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John Scott Lawton's English, you know ... John Scott Lawton
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English Language Learning, but not as you know it - Leadership and Management content, Coaching topics ... as well as creative writing, art, sport, comedy, poetry, crafts, plenty of other stuff ...
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Forever in Florence (Chapters 43-48)
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format.
This episode therefore introduces you to the eighth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart.
The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 43, 45, and 47; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works.
We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores.
Chapter 43 Extract
"David noted that they were still holding hands as they navigated the way slowly through the busy city streets. Cars had no place in this city and pedestrians knew it. Eventually they made their way to the drop-off point at the end of the small alleyway leading down towards Isabella’s home. No cars could make it down there, so Isabella had to gently and carefully guide David down the length of the passage and into her small courtyard garden."
In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 44, 46 and 48 in this episode tell Francesca's story.
Chapter 44 Extract
"The morning sun eased its way into the dense city streets as Francesca walked the dogs by the river. They were well-behaved and came to her when she called them to come to shake themselves dry at the water’s edge. Her mission today was very simple: to get her master Michelangelo Buonarroti out into the safety of the countryside with as little fuss as possible and to settle him into Antonio’s grandfather’s farm buildings for protection."
While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk
Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL -
Forever in Florence (Chapters 37-42)
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format.
This episode therefore introduces you to the seventh part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart.
The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 37, 39, and 41; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works.
We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores.
Chapter 37 Extract
"The last comment took her rather by surprise. She didn’t know how to respond. Many questions were going through her mind. Was he another player, coming over to Italy for a few months, leaving his English wife and possibly kids at home while he had fun in the sun, aided and abetted by his sister? Or did he mean ex-wife and he had just not been very clear? He didn’t look old enough to have been married and divorced, although on reflection, she felt, there was a sadness to him that made him look old enough to have lived that experience."
In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 38, 40 and 42 in this episode tell Francesca's story.
Chapter 38 Extract
"Antonio stood by the side of the main route to Bologna, anxious to get back to the university campus to prepare for his final examinations and to complete his degree. He had worked hard thus far and he was determined to do well."
While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk
Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #short -
Electric Vehicles - the future is now?
In this episode I return to my regular interview format as I talk with Slovak national Martin Salamon from the company, ejoin, about the improvements required in the infrastruture for a country wishing to significantly increase the use of electric vehicles.
ejoin is a Slovak manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles, charging stations, chargers, and electromobility.
The ejoin website is available at: https://ejoin.eu/
Martin and I discuss the benefits of electric vehicles versus diesel vehicles (such as my 19-year-old Landrover), not just in terms of environmental sustainability, but also in terms of the running costs of keeping a vehicle on the road over time.
We talk about some of the safety concerns that have been expressed about electric vehicles, particularly the fact that some people are worried that batteries in such vehicles can sometimes catch fire.
On a technical level, Martin references AC and DC charging stations for electric vehicles and these refer to AC (Alternating Current - which is generally slower) and Direct Current (which is considerably faster) when charging a vehicle.
We also discuss the economics of owning an electric vehicle versus a petrol or diesel alternative, where many factors have to be taken into account, not just the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle itself.
If you wish to contact Martin directly to discuss the challenges faced with building the capacity of electric vehicle charging stations in Slovakia, in particular, please follow him on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar-sal/
Spotify and other podcast platforms have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#electricvehicles #electriccars #Košice #Slovak #Slovakia #Bratislava #Slovensko #capacitybuilding #English #Englishlanguage #listeningskills #TESOL #IELTS #listeningpractice #IELTSexam
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Forever in Florence (Chapters 31-36)
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format.
This episode therefore introduces you to the sixth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart.
The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 31, 33, and 35; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works.
We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores.
Chapter 31 Extract
"It was Isabella’s turn to kiss her friend now, which she did delicately to each cheek, accompanied by a tight hug to really communicate the warmth and closeness they felt for each other. Mia was a bit of an enigma. She could be the life and soul of the party; but then disappear for weeks at a time, not always coming up with an explanation for her absence when she re-emerged from wherever she’d been hiding herself."
In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 32, 34 and 36 in this episode tell Francesca's story.
Chapter 32 Extract
"The sheets on her bed were cold to the touch, but in an inviting way as she pulled her long nightdress over the length of her body. Rubbing her feet together quickly at the bottom of the bed to offer some initial warmth, Francesca began to think of her attitude to Antonio that evening and whether she had been too cruel in her response to him."
While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk
Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #M -
Forever in Florence (Chapters 25-30)
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format.
This episode therefore introduces you to the fifth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart.
The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 25, 27, and 29; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo Buonarroti and his works.
We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores.
Chapter 25 Extract
"Isabella lay in bed the next morning, not quite sure what to make of the encounter with David. He had seemed just a little distant. She got that he was a bit pressured for time, they hadn’t got to the interesting stuff in the short conversations, like their mutual love of Dylan, and she wondered whether she had said something to offend him or he just wasn’t interested in her."
In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 26, 28 and 30 in this episode tell Francesca's story.
Chapter 26 Extract
"Francesca turned away from Maria, Antonio’s grandmother, to hide the tears that were now ebbing from her face. She had to pull up part of her upper garment at the waist to soak them up adequately. The poem had touched her deeply and she could feel Michelangelo’s pain and suffering in a very real sense, which made the simple poem all the more poignant."
While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk
Spotify and other podcast platforms also have the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #Medici #BobDylan
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Forever in Florence (Chapters 19-24)
In this rather different series of podcast Episodes (Series 11), I want to share with you a short novel I have written, set in Florence, Italy and inspired by its history and people and a recent working visit there. This series of podcasts is in effect, therefore, an audiobook in a change from my usual host/guest interview format.
This episode therefore introduces you to the fourth part of my novel, 'Forever in Florence', which is formed of two parallel storylines; with the stories being presented as alternate chapters, set in two different time periods, 500 years apart.
The odd numbered chapters; in this episode Chapters 19, 21, and 23; are set in the modern day and introduce you to its lead character, Isabella, who applies for a job in Florence's Academia Galleria so that she can be closer to her muse and idol Michelangelo and his works.
We follow Isabella's life and her loves, including her love of her home city, its food, its people, the beauty of Tuscany and her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Mia. In this and later episodes, you will also hear about her lifelong love for one particular songwriter, artist and poet who Isabella adores.
Chapter 19 Extract
"Isabella was addicted to Bob. His words, his music, his fine art and his poetry were the soundtrack, recitation and film score of her life. At every turn, he had been there for her, in sound and in virtual form. She had seen him live countless times; well, not really countless, she could remember every gig, every event, every opportunity to be near him. Now she was going to be with him; in the same room, in touching distance. In breathing distance."
In parallel with Isabella's life, the second storyline involves Francesca. This story is set in the High Renaissance and follows the life of Michelangelo as he struggles with his art, his stone craft, his relationships with the church and the city and with its controlling family, the Medici. Chapters 20, 22 and 24 in this episode tell Francesca's story.
Chapter 20 Extract
"The stress of caring for Michelangelo in his hideaway and the need to behave secretively at work and in her social affairs were beginning to weigh heavily on Francesca’s soul, mind and body. She needed to rest and went into her inner room away from the glare of the bright afternoon sun and lay on a soft cushioned couch against a cool wall that didn’t receive the sun’s attentions."
While based on some experiences described in the literature about Michelangelo's life, this is a story of fiction and is not meant to be wholly historically accurate, so please accept it as that; a story.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the draft of the story so far, perhaps to read as you listen to the audio version, please email me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk
Spotify also has the facility to follow a word by word transcript of the podcast, available via a tab next to the 'Description' tab on laptops or desktops, or at the bottom of the podcast description on mobiles and possibly tablets, headed, 'Episode Transcript'.
For more information on this podcast series, 'John Scott Lawton's English, you know', or to make any comments or to ask any questions relating to English Language learning, please contact me at johnscottlawton@hotmail.co.uk or leave a sound bite comment on Spotify.
Please visit my LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-lawton/ to view Recommendations regarding my English Language teaching and Executive Coaching Services (towards the bottom of my profile page).
#teaching #learning #learningenglish #TEFL #TESOL #IELTS #listeningskills #listening #teacher #stories #fiction #audiobooks #storytelling #Michelangelo #Italy #Florence #shortstory #shortnovel #novella #Firenze #M