English Learning for Curious Minds

 The media might portray it as just a failed state run by a mad dictator, but today we'll find out that things might be just a little bit more complicated than they seem. In today's episode we cover:Post Second World War - US vs. USSR in the Korean PeninsulaThe Korean WarThe post-war yearsNorth Korea & ChinaNuclear weapons (and why do they really have them?)Kim Jong-unNorth Korea in 20204 weird facts about North Korea (haircuts, marijuana, holes in one & the calendar)Key vocabulary: Isolated, Feature, Animates, Neat, Slap bang in the middle, Powerhouse, Pariah, Hermit, Dictator, Recapping, Peninsula, Annexed, Colony, Guerilla, Construct, Jurisdiction, Backing, Stronghold, Armistice, Thriving, Polar, Unwind, Dissolution, Toppled, Precarious, Cozy up, Buffer, Affiliated, Perished, Enriching, Uranium, Volatile, Ruthless, Erratic, Counterpart, , Offensively, Reprisal, Offensive, Deterrent, Bargaining, Diplomatic, Concessions, Dismal, Prestige, Credentials, Longevity, Portrayed, Missile, Legitimacy, Gestures, Surreal, Brutal, Sentenced, Lighthearted, Curtail, Trivia, Feats, Sank, Hole in one, Phenomenally, EnlighteningFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/north-korea-the-hermit-kingdom ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Confused about the difference between Great Britain and The United Kingdom, and always wondered when to call someone British instead of English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish? Let's clear it up, and explain how we got to this, admittedly, pretty complicated situation.In today's episode we cover:Bye bye European UnionDo people in the UK know the difference?The UK vs. Great BritainEngland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - countries or not?Key events in the history of the formation of The United KingdomThe British Isles (actually 6,000 islands)Why is Great Britain 'Great'?Why does England play at the football World Cup but Great Britain compete at the olympics?When should you call someone British vs. English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish?What might happen after Brexit?Key vocabulary: Listing out, Tricky, Interchangeably, Generalise, Stereotype, In light of, Admittedly, Synonyms, Sovereign state, Counties, I wouldn't blame you, Parliament, Ultimately, Key, Unification, Tribes, Effectively, Withdrew, Recap, Comprised, Bailiwick, Conflicting, Distinguish, Ego, Abundantly, Compete, Catchy, Branding, Fiercely, Heritage, Offended, Bet, Long story short, Phenomenally, Plausible, Referendum, Inevitably, MisusesFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/whats-the-difference-between-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdom ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 It's time for Part 2 of our most common mistakes people make when learning English.In today's episode we cover:Recap of Part 1Why you shouldn't focus on grammar (and how to actually learn grammar)Why you shouldn't just do 'survival' listeningWhy you don't need to go to an English-speaking country (and how to create your own immersion course)How to set aside time for English learningWhy you should set yourself goalsHow to set yourself goalsHow to avoid getting disheartenedKey vocabulary: Hacks, Rid, Right up your street, Standalone, Discipline, Tricky, Bonus, Genders, Conjugations, Discouraged, Motivation, Heads down, Masochist, Classify, Base, Conjugated, By all means, Embrace, Quirkiness, Pet peeve, Combat, Gist, Core, Starting out, Purely, Turn of phrase, Switch, Interaction, Close to my heart, Hats off to you, Assuming, Immersive, Enroll, Hate on, Setting foot, Kudos, Dedicate, Postpone, Skip, Overused, Shinier, Chore, Motivation, Vicious circle, Slot, Routine, Ambitious, Penultimate, Motivate, Annotate, Flowing, Elaborate, Disheartened, Roller coaster, Uphill, Pack everything in, Uplifting, Interlude, Pointless****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/part-2-the-most-common-mistakes-people-make-when-learning-english-and-how-to-avoid-them ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 It's time to take a look at the most common mistakes people make when learning English, and how to avoid them.In today's episode we cover:📍 Strategic vs. Specific mistakes📕 Why you shouldn't use traditional language learning content👀 Why you shouldn't judge your progress against that of others📈 Are there really any English learning hacks?😍 How to embrace the English learning process🤞 How to get over your fear of making mistakes👨🏻 Francesco, the fearless Sicilian English learner🗣 Why you shouldn't speak too fast🧠 Barack Obama as an orator🔍 Sneak peek at Part 2Key vocabulary: Deviation, Avoiding, Specifics, Strategic, Pat on the back, Disheartened, Hacks, Squeeze, Boosting, Specific, Without further ado, Artificial, Staged, Motivate, Chore, Dulled down, Over and above, Small-talk, Motivation, Pace, Engage, By all means, Tactics, Zero-sum, Endlessly, Core, Caught up, Shiny, Pains me, Prominent, Miraculously, Minimise, Framing, Embrace, At ease, Tedious, Relish, Elusive, Degree, As useful as being hit in the face with a wet fish, Patronise, Literate, Nod, In all probability, Scholarship, Implausible, Aptitude, Moustache, Prestigious, Single out, Equate, Orators, Hesitate, Comes across, Proxy, Linguistic, Nuanced, Accomplished, Bite-sized, Call this a day, Sneak peak, Detrimental, MomentumFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/part-2-the-most-common-mistakes-people-make-when-learning-english-and-how-to-avoid-them ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Do you believe in conspiracy theories? Millions of people around the world do. Today we're going to ask ourselves why, talk about why they can be so seductive, and zoom in on some of the wackiest ones out there.This episode covers:👀 What is a conspiracy theory?👄Why conspiracy theories can be so seductive🧠Why do we seek connections between events?📈Why are conspiracy theories growing in popularity?🍕Pizzagate & the danger of conspiracy theories❄Why people believe Disney made Frozen🦖Why people believe the dinosaurs built the pyramids⛩Who people think advised on the building of Stonehenge🐰The internet rabbit warren of conspiracy theoriesKey vocabulary: Seductive, Faked, An inside job, Deep state, Fictional, Narratives, Goodies, Baddies, Institution, Baddy, Overplay, Assume, Narrative, Underlying, Intentionally, Deceived, Niche, Recesses, Mainstream, Attribute, Ease, Engaged in, Fanning the flames, Serial, Legitimises, Given the light of day, Laughable, Child sex ring, Spread, Surfaced, Harassed, Debunked, Airtime, Wackiest, Without further ado, Extinct, Tamed, Domesticated, Supposedly, Tenuous, Policy line, Distract, Cryogenically frozen, Franchise, Prehistoric, Piled up, Estimated, Blocks, Quite a stretch, Rabbit warren, Slippery slope****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/conspiracy-theories ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Britain's biggest contribution to gastronomy, the sandwich, was invented 250 years ago. How it was invented may surprise you though. Today it's time for part 4 of our mini-series on British food, where we go for a journey into sandwich history.In today's episode we cover:10 days left to get promotional price for transcripts & key vocabularyEarl of Sandwich (and his gambling problem)Did the Earl of Sandwich really invent the sandwich?Growth of sandwich eating in the UKInvention #1 - sliced breadInvention #2 - pre-packed sandwichesScience of sandwich makingSandwiches in the USA (and why they didn't adopt sandwiches immediately)My favourite sandwichConclusion of British food mini-seriesLinks:List of notable sandwiches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sandwichesKey vocabulary: Sojourn, Lock in, Gastronomy, Popularised, Earl, Serial, Habitual, Binge, Wrapped, Biography, Commitment, Culinary, Genius, Fillings, Predate, Out of thin air, Mezze, Platters, Sandwiched, Likelihood, Took off, First men, Boosted, The best thing since sliced bread, Fiddly, Iconic, Leftover, Wrapped them up, Hit, On the go, Nowadays, Soggy, Travel hack, Travel hack, Affordable, For want of, Adopt, Founding fathers, Stuffy, Archaic, Afresh, Held off, Aristocratic, Morals, Upheld, Iconic, Notable, Peruse, Bucket list, Boxing day, Pardon, Pun, Reputation, Aristocracy, For that matter.Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/british-food-part-4-the-earl-of-sandwich ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 The English Breakfast is a truly British institution, and its history goes back 700 years. In today's podcast we go into the story behind the meal, and reveal how it went from favourite of lords and ladies to the way the working classes started the day.Different types of English breakfastThe Gentry and their breakfastsBreakfasts for normal British people (and how they weren't very exciting)The emergence of a new merchant class (and how they tried to emulate the gentry)The Victorian concept of breakfastThe emergence of the modern 'English breakfast'When half of Britain started the day with an English breakfastWhere to find the best English breakfastsWhen can you eat an English breakfast?What's the difference between a wedding breakfast and an English breakfast?Key vocabulary: Penultimate, Fueled, Dodgy, Batch, Institution, Deviations, Cornish, Ulster, Bursting at the seams, Mortified, Stuffing their faces, Reserved, Prevalent, Pauper, Nobles, Lavish, Ale, Better off, Stretch to, Dripping, Toiling, Besides, Inheriting, Aspire, Seeking, Enthusiastically, Notion, Flaunt, Go to huge lengths, Secure, Cured, Offal, Sumptuous, Banquets, Precious, Copious, Accessible, Take for granted, Emerge, Bed and breakfasts, Black pudding, Peak, Aspiring, Staple, Decline, Hipster, Natural selection, Longevity, Age-old, Hangover, Pre-reformation, Bride, Groom, Fasted, Communion, Stomach, Comfort foodsFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/british-food-part-3-the-english-breakfast ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 It's a British classic, but how much do you really know about it? Today we are diving into the fascinating history of fish and chips, and we'll discover that it might be not quite so British as you might think.In today's episode we cover:How famous people liked their fish and chipsWhy people think fish and chips helped the Allies win World War I and World War IIWhy French housewives might be key to fish and chipsDid Jewish immigrants to Britain invent the fried fish?Or was it a Northern entrepreneur?Why fish and chips was so popularThe factors that meant that fish and chips could be eaten up and down the countryWhy fish and chips used to be wrapped in newspaper (and why they aren't anymore)Fish and chips todayPreview of the next episode: The History of The English BreakfastKey vocabulary: Fateful, Greasy, Smothered, Mushy peas, Payday, Safeguarding, Vital, Home front, Regime, Snooty, Staving off, Disaffection, Tolerate, Home comforts, Averted, Bent over backwards, Rationed, Iconic, Humble, Substitute, Resourceful, Coated, Breadcrumbs, Shabbat, Anti-semitism, In accordance, Marry, Controversy, Rage, Hut, Wildfire, Deviation, Arithmetic, Staple, Advent, Trawl, Inland, Ruled, Greaseproof, Portions, Plummeted, Plethora, Self-respecting, Cliché, Transition, AristocracyFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/british-food-part-2-fish-chips ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Today is the first of our 4-part mini-series on British food, and we're going to talk about something you might not expect to appear in a series on British food: the oyster.In today's episode we cover:Introduction to the mini-series on British foodOysters in Roman times (and how Romans were crazy about oysters)Oysters as a poor man's foodHow people used to eat oysters (with beer, salt and pepper, and in pies)A time when Londoners used to eat 1 oyster per dayThe meal (and scandal) that destroyed the oyster industryThe future of oysters in BritainKey vocabulary: Hot off the heels, Culinary, Oysters, Pearl, Fell completely out of favour, Distrusted, Slurping, Sitting, Prospect, Think much (of), Delicacy, Drift, Plucked, Cultivation, Ale, Flat, Drumming up business, Era, Heyday, Slimy, Substitute, Stretch, Banquet, Transpired, Batch, Contaminated, Dignitary, Typhoid, Esteemed, Sewers, Piped, Moguls, Sewage, Bitter, Litigation, Press charges, Amounted to, Nutrients, Award, Testified, Compensation, Clubbed together, Inscribed, Dodgy, Stocks, Depleted, Bolstered, On the off chance, Next in store, Cunning, Albeit, Cult, Allies****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/british-food-part-1-oysters ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

 Episode #015 - English Learning for Curious MindsWhy Is All The News So Negative? And What If It Wasn't?****Why is the news always full of disasters? What would the world be like if it wasn't?Let's take a look at some of the theories about why the news is always so negative, and imagine what kind of world might exist if it wasn't.In today's episode we cover:What is the point of the news?What is the role of journalism?Who decides the news?If it bleeds, it leads (and why bloody stories always come first)Why are people attracted by negative stories?News organisations as commercial entitiesWhat negative news does to our brainsThe Gandhi Thought ExperimentWhat if our news wasn't so negative? An introduction to solutions-based journalismHow to avoid the negative news cycleKey vocabulary: Famine, Tuning in, Bleak, Commonplace, Untold, Accountable, Noble pursuit, Lead with, Editorial, Prominence, Gravitate, Mortality, Gore, Gloating, Taken for granted, Captivate, Numerous, First and foremost, Eyeballs, Bursting your bubble, Revenue, Gravitating, Skewed, Mindset, Exposed to, Bombarded, Empathise, Bombardment, Perception, Perceived, Minuscule, Recalibrating, Anchoring, Implausible, Glued, Contradictory, Unwed, Back of our minds, Bushfires, Helpless, Advocating, Inspire, Uplift, Strike fear into, Optimistic, Fed up, News cycle, Retreat, Intake, Longer form, Fearmonger, Flicking through, Nutrition, Cut yourself off, Out of the loop, Outweighed, FreshnessJodie Jackson's website: https://www.jodiejackson.com/****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/why-is-all-the-news-so-negative-and-what-if-it-wasnt ---You might like:🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists✨ 5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership 📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter---Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية