The Fluent Mind ESL Podcast

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack is joined by guest host May as they discuss the following Would you rather? question:Would you rather receive a heartfelt love letter or experience a romantic surprise date? Transcript: 00:00:01JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast, where Jack and Social take you on a journey from learning the basics to mastering the nuances of the English language. Our podcast is designed for non-native speakers who are looking to improve their English skills in a fun and interactive way. Each episode covers a wide range of topics.00:00:23JackFrom grammar and vocabulary to slang and culture to help you navigate the English speaking world with ease.00:00:35JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I am one of the hosts of the podcast I am.00:00:42JackWithout social today, however, I am happy to say that I am with May from Malaysia may how are you today?00:00:51MayEverything's fine, Jack. How about you?00:00:53JackYeah, everything was going pretty well. I mean, I told you a little bit about the problems I was having right before we recorded here, but everything seems to be fine.00:01:03JackAnd UM.00:01:03MayYou need to. Yeah, not to worry.00:01:05JackYeah, not to worry, just in some uploading, uh, issues with the podcast. So to what happened was May presented me with a couple of really good would you rather questions and I thought we I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to record with may these episodes.00:01:25JackSo we're going to do.00:01:26JackOne today, and probably one later in the week. And so today's question is, would you rather receive a heartfelt love letter?00:01:36JackOr experience a romantic surprise date.00:01:42JackAnd may I will let you answer first.00:01:46MayMaybe we could simplify the phrase heartfelt, but yeah.00:01:51JackOhh yeah, yeah, sure. Would you rather receive a love letter like just a really sincere love letter and that's what heartfelt means sincere.00:02:00JackYou know, a real love letter or a or a surprise date. A romantic surprise date.00:02:08JackSomething you're not expecting?00:02:10MayOK, so uh.00:02:14MayWithin these two options, I will choose a surprise dinner surprise, romantic dinner. So because when it comes to love letter, every everyone can sit down in front of their PC and write maybe hundreds or maybe thousands of letters and send to who whoever they want to see.00:02:35MayAnd then when it comes to romantic dinner, it it, it needs some more work.00:02:45MayI mean you.00:02:45MayNeed to organize a place? You need budget. You need to find out what what does your partner like and dislike.00:02:56MaySo then.00:02:58MayThere was a lot of work and.00:03:01MayAnd all that shows effort of someone actually.00:03:06MaySo for that for the that those reason I would prefer to go for a romantic dinner.00:03:14MayAnd I don't mind if I don't receive any.00:03:18MayLooks like the whatever letter it's it's just about.00:03:20JackYeah, right.00:03:22MayWriting everyone can write.00:03:25MayAnd it is. It is sincere or not.00:03:26MayOnly they will know, but if you.00:03:28MayWill put some effort to organize.00:03:32MayA dinner or dinner or any event. So it shows that you are serious.00:03:41MayAnd you're working hard towards it.00:03:44JackYeah, I get. I get what you're saying. I get what you're saying. I don't know. I wonder if this is, like, a gender.00:03:51JackRelated like difference, but I would rather get the love letter, but again, a heartfelt love letter does not mean like ChatGPT. Write me a love letter. You know what I mean? Like it has to be. It has to be somebody. It has to be handwritten. No type.00:03:56MayAh, OK.00:04:09JackIt has to be sincere and heartfelt. It can't be from ChatGPT. It's gotta be a legitimate.00:04:18JackLove letter from the heart and then a beautiful love letter is something that I can keep for a long time. You know, I can put it in an envelope and you know, you know, read it from time to time.00:04:32JackAnd think about my, you know, I'm assuming it's my.00:04:35JackWife wrote it, obviously.00:04:36MayOhh so sweet.00:04:38JackYou know.00:04:38MayI can see the sentimental value there, Jack.00:04:41JackYeah, because a meal like it's gone, you know, the the experience is gone. It's it's just kind of disappeared. You eat at the food and then it's and then you're done. Right. But the letter will last for longer for this paper. Yeah. Right. It'll last forever. Also like a romantic. Sorry. Go ahead, may.00:04:58MayOhh you need.00:04:59MayTo say that uh.00:05:02MayYou mean to say whenever you?00:05:05MayMiss your wife or maybe whenever you want to recall all those memory, you can pick up the letter and read.00:05:13JackYeah, whenever she gets mad at me, I say wait.00:05:16JackYou said that you loved me. Look at this. Page three, and then I'll read it.00:05:24JackSo leverage. Uh, no, no, no. So, OK, so the romantic date thing is I I think that like.00:05:31JackI don't know. There's something that make me uncomfortable. If my wife were to organize like a romantic date, I it feels like a man should do that.00:05:39JackI I'm not.00:05:40JackI guess I'm old fashioned, I I mean like I feel like a man. Like the man should should organize romantic dates for for their, for, for their their partners.00:05:52JackAnd and women.00:05:55JackLike writing a love letter is is more I'd I guess it it's just like a gender thing. Like I'd I'd rather I would rather organize the date for her.00:06:06JackAnd I would rather she write a love letter to me.00:06:11JackThat's. I don't. Isn't that weird. It's it's very strange. I I don't. Maybe it makes me, like kind of sexist or whatever.00:06:20MayUsually a guy will start writing.00:06:26MayOr maybe for for the first date, the man will organize.00:06:32MayDinner of Michael launch.00:06:35MaySo you or you you are expecting?00:06:38MayYour wife to write this letter.00:06:40JackYeah, I feel it feels more natural. It feels like. I think the man I think, like I I should be the one that that like organizes the the date and the surprise date and then she can write me a love letter. And both in that situation I would be happy and she would be happy.00:07:00MaySo which one should come first? Check the you mean your wife, right? You will look left and the next step you will organize it.00:07:00JackLike, yeah.00:07:07MayRomantic dinner or how it goes.00:07:09JackYeah, that's that. Seems that's the way I.00:07:12JackThink it should work.00:07:13JackI think the man it, it feels more if it it, it feels awkward to me for her to organize the date and surprise me and take me somewhere to a restaurant I feel.00:07:25JackLike in that case, I feel like the female. I feel like the woman in that situation and she's like the man.00:07:33MayBut you can do both. You can do both, Jack.00:07:35JackIs. Yeah, I don't know. Am I wrong?00:07:38JackAm I is that?00:07:39JackWeird to me to think that way.00:07:41MayOhh you're not but then you.00:07:42MayCan do both at the same time.00:07:44JackYeah, I mean, I guess I guess The thing is is like I should be a more modern man and just be open minded and say it's totally fine for a woman to to surprise a man and take him on a.00:07:56JackDate and it's OK for a man to write a woman a love letter. I mean, that's that's normal anyway.00:08:03JackI think men and women can.00:08:05JackWrite love letters. But yeah, just. Yeah. I would rather receive a love letter. That's what I I think I would really like that. I would like that a lot.00:08:07MayAlright, but.00:08:12May1st is that most of the time men will will not prefer a girl who like, write a letter, love letter, or confess their feelings.00:08:25MaySo, but you were on the other side.00:08:27JackMaybe I'm weird. Yeah, maybe I'm the strange one in this scenario.00:08:32JackI don't know. Yeah, I guess we're we're kind of at odds here because you're you're definitely more into the dates part of it. And I'm more into like having the letter and reading the letter and keeping it as, like, a memento, something to remember.00:08:49JackThe situation, yeah.00:08:51MayThat's interesting to know.00:08:54JackWell, I would love to know what our listeners out there think because is is Jack Weird. Am I weird? That's, you know, for for thinking this way and am I wrong? And if you think I'm wrong, just tell me. I can take it. So let me know and send us.00:09:12MayMaybe we should ask them.00:09:14MayDo they agree? If.00:09:15MayA man, or maybe a woman, right. A love letter to a.00:09:21JackYeah. Is it OK for? Yeah. Should can a woman write a love letter to a man? Or should is it more natural for a man to write a love letter to a woman? And is it more natural for a man to take a woman on a surprise date? Or is it?00:09:29MayYeah, it should be fine.00:09:33JackMore. Is it more natural for a woman to take a man on a surprise date? I maybe I've got it all backwards in my mind.00:09:41JackSo yeah.00:09:42MayI guess everyone will have different opinion and we will love to hear from them.00:09:46JackAbsolutely. Yeah. Send us your leave a comment in our.00:09:48JackWebsite A-Z englishpodcast.com send us an e-mail A-Z englishpodcast@gmail.com join our WhatsApp group. It is getting bigger and by the day we've got amazing things happening in the group. Free online zoom lessons for two weeks. Lots of really good stuff.00:10:09JackHappening in the world English group, so if you're interested, reach out. I will help you connect with that with our our WhatsApp group and yeah, with that.00:10:21JackSaid may. Thank.00:10:22JackYou so much for joining me today. I appreciate.00:10:24발표자Read it.00:10:25MayHappy to be here, Jack. Thank you.00:10:27JackAlright, we'll see you next time. Bye bye bye.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-oreo-33-would-you-rather-receive-a-love-letter-or-experience-a-surprise-romantic-date/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack discuss some commonly misused expressions.nip it in the bud (correct) vs. nip it in the butt (incorrect)"Nip it in the bud" is an idiom that means to stop a problem or issue at its early stages before it can grow into something more serious or difficult to control. It suggests that, like pruning a plant by removing a bud before it becomes a full-grown branch, addressing a problem early can prevent it from becoming a larger, more complicated issue. This expression is often used to emphasize the importance of taking timely action to address problems or conflicts.I couldn't care less (correct) vs. I could care less (incorrect)The phrase "I couldn't care less" is an idiom used to express complete indifference or lack of interest in a particular topic, situation, or outcome. When someone says, "I couldn't care less," they are conveying that they have no emotional investment or concern about the matter in question. In other words, they are saying that their level of apathy is so high that it's impossible for them to care any less than they currently do. This phrase is often used to dismiss something as unimportant or to indicate that the speaker has no personal stake in the matter.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-idioms-29-commonly-misused-expressions/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack discuss the expression "Better Late than Never."Spanish: "Más vale tarde que nunca."English: "Better late than never."Both of these idioms convey the idea that it's preferable for something to happen later than expected or planned than not to happen at all. They emphasize the importance of completing a task or fulfilling a commitment, even if it's delayed. This idiom is used in both languages to encourage a positive outlook when someone is late or delayed in their actions.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-tips-27-better-late-than-never/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Xochitl and Jack explore the differences between jealousy and envy in this episode. Jealousy involves fear of losing something you already possess, while envy is the desire for something someone else has. They provide real-life examples and discuss the nuances between these powerful emotions.

The hosts discuss their beliefs on soulmates, exploring the concept of one true soulmate versus compatibility with multiple people. They also talk about the importance of effort and sacrifice in a successful marriage. The chapter concludes by inviting listeners to join a WhatsApp group and participate in free online English lessons.

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack is joined by May, Layla, and Hendrick as they discuss the following question:Do you believe that happiness is a choice, or is it influenced more by external factors?00:00:01JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast, where Jack and Social take you on a journey from learning the basics to mastering the nuances of the English language. Our podcast is designed for non-native speakers who are looking to improve their English skills in a fun and interactive way. Each episode covers a wide range of topics.00:00:23JackFrom grammar and vocabulary to slang and culture to help you navigate the English speaking world with ease.00:00:34JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm one of the hosts of the podcast and today I am without social but do not worry, I am with May from Malaysia, Hendrick from Indonesia and Leila from Saudi Arabia. So we 3 for the price of 1.00:00:54JackCan't complain with that, so steal.00:00:57JackUM so.00:00:59JackWhat we're going to do today is a quick chat episode and I'm going to read a question to you and then I want you guys to just, you know, think about it and tell me what, what your opinions are. There's no right or wrong answer to these. These are just opinion questions. But the question is.00:01:19JackDo you believe that happiness is a choice, or is it influenced?00:01:26JackBy external factors and I'll read it one more time. Do you believe happiness is a choice that we make? Or is happiness influenced by?00:01:41JackExternal factors, things that happen to us.00:01:44JackIn our daily lives.00:01:48LaylaIt's close.00:01:52MayCostume make a decision for me.00:01:57LaylaI am.00:01:58MayBut I most probably I will go for.00:02:04MayExternal factor as well.00:02:07JackOK.00:02:12MayIt is true that we can choose to be happy. However, our external, the external factor most of the time affect as well.00:02:26MayFor example, if the environment we are surrounded with full of, like crisis, anger, everybody's fighting so.00:02:37MayI mean, it is hard for us to feel happy. How are we going to laugh at our time? Because our environment is so stressful.00:02:46MaySo we can't be pushing away all these things and laugh on our own.00:02:52MaySo I think that is hard.00:02:54MayTo happen it is, I mean it.00:02:56MayIs unlikely to happen.00:02:59MaySo on, but on the other hand, if we are in a very healthy environment, healthy surrounding.00:03:08MaySo certainly we will easily feel happy.00:03:15MayWithout any reasons, without finding the a reason.00:03:19MayTo be happy.00:03:22MayAnd the environment.00:03:24MayFor me, the the environment we are at.00:03:30MayIf will give us effect as well.00:03:34JackOK, so for you may you're kind of trying to figure out like is it the chicken what came first, the chicken or the egg, right? It's like does happiness come first and you choose it and it doesn't matter what the external factors are or do the external factors make you happy?00:03:55JackAnd so your happiness is is dependent on the external factors like what the people around you, some good luck, happy things happen, you know, good things happen to you.00:04:09JackIt sounds like you're you're more on the second the second one.00:04:14MayYes, I I want to the second option and we for sure we can decide where they want to be happy and and so on.00:04:23MayBut then we.00:04:26MayWhen we.00:04:28MayI mean, when you were a child, what can we do? What could we do unless we are? We are an adult and we move out from the the unhealthy place. So then we can decide.00:04:47MaySo when people always say happiness is our choice, if we decide we want to be happy, we.00:04:52MayCan be happy.00:04:53MayIt is true part. It is partly true.00:04:56MayBut then it is also depends on.00:04:59MayWhere we are.00:05:00JackOK. OK, good. Alright. So you're you're kind of, yeah, you kind of go. You're kind of you're kind of saying it's it it the both things are possible you could choose to be happy but.00:05:13JackIt's harder when bad things are happening to you and you're like I'm choosing to be happy and then something bad happens and you're like I'm choosing to be happy and another bad thing happens. It's very difficult, right?00:05:26MayYes, you are right Jeff.00:05:28JackYeah. OK. OK. Layla, what do you?00:05:31JackThink can you just choose to be?00:05:33JackHappy. Just wake.00:05:34JackUp and you go. I am happy today.00:05:38LaylaNo, I think I couldn't just have an exam. Maybe a literally. It depends on your environment. Sometimes you try to make happiness, you try to be happy all the time, but unfortunately you are. You are surrounded by negative.00:05:59LaylaPeople are.00:06:00LaylaSome very serious issue that really affect on you and in your feeling. So when you try to be happy, you couldn't. It's just like a challenge for you. So I think I can say between making happens and it depends on.00:06:20LaylaThe situation.00:06:23LaylaOr maybe the environment surrounded you?00:06:27JackOK. So you're you're going with #2 external factors is more?00:06:27LaylaThat's my thought thought about.00:06:33JackInfluences your your how happy you are in in a day.00:06:39JackOK, alright.00:06:41JackAnd Henry, OK, OK.00:06:41LaylaYeah, maybe.00:06:43LaylaYou can say that.00:06:44JackYeah. Yeah. Hendrick. What about you? Can you just turn the happiness on like a switch? You're just going to flip it on?00:06:51JackIn the morning, just.00:06:52JackHappiness switch.00:06:55HendrickYeah. For me, I think happiness.00:06:58HendrickIs a choice. I mean, this is your choice because.00:07:00HendrickBecause, I mean, like, yeah, when even when you are in the difficult situation, I mean like you can still trying to be happy, you just need you know like find one reason why you you have to be happy like one reason you have to be grateful and then be happy even even when you are.00:07:20HendrickLiving in the like in the bad information with bad people, I mean, like you can make the you can make the.00:07:32HendrickI mean like make the you know, like make it like the building and then, yeah, batteries. I mean, like, make the batteries and then yeah, it's like you still can choose to be happy even even when you are in the difficult situation or in the best situation.00:07:48JackOK.00:07:48JackOK, I like that. Alright, so you're you're like an eternal optimist. You're like, I can. There's good in every situation. We can find the good in it. Hold on to it. OK.00:07:49HendrickSo it is a choice.00:07:57HendrickYeah, exactly. Just find one reason. You just you just need to find one reason why you. Why you have to be happy. That's yeah. Every single day.00:08:00JackAlright, alright, alright.00:08:09JackSo I wish I could be like Hendrick, alright? I I wanna. I wanna. I wanna agree with you. But I'm I'm, you know, for me like happiness is. It's trickier for me. I my it's.00:08:21JackMore of mood related.00:08:23JackSometimes I just wake up and I'm in such a good mood. I'm.00:08:26JackJust happy.00:08:27JackAnd I don't know what it is.00:08:29JackLike maybe I.00:08:32JackIt's maybe it's chemical. It's just like the chemicals in my brain are all mixed together in such a good way. And I just like everything is positive. I feel good and I'm just happy.00:08:45JackAnd I can't really control it.00:08:46MayProbably you dream of something nice. Just the night. Probably probably in that on, on that night we dream about something.00:08:56JackYeah, maybe I dreamt about something. Nice. Yeah, that's that's.00:08:59LaylaYeah, really. So effect on me.00:09:03MayAnd your mood.00:09:04MayOn the next thing.00:09:04LaylaI thought.00:09:06JackI had a good dream and. Yeah, yeah, I I woke up and and I feel like I'm.00:09:11JackIn a good mood?00:09:13JackYeah, it just happens to me sometimes, but sometimes I I I wake up in a foul mood, you know, I'm just really.00:09:21JackI'm just really like, uh, you know, kind of depressed or or just down or whatever. I'm good at hiding it, you know, I mean, I don't think anyone ever that meets me ever thinks that I'm like a Moody, you know, like a roller coaster. I'm pretty stable.00:09:36HendrickYes you are.00:09:38JackYeah, like I.00:09:39JackI look like I'm pretty happy all the time. I'm a pretty happy person, generally speaking, but sometimes I'm just like extra happy and I and that's just mood related and I never know when it's gonna happen. It just hits like a lightning bolt and I wake up and I'm like I'm just so happy today. I just. I'm so happy to be here. I can't wait to teach this.00:09:59JackAnd sometimes I'm just really like, I'm not feeling it. And in those moments, I think Hendrick is right. You know, you have to.00:10:08JackFind something positive.00:10:11MayYeah, yeah.00:10:11JackWhat's I've I've got my health, I've got my, I've got this or that going for me and just hold on to that positive thing and try to carry that with you through the day and and not let the external. I mean, there's always going to be annoying things that happen to us every day.00:10:30HendrickExactly, yeah.00:10:30JackRight, traffic jams and.00:10:33JackFriends are gonna be angry with us, or we'll we'll argue with our spouse or something. And you know things are gonna happen. But if you can hold on to that one positive thing and like Hendrick says, I think you'd be much, much.00:10:48JackHappier, but it's hard to do, easy to talk about, difficult to do in practice, yeah.00:10:52HendrickYeah, exactly. Yeah. Because.00:10:56HendrickYeah, because, you know, like nowadays, you know, like I'm a.00:10:59HendrickStudent right now I have.00:11:00HendrickA lot of assignments, which is it makes me, like, feel overwhelmed. But you know, like I was trying to, you know, find one reason for example like ohh this is maybe, you know like one of the way for me to maybe one day to study a group.00:11:16HendrickLike it is like a training for me. And so I was thinking something positive and it makes me a bit better than, you know, like being.00:11:25JackThere you go. There you go. This is all just a step. One step towards something amazing happening for you. Yeah. Yeah. There you go. All right, everybody, let us know what you think. Can you is happiness like a switch that you can turn on?00:11:31HendrickYeah, that's it.00:11:42JackIs it something you can? Can you just hold on to it? If you can think of 1 positive thing in your life? Or is it? Are you kind of a victim of like circumstances? Like if everything's falling apart around you, does that just affect your mood so that you just can't be happy?00:12:03JackLet us know what you think by sending us your messages on our website, leaving a comment at A-Z englishpodcast.com very easy A-Z englishpodcast.com or send us an e-mail A-Z englishpodcast@gmail.com that's A-Z englishpodcast@gmail.com.00:12:23JackOr join our WhatsApp group and you can make lots of comments and get into a debate about this issue with our wonderful students in our WhatsApp group. So lots of choices for you all and we will see you, or at least you will hear us next time. Thanks.00:12:40JackBye bye bye.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-chat-91-do-you-believe-that-happiness-is-a-choice-or-is-it-influenced-more-by-external-factors/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack is joined by his good friends May, Layla, and Hendrick as they discuss the questions:Do you believe in the value of traditional education, or do you think there are better ways to learn and acquire knowledge?00:00:01JackWelcome to the A-Z English podcast, where Jack and Social take you on a journey from learning the basics to mastering the nuances of the English language. Our podcast is designed for non-native speakers who are looking to improve their English skills in a fun and interactive way. Each episode covers a wide range of.00:00:22JackTopics from grammar and vocabulary to slang and culture to help you navigate the English speaking world with ease.00:00:32JackWelcome to the A to Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm one of the hosts of this podcast. I am here without my co-host social, however, I am lucky enough to be in the presence of three amazing people may from Malaysia, Hendrick from Indonesia, and Leila.00:00:52JackFrom Saudi Arabia and they're back again for another episode. How are you doing today, guys?00:00:59MayEverything is fine, Jack.00:01:01HendrickYeah, I'm doing good.00:01:03JackDon't worry everybody listeners out there. Leila's Wi-Fi is a little bit wobbly today, but we'll I think it's. I think she's gonna make it. I have a good feeling. It's gonna. We're gonna make it through. So what we're going to do today is a quick chat episode and I'm going to ask.00:01:22JackMy guests are question, question and then we're all going to take turns and share our opinions about these questions. So the first the question, the only question today is.00:01:34JackIs do you believe in the value of traditional education?00:01:41JackOr do you think there are better ways to learn and acquire knowledge?00:01:49JackAnd I could read it one more time for our listeners out there so they can catch it. Do you believe in the value of traditional education or do you think there are better ways to learn and acquire knowledge?00:02:09JackThat's the question, and I'll let whoever wants to go first is free to jump in.00:02:15MayI believe traditional education is still is still necessary or still still value these days.00:02:27MayBecause when when we mention about traditional education, I believe it is something to do with going to school, meeting the teachers and sit sitting in the classroom and learn together with.00:02:44MayOur friends, I mean our, our friends, the classroom.00:02:50MayIn that way way we will learn.00:02:53MayExactly how to communicate with people.00:02:57MayIn real, in actual or maybe so communication skills is?00:03:03MayVery important, although these days will be getting used on the Internet or online platform, but I believe it's still important to be traditional.00:03:18MayAs I mean, sitting in the class learning, talking to the teachers directly, so that would be perfect.00:03:26JackOK, OK. So may you're.00:03:29JackYou're still a traditionalist. Do you still think the uh, the current uh approach? The current tradition is still valuable to students.00:03:37MayYeah, it's still, it is still reasonable because we need to.00:03:44MayActual communication with I mean face to face communication with each other.00:03:50MayWhen it comes to computers, we can. I mean, it's not difficult at all and we just we just press 1 button and then we can hide our face and we can maybe beautifying our our face, beautify our face and.00:04:08MayAnd so but and it it comes to physical communication or with physical contact with people, things are different.00:04:20JackOK. And you're talking about like online offline education?00:04:25JackUM, when you think of traditional, you think of in the classroom, students are facing the teacher. The teacher is at the front of the classroom, but online would be, you know, through some kind of platform like what we're using right here. Zoom to communicate to each other, OK.00:04:45MaySo we're just looking at the.00:04:46MayScreen so I I will be able to see you directly.00:04:50MaySo you you may reject, but maybe you.00:04:55MayYou could be somewhere someone.00:04:56MayElse so same goes today.00:04:56JackI could be someone else. This I could be AI. I could not even be AI. I might be a robot right now. You don't even know. Yeah.00:05:04MayI can replace myself with my twin sister if I have her.00:05:08MaySo anything impossible?00:05:09JackRight.00:05:12JackWell, let me.00:05:12MaySo I I prefer the traditional way.00:05:14JackI might start making sounds.00:05:16LaylaLike pee, poo poo. Pee, poo poo, poo poop.00:05:18JackYou know and do.00:05:19JackYou do you like? Who's that? Is that Jack?00:05:21JackOr is that?00:05:22JackA robot.00:05:23MayEverything you want that's not you.00:05:26JackAlright, nice. Thanks mate. Let's let's go and we'll just go in in order of what's on my screen right here. Ohh Leila's Layla's asking to participate. OK, go ahead, Layla.00:05:40LaylaI think in when it comes for children, teenagers, I think traditional education is.00:05:53LaylaMore important than the other ways of education because they need to be sitting in front of the teacher and to communicate physically with the other students, they also need to improve other skills.00:06:14LaylaLike sports, I mean, which related to sports they.00:06:20LaylaRelated to their bodies, I think it's not only about getting information, so it's very important for kids and teenager.00:06:32LaylaBut when it comes for adults.00:06:36LaylaYeah. Yeah, we can. We can replace.00:06:41LaylaTraditional education in in another style, in another method like teaching.00:06:51LaylaLearning by online using zoom classes or maybe searching about some information on some websites we can we can study something ourselves. In many cases we don't need to be exactly with the teachers.00:07:11LaylaTo get the information. Yeah, there is some benefits I.00:07:16LaylaReject that, but it's it's possible. It could be, and a lot of people just learn from these resources and they really have good information and knowledge about many different. I can say subjects.00:07:35JackMm-hmm. OK. OK, good. Alright. So I think you and may are are thinking very similarly. You guys are on the same page. I think Mr. Hendrick's future teacher or future professor, what do?00:07:50JackYou think about this, Sir?00:07:50HendrickWow, yeah.00:07:53HendrickSo yeah, I believe.00:07:56HendrickTraditional education it is good. But I mean, like right now we live in the 20th century, which is we have to adapt with the technology, right. And talking about traditional education, I think we talked about like the teacher Center, which is the teacher is the only one.00:08:16HendrickTeach their students. But when we talk about, you know, like something change changes right now, I think it should be like student center, which is the student they have to, you know, like.00:08:29HendrickMake research on the Internet or they can, you know, like learn something from the Internet or they can read books and then they can come to.00:08:39HendrickThe they they.00:08:40HendrickThey can come to the class and then they can discuss with their friends or with.00:08:43HendrickThe teacher. So yeah, I think personal education, that's good, but.00:08:48HendrickWe have to, you know.00:08:49HendrickAnd that with the.00:08:50HendrickTechnology are it?00:08:53HendrickSomething here?00:08:54JackYeah, yeah, interesting. Alright. I'm gonna throw my two cents in here. I'm going to agree with with Hendrick. Teaching should be student centered, not teacher centered. So the teachers should not be up in front of the room lecturing and talking and telling everybody.00:09:05HendrickYeah. Hey.00:09:13JackHow to do it? You know you should actually focus on students needs.00:09:19JackAnd you know the teacher should be floating around the classroom working with students on projects where they get to explore and and and basically kind of discover the knowledge themselves instead of the teacher just telling them what the knowledge is. I mean, I think we.00:09:40JackI think I brought up a Chinese proverb the other day, and I I don't remember it exactly, but I'll paraphrase it. It was like.00:09:50JackTell tell a person and they forget in a minute.00:09:55JackRead it in a book. You forget it in a day, but if you do something, you remember it for a lifetime, you know? So there's something, something to be said about that the old lecture style teaching, I think needs to go away forever. Like it just doesn't, I don't think.00:10:12HendrickYeah, exactly.00:10:12JackIt works.00:10:15MayYes, that's it.00:10:15JackBut if, but it's much more difficult job, it's a much more difficult job for a teacher to come up with activities and tasks for students where they can explore and discover the knowledge themselves. But if they do it that if you can figure out how to do it that way.00:10:30JackIt's it's really more profound and impactful for the students and yeah, that's the trick. I think of being a good teacher is how do you do that? And sometimes lecturing is just the fastest, easiest way to give the information. But if you can find a better way to do it.00:10:50JackIt's. That's always better than than just.00:10:53JackDoing a lecture.00:10:54JackSo that's my opinion. Yeah, yeah.00:10:56HendrickYeah. And I think when you know like when the education, it becomes to the student center, I mean like the student, they can explore the more about the activity. So that's really good. That's thing better than they have to yeah. Rather than they have to rely on the teacher.00:11:08JackRight, they get to use their creativity.00:11:14HendrickThat's that's not really.00:11:15JackYeah, providing students with a lot of opportunities to learn a lot of different things and discover things and and and put kind of put the pieces together themselves. You know, instead of you showing them like you have to put this right here together with this, let them discover it on their own. That's a really important thing.00:11:16HendrickGood, I think.00:11:36JackAnd I think it's hard, you know, it's very hard to do in a, in a classroom full of 24 students, 25 students, thirty students, forty students. How?00:11:47JackDo you do that?00:11:48JackI don't know. I don't have the answer to that. It's a huge challenge and sometimes it's impossible. You know, sometimes it's impossible. But but I think that should be the goal.00:12:01HendrickThanks hector.00:12:02JackAll right. Well, you.00:12:04JackGuys, thank you so much for sharing your opinions. I really appreciate it. I think this is a really important topic and I would love to know what our friends and listeners out there think about this topic.00:12:17JackUM, the question is, uh, do you believe in the value of traditional education like kind of teacher centered or even like online education or sorry offline education or do you think there are better ways to learn and acquire knowledge which could be student focused or even?00:12:37JackUsing platforms like Zoom or other online platforms and so let us know what you think by sending us an e-mail at AZ englishpodcast@gmail.com.00:12:50JackOr go to our website A-Z englishpodcast.com and leave a comment and or join our WhatsApp group. Leave a comment there as well so they have. There are lots of options and lots of ways to get in touch with me and I'll read your comment and happily write a response to it. So with that said, thank you so much.00:13:10JackGuys, I appreciate your time today and we'll see you next time. Thanks everybody. Bye.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-quick-chat-90-do-you-believe-in-the-value-of-traditional-education-or-do-you-think-there-are-better-ways-to-learn-and-acquire-knowledge/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Jack explains the meaning of the idiom "to steal someone's thunder.""To steal someone's thunder."This idiom means to take the credit for something that someone else has done or to overshadow someone's achievements or success by doing something similar, but usually more attention-grabbing or significant.For example, if someone worked hard on a project and was about to present their findings, but then a colleague presented a similar project just before them, getting all the attention and credit, you could say the colleague "stole their thunder."This idiom has a theatrical origin. It is attributed to playwright John Dennis, who invented a machine to create the sound of thunder for his plays. When his invention was not successful, another playwright, Richard Steele, used a similar machine in one of his productions to great success, essentially stealing Dennis's thunder.Podcast Website:https://atozenglishpodcast.com/a-to-z-idioms-28-to-steal-someones-thunder/Social Media:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/671098974684413/Tik Tok:@atozenglish1Instagram:@atozenglish22Twitter:@atozenglish22A to Z Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/theatozenglishpodcastCheck out our You Tube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCds7JR-5dbarBfas4Ve4h8ADonate to the show: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/9472af5c-8580-45e1-b0dd-ff211db08a90/donationsRobin and Jack started a new You Tube channel called English Word Master. You can check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2aXaXaMY4P2VhVaEre5w7ABecome a member of Podchaser and leave a positive review!https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-a-to-z-english-podcast-4779670Join our Whatsapp group: https://forms.gle/zKCS8y1t9jwv2KTn7Intro/Outro Music: Daybird by Broke for Freehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_03_Day_Bird/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcodehttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/eaters/simian-samba/audrey-horne/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fluent-mind-esl-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The hosts discuss the possibility of building close relationships with internet friends, reflecting on their childhood experiences with technology. They compare online and in-person friendships, highlighting the depth of sharing personal details with internet friends. Exploring the differences between internet and in-person friendships, they conclude that close relationships with internet friends are possible but differ from in-person relationships. They also discuss their experience with creating and maintaining online friendships, highlighting the impact of technology on long-distance relationships.

In this Quick Chat episode, Xochitl and Jack discuss the idea of blood type determining our personalities, highlighting the limited number of blood types compared to the variety of personalities. They debunk the belief that blood type accurately predicts personality traits, exploring the impact of brain structure, traumatic injuries, and emotional trauma. The podcast challenges the notion of blood type personality, emphasizing the influence of experiences, genetics, and upbringing on our personalities.