The Level Up English Podcast

Explore the fascinating world of learning two languages simultaneously! Discover strategic approaches, including achieving conversational proficiency first, and effective techniques to keep languages distinct. Hear personal anecdotes that highlight the psychological challenges and joys of bilingualism. Get practical tips on study routines and managing expectations. It's a journey of motivation, sacrifices, and, ultimately, fun in navigating the complexities of dual language acquisition!

The host reflects on a recent joyful trip to Japan and discusses the new direction for their content. Delving into the concept of 'rose-tinted glasses,' they reveal how nostalgia often skews our memories, leading us to romanticize challenging past experiences. Personal anecdotes highlight this phenomenon, especially during tough times like the pandemic. The conversation encourages embracing the present and recognizing how our nostalgic views can shape our happiness. Listener feedback adds depth, showcasing the podcast's impact during personal transitions.

Small talk is a critical yet often daunting part of socializing. The discussion opens with personal awkwardness around initiating these conversations, followed by practical tips to ease into small talk. Techniques for remembering personal details to enhance interactions are shared, along with strategies for directing discussions and actively listening. The episode also highlights the emotional journey behind creating content and the challenges of navigating language learning, making it an insightful listen for anyone looking to improve their conversational skills.

Abigail Fulbrook (weareenglishteachers.com) joins me for a fascinating chat about a few different topics, including moving to Japan from the UK, what we miss about the UK, learning using AI teachers, other uses of AI, and much more!Abigail Fulbrook has been teaching English for over 15 years. She's worked in the UK, Japan and online. As well as teaching she loves crafting and eating chocolate. She lives in Japan at the moment with her husband and two daughters, and far too many crafting supplies.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast321Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Explore the intriguing world of cognitive biases, starting with the IKEA Effect, which shows how our emotional investment alters our perception of value. Dive into the recency bias and how it affects our recent experiences, and discover the powerful influence of negativity bias on our learning. Personal anecdotes reveal how these biases shape confidence and memory, especially in language acquisition. Plus, the importance of creating personalized study materials shines through, encouraging a positive approach to challenges in learning.

In today's episode, I share an issue I've been thinking about for a while - finding the balance between speaking up and letting things go.In other words, when things annoy us or seem unjust, should we speak up and say something? Or should we prioritise our mental health and let it go? I share some of my own views with this and encourage you to get in touch with yours too. I also share lots of expressions related to this topic.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast319Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Dive into the intriguing world of language as the discussion connects the origins of 'Trump' in card playing with cultural nuances. Explore the clash between hands-on experience and formal education, enriched by personal stories. Discover how gambling idioms can inspire strategic thinking in the workplace. Reflect on life's unexpected challenges and the value of perspective, illustrated by anecdotes of growth. Finally, embrace the power of choice and resilience in navigating life's uncertainties.

There are many differences in vocabulary between British and American English. Some of these are quite well-known and easy to understand (biscuit and cookie, maybe), but others are a bit more complex.In today's episode, I'm not simply listing these differences. I'm looking at 8 terms that are different in both British and American English, but aren't quite the same in meaning. Each term reveals something special about the culture of each country.Hopefully, this episode will highlight some of the subtle cultural differences in each country, while teaching you new words and ideas.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast317Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Alastair Budge from Leonardo English joined me for a casual chat about a variety of different topics.Alastair has his own podcast called "English Learning for Curious Minds". In it, he covers all sorts of topics from space mining to population decline, while making content that helps English learners improve.I found this concept so interesting, so I picked a few topics at random to chat about in our conversation today. We also talk about the importance of curiosity.Today, you'll hear about fascinating inventors, admirable people, population decline, Ozempic, the shadow side, and much more.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast316Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

We've now done quite a few episodes on Phrasal Verbs, but this is an important one. Today, I'll be looking at the differences between separable and inseparable phrasal verbs. This is a very important part of English if you want to sound natural and fluent.As always, I'm not just listing off words in a boring way. I'll be sharing examples of both types while talking about my recent trip to Cambodia, and I also encourage you to make your own examples.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast315Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.