Hatsuyume is a Japanese tradition about the New Year.

The Social Evolutionary

Hatsuyume - will your first dream of the year mean good luck?

在夏季运动会上，唐国舟同学获得了第几名呢？我们一起听听看！

在夏季運動會上，唐國舟同學獲得了第幾名呢？我們一起聽聽看！

好听的中文故事 | 好聽的中文故事 | Great Chinese Stories

夏季运动会 | 夏季運動會

In this episode we look at the following problems:

-Using the past tense after did instead of the infinitive without to in questions and negatives

- Using the third person singular after does instead of the infinitive without to

I hope this is helpful, don't forget to subscribe!

STOP making these mistakes......

Problems with tenses - Mistakes with DID and DOES

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

The people you meet might respond to uncertainty differently than you. Consider seeing things from their point of view and adapting a little. Listen to this story of Nicole and Susan. 

Nicole likes routines and likes to plan in advance. Every Sunday she spends the afternoon and evening at her parents’ house. Every Monday she meets her best friend for lunch and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings she goes to a café and reads. Having some control over what’s going to happen makes her feel safe. Then one day Nicole meets Susan. Susan never plans things in advance, is always late, and prefers to be flexible. She likes to make decisions based on how she’s feeling that day and feels that doing the same thing is limiting. Nicole tried to make plans to meet for coffee in advance, Susan sounds uninterested, but she never gives her definite answers. Her behavior really annoys Nicole. 

With people who don’t mind uncertainty …

Remember that you can learn a lot from the unknown and the unfamiliar.
Show flexibility.
For example:
For me, either way is fine.
Let me know what you’re comfortable with.


With people who avoid uncertainty …

Offer details when making decisions.
Provide a context with background information. 
For example:
The reason I do it this way is…
Let me explain why (I’m doing this).

Show you understand the importance of structure and plans. 
I understand the (structure/flexibility) is important / means a lot to you.
I can see why you (spend time on planning).

Follow me for more Everyday English
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914

Everyday English with Teacher Alyse

Adapting to different ways of dealing with uncertainty

In this episode you will listen to a Dari (Persian) story. 

Dari and Uzbek Podcast

Dari Stories 

Neste episódio vamos falar sobre um município incrível. Vale a pena conhecer!