English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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Episode #028
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February 19, 2020
[00:00:04] Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to the English Learning for Curious Minds
podcast by Leonardo English.
[00:00:13] I'm Alastair Budge.
[00:00:15] Today's episode is going to be very different to the normal ones, which is
why it's a bit of a bonus, extra one.
[00:00:24] It's not replacing our normal Tuesday and Friday episodes of weird and
wonderful things about the world, it's just an additional one that I hope may be
interesting, but for slightly different reasons.
[00:00:38] In today's episode, I want to tell you a bit about the mission of Leonardo
English and of the English Learning for Curious Minds podcast, where we have got so
far, but then I also want to ask for your help.
© Leonardo English Limited www.leonardoenglish.com
English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:00:55] Yes, I know that might sound weird, but I'll explain exactly why later on in the
podcast and if you wait until the end you'll hear what's in it for you.
[00:01:08] As per usual, you can find the transcript and key vocabulary for this podcast
on the website, which is Leonardoenglish.com.
[00:01:18] To get the transcript and key vocabulary for this podcast you don't even
need to be a member of Leonardo English, you can access all of the materials for the
podcast without being a member, so it's all free, no membership, no registration
required.
[00:01:34] And on the subject of transcripts if you haven't seen them already, we have
just launched what I'm calling animated1 transcripts on the website.
[00:01:45] I think this is a really cool new feature. So for people listening on the website,
when you press play, the audio starts of course, but also the words appear across the
screen when they're spoken.
[00:02:00] It's a bit like subtitles, but even better as you can select a word and your
browser2 will suggest the definition of it.
1
moving
2
the computer programme you use to surf the internet
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English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:02:10] So if you don't know a particular word, you can find the definition very easily,
which I for one3 think is pretty cool.
[00:02:17] So go and check that out, that's at Leonardoenglish.com.
[00:02:21] For the regular listeners among you, you'll know that the English Learning for
Curious Minds podcast tries to teach you weird and wonderful things about the world
at the same time as helping you learn English.
[00:02:38] The way we do this is on one level, pretty simple.
[00:02:42] Find cool topics to talk about, do loads of research, condense4 it into
between a 10 and 20 minute podcast, record it, edit it, create the transcript and key
vocabulary, and then send it out into the ether5, out into the world.
[00:03:01] We've been doing this now for just over two months and we're coming up to
the 30th episode.
[00:03:09] At least from what I can see, things are going quite well - we have listeners
from all over the world and members of Leonardo English from, I think it's around a
dozen different countries now.
3
used to say that you think your opinion or action is right, even if others do not
4
to reduce something, such as a speech or piece of writing, in length
5
the sky or the air, especially considered as being full of radio waves
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English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:03:23] So it seems at least that you are enjoying the show and that we're doing
something right.
[00:03:30] But other than seeing that there are more and more people listening, I have
got almost no idea of what we might be doing well, of what you like and what you don't
like.
[00:03:47] As a language learner, myself and an English teacher and a curious mind, I
know what I would find useful from a learning point of view, and I know the kinds of
topics that interest me, but that's just me.
[00:04:03] And rather than it being just me, I want to know what you want.
[00:04:09] So what I want to do is to ask for help and feedback from you, but also to get
to know you a little bit.
[00:04:18] I would love to know a bit about you, about your story learning English,
about why you listen to the podcast, what you like about it, but more importantly,
what do you think we could be doing better?
[00:04:33] I truly believe that it's only through working almost hand in hand6 with you,
that people listening to the show that I'll be able to create exactly what you want.
6
together
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English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:04:47] The good thing about this is that this podcast and Leonardo English, it's not
some huge company, it's not Babbel or duolingo where you might send in some
feedback and it gets added to a huge pile7 and never sees the light of day.
[00:05:06] We're a small operation8 and people are always surprised when they email in
and they get a near immediate response directly from me.
[00:05:17] And at the podcast, we've already done things specifically because listeners
and members said they would like them.
[00:05:25] So the recent podcast about mistakes people make when they learn English,
that was one that was requested from someone, the podcast on soft power, that came
out of a conversation with an early member of Leonardo English.
[00:05:41] So what I'm saying is that people are already having an impact on the future
of the podcast.
[00:05:47] And I'd love for you to have an impact too.
[00:05:51] Of course, it's me that's asking for your help, but I also want to give you
something in return.
[00:05:59] So here's what's in it for you.
7
a mass of something that has been placed somewhere
8
company, organisation
© Leonardo English Limited www.leonardoenglish.com
English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:06:02] Firstly, and I think this is actually the coolest thing, is that you'll have a say in
the future of the podcast.
[00:06:11] You'll get to see which episodes are coming up next, you'll be able to shape9
the future and help create the podcast that you actually want to listen to.
[00:06:22] You'll also get priority10 access to every new feature that we release.
[00:06:27] You'll get it before everyone else and you'll be able to feedback to make sure
that we are building exactly what you want.
[00:06:37] Also, if you send in your feedback about the podcast, your English learning
story, I will personally correct it into perfect native natural English if there are any
mistakes.
[00:06:50] So that's a bonus, sort of free English writing exercise.
[00:06:57] And finally, there are a few special bonuses that I'm not going to reveal here,
but you can take my word for it that they will be pretty cool.
[00:07:05] I know that sounds mysterious, but you'll just have to trust me.
[00:07:09] So I'd love for you to have a hand in shaping11 the future of the podcast, and
I'd also just on a human level, love to hear from you.
9
to decide or influence the form of something, especially a belief or idea, or someone's character
10
early
11
see 'shape'
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English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:07:21] So I'll put these links in the show notes, but you can just send us a message
with 'feedback' in the title or in the body of the message.
[00:07:31] So you can do that either with good old fashioned email at
[email protected] H I @leonardoenglish.com or of course on Facebook or
Instagram.
[00:07:43] I really am looking forward to hearing from you.
[00:07:46] Okay, this might have been a bit of a strange episode.
[00:07:50] If it's strange, at least it's short.
[00:07:52] And don't worry, normal service will resume from the next one onwards.
[00:07:57] If you've got this far in the podcast, then I guess that you may be interested
in getting in touch and helping.
[00:08:05] So again, the email is, hi H I @leonardoenglish.com.
[00:08:10] I'll personally read and respond to every piece of feedback we get, and
seeing your message arrive in my inbox will be like a little ray of light12 in my day.
[00:08:22] Okay then, that's my pleading13 over with - you know what to do.
12
a positive thing
13
showing in an emotional way that you want something urgently
© Leonardo English Limited www.leonardoenglish.com
English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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[00:08:27] You've been listening to the English Learning for Curious Minds podcast by
Leonardo English.
[00:08:33] I'm Alastair Budge and I will catch you in the next episode.
[END OF PODCAST]
© Leonardo English Limited www.leonardoenglish.com
English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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Key vocabulary
Word Definition
Animated moving
Browser the computer programme you use to surf the internet
used to say that you think your opinion or action is right, even if others do
For one
not
Condense to reduce something, such as a speech or piece of writing, in length
Ether the sky or the air, especially considered as being full of radio waves
Hand in hand together
Pile a mass of something that has been placed somewhere
Operation company, organisation
to decide or influence the form of something, especially a belief or idea, or
Shape
someone's character
Priority early
Shaping see 'shape'
Ray of light a positive thing
Pleading showing in an emotional way that you want something urgently
We’d love to get your feedback on this podcast.
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English Learning for Curious Minds | Episode #028
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What did you like? What could we do better?
What did you struggle to understand?
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