English Learning for Curious Minds

 Have you ever wondered why January 1st is the start of the new year?In today's episode we cover:History of the celebrations of New YearWhen New Year used to be in mid-MarchHow the Romans tried to fix the calendarThe longest year in historyThe Julian calendar (why it worked, and why it didn't)The pope who brought things back to January 1stNew year todayKey vocabulary: Pressing, Conversation starter, Bringing in, Topical, Timely, Observed, Festivity, Falling out of sync, Toasted, Implemented, Leap year, Pagan, Befitting, Abolished, Circumcision, Circumcised, Reticent, Colonies, Millennia, Custom, Neglected, Myriad, Skipping over****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/why-is-new-year-new-year ---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 #011 - English Learning for Curious MindsThe Book That Made Christmas, Christmas****Today we take a look at the book that is fundamental to our modern understanding of what makes Christmas, Christmas. No, it's not the Bible. It was written in Victorian London, and tells the story of an old miser who discovers the Christmas spirit.In today's episode we cover:The publication of A Christmas CarolWhen and why the British stopped celebrating ChristmasSummary of the story of A Christmas CarolDickens' moral tale about the importance of ChristmasThe cultural importance of A Christmas CarolThe linguistic importance of A Christmas CarolHow the Christmas card was inventedMerry ChristmasKey vocabulary: Dare say, Tables may be turned, Instrumental, Enduring, Further afield, Consensus, Puritanical, Sabbath, Headed off, Inherently, Sinful, Degenerate, Reluctant, Wholeheartedly, Underlying, Vivid, Seized upon, Recap, Squeezing, Wrenching, Grasping, Scraping, Clutching, Covetous, Sinner, Self-serving, Fate, Befallen, Paralysed, Infamous, Alter, Resonated, Utterly, Horrific, Rallying call, Stamped, Crippled, Vulnerable, Smash hit, Inexorably, Frantically, Civil servant, Caught on, (give) a shot, Deed****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/the-book-that-made-christmas-christmas ---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

 Part 3 of the 3-part series on "Who owns the sea, sky, and space?"We humans do a pretty good job of dividing up ownership of the world. But what about beyond that? Who owns space? Who decides who owns that, and why does it matter?In today's episode we cover:Why nobody used to even think about space ownershipThe Cold War (and what people thought it meant for weapons in space)The Space Treaty (and what its real intention was)Where does space start?What happens if a shuttle crashes when in space?Why you can't really buy a piece of the moonKey vocabulary: Customary, Captivated, Realm, Supernatural, Implausible, Into orbit, Realms of possibility, Logical, Implied, Figurative, Catchy, Side note, Ban, Vice versa, Loose, Demarcation, Provision, Mine, Proliferation, Framework, Untapped, Sovereign territory, Interpreted, Set up, Grab yourself, Holding up, Plough, Lunar, Tycoon, Congested, Thorny****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/who-owns-space ---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

 Part 2 of the 3-part series on "Who owns the sea, sky, and space?"Ever wondered who actually owns the sky? Today we'll discuss who owns it, why it's still not clear who does own most of it, and why that doesn't actually really matter.What does 'the sky' actually mean?Different parts of 'the sky'Why only the very bottom of the sky mattersThe 13th Century law upon which western laws are basedHow do countries use ownership of the sky to help their political goalsWhere does the sky end?Key vocabulary: Contextualise, Extends, Slice, Stick with, Round off, Lump, Soil, Stood the test of time, Encroach on, Amendments, Advent, Trespassing, Infinite, Extract tariffs, , Routine, Hard and fast, Obscure, Proportion, Stretch out, Come in pretty handy, For starters, Revenue, Air traffic control, Nice little earner, Handy, Exert, Leader on, Consensus, Bypass, Crises, Frontier****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/who-owns-the-sky ---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

 Part 1 of the 3-part series on "Who owns the sea, sky, and space?"Who Owns The Sea (And Why Does It Matter)?***Ever wondered who actually owns the sea? Learn about who owns 2/3 of the surface area of the world, why countries want to claim ownership of rocks in the middle of nowhere, and why this matters.In today's episode we cover:Introduction to the 3-part mini seriesWho owns the world's land?History of sea ownership & the cannon shot ruleThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the SeaWhy the US hasn't signed the conventionDifferent types of ownership of different parts of the seaWhy countries are rushing to claim ownership of the Arctic oceanWhat happens in the 'high seas' (spoiler alert: pirates not allowed)Why countries in East Asia are fighting over abandoned rocksThe man who orchestrated it all: Arvid PardoKey vocabulary: Frontier, Sovereign, Straightforward, Enshrined in law, Come in pretty handy, Glossing over, Cannon, Cannonball, Anomalies, Consensus, A body of water, Demarcate, Zero-sum, Gargantuan, Undermines, Open up, Dent, In short, Boil this down, Impinges, , Submerged, Ended up, Recap, Ratified, Scrambling, Prevalent, Abide by, Engaged in, Piracy, Get round, Violating, Maritime, Claim jurisdiction, Unintended, Uninhabited, Prized, Flare up, Single out, Gives you the measure, Orphaned, Penniless, Tirelessly, Impassioned, Treacle, Heritage****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/who-owns-the-sea ---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

 "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" - Mao Zedong, 1927"In the 21st century, culture is power" - Park Geun-hye (ex President of South Korea, home of Gangnam Style)How do other countries win the political game without force? Why is language such a fantastic tool to project power across the world? What is Donald Trump doing for US interests outside the US? Learn about how soft power is a vital tool in the global diplomatic toolbox, and how countries use it to advance their diplomatic aims.Topics covered:The history of soft powerWhy it is no longer acceptable to attack other countriesWhat components go into soft powerWhy language is the ultimate example of soft power (and why countries promote the learning of their language)The UK's soft power across the worldThe Soft Power Report (and who came top in 2019)Why the UK, France, Italy, the US, Sweden and Estonia all do well in terms of soft powerChina's soft power initiativesWhy you can't buy soft powerWhy politicians neglect soft powerWhat Europeans think of the US since 2016Key vocabulary: Self-proclaimed, Geopolitics, Zero-sum, Projected, Coercion, Sanctions, Aspirational, Coined, Lingua franca, Dominant, Packs a sizeable punch, Prevalence, Gradual, Decline, Institutions, Slipped, Footprint, Republican, Imprint, Mastery, Amplifies, Deemed, Agenda, Funding, Portray, Toolbox, Timeframes, Reap, Foster, Blossom, Soundbites, Hostile, Struggle, Ranked, Bound, Dividends, Set in motion, Shift, Packs a substantial soft power punch, NeglectFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/what-is-soft-power-and-why-does-it-matter ---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

 In today's podcast we go in depth into why you should use podcasts to learn English, and explain some of the best techniques to maximise your English learning with podcasts.We'll explain how you can take a 10 minute English podcast and turn it into an intensive 2 hour lesson, where you work on your English listening, speaking, reading and writing. Then you can decide whether you're a serious English learner and want to test it, or you'd rather just put on Netflix and trick yourself into thinking that you're learning.In today's episode we cover:Why listening is underratedWhy learners find English podcasts hardUnderstanding language without visual cuesDetailed explanation of how to use a 10 minute podcast to create a 2hr lessonHow this compares to a 2hr film in EnglishFinal 2 tips on listening to podcasts in EnglishKey vocabulary: Dear to my heart, Underrated, Turbocharge, Toolkit, Attuned, Exposed, Superficial, Comes down to, Indulging, Switch off, Revert, Cues, Get by, First things first, Tend to, Spellcheck, Beneficial, Fundamental, Does wonders for, Akin to, Pastime, Inbuilt, Set aside a time, Brainlessly, Flicking, In your heart of heartsFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/how-to-use-podcasts-to-learn-english-like-a-boss ---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 we're going to be taking a look at 5 of the most amazing prison escapes in history. We'll travel to South Korea, Mexico, Germany, and the US, and discover some of the ingenious ways in which prisoners evaded their guards.Escape 1: John Herbert Dillinger and the wooden pistolEscape 2: Choi Gap Bok, the South Korean yoga expertEscape 3: The Alcatraz escape - but did it really happen?Escape 4: The Great Escape - how 600 men managed to keep an escape plan hidden from their guardsEscape 5 (and 6): El Chapo, $2.5 million, laundry baskets, tunnels, and motorbikesKey vocab: Protagonists, Ingenious, Dummies, Without further ado, Ringing a bell, Notorious, Carved, Lured, Shootout, Brute, Wriggle, Perished, Cult, Shark-infested, Tides, Feat, Raft, Intriguing, Immortalized, Squadron, Sheer, Barbed wire, Implicated, Evade, Extradited, Bribe****Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/the-most-amazing-prison-escapes-in-history ---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

 Ever wondered if there are places in the world where planes can't fly? From mountainous regions to hostile states, from theme parks to ancient temples, it's time to find out where planes can and can't fly.A time when Western aeroplanes couldn't go over all of Russia and ChinaHow countries use their airspace as a political toolWhy planes can't go over TibetWhy planes don't fly over Antarctica (hint, it's probably not why you think)What do Disney World, Disney Land and Buckingham Palace have in common?Why are there no planes over Paris?Key vocabulary: Airspace, Ally, Ban, Revenue, Detour, Booming, Desirable, Lofty, Elevation, Regulation, Warrant, Prohibited, Inhabitants, OstensiblyFull transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/the-places-in-the-world-where-planes-cant-go ---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

 Wondering what the English Learning for Curious Minds podcast is all about, who is behind it, and whether it's for you?In today's inaugural episode, we'll cover who should be listening to the podcast (hint - if you want to improve your English and learn interesting things about the way the world works, this is you), who is behind the podcast (an English native speaker and avid language learner), and talk about some of the quick things you can do to get the most out of the podcast.Who is behind the podcast (introduction to Alastair Budge)Why you need to listen to native speakersWhere the English for Curious Minds podcast came fromWhat you can expect from the podcastWhat does a 'curious mind' mean2 quick and easy tips for how to use podcasts to learn EnglishKey vocabulary: Inaugural, Maximise, Let's get cracking, Trilingual, Avid, Exposing, Unforgiving, For starters, Scripted, Must, Whirring away, Innate, Absorb, Squarely, Condense, Dulled down, Artificially, Authentic, Non-trivial, Carve out, Mammoth, Touch on, Come round, A taster, Faceless, Corporation.Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/meet-the-english-for-curious-minds-podcast ---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