Thinking in English

Latest Episodes:

147. Does a Country Need an Army? (English Vocabulary Lesson) Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

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Does a country actually need an armed forces? What would happen if a nation chose to not have a military and not spend money on defence? Surely every country must have some kind of army? Let's discuss this on today's episode of Thinking in English!

TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/04/11/does-a-country-need-an-army/

Vocabulary List

Remarkable (adj) - unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning

Nelson Mandela was a remarkable man

Expenditure (n) - the total amount of money that a government or person spends

The government’s annual expenditure on health increases every year

Procurement (n) - the process of getting supplies or products

He specialises in the procurement of rare objects

Reliant (adj) - needing a particular thing or person in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed

He’s completely reliant on his wheelchair to get around

To demilitarise (v) - to remove military forces from an area

There is a demilitarised zone between North and South Korea

To dissolve (v) - to end an official organisation or legal arrangement

Their marriage was dissolved last year

To disband (v) - to stop existing as a group or organisation, or to end a group or organisation

The international department was disbanded due to the pandemic

Leverage (n) - power to influence people and get the results you want

The British government has little leverage in that part of the world

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146. What is Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill? (English Vocabulary Lesson) Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

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In March, Florida passed a controversial new law which has been given the nickname the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. What does this new law do? Why is it controversial? And why did Florida pass such a controversial law now? Let’s discuss these questions and more on the Thinking in English podcast!

TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/04/06/what-is-floridas-dont-say-gay-bill/

Vocabulary List

Bill (n) - a planned new law that is being discussed before voted on

When a bill is passed in Parliament it becomes law

Progressive (adj) - progressive ideas or systems are new and modern, encouraging changes in society

He has very progressive ideas, which is surprising considering his conservative family

LGBT (adj) - abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

She has been a campaigner for LGBT rights

To decriminalise (v) - to stop something from being illegal

Many US states have now decriminalised marijuana

Legislature (n) - the group of people who have the power to make and change laws

Parliament is the UK’s legislature

Opt out (phrasal v) - to choose not to be part of an activity or to stop being involved in it

Employees can choose to opt out of the pension scheme

sexual orientation (n) - the fact of someone preferring to have sexual relationships either with men, or with women, or with both

It is now illegal in many countries to discriminate against someone based on sexual orientation

Worded (adj) - said or written with particular words

The politician released a carefully worded statement

Spontaneous (adj) - happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced

The audience broke into spontaneous applause

Incidental (adj) - happening by chance

His influence on younger employees was incidental, not intentional

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What is the Point in Studying Latin? w/ Village Green English Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

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What is the point of studying an ancient language? Should the government fund Latin study? And what are the connections between Latin and English? Hopefully, we will answer all these questions in today’s episode!

TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/04/04/what-is-the-point-in-studying-latin/

Check Out Thomas and Village Green English!

Visit the vgenglish.com

Check out their YouTube Channel

Follow them on Instagram! - villagegreenenglish

Vocabulary List

Unconditionally (adv) - in a way that is complete and not limited in any way

He thanked his mother for being unconditionally supportive

Imaginary (adj) - something that is imaginary is created by and exists only in the mind

As a child, my brother had an imaginary friend

Connotation (n) - a feeling or idea that is suggested by a particular word although it need not be a part of the word’s meaning, or something suggested by an object or situation

“Resolute” means stubborn, but with a more positive connotation

To diverge (v) - to follow a different direction, or to be or become different

Although the two organisations used to work closely together, their objectives have diverged recently

Exclusionary (adj) - causing someone or something not to be allowed to take part in an activity or to enter a place

The political party has been criticised for its exclusionary membership rules

Superiority (n) - the fact that one person or thing is better, stronger, etc. than another

The French football team demonstrated their superiority over the Spanish last night

Flaw (n) - a fault, mistake, or weakness

This report is full of flaws

Meaningful (adj) - useful, serious, or important

It is difficult to form meaningful relationships with colleagues when you work online

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144. Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms? (English Vocabulary Lesson) Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

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On today’s episode of Thinking in English, let’s investigate the debate over school uniforms. Are uniforms a way to make school safer and more equal? Or are uniforms stopping children from being individuals and have no effect on academic performance?

TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/03/23/should-students-have-to-wear-school-uniforms/

Vocabulary List

Peculiarity (n) - something that is typical of one person, group, or thing

Farmers have to change approach to deal with the peculiarities of each crop

Uniform (n) - a set of clothes that has to be worn by the members of the same organisation or group of people

The soldier wore full uniform on his wedding day

Sixth-form (n) - in Britain, sixth-form is the part of a school for students aged 16-18

When I was at sixth-form, I studied Maths, History, and Politics

Regulated (adj) - controlled by rules or laws

We need to make sure banks are regulated so that they don’t put people’s savings in danger

Mandatory (adj) - something that is mandatory must be done

It is mandatory to wear seat belts in cars

Intruder (n) - someone who is in a place or situation where they are not wanted or not allowed

The intruders entered the house through the window

Distracted (adj) - having your attention taken away from what you should be doing

She was distracted by her phone throughout the dinner

To enhance (v) - to improve in quality, amount, or strength of something

Pictures can be enhanced using computer software

Expression (n) - the act of saying what you think or showing how you feel using words or action

Freedom of expression is considered a human right

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143. What is a War Crime? (English Vocabulary Lesson) Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

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Joe Biden has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being a “war criminal.” But what does this mean? What is a war crime”? And what makes someone a war criminal? Let’s talk about this on today’s episode of Thinking in English!

TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/03/21/what-is-a-war-crime/

Vocabulary List

Sanction (n) - an official order that is taken against a country in order to make it obey international law

Trade sanctions will be lifted if they agree to stop producing nuclear weapons

State (n) - a country and/or its government

Some museums are funded by the state

To skyrocket (v) - to rise extremely quickly or make extremely quick progress towards success

Housing prices have skyrocketed in recent months

To differ (v) - to be not like something or someone else

My views differ considerably from my parents

Defective (adj) - something that is defective has a fault in it and does not work correctly

My eyesight is defective so I wear glasses

Perverted (adj) - considered strange and unpleasant by most people

He has a sick and perverted sense of humour

Corrupt (adj) - dishonestly using your position or power to get an advantage, especially for money

That country’s police are very corrupt - you need to pay them if they stop your car

Disproportionate (adj) - too large or too small in comparison to something else, or not deserving its importance or influence

There are a disproportionate number of girls in my class

Tycoon (n) - a person who has become very rich and powerful

He made his fortune as a shipping tycoon

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141. South Korean Elections Explained (English Vocabulary Lesson) Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

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On the one side there is a liberal politician with a history of defending working people, but also of using insults and showing anger. On the other side is a conservative former prosecutor who has been successfully anti-corruption throughout his career, but has also been accused of being a misogynist. Who will become the next President of South Korea? Let’s find out in today’s episode of Thinking in English!!

TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2022/03/09/south-korean-elections-explained/

Vocabulary List

To transition (v) - to change from one form or situation to another

Schools have begun to transition towards a new style of teaching

Discontent (n) - a feeling of wanting better treatment or an improved situation

There was widespread discontent of the plan

Misogyny (n) - feeling of hating women, or the belief that men are much better than women

The politician has been accused of being a misogynist

Consolidated (adj) - made stronger and more certain

He was re-elected and his power was consolidated

Traitorous (adj) - not loyal to your own country, social group, beliefs, etc

He was accused of traitorous actions against his country

To abolish (v) - to end an activity officially

I think bullfighting should be abolished

To stagnate (v) - to stay the same and not grow or develop

I hope my podcast never stagnates

Misconduct (n) - unacceptable or bad behaviour by someone in a position of responsibility or authority

The CEO was accused of professional misconduct

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