Culips Everyday English Podcast

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – it’s Christmas! There are many different traditions and ways to celebrate this holiday around the world. In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the way they used to celebrate Christmas in their home countries and how they do it now that they live abroad. Chatterbox is the Culips series designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. This series features native English speakers having natural conversations about fascinating topics. Learning with our Chatterbox series is a great way to improve your English listening and speaking skills. Fun facts Have you ever seen an upside-down Christmas tree? Hanging Christmas trees from the ceiling is a trend that has been growing in popularity over the last few years. And while the tradition has religious origins, nowadays people do it for a more practical reason: this way a tree takes up less space. Expressions included in the study guide * Lead-up * To resign [oneself] to [something] * For starters * To spoil [someone] * At the crack of dawn * To seep into Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Kevin Bidwell (Pexels.com)

Attending a funeral Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about what it’s like to attend a funeral in South Korea. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Self-care is a term that has been around for a long time. However, it has become more popular recently because people are paying more attention to taking care of their physical and mental health in a fast-paced world. In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy chat about their personal self-care routines and some tips for listeners. If you’ve been feeling stressed out lately, then this is a great episode to check out! Simplified Speech is a Culips series that features easy to understand conversations that help beginner and intermediate English learners improve their listening skills. We have quality study guides and transcripts available for all Culips members. Fun facts It can be very difficult to practice self-care when you’re stressed out. The next time you want to relax and calm down, try this grounding technique that uses all of your senses: * Notice and name five things you can see * Notice and name four things you can feel * Notice and name three things you can hear * Notice and name two things you can smell * Notice and name one thing you can touch   This simple exercise can help you disconnect from your stress and pay more attention to your body and environment. Try it out! You just might feel a little bit calmer afterwards. Expressions included in the study guide * To take a toll on * To squeeze in * To go out on a limb * Love-hate relationship * To take full advantage of * Band-aid Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Opening music from Pixabay.com Image: Lesly Juarez and madison lavern (Unsplash.com)

A sweet mystery Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about a mystery he has discovered in his neighborhood and about visiting a Christmas market in Seoul. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you the expression to not hold water. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Are you the type of person who gets work done quickly and easily? Sometimes we may work on a task for a long time but still not make a lot of progress on it. In this episode, Kassy and Andrew teach two expressions you can use in situations where you’re stuck or not making progress. These expressions are to not make a dent in something and to go round in circles. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their English fluency. You’ll learn idioms and useful expressions to help you have more natural-sounding conversations. Fun facts The tallest rollercoaster in the world is Six Flags’ Kingda Ka rollercoaster. It first opened in 2005 and is 456 feet tall (almost 139 metres) at its highest point. Expressions included in the study guide * To not make a dent in (something) * To go round in circles * To be tapped * To feel (someone’s) pain * To take over a contract * To come to a consensus Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Opening music from Pixabay.com Image: Ran Berkovich (Unsplash.com)

34 days of music Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about the music he listened to this year. Plus, he teaches you about a useful English expression, to reign supreme. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Are you a saver or a spender? In this episode, Andrew and Anna share their experiences handling finances and give some tips on how to spend less money. If you’re interested in personal finance, be sure to give it a listen! Chatterbox is a series that features natural conversations between native speakers. This series is designed for intermediate and advanced learners. Listening to our Chatterbox series is a great way to improve your vocabulary and listening skills. Take your English fluency to the next level! Fun facts The tallest rollercoaster in the world is Six Flags’ Kingda Ka rollercoaster. It first opened in 2005 and is 456 feet tall (almost 139 metres) at its highest point. Expressions included in the study guide * To have a handle on [something] * Night and day * To kick the bucket * To push the boat out * Peace of mind * To delve into [something] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Opening music from Pixabay.com Image: Karolina Grabowska (Pexels.com)

For the best Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew shares the story about how his half marathon went last week. He also talks about the World Cup and who he’s cheering for. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you the expression slim to none. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Most children in the U.S. and Canada have had at least a few experiences visiting amusement parks. In this Simplified speech episode, Andrew and Kassy describe their childhood experiences going to amusement parks and theme parks. They discuss their opinions on them and offer several tips on getting the most fun out of your visit. Listen to the episode and decide for yourself whether you think these classic summertime destinations sound like fun! Simplified Speech is the Culips series that features easy to understand conversations that help beginner and intermediate English learners improve their communication skills. We have quality study guides and transcripts available for all Culips members. Study with the interactive transcript here. Fun facts The tallest rollercoaster in the world is Six Flags’ Kingda Ka rollercoaster. It first opened in 2005 and is 456 feet tall (almost 139 metres) at its highest point. Expressions included in the study guide * To not be a fan of [something] * To pay off * Claim to fame * To get butterflies * To date [oneself] * Once in a lifetime Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Image: Matt Bowden (unsplash.com)

Come back to haunt me Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about a decision he made in the past that has come back to haunt him. He also shares a story about a website that helped him to relive some childhood memories. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression to pay the price.   Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

It is always a great time picking up a new hobby! In this episode, Kassy talks with Andrew about some new hobbies of hers. Listen in to find out what they are! Simplified Speech is a Culips series where native speakers have natural conversations about everyday topics using clear and easy to understand language. These episodes are designed to help beginner and intermediate English language learners improve their listening skills. Study with the interactive transcript here. Fun facts In this episode, Andrew mentions Alex Honnold, a famous free solo climber. In 2017, he climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a 3000 feet tall rock formation, without ropes or any other protective equipment. The climb took him 3 hours and 56 minutes. Expressions included in the study guide * If I recall correctly * To get where [someone] is coming from * To have a hard time [doing something] * To blow [one’s] socks off * Notorious * To be on the verge of [something] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Image: Karolina Grabowska (Pexels.com)

A dumpster fire Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about the drama that’s unfolding at Twitter. Plus, he gives you some behind the scenes updates about some new things happening at Culips and teaches you a funny idiomatic expression: a dumpster fire.   Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Have you ever travelled abroad during summer vacation? Depending on where you travel, summer can be one of the best times to take a trip. In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about Anna’s trip to Scotland during the summer. Listen to this Chatterbox episode to hear about the food, sites, weather, and more that Anna experienced on her trip. Chatterbox is a series of natural conversations between two native English speakers about diverse and interesting topics. This series is designed to help intermediate and advanced English learners improve their listening and speaking ability in a fun and engaging way. Fun facts In this episode, Anna and Andrew talk about haggis, one of Scotland’s most iconic foods. There is a myth about haggis that some travellers may hear, which is that haggis is a small four-legged creature with a mane that is hunted in the Highlands of Scotland. Most people know this is not true, but if you ever have the opportunity to eat haggis you may also end up hearing this legend! Expressions included in the study guide * To recharge (one’s) batteries * To take it away * Picky and choosy * Quite the hike * Bucket list * Achilles’ heel Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Image:Andrew Ridley (Unsplash.com)

My strong suit Episode description In this bonus episode, Andrew talks about why his dog Pinky is a conversation starter and shares some stories about what he did over the weekend. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you the idiomatic expression to be someone’s strong suit.   Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here.

Emergencies can be extremely stressful, but they certainly make for some good stories. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy recount several stories from their childhoods about emergency situations. You’ll hear stories about stubborn children, bee stings, and getting stuck in theatre chairs. Listen to their tales and find out if you’ve gone through anything similar! Simplified Speech is a Culips series that features easy to understand conversations that help beginner and intermediate English learners improve their listening skills.. Fun facts Did you know that 911 (in North America) and 112 (in the European Union) are the most common emergency service numbers? Even if you can’t remember the right emergency number for the country you’re in, dialing either of these numbers on your smartphone should connect you to an emergency line immediately. Expressions included in the study guide * Lighthearted * To storm out * Alas * To go nuts * Bad influence * To be bound to happen Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar Image:Roger Brown (pexels.com)