Emoji: cute, colourful, easy to use, OR malevolent, dangerous, prone to offend. I’ve been thinking about emoji a lot lately. I’m confused by them, troubled by them, and eager to learn more about them. But they also entice me, persuading me to add some colour and imagery to my texts. Today I’m going to share what I’ve learned in my quest to be less ignorant about emoji, and either feel better or worse about using them! I’ll define them and present their somewhat recent history I’ll consider if they are a language  And I’ll look at the potential for miscommunication given our world’s diversity of languages, cultures and therefore, interpretation of meaning I’m asking YOU too to reflect on your use of emoji, how you think about emoji as a language, and if you too are worried about miscommunicating something when using them.  Maybe I’m just being silly and overly cautious. Have a listen and share your thoughts. As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ******************** ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

About six months ago, I noticed I couldn’t hear my gym instructors clearly. At first, I chalked it up to the loud music, but then I realized it wasn’t the background noise, it was me. In this episode, I’ll share: What hearing loss is, and how it often changes as we age Why hearing aids feel so different from reading glasses, and why that hit different for me What we can do to protect our hearing, reduce the risks of dementia, and adapt when hearing loss happens to us as individuals, teachers, or learners As always, I’ll also point out some advanced English expressions like to chalk it up, the rub, and to chide yourself, among others. Listen now, and test out your listening skills in this intermediate English and advanced English language podcast episode. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

It Takes Two to Tango: A Conversation with Lisa Wood | Advanced English Conversations (E79) In this episode of Hear You Go, I speak with English teacher and neuro-language coach Lisa Wood about the importance of being an active, kind, gentle listener in the dance that is a conversation. Our chat is perfect for advanced English learners, English teachers, and anyone interested in mindset, confidence, and how listening shapes communication. You’ll hear how Lisa sees language learning as a dance between speaker and listener (it always takes two to tango!), and why connection—not perfection—is the real goal of fluency. 🎧 You’ll hear: What The CALM Way is and how it supports learners Why listening is never passive, but always active How mindset influences confidence and fluency Encouragement to show up and communicate, even if it’s not “perfect” As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔗 Follow Lisa here:  https://yourenglishself.com lisa@yourenglishself.com Instagram: @your.english.self 🎙 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥  Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

📚 In this advanced English listening practice episode of Hear You Go, I dive into The Bee Sting by Paul Murray—a Booker Prize–shortlisted novel about an Irish family falling apart, unraveling really, under pressure. Each family member tells their own version of events, showing us how perspective, memory, and emotion shape the stories we carry. The episode explores: Why personal narratives matter, both in novels and in our own lives How different voices and perspectives in The Bee Sting reveal deeper truths What English language learners can take from the idea of rewriting their own narratives Useful vocabulary for talking about stories and identity I invite you to reflect on your narrative. What story do you tell about yourself—and how might you tell it differently? 🎧 Ready to rethink the stories you carry?  As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ***** ❤️‍🔥 Are you a fan of Hear You Go? 🎧 Have you listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice?  🫙 You can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  Catherine 🤗 ***** ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Have you heard the alarm bells too? Are we reading less these days? My friends are all readers, so I find it hard to imagine that people don’t read for enjoyment. In search of answers, I decided to take a look at the shifting habits around reading for pleasure. Are people (especially young people) actually reading less? What does the data say? And why does it matter? We’ll explore: What does it mean to read and be a “reader” What the data say about reading rates today What we might lose if the “reading class” keeps shrinking—and what role AI and smartphones play in all this This is an advanced English language exploration of books, literacy, and attention—but also about empathy, imagination, and the kind of connection that only deep reading can bring. Whether you're an avid reader or someone who’s been meaning to get back into it, I hope this episode gives you something to reflect on. 📖 So… are you still reading for pleasure? Let’s talk about it. As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  Resources to help you delve deeper into this topic are available in the transcript sent with my newsletter. ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Raising Bilingual Kids: A Conversation with English Language Teacher Leticia Dalposso In this episode of Hear You Go, I speak with Leticia Dalposso, a Brazilian English teacher and mother of two, about how she is raising her children to speak English at home—even though they live in Brazil and English isn’t her first language. This conversation is perfect for advanced English learners, English teachers, and anyone interested in bilingual parenting, language identity, and real English conversation. You’ll hear how Leticia uses the OPOL (One Parent, One Language) method to support her children’s bilingual development, and how she's stayed motivated despite pressure and questions from people around her. 🎧 You’ll hear: A real-life example of how to raise bilingual children Why Leticia chose to speak English to her kids at home Her favourite ways to make English feel natural and fun How she responds to doubts and criticism from others Encouragement for parents and teachers using English in everyday life As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) for you along the way. 🔗  Follow Leticia here on Instagram Her podcast is here: Bilingual Coffee podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3wx1exBzfZoRYGWz7PerM6?si=57a05de5043a4116   🎙 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥  Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

It’s the final episode of Season 3—thank you for listening this season!  Today, for your Advanced English Listening practice, I’m sharing a book that completely surprised me: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. I honestly don’t know how I hadn’t heard of it before, but I’m so glad I read it. It’s a charming read (just what I needed in recent months!)—but also sharp, funny, and quietly radical and subversive. In this episode, I’ll share: 📚 A bit about the author’s fascinating and rather unconventional life 💐 A review of the book and why it’s more than just a sweet story set in Italy 🪞Some big questions about women, freedom, and what it means to carve out space for ourselves Plus, a little sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 4—and a reminder that WILDE: The Listening Festival is now open for early bird registration! If you're into real conversations, women's voices, and the many Englishes of the world, this course might be your thing. So let’s dive in to this book talk episode - enjoy! As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 ************************************* Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

The Long Game: From Zero to Real Life in Language Learning - with Abbie Fulbrook. What happens when you move to a new country, start a new job, and can’t speak the language? Abbie Fulbrook did just that—13 years ago, when she moved from the UK to Japan. In this conversation for intermediate and advanced English learners, Abbie shares her experience learning Japanese from zero, and how it’s influenced the way she teaches English. We talk about staying motivated, moving past language plateaus, why “school English” doesn’t always match the real world, and how listening practice and real-life conversation are often more powerful than grammar drills. A refreshing and relatable listen for anyone who’s ever learned—or taught—a language. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔗 More from Abbie at weareenglishteachers.com   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!    

Happy 158th Birthday, Canada! You’d have to be living with your head in the sand not to know that Canada’s very identity has been called into question these past six months.   On this Canada Day, July 1st, 2025, we reflect on what makes Canada Canada—not just to the world, but to me, personally. In this timely episode, we’ll:  🇨🇦 go on a whirlwind tour through Canadian history, from Viking visitors to full legal independence in 1982 🍁 take a look at the quirks and qualities that define Canadian culture, from hockey and maple syrup to multiculturalism, polite conversation, and the importance of personal space 🌍 And finally, reflect on the country’s currently strained relationship with its closest neighbour, the United States—and what this rift reveals about national identity, pride, and sovereignty. Happy Canada Day! As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

In this new advanced English language conversation (E72), I talk to English language coach and pronunciation pro Jessica Dias to discuss one of the most underrated language skills: listening. But not just listening for meaning — listening as a speaking strategy. Jessy shares how tuning your ear to real English conversations helps you sound more natural, confident, and fluent. We explore why so many learners struggle to speak — and how the problem often starts with what and how they’re listening. From the importance of decoding fast, messy, connected speech to the power of noticing reductions, contractions, and rhythm, Jessy breaks it all down for us. We also dig into the difference between listening for pleasure and listening with intention, and how noticing small pronunciation details (like the difference between sheep and ship) can make a huge impact on both your listening and speaking skills. ✨ Highlights: Why real conversations are always better than curated audio How decoding speech helps you speak more freely and understand more The myth of “they speak too fast” Listening as a gateway to pronunciation mastery 🎓 Want to go further? Jessy’s Clear Pronunciation Program (CPP) is now open — a self-paced course designed to help learners and teachers fine-tune their pronunciation and listening. Or check out Jessy Academy, her live conversation program for intermediate to advanced learners. 📲 Follow Jessy on Instagram: @MsJessyDays Links to courses and more in her bio. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Episode 71: A Beginner Goes to Italy and Wonders: Why Learn a Language?    In this episode of Hear You Go for intermediate and advanced English language learners, I take you with me as I connect the TED Talk by linguist John McWhorter to my 2½-week language experiment in Italy. Can I tell you how often I felt like my head was going to explode?!  In this three-part episode, I: unpack McWhorter’s four compelling reasons to learn a language share my real-world Italian wins and stumbles, and  reflect on what this experience taught me about learning, teaching, and recommitting to French Wherever you are on your language journey, this episode might make you pause and ask: Why am I learning a language—and what do I want from it? We probably don’t ask ourselves this question enough, right? Bonus: travel vicariously through me as I share some remarkable moments from a special trip. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Obasan and the Silence of History (E70) In this episode of Hear You Go, we honour Asian Heritage Month in Canada by exploring the groundbreaking novel Obasan by Joy Kogawa—a powerful and emotional story that reveals the experiences of Japanese Canadians during and after WWII.  In this two-part episode, we: examine the historical context of Japanese immigration to Canada and the discrimination they faced, then  turn to the novel itself—its emotional resonance, narrative structure, and the legacy it preserves.  Through reflection and storytelling, this episode asks: what happens when a nation forgets? And what power lies in remembering? With clear explanations and rich vocabulary, this episode builds your listening skills while deepening your understanding of a difficult but important part of history. As always, we’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music. 

Phrasal verbs: the ultimate headache for English learners—or are they? In this episode, I talk with Nathaly Rodriguez, an English language teacher and self-proclaimed "language detective," to uncover the secrets behind these tricky verb + particle combinations. Nathaly shares her personal journey with English, from struggling with phrasal verbs as an instructor to discovering a cognitive linguistics approach that finally made them click. We explore how understanding the core meaning of particles—like down in burn down or off in take off—can make phrasal verbs feel more intuitive and even easier to remember. Along the way, we discuss how phrasal verbs are incredibly flexible (peopled out?) and why they’re actually shortcuts in conversation rather than obstacles.  If you've ever felt overwhelmed by phrasal verbs, this episode is for you. By the end, you might even start to light up when you hear them 😂 ! 🎯 Where to find Nathaly:  Follow her on Instagram @nathalyclassroom for daily insights on phrasal verbs and more! Plus, check out her course Light Up: Phrasal Verbs Demystified to master these tricky verbs with confidence. You can also find her on YouTube. 📌 Don't forget to subscribe, share, and let me know—what's your favorite (or most frustrating) phrasal verb?   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ******************************** 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music. 

Graduation is a milestone that marks both an ending and a beginning—not just for our children, but for us as parents too. As my youngest prepares to finish university, I find myself reflecting on the bittersweet reality of watching our kids step into their own lives. In this episode of Hear You Go, I explore: the process of letting go the evolving parent-child relationship in adulthood, and  how to embrace this new chapter as an empty-nester I share personal reflections, wisdom from essays that have stayed with me, and even some advice from former President Obama on what it means when our kids leave home. Whether your children are still little, about to launch, or already making their way in the world, this episode is for every parent navigating the ever-changing journey of love, pride, and, yes, a few tears. Grab a tissue, and let’s talk about what comes next. As always, we’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1 to C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast.   🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ********************************* 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

In this episode of Hear You Go (E67), I sit down with the exceptional Brazilian English teacher Bruna Passos for a conversation that started with a book and led us to so many interesting places. We talk about the power of fiction—not just for enjoyment but for expanding our perspectives, building empathy, and even challenging the status quo. Bruna shares how literature has transported her to different times and places, expanding her understanding of language and our world. We also dive into the question of reading in a second language—why do so many people lean toward "practical" texts instead of fiction? We chat about how to balance reading for pleasure with language learning. Along the way, we geek out over Jhumpa Lahiri, book clubs, and why reading reviews can be just as eye-opening as the books themselves. If you love reading, teaching, or simply the magic of language, this conversation is for you. We wrap up the convo with Bruna letting us in on what she’s reading now and sharing where you can find her online (pro tip: if you DM her, bring book recommendations!). All book titles and links to Bruna’s work are in the show notes below. 🎧 Tune in for an unscripted, heartfelt discussion on learning, exploring, and the books that shape us.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Links to go further: Bruna’s details: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunapassoselt/ Website: https://www.brunapassos.net/ Books and authors we discussed: Pedro Bandeira: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Bandeira The Joys of Motherhood, by Buchi Emecheta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joys_of_Motherhood Jhumpa Lahiri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhumpa_Lahiri Her books:  The Interpreter of Maladies (1999) The Namesake (2003) Unaccustomed Earth (2008) The Lowlands (2013) Dove mi trovo (2018) Roman Stories (2023) 4. Isabel Allende, author of countless novels worth reading: https://www.isabelallende.com/en House of Spirits (1995) 5. Forbidden Notebook, Alba de Céspedes ********************************* 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

For your advanced English listening practice, we're blasting off to where everyone had a translator thingamajig on their t-shirt and could talk to any alien out there in the galaxy 🤣.   As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, exploring the final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise. While my math grades grounded that dream, my fascination with space never waned. In this episode of Hear You Go, I dive into Orbital, the 2024 Booker Prize-winning novel by Samantha Harvey, a breathtaking story set aboard the International Space Station.  We’ll also shine some starlight on: 👩‍🚀 The legacy of Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first female astronaut, a subject to honor this month's International Women’s Day 🌏 And ponder the question: can we ever achieve the utopian future envisioned in Star Trek? From the Challenger disaster to the wonders of spaceflight, this English listening practice episode reflects on human ambition, scientific progress, and our responsibility to protect Earth. Join me on this journey beyond the stars! 🌠 As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  **************************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

In this English language listening practice episode (E65), I talk to English language teacher Eidiane Rufino , who shares her experiences as a teacher from Brazil, now living in Canada.  Eidiane opens up about how she went from hating English to seeing it as a key to opening up a whole new world. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, and today, she can clearly see her strengths as a non-native teacher, and what she and others like her can offer learners. She explains the pluses of having firsthand experience learning the language, including the capacity to break down complex language structures, a skill that strengthens her ability to relate to students and be an essential bridge for learners. Our intermediate/advanced English conversation then shifts to Eidiane's move to Canada, the challenges she faced, and the advice she has for others considering a similar move. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and planning ahead. She also discusses the cultural and social differences between Canada and Brazil. Despite some difficulties, she expresses no regrets about her decision and encourages others to remain patient and adaptable as they navigate life in a new country. As always, you’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   🔊 Listen now and enjoy!   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  *********************** Get my newsletter (with a link to the transcript). Follow me on Instagram. Check out my website. Thanks as always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music.  

Hats - Quaint Artifacts? Harmless Fashion Accessory? Political Statement?  Ontario’s premier has a new baseball cap that makes a bold political statement—but it got me thinking about hats in general. When did they go out of fashion? Why were they once essential, and why do they still hold power today? In this Ideas in English listening practice (intermediate and advanced B2/C1 level) episode of Hear You Go, we’ll explore:✔️ The history of hats—from climate necessity to religious and military significance✔️ The rise and fall of hats as fashion accessories✔️ Why some hats are embraced while others are banned✔️ How headwear became a battleground for personal expression and politics From Ancient Egypt to Milanese milliners, from the royal horse races to baseball caps with slogans—hats tell a bigger story than we might think. So, what does your hat say about you? As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and let’s talk headwear, identity, and freedom of expression. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

How would you describe a dictionary? Have you ever thought about how dictionaries are made? Or who decides what goes in them?  This week on Hear You Go, in an English listening practice Book Talk, episode 63, I’m diving into these questions, inspired by the Japanese novel I recently read called The Great Passage by Shion Miura. It’s a beautiful story about a quirky group of people working to create the ultimate dictionary—and it got me wondering about a slew of things, including this: are dictionaries still useful in the age of AI? I’ll share a summary of the book, what I learned about how dictionaries are made (past and present) and how they’ve evolved, and we’ll explore what makes a good one. As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way and get some English listening practice too.  Ready to go down this rabbit hole with me? Let’s set sail on The Great Passage! Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    Links: ChatGPT made dictionaries worthless The Great Passage   ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Try saying that tongue-twister of a title out loud 3 times fast!!! Let’s kick off the year with an English pronunciation challenge 😂, and then take a deep dive into wellness—a word that might have you (like me) rolling your eyes, or perhaps you’re reaching for a $30 melatonin-infused chocolate. From the latest wellness trends to Instagram "healthfluencers," I'm sharing my frustration about the exhausting pursuit of being well in episode 62 of Hear You Go. For today’s English listening practice (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English), we’ll explore the tangled web of wellness and self-care: their rise to buzzword status, the trillion-dollar industry cashing in on our insecurities, and why it all feels so impossible (and expensive!). Spoiler: it’s not just you who feels exhausted by the need to be “well”. Practice your English listening skills, and learn about: What real self-care looks like (it’s not found in a bottle or at a spa) How to set boundaries, prioritize your values, and ditch the guilt—good advice for language learning too! Why wellness isn’t just personal—it’s also about community and systemic change Oh, and don’t miss the linguistic nuggets of advanced English sprinkled throughout! Ready to redefine your year on your terms? Let’s do this. 🧘‍♀️✨ Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!