Hear You Go

In this episode of Hear You Go (E94), Ola and I have a conversation about a variety of topics that range from language to identity and womanhood, and to the future of English language teaching. We explore the very taxing emotional labour carried by many teachers, the commodification of language learning, and thank goodness, the growing need and desire for more human approaches to teaching and learning English. We also dig into: native speakerism and feelings of shame carried by many learners why many adult learners “know” English but struggle to speak it even after years of studying language coaching and alternative teaching approaches such as the lexical approach, dogme ELT, and TBLT (task-based language teaching) positive changes in ELT that champion inclusivity, neurodivergence, and representation and yes, even hope for change in an industry at a turning point There’s a lot of information to digest in this episode. Be sure to stay to the end to hear Ola introduce her new project, Language is a Woman, a community exploring language through creativity, feminism, identity, and collective care. Links you need: You can find Ola here: Instagram: @language_isawoman Website: www.languageisawoman.com Here is the link to Rachael Robert’s plenary that Ola mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzNo6Aj7i2A Women in ELT book that Ola recommends: Women in ELT: The brain, language and power | Pavilion ELT    ⏰  To work with me 1:1 starting in September, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get newsletter? You can subscribe to my new blog platform, and where a new audio program will launch soon. Don't miss out! Subscribe here. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

🎙️ Episode 93: You’ve got mail, snail mail! is another episode in which I champion an analogue activity I think should make a comeback: letter writing. I'm not the only one. A bestselling novel from 2025 is a novel written in epistolary form, that is, in the form of letters and emails.  Browse social media, and you're bound to find accounts that encourage the exchange of hand-written notecards.  In this episode, I'll share: My own relationship to letter writing, and the life it tells A short summary of the novel The Correspondent and why I think it’s a fabulous book for English language learners A few ideas about how YOU can help revive the lost art of writing letters. Do you have a bin of letters stored somewhere? Do you write letters? Would you like to? Have a listen, review and explore the additional links, and let me know what YOU think. As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English. Links to go further: Audio book review: The influence of the sleeper hit novel 'The Correspondent' : NPR Interview with the author: 'The Correspondent' Author Virginia Evans On Her Breakout Year On Letter writing: The Lost Art of Letter Writing | Peyton Christenson | TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity From me, with love: the lost art of letter writing | Life and style | The Guardian Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning | Scientific American What is The Lovely Letter Exchange | Martha Brook Blog Global Penfriends French podcast Passerelles and new letter writing project: On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/passerelles-a-french-podcast-for-intermediate-learners/id1546977913?i=1000757945555 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FBVFCIH6u4TpSPa7R2ZFK?si=Dkm_K076TMqZEIwZI-f3dA   Get in touch: ⏰  To work with me 1:1 (currently sold out until September), but you can add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

I came to sports late in life, but I’m a convert. Where once I was fearful of competition, now I look for opportunities to compete as often as possible. My thirst to win a championship curling game one day is unquenchable. Wait for it, even if I have to play as a senior citizen, I’ll get that prize one day :).   In this new episode of Hear You Go (E92), I’ll share:  how athletic competition forces our brains to think fast and quickly to strategize about how to overcome both fixed and dynamic obstacles how winning and losing at sports builds grit and forces us to persevere that sports are social, and playing a team sport encourages beneficial social interaction, on and off the playing field (or ice!) Do you compete? What sport(s) do you play and do you see your experiences reflected in what I’ve shared today?  Have a listen, review and explore the additional links, and let me know what YOU think. As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.   Links to go further: Plain English podcast, “How Metrics Make Us Miserable”:  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SIsft4NSZLU?si=nVAYdwIikRoZ0Rtc How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain - Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh   Get in touch: ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Inspired by research presented on the Hidden Brain podcast, specifically the work of psychologist Marc Berman, this episode takes a look at how time spent in nature can reduce our mental fatigue, improve our memory, and shift our attention in restorative ways, not burn us out even more. I share what I’ve learned about something called attention restoration theory, the role of our senses, and why natural environments full of soft edges, fractals, and gentle stimuli calm the brain. What if you don’t live near nature? Can indoor plants, soundscapes, or even your imagination offer similar benefits? You bet they can! I’ll offer a few practical ways to bring the benefits of nature into your daily life, no matter how far away nature is from your front door. Have a listen today, maybe while you take a walk outdoors!    As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.   Get in touch: ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please subscribe to and share the podcast, and spread the knowledge!

🎙️ Is Weak Language Powerful for Women” (E90)? This episode has been brewing for quite some time. It's a vast topic, full of nuance, and in the end, I offer a summary of the subject with the help of two resources, attached in the show notes. You'll hear: Examples of weak language  The difference between aggressive and assertive language tones Why women generally benefit from the use of tentative language How we might move forward in the workplace by being both assertive and warm There’s a lot to unpack, so have a listen, review and explore the additional links, and let me know what YOU think. As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.   Links to go further: Adam Grant article (behind a paywall):  Opinion | How Women’s ‘Weak Language’ Is a Source of Strength - The New York Times Women at Work podcast: To Get What You Want, Be Both Assertive and Warm Book Review of Likable Badass by Alison Fragale: The Art and Science of Becoming A ‘Likeable Badass’   Get in touch: ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Art: it does the body and brain good!  In this Book Talk episode, I offer a summary of some mindblowing science I learned in a book titled: “Your Brain on Art”. I explore and try to explain how creativity shapes and reshapes the brain, and why art isn’t just enrichment, but essential for learning.  The episode addresses brain plasticity, saliency, attention, emotional regulation, and myriad art forms, and what all of this means for language learning. Curiosity, creative engagement, and embodied learning help ideas stick, deepen empathy, and build stronger communication skills, and so much more. Art is not just some extracurricular activity: we all benefit when we support the arts and add the arts into our lives. Does art light up your heart and brain too? What artform ignites your passions? As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.   Links to go further: Book and website: Your Brain on Art: How Art Transforms Us. SnowWorld melts away pain for burn patients, using virtual reality snowballs – GeekWire Snow World Playful Learning Landscapes Susan and Ivy in conversation with Adam Grant on Re:Thinking podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking/id1554567118?i=1000638235601   Get in touch: ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

This episode is another unplanned, lightly researched, and deeply Canadian reflection…because it’s winter and in some parts of the world, winter can, quite literally, kill you. Here come some reflections on extreme cold and: how houses are built to survive it (plus loads of vocabulary related to home renovation and construction) winter driving (black ice, whiteouts, snow tires, skidding, and snow plows) the hidden dangers of snow shovelling Along the way, I share thoughts on homelessness in winter, gratitude for community workers, my sincerest wishes for the Ukrainian people to survive another winter under the brutal attacks of Russian warfare, and the privilege of warmth and shelter. I don’t leave you hanging, thinking winter is ONLY a deadly killer. I remain unapologetically a lover of winter: the good, the bad, and the deadly. Storytelling, anecdotes, descriptive language: this episode has it all.  🎧 Also pay attention for: 🗣️ Idioms, anecdotes, and a flippant tone of voice 💪 Reflections on resilience, risk, and climate Get cozy. Whether it’s summer or winter where you live, I hope you enjoy this listening practice.   As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

In this new advanced English conversational episode of Hear You Go, I speak with storyteller and English teacher Lisa Jane Grant about why stories matter in language learning.  From bilingual identity to classroom vulnerability, Lisa Jane shares how storytelling, poetry, and performance can transform confidence, connection, and communication. A must-listen for teachers and curious learners alike.   Links to go further: David Weller book: Storytelling for Language Teachers: Story frameworks, activities, and techniques : Weller, David: Amazon.ca: Books Lisa Jane’s contact information: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/english_with_lisajane/ Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/ljstories/p/the-heebie-jeebies?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web YouTube: Lisa Jane - YouTube Hear You Go with Leticia: Raising Bilingual Kids: https://www.englishwithcatherine.com/podcast/plwsb9jxj3p9mmj-f9cl7-fahxl-c47fk-wycg8-rjjsh-w9s9d-6g9mx-6jwdx-tk2h8-48lxr-rrymg-bsgf9-rpr6f-m8pnt-mkzf2-4j5pn   ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. NO NEW CLIENTS UNTIL MAY 2026. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram but I HATE Meta and post there less and less. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Welcome back to Hear You Go. We’re kicking off the second half of the 4th season with my spontaneous and energetic take on an obsession I can’t shake off.  I’ve been sucked into the cultural vortex that is Heated Rivalry, a Canadian TV series everyone is talking about. It’s struck a deep, deep chord with a wide audience, especially with women and LGBTQ+. This episode highlights how pop culture can become a turning point, reshaping what we expect from romance, consent, representation, and desire.  You’ll hear about: Queer love stories in hypermasculine sports (in this case, Canada’s sport, hockey) ✅ The rise of romantasy ✅ What respectful intimacy looks like on screen and the importance of intimacy coordinators ✅  Accents and active listening, and how to support non-native speakers  ✅ I simply had to start the year on a good note and share my reflections on why this show feels so very necessary right now. Do watch the series: once you get to episode 3, there will be no turning back. The arc of the story is magnificent, culminating in BIG emotions in episode 5 and 6.❣️ As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English.   ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. To join the next edition of WILDE (in 2026), my conversation course based on podcasts, add your name here. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

Episode 85 concludes 2025 with a bang!  Before you tune it, would you consider an end of the year "thank you" tip in my tip jar? Hear You Go podcast is a free resource, and your support goes a long way to keeping more episodes in production.  Thank you!  And now, on with the show: Are we living in a new era where alcohol is taboo? Is the Mocktail really a trend? Why?   With the holiday season fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about the outsized role alcohol plays in our lives: how we talk about it, why we drink it, and why younger generations are seemingly opting to drink less of it.    Have you heard of  "wine o’clock" or "wine Moms”? There's a buzz these days about the creative and colourful world of mocktails - have you read about them? Are you a fan of mocktails? This episode all explores all this, plus what it means to be sober curious and why this trend is on the up and up. I’m asking YOU to reflect on your relationship to alcohol, without judgment, just curiosity. As always, I’ll highlight advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go gives intermediate and advanced English learners a space to think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

Curiosity. Motivation. Accepting that it’s a long process. This episode takes you deep into the real journey from B2 to C1. Have you ever wondered why so many learners feel stuck at the intermediate plateau? Do YOU wonder why you’re not progressing anymore? Why is moving from “I can communicate” to “I can express myself precisely and confidently” such a slog?! In today’s advanced English conversation, episode 84, I speak with English language teacher Lívia Borba, whose winning combo of linguistic insights, teaching experiences, and her personal learning journey makes her the perfect guide to help us decipher this problem and offer solutions. We discuss: why progress feels fast at the beginning but seems to slow to a crawl the subtle differences between B2 and C1 why vocabulary range and noticing skills matter so much how to deal with frustration and keep going The Spice Girls! (ya didn’t expect that, did you?) If you’ve ever felt stuck, or if you teach learners who feel stuck, this episode will help you see the path forward more clearly and help get your mojo back. 🔗 Links to contact Livia Livia on: Instagram Livia’s website ************************** Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ************ In this final month of 2025, would you consider a year-end tip to help support Hear You Go podcast?  If you're a fan of Hear You Go, and if you've  listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice, you can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  ************ ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

Is the dinner party dead, or is it due for a comeback? I’ve been thinking a lot about hosting meals lately. Maybe it’s the holiday season approaching, maybe it’s a conversation I had with a Brazilian teacher who told me hosting felt too stressful, or maybe it’s hearing chef Samin Nosrat talk about her new book Good Things. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned as I explore whether the dinner party is really “dead”, and why it might be time to bring it back. Here’s what we'll think about in episode 83: the rise, fall, and reinvention of hosting people for a meal how perfectionism (and the pandemic) changed dinner tables why simple, imperfect, shared meals might be the cure for modern loneliness what Samin Nosrat teaches us about hospitality, imperfection, and cooking with love I’m asking YOU to reflect on your own relationship to hosting. When was the last time you gathered around a table and felt truly present? As always, I’ll highlight some advanced English language (C1/C2) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate and advanced English learner, a space to think, learn, and connect in English. ❤️‍🔥 Are you a fan of Hear You Go? 🎧 Have you listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice?  🫙 You can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  Catherine 🤗 ********************* ⏰  To work with me 1:1, add your name to the waitlist. To join the next edition of WILDE (in 2026), my conversation course based on podcasts, add your name here. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!    

I’m joined in this episode by a very special guest, my Italian teacher, Valeria, founder of Vita Semplice in Italia, a project that goes beyond language learning to cultural immersion, and small-scale travel in several locations in Italy, but primarily in Valeria’s hometown in Sicily. In a first for both me and Valeria, our conversation takes place in English, not Italian! We get into what it really means to immerse yourself in another language, and how meaningful, intentional and thoughtful travel can become a part of that process. Valeria shares her story, a story that begins with her hearing her grandmother switch seamlessly between English, Italian, and Sicilian dialect, to creating intimate language retreats that bring learners into contact with local people, food, and traditions. Also explored in our chat: * Why connection and curiosity matter more than perfection (you hear this a lot on Hear You Go, don’t you?) * The value of small-scale, ethical travel, and how to avoid adding to the problem of overtourism * What to look for if you’re hoping to participate in a language retreat experience, OR creating one for your learners If you’ve ever wondered how travel can deepen your language learning, or how to travel more thoughtfully and connect with local communities, give this episode a listen. I hope it inspires you to slow down, listen, and savour the experience. “You might come for the language,” Valeria says, “but you leave with connection.” Valeria on Instagram: Vita Semplice website Vita Semplice newsletter on Substack: https://valeriapao.substack.com/ ********************************* Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Emoji: cute, colourful, easy to use, OR malevolent, dangerous, prone to offend. I’ve been thinking about emoji a lot lately. I’m confused by them, troubled by them, and eager to learn more about them. But they also entice me, persuading me to add some colour and imagery to my texts. Today I’m going to share what I’ve learned in my quest to be less ignorant about emoji, and either feel better or worse about using them! I’ll define them and present their somewhat recent history I’ll consider if they are a language  And I’ll look at the potential for miscommunication given our world’s diversity of languages, cultures and therefore, interpretation of meaning I’m asking YOU too to reflect on your use of emoji, how you think about emoji as a language, and if you too are worried about miscommunicating something when using them.  Maybe I’m just being silly and overly cautious. Have a listen and share your thoughts. As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ******************** ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

About six months ago, I noticed I couldn’t hear my gym instructors clearly. At first, I chalked it up to the loud music, but then I realized it wasn’t the background noise, it was me. In this episode, I’ll share: What hearing loss is, and how it often changes as we age Why hearing aids feel so different from reading glasses, and why that hit different for me What we can do to protect our hearing, reduce the risks of dementia, and adapt when hearing loss happens to us as individuals, teachers, or learners As always, I’ll also point out some advanced English expressions like to chalk it up, the rub, and to chide yourself, among others. Listen now, and test out your listening skills in this intermediate English and advanced English language podcast episode. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰ To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

It Takes Two to Tango: A Conversation with Lisa Wood | Advanced English Conversations (E79) In this episode of Hear You Go, I speak with English teacher and neuro-language coach Lisa Wood about the importance of being an active, kind, gentle listener in the dance that is a conversation. Our chat is perfect for advanced English learners, English teachers, and anyone interested in mindset, confidence, and how listening shapes communication. You’ll hear how Lisa sees language learning as a dance between speaker and listener (it always takes two to tango!), and why connection—not perfection—is the real goal of fluency. 🎧 You’ll hear: What The CALM Way is and how it supports learners Why listening is never passive, but always active How mindset influences confidence and fluency Encouragement to show up and communicate, even if it’s not “perfect” As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔗 Follow Lisa here:  https://yourenglishself.com [email protected] Instagram: @your.english.self 🎙 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥  Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

📚 In this advanced English listening practice episode of Hear You Go, I dive into The Bee Sting by Paul Murray—a Booker Prize–shortlisted novel about an Irish family falling apart, unraveling really, under pressure. Each family member tells their own version of events, showing us how perspective, memory, and emotion shape the stories we carry. The episode explores: Why personal narratives matter, both in novels and in our own lives How different voices and perspectives in The Bee Sting reveal deeper truths What English language learners can take from the idea of rewriting their own narratives Useful vocabulary for talking about stories and identity I invite you to reflect on your narrative. What story do you tell about yourself—and how might you tell it differently? 🎧 Ready to rethink the stories you carry?  As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ***** ❤️‍🔥 Are you a fan of Hear You Go? 🎧 Have you listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice?  🫙 You can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  Catherine 🤗 ***** ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Have you heard the alarm bells too? Are we reading less these days? My friends are all readers, so I find it hard to imagine that people don’t read for enjoyment. In search of answers, I decided to take a look at the shifting habits around reading for pleasure. Are people (especially young people) actually reading less? What does the data say? And why does it matter? We’ll explore: What does it mean to read and be a “reader” What the data say about reading rates today What we might lose if the “reading class” keeps shrinking—and what role AI and smartphones play in all this This is an advanced English language exploration of books, literacy, and attention—but also about empathy, imagination, and the kind of connection that only deep reading can bring. Whether you're an avid reader or someone who’s been meaning to get back into it, I hope this episode gives you something to reflect on. 📖 So… are you still reading for pleasure? Let’s talk about it. As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  Resources to help you delve deeper into this topic are available in the transcript sent with my newsletter. ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me, and it’s where you can find a link to episode transcripts. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Raising Bilingual Kids: A Conversation with English Language Teacher Leticia Dalposso In this episode of Hear You Go, I speak with Leticia Dalposso, a Brazilian English teacher and mother of two, about how she is raising her children to speak English at home—even though they live in Brazil and English isn’t her first language. This conversation is perfect for advanced English learners, English teachers, and anyone interested in bilingual parenting, language identity, and real English conversation. You’ll hear how Leticia uses the OPOL (One Parent, One Language) method to support her children’s bilingual development, and how she's stayed motivated despite pressure and questions from people around her. 🎧 You’ll hear: A real-life example of how to raise bilingual children Why Leticia chose to speak English to her kids at home Her favourite ways to make English feel natural and fun How she responds to doubts and criticism from others Encouragement for parents and teachers using English in everyday life As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) for you along the way. 🔗  Follow Leticia here on Instagram Her podcast is here: Bilingual Coffee podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3wx1exBzfZoRYGWz7PerM6?si=57a05de5043a4116   🎙 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥  Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

It’s the final episode of Season 3—thank you for listening this season!  Today, for your Advanced English Listening practice, I’m sharing a book that completely surprised me: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. I honestly don’t know how I hadn’t heard of it before, but I’m so glad I read it. It’s a charming read (just what I needed in recent months!)—but also sharp, funny, and quietly radical and subversive. In this episode, I’ll share: 📚 A bit about the author’s fascinating and rather unconventional life 💐 A review of the book and why it’s more than just a sweet story set in Italy 🪞Some big questions about women, freedom, and what it means to carve out space for ourselves Plus, a little sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 4—and a reminder that WILDE: The Listening Festival is now open for early bird registration! If you're into real conversations, women's voices, and the many Englishes of the world, this course might be your thing. So let’s dive in to this book talk episode - enjoy! As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 ************************************* Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

The Long Game: From Zero to Real Life in Language Learning - with Abbie Fulbrook. What happens when you move to a new country, start a new job, and can’t speak the language? Abbie Fulbrook did just that—13 years ago, when she moved from the UK to Japan. In this conversation for intermediate and advanced English learners, Abbie shares her experience learning Japanese from zero, and how it’s influenced the way she teaches English. We talk about staying motivated, moving past language plateaus, why “school English” doesn’t always match the real world, and how listening practice and real-life conversation are often more powerful than grammar drills. A refreshing and relatable listen for anyone who’s ever learned—or taught—a language. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔗 More from Abbie at weareenglishteachers.com   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** ⏰  To work with me 1:1 add your name to the waitlist. 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!    

Happy 158th Birthday, Canada! You’d have to be living with your head in the sand not to know that Canada’s very identity has been called into question these past six months.   On this Canada Day, July 1st, 2025, we reflect on what makes Canada Canada—not just to the world, but to me, personally. In this timely episode, we’ll:  🇨🇦 go on a whirlwind tour through Canadian history, from Viking visitors to full legal independence in 1982 🍁 take a look at the quirks and qualities that define Canadian culture, from hockey and maple syrup to multiculturalism, polite conversation, and the importance of personal space 🌍 And finally, reflect on the country’s currently strained relationship with its closest neighbour, the United States—and what this rift reveals about national identity, pride, and sovereignty. Happy Canada Day! As always, I’ll note some useful advanced English language (C1/C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

In this new advanced English language conversation (E72), I talk to English language coach and pronunciation pro Jessica Dias to discuss one of the most underrated language skills: listening. But not just listening for meaning — listening as a speaking strategy. Jessy shares how tuning your ear to real English conversations helps you sound more natural, confident, and fluent. We explore why so many learners struggle to speak — and how the problem often starts with what and how they’re listening. From the importance of decoding fast, messy, connected speech to the power of noticing reductions, contractions, and rhythm, Jessy breaks it all down for us. We also dig into the difference between listening for pleasure and listening with intention, and how noticing small pronunciation details (like the difference between sheep and ship) can make a huge impact on both your listening and speaking skills. ✨ Highlights: Why real conversations are always better than curated audio How decoding speech helps you speak more freely and understand more The myth of “they speak too fast” Listening as a gateway to pronunciation mastery 🎓 Want to go further? Jessy’s Clear Pronunciation Program (CPP) is now open — a self-paced course designed to help learners and teachers fine-tune their pronunciation and listening. Or check out Jessy Academy, her live conversation program for intermediate to advanced learners. 📲 Follow Jessy on Instagram: @MsJessyDays Links to courses and more in her bio. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Episode 71: A Beginner Goes to Italy and Wonders: Why Learn a Language?    In this episode of Hear You Go for intermediate and advanced English language learners, I take you with me as I connect the TED Talk by linguist John McWhorter to my 2½-week language experiment in Italy. Can I tell you how often I felt like my head was going to explode?!  In this three-part episode, I: unpack McWhorter’s four compelling reasons to learn a language share my real-world Italian wins and stumbles, and  reflect on what this experience taught me about learning, teaching, and recommitting to French Wherever you are on your language journey, this episode might make you pause and ask: Why am I learning a language—and what do I want from it? We probably don’t ask ourselves this question enough, right? Bonus: travel vicariously through me as I share some remarkable moments from a special trip. As always, I’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.   

Obasan and the Silence of History (E70) In this episode of Hear You Go, we honour Asian Heritage Month in Canada by exploring the groundbreaking novel Obasan by Joy Kogawa—a powerful and emotional story that reveals the experiences of Japanese Canadians during and after WWII.  In this two-part episode, we: examine the historical context of Japanese immigration to Canada and the discrimination they faced, then  turn to the novel itself—its emotional resonance, narrative structure, and the legacy it preserves.  Through reflection and storytelling, this episode asks: what happens when a nation forgets? And what power lies in remembering? With clear explanations and rich vocabulary, this episode builds your listening skills while deepening your understanding of a difficult but important part of history. As always, we’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. To access the transcript, be sure to sign up for the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music. 

Phrasal verbs: the ultimate headache for English learners—or are they? In this episode, I talk with Nathaly Rodriguez, an English language teacher and self-proclaimed "language detective," to uncover the secrets behind these tricky verb + particle combinations. Nathaly shares her personal journey with English, from struggling with phrasal verbs as an instructor to discovering a cognitive linguistics approach that finally made them click. We explore how understanding the core meaning of particles—like down in burn down or off in take off—can make phrasal verbs feel more intuitive and even easier to remember. Along the way, we discuss how phrasal verbs are incredibly flexible (peopled out?) and why they’re actually shortcuts in conversation rather than obstacles.  If you've ever felt overwhelmed by phrasal verbs, this episode is for you. By the end, you might even start to light up when you hear them 😂 ! 🎯 Where to find Nathaly:  Follow her on Instagram @nathalyclassroom for daily insights on phrasal verbs and more! Plus, check out her course Light Up: Phrasal Verbs Demystified to master these tricky verbs with confidence. You can also find her on YouTube. 📌 Don't forget to subscribe, share, and let me know—what's your favorite (or most frustrating) phrasal verb?   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ******************************** 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music. 

Graduation is a milestone that marks both an ending and a beginning—not just for our children, but for us as parents too. As my youngest prepares to finish university, I find myself reflecting on the bittersweet reality of watching our kids step into their own lives. In this episode of Hear You Go, I explore: the process of letting go the evolving parent-child relationship in adulthood, and  how to embrace this new chapter as an empty-nester I share personal reflections, wisdom from essays that have stayed with me, and even some advice from former President Obama on what it means when our kids leave home. Whether your children are still little, about to launch, or already making their way in the world, this episode is for every parent navigating the ever-changing journey of love, pride, and, yes, a few tears. Grab a tissue, and let’s talk about what comes next. As always, we’ll note some useful intermediate/advanced language (B1 to C2 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast.   🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ********************************* 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

In this episode of Hear You Go (E67), I sit down with the exceptional Brazilian English teacher Bruna Passos for a conversation that started with a book and led us to so many interesting places. We talk about the power of fiction—not just for enjoyment but for expanding our perspectives, building empathy, and even challenging the status quo. Bruna shares how literature has transported her to different times and places, expanding her understanding of language and our world. We also dive into the question of reading in a second language—why do so many people lean toward "practical" texts instead of fiction? We chat about how to balance reading for pleasure with language learning. Along the way, we geek out over Jhumpa Lahiri, book clubs, and why reading reviews can be just as eye-opening as the books themselves. If you love reading, teaching, or simply the magic of language, this conversation is for you. We wrap up the convo with Bruna letting us in on what she’s reading now and sharing where you can find her online (pro tip: if you DM her, bring book recommendations!). All book titles and links to Bruna’s work are in the show notes below. 🎧 Tune in for an unscripted, heartfelt discussion on learning, exploring, and the books that shape us.   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Links to go further: Bruna’s details: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunapassoselt/ Website: https://www.brunapassos.net/ Books and authors we discussed: Pedro Bandeira: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Bandeira The Joys of Motherhood, by Buchi Emecheta: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joys_of_Motherhood Jhumpa Lahiri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhumpa_Lahiri Her books:  The Interpreter of Maladies (1999) The Namesake (2003) Unaccustomed Earth (2008) The Lowlands (2013) Dove mi trovo (2018) Roman Stories (2023) 4. Isabel Allende, author of countless novels worth reading: https://www.isabelallende.com/en House of Spirits (1995) 5. Forbidden Notebook, Alba de Céspedes ********************************* 📥 Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. Transcripts are included in the newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!  

For your advanced English listening practice, we're blasting off to where everyone had a translator thingamajig on their t-shirt and could talk to any alien out there in the galaxy 🤣.   As a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, exploring the final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise. While my math grades grounded that dream, my fascination with space never waned. In this episode of Hear You Go, I dive into Orbital, the 2024 Booker Prize-winning novel by Samantha Harvey, a breathtaking story set aboard the International Space Station.  We’ll also shine some starlight on: 👩‍🚀 The legacy of Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first female astronaut, a subject to honor this month's International Women’s Day 🌏 And ponder the question: can we ever achieve the utopian future envisioned in Star Trek? From the Challenger disaster to the wonders of spaceflight, this English listening practice episode reflects on human ambition, scientific progress, and our responsibility to protect Earth. Join me on this journey beyond the stars! 🌠 As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and test your listening in this advanced English language podcast  🎧 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  **************************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

In this English language listening practice episode (E65), I talk to English language teacher Eidiane Rufino , who shares her experiences as a teacher from Brazil, now living in Canada.  Eidiane opens up about how she went from hating English to seeing it as a key to opening up a whole new world. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, and today, she can clearly see her strengths as a non-native teacher, and what she and others like her can offer learners. She explains the pluses of having firsthand experience learning the language, including the capacity to break down complex language structures, a skill that strengthens her ability to relate to students and be an essential bridge for learners. Our intermediate/advanced English conversation then shifts to Eidiane's move to Canada, the challenges she faced, and the advice she has for others considering a similar move. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and planning ahead. She also discusses the cultural and social differences between Canada and Brazil. Despite some difficulties, she expresses no regrets about her decision and encourages others to remain patient and adaptable as they navigate life in a new country. As always, you’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way.   🔊 Listen now and enjoy!   Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  *********************** Get my newsletter (with a link to the transcript). Follow me on Instagram. Check out my website. Thanks as always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music.  

Hats - Quaint Artifacts? Harmless Fashion Accessory? Political Statement?  Ontario’s premier has a new baseball cap that makes a bold political statement—but it got me thinking about hats in general. When did they go out of fashion? Why were they once essential, and why do they still hold power today? In this Ideas in English listening practice (intermediate and advanced B2/C1 level) episode of Hear You Go, we’ll explore: ✔️ The history of hats—from climate necessity to religious and military significance ✔️ The rise and fall of hats as fashion accessories ✔️ Why some hats are embraced while others are banned ✔️ How headwear became a battleground for personal expression and politics From Ancient Egypt to Milanese milliners, from the royal horse races to baseball caps with slogans—hats tell a bigger story than we might think. So, what does your hat say about you? As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way. 🔊 Listen now and let’s talk headwear, identity, and freedom of expression. Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

How would you describe a dictionary? Have you ever thought about how dictionaries are made? Or who decides what goes in them?  This week on Hear You Go, in an English listening practice Book Talk, episode 63, I’m diving into these questions, inspired by the Japanese novel I recently read called The Great Passage by Shion Miura. It’s a beautiful story about a quirky group of people working to create the ultimate dictionary—and it got me wondering about a slew of things, including this: are dictionaries still useful in the age of AI? I’ll share a summary of the book, what I learned about how dictionaries are made (past and present) and how they’ve evolved, and we’ll explore what makes a good one. As always, we’ll note some useful advanced English (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English) along the way and get some English listening practice too.  Ready to go down this rabbit hole with me? Let’s set sail on The Great Passage! Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.    Links: ChatGPT made dictionaries worthless The Great Passage   ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Try saying that tongue-twister of a title out loud 3 times fast!!! Let’s kick off the year with an English pronunciation challenge 😂, and then take a deep dive into wellness—a word that might have you (like me) rolling your eyes, or perhaps you’re reaching for a $30 melatonin-infused chocolate. From the latest wellness trends to Instagram "healthfluencers," I'm sharing my frustration about the exhausting pursuit of being well in episode 62 of Hear You Go. For today’s English listening practice (B2/C1 Intermediate & Advanced English), we’ll explore the tangled web of wellness and self-care: their rise to buzzword status, the trillion-dollar industry cashing in on our insecurities, and why it all feels so impossible (and expensive!). Spoiler: it’s not just you who feels exhausted by the need to be “well”. Practice your English listening skills, and learn about: What real self-care looks like (it’s not found in a bottle or at a spa) How to set boundaries, prioritize your values, and ditch the guilt—good advice for language learning too! Why wellness isn’t just personal—it’s also about community and systemic change Oh, and don’t miss the linguistic nuggets of advanced English sprinkled throughout! Ready to redefine your year on your terms? Let’s do this. 🧘‍♀️✨ Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  ************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me and access the transcript. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

It’s December 17th, and my home is filling up with of cookies, Christmas aromas, and eager anticipation of family coming home. In this special holiday episode, created for your Advanced English listening practice, you'll hear about a heartwarming Canadian short story—Carmichael’s Dog by David Adams Richards. Humour, nostalgia, a puppy, and a snowy New Brunswick Christmas set the stage for this comedy of errors about two brothers, community, and overcoming grief. Join me for excerpts, reflections, and a cozy escape into the magic of storytelling to conclude your English listening practice for 2024. Happy holidays, listeners—let’s jump in. *************************************** ❤️‍🔥 Are you a fan of Hear You Go? 🎧 Have you listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice?  🫙 You can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  Catherine 🤗 *********************** Do you get my newsletter? It’s really the best way to hear from me. You can also follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music.  Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate and Advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge!

Slow down. Breathe. Pause. Reflect. Create a gap. React or respond? What do we do about the teacher's ego? About learners' anxieties?  Episode 60 of Hear You Go covers a lot of ground as my special guest, Toronto-based English language teacher Danny McGee, joins me to discuss the importance and benefits of mindfulness for both teachers AND learners. It's tremendously difficult to summarize this exceptional conversation. Truly, it's gonna knock your socks off! So whether you teach English in a school or you're a freelance English language teacher, whether you study a language independently or in a group, you'll come away from this conversation with a better understanding of how mindfulness can not only help improve your teaching and learning, but also help you as a human being living in a chaotic world. It's something we can and should all try - why not? What have we got to lose?  This Advanced English conversation will give you plenty of food for thought, and when you need to learn even more, go follow Danny on Instagram: @mindful_teacherdanny  Put on your listening ears and take a comfy seat for this listening practice. Danny and I have different English accents for you to analyze, and we use a slew of delightful expressions and vocabulary to keep your advanced English ears piqued. Oh, and listen up for the part of the conversation where two English language teachers can't find the right word to save their lives :)  Resources Danny mentions: Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh. Mindfulness and Learning: Celebrating the Affective Dimension of Education, by Terry Hyland Eckhart Tolle Living in the Moment, Anna Black The Mindful Way workbook, Teasdale et al. *************************************** Are you a fan of Hear You Go? Have you listened to the podcast and found it valuable for your listening practice?  You can say thank you by leaving a tip in my tip jar. Your support is deeply appreciated.  ************************************************** Theme music: Amos the Transparent.

🎵 What is it about music? 🎶 Why does the music of our youth stay with us?   In this English listening practice episode (E59) of Hear You Go, we’re turning up the volume to take a walk down memory lane and hear the playlist of my childhood—mostly English songs from artists like Kris Kristofferson and Bruce Springsteen that shaped my childhood, and probably influenced my bleeding heart.   What is it about music that sparks these memories? You know that music is a fabulous mood booster, but it’s also super helpful in learning new English vocabulary through song lyrics. Music is connected to memory, and therefore is a pretty good way to remember words and how they’re produced orally, or used in a poem or piece of prose writing.   💫 Without a doubt, listening to music helps bring about nostalgia, and listening to songs in English boosts language acquisition in an enjoyable way. Music is a must for English listening practice, from beginner to advanced English. It’s also a fabulous way to hear how words are contracted and reduced: made messy, as most spoken language is.    🎁 To thank you for all your support so far this season (season 3!), I’ve even made a special playlist for you (two in fact!)—perfect for learning or just reminiscing. What’s on your childhood playlist? 🎶 Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. This one will also make you sing, dance, and maybe cry. Music is magical. 🎧 Playlist of my childhood: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/12OLLZmuToae7sjUnygdG3?si=oYWJ-32GQZyMTyv2SKXZyw   🎧 Playlist of the movie “Grosse Point Blank”: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2YNcfVCqgsSXsKoiIn5YOZ?si=J_PrMVk1QBaEi_mVW_r0qg   To get in touch with me: For more: English with Catherine website Instagram: catherineangus_hearyougo Thanks to Amos the Transparent for our theme music.

Reimagining ELT with Teacher Kay Honest Talk about Equity in English Language Teaching & Learning   In today’s English language conversation, Teacher Kay of Sincerely Teaching joins me to discuss reimagining English Language Teaching (ELT) so that it's inclusive and just for English language teachers AND learners. Kay shares her journey into teaching English and unpacks the deep-rooted issues of native speakerism and racism within the industry. She helps us challenge dominant narratives in order to create language learning environments that celebrate linguistic diversity. Kay also discusses her course (that you definitely want to take!!!) called "Creating Cycles of Empowerment." It aims to give teachers the tools to transform their teaching practices and offer students a learning space that is authentic and socially-conscious.   This intermediate and advanced English conversation offers a powerful critique of the status quo in ELT and provides a hopeful vision for a more inclusive future.  And as always, it's an opportunity for you, the English language teacher and English language learner to practice listening to messy, imperfect, wonderful spoken English.   Thanks for listening to Hear You Go, Episode 58! ********** Find Teacher Kay here: @SincerelyTeachingEnglish @DiasporaEnglishLearning  www.sincerelyteaching.com  Email: [email protected]    To get in touch with me: For more: English with Catherine website Instagram: catherineangus_hearyougo Thanks to Amos the Transparent for our theme music.

Montreal: A Tapestry of Language, Culture, and History In today’s English listening episode (B2/C1 English), we explore one of my favourite Canadian cities. Montreal. This city, the largest in Quebec, is an extraordinary blend of history, language, and culture in North America. After a recent trip to Montreal, I asked if you’d like to learn more about it, and your answer was a resounding “yes!”  So for your advanced English listening practice, we’ll take a dive into: Montreal’s roots, from the indigenous Haudenosaunee to the French settlers, to the multilingual, world-class city it is today Its unique, plurilingual landscape, with French, English, and many other languages shaping everyday life A few personal highlights and must-visit spots for any future visit Hear You Go English language listening podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English language learner and advanced English language learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English.  Sit back and relax, or go out for a walk, and join me as I share some of what I know regarding the language, history, and “come as you are” attitude of Montreal—a city that welcomes everyone and hopes you have a blast exploring this world-class destination. Let’s go…allons-y!   Links to go further: Manasie Akpaliapik | IAQ Profiles | Inuit Art Foundation Quebec City fine arts museum highlights work of Inuk sculptor in new exhibit | CBC News Manasie Akpaliapik. Univers inuit | Mille regards | La Presse The MEM museum: Celebrating Montreal and its untold stories at the MEM Centre Montréal: City of diversity and inclusivity Montreal code-switching | Educational Sociolinguistics   Thanks for listening!   To get in touch with me: For more: English with Catherine website Instagram: catherineangus_hearyougo Thanks to Amos the Transparent for our theme music.

In this intermediate English Conversation, Tamás "Tommy" Bradford joins me on Hear You Go podcast for part 1 of our two-part collaboration. We dive into his top English picks for books, films, and music that can help you explore and learn English independently. We have a chat about everything from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to Benjamin Zephaniah’s poetry. Tommy shares his insights on John le Carré’s spy novel and its film adaptation, perfect for advanced English learners intrigued by British espionage. We also explore the playful, accessible poetry of the late British-Jamaican poet Benjamin Zephaniah, whose collections Talking Turkeys and Funky Chickens offer both humor and cultural awareness. We touch on a wide range of art forms—from rock and roll to reggae-inspired poetry, giving you, the English language learner, a chance to practice your listening skills as Tommy offers up this top 5. Get ready for laughter, stories, and language learning tips from the two of us. To hear my top 5 picks, head over to The English Podcast with Tommy for part two!    Thanks for listening!   If you're keen to explore more:  Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré: Book review Movie trailer  Benjamin Zephaniah and his poetry. The Commitments (Film trailer) The music of Wilson Pickett and The Rolling Stones.   Where to find Tamás Bradford: Instagram: @tommybradfordsenglishschool The English Podcast with Tommy

For today’s English listening practice, we'll explore "third places": what they are, why they’ve disappeared, and why we all need one.   With modern life becoming more isolated and fast-paced, the absence of these social gathering spots, where we speak to each other in real life, is contributing to an epidemic of loneliness. But what exactly is a third place? Join me as I dive into its history and meaning, inspired by a thoughtful offline discussion with Brazilian English language teacher Bruna Passos.   Boost your listening skills, test your ability to follow a narrative in intermediate English, pick out key vocabulary and expressions, and reflect on third places and consider how they’ve evolved over time—from cozy coffee shops and neighborhood pubs to bowling alleys and community gyms. As you practice your English listening skills, you’ll learn what third places are and their unique qualities.  Hear You Go podcasts aim to give you, the intermediate English learner and advanced English learner, a space to practice your English listening so that you can think, learn, and connect in English. Join me and let’s explore how third places can help make life a little less lonely.  If you'd like to learn more, click on the links below.  There are more links included in my newsletter. Links to go further: The Happiness Lab: Where Everybody Knows Your Name. The Happiness Lab: Make American Happy Again. Do Yourself a Favor and Go Find a 'Third Place' Bowling Alone, by Robert D. Putnam. What's Curling? Two Minute Guide to the Sport of Curling   Thanks for listening! For more: English with Catherine website Instagram: catherineangus_hearyougo Thanks to Amos the Transparent for our theme music.

I’m joined in today’s advanced English episode of Hear You Go, by Felicio Dias, a Brazilian English language teacher and language enthusiast. Felicio shares his passion for music, literature, and his interest in the diverse ways English is spoken across the world. Together, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion on how accents shape identity, the evolving nature of language, and the importance of embracing diverse voices in English. Red alert: Catherine checks her privilege and vows to approach more novels from outside her perspective. Whether you’re an intermediate English or advanced English language learner, teacher, or book lover, this episode offers profound insights into the complexities of English, identity, and the stories that connect us all. Tune in and get ready to broaden your perspective on the global nature of English and appreciate its many voices. Felicio's contact info: Substackfeliciodias.substack Instagram: felicioenglishteacher Books we discussed: Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth, Xiaolo Guo. Rosewater, Liv Little. Scarborough, Catherine Hernandez Autumn, Ali Smith Anything is Possible, Elizabeth Strout Thanks for listening to episode 54 to practice your English listening skills.  

In this English listening practice episode of Hear You Go, we’ll explore  "Come From Away," a musical that resonates deeply with me. After seeing it again recently, I was inspired to revisit the topic of English accents. Too often, we think of English has having only two accents: the UK accent or British accent (also called received pronunciation), and the American accent. But so many people around the world speak English, and they speak English with different accents and a multitude of gorgeous dialects, all of which shape our identity. I need to emphasize this: accents are not a measure of fluency or intelligence, but a testament to the global diversity of how people speak English.    Join me as I share how "Come From Away" beautifully showcases this diversity, why embracing different English accents is important, and how you can navigate and celebrate the richness of the world’s many English dialects. Plus, I’ll talk a bit about my upcoming courses that help you appreciate and master the nuances of global English. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started! Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram. Get my newsletter. Theme music: Amos the Transparent. Links to go further: Come From Away: Come From Away Newfoundland accent: The English spoken in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) exhibits perhaps the greatest regional diversity to be found anywhere in North America. The settlement history of NL, along with its geographical setting, has proved ideal for the preservation of many older speech features which have declined more rapidly elsewhere. However, such factors as socioeconomic change, population loss and out-migration. The Miami English phenomenon: A New English Dialect Is Emerging in South Florida, Linguists Say | Scientific American Miami English Recognized as Dialect - Language Magazine Teaching Pronunciation Must-Have New Book:  Teaching English Pronunciation for a Global World: Walker Robin: 9780194088985  

Ever wish you could redo an English conversation, say things differently, or finally remember that perfect word for your advanced English class? I know I do!    Life might not allow for a reset button, but what if it did? For years, I dismissed video games as a waste of time, until I read Tomorrow, And Tomorrow, And Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. This novel changed my perspective, showing me how video games can be rich stories, and offer do-overs when real life can’t.   For your English listening practice this week, we’ll explore this novel and its themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of stories in books and video games. I’ll also touch on how English language learning is a form of play, where we should risk making mistakes in English.    And if you want to practice writing in English, you can tune in for tips on how to write a book review. Ready to rethink your ideas about video games and storytelling?   Remember that you can sign up to get my transcript in my newsletter to practice reading advanced English and to check your listening. Thanks for listening to Hear You Go podcast, a podcast to support your English listening practice and engage your curious mind. To work with me, learn more about my courses and private lesson on my website. You can also find me on Instagram. Theme music by Amos the Transparent.

🗞️ News flash: we're ALL daydreamers!   🎙️ In this episode, you might be surprised to learn that there's real power in daydreaming. It's not a waste of time. Daydream about speaking English the way you want.  It can work - trust me! ✅ It can have an enormous impact on your English language learning and creativity, if used wisely. 🎧 Have a listen, and discover how letting your mind wander can help motivate you, solve problems, and spark new ideas. We'll explore the science behind daydreaming, its benefits, and how to harness it for personal growth and learning more English.  ⭐ There's hidden potential in your daydreams, really!  ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more insights, resources, news about how to be my student, and of course, the color-coded transcript that draws your attention to advanced English words, expressions, and pronunciation. Reading the newsletter and transcript can give you English reading practice too!    Thanks for listening! Catherine 🤗 Watch how one group of friends turned a daydream into a really cool adventure: https://youtu.be/R_vrWySEv9Q?si=uQLbuv4gj6DNRONZ   Contact me: Instagram. Website/Newsletter: English with Catherine Theme music: Amos The Transparent

Hey English learners and listeners! 🎙️ This is it: episode 50 of Hear You Go podcast—"We have to be less afraid of judgment and more open to learning", Agnes Rubinho.   ❣️Episode 50 marks the end of Season 2, and to close this fabulous season of podcasts, this intermediate English conversation offers you an amazing chat with a Brazilian English language teacher, Agnes Rubinho.   Teachers: did you know Agnes has written a book for freelance English language teachers? You’ll hear us discuss a few things from her book, and afterward, I know you'll want to buy it. I did! It’s full of information I wish I’d known when I was first branching out to become a freelance, independent teacher.   You’re not a teacher? If you're an English language learner, this episode will give you tips on what to look for in an English language teacher, and the benefits you get when you find the right teacher for you.  English Listening Challenge: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The episode provides a good lesson in word stress and intonation.   🎧 Listen to the way Agnes pauses and adds emphasis to the words she wants you to hold on to. She has a manner of speaking English that draws you in and keeps you hooked.    🙌 That’s what good speaking is all about: engagement and connection.   So, that’s your assignment: listen for all this delicious, engaging, messy, and wonderfully spontaneous messy English that both Agnes and I offer you in our chat. ***************************** To follow Agnes and to buy her book, follow these links: ▶️ Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice | TED Talk 📘 To order the book in Brazil: Freelance Teaching – The Language Teacher's Guide 📘 Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Freelance-Teaching-Language-Teachers-business-ebook/dp/B0D45X98F5/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W4SnHUM0ti5PqVYDUI1Hsg.oM4TtyaKZBUZAEdDTO1lnI1SJNUFK_-5m-UKFzFVeck&qid=1721077647&sr=8-1   Instagram: For teachers: https://www.instagram.com/agnes_freelanceteaching/ For learners: https://www.instagram.com/agnesrubinhoteacher/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnesrubinhoteacher/   Contact me: Instagram. Website/Newsletter: English with Catherine Theme music: Amos The Transparent  

Why bother?  I don’t often ask myself that question, but every once in a while, it crops up. Why bother making an English language learning podcast if I don’t get a thousand downloads? In today’s English listening episode, number 49 🙌, I remind you of the value of listening to podcasts for English language learning, in addition to their psychological and social benefits. For example: learning new pronunciation, expressions and advanced English vocabulary getting exposure to different English accents and "messy" English improving active listening skills sharing personal stories that build connection fostering our imagination bolstering our cognitive abilities While Hear You Go will never be the most famous podcast in the world (and that’s OK!), it's my way of offering you authenticity, interesting topics, and this year, it was a vehicle to highlight and elevate the voices and work of women in the English language teaching community.  As season two starts to wrap up, I encourage you to reflect on the topics shared and my wonderful guests who offered tips and guidance, and moving stories about their love of learning English.    💫 Listen right to the end to learn more about my upcoming courses.  I’ll be offering two starting in September: WILDE and TIDES are courses that focus on listening skills, language development, and pronunciation.  Click on the links for more info: 1️⃣ Are you WILDE: A Woman Interested in Listening to & Discovering English through podcasts? 2️⃣ TIDES: Teachers Into Decoding English Sounds. Thanks for listening, and stay tuned! You can find me on Instagram. Be sure to get my newsletter on my website. You can access the colour-coded transcript in my newsletter. Thanks to Amos the Transparent for the theme music.

Witness the art of conversation in action in today's intermediate English conversation episode of Hear You Go.   The delightful Anastasia Sakarova, who you might know on Instagram as @heart_to_heart_english, joins me to share stories, teaching methods, and some thoughts about what makes a conversation a conversation.    You'll hear her talk about her early love of the English language, how she learns new vocabulary so that she uses it, and how active listening is really a key ingredient to having meaningful conversations.   English listening challenge: This episode, while full of good stories and great ideas for learning, is also chock-full of idiomatic expressions that you can listen for.  Keep those ears open!   If you'd like some guidance on what to notice in terms of language like phrasal verbs, advanced English vocabulary, or collocations, be sure to get the transcript when you receive my newsletter. These resources will also help you practice your English reading.   Thanks for listening! Catherine    You can find Anastasia in these two ways: 1. Instagram: @heart_to_heart_english 2. Website: www.hearttoheartenglish.com   And you can find me: 1. Instagram: @catherineangus_hearyougo. 2. Website: www.englishwithcatherine.com 3. LinkedIn: Catherine Angus   Theme music from the team of talented Canadian musicians in the band: Amos the Transparent.  

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 in advanced English: 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! ********************** 📥 You can practice your English reading when you receive a copy of the transcript .Sign up to receive my newsletter. It's colour-coded to highlight all kinds of things to explore like advanced English vocabulary, pronunciation, and a ton of collocations and idioms.  🔗 The transcript also includes links to articles and videos used in my research. You might want to explore these too! ⏰ I work with curious and ambitious English language teachers and professionals who want to maintain and build their advanced English through engaging materials and challenging audios. Messy, fast, connected, spoken language is where we get into the meat of listening. I'll be accepting new clients and offering new courses, in September. You'll get all that news in my newsletter too, and if you follow me on Instagram. 🎶 Amos the Transparent provides my theme song. They're an awesome group of talented musicians. Give them some love and check out their music. 

English Pronunciation. 👏👏👏 I am over the moon excited to bring you my English 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 English 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 pushed us onwards 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.   🎶 Thanks always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music.    🙏 And thank YOU for listening.   🙂 Learn more about me and my services by signing up for my newsletter (which also includes a colour-coded transcript of each episode). You can follow me on Instagram too.  

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 in today's English listening episode, 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) we’ll explore the importance of tulips in Ottawa and its special tulip history (it involves a princess), and  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.    Sign up for my newsletter to receive the colour-coded transcript of each episode. It includes links to other resources and highlights language to notice, such as:  advanced English vocabulary  collocations and phrasal verbs  idioms interesting pronunciation features Transcripts are available in my newsletter. Sign up here: English With Catherine. Thanks always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music.  Don't forget to follow me on Instagram. Please share the podcast and spread the knowledge! Catherine