Hear You Go

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.

The Art of Conversation with Anastasia, Heart to Heart English | Intermediate English Conversations

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.
 

Soak Up the Sun or Hide from It? | English Listening Practice

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!
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📥 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. 

Sound Advice with Yasna Lartiga, Pronunciation with Miss Oh | Intermediate English Conversations

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.
 

A Short Story about Tulips and a Royal Baby | English Listening Practice

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 

Julia Child - Breaking Bread and Barriers | English Listening Practice

Who was Julia Child? Why is she important?
 
If you like to eat, cook, and enjoy cooking shows, join me on a journey into the world of Julia Child, the iconic figure who revolutionized American food culture.
 
In this episode, we learn about Julia's exciting life story, from her privileged childhood to her adventurous spirit that led her to fall in love with French cuisine in post-war Europe.
 
We'll explore how Julia's passion for cooking turned into a career that challenged societal norms and inspired millions through her bestselling cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and groundbreaking television show, "The French Chef."
You know, lots of people underestimated her.
They didn't think she had the right to teach cooking.
Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't learn English.
Don't let anyone discourage you from speaking English your way.
Be like Julia - break barriers! 
We'll see that her life and legacy changed the world of food and cooking, and helped advance feminist goals (to a degree). She's had a lasting impact on future generations of cooks and food enthusiasts that I hope to champion today. Bon appétit!
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For those of you inspired to watch the TV series, you can learn more about it here.
 
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
Thanks for listening, and thanks always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music. 

The Elegance of English with Maria Glazunova | Intermediate English Conversations

The elegance of English.
I'd never thought of English that way, but my guest, Maria
Glazunova, explains why English has such an emotional hold her on. It's a beautiful English conversation we have for you today.
Maria and I talk about:
her history with English: learning and teaching it
burnout and how that led her to adopt a dogme approach to teaching English
how her book literally saved her life
how she uses a reactive teaching approach with tech professionals
how my English pronunciation course helped her better diagnose her clients' problems, and empowered her to teach pronunciation
Whether you're learning English or you're an English language teacher, or both, this episode is going to offer you plenty to think about, in addition, as usual, to lots of interesting language and messy, delightful, imperfect spoken conversational English.
 
And if what you hear from Mary about my Pronunciation for Teachers course makes you curious, be sure to contact me ASAP. The course is offered twice a year. Learn more about it here: Pronunciation for Teachers.
Transcripts are available in my newsletter. Sign up here:
English With Catherine.
 
Be sure to follow Maria on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/maria-glazunova
You can buy her book here: "How to reduce your time preparing for online classes and prevent emotional burnout."
Thanks for listening!
 
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Website: www.englishwithcatherine.com
Thanks always to Amos the Transparent for the theme music. They have a few new songs coming out soon, so follow them on Instagram for details about that. I'm excited!