Culips Everyday English Podcast

Episode description What have you usually done when you didn’t understand something that was said to you? Today, I will share my opinion about what to do if you didn’t understand what someone said to you. So, I’m sure all of us language learners have found ourselves in this kind of situation before. My opinion is that forming relationships through conversation requires a balance of effort on both sides. And asking someone to slow down their speech, or repeat what they already said, can disrupt that balance. Take a listen for more useful tips. Key Points * Jeremy believes that it is more important to keep the conversation flowing than to try to understand everything. * Forming relationships through conversation requires a balance of effort on both sides. Asking someone to slow down their speech or repeat what they already said disrupts that balance. * Use simple questions to keep the conversation flowing. * If you are really stuck, ask a question about a single word that was said, even if you know it. * Trust that with time, exposure, and practice things will get easier and easier. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Jeremy continue their discussion about raising a bilingual child. Tune in to learn some useful tips on how to raise a bilingual child in your own household. Fun facts Even monolingual parents can raise bilingual children! It’s important that they set clear goals and dedicate time and energy to exposing their children to the language, and that they give their children plenty of opportunities to communicate with fluent or native speakers of the language. Expressions included in the study guide * A follow-up * Recap * Revive * To come at [someone] from all sides * To pick up on [something] * To clarify Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

There are many ways to tell someone you love them. Jeremy and Andrew look at two curious expressions that mean “I love you” or “I care about you.” Fun facts Andrew and Jeremy reference the song Grenade by Bruno Mars. Give it a listen to hear some of the expressions from this episode used in a real-life context! Expressions included in the study guide * Speaking of * To take a bullet for someone * To take * To question someone’s sanity * To throw yourself in front of a train or bus for someone * In a bind * Loaded Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description This episode will be helpful for people who are having conversations in English but want to sound more natural. That means that this episode will be helpful for people who want to sound more like a native English speaker when they’re speaking English. And you can do that by utilizing filler words. Key Points * Filler words are words or sounds that fill the gaps in speech * Native speakers use filler words all the time without knowing it * English learners can use filler words to “buy time” * Some examples of filler words in English include: uhh, umm, ahh, OK, you know * These words at NOT used in writing and, if possible, should be avoided in formal speaking Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Here’s Part 2 of Suzanne’s amazing engagement story! Find out about the funny and touching experience in this Chatterbox episode with hosts Andrew and Suzanne. Fun facts Pop star Mariah Carey was once given an engagement ring reportedly worth $10 million by her then-boyfriend. Unfortunately, they did not end up getting married, although she did keep the ring after their breakup. Expressions included in the study guide * Speaking of * To keep in touch * To parley * To sidetrack [someone] * Been through a lot * On the spot * A touch Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Andrew and Suzanne talk about COVID-19, the situation in North America, and English expressions that are used to talk about the pandemic in part 2 of this special Chatterbox episode. Andrew: Hey everyone, Andrew here. In this Chatterbox episode Suzanne and I continue our talk about the COVID19 pandemic and the current situation in North America. And because we wanted to release this episodes to you as soon as possible, we decided to not make a study guide for it. However, the transcript is available on our website culips.com so make sure to check that out. And also this is part 2 of our talk. So if you didn’t listen to part 1 yet, make sure to do that first. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Hey everyone, Andrew here. In this Chatterbox episode and in the next one too, Suzanne and I talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and the current situation in North America. Now, because we wanted to release these episodes to you as soon as possible, we decided to not make study guides for them. However, there are still transcripts available on Culips.com, our website, for all Culips members and we hope that you’ll find them helpful. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Exciting news for the Culips team! In this episode of Chatterbox, Andrew and Suzanne discuss Suzanne’s recent engagement. Tune in to hear all about Suzanne’s amazing news and how she first met her future husband. This is Part 1 of a two-part story. Fun facts Only 34% of people over the age of 15 living in Quebec are married, while another 20% are living with a common-law partner. Expressions included in the study guide * Touristy * To keep in touch * To hit on [someone] * On the hot seat * Long-distance relationship * Common-law marriage * Juicy Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to study in another country? Andrew and Suzanne answer a listener’s question about what universities are like in North America. Fun facts The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States are the top four countries for international students. These four countries take in 40% of all people who study in a different country. Expressions included in the study guide * Hitch a ride * The take-home * Under the microscope * On the hot seat * Mesh with [someone or something] * Tight with [someone] Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Today we’re going to cover a Quick Tip and we’re going to be talking about adding articulation in your speech. Something really simple, but something that many people forget to do. Quick tip takeaways * Adding articulation relates to increasing the movement of your moveable articulators like the lower jaw, the tongue, and the soft palette. * It’s important to know the manner of articulation of the sounds you want to increase effort on. In other words, are you adding more explosion of air, or are you adding more vibration? * Diphthongs are two vowels or sounds that come together to create one longer sound. These are like moving vowels. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Some people like to donate their free time to help clean the streets. Some people want to go to other countries to build affordable housing. Some people like to care for the elderly. All of these are worthy forms of volunteering. In this Simplified Speech episode, hosts Andrew and Kassy take you through the various interesting kinds of volunteering. Fun facts Since 1961, a US government organization called the Peace Corps has sent over 235,000 people to more than 141 countries. Expressions included in the study guide * A good cause * To give back * Knee-deep * To go a long way * Two sides to every coin * To pat [oneself] on the back Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Today’s episode of Jeremy’s English Tips by Culips is about repetitive reading. When we do something for the first time, a new connection forms in our brain. This connection is called a synapse. A synapse is a connection between two brain cells. When we do the same thing again, the connection gets stronger. Just like if you draw a line with a pencil and then draw over it again. Key Points * Repetition strengthens the connection between brain cells, called synapses * Repetition of an action leads to proficiency in that action * Fluency is essentially the ability to comprehend or produce language “automatically” * Choose reading material that is a little bit difficult for you * Whenever you read something, try reading it multiple times Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.

Anyone who has moved from one home to another knows that it can be stressful. In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about her big move out of the city. They even have a few tips for anyone who is moving soon. Fun facts The weight of the all the stuff in an average household is between 6,000 and 6,500 pounds, which is about the same weight as an elephant. It takes an average of 60 boxes to move everything. Expressions included in the study guide * The sticks and the boonies * To get rid of [something] * To pass on [something] to [someone] * For the sake of [something] * Prepper * A pain in the neck Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Are you a spender or a saver? In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Jeremy introduce some useful phrases to talk about saving money for the future. Fun facts People in North America are finding it harder and harder to save money these days due to an increased cost of living, especially costs related to housing and daycare services. Expressions included in the study guide * To squirrel [something] away * To squander [something] away * To get away for [some time] * Frugal * Live a little * To save it for a rainy day Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com. Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Episode description Hey guys, this is Suzanne. And you’re listening to Culips. Welcome to our new series called Quick Tips for all of your quick and easy English tips. Sometimes we might cover speech, sometimes grammar, sometimes how to give presentations or do interviews in English. Today, we’re going to be talking about a speech feature, slowing down or slowing down our speech rate. Quick tip takeaways * Fast does not mean fluent! * Elongate and stretch out the words you want to stress or emphasize. * Slowing down allows the person with whom you are talking to understand your message, making you more comprehensible. Copyright: Culips.com For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.