Thinking in English

Last week, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away. His death has dominated news reporting in the UK and abroad. Prince Philip was an influential and well known international figure for over 70 years, carrying out thousands of meetings and engagements for the British royal family and his own personal passions. In this special episode of Thinking in English, lets answer the question “Who was Prince Philip?" TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/04/12/67-who-was-prince-philip-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List  Outpouring (n) - an expression of strong feeling that is difficult to control His death at the age of 35 has caused an outpouring of grief Condolence (n) - sympathy and sadness for the family or close friends of a person who has recently died, or an expression of this, especially in written form World leaders from all over the globe offered their condolences To banish (v) - to send someone away, especially from their country, and not allow them to come back He was banished to an uninhabited island for a year Prestigious (adj) - very much respected and admired, usually because of being important He studied at a prestigious university Gratitude  (n) - a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you She sent them a present to show her gratitude Amoeba (n) - a very small, simple living creature consisting of only one cell All life started as amoebas Sensitive (adj) - easily upset by the things people say or do, or causing people to be upset, embarrassed, or angry He was very sensitive about his appearance and thought everyone was staring at him phenomenally (adv) - extremely, especially in a way that is surprising Her first novel was phenomenally successful Engagement (n) - an arrangement to do something or meet someone at a particular time and place We have a dinner engagement Thursday --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is wrong with Israel’s politics? In the last two years, they have had four different elections. Each time no leader has been able to form a government, and no political parties have been willing to work together. Despite an election being held only a few weeks ago in March, it is already a possibility that a new election will need to be held in the summer. Let’s discuss some of the problems in Israeli politics, as well as practice using advanced political vocabulary! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/04/07/66-what-is-wrong-with-israels-politics-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Informed (adj) - having a lot of knowledge or information about something I will keep you informed about my decision Coalition (n) - the joining together of different political parties or groups for a particular purpose, usually for a limited time, or a government that is formed in this way By forming a coalition, the rebels and the oppositions parties defeated the government Short-lived (adj) - lasting only for a brief time I had a few relationships at college, most of which were fairly short-lived To convert (v) - to cause something to change in form or character Could we convert the bedroom to an office Threshold (n) - the level or point at which something starts to happen He earns £200 a month, which is way below the threshold for paying tax To fall out (phrasal v) - to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them He left home after falling out with his parents Allegation (n) - a statement, made without giving proof, that someone has done something wrong or illegal The allegations of corruption were not true Autocratic (adj) - demanding that people obey completely, without asking or caring about anyone else's opinions The president resigned after 30 years of autocratic rule --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Thinking in English we will discuss the Milk Tea Alliance. Protestors and pro-democracy activists in South East Asia have begun to connect with each other online using the hashtag Milk Tea Alliance. What is this alliance, how did it start, and what does it involve? And why does it use the name “milk tea?” Hopefully by the end of this episode you will be able to answer some, or all, of these questions! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/04/05/65-what-is-the-milk-tea-alliance-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Similar Episodes! Myanmar Coup - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/03/48-myanmar-military-coup-what-is-happening-and-why-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Democracy Rankings - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/08/57-is-democracy-dying-freedom-house-2021-report-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Viral (adj) - spreading or becoming popular very quickly on the internet He seems different since he went viral on Tik Tok Alliance (n) - a group of people or countries who have agreed to work together because of shared interests or aims In the USA, religious groups and conservative political parties have formed an alliance Prominent (adj) - very well known and important He is a prominent member of the royal family To advocate (v) - to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something The organisation advocates for human rights Neat (adj) - a drink without anything added to it She likes her whisky neat, with no ice or water To distinguish (v) - to notice or understand the different between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another I’m colour blind and can’t distinguish between red and green easily Boycott (v) - to refuse to buy a product or take part in an activity as a way of expressing strong disapproval People in China have boycotted H&M's products Nationalism (n) - a great, or too great, love for your own country Nationalism has been spreading through Europe recently --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the final Sunday of March, the UK and many other European countries adjust their time forward by one hour. This is known as Daylight Savings Time, or Summer time, and is designed to give people more hours of sunlight during the summer months. In this episode of Thinking in English we will look at the history and rationale for DST, before discussing whether or not we really need it in 2021! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/04/01/64-daylight-savings-time-why-do-we-change-our-time-in-the-summer-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List To skip (v) - to leave one thing or place, especially quickly, in order to go to another This part of the book isn’t very interesting, so I’m going to skip it To switch (v) - to change suddenly or completely, especially from one thing to another, or to exchange by replacing one person or thing with another She started studying English, but switched to History in her second year Equator (n) - an imaginary line drawn around the middle of the earth unequal distance from the North Pole and the South pole Indonesia lies on the equator Industrialised (adj) - Used to describe a country, economy, area, etc. that has many businesses and factories involved in producing goods Even in the industrialised world illiteracy is a problem Agricultural (adj) - used for farming or relating to farming The country’s economy is mainly agricultural Consistent (adj) - always behaving or happening in a similar way Her work is sometimes good, but the problem is she’s not consistent To adjust (v) - to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective or suitable If the chair is too high you can adjust it to suit you Rationale (n) - the reasons or intentions that cause a particular set of beliefs or actions I don’t understand the rationale for these restrictions Deprived (adj) - not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food, or good living conditions As I work at night, I am often sleep deprived --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North Korea has recently restarted missile tests, worrying neighbouring countries and international organisations. Why have they decided to do this now? This episode will look at a few different explanations for North Korea’s missile tests, as well as discussing the country's weapons programme in general! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/29/63-north-korean-missile-tests-explained-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Myanmar Coup - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/03/48-myanmar-military-coup-what-is-happening-and-why-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Tumultuous (adj) - full of confusion, change, or uncertainty After the tumultuous events of 1990, Europe was completely changed Totalitarian (adj) - being a political system in which those in power have complete control and do not allow people freedom to oppose them North Korea may be a totalitarian regime To violate (v) - to break or act against something, especially a law, agreement, principle, or something that should be treated with respect They were charged with violating federal law Provocative (adj) - causing an angry reaction, usually intentionally In a deliberately provocative speech, she criticized the whole system of government To unveil (v) - to make something secret known The president’s new policy was unveiled at the press conference To prohibit (v) - to officially refuse to allow something Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in the town centre Escalating (adj) - increasing in price, amount, rate, etc. The price of oil is escalating Stalemate (n) - a situation in which neither group involved in an argument can win or get an advantage and no action can be taken Despite long discussions, the workers and the management remain locked in stalemate Sanction (n) - an official order, such as the stopping of trade, that is taken against  a country in order to make it obey international law Economic sanctions will only be lifted when the aggressive nation withdraws its troops --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The plural of bird is birds, the plural of dog is dogs, but what is the plural of octopus? Is it octopuses, octopi, or octopodes? In this episode, we’ll discuss why no one seems to know the answer to this question, and look at the strange and confusing world of English plurals! Transcript -  https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/24/62-octopuses-vs-octopi-vs-octopodes-the-strange-world-of-english-plurals/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where is the happiest country in the world? How can we measure happiness? Is happiness a good way to compare countries? Has the ongoing pandemic affected people's happiness all over the world? These questions might seem a little complicated to answer, but fortunately for us the World Happiness Report 2021 was released last week! In this episode we’ll talk about the results of their rankings and discuss their findings on global happiness! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/22/61-what-is-the-happiest-country-in-the-world-2021-world-happiness-report-english-vocabulary-lesson/ https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/ Democracy Rankings - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/08/57-is-democracy-dying-freedom-house-2021-report-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Most Languages? - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/13/42-which-country-has-the-most-languages-english-vocabulary-lesson/ What is the most expensive city? - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/06/40-what-is-the-most-expensive-city-in-the-world-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List Corruption (n) - illegal, bad, or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power Political corruption is widespread throughout that country Obsessed (adj) - unable to stop thinking about something; too interest in or worried about something Why are people so obsessed with money? Evaluation (n) - A judgment or calculation of the quality, importance, amount, or value of something Student evaluations of the class will be collected next week Mutual (adj) - (of two or more people or groups) feeling the same emotion, or doing the same thing to or for each other Their partnerships was based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding Stringent (adj) - having a very severe effect, or being extremely limiting We need to introduce more stringent security measures such as identity cards To buffer (v) - to provide protection against harm People’s concerns were buffered by the government’s strong actions Morale (n) - the amount of confidence felt by a person or group of people, especially when in a dangerous or difficult situation A couple of victories would improve the team's morale enormously Frequency (n) - the number of times something happens within a particular period Complaints about the frequency of buses rose in the last year Solidarity (n) - agreement between, and support, for the members of a group The purpose of the speech was to show solidarity with the country’s leaders --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I want to talk about St Patrick’s day! St Patrick’s day is an incredibly popular celebration of Ireland and Irish culture with events taking place around the world. However, the history of this holiday is incredibly surprising. Let’s learn about the life of St Patrick, the history of the festival, and some of the myths surrounding the events!! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/17/60-st-patricks-day-explained-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Similar Episodes! What is Halloween? - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/30/14-what-is-halloween/ Bonfire Night! - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/06/bonfire-night-a-unique-british-festival-with-an-explosive-history/ Christmas! - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/23/36-christmas-special-christmas-idioms-phrases-and-sayings-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Enthralling (adj) - keeping someone’s interest and attention completely I found your book absolutely enthralling! Festivities (plural n) - the parties, meals, and other social activities with which people celebrate a special occasion If you’re in Europe during winter, you should join in with the Christmas festivities! Advocate (n) - someone who publicly supports something He’s a strong advocate of human rights To inhabit (v) - to live in a place These remote islands are inhabited only by birds To convert (v) - to change to a new religion, belief, opinion, etc., or to make someone do this He converted to Catholicism when he got married Mythology (n) - a popular belief that is probably not true There is a lot of mythology surrounding the origin of that country To banish (v) - to send someone away, especially from their country, and not allow them to come back He was banished to an uninhabited island for a year To flee (v) - to escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear In order to escape his enemies, he fled to the mountains Misconception (n) - an idea that is wrong because it has been based on a failure to understand a situation I’d like to clear up the common misconception that older workers don’t know how to use technology --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading is an incredibly important skill to learn and improve for all language students. You can build your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, discover new facts about different cultures and history, and enjoy yourself at the same time! It can be scary and frustrating when trying to choose your first English book, so in this episode I’m going to give you 5 classic novel recommendations that are all available as graded readers designed for English learners! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/15/59-5-books-recommendations-to-improve-your-english/ Recommended Books The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - https://amzn.to/30ONvgp (PAID LINK) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Graded Reader) - https://amzn.to/38Ehcp7 (PAID LINK) Animal Farm - https://amzn.to/3czhe2D (PAID LINK) Animal Farm (Graded Reader) - https://amzn.to/3bLQRr9 (PAID LINK) The Night Manager - https://amzn.to/3co1BL6 (PAID LINK) The Night Manager (Graded Reader) - https://amzn.to/3rRKoQU (PAID LINK) Great Expectations - https://amzn.to/3bKlJYQ (PAID LINK) Great Expectation (Graded Reader) - https://amzn.to/3bLeAHO (PAID LINK) Moby Dick - https://amzn.to/3vnwkk9 (PAID LINK) Moby Dick (Graded Reader) - https://amzn.to/2OXkPzu (PAID LINK) (I get commissions for purchases made through these links) CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List To underestimate (v) - to fail to guess or understand the real cost, size, difficulty, etc. of something They’ve seriously underestimated the cost of the building project Rewarding (adj) - giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well Teaching is a really rewarding career Accomplishment (n) - something that is successful, or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort There’s a feeling of accomplishment from having a job and all that goes with it To simplify (v) - to make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand He tried to simplify the story for the younger audience To grade (v) - to separate people or things into different levels of quality, size, importance, etc. The fruit is washed and then graded by size Satire (n) - a way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, especially in order to make a political point, or a piece of writing that uses this style Her play was a satire on life in the 1980s Undoubtedly (adv) - used to emphasize that something is true She was undoubtedly the best candidate --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Asian country, causing a massive and destructive tsunami.  On this episode of Thinking in English, I want to talk about the events of March 11th 2011, and look at the Fukushima nuclear disaster in more detail. Finally, I will discuss the future of nuclear power, as well as its pros and cons! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/03/10/58-the-future-of-nuclear-power-10-years-after-the-great-east-japan-earthquake/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List  To trigger (v) - to cause something to start Some people find that certain foods trigger their headaches To breach (v) - to make an opening in a wall or fence, especially in order to attack someone or something behind it Their defences were easily breached Reactor (n) - a large machine in which atoms are either divided or joined in order to produce power How many nuclear reactors does your country have? Epicenter (n) - the point on the earth’s surface directly above an earthquake or atomic explosion Those islands are close to epicenter of the earthquake To expose (v) - to put someone at risk from something harmful or unpleasant It is feared that people living near the power station may have been exposed to radiation To evacuate (v) - to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe The police evacuated the village shortly before the explosion Radioactive (adj) - having or producing the energy that comes from the breaking up of atoms Uranium is a radioactive material Footprint (n) - a measurement of the size, effect, etc. of something We took the decision to invest in new countries and grow our global footprint To pose (v) - to cause something, especially a problem or difficulty Nuclear weapons pose a threat to everyone --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices