Thinking in English - podcast cover

Thinking in English

Thomas Wilkinsonthinkinginenglish.blog
Thinking in English is a podcast designed for intermediate and advanced English learners. I believe that thinking is an incredibly important step on the road fluency, and this podcast is going to help you achieve this by discussing topics ranging from politics and economics, to philosophy and science. Rather than "learning English", Thinking in English focuses on "learning in English." Learn something new, listen to something interesting, and improve your English at the same time! Conversation Clubs, bonus episodes, and more on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish My 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.

Episodes

331. What is Foreign Aid? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

What is foreign aid? What are the different types of aid? Why do countries give or loan money to other countries? And why is this such a controversial thing? Today, we are going to discuss all these questions and think in depth about aid (as well as learning some new vocabulary). TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/03/10/331-what-is-foreign-aid-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links AD Free Main Episodes - https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSPOxNCijMq2hTJW8tyx4?si=e7e195bbfae84b6b ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mar 10, 202527 minEp 331Transcript available on Metacast

330. How To Move Abroad? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

20 EUR Off Lingoda Classes - https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglishMarch My discount code (English, Business English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French): THINKINGMARCH I have lived abroad for about 5 of the past 8 or 9 years. I have lived in Japan as a worker, a student, and now a spouse (and also in Taiwan as a student too). People often ask me how I moved overseas, so today I want to talk about this topic. I’ll discuss the state of migration, some of the common visa types or methods of mov...

Mar 03, 202529 minEp 330Transcript available on Metacast

The Best Way to Travel? - Comparisons of Equality (English Grammar Lesson)

I’m sure many of you love to visit new places, but what is the best way to travel? Some people love to make their trips as cheap as possible. Others like to book first class flights that can be as expensive as a new car. Today I want to compare budget and luxury travel. In order to talk about this topic, and similar topics, we need to understand and know how to use comparisons of equality (be as something as something)! Let’s practise this grammar and discuss the best form of travel in today’s e...

Feb 24, 202515 minTranscript available on Metacast

329. Why Is American English Different to British English? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Today I want to discuss Noah Webster, the man who played a major role in creating American English. We’ll talk about his life and motivations, his famous dictionary, and some of the words and spellings he changed. I’ll end by discussing whether there is a correct form of “English.” TRANSCRIPT - htt...

Feb 17, 202519 minEp 329Transcript available on Metacast

328. What is Populism? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Populism is on the rise. Across the world, politicians and political parties are becoming increasingly populist. Today, I want define populism. We’ll discuss what populism means, think about some examples of populism (both left-wing and right-wing), and then discuss whether populism is a negative t...

Feb 10, 202527 minEp 328Transcript available on Metacast

Spotify Has Been Revolutionising Streaming for Nearly 20 Years - Present Perfect Continuous (English Grammar Lesson)

Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 Since being founded in 2006, Spotify has been revolutionising and influencing the way people listen to music, discover artists, and even make careers as podcasts. At the same time, many people hav...

Feb 03, 202514 minTranscript available on Metacast

327. The Future of Greenland? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Donald Trump wants to buy, or take over, Greenland. Since the end of December, he has been consistently discussing the Arctic island becoming part of the USA. His son has travelled there, his has refused to rule out military involvement, and his comments have angered Denmark and other European countries. Why does Trump want Greenland? Why is Greenland currently Danish? And what will actually happen in the future? Let’s discuss this in today’s episode of Thinking in English! Transcript - https://...

Jan 27, 202522 minEp 327Transcript available on Metacast

326. Should Social Media Be Banned for Children? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Australia is banning children from all social media platforms. Under a newly passed law, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or any similar platform. Today, I want to take a deeper look at the reasons behind banning social media, as well as some criticisms and challenges. We’ll end by thinking about the question, “Should Social Media Be Banned for Children?” Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/01/20/should-social-media-be-banned-f...

Jan 20, 202519 minEp 326Transcript available on Metacast

The 2008 Financial Crisis and Housing Bubble - Past Perfect Continuous (English Grammar Lesson)

STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 The world was hit by a major recession in the year 2008, caused in part by a massive housing bubble in the United States. Banks had been lending money to almost anyone (even if they couldn’t afford it) and investors had been assuming that house prices would continue rising. They were wrong. Today I want to talk about the financial crisis, the housing bubble, and the man who had been predicting ...

Jan 13, 202514 minTranscript available on Metacast

325. Attending Language School: My Experiences (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Try LINGODA FLEX - ⁠https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear⁠ Up to 45 FREE PRIVATE Classes and 10% Off Lingoda Flex with my CODE: THINKING2025 - ⁠https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear⁠ In 2019, I enrolled in a Chinese language school in Taiwan. Today, I want to talk about my experiences. I’ll discuss why I decided to go to a language school, what an average day at language school looked like, the benefits and challenges of language schools, and give all of you some tips and advice on how to ...

Jan 06, 202529 minEp 325Transcript available on Metacast

324. How to Set Goals for 2025? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Use code GOAL for 25% your first month/year of Patreon membership - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ This episode is a little different to typical Thinking in English episodes. Last year, I publicly revealed 6 New Year’s resolutions or goals for 2024. Today, I am going to review these goals, consider whether I achieved them or failed them, talk about how to set good goals, and then end with some examples of goals to set in 2025. Hopefully this episode will motivate or insp...

Dec 30, 202422 minEp 324Transcript available on Metacast

323. What Do You Eat for Christmas Dinner? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

PATREON CHRISTMAS SALE - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What do you eat during the holidays? Around the world, we associate different and diverse dishes with special occasions and celebrations like Christmas. Today, I want to explore some of these dishes! I’ll talk about Christmas food in the UK (where I’m from) and Japan (where I live). I also asked the wonderful Thinking in English Patreon community to tell me the Christmas and holiday foods most popular wh...

Dec 23, 202421 minEp 323Transcript available on Metacast

Medicine Before the Discovery of Germs - Past Perfect (English Grammar Lesson)

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/⁠ Before the development of germ theory and the discovery of bacteria and viruses, medicine relied on ancient theories that often caused more harm than good. Without modern knowledge, doctors had often used dangerous procedures or had performed surgery without washing their hands. Today I want to talk about medicine before t...

Dec 16, 202416 minTranscript available on Metacast

322. How to Give a Speech in English: Lessons from My Participation in a Japanese Speech Contest! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Download ELSA for free and get 7 days pro membership for free: ⁠https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH⁠ Get up to 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership by going to ⁠elsaspeak.com/redeem⁠ and use my code THINK85 Last week I came second in a Japanese language speech contest. Today, I want to talk to you all about how I prepared for giving a speech in a foreign language, explain my approach to writing and practicing speeches and presentations, and hopefully give you some useful advice on public speaki...

Dec 09, 202425 minEp 322Transcript available on Metacast

321. What are Tariffs? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

What are tariffs? Donald Trump has been talking about introducing and increasing tariffs on goods and products imported into the USA. Today, let’s take a deeper look at tariffs. We’ll talk about the definition of tariffs, real world examples, and the pros and cons of the US introducing tariffs! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/02/321-what-are-tariffs-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LE...

Dec 02, 202426 minEp 321Transcript available on Metacast

I Have Lived in Japan for Over a Year! - Present Perfect (English Grammar Lesson)

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on "perfect" tenses) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ I have now lived in the Japanese countryside for over a year! I have experienced many interesting situations. I have discovered new interests and hobbies. I have faced significant challenges. And I have learned a lot about myself! In order to talk about my past year in Japan, and similar topics about events in the past which ...

Nov 25, 202412 minTranscript available on Metacast

320. What is the 2024 Word of the Year? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Use Code THINKING50 for up to 50% off a Lingoda English class! Click this link for a Discount and 7 Day Free Trial! https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglish Collins English Dictionary has just announced the 2024 Word of the Year. Let's discuss this word, as well as some of the runners up, in today's Thinking in English episode! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/18/320-what-is-the-2024-word-of-the-year-english-vocabulary-lesson/ WOTY - https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty My Li...

Nov 18, 202421 minEp 320Transcript available on Metacast

319. What is the Nuclear Taboo?: 2024 Nobel Peace Prize Explained! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation formed by survivors of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to raise awareness and create the nuclear taboo. Today, I want to talk about the nuclear taboo and other theories that try to explain why nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945! Let’s learn about international relations and learn some vocabulary at the same time. Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/11/319-what-is-t...

Nov 11, 202427 minEp 319Transcript available on Metacast

318. How Does the US Presidential Election Work? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

On November 5th, the United States of America will elect their next President. The two candidates this year are former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris. The election has been controversial and close. There have been assassination attempts against Donald Trump, the original Democratic candidate Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and the United States seems relatively politically unstable. This episode is not going to focus specifically on this year’s US election, bu...

Nov 04, 202423 minEp 318Transcript available on Metacast

317. What Were the Salem Witch Trials? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

In 1692, the village of Salem in Massachusetts was the location of the infamous Salem witch trials. Hundreds of innocent people were accused of witchcraft and being witches. People were executed, tortured, and imprisoned. In this Halloween special episode of Thinking in English, we are going to explore the history, causes, and legacy of the infamous witch hunt! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/28/317-what-were-the-salem-witch-trials-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Oct 27, 202422 minEp 317Transcript available on Metacast

If China Had Been the First Industrial Country… - The Third Conditional (English Grammar Lesson)

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ Imagine if China had been the first country to industrialise and modernise. How different would the world look? What culture would be dominant? How would history have changed? Would technology and industry still be recognisable? In order to talk about this, and similar topics focused on unreal situations in the past, we nee...

Oct 21, 202415 minTranscript available on Metacast

316. What is Culture Shock? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Listen to Simple English News Daily - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QctJjCUuHefLzeZWDoXqc?si=a87d593d939643dd SEND7 Podcast - https://www.send7.org/ This episode is going to take a detailed look at culture shock. We’ll define both “culture shock” and “reverse culture shock” and then discuss the various stages you go through while experiencing culture shock. And at the end of the episode, I’ll share some of my experiences and give you advice on how to deal with culture shock! Transcript - https:...

Oct 14, 202427 minEp 316Transcript available on Metacast

315. What is Language Attrition?: Losing Your Ability to Speak English (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Losing the ability to understand and use a language is known as language attrition. It is an incredibly common process, effecting most language learners at some point in their life, and can be really frustrating. Today, I’m going to define and explain language attrition and then will give you all some advice on how to avoid it happening to your English ability! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/07/315-what-is-language-attrition-losing-your-ability-to-speak-english-english-vocab...

Oct 07, 202425 minEp 315Transcript available on Metacast

AI and Language Learning – The First Conditional (English Grammar Lesson)

STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ Today I want to talk about Artificial Intelligence and its likely impact on language learning and language learners. To do this, we need to understand the first conditional and know how to use the first conditional in real life situations. TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/09/30/ai-and-language-learning-the-f...

Sep 30, 202413 minTranscript available on Metacast

314. How to Negotiate in English! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Negotiations are important parts of our lives, whether we are buying a house, asking for a higher salary, or trying to convince your family to go on vacation. Today let’s take a look at negotiations. We’ll discuss different types of negotiation, some of the key negotiation theories, and think about how we can negotiate in English! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/09/16/313-how-to-negotiate-in-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/t...

Sep 23, 202426 minEp 314Transcript available on Metacast

313. I Took a Language Proficiency Test: Here Is How I Passed! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ After 6 years of studying, I finally passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 level. Today, I want to share with you how I prepared for the exam, how I learned from my previous failure in 2022, and talk about the successes I had and the mistakes I made this time round. Hopefully this episode will be interesting and useful to anyone out there thinking about taking an English exam in the future! Transcript - https://thin...

Sep 16, 202427 minEp 313Transcript available on Metacast

312. The Space Race (English Vocabulary Lesson)

SEND7 Podcast - https://www.send7.org/ Beginning in the late 1950s, the USA and USSR began an intense competition to reach outer space. The Space Race, as it became known, led to technological achievements and milestones in human history. Today, let’s discuss the space race, the first humans in space and on the moon, the new space race that is developing right now, and learn some useful space related vocabulary! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/09/09/312-the-space-race-english-vo...

Sep 09, 202425 minEp 312Transcript available on Metacast

Dreaming of a Career Change? – The Second Conditional (English Grammar Lesson)

Use Code 2024THINKING to save 20 EUR on any Lingoda Language Course - https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkinginEnglishPod Get up to 20 FREE PRIVATE CLASSES when you sign up to LIngoda Language Flex - https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkinginEnglishPod If you had the opportunity to change your career right now, what would you do? If you had the qualifications or skills, which job would you be interested in trying out? If you were financially stable, would you start your own business? Today, I want to talk abou...

Sep 02, 202414 minTranscript available on Metacast

311. How to Debate in English? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Debating is an excellent way of practicing English. It forces you to present information and arguments in English, it challenges your listening comprehension, and it helps you to communicate confidently. This episode explains the concept of a debate, talks about how debates are structures, and introduces some really useful vocabulary and phrases! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/08/26/311-how-to-debate-in-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www....

Aug 26, 202423 minEp 311Transcript available on Metacast

310. History of Pizza! (English Vocabulary Lesson)

Pizza is one of the most popular foods around the world, but home much do you know about its history? Today, we’ll look at how pizza evolved from ancient flatbreads to a food for working people in Naples, to a globally popular dish! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/08/19/310-history-of-pizza-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TEST YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL - https://thinkinginenglish.link/placement-level-test/...

Aug 18, 202426 minEp 310Transcript available on Metacast