Speak with Nick

English is the most common form of communication in business, travel, leisure and entertainment. So, if you want to broaden your horizons or improve your position in the world it’s a no brainer; learn English. But if it’s such a good idea to learn English and many people want English as their second language, why do so many people struggle?
Listen to this podcast and read a full transcript at the same time on my website: speakwithnick.it

I decided to speak with my American friend Liz Jackson from Boston about the famous American holiday Thanksgiving. I’m from England and I have never experienced a Thanksgiving, so I was keen to talk to Liz about it. And I learned some interesting things that I didn’t know about the origins and how it compares to Christmas.
Listen, read a full transcript and use my Language focus to help you here:www.speakwithnick.it

This podcast is the spoken, chatty version of an article I wrote about tea. Yes, I’ve got a lovely … mmm, cup of tea with me right now. And so I wrote this article and a lot of you have asked for the audio version.
So the article starts with a ‘did you know’. Did you know? Tea is considered the quintessential drink of the English people, but ...
You can listen to this podcast and read a full transcript at the same time on my website: speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English.
Memories of Bonfire Night in England
Well, in my last podcast about Halloween I mentioned Bonfire Night.
What is Bonfire Night? Well, it’s also known as Fireworks Night, or more precisely Guy Fawkes Night. It’s an annual commemoration observed on the 5th of November in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays.
And to understand the history we need to go back, back to London in 1605 and to the events of the 5th of November …
A full transcript of this podcast with a language focus can be found on my website here: www.speakwithnick.it/category/podcast/

Memories of Halloween in England
Hi I'm Nick Simcock. I'm an English language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English.
In this podcast today I want to talk about my memories of Halloween.
From all the different festivities in England that I remember, Christmas, Bonfire Night, birthdays, Easter, I think the most magical was Halloween and I have some great memories. They're divided up into three main things, choosing a costume to wear to go trick or treating in, making a Jack-o’-lantern, making a … carving a pumpkin, and then also yeah, going out and doing the trick or treating, which was like just so exciting, really really so exciting.
For a full transcript of this podcast send me a message to ask@speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English.
Houses in England - with my wife, Laura
There isn’t enough space here to include a full transcript of this chat, but if you want a copy of the transcript or you have any questions for me or Laura then send me an email to ask@speakwithnick.it
Per avere il meglio da questo podcast segui i miei consigli. 
* Non sentirti deluso se non capisci tutto, è normale non capire tutto! Non giudicarti negativamente, ma sii curioso, positivo e aperto ai nuovi suoni e ritmi che senti. E’ normale dover ascoltare più di una volta!
* Cerca online qualsiasi parola o frase che non conosci. Ascolta usando il tasto pausa per ripetere ad alta voce tutte le frasi che senti. Parlare ad alta voce senza paura, è l’unico modo per praticare davvero lo speaking.
* Quali sono le nuove frasi che potresti integrare e usare nella tua vita?
Buon ascolto! Enjoy your listening!

The Power of Decluttering
Everyone has some stress in their lives when they are confronted by their “to do" list. A little stress can be a positive reaction, it helps you to get things done with energy, but it can become overwhelming if it continues for too long with no breaks. What can we do to alleviate stress in our lives?
There are many different and valid approaches we can adopt to combat stress, such as keeping a diary, learning to say no to people without guilt, meditating, yoga. Many things can introduce positivity, calmness and clarity into our busy minds.
But one thing you should definitely do is look at your home as a possible source of stress and confusion. You can understand a lot about somebody by looking at their home, because the spaces we live in externally reflect the way we are on the inside. And our living and working spaces can perpetuate order or disorder in our lives.
Our homes should be sanctuaries of comfort, security, relaxation, space and clarity. Everything should have a place and be in that place when not used. According to the method KonMari, from the Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo, 80% of the confusion in the home is caused not by a lack of space but by a lack of organisation. Statistics say that on average we lose 16 hours a year just looking for our car keys.
I’m sure you know that positive and refreshing feeling created by clearing out rubbish, then cleaning and reorganising a room. But if you’re a hoarder and you’ve been holding onto every single object that has passed through your front door since you can’t remember when, then maybe the idea of decluttering can fill you with dread - where do I start? How do I let go of things?
Well, the important thing according to the experts is to start. The famous KonMari method teaches you to tidy up by category not location, the first category is clothes. So you gather all the clothes you have into one location, so it’s easy to see what you have, what you really need and what you can let go. If an item no longer serves a purpose and it gives you no joy, you should sincerely thank it for its service and let it go.
And once you’ve done a big sort out, you should schedule a declutter at least once a month. It’s best if all members of your household are involved, and also know that they know where things live - the keys go here, shoes live here, and so on. You can also adopt a “one new thing in, one old thing out” rule, to avoid a buildup of new clutter. We must free ourselves of the old to make space for the new. Give away, throw away, sell or donate, learn to let go.
Nobody told us about these good living techniques at school, but they are without a doubt an important part of finding harmony between your home, your things and your life.
If You enjoyed this podcast you can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it
Ciao for now!
Language Focus
“... confronted by their to do list”  - trovarsi di fronte ad un elenco delle cose da fare
“overwhelming” - schiacciante, enorme, travolgente
“a source of stress” - una fonte di stress
“Everything should have a place and be in that place when not used” - Ogni cosa dovrebbe avere un posto e rimanere in quel posto quando non viene utilizzata
“a lack of organisation” - una mancanza di organizzazione
“a hoarder” - qualcuno che accumula in modo compulsivo
“decluttering” - fare ordine e liberarsi di cose che non servono più
“to tidy up” - fare ordine, mettere le cose al loro posto
“a big sort out” - un grande riordino
“give away, throw away, sell or donate” - dare via, buttare via, vendere o donare

If you’re learning English, then first listen to my advice in Italian on how to get the most from this podcast.
Back to school - Interview with Maya
So thanks Maya for agreeing to this interview. Um, what year are you going to be in this year when you go back to school?
In the fourth year.
Mm-hmm.
And, and, so now, how old are you?
I’m nine.
Nine years old, right.
And um, are you happy to go back to school? Do you think it’s a good thing?
Yeah, because I need to see my friends, I really need to see them.
You really need to see your friends, right. So you miss your friends.
And, err, listen, the school holidays here are quite long, in Italy they are, um, 3 months long. In England they are only a month and a half. What do you think is better? Would it be better to have shorter holidays?
I think shorter, I want them like England, because it’s better. Because then, you don’t know what to do. Then you finish your homework, and then you don’t know what to do.
Then maybe your friends are on holiday so you can’t, um, say, “come over so we can play”. So yea, I think it needs to be one… a month and a half.
OK. Well they’ll probably be difficult to organise because here in Italy it’s so hot in the south, isn’t it. 
Yeah.
It’s even hot here, no?, but, but you know, if schools maybe had air conditioning that would be good wouldn’t it. No? You could have shorter holidays. It would be easier for Mummy and Daddy.
And em, so, what’s your favourite memory from err, or some of your favourite memories from the Summer holidays this year? What have you done?
I liked Puglia.
Mm hmm. Puglia was good, yeah.
Yeah, and then Bibione
and scout camp.
Scout camp yeah. What? So, you did some camping as well?
Yes.
Fantastic. That’s brilliant.
On my own.
And. On your own. Well, with your scout friends.
Yeah.
Brilliant.
And em, tell me about the equipment you need at school. Have you got your bag, your books, your pens?
Yeah, I have everything. I got my books. I got my notebooks. I got my pens. I got my pencils, rubber, um, pen-sharpener (?) …  pencil sharpener.
Yeah pencil sharpener. What have… you’ve got, also a compass this year, right?
A compass, yeah..
And err, what, what do you use the compass for?
To make nice circles, for like things for Halloween, Easter, or Christmas things, yeah
And when you’re gonna make… 
Cause I have a teacher that likes to do, um, creative stuff. So, yeah.
That’s really good. That’s really interesting.
And err, so um, what are you not looking forward to about going back to school? What are you not looking forward to?
Um, like, not waiting 15 minutes outside because my teacher is late 
Is that in the morning?
Yeah, in the morning.
Oh right. So sometimes that happens, they’re late?
At 8 o'clock.
Oh dear. Oh dear.
But at least you… it gives you more time to chat with your friends, doesn’t it.
Yeah but, still … it…  and then, last year, it was very cold.
Yeah?
So, we like this, like … 
So you were freezing outside.
freezing outside like oh my god, when she’s coming?
And err, yeah, I was very very…
Okay, but it’s nice and warm in school is it, once you get in?
Yeah. It’s nice and warm because they have nice um …um… those …
What are they called? They’re called radiators, aren’t they… 
Radiators
.. in English. They have some nice warm radiators.
Radiators
Okay, very good Maya. Well, thanks very much for this interview.
Okay
Bye bye.
Bye.
Language Focus
“Thanks for agreeing…” Thanks for viene sempre seguito da un verbo+ing. Un altro esempio è ‘Thanks for listening!’
“To go back to school" To go back vuole dire ritornare nello stesso posto.
“Come over” Vieni da me.
“they’ll [will] probably be difficult to organise” In questa frase sarebbe stato meglio usare il condizionale ‘would’ per un caso ipotetico e non il futuro ‘will’.
“When she’s [is] coming?” Piccolo errore di grammatica di Maya: con il verbo essere per formulare la domanda il verbo viene prima del soggetto: ’when is she coming? 
Well done for reading!
www.speakwithnick.it

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.
Why I go tent camping!
Camping is something I first experienced as a young boy scout in England. Those first times under canvas with my friends were exciting and fun, but they weren’t without some hardships, like hiking for miles and miles under the rain, then sleeping in a cold, wet draughty tent feeling hungry, more like military training than boy scouts. I’m sure it was good for our character, but I’m glad to say my camping trips aren’t that extreme anymore, however it always still feels like an adventure.
Thanks to those experiences, both good and bad, being outdoors in nature and camping under the stars are in my veins. Since the birth of our daughter we have invested in some good camping gear to make the most of summer camping holidays here in Italy and nearby Croatia.
Modern society tells us that we should live in a secure house and be on guard for intruders, yet our ancient ancestors moved around the countryside in small sociable groups. Camping is a social activity. You need to work together to pitch the tent and set up camp, to prepare the meals and wash the dishes for example. When we go on our camping trips, sure, we choose a good campsite with quality facilities, but you can still find that same ancient human communal spirit, especially between those who are braving the elements in a tent. So, you meet some great fellow campers, who are always ready to chat and help you out if you need anything.
The joy of camping for me is putting together a temporary home in the outdoors, but it’s also about getting back to basics away from the stresses of modern life, unplugging from technology and reconnecting with the great outdoors, cooking and eating in the fresh air, stargazing and waking up with the sounds of nature. All these things have enormous benefits for your mental and emotional wellbeing, lifting your mood and helping you to sleep more deeply. 
I want to give you some tips for happy camping! Today, you don’t have to be a super tough adventurer to survive camping in a tent, but I do suggest that you invest in a quality waterproof tent so that you stay dry if and when the rain pours. Also, invest in quality mattresses and bedding, because if you’re not comfortable and warm when you sleep you will not enjoy the experience. Then choose a quality campsite where you have the comforts you need around you, like good clean wash rooms and a supermarket. Other essential pieces of equipment are a rechargeable torch, a camping stove to cook simple meals (when you don’t decide to go to the restaurant), a cooler or portable fridge and comfy camping chairs for relaxing. I also suggest a small tool kit, a first aid kit and a power bank for your phone just in case. And before you go it’s best to make a checklist so you don’t forget anything.
The last thing is to simply embrace mother nature and a spirit of adventure. If you’re prepared, as the scouts say, a relaxing and rejuvenating experience awaits you. So go and create some special memories with your friends and loved ones in the great outdoors.
Happy camping!
A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it
Ciao for now!

Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.
In my house when we were kids and we started to get a rumble in our tummies as hunger kicked in, we would say to Mum “What’s for dinner?”, or “What are we having for lunch?”, or “Can I have a biscuit?”
We always asked Mum because Dad was at work. And even if he had been at home his culinary skills were severely lacking. Partly due to the fact that he was the breadwinner or worker of our family, and partly due to the social norms of that time that 'Mums cook and Dads work'. They were different times.
I remember my Dad did have two dishes he could prepare by himself. One was porridge with milk for breakfast and the other, for all other occasions, was beans on toast. If you don’t know what that means, it’s a can of Heinz Baked Beans in tomato sauce heated in a pan on the stove then poured over sliced toasted bread - yummy with some grated cheddar cheese on top! And he was also able to prepare himself a cup of tea. My Mum would always sarcastically say, “Well at least he’ll never starve to death”.
In England lunch at midday is sometimes and confusingly called dinner, yes dinner at midday! This is a particular use of the language only found in some areas of England. And it doesn't end there, the evening meal or dinner is often called tea, which has nothing to do with drinking tea, although it’s spelt the same and you can eat your tea with a cup of tea if you like. So tea means your evening meal in some parts of England. It comes from the fact that we eat our evening meal much earlier in England, usually between 5 and 6pm. This is because school finishes at 3.30pm and offices and shops close at 5pm, so then you go home and eat. Eating early means that when it’s time for bed it is very possible that you are hungry again! So then we had what is called supper, for me that was usually a bowl of cereal, like breakfast cereal but before bed.
For many years now I've been very happy with the North Italian eating times, the food and the diet. I say North because I’m very pleased I don’t eat at 10 or 11 o’clock in the evening like in the south of Italy. I like to be in bed for 10.30!
Another important aspect of meal times is who you eat with. I’ve never met anyone who likes eating alone, although many people find themselves in that situation. When we were very young children we ate around the table all together as a family. Then as we got older my Mum would let us put our food on trays and eat it while watching our favourite TV series. At the time my sister and I were very pleased about this, but now that I'm a parent I wonder if we missed out somehow. Well, that was just how it worked in our family.
Now when I think about the dishes my Mum worked hard to prepare and those unforgettable tastes I know it’s what sparked my interest in cooking. Whenever I’m cooking I think about my Mum and sometimes I smile thinking about my Dad’s beans on toast. But the most important part of cooking - I don’t think it’s the tasting, it’s the sharing with family and friends.
Corr, now I’m starving! Is it dinner time?
A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description. You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it
Ciao for now!