It is very important to use contractions in your speech. They are not informal, they are always required. I discuss this in today's podcast.

Teacher Joseph's Podcast

Contractions

La mia esperienza presente e passata con le vertigini.

Bedside Italian

Bedside Italian #3 - Labirintite e vertigini.

前回　↓
汗ばんだ両手で明太子と梅のおにぎりを一つずつ持ちレジへと向かった。


レジの前に来たが、レジには誰もいない。若くて長い黒髪を後ろで束ねてる男の店員Aは忙しそうに商品を補充している。

すいませんと声を出そうと思ったその時にレジの台の上にあるベルに気がついた。
そこには小さい字でご用の方はこのベルを鳴らしてくださいと日本語と英語の両方で書かれてある。

最初に私は人差し指を使って軽く押してみたが音が出ない。今度は親指を使って強く押すとかわいくて高い音が店内に響いた。

少々お待ちくださいという店員Aの声が聞こえ、彼は小走りにレジに向かってきた。


店員A  「お待たせいたしました。梅おにぎりが一つ、明太子おにぎりが一つ、以上で260円になります。袋はいかがなさいますか？」

私「いらないです。支払いはパスモカードでお願いします。」

店員A「はい、こちらにお願いします。」

彼はカードを近づける場所を右手でていねいに指した。
私はパスモカードをレジ台にかざして支払いをした。

店員A「ありがとうございました。」

私は店員から二つのおにぎりとレシートを受け取ると自分のカバンに入れた。店内を見回すと客は私だけのようだ。それから店を出ると男が一人店の前の横に座っていた。

[単語リスト]

ご用の方　ごようのかた
 
人差し指　ひとさしゆび

親指　おやゆび
 
小走り　こばしり 

指した　さした

指す　さす 

かざした
かざす  

見回す　みまわす



Last time ↓ With sweaty hands, I held one cod roe and one plum rice ball and headed for the cash register. 

I come to the cash register, but the cash register is empty. Clerk A, a young man with long black hair tied back, was busily restocking. 

I was about to say, "Excuse me," when I noticed a bell on the checkout table. In small letters, it says in both English and Japanese, "Please ring this bell if you need anything. 

First I pressed it lightly with my index finger, but no sound came out. I pressed harder with my thumb, and a lovely, high-pitched sound echoed through the store. 

I heard the voice of clerk A saying, "Please wait a moment," and he came to the cash register at a short run. 

Clerk A - Thank you for waiting. One ume rice ball and one cod roe rice ball will be 260 yen. Would you like a bag?" 

I said, "No, I don't need one. Please pay with your PASMO card." 

Clerk A: "Yes, this way please." 

He carefully pointed with his right hand where I should put my card. I held my PASMO card over the cash register and paid. 

Clerk A "Thank you very much." 

I took the two rice balls and the receipt from the clerk and put them in my bag. I looked around the store and saw that I seemed to be the only customer. Then I left the store and saw a man sitting next to the front of the store. 



SAMURAI BROADCAST　侍放送

Vol.50 読む練習　日本旅行物語3 Reading Practice Japan Travel Story 3

Il Natale è la festa più importante per gli italiani, come per molti paesi del mondo occidentale. È una festa spesso dedicata alla famiglia, quindi in quei giorni ci si ritrova insieme a tutti i parenti.
L’albero di Natale si fa qualche settimana prima. In alcune città d’Italia si fa 28 giorni prima del Natale, in altre si fa l’8 dicembre, che è la festa dell’Immacolata.
La festa vera però inizia la sera della Vigilia, cioè del 24 dicembre. In questa occasione le famiglie si riuniscono per il Cenone di Natale. Si imbandisce una tavola piena di cibo tipico, che in Italia cambia da regione a regione! Infatti ogni città ha le proprie tradizioni e i propri piatti e sarebbe impossibile elencarli tutti.
L’unica cosa che tutti gli italiani hanno in comune è l’abbondanza di cibo, di vino e di dolci. Dopo il cenone si scambiano i regali o si gioca a carte o a qualche gioco di società per stare insieme. Le famiglie più religiose a mezzanotte vanno a messa, cioè in chiesa. Le persone più giovani a volte escono con gli amici per farsi gli auguri.
Il giorno dopo, il 25 dicembre, è il Natale. Come festeggiano gli italiani il giorno di Natale? Mangiando di nuovo, naturalmente. Si fa un grande pranzo e si passa il pomeriggio tutti insieme. Alcune persone vanno a trovare i parenti, altre escono a fare una passeggiata. Chi abita nelle città del Nord Italia può andare a visitare i mercatini di Natale, che non esistono al Sud.
Noi italiani abbiamo sempre voglia di festeggiare e così le celebrazioni continuano anche il 26 dicembre, giorno di Santo Stefano. In questa giornata è tipico andare a fare attività fuori casa: andare a pattinare o andare al cinema con gli amici e spesso si mangiano gli avanzi dei giorni precedenti.
// Want to learn more Italian? Check out the link -> https://cocai-italiano.com/

Cocai italiano - Podcast for Italian learners

Il Natale in Italia

the do's and don'ts  of learning new words and expressions in English

British English with Maria

Top mistakes when learning VOCABULARY

Welcome to the 10th episode of The Grammarian Podcast! In this milestone episode, we’re tackling a common issue many English learners face: the usage of "to" with verbs. Understanding when to use "to" and when to leave it out is crucial for sounding more natural and grammatically correct in English.

We’ll dive into:
- When to use "to" with verbs (after certain verbs, adjectives, and to show purpose)
- When NOT to use "to" (modal verbs, causative verbs, and verbs of perception)
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practical tips and exercises to help you put your knowledge into practice

Feel free to comment your answers below—I’ll be checking and providing feedback to help you improve. Let’s make this your best episode yet!

Be sure to stay tuned for my daily quizzes, community posts, and podcasts on italki. If you’d like to receive The Grammarian Newsletter, just contact me through the link below. I send it out every Wednesday for free to all my students.

If you’re looking for a more personalized, task-based approach to your language learning goals, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to provide a needs analysis, discuss your objectives, and create a custom learning plan to help you achieve your dreams!

I’m currently offering $10 trial lessons to give you a taste of the premium lessons that have helped students achieve their goals. In this exclusive trial, we’ll dive into practical, task-based activities tailored to your needs—whether you’re aiming for a new job, furthering your education, or preparing for life in an English-speaking country. This special offer is available until February 28th, so don’t miss the chance to get started for just $10!

https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/10897638

And always remember: Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.

The Grammarian Podcast

Common mistakes made by English Language Learners Part 6:  When and When Not to Use "To" with Verbs

In this American English language podcast, I talk about travelling tips. I talk about the importance of having a fanny pack to keep your important items safe. 
My italki teacher profile https://italki.com/teacher/1947582 
Thanks for listening! 
Visit my website for more of my full-length podcasts . www.streetwisenglish.com

Streetwise English

SWE42 Travel Tips part 1: The Fanny Pack

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EX3xrwvYavQQflxbNLBdWnzijr4fnxIa/view?usp=drivesdk

In Hot Water (English Idiom) (with transcript)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XCcL5RiFGzH2RuFwcAwW8edd-a0qzxXZ/view?usp=drivesdk