Hear You Go

Reimagining ELT with Teacher Kay | Intermediate English Language Conversation

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!
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Find Teacher Kay here:
@SincerelyTeachingEnglish@DiasporaEnglishLearning www.sincerelyteaching.com 
Email: kayla@diasporaenglish.ca 
 
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 | English Listening Practice

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.

Tommy's Top Five: Stones, Spies, & Turkeys| Intermediate English Conversations

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

Third Places - They Might Just Be the Answer | English Listening Practice

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.

Literature Feeds our Brains, with Felicio Dias | Advanced English Conversation

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.
 

It's Time to Revisit Accents | English Listening Practice

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
 

Hit Replay: The Power of Stories | Book talk

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.

How Daydreaming Helps You Progress in English | English Listening Practice

🗞️ 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

Life lessons with Agnes Rubinho | Intermediate English Conversations

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.
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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
 

Do Podcasts Help You Learn English? | English Listening Practive

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.