Culips Everyday English Podcast

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew and Indiana share their personal experiences as language learners. Even though they are English teachers, they also study second languages themselves. They talk about their history with languages like Japanese, German, and Korean, and discuss their favorite study methods and give advice on how to improve your skills. 

They chat about some of the different ways they remember new vocabulary and why spending time with the language every day is so important. Finally, they also share some funny and unusual tips for practicing speaking without feeling embarrassed. Listen to the episode to find out which daily habits might work best for you.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free versio: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Canada is famous for its cold winters, but what is it really like to visit in January? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares stories about his recent trip back to his hometown in Canada. He traveled there to enjoy the snow and do some classic winter activities. However, the weather didn’t exactly match his plans! You will hear about his experience ice skating high up in the mountains and his trip to watch a local ice hockey game that had a very wild and surprising moment. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about winter weather, sports, and Canadian culture.

Important links:

Become a Culips member

Study with the interactive transcript

Join the Culips Discord server

Small-group speaking class schedule

Bonus 166 – Home sweet home

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew and Indiana discuss a difficult question: Can you separate the art from the artist? Sometimes, famous singers, writers, or actors do bad things or share opinions that hurt other people. Andrew and Indiana talk about if it is OK to still enjoy their music, books, or movies when this happens.

By listening to this conversation, you will learn useful vocabulary to talk about controversy and personal values. This lesson will help you practice listening to natural English conversations and express your own thoughts about famous people who make bad choices.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the popular word “canceled” actually comes from a 1991 movie? In the film New Jack City, a gangster gets angry at his girlfriend and tells someone to “cancel” her. Years later, people on social media started using this exact word to say they will stop supporting famous people who make bad choices. It shows how a simple movie line can grow into a word that everyone uses to talk about problematic artists today.

Expression list

problematic 

separate the art from the artists

clear-cut 

blanket statement 

to own up to 

boycotting

Traveling abroad is usually a fun adventure, but what happens when you get sick in a different country? In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew shares a story about his recent trip to Tokyo. He traveled there to see a concert and meet Culips listeners. However, a sudden illness almost ruined his plans. You will hear about how he tried to finish his trip and his long journey back to South Korea to find a doctor. Listening to this story will help you improve your English fluency. You will also learn useful, everyday words about traveling, being sick, and getting better.

Important links:

Become a Culips member

Study with the interactive transcript

Join the Culips Discord server

Small-group speaking class schedule

Can you keep a secret? In this episode, Andrew and Kassy talk about the difference between being an “open book” and a “closed book.” They discuss their own habits for keeping things private, share funny stories about childhood crushes, and debate whether it is harder to keep good news or bad news a secret.

The Best Way to Learn with This Episode:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Fun Fact

Andrew mentions being “in a pickle.” This is a funny way of saying you are in a difficult situation. While we usually think of pickles as a tasty snack, the phrase comes from the idea of being all mixed up or “stewed,” just like vegetables in a jar of vinegar!

Expression list

To pry [something] out of [someone]

To get dragged into

To mind [one’s] own business

A layoff

Resentful

To pave the way