[ 50% English - 50% Vietnamese ] This is the last episode of this first season. Vi and Alex talked about their feeling and their expectation for the next season (if it is available). 

We want to thank you for all the support and encouragement for the last year. We had fun doing this project. 

What topic that you like the most in a language class/exchange? Relationship? Vi likes it, too. In this episode, Alex, a former ESL teacher, will discuss more how he thinks it is an exciting topic in his English classes. 

*Note: We are sorry for the bad quality of this recording... again. Vi did not choose the right recording setting and we could not save it. But, we hope you like the content instead. 

Reference: Dujmovich, J. (2017). What’s Love got to do with it? Motivating Intercultural Competency and Language Learning Through Discussions of Intercultural Romantic Love Relationships [Oral Presentation]. IICLLHawaii2017: Language Education, Honolulu, HI, United Sates.

[ 100% English ] It was a hard week at work for both Vi and Alex. After listening to her favourite TEDtalk video: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | Robert Waldinger, Vi decided to express how grateful she is to have good relationships in life. By the way, we have a new microphone arm hovering just above our bed, which is believed to make the recording experience more comfortable before bed. 

[ 100% English ] Vi found a fascinating article researching language shaming. However, she did not like some of the explanations about "Vietlish," which was written by a Vietnamese. The incident became a topic to discuss in this episode. What do you think about language shaming, and why people do that to each other? 

[ 90% English - 10% Vietnamese ] We make up the vocabulary for the title totally. We mean, in contrast with a bye-stander (who stands and says "bye"), a hi-stander reaches out to people who need help (and says "hi"). In today's episode, Vi and Alex discuss a scientific article about the bystander effect... So, let's relax in bed and enjoy the argument. 

Oh! and by the end, Alex did not forget to wish everyone a happy lunar new year, the so-called Vietnam Tet. 

*Note: We are sorry for the bad quality of this recording. Vi giggled when she was holding the microphone, and she giggled constantly. Bad Vi.  

Reference:   Hortensius, R., & de Gelder, B. (2018). From Empathy to Apathy: The Bystander Effect Revisited. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27(4), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721417749653

[ English 100% ] We hope you are having a nice and cozy holiday with your loved ones. We hope the vacation time can help you recover and perform better at work after Christmas and New Year. In this episode, Alex and Vi explore an article about work and stress before and after the holidays. If you listen to the end, you might just get a cookie 😆 

Reference: Carbonneau, N., Vallerand, R., Lavigne, G., & Paquet, Y. (2015). “I’m not the same person since I met you”: The role of romantic passion in how people change when they get involved in a romantic relationship. Motivation and Emotion, 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-015-9512-z

[ 100% English ] How are you doing these days? Christmas is coming. We hope you are all safe and happy with your beloved ones. :D 

[ 100% English ] This audio was recorded in October. We did not like it as we argued about the disadvantages of working from home. Vi decided to edit the best parts of it because it was a good time to be grateful. We were safe and we had our jobs. We thought everything would soon be back to normal. At that time, BC had just extended social restrictions because of COVID-19. And now, it has been getting more serious, with Christmas 2020 just around the corner. Everyone, please stay safe and healthy! 

[ 90% English - 10% Vietnamese ] On the first date, Alex paid for the meal and offered Vi to pay for the next time. That is not only cute but also straightforward trick to show his interest in Vi. However, do you think that men always need to pay for dates even though they don't feel they want to? Let's listen to some discussion from a related research article.   

Reference:

Lever, J., Frederick, D. A., & Hertz, R. (2015). Who Pays for Dates? Following Versus Challenging Gender Norms. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015613107

[ 100% English ] Have you ever wondered if your partner changed since he/she met you? Is that change positive?  

Let's go through that thought with Vi and Alex. This may be a complicated and abnormal conversation about  the concept of passion in romantic relationships. As usual, we have a dialogue with playful arguments and lots of laughs.  

Reference: Carbonneau, N., Vallerand, R., Lavigne, G., & Paquet, Y. (2015). “I’m not the same person since I met you”: The role of romantic passion in how people change when they get involved in a romantic relationship. Motivation and Emotion, 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-015-9512-z

Alex had an idea that we should try couple quiz and we failed so hard. The questions were so serious and not so entertaining. We decided to make a silly quiz for ourselves. Everything in this lost episode is kinda ... silly. 

[ 80% English - 20% Vietnamese ] Do you prefer being self-employed and traveling the world? Or do you prefer the security and comfort of being employed by a specific company? This time, Alex had the honor of hosting the episode with some insights about digital nomads who live abroad and use digital technology to earn a living.   

Reference: Cook, Dave (12 March 2020). "The freedom trap: digital nomads and the use of disciplining practices to manage work/leisure boundaries". Information Technology & Tourism. doi:10.1007/s40558-020-00172-4