Do you like remakes, or do you believe that nothing can beat the original? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss remakes of movies and video games, and whether the remakes can be better than the originals of our childhoods. They also talk about why remakes have become so popular lately and share their own opinions on this matter. Tune in to find out what they think while improving your English conversation skills! Fun facts “Perfect Strangers”, a 2016 Italian comedy-drama directed by Paolo Genovese, is holding the Guinness World Record for the most remade movie in the history of cinema. Within three years since it was first released, it was remade 18 times in many different languages! Expressions included in the study guide To drive someone up the wall Let alone Right up [one's] alley Off the top of [one's] head Top-notch Up to snuff Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Evan (Pexels.com)

In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about teaching Korean for the first time, catching COVID for the second time, and how he spent his 5-day bedroom quarantine. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression: to chalk [something] up to [something]. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here: Join the Culips Discord server here: Listen to Catch Word #271 here:

Learn two idiomatic expressions to describe old and worn out things. Discover the technique of distressing to give new items a vintage appearance. Andrew and Suzanne share their experience renovating an old house. Explore the meaning of 'seen better days' and its usage examples. Hear a conversation about a chipped coffee mug and a stressed coworker. Discuss the importance of offering support to a friend in need.

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the concept of setting boundaries. Setting boundaries means creating limits between ourselves and others. For instance, one example of a boundary you could set is to not respond to work-related calls after dinner time. You can set boundaries for yourself, your friends, family, and even your coworkers and boss. Setting boundaries is an important way to take control in your life and show respect for yourself. If you’d like to hear about how Andrew and Anna set boundaries in their own lives, then this is the episode for you! Fun facts The term “work-life balance” became popular in the 1980s. Setting boundaries between your personal life and your professional life is an important strategy for taking care of your mental health. One simple way to set a boundary between working hours and after hours is to turn off e-mail notifications from your work e-mail during that time. Expressions included in the study guide to cross a line/boundary to set a precedent to run the risk to count as to have one’s [noun] hat on to walk all over [someone] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about having some guests over to his house, professional development, and a new book by one of his favorite writers. Plus, in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the expression to stay on your toes. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Join the Culips Discord server here:

In this episode, Andrew and Kassy discuss Kassy’s plans for the summer. Kassy and her husband are going to Europe to volunteer at an Eco Lodge in Scotland. Tune in to find out all the details! Simplified Speech is a Culips series that features two native English speakers having clear and natural conversations about fascinating topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your English listening and speaking skills in a fun and exciting way. Fun facts An interesting aspect of volunteering abroad is that it often offers an immersive language learning experience. Volunteers often improve their language skills and cultural understanding by interacting with hosts and fellow volunteers in foreign countries. Expressions included in the study guide The sky is the limit To stick out To be in the same boat To play by ear Hustle and bustle On the flip side Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Paolo Chiabrando (Unsplash.com)

In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about some trials and errors he went through when trying to upgrade the storage drive in his old computer. Plus in the vocabulary lesson, he teaches you about the phrasal verb to swap out. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here. Join the Culips Discord server here: Listen to Simplified Speech #172 here:

We’ve all been in situations where our options were limited, and we had to accept something less than what we wanted. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy explain two idiomatic expressions that you can use to describe these situations, bottom of the barrel and slim pickings. Catch Word is the Culips vocabulary series designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. By listening to these audio lessons, you can learn idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs that native speakers use all the time. Tune in to take your fluency to the next level! Fun facts Andrew mentions the expression “slim chance” in this episode. Did you know that the phrase “fat chance” means the exact same thing, even though “slim” and “fat” are opposites? English can be quite fascinating, don't you think? Expressions included in the study guide Bottom of the barrel Slim pickings To settle for [something] To inch towards [something] Decent What can you do? Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Mauro Lima (Unsplash.com)

In this week’s edition of the bonus episode, Andrew talks about what he’s been up to over the last couple of weeks, including moving to his new house and a health scare with his pet dog Pinky Boy. Listen, learn, and improve your English fluency with real-life stories. Support Culips and take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips Member. To sign up, visit Culips.com. Study with the interactive transcript here: Join the Culips Discord server here: Watch the Discord tutorial here:

Do you use tabs a lot? Do you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts or mouse clicks? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about the different ways to browse the internet. They share their different styles of surfing the internet and explore the pros and cons of each approach. Simplified Speech is the Culips series for beginner and intermediate English language learners that features easy to understand conversations about everyday topics. These episodes are designed to help you improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. We have quality study guides and transcripts available for all Culips members. Fun facts Do you know these handy Windows shortcuts that can make your browsing more efficient? To open a new tab, press Ctrl + T To close a tab, press Ctrl + W To open a previously closed tab, press Ctrl + Shift + T Expressions included in the study guide One thing led to another Quirk Now that we’ve established Facade Willy-nilly Funky Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free Image: Cottonbro studio (Pexels.com)