320. What is the 2024 Word of the Year? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Australia is banning children from all social media platforms. Under a newly passed law, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or any similar platform. Today, I want to take a deeper look at the reasons behind banning social media, as well as some criticisms and challenges. We’ll end by thinking about the question, “Should Social Media Be Banned for Children?” Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/01/20/should-social-media-be-banned-for-children-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vocabulary Ban (Noun/Verb): An official prohibition or restriction of something. Comply (Verb): To act according to a rule, order, or request. Enforce (Verb): To make sure laws or rules are followed by applying authority. Age Verification (Noun): The process of confirming someone's age to ensure they meet age-related requirements. Regulate (Verb): To control or supervise something by implementing rules or laws. Addictive (Adjective): Causing a strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something. Motivation (Noun): The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact [email protected] to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 The world was hit by a major recession in the year 2008, caused in part by a massive housing bubble in the United States. Banks had been lending money to almost anyone (even if they couldn’t afford it) and investors had been assuming that house prices would continue rising.  They were wrong.  Today I want to talk about the financial crisis, the housing bubble, and the man who had been predicting a financial collapse for years. In order to talk about this topic, we need to understand and know how to use the past perfect continuous tense.  Let’s practise the past perfect continuous and learn about the financial crisis! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/01/13/the-2008-financial-crisis-and-housing-bubble-past-perfect-continuous-english-grammar-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vocabulary Ban (Noun/Verb): An official prohibition or restriction of something. Comply (Verb): To act according to a rule, order, or request. Enforce (Verb): To make sure laws or rules are followed by applying authority. Age Verification (Noun): The process of confirming someone's age to ensure they meet age-related requirements. Regulate (Verb): To control or supervise something by implementing rules or laws. Addictive (Adjective): Causing a strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something. Motivation (Noun): The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact [email protected] to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Try LINGODA FLEX - ⁠https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear⁠ Up to 45 FREE PRIVATE Classes and 10% Off Lingoda Flex with my CODE: THINKING2025 - ⁠https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear⁠ In 2019, I enrolled in a Chinese language school in Taiwan. Today, I want to talk about my experiences. I’ll discuss why I decided to go to a language school, what an average day at language school looked like, the benefits and challenges of language schools, and give all of you some tips and advice on how to choose an English language school! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/01/06/325-attending-language-school-my-experiences-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vocabulary Enrol (Verb): To register or sign up for a course, school, or programme. Curriculum (Noun): The subjects or courses offered by a school or educational program. Accountability (Noun): The responsibility to justify your actions or results. Intensive (Adjective): Requiring significant effort, energy, or focus within a short time frame. Stipend (Noun): A fixed regular payment, often for educational or living expenses. Immersive (Adjective): Providing a completely absorbing environment, often used in language learning contexts. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Use code GOAL for 25% your first month/year of Patreon membership - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ This episode is a little different to typical Thinking in English episodes. Last year, I publicly revealed 6 New Year’s resolutions or goals for 2024. Today, I am going to review these goals, consider whether I achieved them or failed them, talk about how to set good goals, and then end with some examples of goals to set in 2025. Hopefully this episode will motivate or inspire you to set your own personal and professional goals for 2025! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/30/324-how-to-set-goals-for-2025-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/29/free-english-test-check-your-level-today/⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YOUTUBE Channel - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recommended English Teacher - https://peter-english.com/ Vocabulary Resolution (Noun): A firm decision to do or not do something. Goal (Noun): The object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Inspire (Verb): To motivate or encourage someone to take action. Achievable (Adjective): Possible to accomplish or attain. Launch (Verb): To start or introduce something new, such as a product or service. Sponsor (Noun): An individual or organization that provides financial or other support. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PATREON CHRISTMAS SALE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What do you eat during the holidays? Around the world, we associate different and diverse dishes with special occasions and celebrations like Christmas. Today, I want to explore some of these dishes! I’ll talk about Christmas food in the UK (where I’m from) and Japan (where I live). I also asked the wonderful Thinking in English Patreon community to tell me the Christmas and holiday foods most popular where they are from. Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/23/323-what-do-you-eat-for-christmas-dinner-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/29/free-english-test-check-your-level-today/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YOUTUBE Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recommended English Teacher - https://peter-english.com/ Vocabulary Celebration (Noun): A special event or activity to mark an important occasion or achievement. Secular (Adjective): Not connected to religious or spiritual matters. Stereotypical (Adjective): Representing an oversimplified and widely held image or idea about a particular person, thing, or event. Centrepiece (Noun): The most important or central part of something. Commercialisation (Noun): The process of managing or exploiting something in a way designed to make a profit. Tradition (Noun): A long-established custom or belief passed down from generation to generation. Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/⁠ Before the development of germ theory and the discovery of bacteria and viruses, medicine relied on ancient theories that often caused more harm than good. Without modern knowledge, doctors had often used dangerous procedures or had performed surgery without washing their hands.  Today I want to talk about medicine before the discovery of germ theory. In order to talk about this topic, or other events that have happened in the past, we need to understand and know how to use the past perfect tense.  Let’s practise the past perfect and learn about the history of medicine! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/16/medicine-before-the-discovery-of-germs-past-perfect-english-grammar-lesson/ My Links Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/29/free-english-test-check-your-level-today/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YOUTUBE Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recommended English Teacher - https://peter-english.com/ ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Download ELSA for free and get 7 days pro membership for free: ⁠https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH⁠  Get up to 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership by going to ⁠elsaspeak.com/redeem⁠ and use my code THINK85 Last week I came second in a Japanese language speech contest. Today, I want to talk to you all about how I prepared for giving a speech in a foreign language, explain my approach to writing and practicing speeches and presentations, and hopefully give you some useful advice on public speaking in English! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/09/322-how-to-give-a-speech-in-english-lessons-from-my-participation-in-a-japanese-speech-contest-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Vocabulary Recount (Verb): To tell or narrate the details of an event or story. Stumble (Verb): To make a mistake or hesitate while speaking. Intonation (Noun): The rise and fall of pitch in a person's voice while speaking. Project (Verb): To speak loudly and clearly so that one's voice carries to a larger space or audience. Hesitate (Verb): To pause briefly, often due to uncertainty or nervousness. Composure (Noun): A calm and controlled state of mind. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are tariffs? Donald Trump has been talking about introducing and increasing tariffs on goods and products imported into the USA. Today, let’s take a deeper look at tariffs. We’ll talk about the definition of tariffs, real world examples, and the pros and cons of the US introducing tariffs! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/02/321-what-are-tariffs-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - ⁠https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠ Vocabulary Tariff (Noun): A tax or duty placed on a specific class of imports or exports. Tax (Noun): A compulsory financial charge or levy imposed by a government on individuals or businesses. Import (Noun/Verb): Bringing goods or services into a country from abroad for sale or use. Export (Noun/Verb): Sending goods or services produced in one country to another country for sale. Good (Noun): A physical item that can be bought or sold; merchandise or products. Domestic (Adjective): Relating to one's own country; not foreign or international. To impose (Verb): To establish or apply a rule, tax, or penalty in a forceful way. ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on "perfect" tenses) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ I have now lived in the Japanese countryside for over a year!  I have experienced many interesting situations. I have discovered new interests and hobbies. I have faced significant challenges. And I have learned a lot about myself!  In order to talk about my past year in Japan, and similar topics about events in the past which influence the present, we need to understand and know how to use the present perfect grammar.  Let’s practise the present perfect grammar and learn about my past year in Japan at the same time! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/25/i-have-lived-in-japan-for-over-a-year-present-perfect-english-grammar-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast Blog - https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠ ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Use Code THINKING50 for up to 50% off a Lingoda English class! Click this link for a Discount and 7 Day Free Trial! https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglish Collins English Dictionary has just announced the 2024 Word of the Year. Let's discuss this word, as well as some of the runners up, in today's Thinking in English episode! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/18/320-what-is-the-2024-word-of-the-year-english-vocabulary-lesson/ WOTY - https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - ⁠https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/10513⁠⁠⁠ NEW YOUTUBE Channel!!! - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog - ⁠https://www.thinkinginenglish.blog⁠⁠ ⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thinking-english/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices