Culips Everyday English Podcast

Some people like to donate their free time to help clean the streets. Some people want to go to other countries to build affordable housing. Some people like to care for the elderly. All of these are worthy forms of volunteering. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy take you through the various interesting kinds of volunteering. Fun facts Since 1961, a US government organization called the Peace Corps has sent over 235,000 people to more than 141 countries. Expressions included in the study guide * A good cause * To give back * Knee-deep * To go a long way * Two sides to every coin * To pat [oneself] on the back 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 episode of Jeremy’s English Tips by Culips is about repetitive reading. When we do something for the first time, a new connection forms in our brain. This connection is called a synapse. A synapse is a connection between two brain cells. When we do the same thing again, the connection gets stronger. Just like if you draw a line with a pencil and then draw over it again. Key Points * Repetition strengthens the connection between brain cells, called synapses * Repetition of an action leads to proficiency in that action * Fluency is essentially the ability to comprehend or produce language “automatically” * Choose reading material that is a little bit difficult for you * Whenever you read something, try reading it multiple times Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Anyone who has moved from one home to another knows that it can be stressful. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about her big move out of the city. They even have a few tips for anyone who is moving soon. Fun facts The weight of the all the stuff in an average household is between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds, which is about the same weight as an elephant. It takes an average of 60 boxes to move everything. Expressions included in the study guide * The sticks and the boonies * To get rid of [something] * To pass on [something] to [someone] * For the sake of [something] * Prepper * A pain in the neck Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Are you a spender or a saver? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy introduce some useful phrases to talk about saving money for the future. Fun facts People in North America are finding it harder and harder to save money these days due to an increased cost of living, especially costs related to housing and daycare services. Expressions included in the study guide * To squirrel [something] away * To squander [something] away * To get away for [some time] * Frugal * Live a little * To save it for a rainy day 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 Hey guys, this is Suzanne. And you’re listening to Culips. Welcome to our new series called Quick Tips for all of your quick and easy English tips. Sometimes we might cover speech, sometimes grammar, sometimes how to give presentations or do interviews in English. Today, we’re going to be talking about a speech feature, slowing down or slowing down our speech rate. Quick tip takeaways * Fast does not mean fluent! * Elongate and stretch out the words you want to stress or emphasize. * Slowing down allows the person with whom you are talking to understand your message, making you more comprehensible. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

A few months ago, the Culips team did an episode on the world’s most interesting man. Now is the time for the world’s most interesting woman! Hosts Andrew and Jeremy speak in-depth about the one and only Greta Thunberg. Fun facts To avoid flying, Greta sailed from Europe to North America on a racing yacht over the course of 15 days. The yacht was equipped with solar panels and underwater wind turbines. Is that a journey you would take? Expressions included in the study guide * To crown [someone] * In the not too distant future * To go green * To practice what you preach * A light bulb moment * To sit on the sidelines 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 of Jeremy’s English Tips by Culips, I’ll be talking about pets, but more specifically dogs. However, all of what you will learn in this episode can be applied to almost any pet. Key Points * If the animal has a name, remember it * Ask the owner before petting the animal * Ask about the breed or species of the animal * Dog owners are most likely to be seen in public Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Have you ever felt like your life is a bit boring, like you’re stuck doing the same old routine every day? Then listen to this Chatterbox episode with Andrew and Kassy, where they introduce some useful tips on how to shake up your life and appreciate the world around you. Fun facts According to the Alzheimer’s Association, shaking things up and staying active in your life are some of the best ways to prevent Alzheimer’s or memory loss later in life. Apart from a clean diet and exercising, doctors say that keeping social, challenging your brain, and continuously learning and discovering new things is the best way to keep your mind fresh, even into old age. Expressions included in the study guide * To shake up [something] * In a rut * Out of the blue * Creepy * Stumble upon * To expand one’s horizons Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Living in a foreign country and need to buy a new phone or sign up for a phone plan? Then click on this episode straight away! In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Suzanne introduce useful cell phone and cell phone plan–related vocabulary. Fun facts Did you know that cell phones can have up to 18 times more bacteria than toilet handles? So make sure you are disinfecting your phone regularly and, please, don’t use your phone while in the bathroom! Expressions included in the study guide * To win [someone] over * Unlocked * Pay-as-you-go/prepaid * To be tied down * Bundle * Month-to-month * Carrier 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 I will be sharing an idiomatic expression with you today. I hope you’re excited. Our expression for today is the last straw, the last straw.  Now, this expression comes from a longer expression, and the longer version is less commonly used, but still, most native English speakers will know this phrase, so I’ll share it with you as well. The phrase is the straw that broke the camel’s back Example sentences * My husband cheating on me was the last straw. I filed for divorce right after I found out. * Getting my car broken into was the last straw. After that, I finally bought a car alarm. *  The terrible sales report was the last straw. When he saw it, the CEO instantly fired the management team. * I’m warning you this is the last straw! If you are late for class one more time, you’re going to get an F!   Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Escape rooms are a fun, entertaining, and sometimes challenging way to spend an hour or two with friends. Andrew and Kassy talk about the escape rooms they’ve tried and how this fun experience can be different depending on where you are in the world. Fun facts The very first live escape room was created by the Japanese company SCRAP in 2007. The concept is based on escape room–style video games, where players have to solve mysteries in order to escape and move to the next level. As of 2018—just 11 years later— there were over 14,000 escapes rooms worldwide. Expressions included in the study guide * Here and there * To come up with [something] * From [something] to [something] * Lifeline * I’m just going to say it Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

It seems everybody has a story about meeting a celebrity. Sometimes it is an uncomfortable situation, and sometimes it ends up being a great story. In this Chatterbox episode, hosts Andrew and Suzanne have some interesting stories to share with you about their celebrity encounters. Fun facts Paparazzi are famous for stalking celebrities to take their pictures. Interestingly, the word paparazzi comes from a character named Paparazzo in the movie La Dolce Vita. As you might have guessed, Paparazzo was a pretty intrusive news photographer. Expressions included in the study guide * To get a lot of buzz * Starstruck * To freak out * Under the radar * A-lister * Down to earth 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 be talking about habits, and more specifically, we will be talking about making new habits. In order to learn language more efficiently, we need to make some new study habits and integrate them into our daily lives. In order to do that, I recommend something called habit piggybacking. Now piggyback, to give someone a piggyback ride we say, means you give someone a ride on your back. Habit piggybacking is a great way to form new habits. For example, if you want to make a habit of studying vocabulary flashcards every day, then you should pair your vocabulary study with another thing that you already do every day. For example, before you eat breakfast, you study your flashcards. Take home messages  Making new habits is difficult because following old habits is always easier  You can’t teach an old dog new tricks  Habit piggy-backing is a great way to form new habits  For language learners, making a habit of doing repetitive listening and vocabulary study is a great way to accelerate your learning  It is okay to take breaks sometimes because the brain needs time to synthesize all the new information Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

How many languages are spoken in your household? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Jeremy talk about raising a child to be bilingual and some useful tips to use when going about it. Whether you already have a child of your own who you hope to raise bilingual or you hope to raise a bilingual child in the future, this episode is a must for you! Fun facts Over half of the world is fluent in at least two languages. Learning a new language is known to have many benefits, such as enhanced creativity, musicality, and focus, along with the added bonus of preventing dementia later in life. So get out there and keep learning! -Anyone interested in browsing the YouTube channel mentioned in this podcast can go to Hyunwoo Sun’s page here. Expressions included in the study guide * To tackle * To talk up a storm * We shall see * [Something] soup * To rub off on [someone] * Chore Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

The outbreak of viral diseases is something to be taken seriously. The new coronavirus affecting China, and soon after many other countries, is a cause for concern for everyone. In this Chatterbox episode, hosts Andrew and Jeremy talk about the sensitive topic of this new outbreak and how to discuss it in English. Fun facts It might not seem like much, but one of the best methods of prevention when it comes to infectious diseases is the simple act of washing your hands. Be sure to scrub up frequently throughout the day! Expressions included in the study guide * To prime [someone] * To spring up * An angle * Out of [one’s] mind * To get worked up * Epidemic/pandemic Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar