

Worksheet Answers:

1. B 2. B 3. D

This is a podcast which picks up a few interesting things that have appeared in the news in recent weeks. In this episode we have stories from science, world news, and sport.

In our first story, we learn that cockroaches are getting stronger and can resist pesticides.

You can find out more about this here:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/03/cockroaches-could-soon-be-almost-impossible-to-kill-with-pesticides

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44296-y?_ga=2.267313803.46422805.1562118047-614017950.1562118047

In world news we hear about a nuclear-powered Russian submarine which has sunk in the Arctic. This is a concerning story. You can read more about this here:

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-russia-submersible-incident-nuclear/putin-after-three-days-says-fire-hit-russian-submarine-was-nuclear-powered-idUKKCN1TZ0I3

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/transport/nuclear-powered-ships.aspx

And finally, in sport, we check in on developments in the AFL. How are Essendon doing now that season is moving towards the end? You can find out by following these links:

https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2019-06-27/rd-15-highlights

https://www.afl.com.au/

Worksheet Answers:

1. D 2. A 3. C

Kasuga Grand Shrine is one of the most iconic sites in Nara, Japan. In this podcast, students from Nara University of Education describe the history and some of the unique aspects of this World Heritage listed shrine.

This podcast is for those who would like to improve their English for use in the business world.

In each episode there will be some listening practice with comprehension questions to help you improve your understanding of English in the workplace.