Nick discusses whether this is likely to happen. 

IELTS with Nick - World Knowledge 

Will paper books disappear someday?

In this episode I talk about how to disagree politely and teach you some phrases to help you to disagree without causing offence. 
If you would like the transcript, send me a message on Italki. I would love to hear from you and find out where you are listening from!


Business Buzz

Business Buzz Episode 2 

Script

おはようございます。日本語だんだんポットキャストのゆかりです。

今日の天気(てんき)は雨(あめ)です。

雨が降(ふ)っています。

北海道のさっぽろでは、雪(ゆき)がつもりましたよ。

ところで、みなさんは傘(かさ)をつかいますか？
雨のとき、傘をさしますか？

私はいつも、ちいさな、

"おりたたみ傘(がさ)"をもっています。

いつ雨が降ってもいいように、もっています。

そして、雨が降ったら、すぐに傘をさします。

実は、日本人が世界でいちばん、
傘をたくさんもっているそうです。

データでは、一人4.2本ぐらい、もっているようです。

私はふつうの傘と、おりたたみ傘、
2本もっています。

あ、そういえば車のトランクにもう1本ありました・・。3本ですね。

日本人はどうして、すぐに傘をさすのでしょうか。

私は風邪をひきたくないから、
傘をさします。

みなさんは、雨が降ったら、
傘をさしますか？

それとも、傘をささずに、
走りますか？

では、今日も最後まで聞いてくれて、だんだん、です。

また明日！

--------------------
Today's Keywords

□傘をさす
open an umbrella

Japaneseだんだんpodcast

53. すぐに傘(かさ)をさす日本人/Japaneseだんだんpodcast

Negotiations are a dance – a balance between collaboration and advocating for your position. Confidence is, of course, key, and the language you use plays a crucial role in conveying it. 

Here's how to harness the power of words in three key areas:

1. Framing & Highlighting Value:

Start Strong: Open with a positive, confident statement that positions your value. Instead of "We're happy to discuss this opportunity," try "Our solution has a proven track record of increasing sales by X%."

Focus on Benefits: Shift the conversation from features to the benefits your offer brings. Don't just say "Our software is user-friendly," explain how it "streamlines workflows and saves your team time."

2. Concession Language with Strength:

Conditional Agreements: Acknowledge their points without conceding defeat. Use phrases like "That's a valid concern. To address it, we can offer..." This shows you're listening while steering the discussion.

"We Can" vs. "We Might": Use strong verbs that project confidence. "We can offer a discount for a bulk order" sounds more assured than "We might be able to consider a discount."

3. Closing the Deal with Clarity:

Active Voice & Ownership: Phrases like "We propose a contract with..." sound stronger than "Perhaps we could have a contract."

Summarize & Confirm: Recap key points and confirm next steps. End with "By finalizing the contract today, we can begin implementation next week"

Confident language isn't about aggression; it's about clear, persuasive communication. By strategically using these tips, you'll project confidence, effectively advocate for your value, and navigate negotiations with power and professionalism.

The Global Professional Podcast

Using Confident Language in Business Negotiations - Episode 33

今天我们来分享一首歌《这世界那么多人》,踏着优美的旋律，我们一起来聆听吧。
Today, let's share a song "There are so many people in the world", with the beautiful melody, let's listen together.  

这世界有那么多人      
Zhè shìjiè yǒu nàme duō rén
人群里 敞着一扇门
Rén qún lǐ chǎngzhe yī shàn mén
我迷朦的眼睛里长存
Wǒ míméng de yǎnjīng lǐ cháng cún.
初见你蓝色清晨
Chū jiàn nǐ lán sè qīngchén

这世界有那么多人
Zhè shìjiè yǒu nàme duō rén
多幸运 我有个我们
Duō xìngyùn wǒ yǒu gè wǒmen
这悠长命运中的晨昏
Zhè yōucháng mìngyùn zhōng de chénhūn
常让我 望远方出神
Cháng ràng wǒ wàng yuǎnfāng chū shén

灰树叶飘转在池塘
Huī shùyè piāo zhuǎn zài chítáng
看飞机轰的一声去远乡
Kàn fēijī hōng de yī shēng qù yuǎn xiāng
光阴的长廊 脚步声叫嚷
Guāngyīn de cháng láng, jiǎo bù shēng jiào rǎng
灯一亮 无人的空荡
Dēng yī liàng wú rén de kōngdàng

晚风中闪过 几帧从前啊
Wǎn fēng zhōng shǎn guò jǐ zhēn cóngqián a
飞驰中旋转 已不见了吗
Fēichí zhōng xuánzhuǎn yǐ bù jiàn le ma
远光中走来 你一身晴朗
Yuǎn guāng zhōng zǒu lái nǐ yī shēn qínglǎng
身旁那么多人 可世界不声 不响
Shēn páng nàme duō rén kě shìjiè bù shēng bù xiǎng

笑声中浮过 几张旧模样
Xiào shēng zhōng fú guò jǐ zhāng jiù móyàng
留在梦田里 永远不散场
Liú zài mèng tián lǐ, yǒngyuǎn bù sàn chǎng
暖光中醒来 好多话要讲
Nuǎn guāng zhōng xǐng lái, hǎo duō huà yào jiǎng
世界那么多人 可是它不声 不响
Shìjiè nàme duō rén, kěshì tā bù shēng bù xiǎng

这世界有那么个人，活在我飞扬的青春
Zhè shìjiè yǒu nàme gè rén huó zài wǒ fēiyáng de qīngchūn
在泪水里浸湿过的长吻
Zài lèishuǐ lǐ jìn shī guò de cháng wěn
常让我想啊想出神
Cháng ràng wǒ xiǎng a xiǎng chū shéng



Listening & Speaking (Mandarin)

一首歌的时间 《这世间那么多人》               HSK5-HSK6

¡En este episodio podrán escuchar títulos de noticias mundiales! 
Los invito a estar al tanto de lo que está pasando en otros países. 

Carmen informa

Noticias del mundo 📡💻

As it's already May, a lot of the part 1 and part 2 topics are changing in the IELTS speaking exam. Let's start with the topic "Describe a positive change you made in your life" with some good idioms which are explained below.

Remember this is just an example answer, and you should never learn example answers off by heart. It's very important to speak naturally in the speaking exam.


Idioms used in the example answer:

Out of shape

If someone is unhealthy or not able to do a lot of physical activity, we can say they are out of shape.

“He drinks and smokes too much, and has become very out of shape.”



In good shape

If you’re in good shape, you are fit and healthy. This  especially refers to the physical condition of your body ( being at a healthy weight, not overweight, getting plenty of exercise)


Run down

If you’re feeling run down, you are tired and lacking energy, usually after a sustained period without enough rest.

“After working late in the office every night for the last 2 weeks, he started to feel very run down.”


Full of beans

Someone who has a lot of energy might be described as full of beans.

“Young children are always full of beans, and love to run around, and play.”


Fit as a fiddle

Fit as a fiddle means ‘in very good health’ and may more often be used to refer to older people.

“My grandfather is 86, but is still as fit as a fiddle, and goes to exercise in the park every morning.”


Picture of good health

To look the picture of health simply means to look very healthy and well.

“Wow! Have you been going to the gym recently? You look the picture of health.


IELTS 85 Speaking

Describe a positive change you made in your life - IELTS speaking part 2

Inés va de viaje en carretera con su hija al son de la música de los 80´s, mientras decide comenzar a contarle cómo era su vida en un México muy distinto cuando ella tenía 16 años.