Tadao has almost finished a two-year volunteering assignment in Papua New Guinea. Today we ask about what he is doing there, what the country is like and some of the differences he experienced.

Today, Mike introduces one of his hobbies - collecting vinyl records. He answers questions about where to find records and some of the interesting records that have "found" him.

Today Ben talks about his hometown, Reading UK. He explains the history of the town and where the name comes from. He also tells us about the Reading (Music) Festival. Ben also gives us a sample of the local dialect. Words and expressions to listen for: Dynamic - Tokyo is a dynamic place to live. Cringe - 不愉快 - The sound of her voice makes me cringe. Commute - Taro commutes from Saitama to Tokyo every day. Mud - When it rains the ground turns to mud. To top oneself (commit suicide) - Kurt Cobain topped himself in 1994. Mate (friend) - I'm going out with my mates tonight.

Today we talk to Takami about her hobby, running. Takami started running nine years ago and hasn't looked back. She has entered 10km races, half marathons, relays and full marathons. She has competed in the Tokyo Marathon and would like to run the Honolulu Marathon one day. She also runs "KAO" Marathons. The idea here is to draw a face with your GPS! Check out this site for more information on KAO Marathons: http://kaomarathon.blogspot.jp/

Yuko tells us about her experiences learning English. She gives us some tips on how we can improve our pronunciation and how we can keep motivated. She explains that it is important to try to speak clearly with good pronunciation and that you should try to learn as much vocabulary as you can. She also tells us that it is important to find something you like to keep you motivated and to have a goal. She reminds us that it is important to just try and not to be shy about making mistakes. Making mistakes is natural and it is how we learn!

Today we talk with Colleen. She tells us a nice story about something that happened to her when she first came to Japan. Listen for these words and phrases: deep impression; hem (裾); "the hem of my skirt had been ripped out"; "she whipped out a needle and thread"; "I was overwhelmed"; solitary; good samaritan; mending clothes; do a good deed for somebody

On February 15th 1965 Canada's current flag was flown for the first time. Today, most Canadians like the flag, but 50 years ago many people were not happy about it. Listen to the podcast to find out why. For a transcript of this podcast, please check our blog at www.ernest-ex.weebly.com

Today I read some questions, or statements, followed by three responses. These questions are related to English for the hotel business. If you'd like to try the quiz, please write the numbers 1-10 on a piece of paper. You can check your answers by clicking on our blog at www.ernest-ex.weebly.com Good luck!

Recently there has been an increase in the number of foreigners visiting Japan. According to this podcast, what is one of the main reasons for this increase? For a transcript of this podcast, please visit our website http://ernest-ex.weebly.com/ and click on the blog.

LINE is a very popular communication application. In this podcast, we look at why the app was developed and how people use it. After listening, see if you can answer these questions: 1. Where is LINE's parent company located? 2. Why was the app developed initially? 3. How many people use the app in Japan? 4. According to the survey, how does the "read" function make many university students feel? 5. What percentage of people use the app for more than one hour per day? 6. What time of day do most people use the app?

In this podcast we look at Melbourne, Australia's plans to try to reduce the effects of global warming. Please listen for the following words and phrases: just around the corner; phenomenon; urban heat island; tree canopy; pollution; urban; rural To learn more about this program, please visit: http://melbourneurbanforestvisual.com.au/#mapexplore For a transcript of this podcast, please visit our blog: http://ernest-ex.weebly.com/blog Thanks for listening!

Many of us complain about our daily commutes. However, this man's story might make you think that your commute is not so bad. Please listen for these words and phrases: commute; back and forth; broke down (break down); contributing (contribute); crowdsourcing campaign; 24/7. For a transcript, please visit out website www.ernest-ex.weebly.com and click on the blog. Also, we'd love to hear your comments!

In this podcast we look at daredevils who visit Niagara Falls. Listen to the whole story to try to understand the main theme. Listen again for more details. See if you can hear these words and phrases in the story. If you don't know, can you guess the meaning?  Daredevil Wooden Barrel Stunt Kneecap Jaw Complications due to gangrene Glacier Technical climbs

Today, Mike talks about his unusual hobby, falconry: hunting with hawks, falcons or eagles. For more information, check out this article: http://www.outdoorjapan.com/magazine/column_details/177

Today, Keleih tells us a little about her cat, Koshka. Keleih tells us how we can adopt a pet and some of the things we can do if we see a wild cat in Tokyo. Some of the words and phrases you will hear in this podcast are: adopt rescue evacuation area  displaced animals temporary didn't expect her to make it (probably die) stray cats lack of awarenss feral TNR (trap-neuter-return) Vet dominant If you don't know these words, see if you can guess the meaning from the context of the conversation.

Today we're in Mashiko. Chris talks about his friend and we play a song he wrote about him. Here are the lyrics (song words) if you'd like to sing along! Seishun Nante la, la, la I was 29 when I came to Japan Not so young, but still I had some time on my hands Went down to Mashiko, to throw a pot with Michiyo And that's where I saw, Toshio (Chorus) Seishun nante la, la, la-la-la, la Seishun nante la, la, la-la-la What a time that was, everything fresh and new, We were full of hope and promise too And dreamed about the future and things we'd like to do All the time in the world to make our dreams come true (Chorus) I really liked all the things he used to say He really liked to drink the day away Sometimes he staggered, sometimes he fell down Sometimes he'd say something so profound (Chorus) "If you cannot see the beauty in your own art Then your mind is too complicated" That's the kind if shit that he used to say Before the winds of time came and swept him away Seishun nante la, la, la-la-la, la And, when he went he took my youth away Seishun nante la, la, la-la-la, la And, when he went he took my youth away Either you cry over your friends or they cry over you Either way we've got lots of crying do Life is cruel, when she is kind What she gives in good, she steals away in time (Chorus)

Cliff started playing the saxophone at the age of 74. He had no musical training before that. He is proof that you are never too old to start something new!

Jay is a high school student in Japan, but he spent time at high school in Canada. Today he talks about some of the differences he experienced.

Today we talk with Michael about his experiences studying in Scotland. He tells us about some of the differences between studying in Canada and Scotland, the city of Edinburgh, the Loch Ness Monster, food and communication difficulties.