『どんどん読める！日本語ショートストーリーズVol.2』より

みじかい ものがたりを読もう📖 Read a short story

雷と少女

Привет! It's Ira and Curtis. We are teachers and decided to record a podcast for you on different topics, where we will speak two different languages: Russian and English.

In today's episode, we’ve discussed various popular superstitions in our cultures, their meanings and possible reasons for their occurrence.

Time code:

01:02 – number 13

01:28 – black cat

03:42 – passing something through the doorway

06:18 – knocking on wood

09:22 – lucky charm

10:30 – not empty bottle of vodka

11:45 – looking at the mirror when you need to return

14:01 – why number 13

17:26 – take out the trash in the evening

18:35 – whistling at home

21:45 – sitting before the trip

For each next podcast, we will pick a specific topic and discuss it. If you have any ideas for topics that you would like to listen to - write us =)

Pro bilingual 

04 ПРО bilingual: superstitions in our cultures

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

¡Bienvenidos a Maria & Pablo Spanish! En esta serie de episodios especiales, hemos estado compartiendo con ustedes el uso de diferentes verbos en español. En este penúltimo episodio vamos a darles algunas oraciones con el verbo ‘to be delayed’, que se puede traducir en español como demorarse, tardarse y retrasarse.  ¡Empecemos! 

Les invitamos a conocernos más en: 
📍 María: https://linktr.ee/spanishwithmariap  
📍 Pablo: https://linktr.ee/pabloalejos 

Maria & Pablo Spanish

20. Verbos en contexto. How to say ‘to be delayed’ in Spanish (Part 6)

Listen to me reading a short news article about the pros and cons of internet dating, as part of my Conversational English course.

Listen to English with Pip

News article: online dating

Para estudiantes de español aprender el idioma conlleva retos o desafíos de diferentes tamaños que abordan memorización, aprendizaje, práctica, reconocimiento, conjugación ortografía, entre otros; por eso es normal que surjan dudas en relación con algunos aspectos específicos del idioma y que no todos los profesores del idioma los conocen o los explican claramente. 
A continuación vamos a conocer algunas dudas frecuentes del español, claro está algunas puedes haberlas enfrentado y otras han pasado desapercibidas ante ti, pero lo que veremos hoy son pequeñas incógnitas que aparecen en el proceso de aprendizaje y que definitivamente fortalecerán tu comprensión del idioma.

Español con todo 

12 dudas frecuentes del español

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Sports. Q1-Q3.

1. What types of sports are popular in your country? Why?
2. What are the benefits of playing a sport?
3. Do you often play a sport? Why/ why not?

What additional questions can you thtow at yourself to explore the topic even further? This is for advanced users. 

Let me know how I can be of assistance. 

IELTS-SPEAKING 8-9 BAND IS POSSIBLE. DAILY SPEAKING PRACTICE PART 1,2 & 3. Listen daily.

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 3 - Sports. Q1-Q3.

¿Prefieres la playa, o la montaña?  ¿Quedarte en tu país, o ciudad para verla con otros ojos? ¿O conocer un país nuevo? ¿Necesitas capturar cada instante de tus vacaciones en una foto? ¿O prefieres grabarla en tu memoria? 
Depende de lo que contestes te puedes considerar un tipo de turista u otro. En el episodio de hoy te menciono algunos de los diferentes tipos de viajeros y sus características.

Una vez que escuches, dime en los comentarios o en mi Instagram:

-¿qué tipo de viajero eres tú?


Blanca to go 

42 – tipos de viajeros

“Concentrating, especially when i need to really hit the books, or work on an assignment with a deadline is something I can say I’ve honestly had a big problem with over the years,mainly because of the distractions caused by my mobile phone. I often racked my brains on how to best deal with the problem as it was really interfering with my studies.  However, one of my classmates who also had a similar problem recently recommended an app to me, which he absolutely swears by, and told me how it has helped him so much.

The app in question is called Forest, and the main idea, as well as setting it up is as easy as pie. You open the app, and say you want to plant a tree,and then you put the phone down. If you lift your phone or open another app after this your tree will die. However if you can last 25 minutes, your tree will live, and you can then aim to build a whole forest.




As simple as this app is, I have found it to be a massive help in improving my concentration, as well keeping me from being distracted by my mobile. It has definitely made me become more productive in my studies, and I now get my assignments finished on time, without having to stay up all night burning the midnight oil. This very simple app has really been a godsend and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who finds their mobile a distraction. 