Thinking in English

George Orwell is one of the most famous and talented writers of the last hundred years. Fortunately for us, Orwell left a list of rules for writers to follow and questions to consider which will help you to improve your written English. Writing is an essential skill, and something we can always improve! Hopefully you will find Orwell’s tips and tricks useful! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/01/47-how-to-improve-your-written-english-according-to-the-great-writer-george-orwell/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST To convey (v) - to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people I tried to convey in my speech how grateful i am for everyone’s help Passionate (adj) - having very strong feelings or emotions Joe is passionate about baseball Imitation (n) - when someone or something imitates another person or thing Ten-years-olds have started wearing lipstick and make-up in imitation of the older girls Worn out (adj) - Something that is worn out can no longer be used because it is so old or because it has been damaged by continued use My jeans are almost worn out because I’ve worn them so much To emphasise (v) - to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to I’d like to emphasize how important it is for people to learn foreign languages Jargon (n) - special words and phrases that are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work Business people use jargon all the time Abbreviation (n) - a short form of a word or phrase “BBC” is the abbreviation for “British Broadcasting Corporation” Compulsory (adj) - If something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law Swimming was compulsory at my school --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Archaeologists recently discovered the world’s oldest cave paintings of animals, in an isolated cave in Indonesia. This has challenged the way scientists think about our history, and provided evidence for people in Asia tens of thousands of years ago! Let’s learn about this topic, while studying English vocabulary! Transcript -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/27/46-worlds-oldest-cave-paintings-discovered-in-indonesia-english-vocabulary-lesson/# CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary Archaeologist (n) - someone who studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in the past Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an Anglo-Saxon settlement Remote (adj) - far away in distance; a long way from any towns or cities They live in a remote mountain village, miles from the nearest shop Characteristic (n) - a typical or noticeable quality of someone or something A big nose is a characteristic in my family Capacity (n) - someone’s ability to do a particular thing She has a great capacity for hard work To date (v) - to say how long something has existed or when it was made Archaeologists have been unable to date these fossils Artefact (n) - an object that is made by a person, such as a tool or decoration, especially one that is of historical interest The museum’s collection includes artefacts dating back to prehistoric times Reasonable (adj) - based on or using good judgement and therefore fair and practical If you tell him what happened, I’m sure he’ll understand - he’s a reasonable man! Sophisticated (adj) - intelligent or made in a complicated way and therefore able to do complicated tasks I think a more sophisticated approach is needed to solve this problem Pigment (n) - a substance that gives something a particular colour when it is added to it Pigment is mixed into oil, glue, egg, etc. to make different types of paint Comprehension Questions Q. What animal was painted in the cave? Q. When did humans arrive in Australia? Q. Where was the oldest human produced art discovered? --- 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 am going to introduce eight idioms that are commonly used in business situations. One of the major problems language learners face when working in a native English environment is recognising and comprehending idioms. Even if you are not interested in business, these idioms are used in many different situations and contexts! Whether you are studying, working, living, and or just enjoying English, these idioms will be perfect for you! TRANCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/25/45-eight-more-business-english-idioms/ Previous Episodes! http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/29/incredibly-useful-english-idioms-ideal-for-business-english-ielts-study-abroad-and-more-english-vocabulary-lesson/ http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/11/19-eight-useful-business-english-idioms/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST Frequently (adv) - often The buses run less frequently on Sundays To originate (v) - to come from a particular place, time, situation, etc Although the game originated in the UK, it has become an international sport Elaborate (adj) - containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts They are making elaborate preparations for their wedding Flaw (n) - a fault, mistake, or weakness, especially one that happens while something is being planned or made, or that causes something not to be perfect This report is full of flaws Dependent (adj) - needing the support of something or someone in order to continue existing or operating It’s very easy to become dependent on sleeping pills To concentrate (v) - to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem Many wine producers have concentrated their efforts on producing higher quality wine Bureaucracy (n) - a system for controlling or managing a country, company, or organization, that is operated by a large number of officials employed to follow rules carefully I had to deal with the university’s bureaucracy when I was applying for financial aid --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has binge-watched a TV show. Only a few weeks ago, I watched the Netflix show the Queen's Gambit in only 3 days. However, is binge-watching actually bad for you? In this episode, of thinking in English, we will look at what binge-watching is and then think about the benefits and consequences of doing it! Hopefully, by the end of the episode you will be able to express your own opinion on the topic. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/20/44-is-binge-watching-bad-for-you/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST Sitting (n) - a limited period of time during which you sit and do a particular activity I read that book in one sitting Cliffhanger (n) - a story or a situation that is exciting because its ending or result is uncertain until it happens Many of Hitchcock’s films are real cliffhangers To indulge (v) - to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you I love champagne but i don’t often indulge myself To admit (v) - to agree that something is true, especially unwillingly She admitted making a mistake Perspective (n) - a particular way of considering something Her attitude lends a fresh perspective to the subject Beneficial (adj) - helpful, useful, or good A stay in the countryside will be beneficial to his health Excessive (adj) - too much Excessive exercise can sometimes cause health problems Insomnia (n) - the condition of being unable to sleep, over a period of time She suffered from insomnia caused by stress at work Fulfilling (adj) - making you feel happy and satisfied Nursing is hard work, but it can be very fulfilling --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 20th January, Joe Biden will officially replace Donald Trump as the President of the United States of America. This process is very traditional, and therefore uses traditional and specific vocabulary. Today’s episode will introduce some of the events that will take place on the 20th, and highlight some of the essential vocabulary you might notice! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/18/43-inauguration-day-all-the-essential-vocabulary/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List To reverse (v) - to cause something to go in the opposite direction, order, or position The Court of Appeal reversed the earlier judgment. Restriction (n) - an official limit on something I can’t wait for the coronavirus restrictions to be over -elect (suffix) - used after the title of an official job to refer to someone who has been chosen by vote to do that job, but who has not yet started doing it: Mr Theroux is chairman-elect of the Promotion Marketing Association. To deliver (v) - to give or produce a speech The President is scheduled to deliver a speech on foreign policy Address (n) - a formal speech She gave an address to the Royal Academy Long-standing (adj) - having existed for a long time It’s been our long-standing policy not to allow pets at the hotel To honour (v) - to show great respect for someone or something, especially in public I would be honoured to meet him Parade (n) - a large number of people walking or in vehicles, all going in the same direction, usually as part of a public celebration of something: To serve (v) - to work for; to do your duty to He served in the army for 22 years Oath (n) - a serious promise that you will tell the truth or that you will do what you have said --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are thousands of languages in the world. Some are spoken by billions of people, others by less than one hundred! Which country has the most languages? In this episode I’ll answer that question, look at some of the languages spoken in that country, and try to explain why there are so many! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/13/42-which-country-has-the-most-languages-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST Diversity (n) - a range of different things or people The wonderful diversity of our country’s wildlife is now under threat Inhabitant (v) - a person or animal that lives in a particular place That city has 5 million inhabitants Linguistically (adv) - in a way that is connected with language or the study of language Apparently Silicon Valley has become one of the most linguistically diverse places in America Dialect (n) - a form of a language that people speak in a particular part of a country, containing some different words and grammar, etc. The poem is written in northern dialect Descend from (Phrasal v) - if one thing descend from or is descended from another, the later thing develops from the earlier thing Romance languages are directly descended from Latin Ancestor (n) - a person related to you who lived a long time ago There were portraits of his ancestors on the walls of the room Indigenous (adj) - existing naturally or having always lived in a place; native The Navajos are among the indigenous people of North America Colonist (n) - someone who lives in or goes to live in a country or area that is a colony The first American colonists arrived in the 17th century Creole (n) - a language that has developed from a mixture of languages Many Afro-Caribbean Englishes are creoles Tribe (n) - a group of people, often of related families, who live together, sharing the same language, culture, and history, especially those who do not live in towns or cities The Masai tribe live in Africa COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. Apart from English, what languages are native to the UK? A. Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Ulster scots, Irish, and Cornish! Q. How many languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea? A. About 850 Q. Why are there so many languages in Papua New Guinea? A. The geographical conditions, isolated tribes, and a long history are the perfect ingredients to create a huge range of languages. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I'm sure you already know, a riot broke out in the capital of the USA recently as Donald Trump supporters invaded the US Congress. In the aftermath, Trump has been removed and banned from numerous social media platforms. On today’s episode, we will look at the events of January 6th, and then discuss the idea of free speech. Free speech has been a major talking point after the banning of Trump. Should social media sites have the right to ban users because of what they say or believe? CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST To evacuate (v) - to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe The police evacuated the village shortly after the explosion To discredit (v) - to cause people to stop respecting someone or believing in an idea of person Evidence of links with criminals discredited the mayor To intimidate (v) - to frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to so something that you want them to do They were intimidated into accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs To cover (v) - to report the news about a particular important event She is covering the American election for BBC television To excuse (v) - to forgive someone We cannot excuse him for these crimes Freely (adv) - without being controlled or limited Exotic foods are freely available in supermarkets To moderate (v) - to manage a public discussion The local TV anchorman is going to moderate the debate Personality (n) - a famous person The show is hosted by a popular TV personality --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How expensive is the city you live in? Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit has released its ranking of the most expensive cities in the world. The episode will look at the results of this ranking, as well as talk about some of the trends in price increases or decreases and the reasons behind these trends! https://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/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST To rank (v) - to have a position a higher or lower than others, or to be considered to have such a position She ranked the bottle in order of size along the shelf Inexpensive (adj) - not costing a lot of money That is an inexpensive perfume To drop (v) - to move to a lower level, or cause something to move to a lower level We had to drop our prices because of the recession Habit (n) - something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it Members of the public were asked about their shopping habits To embrace (v) - to accept something enthusiastically He embraced the opportunity Vice (n) - a moral fault or weakness in someone’s character My one real vice is chocolate To cope (v) - to deal successfully with a difficult situation It must be really hard to cope with three young children and a job To plummet (v) - to fall very quickly and suddenly House prices have plummeted in recent months --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brexit. I’m sure you must have heard about Brexit at some point in the last four years, and the UK finally left the EU on January 1st 2020. I often get asked about Brexit by English students and foreign friends, and one of the biggest challenges people face is the vocabulary. It can be complicated, confusing, and full of political and economic jargon! So on this episode, I will introduce some of the key vocabulary that could help you to understand and read about Brexit! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/04/39-brexit-all-the-essential-vocabulary-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST Departure (n) - the act leaving somewhere, or an occasion when this happens Our departure was delayed because of bad weather Union (n) - the act or the state of being joined together The debate on European political and monetary union continues To coin (v) - to invent a new word or expression, or to use one in a particular way for the first time Allen Ginsberg coined the term “flower power” Divisive (adj) - used to describe something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people The Vietnam war was an extremely divisive issue in the US To trigger (v) -  to cause something to start Some people find that certain food trigger their headaches To reach (v) - to achieve something after careful thought or discussion After hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a decision Tariff (n) - a charge for services or on goods entering a country The US has imposed new tariffs on chocolate from Brazil Regulation (n) - an official rule or the act of controlling something New safety regulations have been brought in contention (n) - the disagreement that results from opposing arguments There’s a lot of contention about that issue - for every person firmly in favour, there’s someone fiercely against it --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 is almost over! What a strange and unforgettable year it has been! In this episode, we are going to look at New Year’s resolutions. And if you listen until the end, I will give you some suggestions for English learning related New Year’s resolutions that you can try yourself! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/30/38-new-years-resolutions-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST To alter (v) - to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change We’ve had to alter some of our plans To socialise (v) - To spend time when you are not working with friends or with other people in order to enjoy yourself I tend to not socialise with my colleagues resolution (n) - a promise to yourself to do or to not do something I made a resolution to give up chocolate trait (n) - a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour His sense of humour is one of his better traits Cliché (n) - a saying or remark that is very often made and is therefore not original and not interesting People always use cliches in job interviews unachievable (adj) - an unachievable task, ambition, etc. is one that is impossible to achieve It may be an unachievable goal, but you set your targets as high as you possibly can spontaneously (adv) - in a way that is natural, often sudden, and not planned or forced Hundred of people spontaneously appeared at the house for a party satisfied (adj) - pleased because you have got what you wanted, or because something has happened in the way that you wanted Some people are never satisfied! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices