In the first Just Chatting podcast, we discuss the heatwave and coping with the summer heat.

How do you cope with working during a heatwave?
What do you do to stay cool during the summer?

Just Chatting

Just Chatting Episode 1 | Heatwaves

       “桥” 以前写作“橋”，木字旁说明古时桥梁的建造材料多为木材。“喬”表示高大或高出高过。桥最初是指将一根木头架在沟壑或溪流上的通道。
       后来桥又引申出了更丰富的内涵，成为一种与文化相关的符号。
       我国神话传说中有一座由喜鹊搭成的桥——鹊桥，传说牛郎和织女真挚的爱情故事感动了鸟神，每年七月初七这天，喜鹊们便在银河上用身体搭桥，以此让牛郎和织女顺利相会。
       民间传说中还有一座神秘的桥——奈何桥。奈何奈何，无可奈何。人们希望有一座桥能连接生和死，便想象有一座奈何桥是人死后的必经之路。
      “桥”还是连接与沟通的象征。比如，书本是一座桥，带着我们走进知识的大门； 自信是一座桥，引领我们走向成功的彼岸。

汉字知识

“桥” ：从木头通道到神奇符号

Why are Argentinians so passionate about football? Why is it so popular?
In this episode of Your Spanish Journey, I'm going to have an interview with a football fan to answer these questions and talk about the most popular sport in our country. 

Your Spanish Journey

Customs and traditions from Argentina and Latin America. TODAY: EL FÚTBOL

En este episodio, nos sumergimos en la historia y el misterio detrás del nombre de España. Desde las antiguas crónicas fenicias hasta las interpretaciones romanas de Hispania, exploramos las teorías lingüísticas, culturales y geográficas que dieron lugar al nombre de nuestro país. ¿Tiene algo que ver con conejos, como algunos dicen? Acompáñanos en este viaje etimológico entre ruinas, mapas antiguos y mucha curiosidad.

Entre tapas y eñes con Escudero

Episodio 10. ¿De dónde viene el nombre de España?

Hace unas semanas, en este mismo blog hablaba sobre el “idioma universal: la música”. Pues hoy sale la newsletter número 10 y el tema entorno al que gira es sobre 10 canciones específicas que ayudan, sin duda, a mejorar las áreas de: comprensión auditiva, fonética, vocabulario e inmersión en la cultura hispanoamericana... todo esto e incluso más: la alegría y las emociones que generan estas diez composiciones que hacen que la gente cada vez más y más, se enamore de nuestra cultura y por supuesto, de nuestra lengua también.

AUDIO-ARTÍCULOS (Nivel B2-C1)

La Música y la Lengua

In today's podcast, ex-IELTS examiner Cambridge David guides you through some great ways that you can boost your IELTS Speaking score, by replacing common words with higher value expressions used by native speakers.
For more help preparing for your IELTS exam, book a lesson with Cambridge David today.  

IELTS with Cambridge David

Great IELTS expressions to replace simple, common words

Script:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oXHHGEJoGlVs6g80NZ8NZJ_lG6bGw_IP3rrRwlj11OE/edit?usp=sharing

Bonne écoute!

Le français des affaires

Vocabulaire essentiel pour les affaires : Termes et expressions courantes utilisés dans le milieu professionnel (C1-C2)

In many of the world's richer countries, young adults feel they can't afford to start a family. They also see the idea of buying a house as an impossible dream.

So, they're going on holiday instead!

And Elizabeth Currid-Halkett from the University of Southern California told CNN that young people are happy to take on some debt to go on a trip.

That's because it feels like a very small amount of debt compared to the cost of college or a house.

In fact, a May 2024 survey by US money website WalletHub found that two out of five Americans agree: they think it's worth going into debt to be able to have a good vacation.

Some call it "doom spending" — spending money on short-term pleasure, not saving it for something bigger in the future.

People point to the fact that house prices have increased much faster than wages, and so young adults today feel that saving for a home isn't realistic.

They feel the money would be better spent on a nice vacation.

There are also airlines that let customers book a flight but pay for it later, something that may appeal to these younger travelers.

However, experts say doom spending is a risky way to use your money, especially if it becomes a habit.

Money expert Louise Hill told Sky News that spending on short-term pleasure also makes it even harder to save for big things in life like a house or a family.

She said: "By the time you've saved enough for it, think about whether you still really want it."

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Many Americans Happy to Go into Debt for a Vacation

A great lesson where you'll learn the best vocabulary related to the meals of the day.