A silly story about a dog on a log in the water

Storytime with Teacher Lauren

A Dog on a Log

* Today's phrase is " اگه جای تو بودم" which means " If I were you ...
** Listen to audio file for correct pronunciations and examples to learn how to use it in your conversation
***Feel free to text me if you have any questions

اصطلاحات و عبارات رایج فارسی / Persian common expressions & phrases 

اگه جای تو بودم

If you see someone sitting alone in a restaurant, you might assume they're waiting for someone, or perhaps they're grabbing a quick lunch on their break.

But more and more people around the world are purposely dining alone.

Japan has a special word for this: ohitorisama, which refers to people confidently doing things alone without worrying about what others think.

A recent survey found that 23% of Japanese people eat out alone, up from 18% in 2018. And in the US, solo dining reservations have risen 29% over the last two years, according to restaurant reservation site OpenTable.

OpenTable CEO Debby Soo thinks remote work is one reason for the increase, with people looking for a break from their home offices.

The increasing popularity in solo dining comes as more people are living alone. In 2019, the Pew Research Center found that 38% of US adults ages 25 to 54 were living without a partner, up from 29% in 1990. In Japan, single households now make up one-third of the total; that’s expected to increase to 40% by 2040, according to government data.

Growing interest in solo travel — particularly among travelers ages 55 and over — is also leading to more meals alone.

But Soo thinks there could be more to it than that.

"I think there's a broader movement of self-love and self-care and really … enjoying your own company," Soo said.

As a result, many restaurants are redoing their seating, changing their menus and adding other special touches to appeal to solo diners.

But some aren't always happy to seat one diner. A Michelin-starred London restaurant caused a stir last year when it started charging solo diners the same price as two customers. The restaurant, which has 34 seats, offers an eight-course menu costing about $280 per person.

Other restaurants say it's worth seating one person because solo diners will often come back and eat there again.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Party of One: Solo Dining Increasing in Popularity

Hey! Welcome to my fifth podcast and this time it's a Valentine's Special 💖🌹

VOCABULARY WE COVER: 

Head over heels – Completely in love
Mr. Right – The perfect partner
Wear your heart on your sleeve – To openly show emotions
Lovey-dovey – Overly affectionate in a romantic way
Pop the question – To propose marriage

AND THE QUESTIONS ASKED? 

1. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was head over heels in love?
2. Do you believe in the idea of Mr. Right, or do you think it’s a myth?
3. Are you someone who wears their heart on their sleeve, or do you prefer to keep your emotions to yourself?
4. Have you ever found yourself being lovey-dovey, or do you find it a bit cringe?
5. If you were to pop the question (or have someone pop the question to you), what would be your

Enjoy ⭐🙌

English Gym for Word Nerds

EPISODE 5 (Valentine's Special 💖)

Have you thought of the way you were taught to think when it comes to spoken English?

Do you think you were conditioned to think in a certain way?

Do y ou think you are free and relaxed when speaking?

Listen to the podcast and be inspired to break some of the barriers you were put into by your English teachers and your environment!

To Your Success!!!

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

How to answer Part 1,2,3 of IELTS Speaking?

Hauskaa vappua! Vietämme kevään juhlaa aurinkoisessa säässä. Suomalaisen työn ja kevään juhlaan  kuuluvat makea juoma sima, munkit, perunasalaatti ja nakit, sekä makeat tippaleivät. Vappu on karnevaalimainen tapahtuma, siihen osallistuvat kaikki! Tässä jaksossa kerron enemmän vapusta ja miten sitä vietetään!

Suomea for you

24. jakso: Hauskaa vappua!

La pie qui s'amuse
C’est moi, Mimi la pie. Blanc et noir est mon habit. Je suis très jolie et, très souvent, je ris. Et savez-vous ce qu’il y a dans mon nid ? Des radis, du pain de mie, des grains de riz et de l’eau-de-vie. L’après-midi, j’ai rapporté une boule de gui. Du gui dans mon nid pour la nouvelle année. J’ai invité toutes les pies dans mon nid décoré. On s’est fait des bibis sous le gui et on a dansé toute la nuit !
On s’amuse toujours entre amis chez Mimi la pie.