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Thinking in English

Thomas Wilkinsonthinkinginenglish.blog
Thinking in English is a podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to do more than just study grammar and vocabulary. I believe that thinking is one of the most important steps on the road to fluency. That’s why each episode explores fascinating topics, from politics, economics, and history to philosophy, science, and culture. Instead of simply learning English, this podcast helps you learn in English. You’ll expand your knowledge, discover new ideas, and improve your language skills, all at the same time. Bonus episodes and ad-free episodes, exclusive for Patreon subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866 Join our Conversation Clubs and support the podcast: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠ Visit the website: ⁠https://thinkinginenglish.blog/⁠ Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English.
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Episodes

54. How to Have Better Conversations? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode I want to talk about conversations and how to have better ones! English learners often really want to start having conversations in English, but at the same time can be nervous and anxious. Don’t worry though! If you follow the tips in this episode you will be having conversations like a professional in no time! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/24/54-how-to-have-better-conversations-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Related Episodes! George Orwell's tips for writin...

Feb 24, 202121 minSeason 1Ep. 54

53. Why has Facebook banned news in Australia? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Australian Facebook users realised last week that they could no longer read, access, or share news articles on the social media platform. Facebook, the world’s largest social media site, has banned news in Australia. This episode will look at why this happened, and what some of the consequences could be! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/22/53-why-has-facebook-banned-news-in-australia-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.ins...

Feb 22, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 53

52. The Missions to Mars: Why are the USA, China and UAE all heading to the red planet? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Missions from China, the UAE, and the USA have all arrived on, or near to, Mars. This is the first time three different countries have sent missions to the planet at the same time. Why? This episode will look at the reasons behind each of the three current missions, investigate why we want to travel there at all, and what the future holds for Mars and humanity! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/17/52-the-missions-to-mars-why-are-the-usa-china-and-uae-all-heading-to-the-red-pla...

Feb 17, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 52

51. What is Clubhouse?: The social media app taking the world by storm! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

In this episode of Thinking in English I want to talk about Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a social media application that has become incredibly popular over the last few weeks. Entrepreneurs, investors, and creative people are using the site to host discussion and conversations for thousands of listeners. However, it is an exclusive platform and all users need to be invited before they can join. What is Clubhouse? Why is it so popular at this moment? What does the future hold for the application? TRAN...

Feb 15, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 51

50. The History of Smallpox: How did we eradicate the disease and what can it teach us? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Coronavirus is not the first disease to kill millions of people and impact our lives. Throughout history, smallpox destroyed countless lives and devastated entire communities. It was incredibly infectious and incredibly deadly. However, smallpox is also the only disease to ever be completely eradicated by humans. This episode will look at the history of that deadly disease, investigate how we got rid of the virus, and consider the lessons we can take from the time! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinking...

Feb 10, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 50

49. Should Bottled Water be Banned? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

We drink millions of bottles of water every year. However, in some countries, including mine the UK, our tap water is perfectly safe! We don’t really need to buy bottled water! There are environmental, financial, and health costs connected to bottled water. Should bottled water be banned? TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/08/49-should-bottled-water-be-banned-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglis...

Feb 08, 202119 min

48. Myanmar Military Coup: What is happening and why? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On February 1st, the military of Myanmar staged a coup and took control of the country. They arrested elected leaders including the famous Aung San Suu Kyi, and there are worries they will damage Myanmar’s democracy! In this episode we’ll look at what happened, why it happened, and what will happen in the future! TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/03/48-myanmar-military-coup-what-is-happening-and-why-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( h...

Feb 03, 202119 minSeason 1Ep. 48

47. How to Improve Your Written English (According to the Great Writer George Orwell!)

George Orwell is one of the most famous and talented writers of the last hundred years. Fortunately for us, Orwell left a list of rules for writers to follow and questions to consider which will help you to improve your written English. Writing is an essential skill, and something we can always improve! Hopefully you will find Orwell’s tips and tricks useful! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/02/01/47-how-to-improve-your-written-english-according-to-the-great-writer-george-orwell...

Feb 01, 202121 minSeason 1Ep. 47

46. World’s Oldest Cave Paintings Discovered in Indonesia!! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Archaeologists recently discovered the world’s oldest cave paintings of animals, in an isolated cave in Indonesia. This has challenged the way scientists think about our history, and provided evidence for people in Asia tens of thousands of years ago! Let’s learn about this topic, while studying English vocabulary! Transcript -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/27/46-worlds-oldest-cave-paintings-discovered-in-indonesia-english-vocabulary-lesson/ # CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglish...

Jan 27, 202115 minSeason 1Ep. 46

45. Eight More Business English Idioms!!

In this episode, I am going to introduce eight idioms that are commonly used in business situations. One of the major problems language learners face when working in a native English environment is recognising and comprehending idioms. Even if you are not interested in business, these idioms are used in many different situations and contexts! Whether you are studying, working, living, and or just enjoying English, these idioms will be perfect for you! TRANCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/20...

Jan 25, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 45

44. Is Binge-Watching Bad for You?

Everyone has binge-watched a TV show. Only a few weeks ago, I watched the Netflix show the Queen's Gambit in only 3 days. However, is binge-watching actually bad for you? In this episode, of thinking in English, we will look at what binge-watching is and then think about the benefits and consequences of doing it! Hopefully, by the end of the episode you will be able to express your own opinion on the topic. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/20/44-is-binge-watching-bad-for-you/ ...

Jan 20, 202117 minSeason 1Ep. 44

43. Inauguration Day: All the Essential Vocabulary!!

On the 20th January, Joe Biden will officially replace Donald Trump as the President of the United States of America. This process is very traditional, and therefore uses traditional and specific vocabulary. Today’s episode will introduce some of the events that will take place on the 20th, and highlight some of the essential vocabulary you might notice! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/18/43-inauguration-day-all-the-essential-vocabulary/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginen...

Jan 18, 202116 minSeason 1Ep. 43

42. Which Country has the Most Languages? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

There are thousands of languages in the world. Some are spoken by billions of people, others by less than one hundred! Which country has the most languages? In this episode I’ll answer that question, look at some of the languages spoken in that country, and try to explain why there are so many! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/13/42-which-country-has-the-most-languages-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thi...

Jan 13, 202121 minSeason 1Ep. 42

41. Donald Trump, Twitter, and Free Speech (English Vocabulary Lesson)

As I'm sure you already know, a riot broke out in the capital of the USA recently as Donald Trump supporters invaded the US Congress. In the aftermath, Trump has been removed and banned from numerous social media platforms. On today’s episode, we will look at the events of January 6th, and then discuss the idea of free speech. Free speech has been a major talking point after the banning of Trump. Should social media sites have the right to ban users because of what they say or believe? CONTACT U...

Jan 11, 202118 minSeason 1Ep. 41

40. What is the Most Expensive City in the World? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

How expensive is the city you live in? Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit has released its ranking of the most expensive cities in the world. The episode will look at the results of this ranking, as well as talk about some of the trends in price increases or decreases and the reasons behind these trends! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2021/01/06/40-what-is-the-most-expensive-city-in-the-world-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instag...

Jan 06, 202114 minSeason 1Ep. 40

39. BREXIT: All the Essential Vocabulary! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Brexit. I’m sure you must have heard about Brexit at some point in the last four years, and the UK finally left the EU on January 1st 2020. I often get asked about Brexit by English students and foreign friends, and one of the biggest challenges people face is the vocabulary. It can be complicated, confusing, and full of political and economic jargon! So on this episode, I will introduce some of the key vocabulary that could help you to understand and read about Brexit! TRANSCRIPT - https://thin...

Jan 04, 202128 minSeason 1Ep. 39

38. New Year's Resolutions! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

2020 is almost over! What a strange and unforgettable year it has been! In this episode, we are going to look at New Year’s resolutions. And if you listen until the end, I will give you some suggestions for English learning related New Year’s resolutions that you can try yourself! https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/30/38-new-years-resolutions-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/ ) Twitter - @thinken...

Dec 30, 202021 minSeason 1Ep. 38

37. Money: Essential English Vocabulary!!

On today’s episode, let's talk about money. Whether you love the idea of money, or hate it, money is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of our modern world! As an important part of our culture, money has obviously impacted our language. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different ways to refer to or talk about money; although I can't introduce you to all of these, this episode will give you a few interesting alternatives to add to your vocabulary. I’ll also suggest a few money-re...

Dec 28, 202022 minSeason 1Ep. 37

36. Christmas Special: Christmas Idioms, Phrases, and Sayings (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Hello and Merry Christmas! This episode is probably being released on Christmas eve, so there is no better time to learn some Christmassy words!! Learn some festive themed idioms, phrases, and sayings to boost your Christmas vocabulary! TRANSCRIPT!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/23/36-christmas-special-christmas-idioms-phrases-and-sayings-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/ ) Twitter - @thin...

Dec 23, 202015 minSeason 1Ep. 36

35. How to improve your writing skills!

On today’s episode, I'm hoping to give you some tips to improve your writing skills! Writing is one of the key language skills, and often students want to know how they can get better! We’ll look at some of the reasons writing is important to practice, and then I'll offer some advice on how to improve! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/21/35-how-to-improve-your-writing-skills/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast...

Dec 21, 202019 minSeason 1Ep. 35

34. Should Zoos Exist?: A Discussion of the Benefits and Controversies Surrounding Zoos (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the controversy and debate surrounding zoos! Are zoos vital organisations because they promote scientific research and public education, and save animals on the verge of extinction? Or are zoos terrible prisons with no educational value that damage animals physically and psychologically? TRANSCRIPT -- https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/16/34-should-zoos-exist-a-discussion-of-the-benefits-and-controversies-surrounding-zoos-english-vocabulary-lesson/ ...

Dec 16, 202019 minSeason 1Ep. 34

33. How to ask excellent questions! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode, we are going to look at how to ask great questions! Asking questions is one of the most important skills in daily life, but most people do not realise we can practice and improve! I’ll look at why questions are important, the mistakes we often make when asking questions, and then some tips on how to improve! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/14/how-to-ask-excellent-questions-english-vocabulary-lesson/ CONTACT US!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https...

Dec 14, 202019 minSeason 1Ep. 33

32. The Oxford Dictionary Words of the Year 2020! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Today, i want to introduce you to some of the Oxford English Dictionary’s 2020 words of the year. For the first time ever, the Oxford Dictionary was unable to choose one single standout word from the previous 12 months. Instead, as a consequence of the unprecedented events of 2020, they have highlighted a number of highly significant developments in our vocabulary! So I’m going to introduce you to some of the words and phrases included in the “Word of the Year” report! TRANSCRIPT -- https://thin...

Dec 10, 202018 minSeason 1Ep. 31

31. The Downfall of Quibi: The Story of an Expensive Failure! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Today we will discuss the failure of Quibi! I guess many of you are asking, “what is Quibi?” You’re probably not alone. Quibi was supposed to be the next big thing in online videos, attracting billions of dollars in investments before it launched earlier this year. On the 1st December, however, Quibi ended for ever. We’ll look at the history of Quibi, its unique selling points, and talk about why it failed. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/08/the-downfall-of-quibi-the-story-of...

Dec 09, 202015 minSeason 1Ep. 31

30. Germany Removes Nazi Words from the German Phonetic Alphabet: How much do you know about the history of your vocabulary?? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

How much do you know about the history of your languages? Where do the words come from, and why do we use them? Today’s episode will look at the recent news Germany is removing some words of Nazi origins from its phonetic alphabet. Although most German’s were unaware of the history of these terms, the regular use has been considered problematic. Are there any words in your languages that have offensive origins? Transcript - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/06/30-germany-removes-nazi-words-f...

Dec 06, 202014 minSeason 1Ep. 30

29. China Lands on the Moon: Are we on the Verge of a New Space Race? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the news that China has landed another probe on the surface of the moon. The Chinese mission intends to collect rock samples to bring back to Earth; the first time this will happen for over 40 years. Why is China interested in space exploration? Are we on the verge of a new space race? What is the scientific importance of moon rocks? We’ll look at all these questions and more on today’s episode! TRANSCRIPT: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/03/chin...

Dec 03, 202014 minSeason 1Ep. 29

28. Is Tesla really worth $500 million? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode we are going to discuss the news that Tesla is now worth over $500 billion! This is considerably more than any other car manufacturer! Is Tesla really worth $500 billion? Why has the company's value increased so much over the last year? How can a company that produces few cars be worth more than many of its competitors combined? TRANSCRIPT!!! - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/12/01/ 28-is-tesla-really-worth-500-million-english-vocabulary-lesson / Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - t...

Dec 01, 202019 minSeason 1Ep. 28

27. Incredibly Useful English Idioms| Ideal for Business English, IELTS, Study Abroad, and more! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

‘Ahead of the pack,’ ‘smooth sailing,’ ‘corner the market.’ English is full of idioms like these three I just mentioned. In order to be able to work, study, or live in a native English speaking environment, understanding and comprehending idioms is a vital skill! For that reason, this episode will introduce you to some common idioms that are especially useful for business situations. However, they will also be beneficial to anyone who wants to study abroad, understand English TV shows or movies,...

Nov 29, 202019 minSeason 1Ep. 27

26. Should University be Free? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On today’s episode, we are going to look at the idea of free education. Should university be free? This question has been debated for many years. The costs have been rising every year, and more and more graduates are struggling with large amounts of debt. In particular, poorer students are normally those who need to borrow the most money. Should they be punished for wanting to educate themselves? Should taxpayers pay for the education of other people? All of these questions will be addressed in ...

Nov 26, 202021 minSeason 1Ep. 26

25. Who am I?? My self introduction and why I started Thinking in English! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

To celebrate the 25th episode of Thinking in English, today I've made a slightly different episode! I decided it's time to introduce myself to all of the listeners, let you know my background, and talk about why I started Thinking in English!! Transcript! - http://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/24/25-who-am-i-my-self-introduction-and-why-i-started-thinking-in-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ Contact Us!! INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/...

Nov 24, 202018 minSeason 1Ep. 25
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