Voice, Hope in spite of it all, Politics as an attempt to outsource accountability, The satisfaction the calling.
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat – By Edward Lear
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, “O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!”
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?” They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-Tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.” So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.
iAntonio Media
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
With somewhat new sensibilities owing of course in part to – a sense of gratitude she feels for her recently completed MBA at the ESCP Business school – Marcia helps me today to portray for you, a more positive outlook on matters relating to sustainability. The things that are in fact within our reach – the VALUES that we as people are actively adopting now.
In this Episode we talk a little about the history of the sustainability movement, its incorporation into modern business models, newer concepts such as impact investing, as an ever more interesting emerging solution – that takes the environment, people, and communities into account. What does it really mean, to move capital, people, and knowledge to where the problems really are and what are the benefits being realized now? What are the opportunities that present themselves – today – as we approach the ultimate ideal of sustainable living?
Parts 2 (originally published 1.8.2023, in commemoration of world youth day celebrations)
Join me – on a most unusually uplifting, journey of discipline, and self-healing. Series of short podcast episodes documenting [how it feels] to do a water-fast for 20 days (now 21) – no food at all, looking and feeling fantastic. We have been trained by many “interests” to associate eating, and “the feast” with care, love, good intentions and wellness – when to the contrary, it could be “the controlled fasted-state” that will set us free – from many ills.. Episodes will appear below on this page as they are published. You can also follow the show from anywhere, if you don’t want to miss it, and if you want more, sign-up now – for the Private Listeners’ Group.
As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024, let’s embrace the changes and challenges. Remember, every end marks a new beginning. Let’s step into 2024 with hope, determination, and the willingness to grow.
Thank you for being part of this story this year and as we welcome the new year and embrace each new chapter with enthusiasm and curiosity – I eagerly anticipate hearing from you =) Until our next tale unfolds, keep dreaming, keep exploring, and keep weaving your own stories.
Episode 88 was recorded in class and serves as a first training model to help the course participants to get a grasp of the basics, of what is involved in podcast production.
Episode 90 (CENSORED) is a direct follow-up to the previously published episode 88 – and is a compilation of three conversations and one monolog on early -childhood education. Topics include:
The Transition Phase,
The TikTok Hype
Media Consumption Generally
Dental Health in Children
Episode 88 – Values and Attitudes in Education
Episode 90 – Talk to Me (censored)
The overall project associated with this course focusses on values and attitudes – and promises to explore many media forms such as audio-podcasting, photography, videography, text and even print production and webpage-building to name a few.
The project aims to emphasise, through hands-on involvement and co-creation so to speak – how these media forms can be used to enrich our message – as it relates to early-childhood education, and education as a whole.
“Medienpädagogik” is a term that featured prominently during the course – and is itself a diverse topic. The aim of these projects however was to encourage hands-on involvement in the co-creation process. To gather first-hand experience in coordination, team-work and challenges involved, in the final production of a media product that effectively enriches and transports our message – as it relates to early-childhood education.
Those values and attitudes mentioned are as diverse as the contributors themselves – an attribute that that only serves to foster inclusiveness, relatability humanness of our discourse. Without further ado I’d like to express my gratitude to all the contributors – and cordially invite you to let yourself be inspired by the episodes.
Our esteemed first guest (episode 88) for this series of productions – is Ms Lilli Limonius, who qualifies her insight with a rich tapestry of stories and experiences that have helped to shape her career – and still drive her calling and professional practice as a teacher.
We go on to speak about some of the specific values and attitudes that help both teachers and students to succeed. And finish off our 45-50 minute show, with some questions from the course participants on:
The most important attitudes that strengthened her as a teacher,
Quality checks and performance,
Ai and its perceived threat to the teaching profession.
Ian Antonio Patterson again – coming to you for another extra ordinary episode. There are essentially three things that I want to say today – which include some important changes regarding how I do my shows also in response to the rise of Ai among other things, how you are invited to interact with the show, and last but by no means least an invitation to you to join me – on a most unusually uplifting, journey of discipline, and self-healing.
If learning and creativity are both driven by curiosity, shouldn’t they complement each other, towards facilitating an ideal learning state, and how that can be achieved in a natural way?
Fluency, Ai, Art and the Democratisation of the Learning Experience
Today’s episode looks at some of the things that make the essential difference, as we approach achieving a well-grounded feeling of confidence, sovereignty, and fluency using a foreign language. The episode today, in and of itself will show you, one way that uniquely defines the authentic lived human experience, as opposed to the artificial one. From the point of view of a well-practiced Educator – we will be looking at some of the things that may in fact help to differentiate us as human beings, working living and thriving – also within an Ai driven paradigm – but no worries Ai is not what the episode is about it’s about you.
Feelings feature prominently – again – not to be discounted because feelings form one aspect that will in fact help to differentiate us as human beings within what I call an Ai driven paradigm. I do hope you enjoy the episode, and if you like the somewhat more colourful, and even more inclusive flavour of “Life is Feeling – Counting the Ways” – do feel free to subscribe from anywhere.
As an added bonus for your troubles, there is a little JAMAICAN interpretation of this unusual twist just for you – right after the jingle.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
I put it to you personally – what image comes to mind when you hear words like diversity and inclusion? Did you realize that you can also quickly become a minority in many ways – one example is when you are the only one who speaks with a strange accent.
The English Coach Podcast is still about enriching the adult learning experience, in a fun and inclusive way – especially through featuring exemplary true to life conversations with real people and activities. Sometimes however the nature of the topics sidesteps the realm of adult education in the traditional sense, and for that reason I have also started “Life is Feeling – Counting the Ways” – that invites listeners to take a moment to be awake to the world, to explore diverse values attitudes and experiences, that help us to think more critically more inclusively – and to help us make better sense of life through different lenses.
“ism” schisms..
I love Independent Podcasting – that’s why I have been doing it since 2019.
If you are living in a place that allows you the freedom to share your voice globally – use it wisely. And use the media (and access) at hand to UPLIFT others. As an English trainer and a self-styled pragmatic student of human behaviour and the world – I can tell you that the need to address “diversity” as a thing and “inclusion” stems from “isims” of all kinds, that we create to express status, and entitlement to privilege and resources over others. Bob Marley aptly called them “isim schisms”. There are many such words, some of which I have also been known to carry around… Not so much any more. Any word ending with the suffix “ism” speaks to a willingness to exclude and disregard an entire ‘other’ group. That’s not what I am about here there or anywhere. (Follow-up series on “isms” in sister show – Life is Feeling – Counting the Ways – Series here)
Naturally we are all free to decide for ourselves what we are against, as I am mostly against all “isms” – but one thing that I am for is “equality” as an ideal – without the need to talk about it too much – but by simply living a reality that I imagine – that is why I run my shows the way I do.
Diversity is as Diversity does.
Guests featured on my shows are from – Jamaica, Germany, Sweden, Afghanistan, Netherlands, the Ukraine, UK, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, France, Russia, Canada, Ghana, India, the Philippines, Greece, North Korea, Guatemala, to name a few..
Professions featured, include Teachers, Coaches, Entrepreneurs of all flavour, Engineers, Medical Doctors, other Doctors, Students, Software developers, Musicians, Authors – the list goes on…
As you might have guessed – I am very proud of my shows, and I am happy to be able to share it with you. As usual, feel free to use the feedback channels that are available on both my show pages.
How can your story stand out against that of the typical everyday influencer, and do you want that at all? What are the benefits and value of expressing your own voice humbly as it may – within a public forum? And who is this proverbial devilish child?
It’s a short one today but if you are interested – do stick around to find out… This episode today is only a small part of another ( Life is Feeling – Counting the Ways – Episode 8 ) and offers perspective on the notion of “influencer” vs. “inspirator” and what these terms mean to some people. It explores the act of pursuing self-improvement – through one particular creative endeavour – and sharing of these – generously in a non-pretentious and non-moralizing way.
“I love to be out in the world, over the years I’ve written 4 books about my experiences – one of them twice, first in German, then in English: “Begegnung mit dem Schamanen/ Encounter with the Shaman“, followed by “Sundance“; and “Nur Mut” ”- all of them first person accounts, and generally positive.” Angeliks Hansen – 26.11.2022
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English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
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ShowGuest: Uwe Müller, Kfz Schlosser, Kfz Ingenieur, Pädagogik und Schulleitung
In this episode we begin to explore love, through the lens of being seen, respected and in some contexts idolized. A perspective that posits the self as the source of pivotal reflection – acceptance of self, modesty, and articulating proportionate poise in the knowledge of, and gratitude for the perfect imperfection that defines us – in just as much as it defines others.
But how is satisfaction with oneself really perceived by others – and to what extent is it accepted or frowned on in private, professional, and socio-economic circles?
We discuss self-reflection, its impact on the expression of authority, and earning respect within this context through choosing, shaping, and conveying your own values with enough humility to accept critic. Fatherliness and its effect on the teaching practice is broached, together with its influence on how love plays out within a constellation of strict rules.
All from the wisdom of our own experiences, we look at recruiting help when needed, and moving towards find help or solutions together, even from a place of authority – which then prepares us for part two in this series of conversations – approaching the “Language of Power”.
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English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Language Contrasts Fifteen Voices, Three Perspectives, One Vision: Episode 79
LeonNithiaMohammad (aka) eminemMahdiLeonAnnika KriegsheimMohammad (aka) eminemNithiaThe Dark KnightMamoAhmadMahdi
In today’s episode, I will take you on a learning journey. One which gives us privileged insight into the shared learning experience from three perspectives. Today’s episode 79 is mostly a celebration of the learning journey of real course participants – who were themselves generous, and brave enough to speak candidly on “The European Day of Languages 2022”….. This episode today shall also be punctuated with the learned insights of special guests:
– qualified and experienced educators in fields of Clinical Psychology, Pedagogy, Mechanical Engineering and in as we say in German – Schulleitung und Pädagogische Leitung .. These intermittent insights weaved randomly into the fabric of this episode – were gathered in parts under separate cover and might themselves feature in full length – in later episodes.
Code-switching, between my native language English and my second language German – will feature prominently – so brace yourself. An authentic self-sponsored approach also means – finding peace with imperfection in parts – not all the recording circumstance were ideal – for that you can take comfort in the thought that what you are about to hear was neither scripted, censored nor in anyone’s special interest – staged for effect.
The English Coach Podcast – Living the Language is still not really about grammar puzzles and free lessons – but, is intended to inform educate and entertain – around the topic, and the way less abstract and more authentic – from the lived experience of people…
Main Guests – Course Participants (in order of ‘appearance’)
Amina Abderrahmane (00:00:03 & 05:41), Kristijan Ahmeti (00:13:44), Nithia Nanda Schnittka Payano (00:29:06), Jin Ui Kim (00:41:42), Ali Diab (00:51:18), Deniz Aydin (01:08:33), Leon Schwamberger (01:12:25), Mahmoud Moued (01:18:38), Jenny Richter (01:25:28), Mohammad Mohammadi, Zarah Mohammady (01:35:21), Ahmad Saloum (01:40:52).
I am still committed to doing proper justice to my guests, and to you. Everyone speaks from the wisdom of their own experience – for themselves, and we are – in true human fashion allowed to change our minds. My preferred approach here is to freely converse with ideas in a non-scripted way – and to present you with more meaningful long form content – that you can download for free – listen to, pause for reflection, and revisit – in your own sweet time.
The episode is presented to you in association with iAntonio.media – and from the official showpage at www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com – you can subscribe with your preferred podcast player, like comment, and share the episode as you wish. On the shownotes page for the episode 79 you can also find fuller credentials of the show guests, all associated links, exclusive videos photos, feedback channels and the like.
PROMO
YouTube Listing (Full Audio Experience)Plastizia and I
Episode 75 (lead up to 79) – 26.9.2022
Mid September is relative, but I think that there is no better date to resume the show than this – the 26th of September 2022 – European Day of Languages.
The reason for this episode is twofold – it exists to reassure you my few but faithful listeners that as promised, the show running again, AND to announce that on account of the aforementioned developments – if you are a learner of English as a Second Language it will now be easier for you to realize significant improvements in your fluency and confidence with the language starting today.. As usual – no abstract Jack and Jill went up the hill stories and grammar puzzles – but real conversations with real people on real topics – and an opportunity to strategically, purposefully act – towards achieve the sovereignty – in this – perhaps a second language – that some of you are reaching for.
As usual the show is open to for everyone who likes it – many people are just nosey or just like the topics – you are interested in even more compelling topics – you are also free to check out the less conservative little sister of the English Coach Podcast – just check outwww.LifeisFeeling.com.
So then – After a well-deserved break – and new wind in my sails so to speak – you might be asking yourselves how do I do this. How do I start today. How do I also get of these fresh powerful gusts of wind in my own sails… All you have to do is continue listening to the show, and as a first step – go ahead and sign up to get a little more – than what I usually give away to the public media channels – and simply sign up by visiting www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com – and join what I like to call the “Private Listeners’ Group” or if this what you are hearing right now is enough for you – simply subscribe in your favourite podcast player – Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, Stitcher, wherever (see recommended apps or above) – The show is not hidden behind the gates of anyone’s walled garden – but open to everyone..
Interesting fact – while I am not a linguist – the word voice and the word vote – are in the German language one and the same – “Stimme”. The word “Stimmung” – also appears to be close – and can be translated to mean mood, sentiment, atmosphere, vibe, morale, tune, temperament, disposition, que, feel – among other things…
Podcasting is voice (and choice), not only mine but also yours. The free media – is a pillar of any functional democracy – to my mind especially independent media like this. Surely this line of thinking is perhaps vulnerable to spirited correction – but it is significant – on this day and I always encourage anyone – who finds themself in a privileged position, where they can feel free to express and share their voice in a meaningful way – to do so.
This is me a human being talking to you another human being – not some abstraction or ads machine spewing sweet nothings to influence and hijack your time and autonomy – your vote, your money and your “Stimmung” – leaving you feeling drained, inadequate, and disenfranchised…
The tradition of independent podcasting that I have chosen to follow together with my cat called Kitty for the last three years is an uplifting choice – that I have the liberty to offer to you. A complement to the rich tapestry of other languages, cultures and expressions being celebrated here today on European day of Languages.
Informal authentic – and inclusive, deliberately personal discourse – on a diversity of topics as they relate to the Adult Learning Experience.
This season promises to be absolutely fantastic!
And as I always say – with a small win, is always a good way to begin. Looking forward to hearing from you and – bye for now.
European Day of Languages
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Funk Soul Brother from Berlin, accomplished performing artist and father of one as far as I know – Abba Lang – talking about the joys of teaching and parallels with stage performance. Our conversations on the aforementioned topics is directly followed by a Freestyle improvisation recorded in studio. (Previous Publication | Abba Lang Works | on Instagram.)
Gary Lim featured in Episode 40, where he also spoke about the things that helped him as a learner of English as a second language.
Directly afterwards – Author, Musician, and esteemed guest more times over – Andy Beck – in his excerpt for this episode talks a little about Bob Marley, passivism, and inclusiveness – as well as his adult learning experience. Andy Beck was guest on episodes 39 and 32 and was the creator of the jingle (for the English Coach Podcast – Living the Language).
Software Developer and Entrepreneur from the Ukraine – Sasha Bondar – shares with us some secrets to surviving – working from home. Sasha was our guest for Episode 20. I think that it was in the autumn of 2019 when he said to me, that I should stop planning my podcast and just start it… and that in retrospect I would be glad I did, now here – today – true to his words I am indeed happy I did. Sasha’s interlude is significant for many reasons. As you all know by now this is an independent podcast, self-sponsored – which means I am not singing anyone’s song here but my own. I have been lucky enough to witness the rise of the internet, and remember the days when there was none. Media generally and especially independent media as an ideal – is a pillar of any modern democracy. Many things are illustrated in this interlude, and it still breaks my heart to see how many people who have access to it do not use it to share uplifting messages, but on the contrary – mostly rubbish.. I like a little pop too – but the privilege – to be able to put positive messages into the world is not one afforded to all – and I would implore anyone who has the means – to do the same, while being mindful of people in this modern world who cannot.
Following Sasha’s interlude, we have Leontes aka – Mr Henriquez from Episode 71, where he illustrates a method of measuring language learning progress – within a larger Dynamic System.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
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English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
This episode explores our readiness to permanently relegate a learner’s status the title of a “failure” – within intercultural contexts.
Anna Royon-Weigelt (returning show guest)
Intercultural Consultant, Coach and Moderator: – Works: LinkedIn
In the role of “Transition facilitator” – she enables transitions between cultures, languages, life phases, and development stages in teams. “Als interkulturelle Beraterin, Coach und Moderatorin arbeite ich auf der Beziehungsebene: eine Dimension, die im Alltagsgeschäft oft implizit und unsichtbar bleibt, bis “der Schuh drückt”.”
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Cross-promotional episodes invite fellow independent podcasters, trainers and / or content creators to better serve our audiences (those of the guests and the hosts) by sharing our stages – and offering more comprehensive – collective insights, informed by many years’ experience and diverse sources. The cross-promotion is an attempt by independent podcasters, trainers, creators to help each other. See other episodes in the cross-promotional series here.
Guest for today’s episode Wanda Atkins
Independent Podcaster, English Trainer and Musician – situated in France.
Featured backing interludes: Live Performances for – The French Panorama
Pan of the 21st century, by Lord Kitchener, Arranged by Olivier Wiren, Band Chroma Steel.
Pass the Dutchie, Song by Musical Youth, Arranged by Sandrine Bernard Abraham, Band Panasuc Steelband.
Happy Place, Song by Lyrikal, Arranged by Clement Bazin, Band Clembazband – Calypsociation.
Official page
www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com – This is where I attempt to add a splash of colour and life to your learning experience – by inviting you to live the language. The show is self-sponsored and independent and offers you immersion into the language – in a fun and interesting way.
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Féte de la musique in Berlin – Publish of Episode 73
I neither speak French, nor am I a musician – but for this publication of episode 73 – today – the 21st of June 2022 – I am taking the liberty to make this yet small incidental contribution to Féte de la musique in Berlin. This episode will be interesting for language trainers with a flair for the eccentric, for language learners who are looking to enrich their language learning experience in memorable ways, and anyone open to – and interested in deriving even more from musical expression in a meaningful way. This episode 73 is another in the cross-promotional series – and features our guest for today – a multi-faceted delightful personality of Caribbean descent, Language trainer extraordinaire and musical talent – joining us from France Ms Wanda Atkins.
Cross-promotional episodes invite fellow independent podcasters, trainers and / or content creators to better serve our audiences (those of the guests and the hosts) by sharing our stages – and offering more comprehensive – collective insights, informed by many years’ experience and diverse sources. The cross-promotion is an attempt by independent podcasters, trainers, creators to help each other. See other episodes in the cross-promotional series here.
The show attempts to live the notion of diversity and inclusion rather than just talk about it – it is in so being – always open to everyone, but not always for everyone all the time.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
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English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Hello Everyone – my name is Ian Antonio Patterson – host and producer of the English Coach Podcast – Living the Language. Thank you taking the time. This Episode 70 is a Trailer Episode and aims to reiterate the purpose of the show for you the subscribers / followers and for anyone else who’s discovering the show for the first time.
One of my favourite poets – Maya Angelou once said — ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’
“Living the Language” means that my first mission here is still to help my people – present and past course participants – who want to keep their language skills – and anyone else who just likes the show.
It means that you get to experience immersion into the language – to feel something – from right there where you are, and that I get to keep the promise I always make – to take – my usual relaxed accessible human approach to your learning experience.
15 Years as English Trainer
I have over the past 15 years – had the opportunity to help hundreds of mostly German learners of English as a second language. During this time many strong and positive learning relationships have been built. I have also learned from them – in a true-to-life way, that language is relational, as most people I know are learning a language to talk to people – not machines. Still to each his own – and you get to take from that what you will.
As a Trainer or coach, with an eye on what I like to call Sustainable Language Acquisition – these learning relationships – together with a gamut of diverse topics covered by the Podcast – in both English and German – strong emotional associations are evoked – WITH A PURPOSE – and Listeners get to STAY in contact with – and keep their language skills – in a fun and interesting way.
Enriching English Training with Life, Art and Context
I try to enrich the show with non-scripted interludes, artwork (such as literature, dance, photography, music and singing ….), and the lived experience of people – to focus on the more human aspects of the learning experience – like context – that cannot yet – so easily be deep-faked by pervasive tech.
Lived diversity and inclusion – beyond the tokens
The show attempts to live the notion of diversity and inclusion rather than just talk about it – it is in so being – always open to everyone, but not always for everyone all the time.
Ich habe nie in der DDR gelebt, aber ich habe im Osten mal studiert. Als Kind in Jamaika wurde mir gesagt, dass alle in Deutschland (nicht nur im Osten) schwarz oder grau trugen. Das wollte ich selbst herausfinden.
Mir wurde klar, dass ich mir als Plan B nach dem Studium im Osten einen eigenen Job eventuell machen musste – aus einer ganzen Reihe von Gründen. Also ließ ich mich zum Englischtrainer ausbilden, in der Hoffnung, berufstätigen Erwachsenen spezielle Kurse anbieten zu können – mit spezifischem Arbeitskontext – und mit dem Rückhalt verschiedener Abschlüsse in ganz unterschiedlichen Dingen. Ich bin nach wie vor der Meinung, dass in jeder Situation, in der es um arbeitsbezogene Sprache geht, der Kontext entscheidend ist. Relevanz, schnelle Anwendbarkeit des Inhalts, Effizienz, kleine Erfolge und Messbarkeit des ROI sind ebenfalls wichtige Faktoren. Ich dachte, dass es genug Leute gibt, die nur abstrakte Grammatikpuzzles und Vokabellisten verkaufen.
Von Distanz und Abhängigkeit
Das hat größtenteils geklappt – aber trotzdem war ich nach etwa 10 Jahren immer noch weitgehend von Drittanbietern abhängig, die (bloß nicht mehr als) freiberufliche Arbeit anbieten. Es war immer ein Hauch von Bitterkeit dabei – weil man das Gefühl hatte, dass einige Trainer und in geringerem Maße auch “Coaches” in vielerlei Hinsicht auf Distanz gehalten werden. Je nach Saison werden Bildungsmaßnahmen im Allgemeinen nicht immer als unverzichtbare Dienstleistungen angesehen.
Verachtung
Die zweitjüngste Krise führte zu einer breiteren Akzeptanz von Online-Trainingsformaten, und nachdem sie jahrelang im Wesentlichen verachtet wurden, haben sich einige Dinge geändert, – viele sind aber auch gleichgeblieben. Es ist immer noch so, dass unabhängige Trainer:innen den Kürzeren ziehen – und die meisten Menschen wissen nicht oder es ist ihnen egal, dass für jeden 1 Euro, der an Drittanbieter-Trainingsplattformen, Apps und dergleichen für die Ausbildung gezahlt wird, die Trainer:innen 16 Cent oder WENIGER bekommen.
Und das ist noch nicht alles. Manchmal verliert man das Eigentum an seinen Medien, kann sie nicht exportieren oder löschen und darf sie nirgendwo anders anbieten, und wenn man doch ein gewisses Echo an Royalties für zukünftige Einnahmen aus seiner Arbeit erhält, lesen sich die Regeln wie ein Ponzi-Schema.
Manche Menschen haben vielleicht andere Erfahrungen gemacht.
Immer mehr Menschen erkennen, dass Lernen in hohem Maße beziehungsorientiert ist – und dass es am besten in Verbindung mit dem reichen Schatz an emotionalen Assoziationen geschieht, der für zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen typisch ist. Immer mehr Menschen erkennen auch, dass der persönliche Kontakt mit einem Ausbilder ein persönliches Interesse an ihrem Lernerfolg bedeutet. Wir alle haben Lehrer:innen Ausbilder:innen erlebt, die sich nicht um die individuellen Bedürfnisse der Lernenden kümmerten oder kümmern konnten – manchmal aus systemischen Gründen, auf die sie keinen Einfluss hatten, manchmal nicht.
“Happiness is Cameras”
Aber was tun, wenn sich bestimmte Urtriebe des Kapitalismus nicht ändern wollen, und warum macht mich meine Kamera glücklich? Weil ich hauptsächlich durch meine autodidaktischen Bemühungen meinen Kunden jetzt selbst eine komplette, auf Menschen basierende Lösung anbieten kann. Und zwar eine, die ihnen wirklich auf einer individuellen Ebene hilft.
Natürlich gab es auch ein paar Mentoren auf diesem Weg, aber ohne mein eigenes Interesse an Kameras, meinen kreativen Geist, Experimentierfreudigkeit und eine Begeisterung für die Macht der Medien (Daten) wäre ich nie dahin gekommen, wo ich heute bin.
Träume
Kreative Arbeit macht Spaß – von der Fotografie über Podcasts bis hin zu Videos, Schulungsvideos, Live-Streams, Virtual-Reality-Eventformaten und Websites, die das Leben von Millionen Menschen weltweit erreichen und transformieren können. Möglichkeiten, die an sich schon ein wahr gewordener Traum sind – und trotzdem muss ich nicht Zehntausenden von Menschen dienen, deren Namen und Gesichter ich mir nicht mal merken kann.
Ich bin immer noch nicht da, wo ich sein möchte, aber es wird sogar noch besser – jetzt, nachdem mein Ausbildungsangebot und meine Mediendaten auf meiner eigenen Plattform laufen, muss ich nicht mehr alle meine Mediendaten gegen “Likes” an die großen Jungs verschenken. Ich habe nicht das Gefühl, dass sie die Ersteller von Inhalten mögen oder respektieren – und, dass sie sich selbst den Titel des Kurators und der Quelle aller guten Dinge gegeben haben. Vieles von dem, was Trainer und Coaches tun, ist einzigartig und nicht wirklich Massenware, wie wir zu glauben gezwungen sind und werden.
Medienmonster
Die bereits erwähnten Drittanbieter-Trainingsplattformen, Apps und dergleichen, sind praktisch und manchmal nativ auf Mobiltelefonen – aber wenn der Ersteller nicht umsichtig ist, besitzen die Apps letztendlich seine Kunden und könnten den Ersteller jederzeit aus dem Spiel nehmen.
Preisvergleichsplattformen zum Beispiel fühlen sich manchmal an wie gut gekleidete Geier in einem Flugzeug, die Sie zum Absprung ermutigen, – und wenn Ihr “Wert” mit Ihnen fällt, stürzen sie sich im freien Fall auf Sie, um sich an Ihrem Fleisch zu laben, bevor Sie auf dem Boden aufschlagen. Das Versprechen ist Freiheit, Entfaltung und Reichweite, und die Belohnung ist ein freier Fall, den Sie vielleicht nicht einmal bis zum Ende genießen dürfen.
Amazon Alexa verkauft Ihre Stimme – laut “the Verge” (theverge.com 12.5.2022) – dem Tech-Magazin. “… der Bericht kommt zu dem Schluss, dass Amazon und Dritte (einschließlich Werbe- und Tracking-Dienste) Daten aus Ihren Interaktionen mit Alexa über die Echo Smart Speaker sammeln und diese mit bis zu 41 Werbepartnern teilen. Diese Daten werden dann verwendet, um “Nutzerinteressen abzuleiten” und “gezielte Werbung sowohl auf der Plattform (Echo-Geräte) als auch außerhalb der Plattform (Web) zu schalten.” Die Studie kommt auch zu dem Schluss, dass diese Art von Daten heiß begehrt ist, was zu “30-fach höheren Geboten von Werbetreibenden” führt.”.
Facebook-Gruppen und dergleichen interessieren sich nicht im Geringsten für das Wohlergehen von „Content-creators“ – sie wollen, dass Sie weiterhin eine genau definierte Interessengruppe anheizen, damit, Ihre Gruppe, bezahlte Werbung direkt von Ihrem Konkurrenten um die Ecke erhält – und natürlich, dass Sie weiterhin Ihre Zeit, Blut, Schweiß, Tränen und vor allem Ihre Mediendaten an diese verschenken. Soziale Netzwerke sind keine sozialen Dienste – sie sind Werbeunternehmen. Sie sind für einige Dinge sehr nützlich und unterhaltsam, aber sie sind nicht das Internet – und bei diesem hier zum Beispiel sollten wir nicht vergessen, dass es letztlich Marks Haus ist. Kein Unternehmen sollte so reich werden, es sei denn, es profitiert von den Kosten, die andere tragen, oder es darf Steuern erheben – Zeit, Blut, Schweiß und Tränen der Ersteller von Inhalten – und Ihre Aufmerksamkeit – private Daten, Vorlieben und Klicks inklusive.. Apropos Steuern – die Geschichte des großen Jungen ist wohlbekannt – was den fairen Anteil betrifft.
Die kostenlose Veröffentlichung unabhängiger Podcasts ist eine weitere Schwachstelle – die Kosten dafür trägt der unabhängige Podcaster selbst. Mit etwas Glück werden diese Kosten jedoch durch die Reichweite, den authentischen Charakter und das Engagement bei einem Nischenpublikum ausgeglichen.
Es gab eine Zeit, in der es so aussah, als würden die Apples und Spotify’s ihr Bestes geben, um so viele Hörerstatistiken wie möglich zu verstecken – was die Podcaster daran hinderte, ihre eigenen Hörer kennen zu lernen. Heutzutage, da der Wettbewerb unter den großen Jungs im Podcasting zunimmt, haben wir begonnen, einige Daten zu bekommen, aber der direkte Kontakt mit den Hörer:innen ist immer noch ein heiliger Raum.
Das kostenlose Podcasting-Modell ist ein Paradies für Werbetreibende – und andere Spotify-ähnliche Plattformen, die die ultimativen Kuratoren und Quellen für alles Gute sein wollen.
Mein Rat an Podcasters: Integrieren Sie Ihre eigene Botschaft über Ihren eigenen Service in angemessener und eleganter Weise und veröffentlichen Sie – wenn möglich – die besten Teile oder Boni ausschließlich auf Ihren eigenen Websites. Die Hörer, die sich für Ihr Unternehmen interessieren und für Sie wichtig sind, werden sich melden.
“Make your own”
Ich breche keine Regeln, indem ich in direktem Kontakt mit den Menschen stehe, die ich unterrichte, und mich persönlich für deren Erfolg engagiere. Ich kann jeden Aspekt und jedes „Asset“ meines Prozesses selbst produzieren, verwalten und auf eine menschlichere Art und Weise transparent und fair erwirtschaften – relativ frei von unaufgeforderter Werbung von Dritten.
Entweder ist man mit Zeit, Talent und Inspiration begabt, oder man ist mit Kapital beschenkt. Wenn die Zeit reif ist, werde ich sicherlich einige Aspekte der Arbeit auslagern, aber in der Zwischenzeit ist es gut zu verstehen, was in den einzelnen Prozessen steckt. Das ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des Konzepts der “Demokratisierung der Lernerfahrung” – eine eigene Bühne bauen zu dürfen. Es bedeutet auch, dass die Lernenden eine Wahl haben. Es muss keine gesichtslosen Mittelsmänner geben, die als Torwächter zwischen Lernenden und Lehrenden stehen die ohne moralische Verpflichtung die Preise in die Höhe treiben – aus Prinzip beide Seiten gnadenlos ausbeuten..
Es bedeutet auch, dass wir alle erkennen müssen, dass jede Bewegung im Internet das Kapital von jemandem ist, jeder Besuch, jeder Klick, jede Minute der Aufmerksamkeit, jedes bisschen Daten und insbesondere Mediendaten. All diese Dinge bilden unsere digitale Identität – wir müssen unsere Geschichten bewusst für uns selbst schreiben – sie uns zu eigen machen, beschützen – und wissen, dass eine Geschichte sowieso geschrieben und verwendet wird. Es ist daher sinnvoll, unsere eigenen Geschichten aktiv zu kuratieren und nicht unsere gesamte digitale Existenz, Ausdrucksmöglichkeiten / Expressionen an bestimmte Plattform auszulagern.
Wenn wir unsere digitalen Identitäten nicht als “Sache” anerkennen, könnten / werden sie auf die eine oder andere Weise von den großen Jungs gekapert und auf unbekannte Weise missbraucht, missachtet oder manipuliert werden. Es ist allgemein bekannt, dass wenn Sie Ihr ganzes Vertrauen in einen Ort setzen, an dem zahlende Spieler Vorrang haben (zum Beispiel immer nur eine Suchmaschine verwenden) – dann werden Sie am Ende nur gesponserte Wahrheiten haben.
“fred is a cookie, fred is a cake, fred is a sniper, fred is a snake. fred is a spinner, fred is a spanner, fly-spy-phantom newest make. nasty fly thing all around, wanting, waiting time abound, fred’s like family, friend and foe, and everything your apps do in the background.”
Ich habe immer gewusst, dass ich als echte Minderheit nicht auf jede Bühne eingeladen werde – also mache ich mir meine eigene.. Die Show ist übrigens auf bedeutungsvolle Weise inklusiv – er enthält auch die Stimme der Minderheit – auch “over and above tokenism, pop and vernacular” – und das ist gut so.
Wenn es einen Goldrausch gibt, verkaufe silberne Schaufeln
Heutzutage gibt es so viele Leute, die „magic funnels“ (magische Verkaufstrichter) verkaufen und die Menschen behandeln, als wären sie Sand. Um die Wahrheit zu sagen, kann man in diesen kostenlosen Webinaren eine Menge lernen, wenn man die Zeit dazu hat. Vor ein paar Tagen musste ich allerdings lächeln, als eine andere dieser Trichterverkäuferinnen ihre Präsentation mit der Aussage begann, dass es schwieriger sei, einen Kurs zu verkaufen als einen zu machen. Da mag manchmal etwas Wahres dran sein, aber interessanterweise hat sie dadurch – ihre Dienstleistung im ersten Schritt so positioniert, dass sie langfristig zwei Pfund Fleisch für ihre Dienstleistung verlangen kann. Basisberatung für sechs Wochen zusammen mit Facebook-Anzeigen 10 Tausend Euro zum Start – mit “facebook mastermind” Gruppenzugang natürlich und ohne Garantie.
Realität
Ich schweife ab – ein extremer Fitnessstudio-Fan bin ich nicht mehr, aber auf meinen vielen Reisen hatte ich das seltene Privileg, direkt von zwei preisgekrönten Weltklasse-Bodybuildern persönlich über gute Form zu lernen – einer in Jamaika und einer in Deutschland. Diese Erfahrungswelt scheint sich – für das ungeübte Auge – hinter meinem moderaten “Männerbauch” zu verstecken, aber gestern war ich im Fitnessstudio und mir fiel auf, dass zwar keine hochpreisiger Elite-Personal-Trainer durch die Gegend schwebten, aber alle Männer, die ich sah, die fröhlich für den Sommer pumpten, ihre Sätze in fast perfekter Form machten.
Meine Theorie: Sie alle haben sich die Freiheit genommen, online nach der spezifischen, individuellen Hilfe zu suchen, die sie brauchten – sie gefunden, eine informierte Wahl getroffen und dementsprechend angewendet. Zwei gute Betrachtungen – einen guten Tag. Ich freue mich, dass auch andere normale Trainer:innen – mit ein bisschen Durchhaltevermögen und der Bereitschaft, ein paar Opfer zu bringen – das Gleiche tun können – wie ich.
Dies ist nicht die Geschichte einer Heldenreise (hero’s journey), bei weitem nicht. Am Ende des Tages vermute ich aber, dass die Opfer es wert sind. Als Pädagogen folgen wir einer Berufung, und am Ende des Tages tun wir das nicht nur für uns selbst, sondern auch für andere.
Für eine Kamera empfehle ich PENTAX =)
YouTube Listing (audio only)
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
The reason why I started this podcast in the first place was to offer my people a chance to find natural immersion into the language in a fun and interesting way. In keeping with this promise, I help people to give themselves permission to feel more confident with their language skills, and in so doing giving themselves the time and space to develop. As a cross-promotional episode – it invites both of our audiences (guest’s and host’s) to benefit from our insights, and collective experience informed by over 21 years of English Teaching.
Guest for today’s episode Jorge Robleto
Jorge Robleto is a TESOL certified English teacher from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada now living in Germany. During his time in Germany, he has worked with dozens of Business people in order to help them reach their English speaking goals. When people ask him why he calls himself “the Canadian” the answer is: because the ideals of Canada represent what my business is about. Respect, openness and empathy. A respectful attitude, an openness to new people and ideas, and empathy towards my fellow human beings. You can learn more about his services by visiting his website: the-canadian.com .
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
The reason why I started this podcast in the first place was to offer my people a chance to find natural immersion into the language in a fun and interesting way.
Guest for today’s episode Pia Schnackenberg.
Today I introduce a long overdue rendition – creative dancer, trainer, actress and fine artist – delivers an extra ordinary interpretation of an English Grammar Concept with dance. You get a chance to guess what concept it is, and the only thing you’ll get from me is a hint. It’s a time form. Today we also reflect a little bit at why it is important for creatives everywhere – NOT to stop publishing uplifting messages – and why especially now is the time to do just that. Pia rightly calls herself not only dancer and trainer but also student of the fine arts – so be sure to check out her Instagram @piaschnackenberg – and give her some love =)
Permission to Dance
After 67 episodes that reason for the show hasn’t changed, but the format and style of the podcast has evolved slightly. I still invite my listeners, particularly those interested in improving their language skills – to give themselves permission to “dance with the language”. To enhance the validity of this invitation I’ve regularly given stage to arts and artists of many forms – musicians, singers, poets, writers to name a few.
The reasons for doing this are threefold. Firstly, in the pursuit of natural language we’re often called to OURSELVES to artfully construct meaning as we navigate a second language.
Secondly because I like it.
A distant though relevant third authentication of merit – is the fact that even those among us who scoff at the idea of anything artful, have NOW themselves been called to artfully mauver many aspects of daily life – in light of the two major crises that have affected all of us over the last two and a half years.
This show is still self-sponsored – and independent – which means I get to do whatever the f@*k I want. And as a good friend of mine said to me “You are an artist, so you can do shit.”. I’d correct her a little and more safely style myself an artisan or a craftsman, but I like what she said…
That said I want to thank all the artists and other guests who have contributed to the show over the last 2 ½ years. Thanks to you the listeners wherever you are – and big thanks to those of you who, – in keeping with the ‘value for value paradigm’ – have opted to otherwise support the creative-body of the show – directly, in any which way. Special thanks of course goes out today to Pia Schnackenberg for taking this particular creative leap with me – for this show – and this long overdue episode – published especially at this a difficult time, when many creatives don’t even know if they are allowed to publish anything uplifting though it is ESPECIALLY at this time that we should.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
I have always prided myself on the authenticity and inclusiveness of this independent podcast. The past few weeks have been marked by feelings of disquiet – and doubt – as related to the appropriateness of publishing a show like this at this particular time – in the midst of this the second major crisis to face the world – in as many years.
And then I thought to myself – what better time is there to re-present the unscripted voices of real people – who have themselves in the past – contributed to this show. Individuals moved by such sensibilities at this particular time – the likes of which I can only imagine. This episode hopes to help to transcend in some small way the noise and tragedy that affects all of us today – by featuring the people I know.
I’ve always contended that power takes care of itself first – and stages it’s stories accordingly. This short episode attempts to place a positive spin, a glimmer of hope – perhaps – a welcomed distraction from all the sadness – and serves as a reminder of the living breathing human beings involved here – and the OTHER things that inspire them.
The guests for today’s episode are Lena, Sasha and Olga.
Lena is a Russian lady – speaking on notion of “meeting in the body” – and how it relates to dance and the martial arts – Original Episode and Credentials. Sacha is a Ukrainian man – sharing success stories in the field of remote work in international software development teams. If it wasn’t for Sasha, I would perhaps still be stuck in the conceptualizing / planning stage of this podcast, and here I am today publishing episode 66. Thank you, Sasha Original Episode and Credentials.
Olga is a Russian woman – my very first guest on the show – and she shares with us on the power of improvisation, and the freedom to be found in art – Original Episode and Credentials.
Special mentions also go out to Natalia – a Russian woman currently embarking on an acting career and the first announcer for the show. And last but by no mean’s least, special thanks to the Ukrainian woman who bought me my first mic.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
YouTube Listing
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
The title of minority appears in many forms – not the least of which is voice.
The notion of giving voice features prominently in my English language training practice by default. If a learner of a foreign language can on this basis find themself sporting the status of minority – how can mindfullness of Microstoria help?
“Finding voice” – what does that mean to you?
How do these aspects play out in our personal and professional lives?
What are the things, people, and / or events that served to amplify this line of thought and awareness?
Professor of Strategic Management and Head of the Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and International Business (SEIB) Research Group.He started his first degree in 2002 at the Europa Universität Viadrina but left after his second year to continue at the University of the West of England, Bristol, where he received a First class in Business Administration. He went on to complete a PhD in Strategic Management in 2010. An elected Vice Chair of the British Academy of Management (BAM), David serves on the BAM Council’s Sub-Committee of Academic Affairs of Conference and Capacity Building (AACCB) and is a former Convenor of the Annual Doctoral Symposium of the Academy. A Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) Laboratory for Economics of Innovation, David has since 2015 conducted research on Russia’s Basic Research Program (RBRP) on ‘Global Competitiveness’ at the National Research University in Moscow. He is Associate Editor for the Journal of Strategy and Management, and currently enjoys a Visiting Professorship at the Bristol Business School, and an Honorary Research Fellowship at the School of Management, IT, and Public Governance, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
David’s research is practice and process-oriented and frequently draws on Heideggerian-Wittgensteinian approaches to social practices to engaging with cross-level management research problems. His research interests lie primarily in the broad areas of strategy and innovation, and his current research concerns relationalism and process theory, second-order technology and innovation management, strategy-as-practice, strategic foresight and temporality, discursive practices, and the making of European cosmopolitan marketplaces. Methodologically, much of his work is qualitative oriented and focuses on theorising organizing repertoires, performative routines, and how activities, dispositions, and choices get ordered over time to shape innovation and strategy in organizing. He frequently employs MICROSTORIA, narratives, and publicly available archival datasets for his empirical inquiries.
David has authored 120+ articles in refereed academic journals, international conference proceedings, and book chapters. His recent edited book on ‘Strategic foresight and innovation management’ was published by Routledge in 2020, and his very recent papers have appeared in various outlets, including Work, Employment and Society, International Marketing Review, Economic and Industrial Democracy, Journal of Business Research, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, R&D Management, Technovation, International Journal of Production Research, Science and Public Policy, Journal of Technology Transfer, Scandinavian Journal of Management, Production Planning and Control, European Urban and Regional Studies, Environmental Science and Policy, Journal of Economic Issues, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, and the International Journal of Human Resource Management.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
YouTube Listing of Audio Podcast
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” mantra from Maya Angelou.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
For a long time I have opted to actively encourage “my people” to also listen to the episodes directly from the showpages here. Naturally as a creator, I also have interest in you visiting my official pages – not only for selfish reasons. There is really no need to download 3rd party apps.
On authenticity and integrity
“As an independent podcaster, it is important to me personally – to resist being co-opted – into anyone else’s adds driven paradigm, and all other stealthy violations of your privacy and mine. The English Coach Podcast has a duty of care to protect the integrity of its own content. Some Apps unfortunately do not share the same values. My episodes neither feature nor support unsolicited ad insertion by any third party and assumes no responsibility for ap generated automatic transcripts or the like. If you listen to this episode and suddenly find yourself – being bombarded by third party ads, maybe you should consider changing your app.
You are of course free to listen, follow or subscribe to the show from anywhere you like to listen to podcasts. It’s everywhere. From the official showpages however, you can see a list of recommended apps or – if you choose – enjoy all the content at the same place – ad free – the way it was meant to be.”
iAntonio
The status quo as it relates to the plundering of creators’ work for ads-based profiteering is not only a corruption of my content, but also a violation of “digital-self” – to an extent I suspect – way ahead of, and still unfathomed by modern laws. The cost for coolness and convenience at the cost of being at the mercy of big tech. I am also affected. Nobody should get that rich – to amass the wealth of nations – unless they are allowed to extract taxes – and in some ways they do – building advertising emporiums atop the blood, sweat, tears and burnout of creators – people – themselves puppeted by the promise of exposure – stars, likes, useless traffic, and crumbs. I digress…
On web-stalking
The following has always been clearly published in show description.
“..this podcast neither tracks, nor stalks its users (host’s assurance). No self-sanctioned ad-insertion or attribution, no user data sharing with 3rd parties anywhere..“
iAntonio
It is now rumoured that F-book aka META, is in fine Russian style threatening to pull out of Europe, because GPDR among other things does not allow them to follow their usual web stalking practices.
F-book is not alone. Google is phasing out the cookie – to the terror of many other “ads driven paradigms”. Podcasting apps usually do not offer opt in, and for this reason I recommend only a few – especially the Overcast App – which tells you at least, which podcast are collecting, and / or possibly trading in your user data.
Most people don’t think too much of these things, until asked:
“Who is interested in the sites you are visiting, the apps you use?”
“Who is interested in the fact that you are listening to podcasts about conceiving a child?”
“Who is interested in the fact that you visit sites on mental-health, drugs, div. adult content, working with the competition?”
“Why didn’t you get the last job you applied for even though you were obviously the best candidate?”
#FlyCalledFred
(= the #FlyCalledFred might be interested =)
On diversity and inclusion
The following has on numerous occasions been clearly published in my shownotes.
“..The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. “
iAntonio
Everybody is talking about diversity and inclusion these days – as though talk alone saves the day when confronted with questions as to what privileges are readily given up.
As a member of a real minority, my goal has never been to fight for ownership of “the biggest pain” or to sing songs of the same. I [do] diversity and inclusion not only [speak] about it, and I encourage anyone who feels excluded from any stage to make their own. I know what discrimination and exclusion are and I have without a doubt been affected by their (sometimes unconsciously) creeping, cowardly and insideous nature.
In spite of it all – I am lucky enough to be able to say that I have indeed met a great many good people… I surround myself with them, and make this show also for them. And I feel bad for them when encounter all qualities of contemptuous tokenism and outright disingenuousness in the media.
The media (of which we are all a part, and the sometimes-forgotten 4th pillar of a healthy democracy) hardly ever says – but tells in no uncertain terms – to anyone capable of the smallest reflective thought beyond the facade – that most people and organisations don’t really have time to care – and are mostly busy spewing meaningless buzz-words, chasing cheap meat and fashion.
In our collective pursuit of happiness, that – together with the knowledge that power takes care of itself first – will set us free.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
The word moment is commonly and simply defined as a brief period of time.
In this episode however Anna and I explore a wider dimension of meaning – informed of course by the wisdom of personal experience, professional practice, and reflection.
Anna Royon-Weigelt is a returning guest to the show, one with whom I have had the pleasure of working and learning from in private professional and academic contexts. In today’s episode we look at a fuller meaning of the word – taking into consideration its non-linear qualities – qualities that sometimes – through a little reflection – seem to defy our everyday appreciation of the very fabric of time and space. A slightly disruptive, though comforting, affirmative conversation on the recurrent nature of moment – in that in their passing all is not lost.
We also look at how moments revisited, relived, or experienced again and again – can actually serve to enrich a learning experience – all within the framework of career, training, coaching, self-evaluation and improvement.
Anna Royon-Weigelt (returning show guest)
Intercultural Consultant, Coach and Moderator: – Works: Respea | LinkedIn
In the role of “Transition facilitator” – she enables transitions between cultures, languages, life phases, and development stages in teams.
“Als interkulturelle Beraterin, Coach und Moderatorin arbeite ich auf der Beziehungsebene: eine Dimension, die im Alltagsgeschäft oft implizit und unsichtbar bleibt, bis “der Schuh drückt”.”
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
The poem you just heard is from an originally private collection of love poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her then husband to be Robert Browning.
This short poem – resonates with spirituality and follows the structure of what is known as a Petrarchan sonnet – comprising 14 lines, broken up into an octave (of 8 lines) and a sestet (of 6 lines).
The rhyme scheme, and base meter of the poem are to me ambiguous, and I will leave that interpretation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s intent – as to the form of the poem – to the professionals. I was newly attracted to her use (among other things) of “enjambment” – the running of a single thought from one line, couplet, or stanza to the next without a syntactical break. Owing especially to this reason I think the rhythm of reading it might vary – depending on the reader, and the reader’s personal interpretation of the work.
In the first octave Barrett Browning explores the present situation or problem. Then – with the use of a volta or a turn – a solution or comment is made on the preceding octave or section; she takes a turn at the beginning of the sestet – where she expands her verse to explore that past and the future.
The overall the poem describes an all-encompassing love which seems to defy and transcend time and space, as it emerges from the mundane and understood – into something whose proportions – while well rooted in the everyday, eventually unfolds into a gravitational mass.
With the use of “Spatial metaphor” Browning skilfully poses the quality of her love to depict a strong contrast between its own would-be normal, measurable aspects, then with its portrayal – of having exceeded these normal measures. Her use of “Spatial metaphor” also helps to scope and to express the tactile, physical dimensions and mass of her love in terms of the “depth and breadth and height”.
Upon suggesting that the body of her love can be enumerated in such a way, she adds more emphasis to the three dimensionality and tactility of it, with the use of “polysyndeton”. This is described as multiple use of a coordinating conjunction – in this case her use of “and” many times. She then goes on to suggest that her love actually surpasses these methods (measures) – and can in fact, be better depicted on an even larger canvas – one that transcends – into the spiritual realm – into the unknown reaches of the soul – revivifying its intensity.
It is no attempt in any way on my part – to deprecate Barrett’s expression when I ask myself “Who knows where the soul can reach?” considering the fact – that the resonance of this love reaches us from her – even today.
MidRoll
I can also note that Barrett Browning uses something called “anaphora” – the repetition of ‘I love thee’ almost nine times. This does not come across as though she is trying to convince herself of her own love – but as skilful articulation of what is to her – familiar conviction.
“Thee” is an old form of “you” – which perhaps wasn’t even used in her time any more – however she chose to use it nonetheless – for nostalgic reasons I suppose.
The words – soul, being, grace, faith, saint, God and death – help to add that distinct spiritual quality to this work.
I am not entirely sure if the question with which the poem begins – introduces the profound answer to a question actually asked by her then love interest – or a rhetorical question simply arising out of self-reflection. What I do know is that this poem was first written as part of a private collection, and was actually originally hidden from even her love interest at the time.
The line in the poem which says “.. when feeling out of sight – for the ends of being and ideal grace” – is beyond me, I can only sense the meaning. She wishes I suspect – to evoke a real feeling – one I suspect characterized by a note of perpetual yearning for an ever vanishing but very real horizon – a leisurely joyous longing of sorts for a perfect, perhaps unreal ideal. Her very real love is portrayed here, as not only spanning the space – between that with which we are present – but also reaching into and beyond – the ends that lie, fleeting and persistently distanced – as though almost out of peripheral view.
Let’s bear in mind that this poem might have originally been meant to be a private personal reflective.
“I love thee to the level of every day’s – Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light” is a good example of “enjambment” – a single thought that bridges multiple lines and depicting her love as a thing that in an understood, and unspoken way even – envelopes all the phases of the day – literally every typical day, all day – and all night.
“I love thee freely, as men strive for right; I love thee purely, as they turn from praise” to me speaks to the resoluteness of her love – though surrounded by noise. The noise of others who perhaps don’t know what she knows, the noise as they try to articulate and even seek to evangelize with their own truths and ideals and disenchantments and with praise to their own idols and to their own ends / purposes.
It could also mean that she compares her love with the conviction with which people generally try to do the right thing in life.
It could mean that she loves one person and remains resolute, in spite of the attention she might have been receiving from other men – who strive for rights to her affections, and over her life.
When Elizabeth speaks of passion in old griefs and childhood’s faith, I think she likens the intensity of her feeling – to that of past pain, and the pure innocence of childhood imagination and beliefs. In the same breath she appears to speak of a similar intensity associated with the sense of loss she felt when those more childlike world views as they related to saintly figures in her life – eventually matured.
The last three lines of the poem start out with a fairly grounded comparison with common expressions of emotions, marked by smiles and tears. She ends the poem however with the promise, that for her – “God willing” – this love will continue to unfold even after death.
Naturally proper analysis of this poem takes time and could follow Barrett’s love into the beyond, so we’ll just keep it at that although there are of course many more facets to the poem. Not only more literary device, but others facets of course, having to do with her somewhat unique history.
As flowery and emotional as this work might have come across, this is not exactly the work of a lightweight. Barrett Browning was the daughter and granddaughter of Jamaican slave owners. Being Herself of mixed heritage, that aspect of her formative years coupled with all the then intrinsic attachments of state sanctioned subjugation, disenfranchisement, and violence of all forms against a people – is of course echoed strongly in her work. Poignant political sensitivities also borne of personal experience informed her work… The well nurtured skillset of her tyrannical father wielded the same whip of oppression of his own children – according to historical accounts he didn’t want any of them to get married. In addition to that, being a woman in the 1800s – and owing to the critically political weight of her body of works – it wasn’t exactly the easiest thing to express her literature meaningfully and to get published back in the day.
While her siblings managed slave plantations in Jamaica, she educated herself in England, and eventually had to elope – to get away from the tyranny of her slaver-father to marry her love interest in Italy. She is said to have been in turn disinherited of the family fortune. Her entire life, sensitivities, and expressions were plagued and enriched by pain, compromise, and tragedy.
She endured, what I imagine to have been, a splintered existence between the legacy of slavery that fed her – and what she knew for herself to be right and that which was intrinsically wrong. As a result of these, she is sadly reputed to also have been addicted to morphine – which also might have also had some influence on her sensory perceptions at times.
Barrett Browning is said to have been in large part self-taught, though she did have significant mentors during her career as a poet. Barrett Browning went on to become more radicalized – and influenced British popular political thought on issues such as Italian reunification, the rights of women, and the abolition of slavery. She was also obviously – more of an abolitionist persuasion – as evidenced by her works“A Curse For A Nation”– in which even the angels sound resolutely wicked and “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” – in this particular piece she reflects on and converses with – the controversial realms of infanticide committed against a child borne of rape by a slave owner – and his eventual murder of her the mother – and all with a certain empathy. Very dark indeed.
Transcript and further readings – linked in the shownotes.
So there we have it, Episode 61 – the final episode for 2021, and part of the ongoing Poetry Series. She had a good sense of contrast this Barrett Browning, and if I were to meet the woman in the spirit somewhere in the void – I’d love to talk with her on black and white photography – among other things of course. Truth be told I think I was first introduced to this poem at a young age. I had no idea about Barrett Browning’s rich Jamaican heritage when I first voiced it on December 8th for this episode and as my contribution to the Poetry Series today – three weeks later. I’m very glad to have started with this one – epic verse borne of blood and contradiction.
Her Work
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) Elizabeth Barrett Browning – 1806-1861
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day’s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.
“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
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English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
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“The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.“
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of the English coach podcast. Now I’m going to get straight to the point with this. The episode that you’re about to hear was actually made as a video podcast – which I intended to publish in my normal podcast player as a video. However, things didn’t work out as planned, so you might notice that the way I talk it’s as if it’s a video – and that is because it is. So, if you’re interested in seeing what exactly I’m talking about, please feel free to head on over to EnglishCoachPodcast.com from your PC or from your mobile – and you can watch the video that this was made for.
I do apologize for any inconvenience, but it’s just the NORMAL show as I usually do. So do enjoy the show.
About
Hello. My name is Ian Antonio Patterson host and producer of the English Coach Podcast. Now it’s a very special day today. I am doing a video podcast. Now, the reason I’m doing this is threefold. Now, first of all, I am checking out to see how this video podcasting offer really works from my podcast host company – Libsyn.
The second reason why I’m here is to show you a little bit about how I work, where I work – and give you an idea of the work that is involved in producing the podcast show and also in working as an online trainer.
Third reason why I’m here is to actually give a proper introduction for a little production that I have done with a very good friend of mine. A young lady called Lydia. One I had a chance, had the privilege of seeing on stage, seeing in practice and one with whom I have worked a lot in studio for photo shooting and for video shooting. Lydia has also been on my podcast I think it was episode 15 and she has helped me a lot with lots of dances. I think two projects to be exact.
The first one was actually dancing a grammar rule. I have not published that yet, but that is coming. It was quite a while back, but I’m going to be publishing that at some point – did that together with another dancer called Pia (Schackenberg). And this, this production that I want to introduce to you in a proper way is one called Lydia “Being Sybille”.
Now Sybille is short for “Sybille von Spitzen” and Sybille von Spitzen is a little character that I like to have fun with sometimes on my show. No, this character is what you could call an overzealous grammarian with a “tick” or an English teacher – with a “tick”. Now, if you are interested in finding out what “tick” this little English teacher, well, not little, she’s actually quite competent in her skill yes – and very much persuaded and, you know, very confident with what she does – What exactly or what kind of “tick” this teacher has. Just watch the video. You can watch it here at the end of this introduction, or if you don’t have a podcast player that allows you to watch videos as well, you can just head on over to EnglishCoachPodcast.com and look for episode 58, it will be there – in the show notes.
So again, thank you to Lydia. You have been instrumental in getting this out and the character that I wanted Lydia to do, wasn’t actually the easiest because you know what I mean, only a professional dancer could actually do that I think because – this character, you know, has her – her way. And I had to explain to Lydia how this person is, what this person believes, how they dress, how they move and all of that. And I really did need a professional to interpret that and, embody this character. And I’m very happy to say that, uh, Lydia has managed to do that – and I am very happy to be able to share that with you today.
All right. So please check it out and feel free to tell me what you think. It’s not long. It’s probably about one minute and 20 seconds, I think. And then after that, there is another small interview with Lydia, uh, talking a little bit about her profession as a Professional Dancer. So why she does it and you know, the things that drive her, what she likes and so on and so forth.
All right. So please do stick around and check it out.
Now the other reason why we’re here is, um, I want to show you exactly how I work. I want you to have an idea of how I do things, right? So, first of all, I am looking into my second camera right now. This camera is over here and it is a 45 degrees to my main camera, which is right here looking straight at me. Now I’m pointing at it. And both of these cameras are getting their sound delivered to them from this microphone.
Now this microphone is a so-called condenser microphone. It is actually analog side-dress. That means I have to speak from the side. The city of black thing is preventing the gusts of wind from going into the microphone, because I want my direct voice to go straight in from the side and not from the top, but I don’t want the direct gusts of wind.
That doesn’t sound too nice so we need this little thing here. Underneath that, this fancy looking high-tech thingy, looking a little bit retro, I think – this is to absorb shock that might happen – that might travel through my table, into this arm and into the microphone. It is supposed to kind of, you know, dampen that sound a little bit and it holds the mic quite nicely.
It also looks quite fancy I think – I like the look of it. Now, this analogue sound that is going into my microphone goes naturally, along this cable down and into my fancy little audio interface, that’s sitting over there just out of view, that audio interface is from Steinberg and it promises me 32 bit float sound.
So that gives me a lot of headroom or a lot of space to. To work on the sound after I have captured it. It gives me a lot of room to, to make adjustments – and, um, it also protects me from (the ill effects of) being too loud. As a matter of fact, if I’m too loud on the microphone, I can adjust the sound. It can capture very loud sounds without distorting them. And also very quiet sounds as well. So it’s just a better quality sound for you right now.
So, that from my auto interface then goes into my PC, which is right here. It is capturing everything as we speak into my audacity. So now I’m gonna give you a little live view of what it looks like, the sound coming in. And as you can see the sound waves there, it’s running off to the right-hand side, and I can tell from the look of these sound waves or the “wave pattern”. If the quality sound going in is good or not so good. I’m also able to watch the levels, as you can see at the top, there, there is a little green bar.
Ideally, I should not be yeah, that’s actually a good range. Yes. It’s hitting 24 decibels right now. And uh, you know, I don’t want it to get to like six. So, what this says to me, is that the, with this sound, I can turn it up a little bit. And with this quality mic, the full richness of my voice (any voice) is coming over. So, it shouldn’t hurt to listen to my voice on the podcasts or on my training – training courses. Yes. So that is what is happening there.
Now, the other thing, and part of my tools is basically my glasses here. I do not wear glasses. I do not really need glasses for seeing at a distance, but right now I have some cue cards which are standing right behind this camera. And these are helping me to talk about all the things that I planned to talk to you about. And I need that for reading. So that’s why I’m wearing them. And to be honest, I do feel more beautiful in glasses, whoever doesn’t like it, can bite it.
All right. So now moving on, what else, do we have, yeah, just being a little bit cheeky there. All right. So, I’m gonna now show you – something else. All right. Now, as you can see on this screen, um, I also have a little program that is helping me to capture the screen as you’re looking at right now, as well as – these two microphones (CAMERAS). Now you can see the screen top left and you can see also the side camera, which is there I’m pointing at it now – pointing at it. And then the other camera, which is in front of me pointing to it right now. Right on the screen – the screen itself, which is being recorded and capturing also sound from my audio interface over there.
Now the reason why I’m showing you all of this. Now you’ve seen my microphone. You’ve seen or, you’ve heard of my, um, audio interface, my computer, which has to also be a pretty powerful computer. The sound treatment that is in this room, the background here, which is, um, as I said, I don’t know if I said it, but it’s a screen.
And behind it, there is sound treatment not sound proofing because sound proofing is a little overkill. I don’t need soundproofing here. I just need something that will catch all the – or – prevent, any other direct sound from going into this microphone. So funnily, the sound treatment for this kind of microphone is actually behind the speaker. So, what that does is any other sound that would probably bounce back and come into the microphone is stopped and the only thing going into this, mic is no reflection, no echoes, just my direct voice. And that is why the sound treatment is behind me. There’s also some to the right, to my right over here. The floors are also carpeted. There is some above me as well. The table is usually padded with a sound absorptive material. And when I’m podcasting, I even have a cushion on my lap and all of that helps to stop all this stray sound bouncing around and, you know, make it a little nicer for you to listen. You know, I do care about your listening experience.
Another thing that is here that I use still is my white board. As you can see, it is there. You can see from this camera – over there. And I still use it sometimes, especially when I’m explaining timelines. I use it to show, you know, with, drawings, what I mean when I’m explaining time forms to my students.
Right. So that’s, uh, another thing. Is there anything else? Well, usually I put something to drink here. Right here on this pedestal. And there are some books all around, but I wouldn’t show you all those books. I think as we speak, my cat is actually above the own treatments stuff over there. She likes to sit there and either watch me or listen to me. And I still think she’s my biggest fan. She’s been there since day one. You know, kitty, kitty yes. Kitty puss. That’s her name. Right. Moving on – now that was the second reason for me being here. I wanted to, you know, just, just show you what is what’s going on here.
I want you to have an idea of the work that goes into it. And also, to give you an idea of, you know, the quality that is involved. I mean, when I, go online to give whether it be, a live, private live streaming, as I’m now offering, I’ll tell you a little bit about that now. Um, whether I’m doing that or I’m teaching online, it’s not just me grabbing an iPhone or some other smartphone and chatting into it.
I do pay attention to quality, uh, pay attention to lighting. There’s a huge light fixture over there. And I have to think about all of that as well. Light reflecting into my glasses. My face has to be properly lit. You know, I’m a black man as well – so, you know, I need a little bit of extra light – if you want to see more than a shadow. And, um, things like that. And I want you to have an idea of the, work that is involved in producing something that is going to give you value and give you results.
All right. So, moving on. Now the other thing that I wanted to show you today was my website. Now I’m just going to give you a quick overview.
It’s not really so much. If you go to EnglishCoachPodcast.com, it takes you directly to the podcast page. And from this page, you can find everything about me. And I’m just gonna quickly walk you through. At the top left is the logo for my “Working site” (TrainingTree.de), this is my working site. I don’t really push this in any way. It is just a functional place where, you know, I’m not trying to sell in a kind of, solid user experience here or anything like that. It’s just a function of place where certain things live.
First of all, my podcast lives here and also my training rooms.
So, as you can see, the first link says training rooms, but below that on the page, EnglishCoachPodcast.com – it will take you to TrainingTree.de – and as you can see here, my podcast is listed from episode 57, soon to be episode 58, all the way down to the very first episode. Now, if you missed one or you want to go back or you want to see how good or how bad I was when I first started with podcasting, you can go all the way back to the very first episode. If you want, these are all of them listed. Now if I go all the way back up you can see on the right side, there’s an option to follow the show. You can click this link if you want to see the apps, within which you can watch the show.
There is my signature sound. Thanks to Andy that sound here was produced by him. Thanks, Andy. Big up.
And, uh, let’s see, uh, directly under that there is a special feature, which is actually the. The video interlude short – of why I’m doing this introduction, this proper introduction right now. So, it’s already there – if you, if you want to just jump to it, you can also just go to the website.
I mean, you will anyway. If you want, you can go straight here and just watch Lydia’s performance. Now right beside Lydia, you will see something that probably doesn’t exactly fit, but SIA is my favourite pop artist, and she has been on my site – actually it was there as a test video on my site since day one, and I refused to take it off because I still like her.
And speaking of pop, you should not underestimate the power of pop. There is strong poetry there sometimes, especially from SIA – and I’ve met at least three or four people who have learned English from listening to music. I didn’t believe them at first, but after talking to them, I recognized that they really did.
You should never – take music and other free time activities – gaming and so on for granted, because these are the things that are gonna help you to get to the level of fluency – that you want.
Now, coming back to the website. What can you see here? I also have, oh, yes – there’s a little box here – if you want to support the show, I would recommend, or I would ask you to do it directly. I have here a PayPal link. If you want to buy me a coffee or buy me a slice of cake, because you like the show so much, you can do that here – DIRECTLY via PayPal.
Now I don’t know – if you can, (maybe) you can call me a friend and then there won’t be any charge for it. I mean, all these middlemen tend to take something, but – the other usual middleman for giving donations or support, like Patrion or Buy-me-a-coffee or whatever – I don’t use them because I don’t like the idea of having someone between me and you. I don’t see why I should, for example, ask you to buy me a coffee and they have to get some. So, um, that is why I really do prefer – if you feel as if you wanna – do this for the show, you like the show and you wanna help me as well to keep the level of quality to keep this flavour of authenticity going for you. You can do that directly using this link on the page.
Another link on the page, you can also send in a voicemail. If you click this orange button, you will be taken to a page where you’ll see – another orange button, which says start recording. And here you can send in your feedback or any little comment you have on any show episode, I’d be happy to hear anything.
It doesn’t have to be all positive. You know, I really don’t take anything personally because at the end of the day – directly said – this is a free show. This is one of the advantages of being independent. You’re not really under the pressure to perform according to anyone else’s notion of perfection. So, I mean, you can be honest and true with your feedback – tell me what you think. You know, it won’t cost me a job or anything like that. If you want, you can even get featured on an upcoming episode. So, say your name, what you do and your links to your Instagram, your Facebook, your website, what have you, and, um, you can get featured on the show.
I’d be really happy to hear from you from anywhere you are anywhere, anywhere. But most importantly, there’s also contact. There is a login for anyone who is taking part in any of my online courses. They can login. You have to log in for the Private Live Streaming. Yes, for example, and I have two groups of people serving here. The live streaming doesn’t show on YouTube or on LinkedIn or Facebook or anywhere. You know, to be honest, I don’t do my show for everyone. I don’t do my live streaming for everyone. I’m not gonna put myself under Google’s whip and burnout like a lot of, sad, poor YouTubers, Creators, Trainers – that I know. I just want to serve my people. And that’s always been my plan. So yes, it is live streaming, but you have to login to see it. It’s for English for Work.
And if you go here to training rooms, you will see the page for that. Yes, here it is. There are two groups standard and premium, and you can access all live streaming that is happening.
I think to start out is going to be Tuesdays and Thursdays at about seven o’clock (19:00 Berlin (GMT+1)), we’re kind of settling on that time and. If you’re a member, if you’re a course participant of mine, then you can log in to see. And it seems to be going quite nicely already – I mean, I have been doing this for seven years, so, um, it’s pretty easy – actually. Yes. And it’s something that I like.
All right. So now that is my web page. I think that is it for the most part. Another thing I don’t know if you’re new to the show are new to who I am. If you’re interested in finding out who that is, you can always go to my kind of – this is my personal “presence-online”. This is my personal link tree, so to speak. Um, you can find it at www.ian-antonio-patterson.com/work or much easier www.iAntonio.com and at iAntonio.com you will find all the links to everything I do – my service offer as you can see here – the podcast, my Triner-profile with my CV and everybody who’s interested in finding out if I studied what I studied and where, and – number two, you see my media, this is my media listing. Of course, there are many different channels. I do not limit myself to any of them. Uh, I think on the last podcast I spoke a boat giving my – I can’t think of any good reason – to give my media content to any platform exclusively.
I can’t, I can’t think of any reason to do that. I’m not so much into the Instagram and Facebook thing, you know – the meta-verse (facebook’s new persona) as it is now known as because, you know, I honestly believe that we should take ownership our digital identities, which I’ve said before online, many times – I’ve have written about it.
You should take ownership of that. This is also what the “Democratization of the Learning Experience” means – it’s a part of it. It’s taking ownership of this space, this identity that lives online – your Metadata, everything, all your movements online. Everything you have to, you have to take ownership of that and write your own story, because guess what a story is being written anyway.
Right. This is my attempt to take ownership of my stuff and it’s all listed here. So this (link) is to my shows. You can see first there are – let’s see the following options. This is the listeners group. You can join the listens group, for example, if you want to be the first to see videos when they come out. Yes, ours. I write my lessons group maybe once a month. Yes. It’s not like every week. I’m not like spamming people with 10 emails a week. It’s a, sometimes I think the last one I did was in June and, um, no, the last one I did was about two weeks ago and the one before that was in June.
Right. So, it’s not like some kind of spam magic funnel I’m trying to build here anything. It’s contact with my people. Yes. But, um, it’s not some kind of spam machine – right. So, you can, sign up for that group if you want to be notified. Here again is a voicemail link. Here is my service on, um, not videos, but photography service. I don’t do that so much anymore. It’s kind of like now a hobby that I do in a professional way when I can find the time. Yeah. So I still do it. And, here I have featured artists. These are -this is a link to the artists who have – stayed close to me over the past few years.
There are people there listed, like Farida did a lot of work with Farida. We tried some things, some things didn’t work out as planned, but, the material is still there and you can see some of it here at this link. I’ve worked with people like Yuna, of course with Lydia, I’ve worked with Anna Elva for example, the soundtrack that, you’ll hear in Lydia’s video, I’ve used it also working with Anna Elva. She just did it freely, she wasn’t doing any kind of character or anything like that. She just danced through it. I like to see different interpretations of one musical piece.
I’ve done that also with another musical piece called Raqs El Gamal. And, uh, that I’ve done with, a young lady called Jessica Farina. You will also be able to find that here and another interpretation of the same piece from Raqs El Gamal.
From – by Farida – my good friend Farida – so if you go to this link, you’ll be able to see all the performances from these two young ladies. Right. And there are some other things there just in case. You know I mean I Work with dance because I’ve learned a lot from dance. It is – it is that only some kind of decadence that I follow. That’s not the only reason why I do it. I do it because. For me, I’ve said it before – dance represents it, depicts the way we have to move through life. The way we have to adjust to situations. When you see a dancer on stage moving to different things, then it shows you how – it’s a depiction, it articulates – how we have to live – and that is the core meaning of, dance to me.
It’s also interesting to see how music moves people. I also use dance as an opportunity to – let’s say I have used dance and dance photography as an opportunity to get to know my camera. Yeah. Um, if I didn’t take up a camera and started photographing flowers first, and then dance. Learning how to capture a moving subject through different scenarios at different speeds and knowing how sound gets into the camera and how to capture media and present to in a presentable way – the equipment that is involved and all of that, I would not be able to be doing this right now.
So just, just, just think about it. Yes. Preoccupation with a camera has led through a hobby that has taught me lots of things also about the human condition. I’ve learned a lot about people working with dance – people in media and so on. Right. Wasn’t it for that preoccupation, I would not be right here right now talking to you – doing a podcast, audio podcasts, video podcasts – and I would not have had the understanding that I did have going into online training and private live online streaming. So again, do not underestimate free time activities and hobbies. Yes. Is probably your best source of learning.
All right. So that was it again. Um, I won’t be waxing too much Lyrical now on dance – but since we’re on that topic, I want to take this opportunity also to thank many of the people with whom I’ve worked on this particular podcast. People from the dance world as one of the first – was Olga she’s an aeronautics engineer.
And, um, she was one of the first on the show.
One of the second was Said el Amir he’s also a train just sent me. So he’s of the same trainer persuasion – he is a dance practitioner at master of science level. So, you know, he has a few things to say, you should check out his episodes. We did three together in the beginning. I’ve worked with people like Dschinny. Yes, very good. Friend of mine also worked with her on photo shoots. She has also been an inspiration in many ways. I’ve worked with, another good friend of mine – mathematician called Rebecca, Dr. Rebecca Waldecker. She was on the show recently – she’s also podcaster like me – I’m also very thankful to her.
I’ve worked with people like Elena, Russian dancer. Who’s also into martial arts or Kampfsport (DE)comfort sport. And of course, I’ve worked with people like Pia and Anna Elva and last, but by no means no means least the lovely Lydia. All right.
So now that has taken us – back to Lydia I’m really anxious to see how this cell video podcast works out. Again. If you got, watch it in your podcast via your favourite podcast player, just visit the site www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com – And – Lydia, again, I really hope, you know, I’m really trying here to get people to go and see her performance – and I’m sure they will, it’s well worth it.
I want to take this opportunity again to say thank you to you directly. I could not have done this without you naturally – and Sybille von Spitzen this wonderful character that we both expressed together.
I think I’ve done pretty much everything that I wanted to do, shown you how I work. I think I’ve mentioned the fact that this is season five and I’m not switching over to video podcasting. I’ve introduced Lydia in a very nice way. So without further ado, I want to invite you to just head on over to the show or stick around, listen or watch, uh, Lydia’s performance.
And as I always say:
With a small win is always a good way to begin.
Interview (short)
Lydia: Hi, I’m Lydia. I’m a dancer and, that’s why I know Ian. We did some dance shoots together and, it was really nice. I’m a dancer. That’s basically everything I do the whole day. That’s who I am – I am what I do, that’s it.
Ian: That’s a nice way to say it. I am what I do. Well, you know, the good thing about that is that, you can just change what you do and change who you are. Is that fantastic?
Lydia: Yeah, it is. And I can live my dream now. That’s really fantastic.
Ian: Great. That’s great. That’s great. Well, you know what, Lydia, I have known new for quite a while and it’s always fun working with you. It’s great. Now, I know that – well – you dance professionally, what kind of dance do you do? Tell, tell everyone what kind of dance you do.
Lydia: I’m doing contemporary dance. that’s, that’s the main thing I do. I also like doing jazz or ballet. But contemporary is the thing I can do my best, and I love the most.
Ian: Today we’re doing something experimental and, um, well, you know, as I, as I mentioned to you earlier, it’s all about training. If somebody wants to find you, tell us again, where can we find you, maybe find out what shows you’re doing, or a website or Facebook or Instagram or whatever, how can we find?
Lydia: I’m on Facebook and on Instagram. And it would be very nice if you follow me. Um, my name is Lydia G R M in Facebook and Instagram (@lydia.grm). And then can you see what I’m doing? And, also the shows and photo shootings and stuff – all I do.
Ian: All right, good, fantastic! So I’ll make a note of that and I am sure – I’m looking forward to the improvisation after this, and I’m sure people will also be looking out for you. Okay. Thank you, Lydia. Now let’s go.
Film Release Will Appear Here in November 2021
The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
This extra special episode was made for my people – present and past course participants, and anyone else who just likes the show – more on that later – but today particularly – I am reaching out to my listeners in Berlin und Brandenburg – who are interested in enhancing their English Language Skills, and overall learning experience with a little more than abstract vocabulary lists and grammar puzzles.
This episode is an introduction to the main event which is – a Film of the same name – “Episode 57 – Beginner’s Best Choice” – scheduled for release in November 2021 >>>If you also want to be notified and be among the first to see it – feel free to sign-up to join the Private-Listeners’-Group or revisit this page – Film overview / themes.
Beginner’s Best Choice (film) featuring E.P. Heck
published 24.11.2021
Showguest: Eberhard Philipp Heck
Our guest for the Feature Film – is as real as real gets – and is himself a photography enthusiast – of the same Pentax persuasion as me. Berliner, Lawyer, Educator, Officer, Photographer and friend of mine Eberhard Philipp Heck… Philipp is a German national, a competent, and sometimes rather charismatic speaker of the English Language – even on the technical bits. We have been in contact for years, and the topic has on most levels always been the same – Pentax lenses.
This one celebrates – for want of a more authentic word – authenticity =) and exemplifies – an accessible, inclusive approach to learning – DIY, personal-experience and choice, and what I’ve always called ‘this fresh and exciting democratisation of the learning experience‘. Episode 57 – Beginner’s Best Choice – is in so being an embodiment of the very values and attitudes that inspired this podcast in the first place.
Topics discussed
The pentaxians forum
Interested persons
Braving the technical language – multilingually
Who I am doing this for
Purpose: Sustainable Language Acquisition
Eberhard: The Skilled Armature Craftsman approaching the arts, Officer, Lawyer
Choice of the brand
History and tradition
Quality of humility and purpose
Focus on quality and reasonable pricing over bells and whistles
Using photography (and other free time activities) to support training activities
Why Eberhard started with the 50mm
Production advantages and effect on cost and accessibility
First comparison of telephoto and zoom lenses with the 50mm
Superb explanation of what we call a fast lens
F-stops, light and depth of field
Separation of subject from the background
Application for sports and other fast action
Fast lens for stage photography
Low light capability and freezing action
Conversing on claims regarding natural human angle of view
Comparison with super-wide fish-eye lens
Comparison with medium format 645z system
Extension rings for extending versatility and value as a macro-lens
Personal favourite
Prime advantage – over a zoom lens
Disadvantage of the 50mm for wide angle applications (in-house photography)
645 Dreams” and goals – and the forgiving nature of the 50mm
Support group
Using the manual versions
The language focus – translations
SHOUTOUT
Special shoutout to my people, present and past course participants, guests – and everyone else who just likes the show. To Andreas – the man of music (cello music to be exact), Katrin who has just joined the ranks, Anna and Claudia the two French ladies, and Oliver for helping me with a bit of narrative for this episode.
The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way. The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Folk Springs Eternal – for Resilience, Experience, Productive Skills, and the Arts – in Learning English and adult learning generally.The English Coach Podcast – has always been about enriching the learning experience in a fun and interesting way. Episode 56 starts with a book preview of “Folk Springs Eternal” – written by Andy Beck.
My guest and I take a practical dive into one of the inspiring stories from the book, which speaks to resilience in the face of adversity. My work with the arts seeks to evoke the same intrinsically positive – unbridled spirit in our approach to fluency in a foreign language. Not a place for perfection, but one for progress – in as little or as large a way as you would have it. As language learners, ourselves we also talk a bit about what worked for us.
The English Coach Podcast – never intentionally takes a prescriptive, patronizing, or condescending stance to the adult learning experience, but is rather driven by inclusiveness – of people, approaches, personal experiences thoughts and ideas. This show episode is neither a formal lesson nor a substitute for such but aims to supplement the adult learning experience in a true-to-life way.
The show is independent and self-sponsored – brought to you by me – a practicing language Trainer / Coach – and draws on a whole gamut of tools and tips in support of providing information, entertainment and what I like to call sustainable language acquisition in an authentic, relatable, and vastly collaborative – human way.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Episode 55 – As a Trainer and Coach of English Language for Work – my goal is still to enrich the adult learning experience – in a fun and interesting way. Today we do it in German (primarily) because that is the native language of most of my course participants.
Published as the second in June 2021 to commemorate Pride Month – and in celebration of inclusion, the episode dives into conversation on ideas and facts shared in a recently published book “Berufen statt zertifiziert – neues Lernen neue Chancen” by a dear friend and colleague of mine Dr Anja C Wagner – who dare I say shares at least some of the that values I do.
Sie beschäftigt sich mit globaler Transformation im digitalen Wandel – gilt als kreative Trendsetterin und bezeichnet sich selbst als Bildungsquerulantin. Inhaltlich fokussiert die Autorin auf User Experience, Bildungspolitik, Arbeitsorganisation und unsere Zukunft in einer vernetzen Gesellschaft – und führt diese Themen synergetisch zusammen. Mit ihrem Unternehmen „FrolleinFlow – Institute für kreative Flaneure“ bietet sie Studien, Vorträge, Consulting und verschiedene Onlineprojekte an. (Teilzitat)
Episode 55 – supporters
Andy Beck – Thank you for sharing a bit of your soul with the musical support and faithful involvement, especially for the special rendition for this episode: Instagram | Website | YouTube | Song-cover release “I see Fire”
This one goes out to – fellow independent podcasters, trainers, coaches and creatives – the inclusiveness of the show speaks for itself – and helps to make it easy for me – to take my usual relaxed accessible human approach, to your learning experience.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Episode 54 – of the English Coach Podcast takes yet another playful authentic approach. Today’s episode is published in celebration of diversity and inclusion in the month of June. The only thing I have to say to that here – is that if for any reason you feel excluded from anyone’s stage – make your own. As a Trainer and Coach of English Language for Work – the goal that I have given to myself here is to enrich the adult learning experience with real conversations, real themes and experiences of real people – in a fun and interesting way. There is somewhere else for grammar puzzles.
As an English Teacher, Trainer, Coach, my aim is to encourage you – to use all the tools at hand – ranging from independent media like this, human interaction, formal and informal training, coaching, paper notebooks, language-apps, art, gaming, personal hobbies, reading, relationships – that all help to enrich your overall language learning experience. SEE Article – DIY – Englisch – DE
Episode 53 – of the English Coach Podcast takes a playful authentic approach. As a Trainer and Coach of English Language for Work – the goal that I have given to myself here is to enrich the adult learning experience with real conversations, real themes and experiences of real people – in a fun and interesting way. There is somewhere else for grammar puzzles.
This one goes out to – all my dancer friends, particularly those who have been guests on the show – and my father who’s recently become a fan =) This small token of gratitude goes out today – because I do this for people – and some souls help to make – and keep it easy for me, to take my usual relaxed accessible human approach, to your learning experience.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language – iAntonio
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Episode 52 – of the English Coach Podcast presents a quick dive into Jamaican Culture. As a Trainer and Coach of English Language the goal that I have given to myself here is to enrich the adult learning experience with real conversations, real topics and experiences of real people – in a fun and interesting way.
A seasoned practitioner in dance, artistic director and producer of theatrical works, performance coach, award winning actor and the current director of Arts and Culture at Jamaica’s own University of Technology – shares with us. We enter into what I would call seminal discourse from our lens – on the approach towards establishing equitable recognizable standards for Jamaican Dance Genre.
Ein erfahrener Praktiker im Tanz, künstlerischer Leiter und Produzent von Theaterstücken, Performance-Coach, preisgekrönter Schauspieler und derzeitiger Direktor für Kunst und Kultur an der University of Technology Jamaica – teilt mit uns. Wir treten in einen, wie ich es nennen würde, zukunftsträchtigen Diskurs ein – über den Ansatz, klar erkennbare Standards für das jamaikanische Tanzgenre zu etablieren.
This one goes out to – Marko, Benedikt, Michael and Yusef all course participants here in Germany, and to Lorraine an avid listener from all the way over there in Kingston city Jamaica. This small token of gratitude goes out today – because I do this for people – and some souls help to make – and keep it easy for me, to take my usual relaxed accessible human approach, to your learning experience.
English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Episode 51 – The Democratization of the Learning Experience means many things to many people and is a concept that has featured prominently on my show since the very beginning, like a pillar of purpose. It’s a fresh and exciting place to be, and the question is still – what will you do with it – with the knowledge of the world – in the form of a smartphone – in your pockets?
You get to use the tools and the access you have – to play an active part in choosing what or who accompanies you on your learning journey. And I get to follow through with what I like to call my usual relaxed accessible human approach – to your learning experience.
For this the launch of SEASON 4, I will be Interviewed on my own show by none other than the illustrious – Estefania Fernandez – an educational entrepreneur with a strong sense of social responsibility – woman of action whose claim to fame speaks for itself. I also want to take this opportunity to extend a special shout-out to all the show-guests who have accompanied me on my learning experience – which has in and of itself come to be known as the “English Coach Podcast”. This is a heartfelt token of gratitude – to all the show-guests AND LISTENERS who have in fact helped me here – to meaningfully and purposefully – take ownership of my own voice – by giving it away. If you are new to the show and are interested in knowing who these people are – see below
This still fresh and exciting – democratization of the learning experience also means that all the sometimes – struggling independent Trainers and Coaches out there get to make their own stage. Please support them. This show has always been about one human being talking to another – deliberately personal, inclusive and unapologetic of all the perfect imperfections that make all of us the wonderful works in progress that we are. The show is still for the most part self-sponsored and independent – open to everyone but not for everyone. I am a Trainer sometimes a coach – and in keeping with the tradition of podcasting that I’ve elected to honour, I still want you to feel, that this show is by people for people – and that with a small win, is always a good way to begin – do enjoy the episode
Episode 50 – It is with great pride and a well placed sense of achievement – dare I say, that I am able to publish this the last episode of Season 3 of the English Coach Podcast. As a Trainer and Coach of English Language for work I would be hard pressed to find a more fitting theme for today’s talk – the full of richness of which must be presented to you in two parts. The next will feature in Season 4 – Follow the show.
A seasoned practitioner in dance, artistic director and producer of theatrical works, performance coach, award winning actor and the current director of Arts and Culture at Jamaica’s own University of Technology – shares with us in the upcoming episode. We talk about roles as they relate to the job interview and enter into what I would call seminal discourse from our lens – on the approach towards establishing equitable recognizable standards for Jamaican Dance Genre.
Ein erfahrener Praktiker im Tanz, künstlerischer Leiter und Produzent von Theaterstücken, Performance-Coach, preisgekrönter Schauspieler und derzeitiger Direktor für Kunst und Kultur an der University of Technology Jamaica – teilt mit uns in zwei kommenden Episoden. Wir sprechen über Rollen, wie sie sich auf das Vorstellungsgespräch beziehen und treten in einen, wie ich es nennen würde, zukunftsträchtigen Diskurs ein – über den Ansatz, klar erkennbare Standards für das jamaikanische Tanzgenre zu etablieren.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Episode 46 – Getting – meaningful, non-pretentious usable feedback that can actually help to improve my English courses, this show and the overall learning experience of all my course participants – and other fans of the English Coach Podcast – can be really challenging.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Showguest: Guido Erich Fritz Lammers
I’d eventually rationalized it down to perhaps being a cultural thing, and still I asked myself – “Why is it so, and could there be other implications on other things that have nothing to do with me, my practice or my show?”
That is not a question I would ever attempt to answer fully on my own – so in today’s episode we approach the question from different perspectives – informed chiefly by the wisdom of our experiences.
Every trainer, teacher coach wants to be inspirational – transformative even – at least sometimes. Well – with all due respect and the highest regard for today’s guest, I would like to dedicate this episode to a few past course participants and guests who have themselves been particularly inspirational – and transformative even to me and / or the show recently. You know yourselves and the names for today are Marko, Benedikt, Ann, Anika, Simone, Louis, Rebecca, Camila, and Gary. Independent and self-sponsored means that I get to extend a world of gratitude to my people – the ones who really matter and mean it.
Today’s show is a rare random mix of German and English – if you cannot handle it, then maybe this is not one for you.
With a small win, is always a good way to begin – so without further ado our guest for today – my past course participant and friend Guido.
Feel free to share the show – with a friend. Give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think. This will all help it to help you – as it’s intended to do. You can even try-out the new voice-mail function on the show page or anywhere you see feedback.
Follow the show – only if you feel like – from anywhere you listen to podcasts – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Or better yet – sign-up to join the “Private Listeners’ Group” – for the more personalized listening experience.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Showguest: Akshay Bhattacharji
Digital Marketer, Engineer and Past consultant for Google. Work Life and Language as a qualified, experienced and gainfully employed foreigner in Germany, as well as insight into notions of digital identity.
Episode 42 – “The Human Element” This episode – this show – the second tribute in a row, in these challenging times – to the learners and their trainers – coaches, artists, and creators everywhere.
Two Songs for the Poetry Series. Guest for today – with whom I’ve had the one in a lifetime pleasure of collaborating – Ms Camila Castillo.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Our topics – grounded in the given authenticity of personal experience – and fitting well to the promise that I always make – to take my usual relaxed accessible human approach – to your learning experience.
Showguest: Camila Castillo – Illustrator, Mixed Media Artist, Singer Songwriter from Guatemala.
Episode 41 – This Episode and the next is dedicated specifically to Trainers and their Learners who have risen above the challenge to adapt – in this a difficult time. Episode 43 is a direct follow-up and a promise kept.
As a trainer of adults, specializing in work related language – even with a good 15 years of experience under the belt – there have hardly been more poignant lessons than those learned over the past past few months. Extra special thanks to Rebecca for giving of herself.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Showguest: Rebecca Waldecker – Mathematics Professor, Performing Artist and Giving Soul.
Feedback on training style, learning and retention techniques, human limits and the future of online training. The English Coach Podcast has matured over the past year – and is still about offering you immersion into the language – into real things and real personalities – from wherever you are. The show: inclusive, non-pretentious. For people who want to improve and keep their language skills. Real conversations, real things in a fun and interesting way.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Showguest: Gary Lim – App Developer and past Course Participant
What’s in it for you?!
This Episode is about Direct Feedback.
It looks at: >> How can you benefit from the quality of commitment that your trainer has. >> How it affects you as a person and the level of success that you achieve. >> What drives the trainer, and coming to terms with the human limits associated with online media.
Sustainable Language Acquisition = Nachhaltiger Spracherwerb.
Episode 39 – It is December 2020, and the crisis has to date brought all of us to the limits, shook us to the core – and even called our very world views into question. While ever mindful of the pain and suffering that the current circumstances have caused for many of us – there are indeed a great many lessons to be learnt. Today’s show is about gratitude to people. It’s about acknowledging the humanness, the vulnerabilities, the creativity and the contributions of people.
This episode is about Gratitude – Appreciation for Supporters.
My overarching context for this episode 39, for the previous episode, as well as for the following 40 and 41, will not be weighted with theory and abstractions essentially to no avail – but tangibly entail those very real human aspects – that speak to face and name.
We’ve finally begun to accept the reach – the depth and breadth that online engagement offers – together with the pitfalls.
In the midst of these changes however, as we the creators, trainers, teachers, coaches, -developers, artists, the people who have always known this potential – are finally being leant a well-deserved token of acknowledgement – or legitimacy as you like. Again, we have ourselves also brought to the human limits of what some would call a much more intense “1s and 0s paradigm”. From the limits of my context today – my own experience and world view as independent artist, trainer, coach, creator – I know, that it’s exactly that human element, the relational quality, “das kleine gewisse Etwas – wie wir auf Deutsch immer so sagen” – that now threatens to be critically lacking. We can get all scientific on this in another show perhaps – but as a past professor once said to me personally – there are other ways of knowing.
Metaphorically speaking, as I always say, there is a lot between 1 and 0 – and until we first learn to fathom and negotiate that chasm – let it be known, that this independent show for one – not only embraces a quality of inclusiveness equality – but also as always take my usual relaxed accessible human approach – to your learning experience.
Sustainable Language Acquisition = Nachhaltiger Spracherwerb.
Episode 37 – The English Coach Podcast takes my usual relaxed accessible human approach to your learning experience – and offers you immersion into the language – into real things and real personalities – from wherever you are.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
For those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Ian Antonio Patterson, host and producer of the show, and I have been a Language Trainer of Adults in Berlin – to date for well over a decade. I do a few other things too – but within this context my specialization is English for Work – the real stuff.
“Living the Language” means that my first mission here is to help my people – present and past course participants – and anyone else who just likes the show. The goal is to help you to keep the language skills you’ve learned – to keep you engaged with a little information and entertainment. I invite everyone to subscribe to the show – because “Living the Language” also means – that the topics are about real everyday human interaction – things that affect all of us.
The Show is self-sponsored and independent. It’s not as staged as you might expect. I – am myself for example a real living breathing person talking to you right now – not a façade, or someone else’s mouthpiece. In so being – today – authenticity is a given – and this rather organic approach helps the show to preserve its own freedom to evolve. Still – to each his own – and who knows what the future holds – Should however this show become “that” way – then I will be the first to tell you.
If this more human approach – which also speaks to a kind of democratization of the learning experience – as I like to call it – also mean something to you. If you are more motivated by more meaningful – human interactions – more interested in progress – rather than someone else’s sometimes – somewhat pretentious notions of perfection – then you are more than welcome subscribe.
The English Coach Podcast welcomes a diversity of guests from all walks of life, and in so doing – celebrates a quality of equality that I value. The inclusiveness of the English Coach Podcast speaks for itself, and fosters what I like to call an International Standard of English – keyword clarity.
I also respect the privacy or better said the sovereignty and choice – of all my listeners. This podcast neither tracks or stalks its listeners online – nor trades in their user data. I like to be clear on that – especially these days – This shows commitment not to spying on you holds true – regardless of the country from which you are listening.
Now speaking of choice – there are many ways to take active interest in your own learning journey. You can simply subscribe via your favourite podcast App, or sign up to receive the ShowNotes and more directly by email? Why join my Listeners’ Group? All these possibilities are listed for you at www.TrainingTree.de/mobile also in the ShowNotes – of all of the most recently published episodes.
As a Trainer – naturally there’s also the occasional mini-lesson – but for the most part there is somewhere else for that. If you are interested in formal lessons – visit my website www.TrainingTree.de and ask about training by using the contact form. You would be surprised at the different – somewhat unexpected approaches to immersive and action based Adult Learning – Now this is me, you know who I am. Interested in training – simply ask.
If however you are only interested in a learning journey that takes a step out of the classroom – and into real life. Out of drudgery and sometimes monotonous drill of abstract grammar puzzles and vocabulary lists – just subscribe to the show for starters – at www.TrainingTree.de/mobile OR www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com.
I am looking forward to hearing from you – and bye for now.
Sustainable Language Acquisition = Nachhaltiger Spracherwerb.
Episode 35 – English Language for remote work is the core theme – and our esteemed guest for today, dear friend of mine Sandra Loeb. Today we explore the wisdom of her academic – as well as her true to life hands-on experience working within various cultures in different parts of the world.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
We look at techniques for getting giving and clarifying information – getting things done – and of particular interest to me – all within remote working settings. Other more colorful keywords of our lively conversation include:Language learning techniques.
Power distance. Contrasting degrees of collectivism. Attitudes to instruction – like “My way or the highway”. We look at Rainbow hair. Foreign accents and last but not least – the rumors of whose death have been greatly exaggerated – insights into the many lives of a fly called Fred.
The inclusiveness of the whole show is in and of itself activist, in that it exemplifies calmly an “imagined reality” where our higher selves are called to the fore – affirmative – unpretentious – independent – empowering.
Sustainable Language Acquisition = Nachhaltiger Spracherwerb.
Episode 34 – Trailer Episode. These Conversations with Farida, started in December of 2017 and have matured, to truly reflect a pure spirit of artistic collaboration. The conversation continues, part of which is hereby published in connection with the launch of Exclusive Learning Spaces. October 1, 2020.
“While studying with some of the greatest masters of Egyptian dance, I learned to love my body and to work with my body, – not against it.” – Farida Bissinger
So what’s in it for you?!
The episode offers insight into what motivates a trainer, and goes on to drive your learning process. The conversation emanates authenticity, and dares to stage human vulnerabilities and truth – that move the [people] who follow a calling that serves you.
The inclusiveness of the whole show is in and of itself activist, in that it exemplifies calmly an “imagined reality” where our higher selves are called to the fore – affirmative – unpretentious – independent – empowering.
Sustainable Language Acquisition = Nachhaltiger Spracherwerb.
Episode 33 – Today is actually a one in a lifetime event =) It’s the third season of the English Coach Podcast, and this show is just getting over celebrating its second sweet sixteen.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Showguest: Intercultural Consultant, Coach and Moderator: Anna Royon Weigelt – Works: Respea | LinkedIn
“Als interkulturelle Beraterin, Coach und Moderatorin arbeite ich auf der Beziehungsebene: eine Dimension, die im Alltagsgeschäft oft implizit und unsichtbar bleibt, bis “der Schuh drückt”.”
We have just discovered that here might be life on Venus and that the Sun is exploding in new and interesting ways.
We’ll all be called to adapt to keep pace these days, and “Business as usual” is becoming more and more an oxymoron – and for the purpose of this Episode 33 – we look at what [I] like to call cultural fluidity. We converse with the rather daring idea – of accepting the different personalities (so to speak) that constitute the whole person in all of us and about recognizing all of them – individually – perhaps as its own unique asset.
The publishing of today’s episode is a week late with good reason I do apologies for that. It does however promise a particularly rich conversation – that captures the essence of insight shared – between friends dear I say – all in keeping with the free authentic spirit of independent Podcasting. This Episode of the English Coach Podcast – like all the rest takes my usual relaxed accessible human approach – to your learning experience.
So what’s in it for you?!
Today we look at myths – around using a shared language and examples of where in real life – things can in fact go wrong as a result of larger cultural differences.
We explore specific instances – of using something that is usually seen as an uncomfortable challenge, instead as an opportunity to improve, an opportunity not only to inform but to also to communicate – and get what YOU want.
We agree that awareness of all these factors could go on to reduce the stresses of remote work.
Notions of perfection sometimes haunt the adult learner of a foreign language – and who knows it better than who lives it? Today we get down to the meat of it and you might even be able to infer for yourself – the extent to which – certain preferred measure of perfection may be nothing more than purely pretentious – or at best in real life – non-existent.
Today it’s all about personal opinions to be clear. None of us is speaking for any interests or organisations unknown – ever mindful we are of our own natural rights [understood] – to shape our own contexts and hypotheses subjectively with questions rather than answers – in a non-judgemental and non-moralizing way. AND the right to simply change our minds.
This has always been my personal preferred approach because everyone – I suspect has – for whatever values they choose to uphold – their own good reason.
Today we also talk about natural biases, power distance, Persian rugs and flying chairs.
Anyone who knows anything about the show will also know – that the English Coach Podcast is – and has in its own way always been a place where learning doesn’t have to feel like work. It’s a place for people, many of whom are my friends who are looking for a way to hold on to the things they have learnt with context and conversation. I consider myself one of these people – one of the many creators, trainers, teachers, coaches, artists, developers, and human architects of authentic experiences – who actually do the work – and who actually do care…
The Poetry series continues, looking at among other things the melody of the spoken word. I’ve invited a few artists to play along with this initiative and I’m happy to say that a few have indeed come through.
This episode 32, of the English Coach Podcast – the fourth in the poetry series – is again self-sponsored and takes my usual relaxed accessible human approach – to your learning experience. Our guest for today – published and practiced author, musician singer and songwriter Andy Beck.
Well if someone had come to the Irish dance With fortune, fame and their luck to chance They’d have seen this life from a different stance They might well just have changed their plans But they sold their souls for land
Well, I knew a guy who worked in a bank His eyeballs set on the highest rank He worked so hard that he got the cramp every time he had a…..drink! He worked all day and all night They found him dead at thirty-five He was someone rich, but was he satisfied? Less than you would think
But if someone had come to the Irish dance With fortune, fame and his luck to chance He’d have seen this life from a different stance He might well just have changed his plans But he sold his soul for a pension plan
Well I knew a man who worked for the law The legal text made his eyeballs sore His dating skills, they were so poor that he never managed to…..chat! The courtroom was his game Until a case he worked on failed He was someone who chucked himself in the lake and that was the end of that
But if someone had come to the Irish dance With fortune, fame and his luck to chance He’d have seen this life from a different stance He might well just have changed his plans But he sold his soul for a witness stand
Well I know a girl who worked in a shop The sight of her made your eyeballs drop She could’ve been great at takin’ stock but she wanted to become “top dog” So she asked the boss if he would swap He turned round and said “get lost” So she strangled him with the kitchen cloth and now she’s eating porridge
But if someone had come to the Irish dance Fortune, fame and her luck to chance She’d have seen this life from a different stance She might well just have changed her plans But now she’s sewing mailing bags
Well I knew a chap who worked in an office He was the boss, so he made the novice bring him lots of cups of coffee Maltesers and toffee His computer crashed and so did the aircon The business never got airborne There he sits, chained to a keyboard….. “Where the hell has my life gone?”
But if someone had come to the Irish dance With fortune, fame and his luck to chance He’d have seen this life from a different stance He might well just have changed his plans But he sold his soul for a wireless LAN
And if they’d all come to the Irish dance Fortune, fame and their luck to chance They’d have seen this life from a different stance They might well justa changed their plans But they sold their souls to the man
Episode 31 – If you are learning a language to talk to People – talk to people. Today’s show is in German (my first freestyle =) ). I always encourage all my listeners, learners, participants, and subscribers – or anyone learning a foreign language – to give themselves the space to sometimes to improvise and to recognise – that many things in life come down to the art of it.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
It really is all about Finding your Flow – and this Episode 31, the third in the poetry series hopes to help you – to be a little more receptive to that – in a meaningful way. This episode of the English Coach Podcast – is self-sponsored – and takes my usual relaxed, accessible, human approach – to your learning experience.
Our guest for today is also an old friend and past associate – who has helped me to serve Adult Learners of German in various Firms in Berlin. She also took part in a previous Episode “#23 SURVIVING It”.
As a graduate of Literature and Cultural Sciences – Humboldt University Berlin – graduate of acting of Reduta-Berlin Acting school for Theatre and Film – she currently pursues a PhD in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at the esteemed University of Viadrina FFO.
Short second interlude for the episode today – a poem by Heinz Erhardt. BONUS at end – first reflections on a poem by Hermann Hesse – “Sprache”.
Episode 30 – If you are learning a language to talk to People – talk to people. If you are learning a language to do something with it – do something with it.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
In the words of previous guests on the stage of life – use the stage to get over the stage. This episode of the English Coach Podcast – the second in the Poetry Series – is self-sponsored – and takes my usual relaxed, accessible, human approach – to your learning experience.
In all my years as a trainer of English to adults there are three people in particular who stand out, for the reason that they became competent users of the language by listening to and occupying themselves with pop music, hip-hop music and reggae music – respectively. My rather relaxed friend Flavio, #FlavioPragmatico also said so – I tend to believe, so listen out for his learned pragmatic lingo on many an upcoming show.
Again my aim is to encourage you – to use all the tools at hand – ranging from independent media like this, human interaction, formal and informal training, coaching, paper notebooks, language-apps, art, gaming, personal hobbies, reading, relationships, – that all help to enrich your overall language learning experience. SEE Article – DIY – Englisch – DE
Episode 29 – The planned purpose of this interview was to explore the topic of diversity, and the importance of the English language in international businesses and organizations.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
For this Episode of the English Coach Podcast – I proposed to our guest the following,
“My goal is to enrich the entire learning experience of my course participants, and to offer them a way, to stay in contact with the language. The podcast is not an English Lesson – it is a conversation with relevance in English – and a little German.”
By now however the topic of diversity in all senses of the word – and the importance of English in international spheres are already quite laboured topics and well understood by most of us. So since this is my show and this is her stage, we both gave ourselves permission – and with good reason, to throw the plan to the wind and to let the conversation unfold – naturally along other the parallels of our own practice.
In the first part of the interview we approach the questions:
How to build bridges of understanding and agreement between all the parties involved in a training or coaching program? Who carries what responsibility? What is the importance and scope of reflection, what role does it play? What is the essential difference between training and coaching, and how is progress measured? Who gives you permission to be successful at your own target skill, and who gets to tell you who you are?
In this the second half of Episode 29 we broach the questions:
How is return on investment for training or coaching initiatives perceived? What is the value of these returns and how are they measured? What are some of the things that that help to form a practicing Leadership Coach? What is the current trend, as it relates to rethinking leadership and its role in facilitating motivation and fulfillment for employees? How do veritable contrasts coincide?
Episode 28 – I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful souls over the past few years here in Germany, shared many learning experiences well worth documenting and sharing with others.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
I’ve borne witness to transformations – some from a safe distance, some from close-up – some purely by accident and others by design. This episode is all about framing the adult learning experience – from another perspective. The value of this episode – is that you will quite likely recognise key [aspects] of an exemplary learning journey that are similar to yours. You will recognise attitudes that are also likely to help you – to engineer or stage – your own transformations.
Episode 27 – Marianne is helping me in more ways than one – to diversify the whole Language Learning Experience that I am offering to you. More on that later – so be sure to stay tuned in for what’s to come.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
In this Episode 27 of the English Coach Podcast – the third in Season 2 and the first of perhaps 4 Episodes in a new Poetry Series – we’ll be focusing in parts on the melody of Language. This is not to be taken lightly, the series will help you to be more receptive to these flows – and can make a world of difference between understanding – being yourself understood – or not at all.
For this series and this episode we take a small step away from the sometimes dull and monotonous drag of the language drill. We take a step away from grammar puzzles, away from the abstract and the automated – and give ourselves the space to learn to perceive and hopefully articulate – the rhythm of language that lives in all of them.
Readings, works from: Victor hugo and Le dormeur du val, rimbaud
I do prefer to take the people approach to my Adult training, coaching and podcast practice. Even for my whole Online Training Practice over [here] at TrainingTree.de – my aim is to encourage use of the many tools at hand – ranging from independent media, human interaction, formal and informal classes, paper notebooks, language-apps, art, personal hobbies and reading – that all help to enrich our overall language learning experience. Still the aim is to keep it organic – and naturally receptive to context and purpose – as it quite likely differs in every single language exchange. Check out my previous episode 18. Most of us are learning a language to talk to people – so I will always be the one to invite you – on any language learning journey to talk to people. By the end of this episode 27, you will have been given – a set of true to life tools and tips – not only having to do with poetry – but that have been shown to work for others – as well as a better feeling, aptitude or awareness that will help you in the future.
All of these exercises that I’m sharing with you today 1 to 5, will help you to optimise your approach – to training your brain to think in English. By the end of this short episode you will have been given proven tools that help. Why proven? The exact same tools have worked for me too. Quickly in German: Am Ende dieser kurzen Episode werden Sie bewährte Hilfsmittel erhalten haben, die Ihnen helfen. Warum bewährt? Genau dieselben Werkzeuge haben auch bei mir funktioniert.
ANNOUNCER
Well hello there, welcome to Episode 26 of the English Coach Podcast – tsecond in Season two – and the first of what I like to call mini-lessons – it’s more of a coaching encounter to be more precise. This is by no means a formal lesson – There is another place for that – if you are interested in finding out what formal training or coaching solutions are available to you – just head on over to TrainingTree.de and use the contact form. I’m happy that I finally got to launching Season Two – I threatened to do this in Episode 24, and here I am. Regardless of the crisis. The question was asked by an old friend of mine once – Johanna – as to who exactly the show is for. It’s for you since you’re here, but if you need a little more insight into that – all in German – check out Episode 25 – The Launch of Season Two.
Now I know nothing about meditation – But I know how to close my eyes. I know how to free my mind of all distractions – take a few deep breaths – exhale – and open them again. You can do that too any time…. Now you try to do the same thing, and as soon as you open your eyes try to think of the English word for everything that you see.
This is the FIRST stage of this exercise that will help you. It works, and it helped me as an adult learner of German as a foreign language – I started learning German at 28.
You can do this at any time, and if you have a vocabulary notebook just write the words down also in your own language to look up them later if you must. Just look around – Book, carpet, pen, headphones, lamp, chair, work desk, window, box, door, cardboard-box, masking tape, umbrella, pencil, jacket.
Write down as much down as you can, this will get easier as time goes along, and think of all of these things as being as important in English, as they are in your own language.
There are tonnes of things – just keep it short and keep it simple. You can even make it a little more interesting by focusing on nouns one day and then verbs, then adjectives and adverbs – words you use to describe nouns and actions –check the shownotes for definitions.
Just vocabulary. This is something that you can do any time. At home, at work, while traveling, while going for a walk anytime and anywhere. Just ask yourself the question “How would I say that in English?”
How WOULD you say that in English?
That leads us to the SECOND stage of this exercise. Using the same technique, call it a pause, meditation or just taking a deep breath – anything that will easily get you into the mode for learning. Some people need a little more ritual as a trigger – so to speak, some people need less. It doesn’t matter. The aim here, is to make a note of key phrases and simple sentences – and you start by simply asking yourself the question “How would I say that in English?”
These key phrases and simple sentences will be different for different people – depending of course also on the reason why you are learning English in the first place. As an adult learner of English, your reason is important to you, and that’s also a bit of reflection that you should do from time to time. We are all adults here, and it’s no secret that different people learn – and invest time or money in learning a language for a whole host of different reasons – ranging from learning pickup lines for boys or for girls – to preparing for a vacation – to preparing for a job interview, for hosting an international conference or for taking part in a political debate – This is where customised training and coaching comes into play. What would be your reason for learning?
For a Business English Learner for Instance – a simple work related key phrase could be – on the telephone – Quickly in German:
„Guten Tag, Schmidt mein Name, ich hätte gern die Frau Müller gesprochen bitte.“ That could be:
„Hello my name is Schmidt, I’d like to speak to Ms Müller please.”
You’ll note there that I said Ms and not Miss or Mrs. Sybille von Spitzen sagt: That’s more about Political correctness, Knigge or simply a more modern form of address. You’ll also notice that I didn’t translate their names into any strange twang. Sybille von Spitzen sagt and I quote – “I think that it’s rude and presumptuous to attempt to translate people’s names – English might be a global standard of sorts but not for everything everywhere – You don’t want to offend anybody in Business relationships, and while people might forget, and forgive the way you say something, they won’t so easily forget the way you make them feel. Try to use the correct pronunciation for names – or find a way to gracefully apologise for the version you are capable of.” End of quote.
OK Sybille von Spitzen for you again – that might actually be a topic for another show.
For a General English learner – perhaps learning English for a vacation or just for socializing in an international crowd:
You could say: “Hello, my name is Ian, Ian Antonio Patterson – you should know me.” No, just kidding, better not say that.
Just say: „Hello, my name is Ian, I’d like to introduce myself.”
Another thing you could say, having to do with money this time – Quickly in German:
„Haben Sie fünfzig Euro Wechselgeld?“ That is:
“Do you have change for a fifty?”
You could also say:
„Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?“ That is:
“How do I get to the train station?”
Simple phrases, little things like that – that have – you could say they have a specific function and it’s good to just learn these little word groupings and you can always just remember them, and use them, the exact same way the next time you speak to someone.
This will all start slowly and you might not recognise the progress you are making immediately. You might at some time even ask yourself – why you’re doing this at all. It might feel easier to you now to think in your own language then translate in your head. This slows you down considerably, and honestly reminds me of the story of the man alone in the forest on a sunny day, struggling to cut a thick log of wood with a dull saw. The birds are singing in the trees and a fly called Fred sits and watches him – precariously perched on a blade of grass. The man ignores the fly, and feels progressive because he is sweating – and refuses to stop to optimize his approach. And so he struggles along cutting wood, for much longer than he should – when all he needs to do is stop, close his eyes – take a deep breath – exhale – open them again and simply begin to optimise his approach to cutting wood by sharpening his blade.
Now needless to say all of these exercises that I’m sharing with you today 1 to 5, will help YOU to optimise your approach – to training your brain to think in English – You’ll need a bit of imagination for that. These same techniques have also helped me. This list of techniques, exercises, stages – call them what you will – is not really exhaustive, there are indeed other things. But I can assure you – I know Fred, I know about cutting wood, and I know about the challenges of learning a new language as an adult – These things worked for me, easy things you can do, and I’m 100% sure that they can also work for you.
The REASON for doing this is to train your brain to think in English, to improve your fluency much more quickly. Do it every day in different places, nobody has to know. Its common knowledge that sometimes the simplest solutions work the best, and sometimes when we seek out fancy complicated approaches – what we are really doing is seeking to sabotage ourselves, then blame these complications that we ourselves chose or even paid for.
For this training with simple word lists, and eventually simple phrases and simple sentences in English – all you need is a notebook and an open mind.
Now speaking of reasons – for learning English.
The reason for learning any foreign language usually involves someday putting it to use. At this is the THIRD stage of this exercise, you can start putting the language to use. Try to think in English, of things that you have to do, or processes that you have to carry out. Use the exercise to help you to plan, or use your normal day planning routine to help you to “Think in English”.
Things that you have to do could be a week’s plan of activities or a day’s plan of activities – all in simple sentences.
Examples are:
Attending a business meeting on Tuesday.
Meeting with some friends on Wednesday.
Delivering a presentation on Thursday.
Doing the shopping on Friday after work.
Trying out a new recipe on Saturday.
On Sunday I’ll get up at 6am then I’ll go for a 20 minute jog in the park. After that I’ll go straight home and make eggs for breakfast. After breakfast I will read my favourite book or listen to my favourite Independent Podcast. I don’t have to cook on Sunday because I cooked on Saturday. So after a bit of work in the garden, I’ll relax for the rest of the day or catch a film on Netflix.
In this case you simply have to think about the things that you have to do, also in your own language if you must – and then in English.
MIDROLL
You are now listening to episode 26 of the English Coach Podcast – where I attempt to add a splash of colour and life to your learning experience – by inviting you to live the language – where learning doesn’t have to feel like work – and where I help you to help yourself – not only to learn – but also to hold on to the things that you’ve learned.
This Episode 26 is self-sponsored, today’s focus on 5 ways of Learning to Think in English. It takes my usual relaxed, accessible, human approach – to your learning experience. It is not a formal lesson.
Quickly in German: Dies ist kein formaler Unterricht im klassischen Sinne. Sind Sie daran interessiert? Besuchen Sie die TT.de und benutzen Sie dort das Kontaktformular.
In many previous episodes of the English Coach Podcast I spoke about reflection. This sometimes involves essentially conversing with yourself. On a few occasions I’ve said that there is nothing wrong with talking to yourself – in your mind naturally. You can even start by even ask yourself questions – as a wise woman once said. You can answer yourself, as though you’re talking to someone else – just never take sides – as a wise man once said.
The FOURTH stage of this exercise – training your brain – involves exactly that. You get conversational with yourself. At this stage you imagine that you are in conversation with someone else. Any ambitious learner or user of a foreign language has the gift of imagination. You can use your imagination to ask yourself questions, and answer to them, and even keep the conversation with yourself going so to speak – with interest and curiosity. OK that sounds a little much, but the curiosity can come from the challenge that you place on yourself to do it. It can be fun, you don’t have to do it all the time – and again nobody has to know.
As I always say the aim of this podcast is to help you to find immersion into the language. There are many ways to do this – you don’t have to go anywhere – and this is in fact one way of approaching the real thing – one that you can in fact benefit from now and any time, without spending a fortune on sabbaticals in a foreign country. Of course you can do this if you want, but why not use the time now so that when you do take that sabbatical, or that vacation you can spend more time enjoying it with fluency, and less time “cutting wood”. This way you can develop your skill without having a native speaker with you whenever you are ready to practice and improve.
This approach to immersion as unreal as it may seem offers real benefits. Pick a particular time of the day to always do this, a time when you are free from distractions. And maybe also free from prying eyes.
The goal is clear – this is about training your brain to think in English – with a clear goal in mind the strategy is actually not that counter-intuitive. Nobody has to know – children do it all the time – it works for them – I have done it – I still do it. I can still remember when I had my first dream in a second Language. It’s a nice experience and you will surprise yourself when you do. Sometimes after having a thought I don’t even remember in which language it was.
At this stage of the game, you will learn this way – not only to be fluent, but also to keep a conversation going in a foreign language – all in preparation for when you get to talk to converse with real person. You also develop your awareness of vocabulary that you still need to learn.
The FIFTH stage of this exercise is actually a bonus. For this episode of the English Coach Podcast – the shownotes comprise a full transcript. So while reading alone, and listening alone WILL help you to develop, reading while you listen will help you even more. As we all know English is not phonetic, so what you see while you read is not necessarily what you hear. This goes for my German learners in particular. English is in this way very different from German.
So all in way of saying what exactly – I’m saying visit the shownotes page for this episode and read along while you listen. It will help you with pronunciation.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me – just kidding – but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think. This will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you and bye for now.
For me it’s a milestone, because like many things these days it also got off to a rough start. It is as I’ve acknowledged before, not always the easiest thing to put your voice out there – to the scrutiny and device of mass public media and I wanna quickly take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful people who’ve helped with season 1. When I started planning to do this Podcast, and got my first mic in May of 2019, I had no idea how far this would go – I said it. A media offering positioned, to add the icing on the cake so to speak – to my Overall Training Practice.
The launch of this episode speaks to the first three motivations that drive this initiative still – there are some more. The first one is in keeping my promise to offer sustainable language acquisition to my present and past course participants – and anyone else who’s interested – in a real way – the topics are real, the contexts are real and so are the people who participate. The second and third motivations – have to do with what I like to call this fresh and exciting “democratisation of the learning experience” and the idea of DIY. Do it yourself – a perfect opportunity, accessible to anyone who wants it – now more than ever before.
We are all human beings, no more and no less – We ought to all be a little more gentle to ourselves – especially in this space – the idea of perfect imperfection is one that I continue to celebrate also in my photography practice – which is itself – also a self-taught skill – just like my podcasting. So all in way or saying – what exactly? – If I can do it, you can too.
Today we start in English then finish off in German – so please bear with my “accent”. The only likeness of perfection that I would ever promise would be in my own language.
The episode approaches answering the question “Who is it for?”. The format – inspired by my old friend Johanna, and features again our beloved “protagonist” – this time embodied by the lovely and talented Steffi.
With a small win, is always a good way to begin.
Feel free to check out the shownotes for this episode at www.trainingtree.de/podcast or www.englishcoachpodcast.com. Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me – just kidding – but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you, and – bye for now
We’ve all been affected, and the release of Season 2 has unfortunately been delayed. I do apologise for that. I have still however been diligently doing my part, and the entire series on SURVIVING it – consisting five Episodes to be exact – was dedicated to this – strange time in between seasons – that we’ve all been experiencing.
We all need a little community right now – and I’m happy to be making 3 interesting announcements for you today – I’ll make it quick.
This extra somewhat spontaneous Trailer Episode 24 – self-sponsored and brought to you by none other than yours truly – is also in keeping with this community spirit. As you might know by now – This is not only where I give myself permission, to take a little more relaxed, accessible, human approach – but also where I take the chance to experiment. It’s a short one, I promise, and I have an interesting surprise for you at the end of this Episode. One thing is clear, the aim of this Episode like all the rest – is to enrich your whole learning experience. This is not a traditional lesson today – but why not make the best of it? Since we know that English is not a phonetic language – for those of us also looking to improve our vocabulary and pronunciation – there’s a full transcript of this Episode available in the ShowNotes – you can read along while you listen.
This podcast initiative is also therapeutic for me, because it exemplifies now more than ever – what I’ve always called this “fresh and exciting democratisation of the learning experience” a song sung since Episode 1 in December of 2019. Now you can call it a mission, motivation a purpose for a little promise for my people, present and past course participants and of course for all the others of you who subscribe – for whatever value you derive.
You get to choose even more now, from a larger number of sources, – including this one of course – all in service of your own learning experience. You still get a chance to experience immersion into the language in an interesting true to life way – and to keep the things you’ve learned.
I always tell myself that I am doing this for my people because it’s true – you know who you are. And I want to send another special shout-out to all my listeners again on Spotify. I know that there are some of you also on Apple and Google but truth be told, the Spotify listeners have to date been the most loyal and engaged.
If you’re on Apple Podcasts or on Google Podcasts – feel free to subscribe from there, no problem – share the show with a friend – or better yet share it with all of them =)
It feels so much easier to be authentic when what you are doing is independent and free and the only advertising that you’ll get here – is advertising from me. Anyway – I want to use this Episode 24 as I said to make a few announcements.
Firstly – There is now a new category on my website for the top seven shows. These are the Shows that have to date, enjoyed the most downloads. Interestingly, the Episodes featuring what I call the free mini-lessons are getting more and more popular. That tells me that the format works. The ratings are updated with the publishing of every new Episode. You can always check out the latest show ratings at www.EnglishCoachPodcast.com.
The Third and last Announcement for the day is about the experiments – It is with great pleasure that I do declare – that the cherished insights of our very own – learned, long-time friend and associate the indomitable Sybille von Spitzen – will be featuring more prominently in the show. We have a new outfit for Season 2. As usual I speak for her and her performance speaks for itself. Her contributions were instrumental – in ensuring the obvious success of all the top three Episodes so far.
This is actually me working with your feedback…..
And I am also happy to announce that our beloved – Protagonist who featured in Episodes 3, 18 and again – in the upcoming Episode 25 – will also be joining us more often – that means that there will in Season 2, be a stronger focus on both mini-lesson AND the storytelling element. The colourful contributions of these “personalities” to the show have all been experimental – and all for you – and I am very happy – that they’ve all so to speak – committed to joining us on this long enough awaited learning journey – English Coach Podcast – Season 2
With a small win, is always a good Way to begin.
Feel free to check out the shownotes for this episode at www.trainingtree.de/podcast or www.englishcoachpodcast.com. Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me – just kidding – but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you, and – bye for now
We all find ourselves in the middle of an interesting and rather challenging time. None of us knows for sure what the future will bring. I am a trainer of adults, podcaster and a photography enthusiast, and I have chosen to use my media to accentuate the positive. We all need a little community right now.
The aim of this – independent podcast is as always the same – to offer the occasional lesson, hopefully a bit of insight and inspiration, through stories, useful context – and conversation. The Podcast is for, anyone looking to learn, improve or most importantly to keep their language skills by inviting YOU to experience immersion into the language through engagement with real things and real people – right here and right now.
In today’s Episode we listen to the diverse insights of – Anja, Jennifer, Christian, Dominika, Philip and Mark – a direct follow-up to my request in the previous Episode 21 – and I am ever grateful to all of them for sharing. (my views)
the realness – special feature – courtesy of philip zilfo
My Lens – as at May 3, 2020
Alright now since we’re coming to the end, I think it would be unfair to not mention the things that I see as the unexpected positives arising from the crisis. But first – I wanna take this opportunity again – to thank all the – generous souls who were brave enough to share with us today. Let it be known that I always do proper justice to my guests. There’s much more to these individuals, and they are themselves as real as it gets, so please be sure, to check out their credentials in the shownotes for this episode. It’s not the easiest thing to willingly – run the risk of appearing to some perhaps, to be taking an unyielding position in changing times – to publishing reflections to the scrutiny and device of mass public media. To run the risk of coming across as moralising or as if you are in some way the source of all answers – when that is not at all the intention. For the record, nothing here is cast in stone – and we all have permission to change our perspectives especially now with the changing times. I did not want this to be all about me – It never has been, and this is why I always invite positive constructive contributions from everyone who wants to give meaning to their sentiments. I always encourage my listeners acknowledge the subjectivity of this discourse – and to check other sources. I also want to categorically state that while we do in fact share a single stage today – there is no automatic endorsement of any views here expressed by any party involved. My views are as follows.
I think that Nothing brings people together better than a shared crisis. I cannot speak for everywhere, but there is a greater sense of solidarity on the streets.
A better Sense and proportion as to the things we need, and the things we don’t.
We have a better grasp of what essential means not only in terms of consumption generally, but also services – the performance of nurses, postal workers, truck drivers, care givers – and all these people who we sometimes take for granted… the list is endless.
We all have a better idea now of the value of the service that teachers provide. This is not necessarily all about me – I am a Trainer of adults – Right now I’m talking about the people who educate, and tolerate all sorts of things from our children – daily – while we work. These sentiment is echoed again and again – still budgets for education globally it appears – are always shortened – one is left to ask could that be by accident or by design.
Whatever the case we all have a better idea now – not only how essential the service is to the system – but also of what ignorance or simply lack of education can cause – as we can all now be touched equally and in a real way by someone who is in this context – less educated than they could be. Maybe our attitudes will change for the better.
We can work with each other. Even among tech giants – Apple and Google – arch rivals are as we speak working together on proximity tracking technology – in support of the crisis. There are some interesting issues of privacy that are being called out yes – but that is beyond the scope of this episode. .
There is enough welfare in the world to give something back to the people. And this doesn’t just go for the Governments, but also the Private Sector – Just Look at all the free stuff that is being given away now. Where did it all come from we might ask? We will all have a better sense of perspective going forward.
We now have an indisputable example of what exactly we can avoid by having a little more respect for the natural world.
The air is cleaner. Less – less pollution. There is of course the risk that levels of pollution and the like will go up more even more after all of this – when the “deniably predatory” drive of industry and rampant consumerism find their form again. We’ve always had problems understanding what environmental consciousness is worth, now we know what a lack thereof can cost.
On a lighter note – we can learn from others – there are others in the world who have been through similar things. We can use the time to reflect, rediscover lost talents, and try out new things. I for one am increasing my own internet presence. Full power with the whole gamut of my media engagement. This Podcast is a part of it – The initiative started about a year ago…
I have been an online trainer for a long time, officially since 2014 to be exact. IT’S ACTUALLY A LITTLE SAD that it took a crisis to get some people to see that the approaches work, and It’s no secret, that the online / remote Training Approach has for years – endured it’s fair share of rejection, ridicule or even scorn in some spheres. I think it is good – that remote Training approaches will now – perhaps – enjoy a little less resistance and a little more credibility going forward.
Last but not least, there was a time when I almost took it personally – or as another friend put it – I cared too much about the fact that people seemed to use social media only for rubbish. I also ranted a lot about how people use emojis – in retrospect however they are essential supplements to remote communication – in the absence of body language, gestures and the like. I think that now more of us have a better idea of what the internet is worth – how essential it is – and the higher values that we can use its capabilities to articulate.
So there we have it, take from it what you will. Again thank all the generous individuals who’ve shared their insights with us today. As always – this show draws from what I like to call “The Lived Experience”… None of us is a virologist – but all of us are normal REAL, living breathing accessible and unpretentious human beings – sharing a bit from their own “Lived Experience”. Still – Don’t just take our words for it…..
Seit mehr als 15 Jahren arbeitet er als Fotograf. Seine Leidenschaft für innovative Themen, lebendige Reportagen und aussagekräftige Porträts sind Kern seines Antriebs und erlaubt es ihm, für Auftraggeber aus Kultur, Politik und Wirtschaft visuell gestaltend tätig zu werden.
Today’s guest is truly a man of many talents, and a friend of mine. In Today’s conversation we merely approach the depths. The limits of the few lines shared here in this forum would never be enough. Be sure to check out the works at www.AlexanderKlebe.de for a deeper feel.
This is yet another trailer episode – 22 – of the English Coach Podcast. It is intended to help to enrich the whole learning experience of my participants. Deliberately personal – the Podcast-initiative offers tips and tools and insights into real true-to-life success stories, and articulates my ongoing commitment to a more inclusive, accessible, pragmatic, honest approach to the whole adult learning experience. I invite you to give meaning to the things you think about the show – by sharing it in the comments or by using the feedback form – here.
Episode 21 SURVIVING it – Inviting Your Voice on the Positives.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
I am inviting you to share your thoughts on the unexpected positive effects of self-isolation in this time – for an upcoming Podcast Episode. (DE) Ich lade Euch ein, Eure Gedanken über die unerwarteten positiven Auswirkungen der Selbstisolierung in dieser Zeit mitzuteilen – für eine bevorstehende Podcast-Episode.
“Natürlich ist es jetzt äußerst wichtig, zu Hause zu bleiben, aber es muss nicht auch langweilig sein.”
Of course it is of utmost importance that we all stay home right now, but it does not mean that it also has to be boring.
There is indeed, absolutely no doubt about it, that we’re all being affected – in different ways and in all senses of the word. Whatever the case we can all still learn from each other, and at this time – today, I actually want to invite you to share some of those unexpected positive aspects that you have experienced over that past few weeks. One thing is certain; we’re all going through changes, challenges of all kinds – and this is not an attempt to trivialize the situation. This is me doing what I can… So from a more positive standpoint, this is also a time when we get to try-out new things, and freely share these experiences to help others – there is no better time.
Check out the last episodes 20, 19, and 17 of the English Coach Podcast, and feel free to send your own personal thoughts on those positive aspects in – whatever they might be. It’s easy, just use your phone, record it, and send it in to host[@]EnglishCoachPodcast.com or check out the feedback page at www.TrainingTree.de/podcast Check out the instructions in this message (below).
I am looking forward to hearing from you, take care of yourselves now, wash your hands – listen to the relevant authorities and – bye for now.
Episode 20 SURVIVING it – Remote Work , Friends & Family, Tools & Tips that help now.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
We are all going through a rather difficult time right now. And on this day April second 2020 – I have decided to focus on a positive message – SURVIVING it. This episode 20 is being published today from Berlin, and we are also affected. We all should of course take heed to the advice of the relevant authorities thinking not only of ourselves – but also of the larger society.
Needless to say there is prevailing sense of loss, fear and uncertainty. However I have chosen today to take a positive outlook. To focus on the things we do know and the things we do have – now – on some of the things that will help us to get to where we want to be. What if this affliction were one those that also affected the internet – so vital a communication tool right now?
In charting a way forward, I’d invite all of us to also look at the positive more uplifting aspects, as they do exist today. The ones that do as we speak help us to share the burden and learn from each other. It’s neither within the my scope, authority nor experience to speak to all of these things, only a few – and I want to first thank Sasha for helping me to use the tools that I have today to do just that.
featured Guest: Sasha Bondar
Sasha Bondaris a software developer with over 15 years of experience. During his career Sasha has held different roles in the area of software development – as consultant – and in education and business. First of all, Sasha is a software developer – he codes a lot and loves it – so much so that he’s currently building an online learning platform on Telegram to teach the Go programming language – interesting fact, he will himself, learn Go along with students 😉
Sasha has also delivered many company courses – where
he’s taught and inspired more than a hundred students to code in Ruby.
In the capacity of interim CTO Sasha has helped many customers to build scalable software products, establish remote teams and work processes. He sees himself as a Developers’ advocate. He currently works for a company which he co-founded called REINTECH – bridging the gap between developers and other companies. It’s a hiring platform where firms companies or projects abroad – can access and hire highly skilled software developers from Eastern Europe. At REINTECH – he is chiefly responsible for building a developers community, and helping developers to find their first job on the platform. He also offers consultancy to customers, on how to build a verifiably productive remote team of developers.
At this moment – Sasha, like most software engineers
in the world, works from his home in Lviv – doing coding and other work
routines he combines with playing with his daughter Zoe.
Purpose
All things considered, this episode today takes a more positive outlook. It presents and exemplifies working – and currently relevant language in use. The content today should be interesting to software developers and the like. Relevant to anyone remotely interested in exploring the possibilities that remote work provides. And last of all it should be helpful to anyone looking to improve their English skills through real conversation on true-to-life themes – that are of interest to them.
Key-phrase overview
Success story – example of a diversely mixed project team – cognitive and geographical diversity,
Quality control, preparation, workflows, speed, communication modes, meetings, on-boarding,
Time management, routine, working environment, human interaction,
Video stress – too much conferencing,
Do all forms of virtual communication have to feel like presentations?
How does more spontaneous informal communication take place?
Body language – reactivity – more hand gestures emojis, more than just a head in the frame,
Level of engagement and energy, knowledge of what is going on, on a social level, regular check-ins, informal communication,
Communication tools vs. task tracking tools,
Thinking about what mode of communication works best for what kind of content (email / video / chat / telephoning / and in person) – what works best each time for what things. Balancing out communication modes.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me =) but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you – and
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
How will we facilitate the process at scale?
How will we actually deliver education online – for instance – also for tactile – hands-on disciplines such as the performing arts?
How can we learn from the experience of others? As a Trainer or Coach, how to build rapport in this new scheme of things?
What are the now even more pressing implications – and how does what I’ve always called “this fresh and exciting democratization of the learning experience” also play a part?
What are some of the more positive aspects about this new paradigm within which we’ve all found ourselves?
Will it again be the same old wisdom – founded on humanity, shared interests and inclusiveness – focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses – that again takes us forward in this trying time?
Philip Clarke
Dance became his
first love and formed a core of his being in his approach to the performing
arts.
Philip preaches that nobody is one-dimensional and there are many facets to our wonderfully made being. He has over twenty (20) years’ experience as a trained teacher who tutored oral communication, English language and literature, communication studies, public speaking, public relations, dance choreography and drama.
His professional
acting HAS earned him an Actor Boy award from the International Theatre
Institute for Best Supporting Actor in 2010 and during his leadership as
President of the Western Knights Toastmasters Club, he represented Jamaica
in the Toastmasters International Regional Evaluation contest in Puerto Rico,
where he won the award for Best Evaluator of a Speech in 2013.
Philip has
distinguished himself as a Performance Coach who trains singers, poets,
speakers, DJs or actors to enhance their stage performance. He has a
passion for young entertainers who he believes need to be trained in the
art of performance, communication, songwriting and sound engineering.
Currently he is the Director of Arts and Culture at the University of Technology, Jamaica and, believes he is still a work in progress so his mantra is be who you truly are by owning your story.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me =) but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you – and
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Pre-roll
I always encourage my people to use everything at their disposal – to diversify their sources of learning – with books, targeted-courses, apps, films – and most of all by interacting with people – talking to people… And – while we are on that topic, I also implore you to check out the remote learning possibilities that are available to you, they work, and you can for many reasons, especially now – try them out risk free.
ANNOUNCER
Well hello there – welcome to another episode of the English Coach Podcast. This is a trailer episode, number 18 in the series aimed at informing, inspiring, or simply entertaining you during the run-up to season 2. All things remaining equal, season 2 is still scheduled for release in May. This episode today begins with a short feature – another story in the life of the protagonist – and ends with a bit of insight into an aspect of the adult learning experience – that might be of interest to you. .
THE PROTAGONIST
Sven was a very successful leader of moderately sized subsidiary of an international company – specializing in luxury goods. His subsidiary alone had an annual turnover of about 10.3 Million Euros and employed 19 team members. Sven approached me one day for English Training in support of his leadership role. His goal was typically to serve not only his international clients but also – in his own words – to manage, lead and inspire his growing team. He also wanted to personally represent his company at the numerous trade fairs he attended, and not have to leave that all up to his interns or younger sometimes less experienced staff. By all indications this competent successful manager tall in stature, well-dressed, – and absolutely oozing with all the signs of success – representative of his company – was interested in working with a personal trainer – who would help him – with what was to him a personal matter. Sven’s whole appearance was indicative of the rewards he enjoyed, from having had a successful career serving HIS local market – surely this success was fueled by commitment. He obviously knew what it meant – to reap the rewards of a little hard work, a little forward thinking – and enough commitment to stick to the plan. I thought to myself, it would not at all be difficult to convince this promising client – what a well-designed course of studies aimed at preparing him to better articulate these skills also internationally – would be worth to him.
He had the benefit of learning Russian or French in school. English was only occasionally visited from time to time during his formative years – working his way all the way up through the company from being apprentice – while attending part time business school and while on vacation. Sven still enjoyed an enviable position – all perfectly attainable, without international skills whatsoever – HE knew his company inside out – he knew the products inside out – and the company benefited daily – from the numerous personal relationships with local suppliers, partners and long-term customers that he had personally nurtured over the past few years. His subsidiary had recently been voted – global center of excellence within his organization, and they were at the time in the process of establishing two new departments, focused on quality assurance and user experience for a new software product. I have no idea what that product was – but his subsidiary would be facing a significantly more diverse and international group of players – individuals on both the supplier and consumer side of his organization.
In some cases however, success breeds a disproportionate amount of anxiety, that’s a whole different story – at any rate – the anxiety most strongly felt by Sven – was that he might not be able to articulate as gracefully – or inspire the same confidence in his role, as he did in his native language. What would happen if he was called to do the same thing in English?
There wasn’t much that I could do to allay all of these fears all at once. Who knows, maybe he needed to dwell on these fears so to speak to stay motivated. A balancing act of sorts. I couldn’t do much more about that really – than respectfully acknowledge these tensions while all the time illustrating that it didn’t necessarily mean – having to flee to the bathroom every time the telephone displays +44 displayed on an incoming call.
As a personal trainer of English for Work, my approach was actually first to address that sense of power loss – whether real or imagined. Then to show clearly what’s been shown to work for others – list all the specific activities that he had to carry out, prioritize them in HIS order of importance and then proceed accordingly.
I’d have to include true to life measurable results in his lesson plan.
The ability to present relevant convincing quantitative as well as qualitative success matrices is a major part of my work as a trainer of working adults. This is my balancing act – as different clients prefer to rely on different success matrices – depending of course – on context.
Anyway to cut a long story short this approach worked well for the most part.
This somewhat self-imposed sense of dread was however, always lurking in the background. Every week there were new horror stories – the last of which was how an intern – though less equipped –was better able to fluently answer an important question during a conference call about user experience, and how it made him feel……
Frustrations led to all kinds of spur of the moment comments in classes like:
“Warum muss ich das überhaupt tun, wir sind ja doch in Deutschland oder – und wie kann ich das machen, wenn mein Englisch so schlecht ist?”
My answer was always pretty much the same…
“Wir wollen doch Exportweltmeister bleiben oder?” – und – “Niemals – niemals sagen ‘mein Englisch ist schlecht.’ Sagt, dass ich die Sprache lerne – wenn überhaupt…”
In other words – If at all, say that you are learning the language. In this respect, that fact alone makes you way better than vast majority of the native English speakers, some of whom you might be called to serve – who themselves perhaps cannot, or don’t speak any foreign language whatsoever. Maybe the people you talk to are not even themselves native speakers at all. So there we have it another story of the Protagonist, this time embodied – by the industrious Sven.
TRAINER INSIGHTS – 1/2 – Learning Sources
All stories of the Protagonist are works of fiction.
Whatever the case however, by now you know – I hope, that some of the frustrations that you perhaps feel are also felt by others – you are not alone. There is no one way to both manage these fears and achieve your learning goals. The most effective approach will quite likely be different for everyone. I always encourage my people to use everything at their disposal – to diversify their sources of learning – with books, targeted-courses, apps, films – and most of all by interacting with people – talking to people… Naturally Private-trainers can also be helpful, and so are free-time activities, coaches, travel, sports, art, the internet and cultural events – Living the Language. Many of these things are easily available and free of charge. Language learning is vast – endless – and to be honest, grammar puzzles, and abstract vocabulary lists alone – will only take you as far as you expect.
Relevance of content and context are perhaps the only sure things that will help to keep you on the right path – and remember the things that you learn – these things will keep you talking on topics that are of interest to you. One simple thing that you can do in class with your trainer is to pick a topic to talk about it. If words are missing your trainer – being bilingual if you are lucky enough – should be able to quickly give you these translations that you need – in a way that keeps the living conversation going. Write these words down. For the next class, simply bear in mind that the first thing you will do is to talk about the thing you discussed in the last class.
Now, this is not the place to deeply discuss methodology, but a simple technique like that has been shown to work and it is in strong agreement with proven training methodology. I’ll give you another tip. Don’t worry about the popular narrative that claims, that only the target language should be spoken in class, only people who do not speak your language say that – now this is paid time that we are talking about – a quick translation helps to keep the flow of the conversation going, and does much more help than harm – by allowing you to quickly find the fluency that you need.
The story of the protagonist continues – and I hope you found it insightful or even inspiring; again, you are not the only one facing these challenges. Performing in a foreign language is a daunting task, but it’s manageable – with a little help with shaping the basics – as they apply to you personally and your purpose for investing the time and energy. Tools and tips that work for others go a long way.
Mid-roll
This is another Trailer Episode of The English Coach Podcast – Living the Language. It’s a reflective episode number 18 – broaching the question “What Does Customized Language Training Really Mean?” The episode was self-sponsored, brought to you by www.TrainingTree.de/podcast .
And for the English Learners among us, – feel free to listen again – and read along while you listen using the full version of the shownotes. You can find the shownotes by visiting the podcast page, or by finding it listed under the news icon. There you’ll also find links there to other articles in the series that might be useful or simply interesting to you such as – DIY English (auf Deutsch). Looking Fwd.
TRAINER INSIGHTS – 2/2 – Customized English Learning Content
It‘s only now after more than a decade of training, that I have the confidence to say that I can indeed deliver specialized English training for individuals and firms. Participants include clients in many sectors – light, heavy and high-tech industries. That means Lessons in English for Work – to seriously structured logical thinking personalities who aren’t so easily “sold fluff for facts”.
As far as customized English Learning content is concerned, negotiated content is best. That suggests inclusiveness; however I suspect that a top-down approach is usually better for establishing a starting basis. It’s a common fact that every company considers itself on some level to be unique. Training content must exhibit the same uniqueness – be actively endorsed from the top – and clearly aligned with the individual company’s objective – for it to be called customized English learning content.
The successful execution of such however – calls for bottom-up engagement. The trainer is caught in the middle – so to speak. More positively put, the trainer gets to benefit from a fair amount of creative tension in this space.
So what does that all really mean? Some of it was illustrated in the previous story of the Protagonist.
It all comes down to delivering clearly relevant and measurable results – specifically aligned with individual or the company objectives. This is actually similar from place to place but different for everyone. In order to accomplish that – department heads, team leads middle management and naturally also the Human Resources have to be actively involved. This helps to mold the whole training initiative into a project format – with time frames, benchmarks, quality checks, and a clearly verifiable Return on Investment. Naturally the personalized solution for you or your team begins with personal contact – that brings with it some kind of gap analysis usually in the form of a level check – a look at where you are or what you can already do, where you want to be and in the best case – a little insight for your potential trainer into why.
It is not only unreasonable to call in a trainer and say teach, but it also actually sets the whole project up for failure.
The bottom-up approach also has its place, but features more prominently during the training itself – because this is where buy-in so to speak happens. With a general basis of the training initiative in hand, the course participants themselves have to be repeatedly activated – as the learning goals set out are interpreted and reinterpreted contextually every day before every lesson.
The great thing about working on a project basis when delivering English Training for Work – is that all parties involved work with a clear set of goals. These overall goals reflect exactly what the relevant themes are, specific to each area of work.
The notion of customised-negotiated-learning-content is not at all new to me – and features prominently in every offer. A kind of learning contract is vital – and should form the basis of any course of adult learning – not because adults need more rules or performance pressure – but because both parties – trainer and trainee should be clear about the direction of every hour invested. Each party should have a clear sense of what progress looks like going forward, and a sense of accomplishment in retrospect.
Adult course participants and the sponsoring firms are a well aware of what their own time is worth, with some luck, they are also aware of what the costs or losses in time and resources look like – of not mastering the target skills.
Each learning project is different, and truth be told, this also helps to keep my life interesting. I owe a debt of gratitude to all the individuals who have taken part in English training courses with me over the years. This number by now runs into the hundreds. I also owe a similar debt of gratitude to all the people involved with helping to organise the groups.
The question as to what “Customized Language Training Really Means” has arisen over the past few months, chiefly through reflection on my own practice, from seeing the many offers on the market, and from my own knowledge as to what is actually deliverable and how.
The human being, together with human factors are always the critical interface.
In concluding top-down can mean active involvement in the shaping the said customized content with an eye on a ROI, or just hands off financing of the training initiative, as some kind of incentive token for staff. I prefer the former as it’s far less risky.
So what informs my assessment? Firstly many years of experience… Secondly a current active and representative sample of course participants from various places. My cohort of class participants includes individuals employed in logistics – from physical delivery of goods to the maintaining of complex delivery and tracking network infrastructure and resource planning – extending from software developers, to network administrators, to the people, occupied with laying Fiber-optic cables – civil works forming the very infrastructure of these networks. My assessment is also informed by a few failures.
Naturally also by various studies in the field (Person-CV-2020).
My name is Ian Antonio Patterson, and this is my Podcast.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me =) but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you – and
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Listeners Speak
The following is a transcript of the above episode 17. Listeners were invited to send in mp3 files of their authentic unscripted feedback for inclusion in the show. This option is open to anyone who wishes to share and give meaning to their sentiments on the show. Voice is of course only published with the expressed permission of all contributors.
Christian speaks
Das war ein bisschen Rückmeldung von drüben in Dresden. Christian, ich habe die Absicht, weiterzumachen – und genau diese Art von Feedback macht es für mich – und hoffentlich auch für andere erfüllend. Es hilft mir, eine bessere Vorstellung davon zu bekommen, was genau für meine Zuhörer funktioniert. Nochmals vielen Dank.
Heute in dieser Trailer-Episode 17 teile ich sozusagen die Bühne mit einigen meiner Zuhörer. Ich werde ein paar Audio-Feedbacks, die sie mit mir über die erste Staffel geteilt haben, mit Euch teilen.
Ok that was my German for you. Now, that was actually a bit of feedback from all the way over there in Dresden. Christian, I have to do this in English so I just wanna say, I do intend to continue – and this is exactly this kind of feedback that makes it all fulfilling for me, and hopefully for others too. It helps me to get an even better idea of what works for my listeners. Thanks again. In today’s Trailer Episode 17, I share the stage so to speak, with some of my listeners – sharing some of their feedback that I received on season one from them – with you.
Announcer
So then, without further ado, welcome to another Episode of the English Coach Podcast, where I attempt to add a splash of colour and life to your learning experience – by inviting you to live the language. Now, as you might know by now – this is where I also give myself permission, to take a little more relaxed, accessible, human approach. I want you to take the same approach – give meaning to the things you think – by sharing it.
I know
that there are some opinions out there – positive and negative – come on now
don’t be shy. Let’s be clear about one
thing going forward, even though I have managed to complete season one, I am
still not any kind of professional podcaster here. This is why I need your
feedback. I’m only now, just learning the ropes. The Podcast is still
independent, unpretentious, free work – so I’m really not that sensitive. So
just bring it on – all comments on the show are welcome – as long as they are
basically constructive.
Christoph speaks
Now on
this episode 17, which is still a trailer episode in preparation for Season
two, my job here today is to just share a little feedback with you, you know
some of the things that other listeners have to say. And probably also discuss
a little bit on how I plan to work with that feedback.
I appreciate what Christian said, I think it was it was well balanced feedback that tells me that I am doing something right. I met Christian quite a long time ago, I think it was probably – about 16 years ago to be exact – when I was studying at Viadrina in lovely Frankfurt Oder. It’s only now that we recently hooked up again on Facebook. And I kind of attacked him with my podcast offering – “you know you just have to listen to this this is the latest thing that I’m doing these days and I need your feedback.” I also asked him to give me his feedback via mp3 and he just did it – and it was fantastic, thanks again man. From the feedback that I got – he also confirmed some things that I hold true – such as the fact that learning never ends, and that although we sometimes love to hate facebook the most – it’s actually not such a bad tool for reaching out sharing something good and you know just staying connected.
Christoph’s
feedback was funnily flattering in unexpected ways. He is a past course
participant – and no – he didn’t fall asleep in class. On the contrary – he was
one of the more engaged learners who did very well. His feedback also confirms
that I am doing something right. I shall not change my microphone, or my
recording or editing techniques. Instead I will try to be a little more aware
of the effect that my voice has – on some of listeners. That can be seen in a
negative way or in a positive way – if my voice induces a kind of relaxed state
– that also causes learning to happen – that’s exactly what I want… The ideal
learning state it’s described and as we’ve all heard of – is not only the child
state, but also a relaxed state. So if it works for you Christoph, all power to
you, and hopefully it works the same way for other people as well. Thank you
for the honesty Christoph – over there in Kassel – as I said, I will try to be a
little more aware of that effect and try to modulate accordingly.
Myra speaks
Season two of the English Coach Podcast is now in production – and is scheduled for release in May of 2020. As a listener, this really is all about you – no joke about it. If all of this means anything to you – and you do find the time – feel free to help to shape the format and content for season 2. Take all of March and April to gather your thoughts – note them down for me and check out my feedback options available to you at – feedback.EnglishCoachPodcast.com/ – looking forward to hearing from you too.
Myra shared her feedback with us from all the way in Manila – Capital of
the Philippines.
Myra appears to have honoured my claim – of offering a certain – humanness in this personal approach to Podcasting and to the Adult Learning Experience, and in so doing called an even larger calling to action – one that speaks to “humanity”. This “fresh and exciting democratisation of the learning experience” – of which I do speak from the very first Episode 1, in Episode 10, in Episode 11 – and in numerous articles that I’ve written – is definitely an approach that touches on the higher values humanity, it touches on notions of equality through equal access to knowledge and the sharing of knowledge.
Thank you Myra for recognising and also in a way validating a larger
purpose.
Myra is an esteemed graduate of European and African Studies – with an
international career under her belt and her feet firmly placed on the ground. This
feedback from her definitely means a lot. I only hope that more people can also
recognise the practical benefits of this approach to learning with independent media,
that also keeps them independent to do other things at the same time – like gardening
or cooking at home – while commuting or while having lunch alone at work.
Today’s a trailer Episode 17 mostly featuring the audio feedback that was sent in leading up to the launch of season 2. There was however also some written feedback too that I got from one – Karina in Berlin that ties in directly with what Myra said about freedom to multitask while using the content. So I’ll make quick mention. Karina said that she listens and I quote “after dinner or after the baby has gone to bed, OR – while playing a game which doesn’t need any brainpower.”
That’s convenience and adaptability for you.
In addition to saying that – I suppose after listening to the very popular Episode 14, she said that she didn’t recognise that: That it could in fact – actually be against company policy to use online translators due to privacy issues. So I’d invite you to give a listen to episode 14 as well. Karina she says that: School English alone is not suitable for real life, and that she is not the only one who feels that way….
So again, while the English Coach Podcast never pretends to be any kind
of perfect substitute to your preferred or prescribed learning experience – it
plays very well – as a viable supplement to your whole learning Experience.
One that you can easily integrate into your everyday life – and listen
whenever you want.
Doreen speaks
Doreen is a young mother of a lovely son, and she’s employed in industry.
She’s also a past course participant of mine. I love to talk about the fact
that who I am really doing this for is my people – reason being that I’ve
already tried to be everything for everybody and failed by my own standards. Doreen’s feedback clearly tells me that I
should keep on doing what it is that I am doing, exactly the way that I’m doing
it – well maybe with a few improvements.
Thank you Doreen.
As I’ve said on previous occasions I can’t say for sure how long this
initiative will continue, a lot of it depends on the feedback that I get from
you. At any rate, this whole initiative – all of season one, together with
everything planned the upcoming season 2 – has never been about someone else’s
notion of perfection – but about progress, practicality – for normal people,
with names and normal faces – tools and tips that work – and it is comforting
to know that Doreen for one has identified this Podcast offering – as something
that can help her improve going forward.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me =) but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you – and
Shownotes – English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Today we look at prepositions. These little words can cause a lot of confusion, particularly due to the fact that in this regard, there are perhaps as many rules as there are so many exceptions. This general tendency is typical of other grammar rules as well, and is in itself not necessarily a bad thing. Some even say; that this might be part of the reason at least why the English Language has become such a prolific and functional international language. I’m not entirely sure about that. Still, for today, I’ll invite you to be gentle to yourselves, to relax a little about the rules – if only for this last episode – of season 1.
Well again – welcome to this episode 16 of the English Coach Podcast and the last in Season 1. Where I attempt to add a splash of colour and life to your learning experience – by inviting you to live the language. Where it’s all about learning to dance with the language. Where learning doesn’t have to feel like work. And where I help you to help yourself – not only to learn – but also to hold on to the things that you’ve learned.
It’s ok to
strive to be a purist in a language that is not your native tongue, and deeply concerned
with rules – in this paradigm however I suspect that purists speak mostly to
rules – we speak to people.
The second tip
that will help you to be correct most of the time is that you are better off
learning prepositions together with the words surrounding them. Learn them as
collocations – which are groups of words that are normally used together.
Now – Prepositions
are little words that are normally placed directly in front of nouns or
pronouns. They help to give information about the logical relationship between
the noun or pronoun and the rest of the sentence – in terms of position, space,
direction, sequence etc.
My learned
friend #SybilleVonSpitzen would perhaps dig deeper and ‘get META’ on this, by
mentioning things like the Latin origin of the word – it’s counterpart the ‘postposition’
– prepositional phrases and the wonders of the ‘adverbial prose’. Nothing is
wrong with wanting to dig deeper – deeper into the “META zone” together with Sybille
von Spitzen. Today however, for those of us who want to dig deeper, I will move
to give due respect to her words and her sentiments by borrowing only
two of them namely ‘google it’ – and give you some pragmatic stuff – today –
that you can use now.
With a small win is always a good way to begin…
With a small win – is always a good way to begin. Ok then, we’ve come to the end of this episode 16 of the English Coach Podcast – and the end of season one. Who knows what the future will bring – some things will perhaps change – however the goal is the same, still doing this chiefly for my people – present and past course participants. It’s available nonetheless – to everyone. Feel free to check out the shownotes for this episode at www.trainingtree.de/podcast (here=).
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me – just kidding – but still feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet send me some feedback – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. To be honest, praise is not what I am looking for, I’m looking for feedback that will help the show develop.
So then, subscribe if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new
episode available.
Thanks
for listening, looking forward to hearing from you, and. bye for now.
Shownotes – English Coach Podcast – English for Work
In today’s episode 14 we look at some questions – surrounding machine assisted translation and interpretation – and we look at what are called disfluencies in the spoken language. We also touch on some issues relating to gender differences in interpretation.
These are relevant I think for any learner of English as a Second Language, or any language for that matter. Some of the things discussed here today dovetail with two previous episodes. In the previous Episode 13 “The Lived Experience” we looked at the influence and choice of voice for the message you want to convey – with the lovely and talented author, singer and songwriter and vocal coach Ms Nathalie Claude. In Episode 9 “English for Work and Play”, we discussed the possible impact of some of what “could” themselves be considered disfluencies, – those sometimes less than elegant interjections we use in the spoken language – with none other than the indomitable Sybille von Spitzen.
Clotilde Dauchy
Today’s guest is a language professional simply put. I had the opportunity to meet her through my well known preoccupation with the performing arts. She is by all means, someone who has managed to tickle my intellectual fancy in more ways than one – such that I feel compelled to share – today – yet another instance of where life meets language.
The question as to
whether Ai or more precisely put machine assistance will totally replace interpreters
is still up for debate I’m sure. “Context” is what appears to be one of the more
difficult variables to grasp and automate. That together with some of the other
sometimes annoying human quirks such as the quality of irony and wit and the
kind of meaning making that comes from the lived experience – may indeed be our
only saving graces.
The question however
still remains are we at some kind of crossroad – where we must now decide – instead of asking
the machines to adapt to us, will we now begin to adjust the language we use by
further giving up the modification of “context”, the inclusiveness of subjectivity
and the poetry of literary device – wit, sarcasm, irony – for checkboxes,
rules, tags, and soundbites?
Who is qualified to write the code? #plastizia ? She never says what she really thinks until she does. Nothing against soundbites by the way, I got by on soundbites for years while learning German 🙂
Great to have found a way to get all these things together in a creative way. Again, be sure to check out Episode 14 of the #EnglishCoachPodcast 🙂 COPY – podcast.iAntonio.com/ . It looks at #interpretation #machinelearning & #gender Again special thanks to @howtosavealift and & @natalia.dance.berlin and all my listeners on #spotify
Shownotes – English Coach Podcast – The Lived Experience
Interview with a dear friend and work colleague of mine – Singer, Songwriter and Vocal Coach, and Author of the Books “Akzentfrei Deutsch sprechen” and “Akzentfrei Englisch sprechen” – the lovely and talented Ms Nathalie Claude.
Episode 13 (part 1/3)
English Language Training and Development
This is an interview presented to you in three parts. We share insight into some of the real things that drive a practicing and accomplished language professional and artist. We talk about choices, challenges, disappointments and successes – the real things of influence that affected her whole learning experience – her relationship with the English language, and some of the things that have helped her to get to this point where she can – herself take the stage with confidence and perform competently in her chosen fields. These things continue to enrich her life, and have led to her writing the two aforementioned books – that I would gladly recommend to anyone learning English or German as a second language. So be sure to also check out the parts 2 and 3 of this interview – you might just find something that can work for you.
The present perfect is a fresh and elegant form, and I would encourage any learner of English to familiarise themselves with it. It is NOT necessarily about using it all the time immediately, but I do encourage structured practice now. After structured practice with exercises, useful activation – or in other words integration into your active language repertoire – will begin to happen with an ability to recognise and reflect on the meaning. Recognising for yourself when this form is used instead of other forms, such as the simple present or simple past.
Recommended Book: English Grammar in Use, Book by Raymond Murphy
Reflection: This episode 12 is quite poignant for many reasons. Two of which: I remember when I was learning to be a teacher of English as a second language to adults – my then instructor tried to kill me (or so it felt at the time) – by requesting that I explain 6 time forms to a live audience of adult learners in 20 minutes.. Further collaboration with Lydia (in performance below) was rendered last year Dec. 24, 2018 – at a particularly difficult time in my life – hands effectively tied at distance – more on that later perhaps.
MEANING
That present perfect tense is used to talk about things that started in
the past and have a present result. In other words we are talking about things
that have a bridge to the past. If we pause a bit, and think about time, we can
also say that the present perfect is all about so-called – unfinished time.
If on the other hand, we are talking about something that that doesn’t
really have a connection to now – doesn’t really have any present observable
evidence – we use the past simple. We can also say that the past simple is all
about so-called – finished time.
When using the present perfect in some if not most cases we do not need to mention time, because it is understood that the relevant time period started in the recent past and / or has relevance – that continues up to now. The time phrases that are used with the present perfect express ‘unfinished time’ – they include: already, yet, before, never, recently, at last, ever, just, lately, this morning, this afternoon, this evening, today, this week, this month, so far, until now.
On the contrary, when using the past simple, we can specifically mention the ‘finished time’ we are talking about by using time phrases such as: two months ago, one year ago, last week, yesterday, when I was 10 years old.
FORM
[ SUBJECT+HAVE/HAS+3rd
FORM Verb ]
SUBJECT: This can be a proper noun or pronoun (I, she, he, they, it etc.)
HAVE / HAS: always appears, and is in this case an auxiliary verb – a helping verb if you like, it is sometimes not stressed and contracted.
VERB: The main verb is used in the past participle form, or the third form as I often say.
Shownotes – English Coach Podcast – The Lived Experience
I couldn’t help but notice that you have already started to react most to the story telling element of this Podcast based of course, on the episodes listened to, downloaded and shared most to date. Thank you for that. Now, truth be told, I am not a professional story teller. Your feedback, according to my expectations at least – shouldn’t really be based on interest in my standard bla-bla about myself, I was expecting more questions about your learning experience…. Life is however full of paradoxes, contradictions, juxtapositions, contrasts and duplicities – however you might choose to put it – things might change. And since this whole initiative is still intended to focus on learning experience, for what it’s, worth I’ll run with that – albeit unexpected interest based on the feedback I’ve received from you.
After getting to episode 10, I am at any rate compelled to reflect, on what I am doing and why.
The frame is the same.
As you all know by now, I teach English for work – under separate cover. This
here is what I like to call spoken word media, made with you in mind, meaning
that I am doing this to serve my community of learners, a more relaxed space –
where we both give ourselves permission to relax a little and dance with the
language…
The English Coach Podcast is still freely available to everyone yes, but it is not an attempt to be everything for everybody. I have tried that before and failed by my own standards. I like to call this a fresh and exciting democratization of the learning experience, because you are encouraged all the time to choose your own sources of learning. You get to make suggestions of what you would like to hear if you want – and I get to keep my own creative freedom to essentially do whatever I want. That way both of us get to affect how the show develops through dialog – which involves your feedback and my working with your feedback as it comes.
There are many things about this podcast initiative that are counter-intuitive – such as the free part. That aspect has already been met with skepticism and its fair amount of cynicism – it’s human. Still as I reflect on these things today, the three main causes that drive this initiative are still very clear to me. One of which is something that I mention quite often – “the democratization of the learning experience”. This ties in directly to the notion of self-education. Maybe I build on this this story telling aspect some more – with an introduction to another one of my own self-education experiences.
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – The Lived Experience
We exchange meaningful – true to life insights into the adult learning experience, which are meant to help you on your own learning journey. We talk freely about things like self-education, free time activities, art, culture improvisation – and coming to terms with notions of imperfection to name a few.
Stell Dir mal vor, Du hast gerade einen Traumjob bekommen.
Jeder mochten dich von Anfang an und es ist nur fair, – du hast hart gearbeitet und hast es verdient. Du bist einfach gut in deinem Job – und endlich, hast du das Gefühl in einem Team wirklich aufgenommen zu werden – worin du, schließlich – nicht nur geachtet und geschätzt wirst, sondern auch in die Familie gehörst.
Du bist im Unternehmen wie eine frische Brise, die ihren Platz gefunden hat – ein Hoffnungsträger. Deine Chefin hat dich vom ersten Bewerbungsgespräch an auch gemocht. Sie scheint immer noch – so überzeugt zu sein dass du der perfekte Kandidat für den Job warst – dass du dich manchmal etwas unsicher fühlst, dass sie vielleicht – mehr in dir sieht als du in dir selbst.
Du fragst dich manchmal, woran genau das liegen könnte und musst deine Ängste beherrschen, sie eines Tages zu enttäuschen. Wie auch immer, du machst deinen Job weiter – und das mit großartigem Erfolg – du genießt weiterhin deinen Anteil an Ermutigung und Unterstützung vom Rest des Teams.
Sechs Monate vergehen – neun ….
Dann, eines Tages, während du etwas später im Büro arbeitest, schaut deine Chefin kurz aus ihrem Büro heraus. Sie hält ein paar lose Papiere unter einem Arm und bittet dich schnell, ihr einen Gefallen zu tun. Es scheint ja wichtig zu sein, und du bist bereit, die extra Meile zu gehen „to go the extra mile.“
Sie sagt;
„Du hast doch einen Führerschein oder? Ich habe es in deinem Lebenslauf gesehen.“
„Ich bin gerade mit einem neuen Kunden in einer Telefonkonferenz beschäftigt und brauche dringend jemanden aus dem Büro, der ein wichtiges Paket mit Mustern von unserem Lieferanten abholt. Ich hatte eigentlich vor es selbst zu tun, aber ich komm hier einfach nicht weg. Wir brauchen es für ein Meeting Morgen – und der Thomas wartet schon – aber er muss in einer Stunde schließen.“
Du hast nichts anderes für den Abend vor und akzeptierst gerne, der Held für deine Chefin zu sein. Du kennst ja den Ort…
Sie gibt dir den Autoschlüssel und ihren Ausweis, nimmt den Hörer wieder ab und lächelt dich kurz dankbar und erleichtert an – zeigt auf den Parkplatz und gibt dir im Anschluss ein Daumen hoch.
Du rennst zum Parkplatz wie die frische Brise die du bist, drückst den Alarmknopf, um zu sehen welches Auto, und stellst mit schrecken fest, dass es sich um einen roten Mustang handelt.
„Ich kann aber nur Automatikgetriebe fahren.“ Nicht, dass du etwas gegen das Reiten des roten Pferdes hättest oder das Schaltgetriebe, aber die Kupplung hat in der Regel einfach etwas gegen dich. „Der Protagonist: Ein- und Auskuppeln“
Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions: connect two independent clauses. A clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb. A clause can be distinguished from a phrase, which itself is a group of related words that does not contain a subject-verb relationship.
Subordinating conjunctions:establish the relationship between the dependent clause and the rest of the sentence. It also turns the clause into something that depends on the rest of the sentence for its meaning.
Conjunctive adverbs: are used to create complex relationships between ideas. They are also called transitional devices.
Coordinating conjunctions
and, but, or, yet, for, nor, so
Subordinating conjunctions
after, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while
Correlative conjunctions
both . . . and not only . . . but also not . . . but either . . . or neither . . . nor whether . . . or as . . . as
Conjunctive adverbs
for addition: again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, last, moreover, next, second, still, too
for comparison: also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
for concession: granted, naturally, of course
for contrast: although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet
for emphasis: certainly, indeed, in fact, of course for example or illustration: after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it is true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly
for summary: all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in other words, in particular, in short, in simpler terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize
time sequence: after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as, at last, at length, at that time, before, besides, earlier, eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the past, last, lately, meanwhile, moreover, next, now, presently, second, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subsequently, then, thereafter, too, until, until now, when
Shownotes: English Coach Podcast – Living the Language
Problem Solving, Engineering, Self-confidence, Safe-spaces, The Act of Dance – The Lived Experience
featured Guest: Olga Miller
The Lived Experience – featuring Olga Miller We talk about: Using an unconventional language to express what you want to express. Approaching problem solving in an unconventional way and achieving transformation of sorts, by treading the road less traveled. Building self-confidence and learning how to create something meaningful, in spite of fears of what you might see as your own shortcomings. Stage fright – Coming to terms with fear and channeling the energy of it in such a way that it serves you. Improvisation – the positive effects of claiming the freedom to dance with the language. The advantages of not taking yourself so seriously and of simply trying something out. The benefits of placing yourself also within also ‘fun places of influence’ or ‘safe spaces’ where you can try out your skills, and to develop your skills in a risk-free environment. The tangible effects of Formal as compared with Informal approaches to adult education.
Like it if you like it and if you don’t, lie to me =) but still – feel free to share it with a friend, post a rating, or better yet – give meaning to the things you think about the show, by using the feedback form to tell me personally what you think – this will all help it to help you – as it is intended to do. Subscribe only if you feel like – so you know when there’s a new episode available.
Thanks for listening, looking forward to hearing from you – and
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