Thinking in English
- Folgen
- 494
- Erscheint
- wöchentlich
- Letzte Folge
- 19. Okt. 2026
Über den Podcast
Thinking in English is a podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to do more than just study grammar and vocabulary. I believe that thinking is one of the most important steps on the road to fluency. That’s why each episode explores fascinating topics, from politics, economics, and history to philosophy, science, and culture. Instead of simply learning English, this podcast helps you learn in English. You’ll expand your knowledge, discover new ideas, and improve your language skills, all at the same time. Bonus episodes and ad-free episodes, exclusive for Patreon subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866 Join our Conversation Clubs and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Visit the website: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/ Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact [email protected] to advertise on Thinking in English.
Folgen 494
410. Why Spain Is Banning Evictions? (Vocabulary in the News)
Today, we're trying something a little different. This is a vocabulary-focused episode based on a recent news story, where we'll take one interesting event and use it to learn useful English words and …
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Today, we're trying something a little different. This is a vocabulary-focused episode based on a recent news story, where we'll take one interesting event and use it to learn useful English words and expressions in context.
Our story today comes from Spain, where an eviction involving an 87-year-old woman has led to large protests and a national debate about the country's housing crisis.
We'll look at what happened, why housing has become such a serious issue in Spain, and along the way, we'll learn vocabulary related to housing, economics, politics, and protest. I'll first explain the story and the wider context, and then we'll break down some of the most useful vocabulary from the story, looking at what these words mean, how they're used, and how you can use them yourself.
So, let's begin with the story of an 87-year-old woman, an apartment in Madrid, and a housing crisis affecting millions of people.
BBC Article - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwm2qmjgy93do
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/10/19/410-why-spain-is-banning-evictions-vocabulary-in-the-news/
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00:00 Introduction
01:36 Spain Eviction Story
04:38 Vocabulary: Eviction
05:41 Vocabulary: Landlords & Tenants
06:38 Vocabulary: Rent
07:34 Vocabulary: Housing Shortage
08:28 Vocabulary: Afford
10:43 Vocabulary: Intervene
11:31 Vocabulary: Speculative
12:40 Vocabulary: Vulture Fund
13:44 Vocabulary: Roll Over
14:18 Vocabulary: Approve
14:45 Vocabulary: Lack a Majority
15:50 Vocabulary: Protest
16:52 Vocabulary: Strike a Balance
17:42 Big Picture Discussion
18:54 Final Thought
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409. The World Map Is Changing (English Vocabulary Lesson)
The United Nations has recently voted to adopt a new world map. The UN now supports the Equal Earth map which tries to represent the relative size of continents and countries more accurately. If you compare the …
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The United Nations has recently voted to adopt a new world map. The UN now supports the Equal Earth map which tries to represent the relative size of continents and countries more accurately.
If you compare the Equal Earth projection with the traditional Mercator projection (I’ll explain these later in the episode, don’t worry), you will notice that Africa is much larger, Greenland and Antarctica are much smaller, and some countries have shifted slightly in their position.
So, why did the UN vote to change the map? And was the old map actually wrong?
Today, we're going to look at why our maps of the world look the way they do, why the famous Mercator projection has some major problems, what Equal Earth does differently, and whether it is possible to create a completely accurate map of the world.
And we will practice you English listening comprehension and learn some new vocabulary along the way!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/10/12/409-the-world-map-is-changing-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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408. The Bayeux Tapestry (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most famous historical objects in the world: the Bayeux Tapestry. The Bayeux Tapestry is a huge piece of embroidered cloth, about 70 metres long, covered with …
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Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most famous historical objects in the world: the Bayeux Tapestry.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a huge piece of embroidered cloth, about 70 metres long, covered with pictures showing kings, soldiers, ships, horses and battles. It was created almost 1,000 years ago and tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in the year 1066.
The Bayeux Tapestry is in the news right now because it has travelled to Britain. The tapestry normally lives in the French town of Bayeux, but it is currently being displayed at the British Museum in London. This is the first time in nearly 1000 years that the tapestry returned to Britain.
What exactly happened in 1066? Who were the people fighting for the English throne? Why did the Normans invade England? And how reliable is the Bayeux Tapestry as a source of historical information?
Let’s talk about some British history while improving our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/10/05/408-the-bayeux-tapestry-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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407. Is British Food Really Bad? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
British food has a bit of a reputation. I’m sure that for a lot of you, the words “British food” brings to mind boiled vegetables, overcooked meat, greasy breakfasts, and meals that are, above all, rather …
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British food has a bit of a reputation.
I’m sure that for a lot of you, the words “British food” brings to mind boiled vegetables, overcooked meat, greasy breakfasts, and meals that are, above all, rather bland. British cuisine is often compared unfavourably with the food of countries such as France, Italy, Spain, or Japan. There is a common idea that while other countries have sophisticated culinary traditions, Britain somehow missed out.
This stereotype is not completely new. British people themselves have made jokes about their country's food for years. British comedy is full of references to terrible meals.
But why exactly did this reputation develop? And is it actually true?
So, let's talk about British food while improving our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/28/407-is-british-food-really-bad-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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406. Where Is the BEST Place to Study English? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Where is the best place to study English? Is it better to move to Britain, the US, or another English-speaking country, or can you learn just as effectively at home? Does studying in person produce better …
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Where is the best place to study English? Is it better to move to Britain, the US, or another English-speaking country, or can you learn just as effectively at home? Does studying in person produce better results than studying online?
Is a private one-to-one class better than a small group or a large class? What about structured lessons that teach grammar and vocabulary compared with conversation-focused classes?
In this episode, we’re going to look at the research behind these questions and try to work out what makes an English-learning environment effective. The goal of the episode is to explore what combination of place, teaching, interaction, and practice gives you the best chance of improving your English!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/21/406-where-is-the-best-place-to-study-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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405. History of Singapore! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Singapore is one of the wealthiest and most modern countries in the world, but that wasn’t always the case. Today, I want to discuss the history of Singapore. We'll look at its early role in Asian trade …
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Singapore is one of the wealthiest and most modern countries in the world, but that wasn’t always the case.
Today, I want to discuss the history of Singapore. We'll look at its early role in Asian trade, British colonial rule, the Japanese occupation, independence, and its transformation into one of the world's richest and most developed countries.
We'll also explore the political and social model behind Singapore's success and ask whether its unique approach can continue into the future.
At the same time, we will learn some new vocabulary and practice our English listening comprehension at the same time.
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/14/405-history-of-singapore-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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404. What is Corruption? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
What is corruption? Corruption or corrupt are words that I use quite often in my episodes… but what is corruption? What forms does it take? Why does corruption happen, what damage does it cause, and why can it …
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What is corruption?
Corruption or corrupt are words that I use quite often in my episodes… but what is corruption? What forms does it take? Why does corruption happen, what damage does it cause, and why can it be so difficult to stop?
In this episode, we are going to look at different types of corruption, the political and economic conditions that allow it to develop, and some of the consequences for ordinary people and society. We'll also look at three famous corruption scandals: the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia, the Siemens bribery scandal, and the huge corruption scandal that shook FIFA in 2015.
So, let's understand corruption while improving our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/07/404-what-is-corruption-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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403. What is a Growth Mindset? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Some people see failure as proof that they aren’t good at something. Others see it as an opportunity to improve. Why? Today I want to try and answer this question by thinking about “growth mindsets”. The growth …
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Some people see failure as proof that they aren’t good at something. Others see it as an opportunity to improve. Why?
Today I want to try and answer this question by thinking about “growth mindsets”. The growth mindset concept suggests that our abilities aren’t completely fixed, and that we can improve through practice and effort.
We are going to look at what a growth mindset means, how it affects learning, and why it can be particularly important when learning a language. And at the same time, we will practice our English listening comprehension and learn some new vocabulary!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/31/403-what-is-a-growth-mindset-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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402. France is Bigger Than You Think! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Which country shares the longest border with France? I think most people would say Spain. Spain is right next to France in Europe. Or perhaps you might have said Belgium, Switzerland, or Italy. But the answer …
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Which country shares the longest border with France?
I think most people would say Spain. Spain is right next to France in Europe. Or perhaps you might have said Belgium, Switzerland, or Italy.
But the answer is actually Brazil. Yes, Brazil. France and Brazil share a border of more than 700 kilometres. The reason is French Guiana, a territory on the northeastern coast of South America which is officially part of France.
French Guiana isn't the only surprising part of France. France has territories and departments in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and South America. People living in many of these places are French citizens. They can vote in French elections, use the euro, and in some cases are part of the European Union.
How did France end up with territory on several different continents? Why are these places still part of France, while many former British colonies became independent countries? And do the people living in these territories want to be French?
In this episode, we're going to explore Overseas France and learn some new English vocabulary along the way!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/24/402-france-is-bigger-than-you-think-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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401. English Tests: Do They Improve Education? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
English tests are everywhere. Many of you listening to this episode will have spent (or currently are spending) months preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and the Cambridge English qualifications …
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English tests are everywhere.
Many of you listening to this episode will have spent (or currently are spending) months preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and the Cambridge English qualifications. Passing a proficiency test is often required if you want to study abroad, qualify for a new job, or move to another country.
But do proficiency tests actually help you in your goal to become fluent in English? For some people, English exams provide a clear goal to motivate your study and offer a fair way to measure language ability. Others believe tests encourage memorisation, reward good test-taking rather than good communication, and turn English into just another school subject.
In today's episode, I want to explore the history of testing, why English has become one of the world's most tested subjects, and whether English proficiency exams actually improve education!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/17/401-english-tests-do-they-improve-education-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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400. History of Rio de Janeiro! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today I want to discuss the history of one of the most famous cities in South America: Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a city that had become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is known for …
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Today I want to discuss the history of one of the most famous cities in South America: Rio de Janeiro.
Rio is a city that had become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is known for its colourful carnival celebrations, the Christ the Redeemer statue and white beaches, and of course its association with football and samba music.
Its history is also fascinating!
Today I want to discuss how the city got its names, became the centre of battles between European powers, grew into one of the largest slave ports in the world, and at one time was the only city in the America’s to be the capital of a European Empire. We’ll explore how the city built its fortunes based on gold and coffee, and the how the city has developed in the modern period.
And we’ll also practice your English listening comprehension and learn some new vocabulary at the same time!
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/10/400-history-of-rio-de-janeiro-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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399. What is the Resource Curse? Why Some of the World's Richest Countries Stay Poor (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Scientists have just discovered enormous deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, or the rare earth minerals that are in smartphones and electric cars beneath your country. Is this good news? Not necessarily. You …
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Scientists have just discovered enormous deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, or the rare earth minerals that are in smartphones and electric cars beneath your country. Is this good news?
Not necessarily. You might think that becoming “resource rich” is a great way for a country to become prosperous, but this not always the case.
Some of the world's most resource-rich countries have struggled with corruption, dictatorship, economic instability, civil war, and widespread poverty. Instead of becoming wealthy, they have become trapped in a cycle of dependence and political turmoil.Economists have a name for this paradox: the Resource Curse.
At the same time, countries with few natural resources, places like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, have become some of the richest and most developed economies in the world.
Today, we're going to explore the resource curse. We’ll discuss why having valuable natural resources can sometimes become a disadvantage and look at some of the world's best-known examples.
And we’ll do this while practicing your English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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398. Why Does Canada Speak French and English? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Why does Canada speak both English and French? Why is Canada's head of state the King of the United Kingdom? Why didn't Canada become part of the United States when the rest of Britain’s North American colonies …
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Why does Canada speak both English and French? Why is Canada's head of state the King of the United Kingdom? Why didn't Canada become part of the United States when the rest of Britain’s North American colonies rebelled?
Canada is one of the largest countries on Earth. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, and all the way north to the Arctic. It has one of the world's wealthiest economies, consistently ranks among the best places to live, and is often seen as one of the most multicultural societies in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people choose to make Canada their new home.
The history of Canada is fascinating. Indigenous peoples lived there for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. It was claimed and settled by both France and Britain. It developed differently from its neighbour the United States and gradually evolved into an independent country while still having a close relationship with the British Crown.
So, in today's episode, we're going to explore how Canada was formed, why English and French coexist, how Canada developed its unique relationship with Britain, and the biggest challenges shaping Canada's future.
And we will do all of this while practicing your English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary.
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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/27/398-why-does-canada-speak-french-and-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/
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397. Who Will Be the Next Prime Minister of the UK? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
In 2024, Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after leading the Labour Party to one of the biggest election victories in modern British history. Just two years later, he has announced …
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In 2024, Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after leading the Labour Party to one of the biggest election victories in modern British history.
Just two years later, he has announced his resignation… and Britain is once again preparing for a new leader.
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the UK has gone through an unusually high number of prime ministers. Each has promised to solve the country's problems, but then ended up leaving their role earlier than expected.
In fact, this is now the third time I've made an episode asking the question, "Who Will Be the Next Prime Minister of the UK?" Episode 161 explored the race to replace Boris Johnson back in 2022, and Episode 302 looked at what might happen if the Conservatives lost power before the 2024 election. We're asking exactly the same question again in this episode, but this time, it's the Labour Party looking for a new leader.
So, what happened? Why has Keir Starmer resigned after such a convincing election victory? Who is Andy Burnham, the politician many people expect to replace him? What kind of prime minister might he become? And why has British politics become so unstable over the past decade?
Let's find out, and at the same time learn some new English vocabulary and practice your English listening comprehension.
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396. 10 Years Language Learning: Lessons I'd Give My Younger Self (English Vocabulary Lesson)
In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one …
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In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one year.
10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have a daughter. I run a business from Japan. And I can live my entire life in Japanese if I need to.
Looking back, there are things that I'm incredibly proud of in my Japanese learning journey and a few things that I wish I had done differently.
So in today's episode of Thinking in English, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my past 10 years of language learning experiences: how I went from zero knowledge of Japanese to being able to live in Japanese daily if I [00:01:00] need to. Hopefully by listening to this episode, you guys will receive some motivation and some advice about your own language learning journeys.
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395. What Was the USA Like in 1776? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
When I think of the USA, I picture New York's skyscrapers, Hollywood movies, and Silicon Valley technology companies. I think of the world’s largest economy, and the most powerful country, with a population of …
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When I think of the USA, I picture New York's skyscrapers, Hollywood movies, and Silicon Valley technology companies. I think of the world’s largest economy, and the most powerful country, with a population of more the 340 million people.
But what was the USA like when it was first founded? This year, the US is celebrating the 250th anniversary since it declared independence from the British Empire.
I thought it would be interesting to spend this episode considering what the US was like two hundred and fifty years ago. Back when it was thirteen separate colonies, that were not united at all, and before there was a concept of being an “American” or being a citizen of the USA.
I’m going to talk about the original colonies, the declaration of independence, the revolutionary war, and how the USA developed. At the same time, we will be practicing our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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394. How to Become a Confident English Speaker (English Vocabulary Lesson)
What is confidence? What does a confident English speaker look like? And how can you become a confident speaker? This episode is going to try and answer some of these important questions. You might assume that …
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What is confidence? What does a confident English speaker look like? And how can you become a confident speaker?
This episode is going to try and answer some of these important questions. You might assume that someone with perfect grammar, a huge vocabulary, and a native-like accent will be a confident speaker. But that is not necessarily the case.
Over the years, I've met English learners with excellent English, but who were afraid to speak. And learners with much weaker English ability, but who seemed completely confident and comfortable communicating. This suggests that [00:01:00] confidence and language ability are not exactly the same thing.
So I want to explore confidence from a slightly more psychological perspective. What is confidence? What is the opposite of confidence? Why is confidence so important for language learners? How about self-efficacy? And how can you become a more confident English speaker?
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393. History of Football! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
The World Cup is currently underway in North America, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about football, or soccer depending on where you are from. And specifically, we are going to explore the …
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The World Cup is currently underway in North America, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about football, or soccer depending on where you are from. And specifically, we are going to explore the history of the world’s most popular sport.
Most people probably think football has always looked more or less the same. Two teams with eleven players. Referees and clear rules. Ninety-minute matches.
But that is not true at all. If you travelled back a few hundred years and watched a football match in England, you might not even recognise it as football.
In this episode, we are going to explore the development of football.
I want to talk about medieval folk football, the British schools that helped create modern rules, and cities like Sheffield that played their own versions of the game. We’ll also look at why football and rugby developed separately, where the word “soccer” actually comes from, and how industrialisation transformed football into a global professional sport watched by billions of people.
By the end of this episode, I think you’ll see football very differently. And you will also have learned lots of new English vocabulary!
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392. History of Warsaw (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Today, we’re going to talk about Warsaw. Warsaw is the capital of Poland and one of Europe’s most resilient cities. If you visit Warsaw today, you’ll find a modern and quickly developing European capital. There …
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Today, we’re going to talk about Warsaw. Warsaw is the capital of Poland and one of Europe’s most resilient cities.
If you visit Warsaw today, you’ll find a modern and quickly developing European capital. There are skyscrapers, busy shopping streets, trendy cafés, and a growing economy. But history of city is dramatic and tragic.
In this episode, I am going to explore the fascinating history of Warsaw. We’ll look at its rise as Poland’s capital, periods of foreign occupation and division, the devastation of World War II, communist rebuilding, and the modern city we see today.
And we will learn some new vocabulary and practice our English listening comprehension at the same time!
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391. Why Is the UAE Leaving OPEC? And What Is OPEC Anyway? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
The United Arab Emirates has announced that it is leaving OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) after almost sixty years as a member. Why does this matter? Well, oil is still one of the …
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The United Arab Emirates has announced that it is leaving OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) after almost sixty years as a member. Why does this matter?
Well, oil is still one of the most important resources in the world. The price of oil affects how much we pay for petrol, the cost of transporting food, airline tickets, electricity, and much more. When oil prices rise, the economy is also affected.
OPEC is one of the most powerful organisations influencing oil prices. For decades, this group of oil-producing countries has worked together to control how much oil enters the global market. But now one of its main members is walking away.
In today’s episode, we’re going to think about a few important questions.
What is OPEC? Why is it often called an “oil cartel”? Why has the UAE decided to leave? And what could happen next?
And we’ll do all of this while learning come new vocabulary and practicing your English listening comprehension!
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390. What are the “New” Seven Wonders of the World? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Thousands of years ago, Ancient Greek travellers created a list of the most extraordinary sights they encountered: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These included places like the Hanging Gardens of …
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Thousands of years ago, Ancient Greek travellers created a list of the most extraordinary sights they encountered: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
These included places like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Colossus of Rhodes. Today though, only one still survives: the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
So, in the early 2000s, a huge international campaign called the “New Seven Wonders of the World” aimed to create a modern list of wonders.
Some governments launched campaigns encouraging citizens to vote for their country’s monument. Critics argued that countries with larger populations had an unfair advantage. And UNESCO, the United Nations organisation responsible for protecting world heritage sites, was not involved in the project.
So today, I want to explore the story behind the New Seven Wonders of the World. What are they? Why were they chosen? And do they really deserve the title of “wonder”?
And we will do all of this while learning some new vocabulary and practicing your English listening comprehension.
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389. What Was the First Book Ever Written? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Humans have been speaking languages for tens of thousands of years. We told stories around fires, passed down myths from parents to children, and memorised important information about survival and history. But …
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Humans have been speaking languages for tens of thousands of years. We told stories around fires, passed down myths from parents to children, and memorised important information about survival and history. But for a very long time, nobody could write anything down.
Then, at some point, humans invented writing.
Writing allowed people to record laws, preserve stories, collect knowledge, and communicate across generations. Eventually, writing gave us books.
Today, I want to explore the history of books, from ancient clay tablets in Mesopotamia to modern audiobooks and e-books on smartphones. We’ll look at the origins of writing, the oldest surviving texts, the first true “books,” the world’s first novels, the printing revolution, the bestselling books in history, and finally… the future of reading itself.
And we will do all of this while learning some new vocabulary and practicing your English listening comprehension.
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388. Is the American Dream Dead? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
If you work hard, can you build yourself a better life? For a long time, millions of people believed the answer in the USA was yes. The “American Dream” is the idea that anyone, no matter where they start in …
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If you work hard, can you build yourself a better life?
For a long time, millions of people believed the answer in the USA was yes. The “American Dream” is the idea that anyone, no matter where they start in life, can achieve success through hard work and determination. You could own a home, have a stable job, raise a family, and earn more than your parents.
But today, many people in the US are questioning whether that dream still exists. Housing prices are rising. Student debt is growing. Many young people feel locked out of the middle class.
Some people argue the American Dream is dead. Hard work no longer guarantees success. Others disagree. They believe America still offers more opportunity than almost anywhere else in the world.
So, what exactly is the American Dream? Where did the idea come from? Why are people losing faith in it? And is it dead or changing?
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387. Why Are Some People Always Late? The Cultural Meaning of Time (English Vocabulary Lesson)
You are invited to a party. The invitation says the party starts at 20:00. What time will you arrive? Your answer to this question has a lot to do with your culture. Some of you will have said 20:00 exactly …
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You are invited to a party. The invitation says the party starts at 20:00. What time will you arrive?
Your answer to this question has a lot to do with your culture. Some of you will have said 20:00 exactly, because that is when the part stats. Others will have said 19:45, because it is polite to be early. Others will have said 20:30… or 21:00… or later because it is awkward to arrive too early.
Your answer to my question is connected to how your culture understands time: the direction of time; the use time; punctuality; and more.
So today I want to look at the cultural meanings of time, highlight some common cultural misunderstandings that will be relevant for any of you living/studying/or working internationally, and do all of this while introducing new English vocabulary and practicing your English listening comprehension.
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386. Who Was Leonardo Da Vinci? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the greatest minds in history. He painted some of the most famous works of art ever: the Mona Lisa, Last Supper, and more. He was also a scientist, an engineer, an anatomist, and an …
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Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the greatest minds in history.
He painted some of the most famous works of art ever: the Mona Lisa, Last Supper, and more. He was also a scientist, an engineer, an anatomist, and an inventor.
He is often described as the perfect example of a “Renaissance man.” A Renaissance man is someone who is skilled in many different areas, especially during the time of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a period of history when art, science, and learning were rapidly developing across Europe.
In today’s episode, we’re going to explore the life of Leonardo da Vinci. Who exactly was he? What were his greatest achievements? Can we really call him a scientist? And does his legacy still matter today, more than 500 years after his death?
And we’ll do this while practicing our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!
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385. Should We Boycott the 2026 World Cup? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Four years ago, I made an episode titled “Should we boycott the Qatar World Cup?” As you might remember, the tournament in Qatar was surrounded by criticism. There were concerns about human rights, especially …
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Four years ago, I made an episode titled “Should we boycott the Qatar World Cup?”
As you might remember, the tournament in Qatar was surrounded by criticism. There were concerns about human rights, especially the treatment of migrant workers who helped build the stadiums. There were some calls for fans, players, or countries to refuse to take part.
But despite all of that, the World Cup still went ahead. Millions of people watched, and Argentina beat France in the final.
Now, four years later, I want to ask the same question again… Should we boycott the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will be the biggest World Cup in history, as there are more teams, more matches, and more fans than ever before.
But once again, there have been some people asking for a boycott. This time the boycott is connected to politics, immigration, and questions about safety and freedom for fans travelling to the United States.
Should we boycott the 2026 World Cup? And maybe even more importantly… do boycotts actually work?
Let’s think about these questions while practicing our English listening comprehension and practicing our vocabulary!
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384. The Scramble for Africa (English Vocabulary Lesson)
In the 1870s, about ten percent of Africa had been colonised by European countries. But over the next few decades, over ninety percent of the continent was taken, occupied, divided, and partitioned by …
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In the 1870s, about ten percent of Africa had been colonised by European countries. But over the next few decades, over ninety percent of the continent was taken, occupied, divided, and partitioned by governments far away in places like London, Berlin, and Paris.
We call this period in history the “Scramble for Africa.” In a remarkably short period of time, countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium claimed vast territories for themselves without any input from African people.
By 1914, only a handful of places remained independent, while most of Africa was ruled as colonies.
How did this happen so quickly? And what were the consequences of dividing an entire continent in this way? These are the questions we’ll explore in today’s episode of Thinking in English!
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383. What Is Talent? And Do You Need It to Learn English? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
“I’m just not good at learning languages.” I’m sure many of you listening right now have thought this before. And I’m sure you’ve thought the opposite about people you have met in the past: “Wow, she’s so …
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“I’m just not good at learning languages.”
I’m sure many of you listening right now have thought this before. And I’m sure you’ve thought the opposite about people you have met in the past: “Wow, she’s so talented at English” or “He has a gift for languages.”
These kinds of comments are incredibly common. Many people believe that success in language learning depends mostly on talent. Some people are just naturally good at learning English, while others aren’t.
But is this true? Is talent real when it comes to learning languages? And if talent does exist, what exactly is it? Is it the same thing as skill? Is it the same thing as advantage? Is it the same thing as ability?
In today’s episode, we’re going to explore these questions. We’ll look at what talent really means, how it is different from ability, advantage, and skill, and what science and neuroscience say about why some people seem to learn languages faster than others.
Then we’ll apply these ideas directly to English learning and hopefully give you all some motivation!
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382. Rwanda: Economic Miracle or Authoritarian State? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
In 1994, the small African country of Rwanda experienced one of the worst genocides in modern history. Over a one-hundred-day period, an estimated 800,000 people were murdered. The genocide shocked the world …
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In 1994, the small African country of Rwanda experienced one of the worst genocides in modern history. Over a one-hundred-day period, an estimated 800,000 people were murdered. The genocide shocked the world and left Rwanda devastated.
But if you visit Rwanda today, you would probably be surprised at that history.
The country is often described as one of Africa’s greatest success stories. Its capital city, Kigali, is known for being clean, organised, and relatively safe. In fact, Rwanda has been called the “Singapore of Africa,” thanks to its economic growth and plans for development.
However, not everyone agrees with this positive image. Rwanda is also a tightly controlled political system. Opposition parties face serious restrictions, independent media is limited, and the government closely controls political life.
Is Rwanda an inspiring economic miracle and a model for other developing countries? Or is it an authoritarian state that prioritises control and stability over democracy?
In this episode, I want to explore Rwanda’s history, its rapid economic transformation, and the debate between democracy and development!
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00:00 Introduction
01:45 Vocabulary
03:54 Rwanda Basics and Geography
05:17 Precolonial Rwanda
07:38 Colonial Rule and Division
09:05 1994 Genocide Explained
11:24 Rebuilding and Economic Boom
12:39 Kigali and Branding Rwanda
15:27 Elections and Political Control
17:36 DRC Conflict and Regional Security
18:59 Democracy vs Development Debate
21:12 Final Thoughts
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381. Easter Island: Mystery, Moai, and the Edge of the World (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Imagine living in a place so remote that the nearest inhabited land is over two thousand kilometres away. No neighbours. No easy escape. Just ocean in every direction. And across the island are hundreds of …
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Imagine living in a place so remote that the nearest inhabited land is over two thousand kilometres away. No neighbours. No easy escape. Just ocean in every direction. And across the island are hundreds of giant stone heads, carved by hand.
This place exists… and people have lived there for centuries.
This episode will look at Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is known locally. Easter Island is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, one of the most isolated inhabited islands on Earth, and home to hundreds of giant stone heads.
So how did humans even get here? How did people cross vast oceans, reach this tiny volcanic island, and then decide to stay? And how did they organise a society capable of carving and moving some of the largest stone statues ever created?
In today’s episode of Thinking in English, we’re travelling to the edge of the world to explore one of the most fascinating human stories ever told. And we’ll learn some English vocabulary along the way!
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