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Hi everyone. Welcome back to Podcast and Chill. How are you doing today? I'm Gwen.

And I'm Leo. It's so good to have you here again. It always feels special to sit down and talk with you.

Thanks, Leo. And today we have a fun and useful topic. We're going to learn how to talk about weekends in English, especially weekends for single people.

Ah, single life. You can sleep late, eat whatever you want, and enjoy your time.

Yes, we'll share our own weekend soon. But before that, remember to subscribe to our channel so you can learn more English with us.

Your support keeps us going and gives us energy to make more videos.

Now, let's get ready. Find a comfortable place. Take a deep breath and relax.

Take one more deep breath. And don't worry if your English is not perfect. Mistakes are normal.

We are always here to help you and practice together.

Exactly. Every mistake helps you learn something new. Try to speak out loud with us, even if it's just a few simple words.

All right, now let's begin our journey into weekend stories and have some fun while learning English together.

Hey Gwen, after a busy week of work and school, you are happy to wait for the weekend, right?

Yes, of course. The weekend feels like a small holiday. I always wait for it.

Me too. From Monday to Friday, life feels busy and a little stressful. But when I think about Saturday and Sunday, I feel happy.

Exactly. The weekend gives us time to rest, to breathe, and to enjoy life a little more.

And it's not only about rest. The weekend also means freedom. You don't need to follow a busy plan.

Yes, that's true. On weekdays, we have school, work, and meetings. But on weekends, we can choose what we want to do or even do nothing at all.

I think that's why many people wait for Friday.

Yeah. On Friday evening, many people feel happy because tomorrow is Saturday.

And when the weekend comes, even simple things can make me feel better,

like drinking tea slowly, reading a few pages of a book, or just waking up late.

So when we talk about weekends in English, it's not only about what we do, it's also about the feeling, waiting for it, resting, and being free.

That's right. And that is why weekend is such a good topic for English practice. Everyone has something to say about them.

Okay, let's share what we did last weekend. And remember, we will use the past simple tense. So, Gwen, what did you do?

My weekend was pretty quiet. On Saturday morning, I went to a cafe near my house and read a book. It felt so relaxing.

That sounds good. Did you have coffee there alone or with friends?

Just by myself. I sat by the window, listened to music, and enjoyed the moment.

Great. Did you stay out the whole day?

No, not really. Sometimes I had lunch with my parents. We ate together at a small restaurant. It felt nice to spend time with them after a busy week. In the afternoon, I watched a series on Netflix at home. And in the evening, I called my best friend. We talked about work, family, and even made some travel plans for next month.

Oh, so your weekend was calm with some time for yourself and also some time for your family.

Yes, that's right. What about you, Leo?

Well, my weekend was more active. On Saturday, I went hiking with my friends. The weather was sunny and the air was fresh. It was fun, but my legs were so hurt after that.

You always need some movement, right?

Yeah, that's me. I like being outside. And in the evening, I went on a dinner date at a restaurant.

Wow, sounds nice. Did you enjoy the food?

Yes, it was delicious. I ate pasta and salad. On Sunday morning, I went to church with my family. Later that day, I played online games with my friends.

So, my weekend was more relaxing and yours was more social and active, but we both spent time with family. That is lovely.

Exactly. Weekends can be very different for everyone and that's totally fine.

A weekend is a special time to rest after a busy week of study and work. There are so many activities we can do. Reading, cooking, meeting friends, or even traveling.

Yes. And sometimes doing nothing is also nice. You can just say, "I stayed at home and relaxed."

That's true. I slept a lot and watched TV. Both are also good weekend activities.

What about you, our friends? What did you do last weekend? Did you do something fun or something relaxing?

Yeah. Did you spend time with your family or meet your friends? We want to know about your weekend, too.

Please share your weekend in the comments. It's a great way to practice your English.

Don't be shy. Even one simple sentence is good practice. You can write, "I watched a movie" or "I visited my parents."

And if you're not sure how to talk about your weekend in English, don't worry. We will share some useful words and phrases with you in the next part.

So stay with us and keep practicing little by little.

Yes, even five minutes of practice every day can make a big difference.

Okay, maybe you're thinking, "My weekend is not like yours. What can I say then?" No problem. We have many common activities and useful phrases for you. Everyone's weekend is different, but we can still talk about them easily in English.

That's right. Think about the things you usually do on weekends. Now, we will show you lots of useful words and examples. First, let's talk about me time. Me time means the time you give to yourself.

Only you. No work, no school, no meetings, no stress. Just quiet time for your body and your mind.

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All right, son. I'm here. You told me you wanted to talk to me.

Yes, Dad. I'm sorry to bother you. I know you have to go to work.

What are you talking about? You are my son. I will always have time for you. Now tell me, what do you want to talk about with me? I'm sure it's important.

Well, nothing serious. In fact, I feel a little ashamed. I don't know whether to tell you.

Oh, come on. Whatever it is, I want to hear it. Okay, just tell me.

Well, um, thank you. Um, there is someone in the school.

It is a girl, right? That's what you want to tell me. You want to tell me that you have a girlfriend?

No. I mean, no yet. There is a girl I like a lot, but she's not my girlfriend. She's my friend. Her name is Anna. She's so beautiful. I like her a lot.

Oh, I see. Then what is the problem? Tell her that you like her. I know you're not a child anymore. You're a teenager. It is normal you like girls. If you're asking for my permission, you have my complete trust. Just bring her home when she's your girlfriend. I am sure your mother would like to know her. And of course, me too. My son.

That is the problem. That I like her a lot and I want her to be my girlfriend, but I don't know. I don't know how to tell her that I like her. It's the first time I will do something like that. I don't know if she feels as I do. Maybe she doesn't like me. What can I do?

Advice from DadAll right, I understand. Don't worry. I will help you, my son. Telling a girl you like her sounds simple, but actually doing it can be nerve-wracking. I will tell you a few ways you can express your emotions.

Drop some hints: Give her a few compliments. Yeah, give her a few compliments about her outfit or her nice laugh. It really works.

Tell her about a pretty flower you saw that made you think of her at the park today.

If you give enough hints as to how you're feeling, she'll be better prepared for when you tell her you like her.

You can try saying some things like, "I saw a gorgeous rose on my walk earlier today. It made me think of you." Or, "You have the best smile I ever seen." Try to pay attention to how she reacts to these compliments.

Do you really think that can work? How will I know she likes what I'm saying?

Well, if she smiles and laughs, it's a good sign. Now, you can also set a deadline for yourself. It will give you the motivation you need. If you've been thinking about this girl for a while, try setting a deadline for when you're going to tell her that you like her. It doesn't have to be immediately, but it should be within the next few weeks at least. It is not good idea to let too much time pass.

Pump yourself up first. Remind yourself of how awesome you are for a confidence boost. You could write a list or just say things out loud to yourself. You don't have to get cocky, but try saying things like, "This is going to go well. Even if she doesn't like me back, I'll feel better after I've said it."

Oh, this is very important. Please tell her in person if possible. Don't just text her. Try to approach her when she's alone and not busy. You told me you are friends and that's good. You can suggest hanging out one-on-one. You don't have to be completely isolated, but try not to confess your feelings around a group of friends. It is not a good idea. Try going for a walk in the park or meeting up in the food court at the mall. You could say something like, "Hey, do you want to hang out after school today?" Don't say, "I need to talk to you." She might think you have something bad to say. It happened to me.

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Hello everyone. Welcome back to another exciting episode of our podcast.

Hi friends, I'm your host Jessica. Now Robinson, let me ask you something. Have you ever spent years learning English, mastered the grammar, and can read a whole book, but then the moment someone greets you with hello, your mind just goes completely blank?

Oh, absolutely. That used to happen to me all the time when I was learning English. But why do you bring this up?

Well, today we're going to break down the real reasons you're struggling with speaking and exactly what you can do to fix them.

But how, Jessica? Could you please tell us?

First off, let's dive into the core reasons why so many people struggle with speaking English. The first big hurdle is what I like to call the fear and mindset block.

That sounds interesting. Can you elaborate on that?

Absolutely. One major component of this block is the perfectionism trap. Many learners have this overwhelming desire to speak perfectly right from the start. They fear making mistakes or sounding silly, and that's completely understandable.

I get that. I used to feel like I had to eliminate every single mistake before I could even try to speak.

Exactly. But here's the thing. That kind of fear can paralyze you. The truth is, effective communication is way more important than speaking flawlessly. Even native speakers make mistakes all the time.

So, it's okay to mess up.

Absolutely. Making mistakes is part of the learning process. It helps you improve and become a more confident speaker. Now, the second aspect of this mindset block is what I call the FBI interrogation feeling.

That sounds intense. What do you mean by that?

Well, many learners feel like the entire conversation depends on them and they're being judged continuously. This pressure can lead to anxiety that makes it hard to engage in a natural chat. It's crucial to shift your goal from trying to impress others to simply connecting with them.

That's a great point. Instead of worrying about what others think, we should focus on just enjoying the conversation.

Exactly. Now, let's move on to the second part, the practice gap. Many learners spend years absorbing English through reading or listening, but spend very little time actually producing it, like speaking or writing.

That's a great analogy. It's like reading a manual on how to drive, but never actually getting behind the wheel.

Yes, precisely. Speaking is a physical skill, much like driving. You can only get better by practicing. Another thing to consider is the difference between passive and active learning. Watching Netflix with subtitles is passive, but summarizing what you just watched out loud, that's active learning.

I see. Engaging actively helps reinforce the concepts we've learned.

Exactly. And which brings us to the final issue, the knowledge application problem. Many people understand grammar rules and vocabulary, but when it comes time to apply that knowledge in conversation, they freeze up.

That's so true. I sometimes know what I want to say in my head but can't get the words out when speaking.

Right? It's essential to practice applying what you know in real life situations. So don't be afraid to speak, make mistakes, and actively engage with the language.

I love that. Those are some practical tips. I think it's all about changing our approach and mindset.

So those are some practical tips, but let's talk about another big hurdle: unrealistic expectations and environment.

Right. It can be so discouraging when learners compare themselves to bilingual or native speakers.

Exactly. That can really demotivate you. Instead of measuring yourself against someone who's been fluent for years, it's more beneficial to compare yourself to your past self. Look at how far you've come.

That's a great perspective. And it's also tough when there's a lack of a safe environment to practice. Sometimes we don't have anyone we feel comfortable speaking with.

Totally. Having a supportive environment is crucial. You don't want to feel judged when you're trying to get better.

So, what can we do to overcome these hurdles?

Great question. First, it's important to conquer your mindset. One actionable tip is to embrace strategic incompetence. Give yourself permission to be bad at speaking for a while. Your primary goal should be to communicate, not to be perfect.

That makes sense. If you allow yourself to make mistakes, it takes off a lot of pressure.

Exactly. Another helpful tip is to reframe your goals. Instead of setting out to have a perfect 30-minute conversation, aim for smaller achievable goals like successfully ordering a coffee and saying, "Have a nice day."

I love that. It's much more manageable.

Absolutely. Now, let's bridge the input-output gap. One helpful strategy is self-talk. As you go about your day, describe your actions in English. Say things like, "I am walking to the kitchen." Or, "I need to buy milk." It may sound a bit silly, but it's a great way to practice without pressure.

I can see how that helps. It keeps the language fresh in your mind.

Exactly. Also, consider shadowing. This involves listening to audio clips like podcasts or YouTube videos and then repeating after them to practice rhythm and intonation.

That's a smart way to improve fluency.

It really is. And that practice helps build what we call muscle memory for your mouth and brain. But there's another critical area we haven't touched on yet: cognitive load.

Cognitive load. That sounds a bit scientific. What does that mean for an English learner?

It's the mental effort required to speak. Think about it. You're trying to remember vocabulary, apply grammar rules, manage your pronunciation, and follow the conversation all at the same time. Your brain's RAM gets maxed out, and it just freezes.

Oh, that explains so much. It's not that we don't know the words, it's that our brain is doing too many tasks at once.

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Hey, hey. Welcome back to Pod and Chill. I'm Leo.

And I'm Gwen. It feels really nice to be here with you today. Today we want to talk about something that almost every English learner feels.

Yes, that moment when you know the answer in English, but you don't say it.

Like when you are at a restaurant in another country and you want to order, but you are afraid your pronunciation will sound strange.

Or my favorite at the airport. Someone asks you a very simple question and suddenly you cannot say anything in English.

We understand it. We really do. You are not the only one with this problem.

Yeah. Many learners told us the same story. And to be honest, I also felt this when I was learning French.

Oh, tell them more about it.

Well, I studied French for many years. But when I first traveled to Paris, I was too nervous to open my mouth. So, I just stayed quiet.

See feeling nervous is normal. Even for us who speaks English as our first languages we all have to start somewhere. Nobody is perfect at the beginning. So don't feel bad if it happens to you too.

Right. Today we're going to talk about how to stop overthinking and how to talk in English without thinking too much.

We'll share stories, examples, and also small challenges you can try today.

So, let's chill and start.

Speaking is often the hardest part. Many learners understand words on paper, but when they try to talk, they feel shy.

So, let's start with the first big problem for English learners. This is what we call overthinking, right?

Yes. One big reason is overthinking. When your brain thinks too much before you speak, some English learners think every word is like a big challenge.

Yeah, speaking feels hard sometimes.

They are scared that if they say it wrong, it will break in front of everyone. But the truth is, most people don't even notice small mistakes

And this makes them wait too long. Instead of just speaking, they repeat the word in their head again and again.

Yep. It's like standing by a swimming pool. You know the water is safe, but if you wait too long, swimming feels more scary.

When I was a kid, I stood next to the swimming pool for a whole hour because I was too scared to swim. Then my friend held my hand and swam with me. It was not scary at all. And it even felt fresh and fun.

It's the same with speaking English. If you stop holding that fear, speaking English will feel fresh and fun. And I promise you will want to speak English more and more.

Yeah, I've seen that a lot. Like, I remember one student in your class. You said his name was Ahmed.

Oh, yes. He is a shy man, right? Ahmed knew the answer. But when the teacher asked, he just stayed quiet. He said it felt like everyone was looking at him.

Wow, I can totally imagine that. That can make you very nervous.

Every time you see someone smiling at you, you think they're laughing at you.

Yes. Sometimes being afraid of people laughing is worse than actually saying the wrong word.

Exactly. And the real problem isn't the mistake. It's that thought in your head. What if they think I'm not smart?

Oh, this reminds me of Maria. She was in my French class. She was really good at writing. On every test, Maria always got high scores. But when she had to speak in front of people, she didn't know what to say.

Oh, so she was very shy and afraid her French didn't sound good.

Yeah. That fear made her quiet for a long time. And because she didn't speak, it took her much longer to use French well

Grammar and words were already strong, but all that knowledge stayed on paper, not in her mouth.

Yep. And the good thing is when she finally lost some of that fear, her French became much better. That shows the power of speaking, not only studying.

That's amazing. Well, when fear of grammar, pronunciation, and people's opinions come together, it makes us stay quiet.

Yes. And new English learners often keep the words inside. Even when they know the answer, they don't take the chance to speak.

And after a while, staying silent makes it even harder. You stop believing in yourself. learners start thinking maybe I'm not good at English.

But that's not true. You can improve, but only if you speak and accept mistakes. How do you feel when you make a mistake in your own language? It's not too bad, right?

Exactly. Mistakes aren't the problem. The real problem is staying silent.

Yes. If we say speak, we cannot stay silent. Here's something really important to remember when learning English, my dear friends.

But hey, just relax and enjoy what we share. Maybe with a glass of water and some fresh fruit next to you. Don't push yourself to remember everything right now. We will make it easy for your mind.

That's true. Thanks for reminding, Gwen. I got so excited that I forgot this point. Now, let's just chill and listen to what we share next. Nobody can learn a language without mistakes.

True. Even native speakers make mistakes. They stop, say words again, or say um, uh and nobody cares.

Exactly. Look at children learning to talk. They don't learn grammar first. They try words, make mistakes, and then learn.

That's right. Mistakes are not bad. Mistakes help you move forward. The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to make people understand you.

Yes. The more you talk and make small mistakes, the more you learn. Your brain remembers what is correct and what is not.

So don't be afraid of mistakes. Every mistake is helping you improve.

But the thing is when we learn a new language, many people want to be perfect. It's hard to stop this feeling of I want to be perfect from the start. Because in the beginning, we feel very excited and full of energy.

Yes. Like when we buy new books, new pens or open a new app to study. We tell ourselves this time I will do it right. No mistakes.

Exactly. It feels like the first day of school. Everything is fresh and we don't want to make it dirty.

But language learning is not like a clean notebook. Mistakes are normal and they even help us.

True. However, this wish to be perfect can create many problems. Problems that make learners nervous, quiet, or slow.

These things often feel like traps. We fall into them without even knowing. So, let's talk about the first trap. Translating in your head.

Here we go. Many learners try to change every word from their own language into English.

Right.For example, in some languages, people say ticket go. If you translate that directly, the English sounds strange. In English, we say roundtrip ticket.

Yes. And if you do this word by word, your brain becomes very slow.

Exactly. Imagine this. You are at the airport. The staff asks you, "How can I help you?" Your brain starts working like a machine. First you hear the English, then you translate it into your own language, then you think of the answer in your language, then you try to change it back into English.

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Hello. Excuse me. Who are you? Why are you in my house?

Oh, hello. I'm really sorry. My name is Linda. Nice to meet you.

Hello, Linda. Now, I know your name, but you haven't told me why you are here.

Oh, right. I am Linda. Agata's cousin. Don't you remember me?

Agata's cousin. Linda? Oh, right. Agata had a cousin called Linda. But we haven't met before. I don't remember. We have met before. Um, am I wrong?

It was many years ago when I was a child. I went to my grandmother's birthday. You don't remember because it was like 20 years ago. I understand.

Yeah, I see. Wait a minute. Are you that little girl who was with Joanna?

Yes, Joanna is my mother. That day she told me we had to go to that party to see the family.

I can't believe it. But look how you've grown. It's unbelievable. By the way, how is your mother? I haven't seen her since that day. Is she okay?

Unfortunately, she died many years ago, but it's fine. She had a good life.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, but she was an excellent woman. I remember she brought some cookies that day.

Yeah, her cookies were the best. And she had this secret recipe.

Oh, I could die to try one of those cookies again. They were so delicious. But she's not with us anymore.

Well, she taught me how to do them. If you want, I can make some cookies for you.

Oh, really? No, of course not. How do you think? I'm going to let our guest cook.

Well, that could be okay then because I am not your guest. Actually, I am working here now.

Are you kidding? I mean, I think it's fantastic, but Agata didn't tell me anything.

Your wife must have forgotten to tell you, but yeah, I'm the new housekeeper.

I can't believe it. Agatha. Agatha. She must be thinking about her trip. Every year she travels to Paris. You know, she's a businesswoman. She has meetings there. Last year I went with her. It was so boring. I wanted to come back immediately.

I see. It must be beautiful to know different countries. Sounds interesting.

Well, once you get used to it, you get bored. I mean, traveling is also tiring. Don't tell me you never traveled out of this country to Europe, Asia, Africa.

No, sir. I mean, I had the chance to travel to Spain to work, but I couldn't do it.

Oh, but you should do it. Traveling is one of the most amazing experiences in life.

Yes, I suppose. The thing is that I don't have money to travel. I'm poor.

Oh, I see. But we can go someday. I mean, Agatha, you and me.

And my daughter. Yes, I have a daughter. She's about to start school.

Oh, that's fantastic. We could travel together someday as a family. I want to meet your daughter.

Yes, maybe some other time. Now I have a lot of things to do. I am really sorry, sir.

Why do you call me sir? Call me by my name. I am Charles. You can tell me Charlie. And I really like talking to you. You know, Agata and I don't talk much. I work in the company all day and she also goes to work. We never talk.

Yeah, I suppose. But you are a great team. You have created many businesses together. And you are successful now. You have money, houses, cars. I mean, I'm sorry.

No, no, that's okay. Don't be sorry. What you said was right, Linda. We have made a lot of money together. We worked hard. But life is not perfect. We had to sacrifice a lot of things to get it. But I don't want to talk about that anymore. Look at you. You look fantastic. You're so beautiful. I can't believe it.

Thank you. Now I have to work. I have a lot of things to clean, sir. I mean, Charles,

I told you to call me Charlie. And you don't have to work today. Why don't we go out? I mean, today is a beautiful day, and I want to go to the movies. Do you like it? I mean the movies. I used to go with Agatha when we were younger, but we don't anymore.

I love going to the movies, but I can't go. I have to work. I have to clean the house.

Oh, you can clean that later. Life is short. There is a movie theater near here and there is a great movie I have been waiting to see and you look fantastic. I mean you have dazzled me. You have beautiful eyes and a beautiful smile too. Has anyone ever told you that? And of course, your hair looks fantastic. Are you a top model?

Thank you, sir. I mean, Charles, stop. Charlie, I'm sorry.

That's okay. I love your smile. Do I make you nervous?

Yeah, a little. I really would like to go, but I don't think that's correct.

Why do you say that? We're family, right? I mean, we, you and me, are not family. Luckily, but my wife is your cousin. We can go out together. Agata will never know. She's never at home. I am sure she will come home very late today as usual. So, we can go to the movies and maybe to drink something after that if you want.

I don't know. I don't think it's appropriate your wife.

Oh, come on.

Maybe some other day we could go with your daughter. I'm sure she needs a lot of things for the school. Well, I can buy those things for her.

Oh, you're so kind. All right, I think just for a moment. I'll go get my purse and we'll go.

Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Wow, she's so beautiful. I can't believe it. What? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to see the rest of this story? Well, like the video and comment. Linda, are you ready? Linda.

So, what do you think? I rented this apartment for us. You will live here. It's a nice apartment, isn't it?

Yes, it is a beautiful apartment, but I don't know. I mean, it's perfect, but

you don't look happy. What happened? I thought you'd like this apartment. It has all the features you asked for. A big living room, a nice kitchen, a great bedroom. We haven't seen the bedroom. Why don't we go there and check it?

Yeah, that's the problem. The bedroom. Don't you understand? I just want

What happened? You don't like the bedroom? But you haven't seen it yet.

No, this apartment. It's big and beautiful. It's fancy. Yeah, but there is one problem.

Look, if you want to remodel this apartment, feel free to do so. Seriously, I have a lot of money and you know that money is not a problem for me. So, change the curtains, buy a television, a new fridge, or new furniture if you want.

Easy English系列


油管百万订阅亿次播放的easy english系列音频限时回归 本期带来《Everyday Life English Conversations》


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What would you do?


Mike,If you woke up tomorrow and found out you were the president of the United States, what would you do?


Wow, that's a big question. If I were the president, I would definitely try to help homeless people first.


How?


I'd make sure there were more shelters and job training programs. If people had a safe place to sleep and learn new skills, they could find work.


That's a good idea. What about healthcare?


Oh, healthcare is super important. If I were president, I would make sure everyone had access to good doctors, no matter how much money they had.


I agree. And education?


If I had the power, I would invest a lot more in education. If kids got a better education, they'd have a better future.


I couldn't agree more. What about climate change?


That's a tough one. If I were president, I would invest a lot in green energy like solar and wind power. If we used more clean energy, the planet would be healthier. If we protect the earth, then future kids will have a nice place to live.


Those are all really thoughtful answers.


Thanks. It's fun to think about. If I ever become president, I will remember this conversation.


You got my vote.


Workplace Rules


Hey Rita, ready for your first day at work?


Hey Pam, I guess so. Are there specific things we must do or things we absolutely should not do around here?


Our rules are pretty relaxed, but yes, there are a few key things.


Like what? I'm all ears.


Okay, first attendance. Everyone must clock in before 9 a.m. sharp. If you are going to be late, you should always call or text your direct manager immediately.


Clock in by 9. Got it.


Next noise. You must keep your phone conversations quiet. If you need to take a long call, you can use the small meeting room down the hall.


That makes sense. Noise control.


Also, lunch breaks. You can take a full hour, but you should try to eat in the break room, not at your desk if possible. And you have to clear your own dishes after using the kitchen.


Okay, no problem.


One last thing, dress code. It's quite formal here. You must wear smart clothes.


So, no jeans?


No, you cannot wear jeans. You may wear simple jewelry, but you mustn't wear anything too flashy.


Okay, I understand. This is very helpful, Pam. Thank you so much. I will make sure to follow everything.


Turning Things Around


Hi, Jane. Thanks for seeing me.


Of course, Melanie, what brings you in today?


Honestly, I just feel bad about myself, my weight. I don't have any confidence anymore. I really need to lose weight.


I hear you, Melanie. We can definitely work on this together. How about we make a simple plan?


A plan? Really?


Absolutely. Let's start with food.


Okay. So, what to avoid?


Anything packaged and processed.No more sugary drinks like soda or juice boxes. Try to cut out fast food, chips, and candy.


That sounds like everything I like.


I know. It's a change. But here's what to eat instead. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins like chicken, fish, or beans, and whole grains like brown rice or whole wheat bread. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.


Okay, I can try.


Great. Now for exercise. We'll start easy. I want you to walk for 30 minutes every single day. Just a brisk walk like you're trying to get somewhere. You can add some simple body weight exercises at home, like 10 squats and 10 lunges, maybe three times a week. How does that sound?


It sounds like a lot. But I'm desperate. I'll try my best, Jane.


That's all I ask. You've got this, Melanie.


Melanie, look at you.


Hi, Jane. I know, right? I can't believe it myself.


You look absolutely fantastic. How are you feeling?


Incredible. I stuck to the plan. I'm eating so much better and I actually enjoy my walks now. My clothes fit. I have so much more energy and I finally feel good about myself again.


I'm so proud of you, Melanie. You did all the hard work.


Thank you, Jane, for everything. You really helped me turn things around.

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Hi friends, welcome back to Podcast and Chill. I'm Gwen. If you are waiting for Leo, well, he is not here today. Don't worry, he is fine. He is just busy and he will be back soon. So today it's only you and me having fun together.

In this episode we will talk about changes. Changes happen all the time. For example, the weather changes from summer to autumn and our bodies change as we grow up. Changes happen so often we sometimes think they just happen by themselves. But really there is always a reason. If you want something in your life to change, you must do something first. Let's say if you want to improve your English, you need to practice every day. If you want to feel strong, you need to do exercise.

Remember that nothing in your life changes if nothing in your habit changes.

So, in this episode, we will talk about how one change can bring another and what you can do to make your life better.

Oh, by the way, I will add some soft music while I talk. I think it can help you learn and feel relaxed. I really hope you will like it. And now, let's get ready for a fun talk.

The Same Cycle

Do you ever feel like every week is the same? You know, you wake up, you go to work or to school, you eat the same breakfast, you check your phone, you feel tired, the day ends, you go to bed, and then the next day, well, it's the same thing all over again. At night when you lie in bed, you feel a little guilty. You think about all the things you wanted to do. You tell yourself, "Tomorrow I will change. Tomorrow I will do better. Next week I will change." But you know what? When tomorrow comes or when next week comes, nothing is different. It is exactly the same.

I mean, I think many of us know this feeling. We want to do better. We really do. We want to eat better food. We want to move our bodies more. We want to study harder. We want to learn new things. But the days pass, the weeks pass, and nothing really changes.

Let's think about English for a moment. Maybe you say to yourself, "I want to improve my English. I want to speak better. I want to understand native speakers." And you really mean it. But every day you are just so busy. You watch one short video on YouTube. You learn one new word. You think, "Okay, good. I did something today." But then you forget that word one month later. Two months later, you check your progress and you feel the same. Your English is the same. Maybe it's even a little worse because you forgot some things.

Or maybe you say, "I want to exercise. I want to feel strong. I want to be healthy." So, you buy nice running shoes. They look great. You feel excited. You look at an exercise video. You imagine yourself running in the park, feeling amazing, feeling free. But you don't actually start. You say, "I'm too tired today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next week when I have more time."

This is an awful cycle. The same actions, the same results. You do the same things so you get the same life. Nothing moves forward. And the truth is very simple but also very hard to hear. If you don't change something, nothing in your life will change. I know that sounds awful, but I think deep down we all know it's true.

Stop Pressing Snooze on Your Dreams

Now you might be wondering why we keep doing the same thing when we say we want to change. Well, many times it is because we are waiting. We wait for the right moment. We say things like, "I will study English when I have more time." Or, "I will exercise when I have more energy," or "I will start eating healthy when I feel ready," or "I will save money when I earn more." But friends, let me tell you something important. The perfect moment almost never comes. I'm serious. It doesn't come.

Think about your alarm clock for a second. Maybe you set it for 6:00 in the morning. You want to wake up early. You have good plans. You want to study or exercise or do something useful. The alarm rings at 6. You hear it. But you feel so sleepy. Your bed feels so warm. What do you do? You press snooze. You say just 10 more minutes. I will get up in 10 minutes. The alarm rings again at 6:10. You press snooze again. Okay, just one more time. You wait for the right time to get up, but soon it's 6:30, then 7. Now you are late. You have to do everything fast. You lost your chance to do those morning things.

Life is kind of like that. We keep pressing snooze on our dreams. We keep saying I will do it later. I will start next week. I will begin next month. But later becomes tomorrow. Tomorrow becomes next week. Next week becomes next month. And next month becomes never.

Waiting feels safe. When we wait, we don't risk anything. If we don't start, we can't fail, right? We can keep the idea in our heads. We can keep the dream safe. But here's the problem. If we don't start, we also can't change. We can't grow. We can't improve. And when you do nothing, nothing changes. Zero action equals zero results.

And listen, even when you tell yourself you have a lot of time, so it's okay to wait. I hate to tell you this, but time is limited. If you don't learn to use it right, you might run out of it and all your dreams will go to waste.

Why Change Is So Hard (and Why We're Scared)

That said, let's be honest for a minute. Change is not easy. I'm not going to lie to you and say, "Oh, just do it. It's simple." Because it's not that simple. In fact, it's hard.

But why is change so hard?

First, our brains like things that are safe and familiar. Even if a habit is not good for us, it still feels comfortable. It's what we know. For example, scrolling on your phone at night is easy. You don't have to think. But watching an English video without subtitles, that takes more energy. You have to focus. You have to listen carefully. So your brain says no thanks, stay safe, do the easy thing, just scroll.

Second, we are afraid. This is a big one. We think, what if I try and fail? What if I look stupid? What if people laugh at me? This fear is so strong. It can stop us before we even begin. It's like a wall in our mind.

Maybe you want to practice speaking English with a friend or a language partner, but then you get scared. What if I say the wrong word? What if I can't find the words? What if they think my pronunciation is bad? So, you stay silent. You don't practice.

So in the end we don't do things that make us uncomfortable. We keep the old habits. We do the same things. We don't change not because we are lazy but because we are scared. Fear stops us more than anything else.

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My wife is in that car. I just want to see where she goes. We're starting to suspect she's cheating on me. Follow that car. Oh, okay. All right. I will follow that car.

Okay. Another day at work and I'm sure today will go very well. Let's start. Ah, it's very late. I have been waiting for 20 minutes. Oh, great. Taxi. Hey, good morning, sir. Where do I take you today?

Good morning. I need to go to the city's financial center, please. I'm running a little late, so if you could hurry up a bit, I'd really appreciate it.

Sure. I know a highway we can take in a few minutes. Oh, how much could it be?

Well, it all depends on how long it takes. But if we arrive on time, it would be about $15. Is that okay?

Yes, that's okay. Thank you. Let's go. Looks like today will be a sunny day again.

I hope so. I don't like rainy days. It makes my suit wet and the streets wet.

I get it. It's also difficult for me as a taxi driver when it rains. There are some streets with potholes and water pools there that damages the car. Besides, I can't wash the car on rainy days because it gets dirty too quickly.

Yeah, I understand. I have my own car, but I don't drive it much. City traffic stresses me out. So, I prefer to take a taxi for peace of mind. And I use my car to go out on weekends. It's more relaxing this way.

Oh yeah, I understand. I take many businessmen who own luxury cars but prefer to take a taxi for the same reason. It seems this city isn't conducive to so many cars. That's good for me since I have more work.

Yeah, I suppose so. And we have arrived. I told you we are just on time. Excellent. Thank you very much. Here, $20 and keep the change.

Oh, that's very generous of you. Have an excellent day, sir. Okay, we started the day very well. Good morning, sir. Where do you want to go?

Good morning. to the Saturn company, please. It's the one in front of the Congress.

Oh, sure. Let me check it. It's five miles away.

Yes, that's correct. Hurry up, please. I don't want to be late. I mean, it's not late, but I want to be there before it starts.

Sure, we'll get on time. Don't worry. Are you okay?

Yes. I mean, no. I mean, sorry. I am nervous. Today is my last interview. I've been preparing for this job for a long time. And everything is defined today. I just hope I get the job.

Oh, good for you. Can I ask what kind of job is that?

Uh, I'm applying to be the company's new publicist. I studied for 5 years at university, took several specialized courses and learned English and French. I had my internship at another company and I hope that helps. God, I'm so nervous. If I get this job, it could be amazing.

That's great. Don't worry. You've prepared very well for this job. I'm sure you'll succeed. And I wish you all the luck in the world.

I I don't believe in luck. I think you make things happen, which is why I prepared myself for this.

Of course, luck isn't about being hired just because you have to be prepared for those things to happen. Luck sometimes gives you the opportunity and you have to be ready and you are. So, I'm sure they'll hire you.

Thank you very much. You're right. I'm ready for this. I have to be confident. I feel better. Thank you.

You're welcome. And here we are. It's $21.

Oh, great. Here you are. Thanks. Have a good day and good luck again. All right, let's continue. Good morning, sir. Where do you want to go?

Follow that car, please.

Um, it's not something illegal, is it? If so, I unfortunately can't take you.

No, no. My wife is in that car. I just want to see where she goes. Starting to suspect she's cheating on me. Follow that car.

Oh, okay. All right. I will follow that car.

Faster, please. We're going to lose her.

Relax. I won't lose it. Don't worry. Can I ask you something? Why do you think she's cheating on you?

I'm almost certain she's cheating on me. I've noticed she's changed a lot for weeks now. She comes home late from work and says she has meetings every day. But a few days ago, I called her office and they told me everyone had already left. She had told me she could be in a meeting. When she got home, she told me she'd left work early, but there was a lot of traffic. 3 hours of traffic. Can you believe it?

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Hello friends and welcome back to our brand new podcast episode.

Hi everyone, I'm your host Emily and joining me is Kevin. Today we're going to talk about something I think everyone can relate to.

Indeed. And I have a feeling you're talking about friendship, right?

Yes, exactly. So, Kevin, how many friends do you have right now?

Hm, that's a tricky question. If you mean real friends, the ones who actually stay in touch and support me, I'd say just a few. Quality over quantity, you know.

Very well said. So, now let's talk about how to understand whether someone is our real friend. What do you think, Kevin?

Good question. I think a real friend is someone who supports you not only when things are going great, but also when life gets tough.

Exactly. Many people are around when you're happy or successful, but real friends stay when you're sad, broke, or struggling.

Right? Real friendship shows up during both good and bad times. It's about loyalty, not convenience.

The second thing is honesty, even when it's hard to hear the truth. If a friend can't be honest with you, that friendship won't last long.

Yeah, absolutely. I remember once I was about to post a photo on social media and I thought I looked great, but my friend Sarah texted me and said, "Kevin, maybe choose another one. This one's a bit blurry." I was like, "What?" But later I realized she was right. That's real friendship. Being honest, not fake.

Yes. A real friend doesn't just say, "You look perfect all the time." They care enough to tell you the truth kindly. Exactly. Fake friends just agree with everything to keep you happy, but true friends help you become better.

Now, let's talk about the third point. A real friend accepts you for who you are.

Yes, that's so true. I've seen people who only stay around when you act or look a certain way, but a real friend doesn't expect you to be perfect.

Exactly. I have a friend who always laughs at my silly jokes, even when they're not funny. She never tries to change me. She just gets me.

That's a good one. I think that's the best feeling when someone understands your weird side and still sticks around.

Right. You can be fully yourself. No pretending, no fear of being judged. And that's when you know this person is not just a friend, they're family.

You know, another one that's a real sign of a strong friendship is when you're totally comfortable sharing silence. Like you don't feel the need to fill every second with chatter.

Oh, 100%. That's the real test, isn't it? When you can just sit together, maybe drinking tea or scrolling on your phones, and it doesn't feel awkward at all. That's true comfort.

Exactly. I was just thinking about this the other day. I was at the park with my best friend, and we just sat on a bench for ages, people watching, not really saying much. And it wasn't weird. It was actually just really nice.

I love that. It's like the connection is so strong. Words just become optional. You don't need to be on all the time.

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Hello everyone and welcome back to Learn English podcast, the place where learning English feels simple and fun. I'm Gwen.

Hi Gwen. And hello to all our amazing listeners. It's wonderful to join you again today. How are you doing?

I'm doing really well, Leo. I'm so excited about our new episode. And you?

I'm feeling great. I always look forward to helping people improve their English. It's such an enjoyable thing to do.

Yes, it is. And today we have something special for you.

We'll practice an easy conversation for beginners.

That's right. We'll start by listening to a short dialogue. It's a simple chat between two friends, Grace and William.

Exactly. So, listen carefully. Don't worry if you miss something. Just relax and listen.

After the dialogue, Leo and I will discuss it together. We'll check the vocabulary and the sentences.

We'll make everything very clear and simple. Just a relaxed talk about it.

Yes. And we'll also give examples to make it easier to understand.

It's going to be fun. Before we begin, please help our channel grow.

Yes. Subscribe to Learn English podcast. Give this episode a like if you're ready to learn

And share it with your friends. Remember, sharing is caring. All right, Gwen, are you ready?

I'm more than ready. Let's listen to Grace and William.

Grace and William's Conversation

Grace: Hi, William. How are you today?

William: Hi, Grace. I'm good, thank you. How are you?

Grace: I'm great. I finished my work early today, so I feel relaxed.

William: That's nice. It has been a busy week for me.

Grace: Yes, it has. By the way, are you free this Sunday?

William: I think so. I don't have any plans. Why do you ask?

Grace: I want to go to the cinema. There's a new movie. Do you like movies?

William: I love movies. That's a very good idea, Grace.

Grace: Great. We can watch the film together. Do you like action movies?

William: Yes, I do. Action movies are my favorite. What movie do you want to see?

Grace: There is a new superhero film. People say it is really exciting.

William: Sounds fun. I like superhero films. Who is the main actor?

Grace: It's Chris Evans. He is very popular.

William: Oh, yes. I like him. Okay, let's watch it. What time should we go?

Grace: How about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday?

William: That works for me. Should we buy the tickets online or at the cinema?

Grace: I can buy them online. It's easier. Can you bring some popcorn money?

William: Of course. I can buy popcorn and drinks. Is that okay?

Grace: Perfect. Maybe you can also get some candy.

William: Good idea. I will bring some chocolate, too.

Grace: Thank you, William. This will be a very nice movie day.

William: I agree. Which cinema should we go to?

Grace: Let's go to City Center Cinema. It's not far.

William: Okay. 3:00 p.m. at City Center Cinema. I'll be there.

Grace: Excellent. I'm very excited for our movie on Sunday.

William: Me, too. It will be a fun day. See you on Sunday.

And that was the conversation. A very nice chat between Grace and William.

Yes, very friendly and simple. I liked it.