

Thinking in English
Thomas Wilkinson
Thinking in English is a podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to do more than just study grammar and vocabulary.
I believe that thinking is one of the most important steps on the road to fluency. That’s why each episode explores fascinating topics, from politics, economics, and history to philosophy, science, and culture.
Instead of simply learning English, this podcast helps you learn in English. You’ll expand your knowledge, discover new ideas, and improve your language skills, all at the same time.
Bonus episodes and ad-free episodes, exclusive for Patreon subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866
Join our Conversation Clubs and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
Visit the website: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/
Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English.
I believe that thinking is one of the most important steps on the road to fluency. That’s why each episode explores fascinating topics, from politics, economics, and history to philosophy, science, and culture.
Instead of simply learning English, this podcast helps you learn in English. You’ll expand your knowledge, discover new ideas, and improve your language skills, all at the same time.
Bonus episodes and ad-free episodes, exclusive for Patreon subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866
Join our Conversation Clubs and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
Visit the website: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/
Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 6, 2021 • 12min
‘Fat Cats,’ ‘Cat Naps,’ and ‘Doggy Bags’: Dog and Cat Idioms!
People have always loved animals, and especially cats and dogs. They are the most popular pets around the world, and have even been worshipped as gods and used to help us work in the past. As they are so important to our societies, it is only natural that idioms surrounding cats and dogs have entered our languages and everyday vocabulary. So, today, I’m going to introduce you to 5 cat based idioms and 5 dog based idioms that you can apply to your daily lives!
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/08/06/fat-cats-cat-naps-and-doggy-bags-dog-and-cat-idioms/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
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Aug 4, 2021 • 26min
91. What is a refugee? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Millions of people around the world are forced to flee their homes, abandon their belongings, and search for safety in countries away from their own country. However, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the rules, laws, and definitions of refugees and other similar people. So, in this episode of Thinking in English, let’s try to answer questions like who can be a refugee? What is the difference between a refugee, an asylum seeker, and a migrant? What protection are refugees entitled to receive?
TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/08/04/91-what-is-a-refugee-english-vocabulary-lesson/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
Vocabulary List
To flee (v) - to escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear
The criminal fled from the police
To displace (v) - to force someone to leave their home
The construction of a new airport will displace a whole town
Well-founded (adj) - based on facts
To qualify as a refugee you need to prove you have a well-founded fear of persecution
To persecute (v) - to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs
His latest book is about the experience of being persecuted for his religion
To abandon (v) - to leave a place, thing, or person, usually for ever
We had to abandon the car due to the snowstorm
To deport (v) - to force someone to leave a country, especially someone who has no legal right to be there or who has broken the law
Thousands of illegal immigrants are caught and deported every year
Eligible (adj) - having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions
Only people over 18 are eligible to vote
Asylum (n) - protection or safety, especially that given by a government to people who have been forced to leave their own countries for their safety or because of war
The athlete applied for asylum in Japan
To grant (n) - to give or allow someone something, usually in an official way
They granted her an entry visa
Abject (adj) - the state of being extremely unhappy, poor, unsuccessful, etc
They live in abject poverty
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Jul 30, 2021 • 11min
10 Business Abbreviations! (Advanced English Vocabulary)
The world of business is full of strange and often confusing abbreviations and acronyms. To be able to communicate effectively and successfully in an English language business environment, it is vital you learn what these phrases mean and, importantly, how to use them! So, in this episode of Thinking in English, I am going to introduce 10 of the most common and useful abbreviations that you can apply to your daily lives!
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/30/10-business-abbreviations-advanced-english-vocabulary/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
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Jul 28, 2021 • 21min
90. Should the Weekend be Longer?: The Four Day Working Week (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Have you ever thought about why you work 5 days a week? Or 8 hours a day? Why are weekends only two days long? Research suggests that there could be real benefits to reducing employees working hours and shortening the working week. This episode is going to look at the history of working hours, and then discuss whether it would be better for everyone if our weekends were longer, and the time we spend in the office is reduced.
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/28/90-should-the-weekend-be-longer-the-four-day-working-week-english-vocabulary-lesson/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
Vocabulary List
To entitle (v) - to give someone the right to do or have something
Children and the elderly are entitled to cheap train tickets
Trade union (n) - an organization that represents the people who work in a particular industry, protects their rights, and discusses their pay and working conditions with employers
The government’s proposals have been strongly criticized by the trade unions
To compensate (v) - to pay someone money in exchange for work done
That company compensates their employees really well
Productivity (n) - the rate at which a person, company, or country does useful work
A pleasant working environment increases productivity
Invoice (n) - a statement listing goods or services provided and their prices, used in business as a record of sale
You need to have a copy of your original invoice if want a refund
Obstacle (n) - something that blocks you so that movement, going forward, or action is prevented or made more difficult
Money seems to be no obstacle
Output (n) - an amount of something produced by a person, machine, factory, country, etc
Last year manufacturing output fell by 14 percent
Abundance (n) - a situation in which there is more than enough of something
The area has an abundance of lakes, rivers and streams to swim in!
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Jul 26, 2021 • 23min
89. What is the most ‘normal’ country in the world? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Over the last year and a half, the way people live, work, socialise, and much more, has completely changed. While we are beginning to return to normal in some ways, it is also possible that we will never return to the way things were before the pandemic. So, in this episode, let’s look at which country is currently the most ‘normal’ in the world?
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/26/89-what-is-the-most-normal-country-in-the-world-english-vocabulary-lesson/
You may also like...
84. Where is the Best Place to Live?: the Most ‘Liveable’ City 2021 (English Vocabulary Lesson)
74. Is Taiwan the Most Dangerous Place in the World? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
61. What is the Happiest Country in the World?: 2021 World Happiness Report (English Vocabulary Lesson)
40. What is the Most Expensive City in the World? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
Vocabulary List
Accustomed (adj) - familiar with something
She quickly became accustomed to his strange sleeping pattern
To invest in (v) - to put money, effort, time, etc. into something in order to improve it or get an advantage
My favourite restaurant invested in iPads to make ordering easier
Viable (adj) - able to work as intended or able to succeed
With government restrictions, it is no longer viable to hold our event
Extent (n) - amount
We don’t know the extent of his injuries
Normalcy (n) - the state of being normal (also said as normality)
Now that the war is over, perhaps our region will return to normalcy
Indicator (n) - something that shows what a situation is like
Increasing sales is an indicator that the food industry is recovering
congested (adj) - too much traffic and movement is difficult
The roads are always congested on national holidays
Conversely (adv) - in an opposite way
Children from rich areas are encouraged to go to university. Conversely, children from poor areas don’t have as many opportunities
Controversy (n) - a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the Tokyo Olympics
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Jul 23, 2021 • 11min
More than delicious: Advanced Food Vocabulary (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Food is something that unifies people across the world. Most people love to eat and to try new tastes and flavours. Food helps us connect with family, to socialise, and to feel happy. So, let’s learn some more advanced vocabulary to help you talk about food! Make sure you check out the transcript on thinkininenglish.blog and my Instagram page!
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/24/more-than-delicious-advanced-food-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Twitter - @thinkenglishpod
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
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Jul 21, 2021 • 22min
88. Why are the Tokyo 2020 Olympics so controversial? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
This week is the beginning of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. While the Games are usually a time of excitement and joy, this time is different. Covid has changed everything. This episode of Thinking in English will introduce some information about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, discuss why it is so controversial, and then present more general arguments about the benefits and negatives of hosting the Games
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/21/88-why-are-the-tokyo-2020-olympics-so-controversial-english-vocabulary-lesson/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Twitter - @thinkenglishpod
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
Vocabulary List
Eagerly (adv) - In a way that shows that you want to do or have something very much, especially something interesting or enjoyable
He eagerly accepted an invitation to the party
To anticipate (v) - to imagine or expect that something will happen
We don’t anticipate any trouble
To safeguard (v) - to protect something from harm
The union safeguards the interests of all its members
Precarious (adj) - a precarious situation is likely to get worse
After the bank collapsed, many customers are in a precarious financial position
Peacetime (n) - a period of time when a country is not at war
The country is buying more weapons even though we are in peacetime
To revive (v) - to come or bring something back to life, health, existence, or use
My plants revived as soon as I gave them some water
Alternating (adj) - starting with one thing, then another thing, and then the first thing again
He is always alternating between happy and sad
To revitalize (v) - to give new life, energy, activity, or success to something
Investment has revitalize this neighbourhood
Stature (n) - the good reputation a person or organization has, based on their behaviour and ability
He is an artist of great stature
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Jul 19, 2021 • 15min
87. How to Move Country in the Middle of a Pandemic!
In this episode, I’m going to talk about a big change in my life, explain why I've not uploaded many episodes recently, and discuss the process of moving to a new country during the middle of a pandemic!
TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/07/19/87-how-to-move-country-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Twitter - @thinkenglishpod
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2021 • 7min
The 'Rona', 'Covidiots', and 'Quarantinis': Covid-19 Slang (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today, I want to introduce some common slang that English speakers are using to talk about Covid-19 and the pandemic!
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/06/30/the-rona-covidiots-and-quarantinis-covid-19-slang/
32. The Oxford Dictionary Words of the Year 2020! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
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Twitter - @thinkenglishpod
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
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Jun 28, 2021 • 7min
Terrifyingly Troubling Tongue Twisters!: A Pronunciation Challenge
Today, I want to challenge you to a tongue twister competition!
TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/06/28/terrifyingly-troubling-tongue-twisters-a-pronunciation-challenge/
CONTACT US!!
INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
Twitter - @thinkenglishpod
Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog
Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com
Tongue Twisters!
Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry (x3)
She sells seashells on the seashore
If three witches were watching three watches, which witch would watch which watch?
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