The A to Z English Podcast Jack McBain

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack help out a listener who is anxious about having an accent when speaking English.
Dear Xochitl and Jack,
I recently moved to an English-speaking country to pursue my studies, and while I'm confident in my academic English, I find it challenging to engage in casual conversations with native speakers. I often feel self-conscious about my accent and worry that I might not be understood clearly. How can I overcome this fear and improve my spoken English in informal settings?
Sincerely,
Accent Anxieties
Transcript:
00:00:00
Jack
Hey A-Z listeners, this is Jack here.
00:00:03
Jack
And if you would like to become a an exclusive subscriber to the show, you can hit the link in the description and that will take you to our Red Circle page, where for $1.99 a month you will get access to an extra two or three episodes each week.
00:00:23
Jack
And be careful, don't hit that donation button if you want to become an exclusive subscriber because the donation button is just a one time donation. However, the exclusive subscriber button will give you access to the extra two or three episodes.
00:00:42
Jack
Each week.
00:00:44
Jack
So make sure you hit that exclusive subscriber button if you want access to the extra episodes.
00:00:52
Jack
Now let's get on with the show.
00:00:55
Jack
Welcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm here with my co-host social. And today we are.
00:01:03
Jack
Doing a dear social and Jack episode where one of our listeners has written or sent us an e-mail.
00:01:12
Jack
With some kind of problem that they need help with and it is something language related and so.
00:01:18
Jack
Uh, and I know I know what you're going to say already, because I've read this before, so I can kind of predict what your answer is going to be social. But I I like I you've said this before and I I like it so much. I I hope you say it again. So here's the here's the letter. Here's Social and Jack.
00:01:36
Jack
I recently moved to an English speaking country to pursue to pursue my studies.
00:01:43
Jack
And while I'm confident in my academic English, I find it challenging to engage in casual conversation with native speakers. I often feel self-conscious about my accent and worry that I might not be understood clearly.
00:02:01
Jack
How can I overcome this fear and improve my spoken English in informal settings? Sincerely.
00:02:10
Jack
Accent anxieties.
00:02:13
Xochitl
Alright, acts and anxiety. Well, I think the fear that you're having is really valid. It's really normal. I think anyone who learns a new language feels this way. I know I certainly did when I moved to Korea. I'm going to tell you.
00:02:28
Xochitl
The way that you're going to see the most improvement.
00:02:32
Xochitl
Is jumping head first just nose diving into that fear?
00:02:39
Xochitl
And trying your hardest anyway. Yes, there will be uncomfortable and awkward moments where people don't understand what you're saying. Yes, sometimes people might correct you, some people might be jerks and make fun of your accents. I had people laugh at me in Korea to my face.
00:02:55
Xochitl
Yeah, it stings a little bit, but how many languages could they speak fluently so you know, most of the time, any. Yeah. Most of the time, people who can speak two languages fluently are not going to be the same people laughing in your face because they can appreciate how difficult it is to learn a second language. And they're going to be respectful.
00:03:02
발표자
Yeah.
00:03:02
Jack
Yeah, yeah.
00:03:15
Xochitl
About it.
00:03:16
Jack
And what? What does your mom say about people that speak two languages?
00:03:21
Jack
Do you remember? Ohh you forgot. Ohh OK. God love. I'll never forget this because your mom, your your mom

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack discuss the following three idiomatic expressions:

Out of the blue:
Definition: Unexpectedly or without warning; something happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: "I hadn't spoken to my old friend in years, but then out of the blue, she sent me an email asking how I was doing."

Take it with a grain of salt:
Definition: To be skeptical about something; not to completely believe or trust something.
Example: "The tabloids reported that the celebrity was getting married again, but we should take it with a grain of salt until we hear it from a reliable source."

Give it a shot:
Definition: To attempt or try something; to give something a try, especially when facing uncertainty or difficulty.
Example: "I've never played golf before, but I'm willing to give it a shot and see how it goes."

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack talk about why it's still important for adults to learn a new language.
Transcript:
00:00:00
Jack
Hey A-Z listeners, this is Jack here.
00:00:03
Jack
And if you would like to become a an exclusive subscriber to the show, you can hit the link in the description and that will take you to our Red Circle page, where for $1.99 a month you will get access to an extra two or three episodes each week.
00:00:23
Jack
And be careful, don't hit that donation button if you want to become an exclusive subscriber because the donation button is just a one time donation. However, the exclusive subscriber button will give you access to the extra two or three episodes.
00:00:42
Jack
Each week.
00:00:44
Jack
So make sure you hit that exclusive subscriber button if you want access to the extra episodes.
00:00:52
Jack
Now let's get on with the show.
00:00:56
Jack
Welcome to the A-Z English podcast. My name is Jack and I'm here with my co-host social. And today we are doing a topic talk and the topic of today's conversation is why you are never too old to learn a language and such a I just went online and did a little bit of research.
00:01:18
Jack
And I found five pretty interesting reasons why you're never too old to learn a language, and the first one is about near neuroplasticity.
00:01:29
Xochitl
Oh, interesting.
00:01:30
Jack
And so yeah, and it's it's it says here while it's true that children often have an easier time picking up languages due to their brains, high level of neuroplasticity, which means ability to adapt and change, adults can still learn new languages.
00:01:50
Jack
Effectively, research has shown that the adult brain remains capable of forming new neural connections.
00:01:58
Jack
Actions and adapting to new linguistic challenges, albeit at a different pace than children, so it's not like we have zero ability to learn a language and and build new neural pathways, but it's not the same as when we're like in the the critical age when you know.
00:02:18
Jack
Whatever that might be, five to three years old.
00:02:21
Jack
You know, I don't know. Thirteen years old or whatever, so yeah.
00:02:25
발표자
Right, right.
00:02:26
Xochitl
Yeah. OK. I think that's very interesting. I've heard before on theories that if you learn two or more languages as a balanced bilingual from childhood that you're also more able to pick up new languages. But even if you hadn't, even if you are monolingual.
00:02:44
Xochitl
And you never learned more than one language growing up. I think research shows that adults, it's it's beginning to show at an increasing weight that adults still retain quite a bit of neuroplasticity. Right, so I think.
00:03:02
Xochitl
Yeah, that just gives you every more reason to have faith that you can learn another language and a lot of the world has light up on us because they have learned two or more languages.
00:03:15
Xochitl
From a young age so.
00:03:17
Jack
Yeah. And this one kind of dovetails nicely. It connects with the one later, which is cognitive benefits. You know, like the like, holding off dementia and stuff like that is creating new neural pathways in your brain, you know, so neurons are making new connections.
00:03:28
발표자
Yep.
00:03:36
Jack
This is a good thing, like it's a it's a good practice. It's like exercise for your brain, you know, it's like working out your brain. So yeah, definitely a good thing. And I also I wanted to say one more thing about what you said about bilingual children.
00:03:44
Xochitl
Right.
00:03:56
Jack
Cause my daughter is a a balanced bilingual just like you.
00:04:00
Jack
Bar and I think there's something that children learn early that that we don't, that I didn't learn till I was older and that is that language

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack talk about fillers English speakers often use.

English language fillers are words or phrases that people use in speech to fill pauses or gaps in conversation. Here are some common ones:

Um / Uh: Used to indicate hesitation or to fill a pause while thinking.
Well: Often used to introduce a statement, express agreement, or to indicate that you're considering something.
So: Frequently used to transition between topics or to start a new thought.
You know: Used to seek validation from the listener or to emphasize a point.
Like: Often used as a filler word, especially among younger speakers, to pause or emphasize a point.
I mean: Used to clarify or rephrase a statement.
Actually: Used to add emphasis or correction to a statement.
Basically: Often used to simplify or summarize a complex idea.
Well, you see: Used to begin an explanation or to introduce reasoning.
In a way / In a sense: Used to qualify or add nuance to a statement.

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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack explain the meanings of several phrasal verbs using the verb "push."

Push around: This phrasal verb means to treat someone in a bossy or unfair manner, often by using one's authority or physical strength. For example:
"The new manager likes to push around junior staff members to assert her authority."
"Don't let him push you around like that; stand up for yourself!"
Push for: This phrasal verb means to advocate for or strongly support something, often in a determined or persistent manner. For example:
"The environmental activists are pushing for stricter regulations on pollution."
"The union is pushing for better working conditions for its members."
Push through: This phrasal verb means to overcome obstacles or resistance in order to achieve something, often by using determination or force. For example:
"Despite facing numerous challenges, she managed to push through and complete her project on time."
"We need to push through these difficult times together and come out stronger on the other side."

Podcast Website:
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In this episode of The A to Z English Podcast, Xochitl and Jack explain the meanings of several expressions which use the word "dead."
Dead on: This phrase means exactly accurate or precise. For example:
"You were dead on with your prediction about the outcome of the game."
"Her aim was dead on, hitting the target every time."
Dead to rights: This expression refers to being caught red-handed or being unmistakably guilty of something. For example:
"The thief was caught dead to rights with the stolen goods in his possession."
"She was caught cheating on the exam, caught dead to rights by the teacher."
Dead as a doornail: This phrase is used to emphasize that something is completely lifeless or inactive. For example:
"After the accident, the engine was dead as a doornail."
"The party was so dull, it felt dead as a doornail within minutes."
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