778 Emotional Support Chickens (with transcript)

#englishlearningpodcast #esllearners #englishlanguageteacher Hi, I'm Joseph, an ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher, Accent Reduction Specialist and Language Coach working on Skype, Zoom and other platforms. Please see the links below to contact me or book lessons. I can help you with Language Coaching, Accent reduction, English Grammar, Conversation and to prepare for exams like IELTS and Cambridge (B1, B2, CAE etc) Website: https://teacherjoseph.com/ Italki: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/1290163 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joseph-mc42 In this episode, we look at a story about emotional support chickens which are given to older people living in nursing homes and care homes. You can find the whole transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11jcxR3gxex8GKbcaswqp2g1txJwM47czLNFpGY2yXLw/edit?usp=sharing Extract: Today, I want to tell you all about emotional support chickens. It seems that a nursing home here in the UK has been offered chickens by a local school in order to take away the loneliness of it’s residents and help them feel better. Nursing Homes and Care Homes are places where we put older people who cannot look after themselves. It's hoped that the chickens will bring residents a number of benefits. From fostering a sense of community to reducing mental health problems. Now, I'm not sure about you but for me, I'd probably rather have the cash or if  there’s perhaps other opportunities, maybe I’d prefer to talk to someone. These chickens don't actually have to be bought.It looks like they were given free to this nursing home.  But still, if they're going to give away chickens, I'd rather have the cash. I think I'd rather have the money than a chicken. It says here,  Caring and spending time with chickens will be a beautiful reminder of the past for many who recall their own families keeping chickens. Now, I have no idea how we got to a point where we think that giving an older person a chicken is going to remind them of their past. Yeah, it's true my grandparents had chickens but that generation mostly has gone. When I'm older please don't give me a chicken. I'd be much happier with a laptop, computer, IT  Device, mobile phone. But again, I'd rather have the cash.  It says here This project is not just about adding life to our garden but also reconnecting Care Home residents with their heritage. And providing them with emotional support, with the joy and serenity that comes with caring for animals. Yeah  I really don't think a chicken is one of these things, which I would be relying on for emotional support. I would be relying on people to come and give me food. If I really can't do that myself or I'd rather have the cash. Yes. It says here One of our care workers is leading a lovely chicken naming project and organising an opening party to welcome the chickens. Inviting everyone including staff to embrace the theme by dressing up as chickens”  This is just getting more and more bizarre, isn't it? Um,  The event promises to be a memorable  celebration.  Yeah, well that I can definitely believe  marking the beginning of a new chapter in our community's life.