Metaphors – It is five to twelve
come in at 30 seconds standards of living if you talk about standards of living her standard of living will not be …
The Story – The Plot – Past Simple Tense
This story moves between past simple tense and present simple tense. It describes events in past simple tense. It describes circumstances and situations in present simple tense. phrases I am afraid I would have to start we do not really need a world government. a single government elected by the people of the world People [...]
What song are you listening to?
What song are you listening to? I have to look it up. I have to check. I have to find out the name. I have to find out the name of it. I will just check. I will just find out the name of it. The Use of “Just” Do you know how to use: [...]
The Awakening – the Future
This video is for advanced level students but all levels can benefit from the notes and phrases below. to awaken – to wake up Time Phrases in the twenty-first century in the twentieth century in the nineteenth century the system the system that we live in corrupt – adjective corruption -noun Noun Phrase psycho-paths and [...]
Who are you?
Who are you? Who am I? Is that an important question? imitate – imitation Have you seen the History and Geography Page? World English Course There are lots of things you can learn in the World English Course. There is a place where you can talk about work and there is also a place where [...]
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 9 – The Cell
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] at Still Burning There I was Here I am. Which one did you hear? I am in a prison cell I was in a prison cell he was in a prison cell they were in separate cells I have been here for about three or four hours I [...]
A Conversation in English between Russian Girls and Belgian Girls
It says: “Speak and Understand.” How old are you? Since the twenty-fifth of July. I am twenty-four. Are you sisters? No, we are not. (We are not sisters. Well, all women are sisters.) We are friends. Do you study? No, we don’t. We don’t study. We work. We have jobs. We have jobs in Belgium. [...]
War Crimes in Fallujah, Iraq
The Law of the Land
Legal English Adjectives constitutional – unconstitutional legal – illegal
The People of Syria
There is all these different people in Syria. There is (are) so many different people in Syria. There is: the Christians … the Muslims. There is the Druze The Christians are orthodox .. a very ancient sect of christianity. i guess the majority are the Sunni muslims who can be divided into .. They are [...]
Iranians are not Arabs
Earthquake – Tsunami – Nuclear Disaster – Japan
The History of Universal City – Chinatown
The entrance to the wall is in Chinatown.
The TDM crews go down through a pillar in Chinatown. They go in an elevator which takes them right under the Ooze and they have scuba divers and Security Forces who work with them.
The entrance to the Wall is heavily guarded. Access is strictly prohibited.
The Time Page – Time Phrases – Living Overseas
have just come back to Japan
has recently come back
has never come back
Which one did you hear?
When did you come back?
When did she go away?
Chooka Parker – I am just gonna make it up on the spot
I’m just gonna play the piano.
I am just going to play the piano.
I am just going to make it up as I go along.
I am just gonna make it up on the spot.
The Verb page – Verbal Phrases 8 – Drilling
The wells range between two thousand five hundred metres to three thousand five hundred metres in depth.
The wells vary in depth from two thousand five hundred metres to three thousand five hundred metres.
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 7 – The Farmer’s Wife
I have to find a park.
I had to find park
I had to find a place to park.
I had to find a toilet.
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 6 – Living Overseas
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Check your answers at this link: Living Overseas at glenelg48 just come back just returned Which one did you hear? When did you come back? When did you get back? I came back about two years ago I got back about two years ago I lived overseas I [...]
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 5 – The Transvaal
What part of South Africa were you born in?
What part of South Africa was he born in?
What part of South Africa was she born in?
The Story of America – the Sixties – Alan Ginsberg
Alan Ginsberg was an important figure in the Sixties social revolution. He was a major figure in the Beat generation.
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 4
Check your answers at this link: the hotel receptionist.
I was arrested
I have been arrested
The first one is part of a narrative in the past. The second one is a description of the situation now.
The Verb Page – Verbal Phrases 3
What did you hear?
I moved to
I am moving to
And at that time
And at this time
Witnesses to the Events of the Great Depression
Can you complete the transcript? Use the phrases and notes to help you understand…
The Adjective Page – Focus on Adjectives 2 – The Receptionist
I was followed
I was stopped
I was arrested - the arrested man
I was interrogated
I was imprisoned – the imprisoned man
The Verb Page – verbal phrases 2
I have just finished my lunch.
I just finished my lunch.
I just ate.
Which one did you hear?
Science and Technology – the Magnetic Motor
Brian O’Leary: Oh yeah. This is the result of … this is a trip I took about ten years ago all around the world…for example Paramahamsa Tewari has a magnetic motor … (for) which …the Government of India has actually given him money and laboratory space to develop this.
He starts it up as a generator and then he unplugs it and it becomes a free running motor … free running generator. Other way around.
The Verb Page – verbal phrases 1 (the cry)
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Check your ideas later at this link: Mosquito City: The Cry I was sitting in the back of my friend’s car I am sitting in the front of my friend’s car Have you ever been to New York? There is a banana leaf hut. There was a banana [...]
Science and Technology – Free Energy Now!
Soon there will be small energy devices to power your car or house for free. This technology has been around for a long time but it has been suppressed.
The Economics of the Banking System
(In) 1913 this country died when we adopted the central bank and we got rid of sound money. We used to be able in 1913 to walk into a bank and redeem our dollars with gold. Can we do that any more? No! What is the price of gold now? Almost two thousand dollars. It has gone up six hundred dollars an ounce this year.
The Advertising Industry is Responsible
Interviewer: Ponderosa Pine! How did you get that name? Environmental Activist: I gave it to myself in 1972. I had moved back to California from New Mexico where I became really fond of that tree and then I learned it is the most susceptible of California trees to smog and that it was in trouble [...]
I Would Love to Hang Out With You!
The mantra is a very very powerful opening into the soul … See, Your soul is like constantly calling you and saying: “I miss you. Where are you? Why do you keep running round? Why don’t you come home? I have this wonderful meal cooked for you. I would love to hang out with you. [...]
What Do You See?
A father talks with his 8-year-old daughter talk about some drawings by Stan Alec Roberts. Father: Ok, you can open your eyes now, and I want you to look at each picture and tell me what you see and how you feel about it. Let’s look at the first picture. What do you see? Daughter: [...]
There Was a Time When…
Marlon Brando speaks out on Civil Rights in this video.
Mosquito City – Part 42 – I have to get out of this hotel
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (anlimc42.mp3) at Irp Frank’s friends were not able to help Mark find an apartment so he asked his friend Peter for help. Mark: So Peter I really need to get out of this hotel and get my own place. Down in Brooklyn, you said, was [...]
How do you make feijoada?
Learn how to cook Brazilian food.
Mark: Fresh or seeds or …?
Brazilian Neighbour: Fresh. Fresh.
Mark: The leaves?
Brazilian Neighbour: The leaves. Yeah. You put it right in the end.
Mark: Right. OK. Wow!
I Pay Too Much Tax!
What percentage of your income do you pay in tax to the government? Listen to a Dutch guy complain about how much tax he pays.
That’s how you sit
Talking with children can be insightful, as they have an innocent view of the world and ask very good questions. In this conversation, an adult speaks with a child about how a puppy dog sits.
In My Opinion…
Vedanta is a Hindu philosophy and practice whose goal is self-realization. In this conversation, Mark asks a woman in India about the best place to study Vedanta.
Boat Building
Have you ever built a boat? An Ozzie and a Kiwi talk about building a boat. It isn’t as easy at it might seem.
Water Treatment
Words are powerful. They can affect water in noticeable ways. And since we are made mostly of water, words have a powerful effect on us, too.
A Helicopter, a Boat or an Aeroplane
Father and daughter hear a noise. What is it?
Is is a helicopter, a boat, or an aeroplane?
Listen and find out for yourself.
An English Accent
An Australian speaks with a Londoner about accents in London, England. They compare an Australian and a London, or Cockney, accent.
Furniture
A father sits his daughter on his lap and tells her a story. She listens and participates.
Federal Taxes
Several guys talk about federal taxes and drug money in a pool hall. What is the U.S. government’s role in this?
How does India compare to Australia?
Mark talks with an Australian World War II veteran about his experiences in India. “The countryside was very much like Australia.”
People and Places – Burke 3 – It gives you a good background
Mark talks with a Canadian fellow, named Burke, from Ontario. Burke talks a bit about his life as a young adult there.
You Look Japanese
Mark speaks with Jeremy, from France, who he meets at a cafe in New Delhi. Mark thinks he looks Japanese, but he’s not. Where are his parents from?
Network Marketing or Multi-level Marketing
A man and a woman talk about multi-level marketing. The woman has strong feelings about it and says that it is unethical.
Cockney Accent
Have you ever heard a Cockney accent? What exactly does ‘Cockney’ mean? Find out by listening to this conversation.
Curing Addiction by Meditation in the “Caves of Truth”
Did you know that there is a place in Thailand that cures drug addicts by teaching them how to meditate? Listen to Mark talk with a man named John, who is doing research on Thai Buddhism.
People and Places – Steve 2 – Born in Brooklyn
Some people all Brooklyn “The Planet” because it is so culturally diverse. Steve was born and raised in Brooklyn. Listen to Steve talk with Mark about some of his past experiences.
Health Problems
Micheal got a horrible illness called ‘amoebic dysentery’ during his trip to India. Unfortunately, he took the wrong pills to cure himself. Listen to what he has to say in this conversation.
What language do they speak in Jersey?
What do you call a cross between French and English? Find out in this conversation between an Australian and a Scotsman.
Actually I was Born in Hawaii
Have you ever met a Mormon? Did you know they are very efficient language learners? Listen to Mark speak with a Mormon on a mission in Cambodia.
The Next State
Connecticut’s is the ‘Constitution State’. How do you pronounce it. Hear a short conversation with someone who grew up in Connecticut.
I lived in Port Moresby
Port Moresby is the capital and largest city in Papua New Guinea. Hear someone speak who lived there for 10 years as a child.
A Career in Medical Research
In this recording, an international medical research scientist talks about her expertise and all the places she has studied and worked.
Have you read Swedenborg?
Have you ever read Swedenborg? Do you know what a ‘scrim’ is? Listen to two guys talk about it.
People and Places – The Swami – 6 – The Same Thing
The universe is full of many forms, but the essence is one. The essence is one. The essence is one. So says the swami.
The Holy Grail
A temple in Ethiopia contains a very special relic. Is it the Holy Grail or the Ten Commandments? Listen to Luis and Isabel talk about it.
Drilling for Oil and Gas
Drilling for oil and gas on a big rig at sea is hard work. It’s also dangerous. Hear a big rig ‘motorman’ talk about his experiences on a drilling platform.
The Elixir of Immortality
If you had the chance to live forever, would you take it? Hear about a Chinese man who wanted to live forever and how he tried to do it.
People and Places – Burke 2 – And then they went to Europe
What do Oranjeboom, Ghana, and CSIS have in common? A Canadian man named Burke, whose parents were teachers who worked in different countries when he was a child. Listen to Burke talk about it.
People and Places – San Francisco – 1 – It was Wild!
San Francisco has always been a pretty wild and crazy place, full of all kinds of fascinating sub-cultures. Listen to an American guy talk about some of his experiences living in San Francisco.
Have you been to Cuba?
The island of Cuba has a high literacy, an excellent medical system, and the people live a long time. Hear some Brits and an Australian talk about Cuba and their leader, Fidel Castro.
I am a Japanese Korean
Misun is a Japanese Korean from Osaka. Her parents were both born in Japan, too. She cannot get a Japanese passport, but instead has a Korean one. Mark interviews her in this recording.
Pakistan Used to Be Part of British India
In this recording, Mark talks with an Indian woman who was born in Pakistan, grew up in Delhi, and spent a good number of years living abroad, in places like Japan and Singapore.
An English Village in Spain
In Gibraltar, they don’t want to be Spanish and they don’t want to be British. What do they want to be? Listen to Mark and Luis talk about this British colony in the south of Spain.
Chinese Revolution
Did you know that the main protagonists of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-Shek, were related? Find out how in this conversation between an American and an Australian.
Making a Documentary
A French guy is making a documentary about a Benedictine monk who went to India to learn from Hinduism. The monk never came back….
Football is the Global Language
Some people have said that football, or soccer, is the world’s global language. Indeed, it is the world’s most popular sport. Listen to an Australian bloke talk with a Yorkshireman about football.
Indian Languages
There are a multitude of languages spoken in India, one of the world’s largest and most diverse countries. Listen to Mark talk to an interesting guy who claims to speak many Indian languages.
Making a Cup of Tea
Do you know how to make a cup of tea properly? Apparently, there is more than one way to prepare a cup of tea, and depending on which way you choose, your cup of tea will taste differently. Hear an Irish fellow describe his method.
People and Places – The Swami 5 – Chanting the Vedas
The Vedas are large bodies of texts originating in ancient India. In this recording, the swami tells Mark all about the powerful effects the Vedas have when chanted.
London Accent
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (londonaccent.mp3) at egg London Bloke: Personally to myself, Class A drugs are drugs that…Ok I will put it this way… Australian Bloke: Speed. Co…? London Bloke: I will put it this way. To me non-Class A drugs are drugs that can be cultivated without any [...]
I make Bread and Pizza
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (hannan.mp3) at fooey Mark: What was your name again? Hannan: My name is Hannan Benetan. Mark: One more time. Mark and Hannan: Hannan. Mark: Hannan. How do spell that? Hannan: H-a-n-n-a-n. Mark: H-a-n-a. Hannan. What part of Israel do you come from? Hanan: Rishon le [...]
Virginia Accent
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (virginiaaccent.mp3) at scandblue The Guy from Virginia: No. Marriage is a family-oriented….family institution. If you want to have a family… The Other Guy: The family is sacred. The Guy from Virginia: …get married. That is the way I see it. If I wanted right now [...]
Mixed British Accents
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (mush.mp3) at Parksey1964 (Can you tell a person from Southampton by the way they talk; by their accent?) First English Guy: Oh yeah. Englishwoman: That’s Southampton. It is about as far south as you can get. First English Guy: “Mush”. By the way they use [...]
Himalayan Hike – 1 – Hiring a Guide
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (Himalayan Hike1.mp3) at irp Mark and Axel from Australia teamed up with Luis from Spain and Alex from France to hike to Malana in Himachal Pradesh. Gilles helped them negotiate the price and conditions of a guide over the mountain pass. Gilles: You must be [...]
The Argentine Economy
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (argentine.mp3) at lu6fpj Australian Guy: How is the Argentinian economy now, like there was a crash a few years ago wasn’t there? Argentine Guy: The crash was in 2001 and after that I don’t know if you remember we had five presidents in three weeks. [...]
The Man from Marseilles
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (marseilles.mp3) at serena sundai Mark: So Eric, you are from France? Eric: Yes. Mark: Which part? Eric: Which park? Mark: Which part?! Eric: My part is Marseilles. My city is Marseilles and my country is France. Mark: But you speak English with an Indian accent. [...]
Liverpool Accent
The Beatles are from Liverpool. Listen to this recording and find out what a real Liverpool accent sounds like.
People and Places – The Swami 4 – The Same Thing
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (swami4.mp3) at Irp Swami: So you have the five senses. Mark: Mm. Mm.What is the relationship between Atman and Brahman? Swami: Brahman and Atman are the same thing. Mark: Mm. Swami: Brahman is the lingua franca… is the terminology for “the formless infinite” as described [...]
Mashed, Smashed, or Whipped Potatoes
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (potatoes.mp3) at Lynnintokyo Wayne, from northern Kentucky, explains to Aaron the difference between mashed, smashed, and whipped potatoes. Aaron: What’s the difference between mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, and whipped potatoes? Wayne: Well, whipped potatoes are when you take a blender and you blend them with [...]
The Christiania Community in Copenhagen
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (christiania.mp3) at Only Alice Three guys are sitting by the lake in Phnom Penh talking about Christiania and the death of hippie culture in Copenhagen. Mark: Christiana. What year was that? Danish Guy: Christiania was occupied….it was an old military… like… what do you call [...]
The Tamil Minority in Sri Lanka
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (tamilminority.mp3) at noaman Reporter: Uh-huh. Tamil Man: Open this one. (the digital recorder; “turn it on”) Reporter: Yeah. Tamil Man: Very important. Reporter: Good. Tamil Man: The Sri Lankan Government; what they are doing now. They understand that the Tamil people; the problem comes from [...]
What is it like in a Dogon Village?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (luisdogon.mp3) at el rabbit A group of friends start to talk about Dogon villages in Africa and end up talking about nationalism. Mark: What is the Dogon village like? Luis: They are clay… and they are… Mark: Clay houses? Luis: Clay houses. Mark: Round houses? [...]
The Nepalese Minority in Burma
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (burmesenepali.mp3) at pingnews.com Australian Fellow: How many Nepali people are there in Burma and how did they come to be there? Nepalese Chap: We are half a million Nepalese people around Burma and generally we have been in Burma like two hundred years. Australian Fellow: [...]
Outside Oslo
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (outsideoslo.mp3) at catmer Mark met a Norwegian woman at a cafe. Mark: What part of Norway do you come from? The Norwegian Woman: Just outside Oslo. Mark: Oh Yeah. Is it like part of Oslo? The Norwegian Woman: No it is a little town kind [...]
Kirsten from Tasmania
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (kirsten.mp3) at Jonathon Ah Kit Mark: So Kirsten what part of Tasmania do you come from? Kirsten: I come from a place called Launceston in the north of the state. It is the second biggest city in Tasmania. Mark: Is it on the coast? Kirsten: [...]
People and Places – The Swami 3 – The Five Elements
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (swami3.mp3) at Irp Mark: What are the five elements? Swami: The first is earth. Mark: Earth. Swami: The most solid. Rough is the earth. Mark: Matter. Swami: Matter. Matter. Subtler than that is water. Mark: Water. Swami: Subtler than water is fire. Mark: Earth, water, [...]
There are Mormons All Over the World
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (mormon1.mp3) at lee benjamin Mark: I am in Phnom Penh and I am talking to Elder Swenson. You are from Utah? Elder Swenson: I am actually from Montana. Mark: Right. Ok. But you are a Mormon? Elder Swenson: I am. Mark: So there are Mormons [...]
I Was Doing Yoga
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (travelagent.mp3) at Myyogaonline Mark ran into a Japanese guy at a travel agent in Rishikesh. The Japanese Guy: Do you think I ought to take a local bus all the way? The Travel Agent: No no no. It is open at five o’clock. Four o’clock. [...]
When the Khmer Rouge was in Power
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (pahlinterview.mp3) at walt jabsco Mark: So Pahl what part of Cambodia do you come from? Pahl: I come from Kompong Cham Province. Mark: Kompong Cham. And you were born there? Pahl: Yes, I was born there? Mark: How far is it from Phnom Penh? Pahl: [...]
Eran from Israel
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (israelieran.mp3) at Tmuna Fish Mark: So Eran what part of Israel do you come from? Eran: I am from Rishon. Rishon le Zion. Mark: From where? Eran: Rishon le Zion. Mark: How do you spell that? Eran: R-i-s-h-o-n. Mark: Uh-huh. Eran: Would be Rishon. Mark: [...]
Who was the real Hannibal?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (ishtar.mp3) at grabthar Syrian Guy: There. What happened there? You know? Mark: You were talking about Ishtar. The old Assyrian goddess. Syrian Guy: Ishtarte. Ishtarte. Mark: Ishtarte. Yeah. Syrian Guy: She was the goddess of the sun. The sun-goddess. Mark: Right. This is in ancient [...]
In those days it was called the Western Transvaal
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (isabel1.mp3) at pingnews.com Mark: What part of South Africa were you born in? Isabel: In those days it was called the western Transvaal. Mark: Right. Isabel: These days it is called the Northern Province. Mark: The Northern Province. Isabel: Yes. It is west of Johannesburg. [...]
Hitching Around Australia
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (dahi.mp3) at davidgraymaclean Mark: So… so Dahi, what part of Ireland do you come from? Dahi: I am from Cork. It is in the very south. Mark: Is it the southern most part? Dahi: It is the southern most county. It is not the southern [...]
Kath from Surrey
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (kathsurrey.mp3) at Patryck Mark: Sorry what did you say your name was again? Kath: My name is Kath. Short for Katherine. Mark: Katherine. Katherine. Mark Kath: Hello. (laughs) Mark: What part of England are you from, Kath? Kath: I am from a place called Surrey [...]
They could have broke the back of OPEC
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (OPEC.mp3) at elkrusty A guy from Indiana talked to Mark about the war in Iraq. Mark: Which oil cartel? Guy: OPEC. Mark: OPEC. Right. And they were gonna like stop everything being hitched to the dollar and like..? Guy: No. We could have broke…. When [...]
People and Places – The Swami 2 – Twenty-four hours I am on the job
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (swami2.mp3) at Irp Swami: If you are meditating anyway there is a lot of heat. Mark: Mm. Swami: I have a lot of heat so that is why I wear very little (very few) clothes. Mark: Do you meditate all night? Swami: Not all night [...]
Nick from Manchester
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (nickmanchester.mp3) at Neil101 Mark ran into Nick from Manchester in the village of Malana in Himachal Pradesh. Mark: So Nick you are from Manchester? Nick: Yeah. Mark: How long is it since you left there? Nick: About three weeks we have been in India now. [...]
People and Places – The Swami 1 – What is your first language?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (swami1.mp3) at Gayatri Swami: Where are the cricket grounds in Australia … where test cricket is held? Mark: Every city. Swami: Every city? Mark: I am from Brisbane. Swami: Ah-ha Brisbane! Queensland. Mark: That is right. Yeah. Swami: Aah Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. Mark: Where [...]
People and Places – Adrian – A German in India
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (adrian.mp3) at Motographer Mark: So Adrian, what part of Germany do you come from? Adrian: I’m coming from the southwest of Germany. Mark: What’s the name of the area? Adrian: It’s called Palatinate. Mark: Palatinate. And you come from a village or a city? Adrian: [...]
Japanese Popular Culture – Children
Totoro is a famous character in Japan. Children and adults of all ages love Totoro. Listen to this little girl answer questions from her father about Totoro.
People and Places – Annette 1 – Where are you from?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (annette.mp3) at *heloise* Mark: What’s your name? Annette: Annette. Mark: Annette. And where are you from, Annette? Annette: I’m from Denmark. Mark: Oh really? What part of Denmark? Annette: Jutland. Mark: Jutland. That’s near…that’s on the European mainland? Annette: Yeah, kind of. Mark: Close to [...]
People and Places – Aaron 1 – “Actually he was born in Mississippi.”
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (aaron1.mp3) at Kevin Sall Mark: You were born in..What state were you born in, Aaron? Aaron: I was born in Tennesee. Mark: What part of Tennesee? Aaron: Memphis, Tennesee. Mark: Memphis, Tennesee. Right. That is where Elvis comes from. Aaron: Actually, I believe he was [...]
People and Places – Burke 1 – Grew up on the road?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (burke1.mp3) at Monique Hofland Mark: Did you say…? Burke! Did you say you were…? Did you say you grew up on the road? Burke: Ahm. Well. Actually I grew up in the back of a backpack but that is because … I was born in [...]
Talking about Meditation
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (meditation.mp3) at premasagar Mark: So what is meditation? Alec: Hmm..good question. Well meditation is a huge variety of techniques that are used to move people into the moment…or to use a cliche, the “here and now”. Mark: Hm-mm what kind of techniques? For example, can [...]
Working in Bangkok
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (workinginbangkok.mp3) at Hartfried Schmid Mark talked to Tim at his office in Bangkok. Mark : Hello everybody. I am just sitting here in Bangkok at a UNESCO office with Tim Denny. Tim was working in Japan and then Cambodia and he has just moved over [...]
Studying in India
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (studyinginindia.mp3) at dashingyankee Mark: So I am just sitting in an Indian restaurant with my friend, Arthur. Arthur, you have been to India, haven’t you? Arthur: Yes. Mark: Tell us about it. When did you first go there? Arthur: in September 1969… Mark : September…? [...]
Working as an Engineer
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (workingasanengineer.mp3) at pianoforte Mark talks to Tony about a job in Kuwait Mark: What kind of job in Kuwait? Tony: Oh it would be ahh…well…it could be a number of things…in…civil engineering…you know…maintenance on the base…maintenance on the base, you know…evaluating contracts. Mark: Are you [...]
Bangkok during the Vietnam War
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (vietnamwar.mp3) at *hendrik Mark asks Tony about his experiences in Bangkok during the Vietnam War. Tony: I didn’t go to Vietnam. I was in the air force. Mark: Right. Tony: They had a few bases in Vietnam but they had like six or seven air [...]
Lake Eyre in Central Australia
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (eyre.mp3) at SideShowMom Mark: There is this big lake in the middle of Australia: Lake Eyre…and it is below sea level.. Craig: Right… Mark: And normally the rivers in Australia…they are dry…but about once every…twice every hundred years it rains in that area… Craig: Right… [...]
On Horseback from Canada to South America
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (onhorseback.mp3) at stephanie-sas Craig and Mark and some friends talk about a horseback journey from Canada to South America. Craig: One night Mark and I came up with an idea for a great trip. It started…we were talking about horses and…you know that I really [...]
Musical Scales
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (scales.mp3) at Dey Mark and Pedro and Be and Kenni are comparing Indian music and western music. Mark: Hello everybody. I am just sitting here with Kenni and Pedro and Be and me, Mark. Be and I (are) from Australia and Kenni and Pedro are [...]
People and Places – Miriam 2 – “He is a really incredible man”
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (miria2.mp3) at leonie_x Mark: Ok, so, a minute ago you were talking about your uncle and you said that he was one of the pioneers in Davao. Miriam: Yes. He is a really incredible man. He is kind of a farmer/philosopher. Mark: Uh-huh. Miriam: He [...]
People and Places – Derek 1 – Laveen, Arizona
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (laveen.mp3) at Caretakr Aaron: Where are you from? Derek: I’m from Laveen, Arizona. Aaron: Where is Laveen? Derek: Laveen is Southwest of Phoenix. Aaron: Southwest of Phoenix. Derek: Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. Aaron: Yeah? And so how would you describe the place where [...]
People and Places – Steve 1 – You are from Brooklyn?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (steve1.mp3) at Joe_B Mark: So, Steve, you are from Brooklyn? Steve: Yes. Mark: That is one of the boroughs of New York City? Steve: Correct. Mark: How many boroughs are there, do you know? Steve: Five. I do know. Five. Mark: What are they? Steve: [...]
Chakras: Energy Centres in the Human Body
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (chakras.mp3) at omnos In this conversation, Pedro, Kenni, Mark and Be talk about energy centers in the body (chakras) and then start to sing. In their conversation they mention different parts of the body. Can you pick out the words which refer to parts of [...]
People and Places – Miriam 1 – Where are you from?
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (miria1.mp3) at Aktiv Phil Mark: Where are you from Miriam? Miriam: I am from the Philippines. I was born in Manila, actually. Mark: Right. Miriam: … in 1961 Mark: Your parents are from Manila also? Miriam: No, my mother and father, actually; they come from [...]
Germans in Chile
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (chile.mp3) at emeeelea a.k.a mela Kenni and Pedro talk with Mark and Be about South America. Mark: So, Kenni, are you from Santiago as well? Kenni: Yes, I am from Chile, Santiago in Chile. Mark: Uh-huh. Have you traveled in South America very much? Kenni: [...]
The Story of the Bhagavad-Gita
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (bhagavad-gita.mp3) at novanglus3 Mark and Pedro and Kenni and Be are talking about the Bhagavad-Gita after dinner. Mark: Hello everybody. I am just sitting here with Pedro. We have just had dinner and we are having a glass of red wine. Pedro, you are from [...]
Chasing the Buck – An Incredible Animal Story
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (buck.mp3) at the_life_and_times_of_the_ Mark talks to Eric about an incredible animal experience. Note that the word ‘buck’ means ‘dollar‘ and also ‘male deer’. Eric: So I was in…I think it was Wakayama on this really really small gravel mountain road…exploring on my off-road little sports [...]
Japanese Animals
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (japaneseanimals.mp3) at eesti Mark and Eric talk about wild animals in Japan. Mark: When you go on these motorcycle trips, do you see much wildlife? Eric: Well often I ride on my off-road bike. I ride fire-roads or logging type roads…very small gravel….roads and on [...]
Plutonium is a Dangerous Substance
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (plutonium.mp3) at maidrin_rua Mark and Aaron talked to an eighty-six year-old Japanese poet and political activist who had lived in India and China. Mark: Ok so you came back to Japan because it is an important time…like…the constitution… Naoto: Yeah…you know…the constitution…August next year there [...]
Born in Virginia
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (borninvirginia.mp3) at vidalia Mark met Tony in Bangkok. They talked and ate together. Tony: Can I eat while I am talking? Mark: Yeah, yeah yeah yeah.. Tony: You ever heard a black man talk and eat at the same time?…he he hee…well go on… Mark: [...]
Motorcycles and Mountains
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (motorcycle.mp3) at novon Mark asks Eric about motorcycling in Japan. Mark: Hey, Eric! You’ve got a motorcycle, haven’t you? Eric: Ahh, yes, I have two. Mark: What kind? Eric: I have a BMW big touring bike and I have a Suzuki off-road type. Mark: A [...]
Living Overseas and Coming Back
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (overseas.mp3) at glenelg48 Mark talks to Seiko about her time in San Francisco, Beijing and Amsterdam and they wander on to the topic of languages and being bilingual or multilingual. Mark: Seiko, you’ve just come back to Japan. When did you come back? Seiko: Well, [...]
Talking about Native Americans and the South
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (trailoftears.mp3) at babasteve In this interview Mark talks to his friend, Eric from Oklahoma about the cowboy culture in that part of the United States. Mark : Hello everybody. I am just sitting here in a room..in a big classroom here..and I am talking to [...]
Black and White and Ideas about Beauty
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (lerato.africa.mp3) at Farl In this conversation, Mark asks Lerato about where she has been in Africa and they get talking about ideas of color and the mutilation of the body in the name of beauty. M: So Lerato, which countries in Africa have you been [...]
Talking about South Africa
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (lerato.mp3) at carlosoliveirareis In this recording Mark interviews Lerato, who comes from South Africa. M: Ok so…Hello everybody I am sitting here with Lerato from South Africa. What part of South Africa do you come from, Lerato? L: I come from Johannesburg. M: Right, so [...]
Steve from Michigan
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (steve.mp3) at teaspout Mark interviews Steve Yenik, a friend and co-worker of his, who lives in Kyoto, Japan. In it, Steve talks a little bit about the Midwest of the United States, the orignial thirteen colonies, and his hometown of Owosso, Michigan. Mark: I’m just [...]
Tom and Klaus – Danish Immigrants to Australia
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (danishmigrants.mp3) Tom and Klaus are two senior Danish immigrants who came to Australia as young men in their twenties. They are talking with Mark and Lyndell about their experience in Australia in particular about different views on gender equality thirty years ago. Tom recounts a [...]
Talking to an American Marine
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (matt.mp3) In this podcast, Mark White interviews Matt, a U.S. marine who is now stationed in Japan and who fought in the Battle of Baghdad. Mark: Ok, Matt. I’m just sitting here talking to Matt. Matt’s a marine in the United States Marines and he [...]
Archie is a Sheep Man from New South Wales
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Download audio file (archie.mp3) In this podcast, Mark White interviews Archie, a sheep man from the town of Emmaville in New South Wales, Australia. Archie talks about the history of Emmaville and life growing up in the Australian countryside. M: Hello everybody. We’re sitting just outside Emmaville in [...]
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