Culips Everyday English Podcast

Exciting updates from a recent meetup highlight the vibrant community and upcoming gatherings! A September challenge invites listeners to enhance their work-related English skills through tasks focusing on interviews, dress codes, and more. Participants can earn a completion certificate by tackling scenarios and questions while connecting with fellow learners. It's a perfect opportunity to review and master professional English in a supportive environment!

Discover two English idioms that describe chaotic situations: 'to go off the rails' and 'to get out of hand.' The hosts share real-life examples showcasing how these expressions can be used in everyday conversations. They also dive into the metaphorical implications of losing control, touching on issues related to personal stress and mental health. Additionally, a candid chat about escalating car repair costs adds a slice of humor and relatability. Perfect for enhancing your vocabulary and navigating life's messy moments!

Join Andrew as he recounts his spontaneous journey to Sapporo, Japan, featuring vibrant neighborhoods like Susukino and the charming town of Otaru. Experience the excitement of local beer and sake festivals, as well as the challenge of exploring without Google Maps. Relish in delicious seafood and reminisce about a Korean film while discovering both tourist traps and hidden gems. Andrew's storytelling not only entertains but also enriches your English vocabulary and cultural knowledge.

The hosts dive into the puzzling nature of common sense, exploring why intelligent people sometimes make foolish choices. They share hilarious personal anecdotes that reveal how cultural and experiential backgrounds shape our understanding of what's obvious. The discussion extends to how certain demographics, especially the elderly, are more susceptible to scams. They also tackle the playful nuances of the word 'ditzy' and reflect on the perceived decline of common sense in younger generations compared to book smarts.

Join Andrew as he recounts his whirlwind day in Osaka. Experience the thrill of searching for rare records in vibrant shops. Just when things seem perfect, an unexpected tsunami alert shakes up his travel plans. This engaging storytelling not only highlights cultural gems but also provides a glimpse into natural conversations, making it ideal for intermediate English learners. Dive into real-life experiences that enhance vocabulary and fluency while enjoying Andrew's clear and lively narration!

Andrew and Indiana dive into the hilariously relatable topic of personal shortcomings. They share funny tales about assembling IKEA furniture and their struggles with drawing and handwriting. Fear of insects takes center stage as they recount their strategies for dealing with wasps. The duo laughs over forgotten movie details and challenges with multitasking, particularly while driving. They also offer a humorous look at their fitness routines and the neglect of stretching, inviting listeners to share their own experiences.

Dive into the intriguing world of intuition, often referred to as the sixth sense. Hear personal stories that highlight when trusting your gut has made a difference. The hosts contrast intuition with logic, sparking a discussion on decision-making. They also explore cultural nuances, like 'mother's intuition,' and ponder the accuracy of first impressions. Additionally, discover the uncanny abilities of animals and their potential to sense impending events, leaving you to question the mysteries behind our instincts.

August Challenge – Vocabulary Boost! In this episode, Andrew and Alina introduce the August Challenge, happening on our Discord server. This month, you’ll focus on expanding your vocabulary by learning and using 15 advanced adjectives that have been featured in Culips episodes. It’s a great way to make your English sound more colorful, expressive, and natural like a native speaker. The challenge runs every second day throughout August, giving you time to really understand each adjective and practice using it in your own stories, example sentences, or voice messages. These include words like “remiss,” “palpable,” “low-key,” and “fancy schmancy” – words that native speakers use regularly but English learners often skip over when listening. Andrew and Alina also chat about Alina’s new hobby: chess! She recently learned to play at age 31 and has been winning games at her local expat board game meetup in Ireland. How to Join the Culips Discord Server and Participate in the Challenge Create a Discord Account: Sign up for free at Discord. Download the App: Install Discord on your phone or computer for easy access. Join the Culips Server: Click this link to join the Culips English Podcast Discord server: Join Here. Enable the Monthly Challenge Channel: From the menu, select Channels and Roles. Go to the Browse Channels tab. Under the English Learning category, select Monthly Challenge to add it to your menu. Access the August Challenge: Click the pin icon at the top of the Monthly Challenge channel to view the August Challenge (available from August 2nd). Complete all the tasks to earn a certificate. Join in and start improving your English with the community!

This episode is all about musical education! Andrew and Indiana share stories about learning instruments as kids, their music classes at school, and how they feel about playing musical instruments today. You’ll hear Andrew talk about jamming on his drum set in his basement, Indiana’s experiences in school chorus, and whether they think parents should push their kids to take music lessons. This episode is perfect for intermediate English learners who want to pick up natural vocabulary and expressions about music, school, and hobbies while listening to a real conversation between native speakers. In this lesson, you’ll work on: Vocabulary: Learn natural English words and phrases about music, school, and hobbies. Listening: Build your listening with this clear and easy-to-understand conversation between two native speakers. Speaking: Improve your speaking skills by chatting about your own experiences with music education during one of our weekly conversation classes or by talking with other Culips listeners on our Discord server. Culture: Discover what music education is like in Canada and the U.S., and why it’s important in schools. Fluency: Listening to real conversations and stories helps you think in English and speak more confidently. The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Get the study guide, which comes with an interactive transcript, vocabulary explanations with examples, a quiz, and practice questions. Join Culips to get full access. Already a member? Get the ad free version and study materials here. Want to connect with other listeners and practice what you learned? Join our Culips Discord community today Click here to join the community!

How can a homemade lunch end in tragedy, mystery, and a murder trial that shocks the world? Join Andrew as he revisits the infamous mushroom murder case in Australia and guides you through the dramatic courtroom outcome. In this episode, you’ll read along with a real news article and learn important vocabulary that helps you understand the story. You’ll learn legal words like “jury” and “plead”, and more advanced terms like “deception” and “estranged.” Andrew explains everything clearly so you can follow the story and improve your English at the same time. What you’ll learn: Useful legal vocabulary and how it’s used in real news stories Natural expressions for describing crime, trials, and serious events How native speakers explain complex topics in simple, conversational ways Perfect for intermediate learners who: Want to build vocabulary for understanding news and serious topics Enjoy true stories that are dramatic, mysterious, and real Like learning English through current events and real conversations Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Watch the YouTube version of this episode Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule Listen to the original mushroom mystery episode Read the original article from CBC news