Culips Everyday English Podcast

Happy holidays, everyone! The holiday season is in full swing in Canada; therefore, Andrew and Morag are here to talk to you about the holiday season in this Simplified Speech episode. Sit back, drink a cup a cup of cocoa, and enjoy! Fun facts In Canada, the day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day. On Boxing Day, stores provide many after-Christmas sales, and families come out to look for great bargains. Many important sports events are also televised on Boxing Day. Expressions included in the study guide * To be a fan of [something] * To be bumped * Friendsmas * To be frank * Retail * Bargain * At the stroke of midnight * Smooch Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Since most of the human body is composed of water, drinking water is very important to everyone. In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Morag talk about water preferences. Fun facts Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world’s largest freshwater resource for drinking water. It contains 27% of all the fresh water found in lakes! Expressions included in the study guide * Time flies when you’re having fun * I’m curious * Hard/soft water * Hardy * Advisory * School of thought Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you blessed with perfect vision or are you like the majority of the people in the world who must use glasses or contact lenses to see the world around them? In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Morag talk all about eyesight and the vocabulary associated with it. If you are farsighted, don’t forget to grab your glasses so that you don’t have to squint while reading this study guide. Enjoy! Fun facts The number of people who need corrective lenses grows with each passing year. Why is it that the number is increasing so drastically? Some say it is due to too much reading and technology use, which puts a lot of strain on the eyes. However, some studies have concluded that eye health is linked to the amount of time spent outdoors. Therefore, children who spend more time outdoors as their bodies grow and mature will have better eyesight than children who spend the majority of their time indoors. Expressions included in the study guide * Speak of the devil * Nearsighted/farsighted * Brag * So far, so good * Blurry * To squint * Only time will tell Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Have you ever gotten so distracted that you forgot to do something very important? Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to explain that situation in English? Well, look no further than this Catch Word episode! Andrew and Jeremy walk you through a few useful expressions about losing focus during an important task. Make sure to study hard, you wouldn’t want to fall asleep at the wheel during your English learning journey! Fun facts Drowsy driving, or driving while tired, is a common and serious problem nowadays. Driving with poor or little sleep decreases your ability to focus, make quick decisions, and use your fine motor skills, which are all necessary for driving. Over 72% of drivers in Ontario, Canada, have admitted to driving while fatigued. Expressions included in the study guide * Asleep at the wheel/switch * It will cost you * A buddy * To catch a lucky break * To sneak in/out * To drop the ball * To drop the mic Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Do you like jogging? Can you jog 42.195 kilometres? Not many of us can. In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Suzanne talk about the joys and difficulties of long-distance running. Fun facts In September 2018, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya broke his own world record for the marathon with a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds. The running world is anxious to see who will be the first to run a marathon in under 2 hours! Expressions included in the study guide * Grey * To keep well * Staple * To be decked out * To be gassed * Boisterous Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this exciting Simplified Speech episode, Andrew recounts a crazy experience he had during his trip to Vietnam. Vacation is supposed to be a time to kick back, relax, and let loose, but sometimes things don’t go the way we plan. Tune in to find out about Andrew’s travel nightmare! Fun facts In this episode, Andrew talks about his trip to Da Nang, Vietnam. Did you know that Da Nang is the fourth largest city in Vietnam? It is situated halfway between the capital, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. The city is famous for its abundance of white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water that is perfect for enjoying water sports, fishing, or just relaxing in the sun! Expressions included in the study guide * To kick back * All-inclusive * To stash * To catch a flight * Safe and sound * In one piece Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you married? If not, have you been to a wedding recently? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne discuss the similarities and differences between Western weddings and South Korean weddings. This episode is chock-full of interesting stories, so grab your headphones and press play! Fun facts Did you know that engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once believed that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart? Men believed that if they covered this “love vein” with a ring, it would signify that they had captured the woman’s heart. Expressions included in the study guide * Chock-full * Destination wedding * Dope * Honeymoon * Reception * Candid * Party favour * Cringeworthy Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

On to Washington State! In this Simplified Speech episode, Suzanne talks with Andrew about the tail end of her summer trip, Washington State. Fun facts Washington State is the only American state to be named after a former president. Expressions included in the study guide * Gateway drug * Practice makes perfect * To border [something] * Crappy * Treacherous * High season Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What happens when someone comes to you with a suggestion you really don’t like? That could be awkward. In this Real Talk episode, Andrew and Suzanne discuss ways of politely offering alternative options.  Fun facts Native English speakers often contract don’t you to sound like don’t cha. In fact, Don’t Cha is the name of a popular song by The Pussycat Dolls. Expressions included in the study guide * Don’t you think it’d be better if we * To kick things off * It’s supposed to * To lean towards [something] * To book [something/someone] * Bossy Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

In this episode, Suzanne talks to Andrew about her recent trip to the state of Oregon. While Oregon is not the most well-known state in the union, Suzanne tells us it has so much to offer. Have a listen! Fun facts Nike Inc., one of the world’s largest sports apparel companies, has its world headquarters in Oregon. Nike’s founder, Phil Knight, is a born and raised Oregonian. Expressions included in the study guide * Best-kept secret * Dude * To implode * Tree line * Malleable * Y’all Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Have you ever wanted to ask for something at a restaurant, but weren’t sure of the best way to phrase it? In this episode, Andrew and Suzanne introduce a phrase that allows you to politely ask for anything at a restaurant. Look out for some useful pronunciation tips, as well! Fun facts The world’s largest restaurant is located in Damascus, Syria. There are 6,014 available seats in this restaurant. That’s a lot of customers! Expressions included in the study guide * To run out of [something] * Whirlwind * Could I get [something], please? * Eavesdrop * Vouch for [something/someone] * To touch upon [something] Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Where do you like to go when you have a vacation? In this Chatterbox episode, Suzanne talks with Andrew about her recent trip to the most populous state in the United States, California. Fun facts If California were an independent country, its economy would be the fifth richest in the world! Expressions included in the study guide * To encapsulate * Dog friendly * Surge * I believe * Have at ’er * Exquisite Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

What can you say when you see or experience something that is spectacular and beyond what you expected? In this episode, Andrew and Jeremy share two expressions for you to use during just such an occasion. Fun facts An expression used in this episode, TGIF, is so common that it was borrowed by the founders of the popular restaurant chain TGI Fridays. Expressions included in the study guide * Through the roof * Off the charts * TGIF * Phonetic * Perspective * Yikes Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Calling customer service over the phone can be scary in a second language. In this episode, Andrew gives you key expressions to help you communicate over the phone when asking about a product. Fun facts Have you ever noticed that telephone numbers in American movies usually start with the number 555? That’s because they don’t want viewers to call a real telephone number. “Hello, is this Harry Potter?” “No! Stop calling this number!” Expressions included in the study guide * It’s just me * To break [something] down * To get [one’s] hands dirty * No worries * Best guess * I was wondering if you Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free

Are you a creative person? Are you curious about learning some new vocabulary about art and drawing? Then listen to this Simplified Speech episode, in which Andrew and Jeremy talk about their attempts at drawing. Fun facts Did you know that Pablo Picasso, the famous Spanish artist, was also an animal lover? In his lifetime, he had a pet monkey, an owl, a goat, a turtle, and packs of dogs and cats. He could have opened his own zoo! Expressions included in the study guide * Chicken scratch * To come naturally to * Doodle * Natural talent * To trace Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free