Culips Everyday English Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Simplified Speech #204 – Exploring Germany Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

In this Simplified Speech episode, Andrew talks with Indiana about her recent trip to Germany. Indiana shares exciting stories about meeting her family in Germany for the first time, seeing amazing castles, and trying new foods. They also talk about the challenges of speaking another language and what it was like to see her family’s culture up close. This episode gives interesting insights into German culture and tips for feeling more comfortable in a foreign country. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you will learn: Vocabulary for discussing travel, family reunions, and cultural experiences. Interesting aspects of German culture and history, including food, language, and traditions. How this episode will improve your English: Expand your travel and cultural vocabulary with real-life expressions. Improve your listening comprehension through listening to a natural conversation between native speakers. Build confidence using English to talk about travel, culture, and family experiences. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, quiz, ad-free audio, and more for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Sign up and become a Culips member now! Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Bonus episode #124 – Pushing past pain Nov 03, 2024

Show notes

In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew tells the story of what happened after he hurt his knee during a marathon. He talks about his trip to the doctor, getting different treatments, and what it was like walking around with a leg brace. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Follow a natural story about visiting the doctor and dealing with an injury. Practice understanding a longer narrative with real-life details. Vocabulary building: Learn essential medical and health vocabulary like "orthopedic," "administering," "brace," and "treatment." Master words you might need at the doctor's office. Idioms and expressions: Pick up natural expressions like "a godsend," "put weight on," and "eye-opening." Learn how English speakers talk about health and recovery. Speaking skills: Learn how to explain symptoms, describe pain, and talk about medical experiences in natural English. Real-life English: Get comfortable with doctor-patient conversations and medical situations in English. Grammar in context: Notice how English speakers tell stories in the past tense and use sequence words to explain events. English speaking: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Simplified Speech #203 – Iceland adventures with Indiana Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew is joined by Indiana to talk about her recent trip to Iceland. They discuss the stunning landscapes, the unique Icelandic culture, and how she decided to travel to Iceland to go on a nature expedition cruise. Indiana also shares interesting facts about Iceland's history, local traditions, and the memorable experiences she had while traveling to that special island. If you dream of visiting Iceland or just want to improve your English, this episode is for you! It features a natural conversation that will help you practice listening, build your vocabulary, and increase your fluency. If you’d like to learn more about Indiana, click here to listen to her interview with Andrew from last year. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you will learn: Icelandic geography: Learn about the natural beauty of Iceland, from its famous waterfalls to its volcanic landscapes. Cultural insights: Discover Icelandic traditions, such as the use of unique surnames and the importance of public pools. Travel experiences: Hear about Indiana's firsthand experiences visiting Reykjavik, exploring the Arctic Circle, and spending ten nights on a tiny cruise ship. How this episode will improve your English: Listening skills: Improve your ability to follow natural conversations between native speakers. Vocabulary expansion: Learn useful travel-related words and phrases that will build your English vocabulary. Cultural understanding: Increase your knowledge of Icelandic culture and history, making it easier to discuss these topics in English. Engaging storytelling: Listening to real-life stories will help you stay focused and learn English more effectively. The best way to learn with this lesson: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, quiz, ad-free audio, and more for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Sign up and become a Culips member now! Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Bonus episode #123 – Personal worst Oct 27, 2024

Show notes

In this week's bonus episode, Andrew talks about his trip to Gyeongju, South Korea where he participated in the 2024 Gyeongju Marathon. From his pre-race planning and road trip with his friend Jimmy, to the excitement of race day morning, you'll hear all the details of his marathon experience. Andrew shares what it's like to be one of the few international runners at the event, introduces us to the traditional Korean music that welcomed runners at the start line, and opens up about dealing with an unexpected knee injury during the race. Despite the challenges, Andrew stays positive and already has his sights set on his next marathon. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Improve your English by following along as Andrew tells a personal story about preparing for and running a marathon in Korea. Vocabulary building: Learn useful sports and fitness terms like "carb loading," "dialed in" "hit your pace," and "acting up." Idioms and expressions: Learn everyday idioms like "wasn't in the cards," "to be iffy," "TMI," and "empty the tank." See how these common expressions are used naturally in conversation. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Chatterbox #329 – What makes you laugh? Part 2 Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Andrew and Anna continue their chat about the challenges and joys of using humor in different languages. They share stories of failed jokes, moments when humor brought people together, and discuss how different cultures approach comedy. They also share their favorite types of comedy and talk about why some people seem naturally funny while others aren’t. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you will learn: Vocabulary and expressions related to humor and comedy. Why some people might be naturally funnier than others. How language learners can become more comfortable using humor, even when it's difficult. How you will improve your English with this episode Grow your understanding of cultural and linguistic differences in humor. Improve your listening skills by following a natural conversation between two native speakers. Learn to recognize different types of humor, such as deadpan and self-deprecating. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Bonus episode #122 – Marathon diary Oct 20, 2024

Show notes

In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew talks about the highs and lows of preparing for his next race in Gyeongju, South Korea. Along the way, he reflects on how running has impacted his life, and he discusses trying to overcome challenges like injuries and tough weather conditions. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you'll learn: Listening practice: Improve your English by following along as Andrew talks about his passion for running. Vocabulary building: Learn useful terms related to fitness and running, like "training block," "runner’s knee," and "PR" (personal record). Idioms and expressions: Learn new idioms such as “hit a wall” and “tough it out,” and see how they’re used in real-life situations. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Chatterbox #328 – What makes you laugh? Part 1 Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Andrew and Anna talk about comedy and what makes them laugh. They share stories about the types of humor they enjoy and discuss the differences in comedy across cultures, from British and American sitcoms to well-known comedians. Tune in to hear their thoughts and add some fun to your English learning! The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What You'll Learn: Vocabulary related to comedy and humour, such as “deadpan,” “roast,” and “sitcom.” The differences between British and American humour. Recommendations for popular TV shows and comedians to check out. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Expand your vocabulary with words and expressions related to comedy and entertainment. Improve your listening skills by following a natural conversation between native English speakers. Learn how to talk about cultural differences in humour and personal experiences. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Bonus episode #121 – Autumn is awesome Oct 13, 2024

Show notes

Do you love the fall season as much as Andrew does? In this bonus episode, Andrew lists his top six favorite things about autumn. He talks about everything from the freshness of the crisp air to delicious fall desserts. He also talks about how fall is uniquely celebrated in Korea compared to Canada. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What you'll learn: Listening practice: Improve your English listening skills by following along with a native speaker's discussion about the fall season. Vocabulary expansion: Learn specific autumn-related vocabulary like "layered look," "crisp air," and "ablaze with color." Idioms and expressions: Learn idioms such as “ungodly amount of [something]” “double down on [something]” and “knock on wood” and how they are used in everyday conversation. Cultural tips: Discover the differences in autumn celebrations in Canada and Korea, deepening your global cultural awareness. Pronunciation practice: Focus on the pronunciation of new vocabulary and expressions within a natural speaking context, improving your speaking and listening accuracy. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Chatterbox #327 – Kidults and nostalgia Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

In this Chatterbox episode, Andrew and Anna talk about the "Kidult" trend and how strong nostalgia can be. They talk about their favorite childhood toys, like Barbies, Beanie Babies, Legos, and video games. They also discuss how many adults today are returning to these toys by collecting or playing with them again. Plus, they chat about how the toy industry has changed to focus on adults and whether there’s any stigma around adults buying toys for themselves. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. What You'll Learn: Vocabulary related to childhood toys, nostalgia, and collecting. What the "Kidult" trend is and what Andrew and Anna think about it. Andrew and Anna’s favorite childhood toys and how they feel about them now. How This Episode Will Improve Your English: Learn useful vocabulary and expressions to talk about toys, nostalgia, and childhood memories. Improve your listening skills by following a fun, easy conversation between two native speakers. Build confidence in talking about your own childhood experiences and hobbies in English. Practice speaking English: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Bonus episode #120 – Time to say goodbye Oct 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Andrew talks about saying goodbye to an expat friend who is leaving Korea after many years. He shares his opinion about the differences between expats and immigrants, and discusses the challenges of maintaining friendships as a long-term foreign resident in South Korea. Andrew also talks about ever-changing social circles for immigrants and the sad but true reality of friends returning to their home countries. The brand-new Culips app is live! Study this episode with an interactive transcript and vocabulary glossary: Open this lesson in the Culips app. This episode will help you improve your English in the following ways: Listening practice: You'll hear a native English speaker discuss social dynamics and personal relationships, improving your understanding of spoken English in a cultural and relationship context. New vocabulary: Learn words and phrases related to immigration, expat life, cultural adaptation, and social relationships. Useful expressions: Understand common English idioms such as "chew the fat," "down with that," "plant some roots," and "ghettoize" in real-life contexts. Cultural insights: Learn about the experiences of long-term foreign residents in South Korea, giving you vocabulary to discuss immigration, cultural adaptation, and international friendships in English. Pronunciation: Listen to the correct pronunciation of expressions and vocabulary related to immigration, cultural differences, and everyday social situations, which you can practice yourself. English speaking practice: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server for additional speaking practice. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)