Thinking in English

American diplomats and government officials around the world have been falling ill with a mysterious illness known as Havana syndrome. What are the symptoms? What is it caused by? Let's talk about it on today's episode of Thinking in English!! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/17/what-is-havana-syndrome/ You may also like... A Guide to Insulting Boris Johnson (Using His Own Words) 129. Do Language Learning Apps Work?: Duolingo, Memrise, Babbel, and more! 128. Should Novak Djokovic be Allowed to Stay in Australia? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 127. What is Happening in Kazakhstan?: Massive Protests Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) CONTACT ME INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List Fatigue (n) - extreme tiredness She was suffering from fatigue Intelligence (n) - a group of people who collect and deal with secret information about the governments of other countries They received intelligence reports that the President was being targeted by protestors. To restore (v) - to return something to an earlier good condition The old paintings have been carefully restored to their original conditions Anomalous (adj) - different from what is usual, or not in agreement with something else and therefore not satisfactory You can’t prepare in advance for anomalous events that could ruin your plans, like the pandemic. Ailment (n) - an illness You should treat minor ailments yourself at home To disorientate (v) - to make someone confused about where they are and where they are going I was disorientated after being woken up unexpectedly at 4am Underlying (adj) - real but not immediately obvious We need to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and suffering Psychogenic (adj) - originating in the mind or in mental or emotional conflict Although doctors suggest the illness may be psychogenic, the government believes it has a physical cause --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has found himself in the middle of another poltical scandal. A quick glance at twitter, newspapers, or even speeches in parliament will reveal countless insults aimed at Boris: a liar, disrespectful, an idiot. These insults are a little boring and repetitive. So I thought I'd make a guide for insulting Boris using some of his own unique vocabulary! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/14/a-guide-to-insulting-boris-johnson/ You may also like... 129. Do Language Learning Apps Work?: Duolingo, Memrise, Babbel, and more! English Words You’re Using Wrong (English Vocabulary Lesson) 106. TOEFL vs IELTS!: Which One Should You Take? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 86. The Best Way to Master English?: Everything You Need to Know About Language Exchanges! CONTACT ME INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Boondoggle Gibbering rictus hogwhimpering Maenad swankpot journalist Mugwump Mutton-headed Puffed-up popinjay  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Thinking in English, let’s discuss language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise! There are so many, they are so convenient, and so accessible: but will they actually help improve your English? And if you keep listening to the end, I’ll leave you with a few personal recommendations! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/12/129-do-language-learning-apps-work/ English Words You’re Using Wrong (English Vocabulary Lesson) 106. TOEFL vs IELTS!: Which One Should You Take? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 86. The Best Way to Master English?: Everything You Need to Know About Language Exchanges! 82. Why is your English not improving?: Tips and advice on how to get better! (English Vocabulary Lesson) CONTACT ME INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List Scores (plural n) - a lot of things or people He received cards from scores of local supporters Religiously (adv) - if you do something religiously, you do it regularly He visits his father religiously every week Phonetic (adj) - a spelling system can be described as phonetic if you can understand how words are pronounced simply by looking at their spelling German is a largely phonetic language Correspondence (n) - written communications such as letters and emails He was ordered to supply copies of any correspondence between his office and the client Barrier (n) - anything that prevents people from being together or understanding each other Despite the language barriers, they soon became good friends Tedious (adj) - boring My last job was so tedious Syntax (n) - the grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence Donald Trump was well known for his incorrect syntax --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently stuck in an immigration detention hotel in Australia, and facing deportation, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is at the centre of an immigration battle. So, should he be allowed to stay in Australia? Let’s talk about it on this episode of Thinking in English!! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/10/128-should-novak-djokovic-be-allowed-to-stay-in-australia/ You may also like... 127. What is Happening in Kazakhstan?: Massive Protests Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) 126. The Most Unstable Country in the World?: What is Happening in Sudan? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 125. New Zealand’s Smoking Ban Explained!!: Should We Ban Cigarettes? CONTACT ME INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Vocabulary List Saga (n) - a long complicated series of related, usually negative, events It was just another episode in the ongoing saga of their marriage problems Up in the air (phrase) - if a matter is up in the air, it is uncertain, often because other matters have to be decided first The whole future of the project is still up in the air Exemption (n) - special permission not to do or pay something Religions qualify for tax exemptions on their income To indicate (v) - to show, point, or make clear in another way She indicated to me that she was unhappy To adopt (v) - to accept or start to use something new The new tax would force companies to adopt energy-saving measures Immune (adj) - protected against a particular disease by particular substances in the blood Most people who’ve had chickenpox once are immune to it for the rest of their lives To revoke (v) - to say officially that an agreement, permission, a law, etc. is no longer in effect The authorities have revoked their original decision to allow the building of a new department store Loophole (n) - a small mistake in an agreement or law that gives someone the chance to avoid having to do something He used a loophole in the immigration law to stay in the USA Notice (n) - information or a warning given about something that is going to happen in the future The building is closed until further notice --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Massive protests, the resignation of the government, widespread violence, and Russian-led security forces. What is happening in Kazakhstan? Let’s talk about it on today’s episode of Thinking in English!! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/07/127-what-is-happening-in-kazakhstan-massive-protests-explained-english-vocabulary-lesson%ef%bf%bc/ You may also like... 126. The Most Unstable Country in the World?: What is Happening in Sudan? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 125. New Zealand’s Smoking Ban Explained!!: Should We Ban Cigarettes? 124. Who was Desmond Tutu?: The Life of an Extraordinary Man Explained!! (English Vocabulary Lesson) 123. Should We Boycott China’s Winter Olympics? (English Vocabulary Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Take to the streets (phrase) - when people take to the streets, they express their opposition to something in public and often violently Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against food shortages Steppe (n) - a large area of land with grass but no trees, especially in eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia The people have lived for centuries on the Central Asian steppes Landlocked (adj) - Completely surrounded by other countries, with no ocean borders Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country Swathe (n) - a large areas especially of land Huge swathes of rainforest are being cleared for farming and mining To emerge (v) - the become known or develop as a result of something New business opportunities will emerge with advances in technology Consolidated (adj) - made stronger and more certain He was re-elected for another four years and his power was consolidated To rock (v) - If an event rocks a group of people or society it causes feelings of shock The managing director’s resignation rocked the whole company Blackout (n) - an action taken to make certain that information about something is not reported to the public There was a news blackout after the revolution Peacekeeping (n) - the activity of preventing war and violence, especially using armed forces not involved in a disagreement to prevent fighting The UN sent a peacekeeping force to Rwanda --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the most unstable country in the world? How about a country with nearly 20 coups since becoming independent? A country with countless wars, massive corruption, and daily protests? A country with a Prime Minister who was appointed, arrested, reinstated, and then resigned in the space of a few months? Let’s talk about this country on today’s episode of Thinking in English!! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/05/126-the-most-unstable-country-in-the-world-what-is-happening-in-sudan-english-vocabulary-lesson%ef%bf%bc/ You may also like... 124. Who was Desmond Tutu?: The Life of an Extraordinary Man Explained!! (English Vocabulary Lesson) 125. New Zealand’s Smoking Ban Explained!!: Should We Ban Cigarettes? 123. Should We Boycott China’s Winter Olympics? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 122. Ten Years of Kim Jong Un!: North Korea’s Last Decade Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List To dissolve (v) - to end an official organisation or a legal arrangement Parliament has been dissolved before the election Coup (n) - a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by part of an army Last year Myanmar’s government was overthrown by a military coup Unstable (adj) - not firm and therefore not strong, safe, or likely to last It is a politically unstable country Consensus (n) - a generally accepted opinion, decision, or agreement among a group of people The general consensus in the company is that the manager is a horrible person Civilian (adj) - relating to a person who is not a member of the police or the armed forces The army has been criticised for attacking the unarmed civilian population To reinstate (v) - to give someone back their previous job or position A month after being unfairly fired, he was reinstated in his job Ungovernable (adj) - unable to be governed or controlled; uncontrollable After an economic crisis, the state became ungovernable To mount (v) - to organise and begin an activity or event The lawyers are preparing to mount a defence of their client --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Zealand recently announced a complete ban on cigarette sales for future generations. People born after 2008 will never be able to buy tobacco products in the country. Is this a good idea? Should other countries ban cigarettes? Or are there problems with such an approach? Let’s discuss this and more on today’s episode of Thinking in English! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/01/03/124-new-zealands-smoking-ban-explained-should-we-ban-cigarettes%ef%bf%bc/ You may also like... 124. Who was Desmond Tutu?: The Life of an Extraordinary Man Explained!! (English Vocabulary Lesson) Answering Your Questions!! The Future of the Podcast, How to Use the Word ‘Bloke,’ and Where do I Live! 123. Should We Boycott China’s Winter Olympics? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 122. Ten Years of Kim Jong Un!: North Korea’s Last Decade Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List Upside (n) - the advantage of a situation It’s annoying that I can’t go on vacation this year, but the upside is that I can save up money to go somewhere more expensive next year Prevalence (n) - the fact that something is very common or happens often The prevalence of obesity is increasing in children Ubiquitous (adj) - seeming to be everywhere The mobile phone is perhaps the most ubiquitous of all consumer-electronic appliances To enact (v) - to put something into action, especially to make something a law The government has failed to enact any serious environmental laws To authorise (v) - to give someone official permission to do something I authorised my bank to pay her £3000 Accompanying (adj) - appearing or going with someone or something else Children under twelve require an accompanying parent or guardian to see the movie Take (something) with a pinch of salt (idiom) - to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true You have to take everything you read on Facebook with a pinch of salt Craving (n) - a strong feeling of wanting something I have a craving for chocolate --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Sunday the 26th of December, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, South African anti-apartheid activist, and one of the world’s most loved religious leaders, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, sadly passed away at the age of 90. Today, I want to explain to you all a little bit about his life, what he did, and why he became one of the most respected, revered, and well known international figures. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/12/29/124-who-was-desmond-tutu-the-life-of-an-extraordinary-man-explained-english-vocabulary-lesson%ef%bf%bc/ You may also like... Answering Your Questions!! The Future of the Podcast, How to Use the Word ‘Bloke,’ and Where do I Live! 123. Should We Boycott China’s Winter Olympics? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 122. Ten Years of Kim Jong Un!: North Korea’s Last Decade Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) 121. How to Start Your Own Country!!! (English Vocabulary Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List To wander (v) - to walk around slowly in a relaxed way or without any clear purpose or direction We spent the afternoon wandering around the market stalls Segregation (n) - the state of keeping groups of people separate due to race, religion, sex, etc The policy has been criticised for allowing racial segregation Discrimination (n) - treating a person or group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc Disabled people often experience discrimination Routinely (adv) - used for describing what often or usually happens Health and safety rules are routinely ignored To subject (v) - cause or force someone or something to undergo a particularly unwelcome experience or treatment He was subjected to a terrifying ordeal Movement (n) - a group of people with a particular set of aims or ideas The suffragette movement campaigned for votes for women To advocate (v) - to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something She advocates taking more vacation To preside (v) - to be in charge of a formal meeting, ceremony, or trial The judge presided over the official enquiry To pardon (v) - If someone who has committed a crime is pardoned, that person is officially forgiven and their punishment is stopped Large numbers of political prisoners have been pardoned by the new president --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas!! Let's practice our English pronunciation with some Christmas inspired tongue twisters!! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/12/24/christmas-tongue-twisters/ You may also like... Most Difficult English Pronunciation Poem!!: The Chaos (English Pronunciation Lesson) Terrifyingly Troubling Tongue Twisters!: A Pronunciation Challenge Tongue Twister Challenge!: English Pronunciation Practice  112. English Accents Explained!: Why do Language Learners Have Accents and Should We Care? (English Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Seven Santas sang silly songs How many deer would a reindeer reign if a reindeer could reign deer? Running reindeer romp ’round red wreaths Kris Kringle clapped crisply Eleven elves licked eleven little liquorice lollipops. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Thinking in English, I’m going to answer some of your questions!! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/12/22/answering-your-questions-the-future-of-the-podcast-how-to-use-the-word-bloke-and-where-do-i-live/ You may also like... 122. Ten Years of Kim Jong Un!: North Korea’s Last Decade Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) 121. How to Start Your Own Country!!! (English Vocabulary Lesson) 120. Bye Bye Queen!: Why Did Barbados Become a Republic? (English Vocabulary Lesson) 88. Why are the Tokyo 2020 Olympics so controversial? (English Vocabulary Lesson) INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices