Many of my students choose to practice "small talk" in their conversation classes because, no matter whether they are outgoing or shy, chatting with strangers (especially in English) can make most people feel nervous...But guess what? Small talk doesn’t have to be hard!
Here are five tips and some questions you can ask to prepare for small talk situations in advance! Click the link to see the full script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fYYUBwSvAXm4_x5djUrApUfollycKjftFsnfUeqp1vY/edit?usp=sharing

UK TALKS WITH LIZ

EPISODE 8: SMALL TALK!

Let's talk college football. Saturday afternoon. Big day. Feet up, beverage. Game starts at noon. Be ready.

English My Way

College Football

生活中好多時候我地都會發現自己同外界對自己嘅要求或者自己對自己嘅要求相距甚遠。與其糾結尋找答案其增加內耗，不如直接上廣東人精神：是旦啦，求其啦，系咁先啦。無謂諗太多，接受自己下限，做到嘅就會去做，做唔到就接受，可以系和解，都可以見神殺神見佛殺佛。

夠鐘煲粥 Congee Time

EP34. 生活自救指南:和解

The Zen philosophy teaches us to approach each task with mindfulness and enthusiasm. Language learning isn’t just about mastering grammar or vocabulary; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, sounds, and rhythms of a new world. Start with curiosity and joy.

Why Passion Matters
Studies in motivation psychology reveal that intrinsic interest—the joy of learning for its own sake—leads to better retention and long-term success (Deci & Ryan, 1985). To channel this:
•	Choose a focus that excites you: Is it the music, the cuisine, or the stories of the language’s culture? Let your interests guide your learning.
•	Set a theme for the month: Dedicate January to learning words and phrases around a specific theme, like food or travel.


111 Tips for Learning a Language 

Tip 61 - Language learning tips inspired by the New Year

Hello guys! Don´t miss today podcast to sound more native.

De todo un poco

Irse de la lengua 😛.  Go off the tongue??? 😵

This episode describes the journey from the airport to the hotel, and gives you the vocabulary you may need for taking the underground. 
Please also use this for pronunciation.

Now that I’ve gone through customs and found my way out, I have to find transport. I go past the welcoming committee of people thronging to greet their loved ones, and look for signs that show bus, car, or train. 

I decide to take the train or underground railway. It’s called the Metro, the Underground, or the Tube in most countries. I have to ask about the best ticket for my journeys around the city, so I go to the ticket counter to get help. Once I know what I want, I can just use my debit or credit card and go to the self-service kiosk. 

I buy my ticket, and pass through the ticket barriers to go down the escalators to the floors below. I keep reading the boards to see if I’m going in the right direction.  It’s a long walk, and I sometimes have to carry my suitcase down the stairs. I begin to wonder if I shouldn’t just have taken a taxi. 

Some people offer to help, and, because it’s so heavy and no one could just run away with my luggage, I agree gratefully. 

The Tube is crowded, but I manage to find a seat. I listen carefully for my stop, and hop onto the platform. 

Once I’m out of the Tube station, I see my hotel across the road, so I go through the entranceway into the lobby. At least this hotel doesn’t have revolving doors, because it’s really awkward to manage that when you have baggage. 

I go straight across the lobby to the clerk at the reception desk. I tell them I have booked a room and tell them my name. They ask me for my passport or other identity document. I give it to them. I go to my room and the valet brings my luggage. I give him or her a tip.

I unpack my bag into the cupboards and drawers. I take a shower with the freshly laid out towels. I am now ready for my exploration in the town.

Please feel free to book a lesson with me. #knowmyteacher #pronunciation

English in 60 Seconds

After The Airport

Mr. Fat wakes up from a deep and enjoyable sleep. He rolls out of bed, leaving behind him a mattress covered with money. He walks over to his bedroom mirror and wipes oil off his face. 

“You are looking very handsome today,” says Mr. Fat, speaking to himself. “You are doing such a great job at ruling Planet Meat. Everyone loves and respects you. This planet is so lucky to have you.” 

Looking at his delicious meat hamburger, Mr. Fat says “Oh my, I’m starving. I can’t wait for breakfast. I’m going to eat my own meaty, juicy body! Hah!” 

Mr. Fat lives in a giant house made of meat, vegetables and potato chips. He is the boss of the whole meat planet. He became the boss because he has the biggest, toughest belly. Whenever someone tried to punch Mr. Fat, meat flew out of his belly and attacked his opponent. 

The fat hamburger walks over to the window. He opens his lettuce curtains and he almost faints in shock.  

“OH MY GOD!” screams Mr. Fat. He can’t believe what he’s seeing. “It’s raining tomato sauce! Yuuuuk!!” 

Being a Cloud

Mr. Fat the Hamburger

4月になると、日本では学校や会社で、新しい年度 fiscal year が始まります。いろんな1年生が町にあふれます。初めての経験には、ドキドキがいっぱい！　特に小学校一年生には、こんなことも…　
私の失敗、聞いてください。

スクリプトは　こちら
https://chivalrous-wallaby-f5c.notion.site/a4906e1f068641db8b61c5ab814f5ff4
楽しみ方は　こちら　
https://chivalrous-wallaby-f5c.notion.site/116c436c16ed4055a68ddb2c4624cd96
じゃあ、またね！

すずまりの日本語「ききみみ」ずきん

第4話　一年生になったら

こんにちは！Atsushiです。
今日の天気は雨。
気温は22℃です。

日本はまた台風が来ています。
台風14号です。

今日はPodcastについて。
Podcastをがんばって続けていまきます！という話です。

今日、日本語のレッスンがありました。
1ヶ月ぶりぐらいのレッスンだったので、お久しぶりです！と言うと、その方は、ポッドキャストを聞いているので、久しぶりに感じないと話してくれました。

これは私にとっては、とてもうれしくて、貴重な話です。
Podcastをできるだけ毎日つづけようと思っていますが、少し忙しかったりすると、時間をうまく作れなかったり、明日にしようかな、と思う時があります。

実際に2.3日分をまとめて録音する時もあります。

でもこうやって、実際に聞いてくれている人が直接Podcastの話をしてくれると、ちゃんと聞いてくれている人がいるんだ！と言うことをあらためて気づきます。

教えてくれて、本当にありがとうございます！

今日話していた人とは、いつもいろんな話をしていて、本当に楽しいです。いつも気づきがあります。視野が広がります。

きっと、他にもPodcastを聞き続けてくれている方もいるんだと思いながら、がんばって続けますね！

私のPodcastは、日本語学習者のみなさんにとって、身近なものでありたいと思っています。

だから、これからも日常の話や、日本のいろんな場所のことや、文化のことなどいろいろ話していこうと思います。

こんな話が聞きたい！などあれば、italkiのオンラインレッスンで教えてください。

ぜひ、お話しましょう！

ということで、今回も最後まで聞いていただき、ありがとうございます！ではまた！


