Chatterbox #328 – What makes you laugh? Part 1

In this episode of Simplified Speech, Andrew is joined by his longtime friend Luke, who recently took up scuba diving! Listen in as Luke shares stories about learning to scuba dive in Bali and the Philippines, including the different kinds of dives he experienced and all the training he went through. Andrew and Luke discuss Luke’s diving adventures and the different sights he saw in the ocean – such as a World War II shipwreck! If you're interested in scuba diving or just want to enjoy a natural conversation between two native speakers, then this episode is an excellent way to improve your English skills! ​​What you will learn: Vocabulary related to scuba diving, like "buoyancy," "wetsuit," and "oxygen tank" Information about scuba diving training and essential safety tips How to talk about personal experiences and new hobbies in English How this episode will improve your English: Expand your vocabulary with common words used to talk about sports and adventure activities Improve your listening skills by following a friendly conversation between native speakers Learn how native speakers discuss experiences and hobbies, making it easier to talk about your own interests in the future 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. Listen to Chatterbox 152: An interview with Luke from 2015! Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

In this week's bonus episode, Andrew tells a funny yet unfortunate tale about some bad luck that he and his wife both experienced with their favorite gadgets at almost the same time! You'll hear about exactly what happened, the lessons they learned, and how they dealt with it all. How this episode will improve your English: Listening practice: Follow a real-life story filled with natural speech. Practice understanding a longer, detailed narrative about everyday challenges. Vocabulary building: Learn useful tech and household vocabulary like “frequency,” “static,” “routine,” and “vicinity.” Master words you might encounter in conversations about gadgets and home life. Idioms and expressions: Pick up natural expressions like “pump up,” “crime of opportunity,” and “a baddie.” Learn how English speakers talk about responsibility, accidents, and routines in casual language. Speaking skills: 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 Simplified Speech 201 - Audiobooks Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

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. ​​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.

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. 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)

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. ​​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.

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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! 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)

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. 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)