Conversations about learning and teaching languages. I have some grasp and experience regarding English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and German. How to study, improve, evolve in your skills and have fun while doing it!
[ENG] Online language learning in times of Corona virus.
How to use time in lockdown to learn or improve the knowledge of a foreign language.
This episode is spoken slowly, so that anyone who is learning English can understand it.
5 Apr 2020
[ITA] Apprendimento delle lingue online in tempi del virus Corona.
Come utilizzare il tempo in quarantena per apprendere o migliorare la conoscenza di una lingua straniera.
Questo episodio è parlato lentamente, in modo che chi sta imparando l'italiano possa capirlo.
5 Apr 2020
[ESP] Aprendizaje de idiomas en línea en tiempos del virus Corona.
Cómo usar tu tiempo en cuarentena para aprender o mejorar tu conocimiento de un idioma extranjero.
Este episodio se habla lentamente, para que aquellos que están aprendiendo español puedan entenderlo.
5 Apr 2020
[POR] Aprendizagem de línguas online em tempos de Corona vírus.
Como utilizar o seu tempo em quarentena para aprender ou aprimorar os seus conhecimentos de uma língua estrangeira.
Este episódio é falado lentamente, para que aqueles que estão aprendendo português possam entendê-lo.
4 Nov 2019
Episode 14: Don't be afraid of making mistakes.
There are four main reasons why students are afraid of making mistakes:
1) perfectionism;
2) judgment of others;
3) defeatist mentality;
4) temporary inability.
Each one of these presents their own challenges and has to be tackled in a different way. On this episode, I talk about every one of them and suggest ways to remedy these problems. I speak in a very honest way, albeit respectful, and hope that no one takes offence.
REMEMBER: if this episode is very difficult for you, try to listen to it more than once. Repetition is key to improving your listening ability and to enhance your understanding of any topic.
17 Oct 2019
Episódio 13: Palavras em português que os brasileiros não sabem utilizar.
[PODCAST IN PORTUGUESE]
Neste episódio, falarei sobre palavras que não escuto serem muito usadas por brasileiros, seja por desconhecimento do seu significado, seja por desuso. Percebi, à medida em que ia falando, que eu mesmo sou vítima da própria pobreza que critiquei: eu também utilizo muito o adjetivo "triste" no sentido figurado de "ruim", como é costumeiro na minha geração. Acabei por utilizar esse vocábulo inúmeras vezes durante este episódio. Isso acontece quando se escolhe uma palavra que expressa o que nos passa pela alma, ainda que seja uma palavra pobre... O esforço é justamente o de se tentar refinar um pouco esse uso.
Espero que gostem do episódio e até o próximo!
8 Oct 2019
Episode 12: Tips to learn a language.
On my shortest episode yet, I gave some tips on how to learn a language. Basically the idea here is to stop making excuses for not being able to do it and just give it a try. Hopefully you'll find it useful.
Keep having a nice day!
If you'd like to get in touch, please write to: languagebits2020@gmail.com.
2 Oct 2019
Episode 11: Interview with Brad Hillas.
On this week's episode, I interviewed my friend Brad Hillas, who is a British-Australian teacher of English as a second language. He tells us about his studies, what made him decide to become an English teacher, his travels around the world on his bike and his experience of teaching English to kids in China.
Due to low volume on Brad's microphone, this episode has no background music.
If you wish to get in touch, please write to languagebits2020@gmail.com.
Enjoy!
21 Sept 2019
Episode 10: Legal English - terms of art and legalese
On this first episode regarding Legal English, I'll talk about the difference between terms of art and legalese, and react to some discussion points raised by the matter: should lawyers remove legal Latin expressions from their writing? Should they delete old-fashioned English words such as 'heretofore', 'hereby' and 'foregoing'? I speak from the perspective of lawyers whose first language is English (therefore, professionals who have been trained in the Common Law system) but also approach the matter from the point of view of lawyers whose first language is either Spanish or Portuguese (as such, professionals trained in the Romano-Germanic legal system).
This episode was inspired by Study Unit 1 (Terms of Art and 'Legalese' in Legal English) from the book "Advanced Legal English" written by Natalie Canham and Catherine Mason and published by Global Legal English Ltd. in the United Kingdom in 2019.
Hope you enjoy it!
languagebits2020@gmail.com
11 Sept 2019
Episódio 9: Entrevista com Alexander Heinz
[PODCAST IN PORTUGUESE]
Neste episódio de Language Bits, entrevistei o meu aluno de português, Alexander Heinz, que é alemão e trabalha como engenheiro de refratários. O Alexander nos conta das suas experiências ao visitar o Estado brasileiro de Minas Gerais, além de falar sobre suas dificuldades e conquistas ao aprender o português brasileiro. Ele é um aluno recentemente aprovado para o nível B1 de português.
Espero que vocês gostem!
9 Sept 2019
Episode 8: improving your use of adjectives and adverbs.
Have you been studying English for a long time and the only adjectives you ever use are: good, bad, nice, OK, beautiful and great? If that's the case, you might want to listen to this episode, in which I'll suggest the use of some regular and strong adjectives to help you colour the way you speak or write and make your discourse more expressive. I also talk about the use of adverbs to modulate the meaning of your adjectives (to make them sound stronger or weaker). Hopefully, you'll find this highly effective or even utterly fantastic!
If you would like to get in touch with me, please send an e-mail to languagebits2020@gmail.com.
See you next time!
7 Sept 2019
Episodio 7: Entrevista con Flávia Lange.
[PODCAST IN SPANISH]
En este primer episodio de Language Bits en español, invité a mi ex-alumna y amiga Flávia Lange para hablar un poco sobre sus experiencias con el aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras. Flávia es una empleada pública en Brasil, economista y abogada, además de entusiasta del estudio de lenguas. Ella tiene el nivel C1 de inglés comprobado por el CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) de la Universidad de Cambridge, además de ser alumna de español del nivel B2. Para practicar, preferió darme la entrevista en español. Hemos tenido incluso el sonido de los pajaritos desde su hogar...¡Espero que lo disfrutéis!
28 Aug 2019
Episode 6: Interview with Fernando and Renata.
This is the first episode of Language Bits in which I made an interview: you'll get to know my students, Fernando and Renata, a Brazilian couple of B1 English students, who have had some experience travelling abroad. We talk about learning English, its ups and downs, and using English as you travel around.
If you would like to contact me, write an e-mail to languagebits2020@gmail.com or record an audio message on this podcast's Anchor page.
Hope you enjoy it!
24 Aug 2019
Quinto episodio: le origini del vocabolario italiano
[PODCAST IN ITALIAN]
In questo podcast, parlerò delle origini del vocabolario italiano: ci sono parole che hanno avuto origine dal latino, greco, ebraico, arabo, francese, inglese, spagnolo e portoghese.
Se hai domande o desideri interagire con me, invia un'e-mail a languagebits2020@gmail.com.
Grazie per il tuo gentile ascolto. Buona giornata! Ciao!
23 Aug 2019
Episódio 4: Qual português devo aprender, o brasileiro ou o europeu?
[PODCAST IN PORTUGUESE]
Neste primeiro episódio do podcast Language Bits em português, responderei à pergunta que dá nome ao episódio. Além disso, explicarei porque não acredito que exista uma variação linguística do português que seja "melhor" ou "mais correta" do que a outra, argumentando através de duas correntes opostas, a corrente colonialista e a corrente utilitarista ou colonialista ao reverso. Finalmente, falarei sobre as maiores diferenças entre as variantes vernaculares do português brasileiro e europeu em termos de vocabulário, pronúncia e sintaxe.
Caso queira participar desta discussão, fazer perguntas, corrigir informações que não acredite estarem completas ou simplesmente entrar em contato, escreva para o e-mail languagebits2020@gmail.com.
Um tigre triste, dois tigres tristes, três tigres tristes...
21 Aug 2019
Episode 3: The importance of repetition.
Elementary students (A0 to A2 levels) usually come up with unrealistic goals for their learning and soon enough lose all their original enthusiasm. They want to be able to read a book in English, to listen to music and to watch films without subtitles on their own language. These are goals to be achieved later on in your learning process but if you are an elementary student you should first master the art of repetition.
On this episode I give you tips on how to use a simple Workbook exercise to maximise your repetition and consequently your Speaking skills.
Books mentioned on this episode:
RAWLINGS, Alex: How to speak any language fluently - Fun, stimulating and effective methods to help anyone learn languages faster; ROBINSON, UK, 2017. Chapter 2: Using your time is mentioned, and pages 21 and 22 are read out loud (The 15/30/15 Routine).
LATHAM-KOENIG, Christina; OXENDEN, Clive; SELIGSON, Paul; HUDSON, Jane: English File Pre-Intermediate Workbook, 3rd Edition, OXFORD, 2012.
20 Aug 2019
Episode 2: Is it hard to use the Present Perfect?
Students of English as a second language may find it very challenging to use the Present Perfect. Although they understand its form, they might find it hard to know what situations require the use of this tense. My approach here is to talk about form and compare it to German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. The latter is the most different to English in terms of form so Portuguese speakers will find it particularly difficult to master the use of Present Perfect.
I also talk about the following uses of the Present Perfect, always comparing its structure to that of Portuguese:
a) for past experiences;
b) for recent past actions;
c) with yet and already for emphasis;
d) with for and since.
If you want to contact me, please send an e-mail to: languagebits2020@gmail.com
See you next time!
20 Aug 2019
Language Bits: an introduction.
Hello everyone and welcome to the first episode of Language Bits.
On this first episode, I introduce myself, say why I'm doing this podcast, what I'm going to do here, and who I think this podcast is for.
If you want to interact with me, please write to this e-mail: languagebits2020@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
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