English Waffle

Episode 27: Languages Through Music

In this episode, Mike talks to Desta Haile who is a professional musician, language teacher and founder of the language learning tool Languages Through Music.

Desta tells Mike how she came up with the idea of Languages Through Music and how it has been a source of joy and inspiration for her learning about languages and culture.

Have you ever listened to music and wondered what it is they are singing about?  Next time you listen to a song, bear this in mind, the artist is communicating something to you behind those sounds, feelings, ideas, sadness, joy!

Here is the link to Desta's website - listen to this episode then check it out! 

www.languagesthroughmusic.com

And here are the artists whose songs are played in this episode:

Amadou and Mariam - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fxL-sxN7fo

Zeca Pagodinho - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbK5izUxC-k

Cesaria Evora - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeLUGn7qYPa

Episode 26: Pubs

In this episode, Mike is in Slovenia and is talking to his friend, Thom, about the pub. They talk about what the pub means to people in general, how pubs have changed over the years and what it's like to go as a non-drinking, relatively large bearded man.

Episode 25: How to Use the English Waffle - Part 1

In this episode, Owain starts the discussion on how to use the Engish Waffle. He talks about who the podcast is aimed at and why it is different from other English learning resources. He starts to explain why the focus is on listening to real conversations and starts to give some examples to help clarify what this means and why it is important.

Episode 24: Work-Life Balance

In this episode, Owain's sister Laura is back, this time talking about her take on 'work-life balance' and her observations on how it works. We talk about what it means, her job, and how she manages to create some sort of balance between working and bringing up her family.

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2i9X468
Jo Zimny Photos
A Delicate Balance

Episode 23: London

This is a special episode in which Mike talks to three guests who are visiting him in London. They talk about the sights and some of the things they have done during their stay.

Have you ever been to London? What do you think is iconic about this city? What represents it? Think about it for a moment before you listen to some more English Waffle!

https://englishwaffle.co.uk/

Episode 22: 'Mericans

This is a guest episode with Owain's sister, Laura, who's visiting from abroad. We discuss insects and diseases, enthusiasm and cynicism, and the difference between workplaces in the US and the UK.
We also briefly discuss her plans for the future.

Episode 21: Brit Pets

Your usual conversationalists are back this week - that's Mike and me - and we're talking about the bizarre world of Brits and their pets. Mike gives us some interesting, and in some cases, terrifying facts about Brits' love affair with animals. Be prepared for some PETrifying statistics.

Episode 20: The Trans-Siberian Express

Here's our second conversation with John. We talk about trains (of course!), national stereotypes, and his plans to travel from the UK to Moscow and through Russia.

Episode 19: Travelling by Train

Owain's back this week with another guest. It's John the Joiner who's talking about his passion for travelling by train. Find out where he's been on the train and why he doesn't just jump on a plane when he wants to go somewhere on holiday.

Episode 18: Irishisms

Mike reveals his roots as he talks to his brother-in-law, Dave, about Irishness. They discuss culture, questionnaires, and some Irishisms, words and expressions only Irish people use.