Thinking in English

On today’s episode we’ll look at the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which brings together 15 Asian and Oceanic countries into the largest free trade agreement in the world. We’ll discuss the idea of free trade, look at the details of the agreement, and finally think about some criticisms of RCEP! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/18/22-the-worlds-largest-trade-deal-what-is-rcep-and-what-is-free-trade-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List trade (n) - the activity of buying and selling, or exchanging, goods and/or services between people or countries 70 percent of the country’s trade is with Europe gross domestic product (n) - the total value of goods and services produced by a country in one year Apple makes more money than some countries' gross domestic products! Intricacy (n) - complicated details I enjoyed the film, but i couldn’t follow all the intricacies of the plot Imports (n) - goods bought by one country from another They have restrictions on foreign imports Exports (n) - a product that you sell in another country Coffee is one of Brazil’s main exports Tariff (n) - a charge or list of charges either for services or goods entering a country Prices and tariffs change all the time, so it’s difficult to say what you will get for your money Limitations (n) - if someone or something has limitations, they are not as good as they could be Despite his limitations as a manger, he always brings projects to completion on time Component (n) - a part that combines with other parts to from something bigger The factory supplies electrical components for cars Comprehension Questions! Q. How much of the global gross domestic product comes from RCEP members? A. Around 30% Q. What percentage of tariffs will RCEP eliminate? A. Up to 90% Q. Who criticised RCEP as being ‘low ambition’? A. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull --- 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 I want to introduce a few phrasal verbs that are suitable for formal English! Phrasal verbs can be confusing; are they formal or informal? How do we use them? When do we use them? Hopefully by the end of this episode you’ll be able to use seven phrasal verbs that are perfect for business, IELTS or TOEFL exams, and other formal situations! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/15/21-phrasal-verbs-perfect-for-formal-situations-ideal-for-ielts-toefl-business-university-and-much-more-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List To distinguish (v) - to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another It is important to distinguish between business and pleasure To specify (v) - to explain or describe something clearly and exactly He said we should meet but didn’t specify a time indirect (adj) - happening in addition to an intended result, often in a way that is complicated or not obvious Indirect effects of the war include disease and food shortages Boastful (adj) - praising yourself and what you have done He was confident, not boastful jet lag (n) - the feeling of tiredness and confusion that people experience after making a long journey by plane to a place where the time is different from the place they left Every time i fly to the USA, I get really bad jet lag Venture (n) - new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business ventures To reduce (v) - to become or to make something become smaller in size, amount, degree, importance, etc Do nuclear weapons really reduce the risk of war? --- 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 I want to discuss the idea of Universal Basic Income. This is a highly debated and controversial topic, with strong arguments on both sides! Would providing all residents or citizens of a country with small amounts of money on a regular basis improve people's lives? Or is it an Expensive Waste of Money?  Or are there better methods? We’ll address these questions and more in this episode of Thinking in English Transcript! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/12/20-what-is-universal-basic-income-a-good-idea-or-an-expensive-waste-of-money/ Contact Us!!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Vocabulary List unprecedented (adj) - never having happened or existed in the past Unemployment has reached an unprecedented level To adapt (v) - to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses Sometimes we have to adapt the design to suit the customers requirements unconditionally (adj) - in a way that is complete and not limited in any way He thanked his mother for being unconditionally supportive Automation (n) - the use of machines and computers that can operate without needing human control Automation will reduce the need for a large, highly skilled workforce Detractor (n) - someone who criticizes something or someone, often unfairly His detractors claim that his personality makes him unsuitable for leadership Proponent (n) - a person who speaks publicly in support of a particular idea or plan of action He is one of the leading proponents of capital punishments To attribute (v) - to say or think that something is the result of a particular thing Her success can be attributed to three main factors Implementation (n) - the act of starting to use a plan or system There will be a delay in implementation of the new regulations To exacerbate (v) - to make something that is already bad even worse This attack will exacerbate the already tense relationship between the two communities To empower (v) - to give someone official or legal authority, or the freedom or confidence to do something We empower our sales staff to make decisions without always having to consult their boss Comprehension Questions Q. The Namibian UBI trial gave 1000 people how much money? A. 100 Namibian dollars every month Q. What did research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Finland, France, Italy, and the UK conclude? A. It “would not prove to be an effective tool for reducing poverty.” Q. Why did the Swiss government oppose UBI? A.They believe it would encourage fewer people to work and exacerbate the labour and skills shortages. --- 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 I want to introduce you to eight incredibly useful business English idioms! These idioms will make you sound like a native speaker in no time! Transcript - https://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 crucial (adj) - extremely important or necessary Her work has been crucial to the project’s success To appreciate (v) - to recognize how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it There’s no point buying him expensive wines - he doesn’t appreciate them Norm (n) - an accepted standard or a way of behaving or doing things that most people agree with Europe has a variety of cultural, political and ethical norms Auditor (n) - someone whose job is to carry out an official examination of the accounts of a business and to produce a report The external auditors come in once a year Engage in small talk (idiom) - to chat with someone about simple topics such as the weather or one’s career If you think that girl is pretty, why don’t you go over and engage in small talk? To arise (v) - to happen If any complications arise, let me know and i’ll help Idioms covered Big picture By the book Get down to business Hands are tied Learn the ropes On the same page See eye to eye Touch base --- 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, we will look at democracy. What is democracy? What does democracy look like? Is democracy the best type of government? Transcript! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/08/18-what-is-democracy-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!!!  INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog - thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail - thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST Under the spotlight (idiom) - if someone or something is under the spotlight, they are thoroughly examined, especially by journalists and the public The new tax law has put his earnings under the spotlight ultimate (adj) - most important My managers will make the ultimate decision about who to employ Feasible (adj) - able to made, done, or achieved With some extra resources, the project will be feasible contemporary (adj) - existing or happening now I don’t like contemporary art To govern (v) - to control and direct the public business of a country, city, group of people etc The country is governed by a military regime Assembly (n) - the process of coming together, or the state of being together The constitution protects freedom of assembly To incorporate (v) - to include something as part of something larger This car incorporates several new safety features judicial (adj) - relating to or done by courts or judges or the legal system The supreme court is the judicial branch of the government consolidated (adj) - made stronger and more certain His power was consolidated after his reelection legitimacy (n) - the quality of being legal, reasonable and acceptable The lawyers expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of military action Comprehension Questions Q.Where did democracy start? A.Ancient Greece Q.Who is one of my favorite philosophers? A.Rousseau Q.Who said “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others”? A.WInston Churchill --- 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, I want to introduce you to a traditional British festival and celebration that you probably haven't heard of before! Bonfire Night, held on November 5th every year, is a day when we set off fireworks, light fires, and so on! However, it is the history connected to religious disagreements and failed terrorist plots that is the most interesting part! Transcript here!!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/06/bonfire-night-a-unique-british-festival-with-an-explosive-history/ Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail: thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST ubiquitous (adj) - seeming to be everywhere Many languages are under threat from the ubiquitous spread of English To repress (v) - to control what people do, and prevent feelings, desires, or ideas from being expressed The government repressed all reports from the region unified (adj) - brought together, combined, or united The politicians find themselves unusually unified on this policy To persecute (v) - to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs Religious minorities were persecuted during his regime The establishment (n) - the important and powerful people who control a country or an organization, especially those who support the existing situation Critics said judges were on the side of the establishment uprising (n) - an act of opposition, sometimes using violence, by many people in one area of a country against those who are in power There was a popular uprising in the capital Conspirator (n) - a person who plans secretly with other people to do something bad, illegal, or against someone's wishes He was a conspirator in the revolution To smuggle (v) - to take things or people to or from a place secretly and often illegally She was caught trying to smuggle 26 kilos of heroin out of the country elaborate (adj) - containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts They are making elaborate preparations for the wedding Tyranny (n) - government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the people in their country or state and use it unfairly or cruelly COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q.When is Bonfire Night? A.5th November Q. How is bonfire night celebrated in the UK? A.Fireworks, Bonfires, burning models, eating toffee apples! Q.Where did the gunpowder plot conspirators plan to blow up? A.House of Lords (Parliament) --- 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, we will discuss the question should euthanasia or assisted suicide be legal? With New Zealand recently voting in support of an euthanasia  law, we will look at some of the arguments and debates surrounding the issue! Transcript!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/04/16-should-we-have-the-right-to-die/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod GMAIL: thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com BLOG: thinkinginenglish.blog VOCABULARY LIST referendum (n) - a vote in which all the people in a country or area are asked to give their opinion about or decide an important political or social question A nationwide referendum will be held to decide the issue deliberately (adv) - intentionally; on purpose He did it deliberately to annoy me To relieve (v) - to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong She was give painkillers to relieve the pain Suffering (n) - physical or mental pain that a person or animal is feeling War causes widespread human suffering terminal (of a disease or illness) (adj) - leading to gradual death She has terminal cancer Compassionate (adj) - showing a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them The public’s response to the crisis appeal was generous and compassionate dignity (n) - calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you I think everyone should be able to die with dignity Burden (n) - something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about My elderly mother worries that she is a burden to me Physician (n) - a medical doctor, especially one who has general skill and is not a surgeon My brother is a physician incompatible (adj) - not able to exist or work with another person or thing because of basic differences Maintaining high quality is incompatible with increasing output Comprehension Questions Q.What country voted in support of euthanasia recently? A.New Zealand Q.What is the euthanasia law called in that country? A.End of Life Choice Act Q.is the American Medical Association for or against euthanasia? A.Against --- 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, the final episode in this series on US election vocabulary, we will look at the Election Day. Who can vote? Where do they vote? How do they voter? When will the results be announced? When will the winner become president? These questions, and the vocabulary connected to them, will be answered in today's episode of Thinking in English! If you haven’t already, make sure you listen to episodes 6, 9, and 12 for even more political vocabulary!! FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/01/15-election-day-vocabulary/ INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod BLOG: thinkinginenglish.blog EMAIL: thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY LIST To go to the polls (v) - to vote The USA will go to the polls on November 3rd To cast (v) - to vote All the votes in the election have now been cast and counting has begun absentee (n) - someone who is absent If you can’t vote on election day, you can vote using an absentee ballot intimidation (n) - the action of frightening or threatening someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do As the election approaches, it will be difficult to prevent voter intimidation and fraud invalidation (n) - the action of stopping a document, ticket, law, etc. from being legal or officially acceptable Voting fraud led to the invalidation of the election To tamper (v) - to make changes to something that you should not, usually without enough knowledge of how it works or when you are trying to damage it I could see immediately that the lock had been tampered with suppression (n) -the act of preventing something from being seen or expressed or from operating The suppression of free speech electorate (n) - all the people who are allowed to vote The electorate chose Barack Obama as the next President of the USA surge (n) - a sudden and great increase There has been a surge in house prices recently --- 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, we will look at the spookiest holiday in the western world. What are the origins of Halloween? Why do we dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, and trick or treat? All of these questions, and more, will be discussed on this episode of Thinking in English! FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/30/14-what-is-halloween/ Contact us! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Gmail: thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog VOCABULARY LIST Clad (adj) - (of people) dressed, or (of things) covered A strange figure appeared in the doorway, clad in white Garment (n) - a piece of clothing He’s fussy about how his garments fit To sacrifice (v) - to kill an animal or person and offer them to a god or gods They sacrificed a sheep to their god Sacrifice (n) - the animal or thing that is offered/sacrificed The people offered a sheep as a sacrifice To dress up (phrasal v) - to put on special clothes in order to change your appearance He dressed up as a cowboy for the party To celebrate (v) - to take part in special enjoyable activities in order to show that a particular occasion is important We always celebrate our wedding anniversary by going out to dinner Bonfire (n) - a large fire that is made outside to burn unwanted things, or for pleasure We built a bonfire on the beach To land (v) - to arrive on land from the sea or air We should land at Paris Airport in 15 minutes Roots (plural n) - origins This city can trace its roots back to roman times COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS When is Halloween? 31st October Which ancient festival was the origin of Halloween? Samhain How much do Americans spend on Halloween annually? $6billion --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/10/27/13-local-citizenship/ On today’s episode, we will discuss the idea of Local citizenship! When national governments can’t, or don’t want to, deal with immigrant populations, it falls to local governments and decision makers to make proactive policies! CONTACT US INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/) Twitter - @thinkenglishpod Blog: thinkinginenglish.blog Gmail: thinkinginenglishpod@gmail.com VOCABULARY To be concentrated (passive v) - to bring or come together in a large number or amount in one particular area Most of the country’s population is concentrated in the north To delegate (v) - to give a particular job, duty, right, etc. to someone else so that they do it for you As a boss you have to delegate responsibilities to your staff To devolve (v) - to cause power or responsibility to be given to other people To be a good manager, you must know how to devolve responsibility downwards vague (adj) - not clearly expressed, known, described, or decided I do have a vague memory of meeting her many years ago Decision-maker (n) - a person who decides things, especially at a high level in an organisation She faces long hours and extreme pressure in her position as the top decision-maker in the company Proactive (adj) - taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens Companies are going to have to be more proactive about environmental management fortunate (adj) - lucky You’re very fortunate to have found such a nice house supplementary (adj) - added to something else in order to improve it or complete it Teachers often create supplementary materials for their classes To contradict (v) - to say the opposite of what someone else has said, or to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Q. What are some of the social and economic problems caused by ignoring immigrant issues? A.Poverty, dissatisfaction, racism, and crime are just a few Q. Where did I used to live? A.Japan Q. True or false? Former Prime Minister Shizo Abe said “Japan is an immigrant country” A.False --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices