Ethos English

Build your vocabulary. Refine your study strategies. Improve your critical thinking.

The proof is in the pudding: Paul Nation and the power of reading

What's the single most transformative habit for language learning? Listen to find out.

10-08
10:50

The zombies in our midst: an antidote to bad economics and bad English

What does the recent political and economic turmoil in the UK have to do with improving your English? Listen and find out how to avoid becoming an intellectual zombie. For the shownotes go to https://ethosenglish.com/podcast/  Music is from "Strings" by Another Day under a Creative Commons license.

10-11
24:06

Ethos English: a new name and a new season

Season 2 is coming soon! Music is from "Strings" by Another Day under a Creative Commons license.

09-21
02:01

J'accuse! Overcoming the philistinism of English language teaching

In this episode I talk about some counterintuitive yet helpful advice from one of my favourite columnists and address the issue of philistinism in English language teaching. Why does literature play such a small role in the teaching of English? Why are we so unambitious in our approach to writing? Click here to go to the interactive transcript and Quizlet flashcard set.

01-19
09:22

An oasis in the desert? Dubai Expo and post-covid culture

In this week's episode I talk about my recent trip to Dubai. This year the emirate is hosting Expo, so I decided to explore a bit of the cultural impact of this international event throughout history. I come to the conclusion that the post-Covid world needs more catharsis-inducing art.

01-12
12:32

In conversation with Gorka

In this episode I introduce a new series of YouTube interviews with advanced English learners. This week I’m in conversation with Gorka from the Basque country. Go to BetterLanguageLearning.com/ep05

12-29
06:17

Are you in your prime?

What does it mean to be in your prime?  For the full interactive transcript and Quizlet flashcard set go to https://betterlanguagelearning.com/episode-4/

12-21
05:50

There's more to advent than calendars

In this episode I talk about motivation and the concept of advent. You'll learn useful chunks for essay writing and speaking. For the annotated transcript with all key words and chunks and flashcards go to BetterLanguageLearning.com/podcast

12-08
12:00

What's your Holy Grail?

Find out why as an advanced English learner:  you need to shift your focus from receptive to productive skills and  how chunks are the key to fluency For an interactive transcript and vocabulary flashcards go to BetterLanguageLearning.com/podcast. 

11-30
08:02

Season 3 coming soon!

I'll be back with season 3 of Ethos English in September!

08-14
00:16

Spanish stalemate: a deep dive into the vocabulary of elections

Learn useful vocabulary related to voting and the democratic process based on an article from the Guardian on the recent snap election in Spain. Read the full transcript here. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

08-01
11:00

Precision before adornment: EFL and George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language"

George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language" tells us a lot about what it really means to be an advanced English speaker. (Hint: Value precision over adornment.) Interested in Ethos English Lab? Book a call with me here.

07-17
11:24

The monk who made Apple possible

What does Steve Jobs learning calligraphy from a Trappist monk at university have to do with the creation of what is now the single most valuable company in the world? Listen to find out. For the shownotes go to: https://ethosenglish.com/podcast/ Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://ethosenglish.com/subscribe

07-03
08:15

Dialling it back: a metaphor that might change your life

This week I talk about metaphors, coaching and the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) pioneer Dr. David Burns. Subscribe to my newsletter for monthly vocabulary study materials

06-05
08:10

Print over pixels: Marshall McLuhan and the cognitive benefits of reading physical books

Research shows that reading from physical books, rather than on screens, significantly enhances our ability to understand, remember and reflect on the content. Worryingly, many universities are choosing to replace readings with video content in an en effort to engage with students. Is this a step backwards? Subscribe to my newsletter here.

05-28
09:00

Microfluency: SMART goals and context-specific language learning strategies

Instead of focusing on overall fluency start defining the specific contexts in which you need English. The skills you need for a given context can be thought of as a microfluency and can be developed at a faster pace. I give my own experience learning German when I was a flight attendant and discuss related concepts such as SMART goals and narrow reading and listening. Show notes and interactive vocabulary activity Information and free tickets to my online webinar for English teachers on 27 May Subscribe to my newsletter

05-22
14:10

Navigating the content tsunami: stop mixing the trivial and the transformative

What is the impact of unlimited access to both trivial and transformative online content? Should we limit the information we take in and be more reflective information "consumers"? I also give informaiton on a free online event for English teachers on 27 May. Click here for the show notes

05-14
07:46

A royal pain: King Charles and monarchy idioms in English

Although the monarchy may be on its way out, the same can't be said for monarchy-inspired idioms. Read the shownotes here and sign up for my newsletter too.

05-08
09:21

The artist's dilemma: EU copyright law and generative AI

This week we look at articles from the Verge and Reuters on a proposed EU copyright law. Copyrighted text and images are being used to build generative AI platforms like ChatGPT through a process called scraping yet the owners of this intellectual property stand to gain nothing. What is the future for creators? Click here for the show notes including an interactive vocabulary activity

05-01
08:14

Fox News' record-setting defamation lawsuit and the unmasking of Tucker Carlson

This week we look at articles from The Financial Times and The Economist on Fox News' record-breaking $787.5 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. Find out how corrupt journalists allowed conspiracy theories to become mainstream and the role played by former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson in compromising media integrity. Click here for the shownotes and to subscribe to my newsletter and get Quizlet study materials.

04-24
11:28

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