Let's explore the world of phrasal verbs and idioms by backing them up with an in depth explanation + examples in order for you to sound more like a native speaker and stop you from second-guessing. 

Smart Cookie English

When we feel we have had a "setback" in our language learning - we often tell ourselves stories that keep us stuck. In this podcast episode, I will offer some ideas for how we can prevent that from happening, and when it does, how we can start to move forward again.

In summary, what I say is that first we need to assess what has REALLY happened. And we need to look at the STORY we are telling ourselves - about what happened. (We can do this by writing or talking to a coach or a friend or to ourselves using the questions below). 

If we can question the stories we have told ourselves about this setback - it becomes easier to take action to get ourselves moving again. Byron Katie is an author who created 4 questions that are helpful in changing our beliefs. The questions are: 1. Is it true? 2. Can I absolutely know that it’s true? 3. How do I react when I believe that thought? 4. Who would I be without that thought? 

Turning the setback into an opportunity to take action - any action - can help us get moving again. Getting support is also very helpful. 

Writing or speaking exercise (talk into your phone!) -- take 7-10 minutes and see what you discover!:

1. Think of a time when you were trying something new (learning to play a musical instrument, starting a new routine, exercise or diet) - and you had a "perceived setback" - or when you felt you hit a wall/were blocked/"failed." What did you tell yourself at that time? Was that "story" really true? What happened after that? Did you continue doing the thing? 

2. Now think of a skill you have mastered. Maybe it's cooking something or riding a bike or being a professional or an entrepreneur. Did you ever have any "setbacks" along the way? (I am sure you did!) What steps did you take to keep going forward? Did you get support to move past these obstacles - or how did you help yourself to continue? What happened next? 

If you want - save your words and share them with me! I would love to hear what you think!  


Hear and There

3. "Setbacks," the stories we tell ourselves, and getting unstuck

Сегодня в эфире не “Мастер и Маргарита”, но не менее интересная повесть - “Собачье сердце”. Читаем небольшой диалог профессора Преображенского и доктора Борменталя.

Слова, которые объясняю в эпизоде: шту́ка хи́трая - a tricky thing; предста́вьте - to imagine; большинство́ - majority; во́все - совсем, совершенно, нисколько, вообще - any, not at all, at all; многозначи́тельно - meaningfully; трясти́ - толчками колебать, качать, двигать из стороны в сторону - to shake; забо́титься - проявлять заботу - to take care; пищеваре́ние - digestion; за обе́дом - at / during lunch; большеви́зм - Bolshevism; Бо́же вас сохрани́ - God save / bless you; сове́тский - Soviet; производи́ть - делать, совершать - to make; наблюде́ние - observation; превосхо́дно - excellently; заставля́ть - поставить в необходимость делать что-нибудь, принудить - to make, force, oblige; теря́ть в ве́се - to lose weight; отозва́ться - ответить на зов, откликнуться, высказать своё мнение - to respond; тя́пнутый - тот, кого тяпнули, то есть укусили - bitten; розове́ть - становится розовым - to turn pink; пони́женный - более низкий, ниже нормального, уменьшенный - reduced, lower, depressed; коле́нный рефле́кс - knee reflex; скве́рный - гадкий, недостойный, (разг.) плохой - bad; угнетённый - удручённый, подавленный, эксплуатируемый - depressed.

Спасибо всем, кто слушает мой подкаст! Подписывайтесь на него, впереди много интересных эпизодов.

И помните, что чтение по-русски углубляет ваши знания языка! Хороших вам книг, друзья!

Reading Russian

Отрывок из повести “Собачье сердце” М.А. Булгаков

Today's English tidbit from Stairway to English has to do with the word "supposed". Did you know that we pronounce it in two different ways depending on the meaning? It's true! Listen to this episode to understand the different pronunciations and the different meanings!

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Stairway to English: Short easy to understand episodes to improve your English grammar and fluency

Understanding the word "supposed", its two different pronunciations, its meanings!

CHISTES MEXICANOS

CERO ABSOLUTO

Imagine poder caçar na selva Amazônica? Teria coragem? Venha se aventurar junto com a gente e entender como eu fui parar nessa aventura e como foi essa experiência.  


Keep Speaking Portuguese

Caçando no Amazonas

In this podcast I talk about the Gaza Strip as described on Wikipedia.
Leave me feedback if you like this type of podcast . Thanks!
Take an English Lesson with Carl https://italki.com/teacher/1947582


Streetwise English

SWE 163 Gaza Strip (Advanced)

Clase gratis de Presente de Subjuntivo: https://spanishwithberta.systeme.io/presentedesubjuntivo

Español coloquial

Estoy hasta las narices de que me llamen a la hora de la siesta

مِنْ أَيِّ بَلَد أَنْتُم؟
هَلْ مَعَكُم جَوازَات السَّفر؟
جواز السَّفر  --- pasaporte
هذا هُو جَواز سَفَرِي
هَا هُوَ جَواز سَفَرِي
آنِسَة  señorita
سَيِّدَة  señora
جَواز سَفَري مَع أَبِي  - Mi pasaporte lo tiene mi padre

الْعَفْوُ -  De nada 