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Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard. 6 Minute English looks at the reasons for learning a new language and hears from an expert who has a tip for making it easier.

This week's question:

Approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70

b) 700

c) 7,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

master
learn thoroughly or learn well

fluent
speak well and without difficulty.

frequency
how often something occurs

inflections
changes to the basic form of words to show changes to the way they are used in a sentence

lemma
the simplest form or base form of a word

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Rob
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English- the show that brings you an interesting topic, authentic listening practice and vocabulary to help you improve your language skills. I'm Rob...

Neil
Watashi no namae wa Neil desu. And that means 'my name's Neil'.

Rob
So Neil, here's a question for you - can you speak any languages other than English of course? I think you can!

Neil
Un poco de español that means a little bit of Spanish. Some Japanese, which I tried at the beginning and also a bit of Czech language - Dobrý den, jak se máš?

Rob
Very impressive. So what tips can you give for learning to speak another language?

Neil
Well, practise, practise, practise - and don't be afraid of making mistakes as I no doubt have.

Neil
Muy bien! Well you're not alone. A survey by the British Council found learning a language is a new year's resolution for about one in five Britons in 2018. So learning Spanish is a good start Rob but do you know approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
Well I know there are many but surely not 7,000 so I'm going to say b) 700 - but don't expect me to learn all of them.

Neil
I won't Rob. But I will give you the answer later. So, we all know learning another language is a good thing - it brings us many benefits.

Rob
Yes, we can communicate with people from other countries and when we're travelling we can understand what signs and notices say. So we don't get lost.

Neil
That's right - but many scientists also believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower. A study of monolingual and bilingual speakers suggests speaking two languages can help slow down the brain's decline with age.

Neil
Well this depends on your mother tongue. In general, the closer the second language is to the learner's native tongue and culture in terms of vocabulary, sounds or sentence structure - the easier it will be to learn.

Rob
But whatever the language, there is so much vocabulary to learn - you know, thousands and thousands of words.

Neil
Maybe not Rob. Professor Stuart Webb, a linguist from the University of Western Ontario, may be able to help you. He spoke to BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme and explained that you don't need to do that...

Rob
Right, and frequency here means the number of times something happens - so the important words to learn are the high frequency ones - and how many are there exactly?

Neil
Here's Professor Stuart Webb again...

Professor Stuart Webb, linguist, University of Western Ontario
For example, with English, I would suggest if you learn the 800 most frequent lemmas - which is a word and its inflections - that will account for about 75 per cent of all of the English language. So that learning those 800 words first will provide the foundation for which you may be able to learn the lower frequency words.

Rob
Fascinating stuff. And good to know I just need to learn about 800 words - or what he calls lemmas.

Rob
Thank goodness I am learning just one new language!

Neil
But how many languages could you potentially be learning Rob? Earlier I asked you, approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
And I said 700. Was I right?

Neil
No Rob, you were wrong. There are around 7,000 recognised languages in the world but UNESCO has identified 2,500 languages which it claims are at risk of extinction.

Neil
To master a new skill, in this context, means to learn thoroughly or learn well. "Rob hopes to master Spanish before he starts a new job in Madrid."

Neil
That just leaves me to remind you that you can learn English with us at bbclearningenglish.com. That's it for today's 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed it. Bye for now. Na shledanou. Hasta luego. Ja-ne.

Rob
And in English, goodbye.

Neil
Goodbye.

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How do you learn to speak a language?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard. 6 Minute English looks at the reasons for learning a new language and hears from an expert who has a tip for making it easier.

This week's question:

Approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70

b) 700

c) 7,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

master
learn thoroughly or learn well

fluent
speak well and without difficulty.

frequency
how often something occurs

inflections
changes to the basic form of words to show changes to the way they are used in a sentence

lemma
the simplest form or base form of a word

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Rob
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English- the show that brings you an interesting topic, authentic listening practice and vocabulary to help you improve your language skills. I'm Rob...

Neil
Watashi no namae wa Neil desu. And that means 'my name's Neil'.

Rob
So Neil, here's a question for you - can you speak any languages other than English of course? I think you can!

Neil
Un poco de español that means a little bit of Spanish. Some Japanese, which I tried at the beginning and also a bit of Czech language - Dobrý den, jak se máš?

Rob
Very impressive. So what tips can you give for learning to speak another language?

Neil
Well, practise, practise, practise - and don't be afraid of making mistakes as I no doubt have.

Neil
Muy bien! Well you're not alone. A survey by the British Council found learning a language is a new year's resolution for about one in five Britons in 2018. So learning Spanish is a good start Rob but do you know approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
Well I know there are many but surely not 7,000 so I'm going to say b) 700 - but don't expect me to learn all of them.

Neil
I won't Rob. But I will give you the answer later. So, we all know learning another language is a good thing - it brings us many benefits.

Rob
Yes, we can communicate with people from other countries and when we're travelling we can understand what signs and notices say. So we don't get lost.

Neil
That's right - but many scientists also believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower. A study of monolingual and bilingual speakers suggests speaking two languages can help slow down the brain's decline with age.

Neil
Well this depends on your mother tongue. In general, the closer the second language is to the learner's native tongue and culture in terms of vocabulary, sounds or sentence structure - the easier it will be to learn.

Rob
But whatever the language, there is so much vocabulary to learn - you know, thousands and thousands of words.

Neil
Maybe not Rob. Professor Stuart Webb, a linguist from the University of Western Ontario, may be able to help you. He spoke to BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme and explained that you don't need to do that...

Rob
Right, and frequency here means the number of times something happens - so the important words to learn are the high frequency ones - and how many are there exactly?

Neil
Here's Professor Stuart Webb again...

Professor Stuart Webb, linguist, University of Western Ontario
For example, with English, I would suggest if you learn the 800 most frequent lemmas - which is a word and its inflections - that will account for about 75 per cent of all of the English language. So that learning those 800 words first will provide the foundation for which you may be able to learn the lower frequency words.

Rob
Fascinating stuff. And good to know I just need to learn about 800 words - or what he calls lemmas.

Rob
Thank goodness I am learning just one new language!

Neil
But how many languages could you potentially be learning Rob? Earlier I asked you, approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
And I said 700. Was I right?

Neil
No Rob, you were wrong. There are around 7,000 recognised languages in the world but UNESCO has identified 2,500 languages which it claims are at risk of extinction.

Neil
To master a new skill, in this context, means to learn thoroughly or learn well. "Rob hopes to master Spanish before he starts a new job in Madrid."

Neil
That just leaves me to remind you that you can learn English with us at bbclearningenglish.com. That's it for today's 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed it. Bye for now. Na shledanou. Hasta luego. Ja-ne.

Rob
And in English, goodbye.

Neil
Goodbye.

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How do you learn to speak a language?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard. 6 Minute English looks at the reasons for learning a new language and hears from an expert who has a tip for making it easier.

This week's question:

Approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70

b) 700

c) 7,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

master
learn thoroughly or learn well

fluent
speak well and without difficulty.

frequency
how often something occurs

inflections
changes to the basic form of words to show changes to the way they are used in a sentence

lemma
the simplest form or base form of a word

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Rob
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English- the show that brings you an interesting topic, authentic listening practice and vocabulary to help you improve your language skills. I'm Rob...

Neil
Watashi no namae wa Neil desu. And that means 'my name's Neil'.

Rob
So Neil, here's a question for you - can you speak any languages other than English of course? I think you can!

Neil
Un poco de español that means a little bit of Spanish. Some Japanese, which I tried at the beginning and also a bit of Czech language - Dobrý den, jak se máš?

Rob
Very impressive. So what tips can you give for learning to speak another language?

Neil
Well, practise, practise, practise - and don't be afraid of making mistakes as I no doubt have.

Neil
Muy bien! Well you're not alone. A survey by the British Council found learning a language is a new year's resolution for about one in five Britons in 2018. So learning Spanish is a good start Rob but do you know approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
Well I know there are many but surely not 7,000 so I'm going to say b) 700 - but don't expect me to learn all of them.

Neil
I won't Rob. But I will give you the answer later. So, we all know learning another language is a good thing - it brings us many benefits.

Rob
Yes, we can communicate with people from other countries and when we're travelling we can understand what signs and notices say. So we don't get lost.

Neil
That's right - but many scientists also believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower. A study of monolingual and bilingual speakers suggests speaking two languages can help slow down the brain's decline with age.

Neil
Well this depends on your mother tongue. In general, the closer the second language is to the learner's native tongue and culture in terms of vocabulary, sounds or sentence structure - the easier it will be to learn.

Rob
But whatever the language, there is so much vocabulary to learn - you know, thousands and thousands of words.

Neil
Maybe not Rob. Professor Stuart Webb, a linguist from the University of Western Ontario, may be able to help you. He spoke to BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme and explained that you don't need to do that...

Rob
Right, and frequency here means the number of times something happens - so the important words to learn are the high frequency ones - and how many are there exactly?

Neil
Here's Professor Stuart Webb again...

Professor Stuart Webb, linguist, University of Western Ontario
For example, with English, I would suggest if you learn the 800 most frequent lemmas - which is a word and its inflections - that will account for about 75 per cent of all of the English language. So that learning those 800 words first will provide the foundation for which you may be able to learn the lower frequency words.

Rob
Fascinating stuff. And good to know I just need to learn about 800 words - or what he calls lemmas.

Rob
Thank goodness I am learning just one new language!

Neil
But how many languages could you potentially be learning Rob? Earlier I asked you, approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
And I said 700. Was I right?

Neil
No Rob, you were wrong. There are around 7,000 recognised languages in the world but UNESCO has identified 2,500 languages which it claims are at risk of extinction.

Neil
To master a new skill, in this context, means to learn thoroughly or learn well. "Rob hopes to master Spanish before he starts a new job in Madrid."

Neil
That just leaves me to remind you that you can learn English with us at bbclearningenglish.com. That's it for today's 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed it. Bye for now. Na shledanou. Hasta luego. Ja-ne.

Rob
And in English, goodbye.

Neil
Goodbye.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How do you learn to speak a language?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard. 6 Minute English looks at the reasons for learning a new language and hears from an expert who has a tip for making it easier.

This week's question:

Approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70

b) 700

c) 7,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

master
learn thoroughly or learn well

fluent
speak well and without difficulty.

frequency
how often something occurs

inflections
changes to the basic form of words to show changes to the way they are used in a sentence

lemma
the simplest form or base form of a word

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Rob
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English- the show that brings you an interesting topic, authentic listening practice and vocabulary to help you improve your language skills. I'm Rob...

Neil
Watashi no namae wa Neil desu. And that means 'my name's Neil'.

Rob
So Neil, here's a question for you - can you speak any languages other than English of course? I think you can!

Neil
Un poco de español that means a little bit of Spanish. Some Japanese, which I tried at the beginning and also a bit of Czech language - Dobrý den, jak se máš?

Rob
Very impressive. So what tips can you give for learning to speak another language?

Neil
Well, practise, practise, practise - and don't be afraid of making mistakes as I no doubt have.

Neil
Muy bien! Well you're not alone. A survey by the British Council found learning a language is a new year's resolution for about one in five Britons in 2018. So learning Spanish is a good start Rob but do you know approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
Well I know there are many but surely not 7,000 so I'm going to say b) 700 - but don't expect me to learn all of them.

Neil
I won't Rob. But I will give you the answer later. So, we all know learning another language is a good thing - it brings us many benefits.

Rob
Yes, we can communicate with people from other countries and when we're travelling we can understand what signs and notices say. So we don't get lost.

Neil
That's right - but many scientists also believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower. A study of monolingual and bilingual speakers suggests speaking two languages can help slow down the brain's decline with age.

Neil
Well this depends on your mother tongue. In general, the closer the second language is to the learner's native tongue and culture in terms of vocabulary, sounds or sentence structure - the easier it will be to learn.

Rob
But whatever the language, there is so much vocabulary to learn - you know, thousands and thousands of words.

Neil
Maybe not Rob. Professor Stuart Webb, a linguist from the University of Western Ontario, may be able to help you. He spoke to BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme and explained that you don't need to do that...

Rob
Right, and frequency here means the number of times something happens - so the important words to learn are the high frequency ones - and how many are there exactly?

Neil
Here's Professor Stuart Webb again...

Professor Stuart Webb, linguist, University of Western Ontario
For example, with English, I would suggest if you learn the 800 most frequent lemmas - which is a word and its inflections - that will account for about 75 per cent of all of the English language. So that learning those 800 words first will provide the foundation for which you may be able to learn the lower frequency words.

Rob
Fascinating stuff. And good to know I just need to learn about 800 words - or what he calls lemmas.

Rob
Thank goodness I am learning just one new language!

Neil
But how many languages could you potentially be learning Rob? Earlier I asked you, approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
And I said 700. Was I right?

Neil
No Rob, you were wrong. There are around 7,000 recognised languages in the world but UNESCO has identified 2,500 languages which it claims are at risk of extinction.

Neil
To master a new skill, in this context, means to learn thoroughly or learn well. "Rob hopes to master Spanish before he starts a new job in Madrid."

Neil
That just leaves me to remind you that you can learn English with us at bbclearningenglish.com. That's it for today's 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed it. Bye for now. Na shledanou. Hasta luego. Ja-ne.

Rob
And in English, goodbye.

Neil
Goodbye.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How do you learn to speak a language?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard. 6 Minute English looks at the reasons for learning a new language and hears from an expert who has a tip for making it easier.

This week's question:

Approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70

b) 700

c) 7,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

master
learn thoroughly or learn well

fluent
speak well and without difficulty.

frequency
how often something occurs

inflections
changes to the basic form of words to show changes to the way they are used in a sentence

lemma
the simplest form or base form of a word

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Rob
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English- the show that brings you an interesting topic, authentic listening practice and vocabulary to help you improve your language skills. I'm Rob...

Neil
Watashi no namae wa Neil desu. And that means 'my name's Neil'.

Rob
So Neil, here's a question for you - can you speak any languages other than English of course? I think you can!

Neil
Un poco de español that means a little bit of Spanish. Some Japanese, which I tried at the beginning and also a bit of Czech language - Dobrý den, jak se máš?

Rob
Very impressive. So what tips can you give for learning to speak another language?

Neil
Well, practise, practise, practise - and don't be afraid of making mistakes as I no doubt have.

Neil
Muy bien! Well you're not alone. A survey by the British Council found learning a language is a new year's resolution for about one in five Britons in 2018. So learning Spanish is a good start Rob but do you know approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
Well I know there are many but surely not 7,000 so I'm going to say b) 700 - but don't expect me to learn all of them.

Neil
I won't Rob. But I will give you the answer later. So, we all know learning another language is a good thing - it brings us many benefits.

Rob
Yes, we can communicate with people from other countries and when we're travelling we can understand what signs and notices say. So we don't get lost.

Neil
That's right - but many scientists also believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower. A study of monolingual and bilingual speakers suggests speaking two languages can help slow down the brain's decline with age.

Neil
Well this depends on your mother tongue. In general, the closer the second language is to the learner's native tongue and culture in terms of vocabulary, sounds or sentence structure - the easier it will be to learn.

Rob
But whatever the language, there is so much vocabulary to learn - you know, thousands and thousands of words.

Neil
Maybe not Rob. Professor Stuart Webb, a linguist from the University of Western Ontario, may be able to help you. He spoke to BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme and explained that you don't need to do that...

Rob
Right, and frequency here means the number of times something happens - so the important words to learn are the high frequency ones - and how many are there exactly?

Neil
Here's Professor Stuart Webb again...

Professor Stuart Webb, linguist, University of Western Ontario
For example, with English, I would suggest if you learn the 800 most frequent lemmas - which is a word and its inflections - that will account for about 75 per cent of all of the English language. So that learning those 800 words first will provide the foundation for which you may be able to learn the lower frequency words.

Rob
Fascinating stuff. And good to know I just need to learn about 800 words - or what he calls lemmas.

Rob
Thank goodness I am learning just one new language!

Neil
But how many languages could you potentially be learning Rob? Earlier I asked you, approximately how many languages there are in the world altogether? Are there...

a) 70
b) 700
c) 7,000

Rob
And I said 700. Was I right?

Neil
No Rob, you were wrong. There are around 7,000 recognised languages in the world but UNESCO has identified 2,500 languages which it claims are at risk of extinction.

Neil
To master a new skill, in this context, means to learn thoroughly or learn well. "Rob hopes to master Spanish before he starts a new job in Madrid."

Neil
That just leaves me to remind you that you can learn English with us at bbclearningenglish.com. That's it for today's 6 Minute English. We hope you enjoyed it. Bye for now. Na shledanou. Hasta luego. Ja-ne.

Rob
And in English, goodbye.

Neil
Goodbye.

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How do you learn to speak a language?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many scientists believe that knowledge of another language can boost your brainpower - so what are we waiting for - we should all be learning another language. But that's easier said than done as acquiring this new skill can be hard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you're singing along with an iconic song, fluffing the lyrics can be a disorienting experience, but it's very common. In fact the word mondegreen specifically refers to lyrics that people commonly mishear - from "she's got a chicken to ride" to "hold me closer, Tony Danza".

With that in mind, can you name the correct versions of these frequently (and comically) misheard lyrics?
[Warning: Third-party content may contain ads and flashing images]

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Quiz: Have you been getting these lyrics wrong all this time?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When you're singing along with an iconic song, fluffing the lyrics can be a disorienting experience, but it's very common. In fact the word mondegreen specifically refers to lyrics that people commonly mishear - from "she's got a chicken to ride" to "hold me closer, Tony Danza".

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-4/session-3/

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This may be fun to try... a quick listening!

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Download the Zapp! English Vocabulary e-Books NOW!

Visit our iTunes channel for Zapp! English Vocabulary & Pronunciation - Click on 'Subscribe free', and be the first to get our new English Vocabulary podcasts FREE!

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Zapp! English Vocabulary & Pronunciation 3.28 - Holidays / Vacations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
FREE Vocabulary & Pronunciation English Audio Podcast + eBook. Holidays (vacations) are one of those things people always talk about - it's the same with native English speakers. When you've been on holiday you always want to tell your friends and colleagues about it, and after this podcast you'll be much better able to do that in English.

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Zapp! English Listening Audio 2.15 - Money

http://traffic.libsyn.com/zappenglishlistening/15_Money_-_Zapp_English_Listening_2.15.mp3
Money is a topic we think about and talk about every day. There's even a saying in English " Money makes the world go round". In this audio podcast, you'll get better at understanding English conversations about spending & saving money, and how much money people have. You'll hear ten different voices and a large variety of British, American and Canadian accents. These recordings will also help you review common vocabulary and English expressions about money.

⬇ Download ALL the e-Books & Audio Classes Now

We will be publishing about 50% of the audio classes from this Zapp! English Listening (Level 2) series free on our website. to get immediate access to ALL 28 audio classes and eBooks (+ transcripts) from this series, plus a FREE bonus!

Visit our iTunes Podcast channel for Zapp! English Listening - Click on 'View in iTunes' then 'Subscribe free', and be the first to get our new English Listening audio classes FREE!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Zapp! English Listening Audio 2.15 - Money

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
http://traffic.libsyn.com/zappenglishlistening/15_Money_-_Zapp_English_Listening_2.15.mp3 Money is a topic we think about and talk about every day. There's even a saying in English " Money makes the world go round". In this audio podcast, you'll get better at understanding English conversations about spending & saving money, and how much money people have.

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1) Do you usually think to a precise route for each training?
2) Do you do specific exercise in order to prepare a freerunning training. I mean, do you work on your abdominal, or on your arms strength for instance?
3) How, and in what, different is freerunning from the new functional training trend?
4) Do you play it just to relax and keep fit, or are you thinking at any competition? Would you like to compete in a contest?
5) Don't you think it's just current trend that could disappear when something new, exciting, come out?
6) Have you ever had problems with landlords or police? In fact sometimes you could trespass.
7) If you think at freerunning, do you think at a great growth for the future that lead to the a global recognition til the Olympian Games?
8) Do you seriously think aged people can practice this sport?
9) Do you warm-up before starting or you get out from your office and start suddenly running?
10) Do your parents have even normal kids?

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Did you know about this sport?
Yes, I did. I knew it as a new kind of urban activity. Easy to play in a urban environment where you can find a "ground" full of obstacles you can climb and jump and so keep fit and having fun.
Reading the text above, have you learnt something more?
I learnt about the UK decision of recognize Parkour as a sport, with all rights, advantages and duties that this decision brings up.
Ten questions for a freerunner:
1)

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The UK has become the first country in the world to officially recognise parkour as a sport.
Parkour, also known as freerunning or art du deplacement, involves negotiating terrain using only the natural strength of one’s body, principally through running, jumping and climbing surrounding features.
Recognition from all five UK sports councils, including Sport England, means organisations such as Parkour UK, which led the initial application for its recognition in 2009, will now be able to apply for government grants and National Lottery funding.
The sport could also soon be practised in schools after it gained support from both the Youth Sport Trust and the Association for Physical Education, who described it as an exciting and motivating activity.
Eugene Minogue, the chief executive of Parkour UK, said: “Recognition is a thing in its own right and that is what we are celebrating today, that the sport has been recognised as a sport. That’s no mean feat.
“Yes, it does give us the ability to apply for funding, and there are a number of other benefits that come out of it, but the biggest thing for us is how it will give the public an understanding of what parkour is and what benefits it has.”
Tracey Crouch, the minister for sport, welcomed the announcement. She said: “I want people to get out there and find the sport and physical activity that appeals to them and parkour is certainly a fun, creative and innovative option.
 “I am pleased that it has been recognised as a sport, giving it the platform for further growth in this country, with Parkour UK as its governing body. The sport promotes movement and using the great outdoors as a space to get active in, and I encourage people to don their trainers and give it a go.”
The sport has often been deemed controversial since its inception in the late 1980s as a result of some participants’ use of techniques to scale urban structures without the aid of safety ropes.
Cambridge University has been particularly critical after a video went viral of 22-year-old James Kingston leaping across the city’s many ancient buildings. It labeled parkour a form of trespassing that endangered the health of its practitioners and the public.
Parkour developed principally in France, but one of its founding fathers and now an elected president of Parkour UK, Sebastien Foucan, said the UK was the first country to truly embrace the practice.
He is most recognisable for his role as Mollaka in the opening scene of the James Bond film Casino Royale, in which Daniel Craig chases him through a building site.
Foucan, who also appeared in some of Madonna’s music videos and starred in Jump London, a Channel 4 documentary, called the decision a “groundbreaking moment for a discipline which started off as child’s play and continues as child’s play for all ages”.
“Parkour/freerunning is not a known discipline,” he said. “It’s very, very famous now, but in terms of institutions, there was no recognition. And now, finally, this is the first place in the world [to see it as a sport], and it’s history. We’re making history. And I’m sure the UK is the pioneer of that.
“The beauty of parkour/freerunning is that everyone, of all ages, can do it respectfully in almost any environment. We celebrate activity and playfulness whilst constantly challenging our mental and physical limits. It is more than just jumping, it is a health-driven way of life.”
Phil Smith, the director of sport at Sport England, said: “Parkour has already been offering something different for a few years now, but what recognition means is that Parkour UK is taking responsibility for its organisation.
“The safety and enjoyment of those taking part is paramount, so congratulations to Parkour UK on achieving the standards and showing their ambition to grow even further.”

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Listening practice- Interview with a 'Free runner' B2 level

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What's new in this phenomenon? What's new in setting a new business up starting from a small dimension? Isn't it the same old story of economy? Perhaps it sounds strange for the Anglo-Saxon economy where companies are usual bigger than the southern Europe ones and people use to be "menager" rather than "enterpreneurs".
Well for a such a long while I heard about the great northern Economy based on large structured companies, that could rely on an easy access to the financial market. Meanwhile all those professors were in the habit of criticize small southern European companies because of their little dimension. Little dimension that could have made some problems in order to reach bank loans and foreign markets. Forgetting their most important quality: the flexibility.
Now we are just saying the opposite.
So the right question probably is: is it something good? and can it keep going on?
I think it depends on from what point of view we try to judge.
Another example? Globalization, then became Glocal...At the begging it has been painted as the most successful changing process, but suddenly we learnt for who it was.

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Perfect pop-ups
What is a 'pop-up'?
Pop-up shops first popped up in the UK in the early 2000s, with the economy booming and the high streets bustling. They were originally a way for small, niche companies to rent retail space in great locations. This was while landlords who owned these spaces looked for permanent tenants. Pop-up shops can take a number of different forms. They might be temporary shops in the high street or a shopping centre. They might be simple market stalls. They could be based in some kind of transport, like a food truck. Or they could be run by people who visit different establishments, like travelling chefs who take over pub and restaurant kitchens temporarily.

Almost anything that can be on a high street can also be a pop-up. There have been pop-up shops, art galleries, theatres, cinemas and restaurants among others!
Why are pop-ups becoming so popular?
For would-be pop-up entrepreneurs, the appeal of this temporary shopping concept is clear. They can start a business with much lower risk. There are fewer overheads, such as paying wages or heating and lighting for their premises. The temporary nature of a pop-up gives the opportunity to test a product and develop a customer base, without being tied in to a long-term renting contract. Being small, with minimal staff, makes it much easier for pop-ups to expand if they are successful.

Pop-up shops are a way for landlords to fill up empty property they may have. When the economy took a downturn after 2008, many shops became vacant after they went out of business. It makes sense for landlords to be able to allow people to come in and set up a temporary shop as a stopgap and use the available space.

When you look at the business sector, pop-ups make a lot of sense. According to a 2014 report by the Centre of Economic and Business Research, the pop-up industry was worth £2.1bn and is expected to grow by 8.4% in 2015. Charles Davis of the CEBR also said that the pop-up sector "is growing faster than the overall retail sector."
What is the future like for pop-up shops?
With banks remaining reluctant to lend money to new businesses and landlords still with lots of empty units to fill, there seems to be a future for pop-up shops in towns and city centres. There is also the threat of online shopping, which means that anyone can buy anything they want without leaving their home. If high streets all feature the same selection of shops, there is no variety. Pop-up shops add vibrancy to the high street and make it different and distinctive.
Did you work out which was the best summary of the article? Here is the answer:

Pop-ups are shops that will save the high street. (No. Pop-ups can take many forms: shops, cinemas, restaurants and more. They might benefit the high street, but they might not save it completely.)

Pop-ups allow people freedom when they set up a business. (Yes. Starting a pop-up can mean few overheads or expenses for the people who set them up.)

Pop-ups have no risks when they are started. (No. Pop-ups might have a lower risk than traditional businesses, but there is still some risk.)

To do

Did you understand the article? Try out this quiz that will test you on what you read. There are also some questions that will test your knowledge of this unit's grammar - a review of present verb forms. So, if you need some help, look at the summary in the grammar box on this page.

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BBC Learning English - Course: intermediate / Unit 1 / Session 3 / Activity 1

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What is a 'pop-up'? Pop-up shops first popped up in the UK in the early 2000s, with the economy booming and the high streets bustling. They were originally a way for small, niche companies to rent retail space in great locations. This was while landlords who owned these spaces looked for permanent tenants.

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I think the article makes some confusion between having too many things in our houses because we tend to keep in our wardrobes, cupboards, garages things we won't definitely use anymore, but for some reason. we don't want them to give away, and buying in a compulsive way.
Of course filling our houses of stuff can't buy us happiness. Neither calm down our anxiety for a long time.
We know we should stuff our lives of experiences and memories, good if possible.
But different is to collect things when they talk about ourselves. My house, as everyone I suppose, is full of things that talk about me and the people I love. I try to organize them but it's a mess!!! Sometime I tried to throw some away, but it's stronger than me! I had to give up!

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More money might not mean more happiness

Would you have the kind of reaction you can see in this picture if you were suddenly given a lot of money? It might seem greedy to want all this cash, but for some people there is nothing better than holding a wodge of notes. For them, life with money is much easier. Paying bills, eating in fancy restaurants, buying expensive luxury items - these are all things you can do if you have the money. You don't have to worry about paying the rent every month. Each time you need to replace something in your home, like a washing machine - no problem, you can pay for it. Money does make life easier in some ways.

But money does not always equal happiness in every situation. There are places in the world where people don't have much money, but they are still happy. They make do with what they have and don't need money to buy expensive things. And in the past, money wasn't seen as the key to happiness. For example, parents wouldn't buy expensive toys for their children. Instead, the children were content to play with things they found, like sticks and stones in the garden.

Today in the developed world however, money might be central to our happiness. Having to pay more and more for things means we place more and more value on each coin and note in our pockets. So, the amount we earn in our jobs becomes crucial to our opinions about happiness. When we earn more, we feel happier. When countries become wealthier, there is usually improvement in education, lower child mortality, and longer life expectancy. The problem with this is that there is only so much of these things that money can buy. Things can't keep on getting better continuously.

And is there a point at which money can make us decidedly unhappy? For example, high-paid jobs often come with a lot of stress. There is only so much pressure you can take before you might need to quit the rat race, however good the pay is. Not to mention that it is very difficult, maybe almost impossible, to define what happiness actually is.
Did you work out which was the best summary?
It was: Money helps us do a lot of things but it can't make our lives get better forever.

To do

Are you happy? Time for a quiz. See if you get all the questions right.

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BBC Learning English - Course: intermediate / Unit 3 / Session 3 / Activity 1

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Would you have the kind of reaction you can see in this picture if you were suddenly given a lot of money? It might seem greedy to want all this cash, but for some people there is nothing better than holding a wodge of notes. For them, life with money is much easier.

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For a while now, the expression 'man flu' has been controversial. Many men say their illness is real, while many women say they are just being weak. But why is it that some men seem to suffer, or complain, more when they get sick than women?

A recently published study may have the answer. Can science prove that men really do suffer more, or do they just moan instead of getting on with it? Dan and Neil teach six items of vocabulary and discuss the issue.

This week's question:

In a survey conducted by Nuts magazine that asked its readers how long they took to recover from a cold or flu, where women put an average of 1.5 days, what did men put?

a) 1 day

b) 2 days

c) 3 days

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

the sniffles
a cold (informally)

runny nose
when a person's nose leaks mucus

soldier on
continue despite difficulty

man flu
the situation where a person, often a man, tends to complain and exaggerate a small illness such as a cold

whining
complaining repeatedly often in an annoying way

symptoms
feelings of illness caused by a disease

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript
Dan
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Dan, and joining me today is Neil. Hi Neil.

Neil
Hi, everyone!

Dan
Bless you! Are you ok?

Neil
I think I'm coming down with something serious.

Dan
It's just a case of the sniffles.

Neil
The sniffles is an informal way of saying a cold or flu. It comes from the sniffing sound people make when they have a runny nose.

And a runny nose is when liquid mucus keeps leaking from our nose - usually when we are sick. I'm afraid you'll just have to soldier on Neil.

Dan
It's about 'man flu', and whether it's actually real, or just something men like to complain about. We'll give you 6 words and expressions - and, of course, our quiz question.

Neil
Alright, fire away.

Dan
In a survey conducted by Nuts magazine that asked its readers how long they took to recover from a cold or flu, where women put an average of 1.5 days, what did men put?

a) 1 day

b) 2 days

c) 3 days

Neil
I'm going to say 3 days. The threat of 'man flu' is real.

Neil
Yes. But science cannot say whether men do actually suffer more than women, or if men just tend to complain more.

Dan
Well, let's hear from this British couple about whether they think 'man flu' is real or not.

British Man
Men definitely do suffer a lot more, I think, than women do when we get flu.

British Woman
Yeah, I'm not so convinced. I feel like they just complain more.

British Man
It wipes me out.
I was ill recently and I just carried on and went to work and everything. And when Chris had got sick recently he was on the sofa and couldn't really do anything, so...

Dan
And it seems that it's not just in the UK. Listen to this BBC Journalist interviewing a woman from Europe.

BBC Journalist
You're from the Netherlands. Have you ever accused your boyfriend of having man flu?

Dutch woman
Oh, absolutely yes. Yeah.

BBC Journalist
What have you accused him of doing?

Dan
Well, a recent scientific study has indicated that there could be something to 'man flu' after all. Doctor Kyle Sue, an assistant professor of family medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, has suggested that there could be a difference between men and women when it comes to respiratory diseases.

Doctor Kyle Sue,
Memorial University, Newfoundland
It seems that the higher the testosterone levels, the lower the immune response to these types of infections, whereas the higher the oestrogen level, the stronger the immune response.

Neil
Testosterone and oestrogen are hormones that exist in both men and women. Testosterone is higher in males and oestrogen is higher in females. Dr. Sue's research suggests that the more oestrogen a person has, the better able they are to fight off the infection. That's it then! Man flu is real!

Hold your horses, Neil. There are two problems. First of all, the Royal college of GPs in the UK says that there is no such thing as 'man flu'. And secondly, even Dr Sue admits that these results, including his own, are only 'suggestive' and are not 'definitive'.

Neil
So, basically he's saying that there is a suggestion that 'man flu' exists, but the evidence so far cannot say for sure.

Dan
Exactly. More studies need to be done. But you know what we can be sure about? The answer to this week's quiz question. I asked you in a survey conducted by Nuts magazine that asked its readers how long they took to recover from a cold or flu, where women put an average of 1.5 days, what did men put?

a) 1 day

b) 2 days

c) 3 days

Neil
And I said 3 days.

Neil
Good!

Dan
The men said they took twice as long to recover!

Neil
It must be all that manly testosterone. Let's review our vocabulary, shall we?

Our first was the sniffles. If you have the sniffles, you have a cold, informally speaking. What's the best cure for the sniffles Neil?

Dan
Next we had soldier on. This phrasal verb means to continue despite difficulty. When was the last time you had to soldier on, Neil?

Neil
A few days ago when I went the whole day without eating any lunch! Then we had ' man flu'. That's is the name given to the situation where a person, often a man, tends to complain and exaggerate a small illness such as a cold. Do you do that, Dan?

Dan
I'm sure my wife would say I do! Next we had whining. If you whine, you complain repeatedly and often in an annoying way.

Neil
Like my children did last time I didn't buy them ice-cream. And finally we had symptoms. These are the feelings of illness caused by a disease. What are the symptoms of flu, Dan?

Dan
A headache, aching muscles, and a fever. And that's the end of this 6 Minute English! Don't forget to check out our YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. There you made it. You can collapse now.

Neil
Bye.

Bye!

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / Is 'man flu' real?

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For a while now, the expression 'man flu' has been controversial. Many men say their illness is real, while many women say they are just being weak. But why is it that some men seem to suffer, or complain, more when they get sick than women? A recently published study may have the answer.

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Today's Headlines:
Turkey's rise in C-section births Opera for babies Surfing dogs in California
Transcript:

Around the globe, caesarean section rates have increased dramatically. In Turkey, more than half of babies are born by C-section - the highest rate in the world. That's despite introducing a law five years ago, making elective caesarean sections a punishable offense. The rising age of first-time mothers and multiple births resulting from IVF treatment are often blamed for forsaking the natural birth route. But with increasing awareness about its benefits for healthy mothers, most Turkish women these days hope to give birth naturally.

This is opera for beginners. A shorter show, a more succinct storyline and a chance for the audience to move around. All required when you're not yet two. Welcome to BambinO, the latest show from Scottish Opera aimed fairly and squarely at babies. So far the show has been a big hit at festivals and on tour, not to mention with audiences big and small.

Dogs that'll do anything to please their owners have been proving it in style at the World Dog Surfing Championships in California. They've been jumping onto surfboards and attempting, much like humans do, not to fall off. These pups were competing to be top dog at the competition, which drew a crowd of humans, dogs and even humpback whales.

Words and phrases and definitions:

elective
voluntary

forsaking
stop using; giving up

fairly and squarely
completely; totally

top dog
(here) the winner; the best

Exercise:

Use one of the words or phrases from Lingohack to complete each of these sentences. Note that you may have to change the form of a word or phrase to complete the sentence correctly.
elective / forsaking / fairly and squarely / top dog
1. When Pele was on the football field, he was ______ and no one could beat him.

2. The blame for the school's broken window lies ______ with the children.

3. A hospital spokeswoman said the shortage of beds could lead to the cancellation of some ______ surgery, and that patients would be notified if their operation were cancelled.

4. Tony needed a career change and decided to ______ teaching for a job in journalism.

Answers:

1. When Pele was on the football field, he was top dog and no one could beat him.

2. The blame for the school's broken window lies fairly and squarely with the children.

3. A hospital spokeswoman said the shortage of beds could lead to the cancellation of some elective surgery, and that patients would be notified if their operation were cancelled.

4. Tony needed a career change and decided to forsake teaching for a job in journalism.

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BBC Learning English - Lingohack / 9 August 2017

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Turkey's rise in C-section births Opera for babies Surfing dogs in California Around the globe, caesarean section rates have increased dramatically. In Turkey, more than half of babies are born by C-section - the highest rate in the world. That's despite introducing a law five years ago, making elective caesarean sections a punishable offense.

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Just to help you revise some of the most common phrasal verbs - but remember a bit at a time!

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Just to help you revise some of the most common phrasal verbs - but remember a bit at a time!

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Mindfulness - to help you relax and enjoy your holidays - but also go running!

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Relax, slow down and breathe. Neil and Catherine explore mindfulness in this episode of 6 Minute English. But what is it? And what benefits does it offer? Learn more about this form of meditation and pick up six items of useful vocabulary.

This week's question

How many teachers in the UK are now trained to teach mindfulness?

a) 500

b) 5,000

c) 50,000

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

mindfulness the practice of only focusing on 'now' for spiritual or relaxation purposes

fully aware of what's happening now

Transcript
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript
means 'non-religious' by the way.

Let me focus really hard - I think it's 5,000.

A very practising mindful answer, Catherine. But I'll reveal the real answer later. Now let's hear from one teacher who's been mindfulness with students for many years. Alison Mayo, Head of Early Years at Dharma Primary School, thinks it's particularly suited to young children. Why?

's very natural for children - to be Alison Mayo, Head of Early Years, Dharma Primary School
That in the present . And we really kind of celebrate that because that is a place where they are learning. So, if they feel , then they can really develop their concentration and their focus, and relax. Learning happens so much more easily if you're relaxed and happy.

- means 'now'. You'll know it from the 'present tense' in grammar. And people who practise The present mindfulness use this phrase a lot - to be in the present , or in the present moment .

Grounded is another good adjective there - it means 'rational, sensible, clear thinking'.

Aha - that's not so easy to define. Meditation is the broader term. When you you spend time quietly - focusing your mind - often for relaxation or spiritual purposes. Mindfulness is a particular a kind of meditation - when you try to empty your mind of thought. Does that make sense?

Yeah, more or less. So we'll let our listeners meditate on that answer. And before we empty our minds, let's look back at today's words. We had mindfulness , and - they all relate to the particular practice of being only focused of what's happening now.

Or on the future - which can be full of worries. But by being in the present - you overcome these thoughts and fears. Next we had . It contrasts with 'religious'. So, while a church is a religious building, we also have buildings - like factories and shops and hospitals...

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / Mindfulness

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Relax, slow down and breathe. Neil and Catherine explore mindfulness in this episode of 6 Minute English. But what is it? And what benefits does it offer? Learn more about this form of meditation and pick up six items of useful vocabulary. How many teachers in the UK are now trained to teach mindfulness?

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The right question should be: have I ever had a relationship with social media?
Of course, as everybody by now, I've got my profile on some of the most popular social media, Linkedin and Facebook, if you wanna go and find them out.
But likely, they'll let you down.
The first one is only a poor resume, and you know, if you aren't really looking for a new job position, you'll hardly ever keep it fresh.
Instead, my facebook profile shows only some boring sports pictures of me. Nothing else.
I've always asked myself why I'm not interested in social media.
Am I a bear? Am I too old for this new tecnology?
Actually I find them really useful. For example to keep in touch with friends who live far away or if you want to enlarge your own business without spending plenty of money.
On the other hand,  I've always found some use of social media ridiculous and really annoying.
Looking at some profiles, people look like stars. Everyone publishes amazing pictures, always smiling selfies, having fun parties, attending serious classes, living great adventures,  working hard...but most of all successfully!!!...never bored, never sad, they never had a bad day, and even if it happens, they come out with some important quotes.
Sometimes I wonder if those are the same people I know.
Plus, all that stupid videos that people love!?! Ok, you can laugh at them once, twice...but It seems they are stealing your time!
I occasionally go to work by bus. Travelling by public transport reminds me of when I was young and used to reach everywhere by them.
I like to sit down, relax, look out the window and the people around me.
A long time ago people used to talk all the way. Nowadays they don't. People are always deeply lost and curved over their smartphones.
Well, of course we should thank technological progress, but also pay attention to a correct use.
Meanwhile, I prefer to go running.

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What about this one?
Can you describe your relationship with social media? Use the present perfect where possible.
How long have you been using social media? Have you ever shared a video? How many any stories related to this topic have you heard?

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Rob is keen to share funny videos - he loves cat ones. Neil is not interested. What makes people want to share them? Listen to the programme.

This week's question:

Which was one of the first videos to go viral on the internet? Was it...

a) Charlie Bit my Finger,

b) Sneezing Panda or

c) Dancing Baby?

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

meme
a picture or video with an amusing caption that a lot of people share with each other online

grumpy
bad tempered!

viral
when something (e.g. a video or picture) gets passed on very quickly from person to person on the internet

peers
people the same age as ourselves who share the same social position in a group

arousal (to arouse)
to excite a particular feeling in somebody

to fire someone up
to make someone excited and enthusiastic about something

Transcript

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript

Neil
Hello. I'm Neil. Welcome to 6 Minute English, where we like to share...

Rob
Jokes, funny stories and cat videos...

Neil
No, Rob - we like to share six useful items of vocabulary.

Rob
Yes, that too. But first, check out this meme on my phone, Neil - Grumpy Cat - it's so cute! Shall I send it to you?

No, please don't! A meme is a picture or video with an amusing caption that a lot of people share with each other online. Well, in this programme we're talking about why some online content goes viral...

... and some doesn't. This cat is cute because it looks so grumpy - and that means 'bad tempered'.

An image, video, or other piece of information goes viral when it gets passed on very quickly from person to person on the internet.

So first let's start with our quiz question, Neil. Can you tell me which was one of the first videos to go viral on the internet? Was it...
a) Charlie bit my finger,
b) Sneezing Panda or
c) Dancing Baby?

Neil
I'm going to guess 'Sneezing Panda' - because I haven't seen any of those videos.

Rob
That's ridiculous Neil. Have you been living under a rock?

Neil
Look, I just don't find silly videos particularly cute - or funny.

OK, OK, no need to get grumpy about it. Let's move on. Why do so many people - Neil excluded - enjoy sharing content online? Let's listen to Dr Jonah Berger, Marketing Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Contagious: Why things catch on, talking about what motivates us to share.

Dr Jonah Berger, Marketing Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author
Humans are social animals. Sharing allows us (to) feel connected to others. We share emotions, which allow us to deepen the bonds we have with our peers and with our friends.

So it's all about being connected and deepening the bonds between ourselves and our peers. Our peers are people the same age as ourselves who share the same social position in a group.

Rob
And we particularly like to share content that makes us feel emotional. Let's hear more from Dr Jonah Berger about this.

Dr Jonah Berger, Marketing Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author
High arousal emotions include things like anger and anxiety, but also excitement and humour, low arousal - sadness and contentment. [It] turns out that those high-arousal emotions - those emotions that fire us up and cause us to take action - also drive us to share.

Arousal means 'to excite a particular feeling in somebody'. And emotions like anger and anxiety tend to cause stronger feelings than sadness and contentment.

Right - high-arousal emotions fire us up - and to fire someone up means 'to make someone excited and enthusiastic about something'. So when a video we see on the internet makes us laugh - or makes us excited or angry - then we are more likely to share it with others.

Neil
And sharing that emotion with others strengthens the connection or bond between us. That's what Dr Berger's theory says anyway.

Rob
I'm surprised that sad things aren't passed on as much as, say, funny things.

Neil
Well, how often do you share sad videos with your peers?

Rob
Good point. I do tend to share content that makes me laugh - more than sad or angry stuff anyway. Like the Grumpy Cat meme. Can I show it to you now?

Neil
No.

Rob
OK. I'll just show you the caption. It says, "I purred once. It was terrible".

Neil
Yeah. Right. Hilarious, Rob. Now, can we have the answer to today's quiz question, please, if you've finished amusing yourself?

Rob
OK. OK. Which was one of the first videos to go viral on the internet? Was it... a) Charlie Bit my Finger, b) Sneezing Panda or c) Dancing Baby?

Neil
And I said 'Sneezing Panda'.

Rob
Well, it was actually Dancing Baby. This 3-dimensional animation of a baby dancing the cha-cha was one of the first viral videos released in the late 1990s. Another popular one was the Hamster Dance by Hampton the Hamster, which appeared in 1997.

Well, fascinating as all that sounds, shall we look back at the words we learned today, Rob?

Sure. The first item was 'meme' - a picture or video with an amusing caption that a lot of people share with each other online. For example, "I tried to show Neil a hilarious meme about a grumpy cat."

Neil
The word 'meme' was actually invented by evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins to represent an idea or concept that spreads in human culture in a similar way to a gene.

Rob
Fascinating. That sounds way too complicated, Neil. Let's move on to item number two - 'grumpy' - I gave one example just now. But here's another one: "He's the grumpiest man I've ever met."

Neil
I hope you're not talking about me, Rob. Number three - 'to go viral' - means 'an image, video, or other piece of information that gets passed on very quickly from person to person on the Internet'. For example, "What makes a video go viral?"

Rob
I don't know, Neil - If I knew how to make a viral video, I'd be a rich man by now!

Neil
Before computers and the internet we only talked about viral infections, didn't we? "I've got a nasty viral infection so I'm not coming into work today."

Rob
Yeah, that's right. The connection is that both viral infections and viral memes spread quickly!

Neil
OK - number four. 'Peers' are people the same age as our selves who share the same social position in a group.

Rob
For example, "Teenagers often worry about looking silly in front of their peers." Next up - arousal - that means 'to excite a particular feeling in somebody'.

Neil
We heard about high and low-arousal emotions. The verb is 'to arouse'. For example, "The debate aroused strong feelings on both sides."

Rob
OK, finally - 'to fire someone up' means 'to make someone excited and enthusiastic about something'. "I'm really fired up about today's vocabulary!"

Neil
Good to know, Rob. But it's time to go now, but please check out our Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages.

Rob
Bye-bye!

Neil
Goodbye!

Rob
Shall we watch that 'dancing baby' now, Neil?

Neil
No.

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / What makes a video go viral?

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Rob is keen to share funny videos - he loves cat ones. Neil is not interested. What makes people want to share them? Listen to the programme. Which was one of the first videos to go viral on the internet? Was it... a) Charlie Bit my Finger, b) Sneezing Panda or c) Dancing Baby?

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It makes a good story - we can take a look at it on Wednesday!

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It makes a good story - we can take a look at it on Wednesday!

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A while ago an head hunter contacted me in order to find out if I could be interested in a new working position that had opened in the food packaging sector.
As I told you, I love that market and so, even if I feel good doing my job, we started talking about all details.
At the end of our lovely chatting, she suggested to submint my profile to the company and in a short while they wanted to arrange a meeting.
Good, I thought.
In the following days I took a leave from my job, washed my car and did all preparations for our meeting.
So I drove as far as Affi, that is not so close.
When I reached the agreed place of our meeting I found two men sat at a table of a bar.
I greeted, introduced myself and finally sat down.
So we started talking, and we discussed about market trends, the company and finally...me!
Or better, I would have spoken about me, but, since I started introducing myself I noticed on their face something strange. It was like we were talking about two different things, and that sensation grew while I was going ahead.
After a while, I quit speaking and asked: something doesn't work???
They showed me a resume, the one of the person they were waiting for...and it wasn't mine!!! Or better, they had never received my resume, as they said me.
Suddenly it was clear that there had been a misunderstanding between the recruiter and the hiring company. They mixed up resumes for sure!
What could I do at that point???
I laughed, got up and with great self control greeted my interviewers.
I had all the time home to swear at my recruiter!!!

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Can you tell me about an experience you have had where you misunderstood a situation or someone misunderstood you?
Write a text in the past simple.

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If two people are talking lively and you don't understand their culture or their language, you might think they are having an argument. Neil and Tim talk about this kind of situation and teach you six items of vocabulary.

This week's question:

In which country does shaking your head mean 'yes', Tim? Is it...

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

no hard feelings
is something you say to somebody you have argued with or beaten in a game or contest to say you'd still like to be friends

to fall out with somebody
to argue or disagree with them

gesture
a movement you make with your hands or head to express what you are thinking or feeling

saying or doing something embarrassing in a social situation

offend
to make somebody angry or upset

expressive
showing what you think or feel

Transcript
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript
I know. Using gestures - or movements you make with your hands or your head to express what you are thinking of feeling - is common in some countries but not in others. Then there are some movements - like shaking your head - which mostly means 'no' but in some countries can mean the opposite.

Erin Meyer, Business Professor in Dubai
A while ago I was in Dubai and one of my students, my Emirati students, was driving me home after a session and the car stopped at a light and she rolled down the window, and she started shouting at someone outside of the window. This guy was crossing the street with a big box of cloth. And he started shouting back, and she opened up the door, and they started gesticulating and shouting at one another. And I thought, wow, they're having a huge fight, I thought maybe he was going to hit her. And she got back in the car, and I said, well, what were you fighting about? And she said, 'Oh no, no, we weren't fighting, he was giving me directions to your hotel.' And I thought that was a great example of how someone from another culture may misperceive or misunderstand something as a fight when in fact they were just being emotionally expressive.

I hope I remember that the next time I meet somebody from Southeastern Europe. OK, shall we look back at the words we learned today?

That must've been a serious disagreement, Tim! What were you arguing about?

I can't remember. It was a long time ago. Number three - a 'gesture' is a movement you make with your hands or head to express what you are thinking or feeling.

Neil
Goodbye!

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / Having a row or asking for directions?

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If two people are talking lively and you don't understand their culture or their language, you might think they are having an argument. Neil and Tim talk about this kind of situation and teach you six items of vocabulary. In which country does shaking your head mean 'yes', Tim? Is it...

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Try this one... and tell me HONESTLY how much you understood the first time.
Remember to leave a day or two between the first and final listening.
Follow these steps:
1) Relax and listen - get the general idea. You do not have to understand everything.
2) Listen again, with the transcript.
3) Write your comments about the listening and try to introduce at least five new words/expressions.
4) Listen a final time.

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Are you honest? Have you ever cheated anybody? Rob and Neil discuss if honesty comes naturally to people or if it is a product of living in a social group.

This week's question

Who said 'honesty is the best policy'? Was it...

a) Donald Trump

b) Benjamin Franklin

c) Richard Nixon?

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

selfish
someone who only cares about themselves and not about other people

Transcript

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript

Neil
Honestly?

Which of course leads us on to our quiz.

The 6 minute English quiz! Who said 'honesty is the best policy'? Was it...

a) Donald Trump
b) Benjamin Franklin or
c) Richard Nixon?

OK, OK, let's move on now and hear from Philip Graves, a psychologist, and author of the book Consumerology, who can tell us about why honesty isn't always the best policy.

Philip Graves, Psychologist and author of the book The question is not 'Are most consumers honest, the question is 'Are most people honest?' - And the answer to that is 'no'. We have evolved with the capacity to be dishonest. It's part of our evolutionary psychological make up - because if we can gain an advantage over the people around us, we have a greater chance of surviving. Now what's important in that is that we also benefited from being in a social group and that was important in our evolutionary past so there is a balance to strike between the extent to which we can feather our own nest, so to speak, and the risk of being ostracised by the group.

Rob
Because it's selfish behaviour - which other members of our social group won't like. If everybody acted selfishly and dishonestly all the time, the world would be a very unpleasant place!

So honesty really is the best policy then - at least most of the time!

And now it's time for the answer to the quiz. Who said 'honesty is the best policy'?

Neil
What do you think, Rob?

And that was... the right answer! Maybe the question was too easy! Benjamin Franklin wrote it in a book of proverbs called Poor Richard's Almanac between 1732 and 1758. Other famous quotes include 'There are no gains without pains' and 'Have you something to do tomorrow? Do it today.' OK let's follow Franklin's wise words and move right ahead with the vocabulary items we learned today.

Neil
Goodbye!

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BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / How honest are we?

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Are you honest? Have you ever cheated anybody? Rob and Neil discuss if honesty comes naturally to people or if it is a product of living in a social group. Who said 'honesty is the best policy'? Was it... a) Donald Trump b) Benjamin Franklin c) Richard Nixon?

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This was the listening you did on Wednesday, 15/11