Are you a sun worshipper or a seeker of the shade?

Me, I'm often found under a tree or an umbrella, never baking in the sun. I'm confused though because I recently read a news story that suggested I might need to get a bit more sun on my skin. How much to get is the million-dollar question! 

In this English listening episode, we're going to try to understand the sometimes confusing messages we receive about sun exposure and health. The sun is often vilified for its role in causing skin cancer, yet new research indicates that there are surprising benefits. We need to rethink things.

So, today we'll explore:

• the real dangers of too much sun,

• the unexpected health advantages of sunlight, and

• how different countries are updating their guidelines to help us enjoy the sun safely.

Whether you're a sun worshipper or someone like me who's covered up in the shade, this episode will encourage you to reflect on the messages you've received about soaking up the sun, and how to balance the pros and cons of catching some rays. 

Thanks for listening!

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As always, I encourage you to listen a few times, to transcribe 30 seconds of the podcast, and see if you can really hear these features of messy, spoken English.

Thanks for listening!

Pronunciation. 👏👏👏

I am over the moon excited to bring you my conversation with pronunciation expert and fluency coach, Yasna Lártiga, who you might know as Pronunciation with Miss Oh.

You'll hear about the challenges of teaching and learning pronunciation: from the importance of individual sounds to the frustrations of connected speech patterns, NOT rules!

Yasna shares insights from her experience teaching English learners and overcoming her own pronunciation challenges: mindset matters! As does having crystal clear expectations.

Find out how Shakira and a certain American president inspired us in our learning and teaching practices. You might be surprised! 

As always, Hear You Go English conversation and listening podcast episodes offer something for everyone, from teachers to learners. You'll hear some good stories, gather useful recommendations, and you'll hear lots of messy, ungrammatical spoken English, otherwise known as normal, conversational English: imperfect, but full of connection and communication.

✅ Please follow Yasna on Instagram, where you can then link to her YouTube and TikTok channels: Pronunciation with Miss Oh.

Tulips everywhere, in yellow, red, pink, white, orange, and even purple and black. They line the streets and the canal. They attract hundreds and hundreds of people to admire them and post their beauty on Instagram. Where? Right here, in Ottawa, Canada, every May. It’s the annual Tulip Festival and it’s a sight to behold.

The Tulip Festival in Ottawa has historical significance, and I’d like to share that with you today, to share some pride in my city and my country. We’ll take a brief look at what tulips are and where they originate (it’s not Holland), then we’ll explore the importance of tulips in Ottawa and its special tulip history (it involves a princess), and finally, we’ll wrap up by looking at flower festivals and their pros and cons in today’s social media landscape. 

English listening challenge:

🛑In this English listening episode, I draw your attention to connected speech specifically. Listen carefully for where words are dramatically reduced and/or connected. 

Who was Julia Child? Why is she important?

If you like to eat, cook, and enjoy cooking shows, join me on a journey into the world of Julia Child, the iconic figure who revolutionized American food culture.

In this episode, we learn about Julia's exciting life story, from her privileged childhood to her adventurous spirit that led her to fall in love with French cuisine in post-war Europe.

We'll explore how Julia's passion for cooking turned into a career that challenged societal norms and inspired millions through her bestselling cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and groundbreaking television show, "The French Chef."

You know, lots of people underestimated her.

They didn't think she had the right to teach cooking.

Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't learn English.

Don't let anyone discourage you from speaking English your way.

Be like Julia - break barriers! 

We'll see that her life and legacy changed the world of food and cooking, and helped advance feminist goals (to a degree). She's had a lasting impact on future generations of cooks and food enthusiasts that I hope to champion today. Bon appétit!