Culips Everyday English Podcast

Super! Really! Very! Extremely! There are many ways to add emphasis to your conversation and show the intensity of a feeling or situation. In today’s episode, Andrew and Jeremy share two catch words that native English speakers use every day. Fun facts Intensifiers are adverbs used to give force or emphasis. These parts of speech have a variety of rules and guidelines that native English speakers know instinctively but that require some research to fully understand. Expressions included in the study guide * So [adjective], it hurts * Hella * [Something] nerd * Secondhand embarrassment * Breeding ground * Getting into [something] territory Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Sometimes things go missing. Whether you’ve lost an item, a person, or an idea, there are unique phrases to fit the situation. In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two phrases you can use to say that something has disappeared. Fun facts The Bermuda Triangle is famous for making planes and ships disappear. This area, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico; while there are many theories as to why ships disappear here, no one has been able to properly explain it. Expressions included in the study guide * Out the window * Vanish into thin air * Big time * Lost for good * Goner * In my books Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Most of us can’t afford to recklessly spend money. So when it comes to making big purchases, we’re forced to make big decisions. In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about some of the big purchases they have made. Fun facts The most expensive private home in the world is called Antilia. It is in Mumbai and currently owned by Mukesh Ambani. It cost approximately $2 billion to build. While that might sound like a lot of money to us, Mr. Ambani can more than afford it. He’s worth $81 billion! Expressions included in the study guide * To shop around * Buyer’s remorse * To splurge * Flimsy * To get scammed * To pull the trigger Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

There are so many ways to tell people that you’re thinking. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy cover two expressions that you can use to tell someone just how hard you’re thinking about something. Fun facts Naps can improve your memory. German researchers at the University of Lübeck asked study participants to do some tasks; half of them had to stay awake while the other half got to nap. The group that napped was able to remember more than the group that stayed awake. Expressions included in the study guide * To rack your brain * To chew on [something] * To throw out ideas * Draining * To talk [something] over * To gloss over [something] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Today’s topic is breath support. Sometimes when we’re in an important meeting, an interview or maybe a class presentation, we might find that we’re kind of nervous, right? Our nerves go up, our body temperature goes up. Our breathing starts getting shallow. And we tend not to have a lot of what we call vocal presence and breath support. Quick tip takeaways * Breath support is using our lungs and diaphragm efficiently so that we don’t damage our vocal folds and so that we have vocal presence. * Vocal presence is having a loud enough, yet supported enough voice that fills the room and feels relaxed and at ease when you are speaking. * Remember to try stretching your back body when filling up your lungs so that you use the full capacity of your inhalation. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Do you dread social gatherings because you’re never quite sure exactly what to say? Then tune in to this Real Talk episode, where Andrew and Jeremy introduce some great phrases to use when making small talk at a party, wedding, or similar event. Fun facts Most people love to share stories about themselves. The best way to make a good impression at any social gathering is to ask questions that will spark the interest of those around you. Then all you have to do is sit back, listen as the conversation flows around you, and pat yourself on the back for your great social skills! Expressions included in the study guide * The [something] * Goof * To mean business * To break the ice * Well * A blast * Singing [one’s] praises Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Taking care of the environment through recycling and proper garbage disposal is such an important aspect of our lives. However, everyone goes about it differently. In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the differences between how Canada and the United States deal with waste management. Fun facts Recycling isn’t easy for every country to do. It’s often very expensive and citizens need the discipline to do it. So here’s a big congratulations to Germany for being the world’s leading recycling country. They recycle 56.1% of all the waste they produce! Expressions included in the study guide * Waste management * Bright and early * To subsidize * A [something] drive * To devise [something] * Win-win Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

In today’s Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy introduce two phrases that can be used when expressing negative emotions. Although we wish life could always be full of happy times, that definitely isn’t the reality. Sometimes we have some pretty negative emotions bottled up inside; Andrew and Jeremy are here to help you express those emotions in English. Fun facts Bad feelings are actually good for you! Negative emotions help us to reflect on and evaluate our experiences. Someone who only experiences positive emotions could become complacent in life and ignores key issues in an effort to maintain their constant state of false positivity. Expressions included in the study guide * To eat [someone] up * High-stakes * To go with one’s gut * To tear [someone] up * To spill the beans * Tearjerker Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description In this episode we are going to talk about three super useful ways to share your opinion in English. Now in English, it is very common for people to share their opinions and to discuss differing opinions in a rather casual setting. Key points covered in this lesson: * The easiest way to share your opinion is with I think. However, this has another meaning too. It can mean that you are unsure or do not know if something is 100% true or not. * Use to me to share your opinion, but also show that you respect other people’s opinions. It can be used in formal or informal situations. * Use I feel like to gently share your opinion but also allow the other people to share their opinions without getting into an argument. * When adults learn a new language, they usually try to learn words without context. * Use as far as I’m concerned to strongly assert your opinion. If you are certain that you are right but the other person thinks differently, you can use this one. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

There are more and more food-delivery options available every year. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the apps they use and how often they order food, cook for themselves, or treat themselves to a night out. Fun facts It is said that the first-ever food delivery order happened in 1889. Italy’s King Umberto and Queen Margherita had Raffaele Esposito deliver a pizza to their palace in Naples. Expressions included in the study guide * Big players * [Someone] can’t be bothered * Wherever [something] lands * Market towards [someone] * A step up from * Side hustle Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Everyone goes through the stage of language learning when they find themselves constantly translating their target language into their native one. When do people get past that stage and start to think in English? In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Jeremy share their best methods for surpassing this plateau. Fun facts Have you read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? Even if you can’t read it in its original French, you can probably find it in your native language. It is thought to be the most widely translated novel, having been rendered into 361 languages and dialects! Expressions included in the study guide * To know [something] all too well * A take * Magic solution * To bounce ideas off [someone] * Muscle memory * To trust the process Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description In this episode, I’d like to talk about how using stories can make memorizing words easier.  When adults try to learn a new language, they usually just try to learn words without context. Have you ever tried to memorize a long list of words? If so, then you are likely guilty of this as well. I know I am certainly guilty of this as well. So instead of studying a new word and learning its meaning in your native language, I suggest using context. Key points covered in this lesson: * Children learn a lot from repetitive reading of stories. * Words that repeat stick out to them and are easy to learn as a result. * The pictures in the book give the child context and make learning possible. * When adults learn a new language, they usually try to learn words without context. * Audio, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic information help make the memory of a word or phrase much stronger and therefore, easier to recall when the word is needed. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Uniforms in school is a hot topic for students. Some students love that they don’t have to choose their clothes in the morning. Others hate the lack of freedom. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Suzanne share their opinions on and experiences with school uniforms. Fun facts The prevalence of school uniforms varies drastically from country to country. In the United States, most schools do not require a uniform. Compare that to schools in Seoul, South Korea, where 98% of all middle and high schools require their students to wear uniforms! Expressions included in the study guide * Private/public school * Driving force * Status symbol * To speak for everyone * Dress code * Insider Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Today, we have a quick tip for you. And today we’re going to talk about open-ended questions, and the intonation. So, when you ask a question, does it always go up at the end? Not always. Intonation. Many times people see a question mark or ask a question and automatically assume that a question should always go up in intonation. But there are actually some rules regarding questions and intonation. Quick tip takeaways * Just because a questions ends with a question mark (?) does not mean the intonation or pitch should go up at the end. * Intonation is the rise and fall of pitch in speech, usually used to emphasize and stress a word in a sentence. * An open-ended question is a question that cannot be answered with yes or no. Instead, it is answered with a descriptive response. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Regardless of what magazines and articles say about fashion, everyone has their own unique, personal style. In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne describe their personal styles and talk about how they’ve changed over the years. Fun facts Men’s clothing has the buttons on the right side. Women’s buttons are on the left and sometimes the back. This is because some women used to be dressed by servants. As most people are right-handed, having the buttons on the left made it easier for the servants to button up the clothes. Expressions included in the study guide * To make an impact * To set your intention * V-neck * Downsize * Do [someone] a solid * To pare down Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar