Shows
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 38. Feedback or Feedforward?Send us a Text Message.Giving employee feedback is becoming tricky with Gen Z's joining the workforce. Find out why, discover new ideas about performance reviews, and learn many expressions related to evaluating work and collocations with "feedback".Link to The Times article on the topicFor more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social media: Instagram and FacebookWould you like me to help you master y...2023-09-2412 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 37. A Tense IssueSend us a Text Message.Could there be a better way of teaching English tenses? Here is Jacek's ongoing journey and experimentation to answer this question, drawing on research on brain hemispheres, the lexical approach, the relationship between speech and movement, and insights from first language acquisition. If you are interested in taking part in Jacek's summer course "All Tenses in Four Weeks," you can find more details here.For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join u...2023-07-0210 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 36. How to disagree politelySend us a Text Message.This episode highlights the cultural differences between non-native speakers and native speakers, particularly the British, when it comes to disagreeing. While non-native speakers tend to be more direct, native speakers prefer a more tentative and polite approach to disagreements. Listen and learn phrases and techniques that can be used to express disagreement in a respectful and nuanced manner. From softening statements with expressions like "I'm afraid" to indicating partial disagreement and understanding the other person's perspective, the episode provides listeners with practical examples of how to soften the impact...2023-06-1112 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisodes 35. Who Owns English?Send us a Text Message.Drawing inspiration from an article published by The Economist, titled "As it spreads across the world, who owns English," this episode challenges the notion that languages exclusively belong to their country of origin. Link to The Economist article: As it spreads across the world, who owns English?Link to episode transcript. For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social media: Instagram and Facebook2023-05-2807 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 34. Why We Feel Burnt OutSend us a Text Message.Do you often feel exhausted? Are you trying to fit as many things into your busy schedule, desperately hoping to be left with some time for yourself? Are you worried that your life slips through your fingers?This episode discusses the recent report entitled "Burnt Out Britain" by British think-tank Onward, which challenges common myths about the reasons for our busyness and exhaustion and highlights how our time is consumed by family life and technology, leaving less time for self-care and leisure. Link to transcriptLink to the...2023-05-1413 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 33. Third Conditional Fluency PracticeSend us a Text Message.Speaking a language is more of a skill than a knowledge-based activity. In this respect, it is similar to dancing or doing sport. In this episode, we'll be developing fluency and confidence in using third-conditional sentences. You'll be guided through a series of exercises that break down the structure into smaller components and gradually put it all together.Link to the transcript.For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social...2023-04-0222 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 32. Learning from Chess MastersSend us a Text Message.In this episode, we are looking at two studies on the psychology of playing chess. Can we use their findings about the thinking processes of chess masters to help us acquire a foreign language?Link to episode transcript.For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social media: Instagram and FacebookWould you like me to help you master your English? You...2023-03-2611 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 31: The Stigma of Eating AloneSend us a Text Message.In this episode, Jacek explores the topic of dining alone and its associated stigma. He begins by sharing statistics that reveal how dining alone has become more popular in the UK. Then he retells an anecdote about British comedian Jack Whitehall, who experienced an embarrassing situation while eating on his own in America. Then you will hear the explanation of how the phrase "as such" could indicate a consequence or logical conclusion of something that has been mentioned earlier. Also, the episode provides listeners with examples of sentences in which other...2023-03-1910 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 30. ToadiesSend us a Text Message.In today's episode, you will learn about toadies a.k.a. suck-ups, brown-nosers, and apple polishers. Toadies are not the slimy creatures that hang out in ponds or feature on a fancy French menu. Toadies are the people who are always kissing up to their bosses. We'll be digging into some fun and colourful terms to describe those suckers and even share a study that claims having a toady in your team can actually be beneficial! So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some new vocab to add to your...2023-03-1209 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 29. Learn What's RelevantSend us a Text Message.This time Jacek talks about his "relevant today" posts on Instagram, in which he presents expressions related to current news stories. He explains what makes these posts useful and shares some examples of his recent posts.Link to PoLoop Angielski Instagram ProfileLink to episode transcriptFor more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social media: Instagram and FacebookWould...2023-03-0509 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 28. Banned WordsSend us a Text Message.This episode of the Poloop Angielski Podcast is about banning some words and phrases because they are seen as discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate. Jacek presents a list of expressions, such as "ballsy," "crazy," "freshman," or "manpower", which to some could be exclusionary or derogative. Does banning words make us more inclusive and respectful or less effective in communication?Link to episode transcriptFor more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join us on social...2023-02-2611 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 27. Fashion for PassionSend us a Text Message.In this episode of PoLoop Angielski Podcast, Jacek discusses an article from The Economist titled "The Pitfalls of Loving Your Job a Little Too Much". The podcast explores the positive and negative effects of having a passion for work and shares findings from a study by Harvard Business School which reveals that the importance of passion in the workplace has increased in recent years. However, having an all-consuming passion for what you do can have adverse effects too. One problem is that companies may reward commitment over ability, and employees obsessed with t...2023-02-1908 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 26. Blame GameSend us a Text Message.This episode of the Poloop Angielski Podcast focuses on the topic of blaming people for their mistakes. Jacek discusses a recent article from the Economist titled "Faulty Reasoning" about the adverse effects of blaming people in a work environment. The discussion provides a good source of business vocabulary and expressions related to blaming people, including phrasal verbs such as "follow up on sth" and "own up to sth". Link to episode transcript.For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: ...2023-02-1208 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 25. Anti-advice AdviceSend us a Text Message.What trap do polyglots and teachers of foreign languages fall into when advising learners? Should you listen to the advice of those who've mastered a foreign language? What is the right approach when choosing suitable methods of learning?In this episode, I tackle these questions using some insights from Rory Sutherland's book "Alchemy".You can download the complete transcript of this episode here.For more, visit: PoLoop Angielski BlogDrop me a line: jacek@poloopangielski.plAnd join...2023-02-0509 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 24. Stress in Three-part Phrasal VerbsSend us a Text Message.This episode is the continuation of the topic of stress in Phrasal Verbs, so it might be a good idea to listen to Episode 23 first.You can download the complete transcript of this episode here.Phrasal Verbs used in this recording: put sth on: start wearing somethingburn down: get destroyed by firetake after sb: look or behave like an older member of the familycome down with sth: become ill with a disease, usually not seriousc...2023-01-2909 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 23. Stress in Two-part Phrasal VerbsSend us a Text Message.In this episode you will learn about three kinds of two-part Phrasal Verbs (transitive, separable PVs, transitive, inseparable PVs, and intransitive PVs), and how the type influences the position of stress in the phrase. You will also hear examples of many Phrasal Verbs connected with business meetings.You can download the complete transcript of this episode here.Transitive, separable Phrasal Verbs used in the examples: set sth up: organise and plan somethingbring sth forward: change the date or time of a...2023-01-2211 min
PoLoop AngielskiEpisode 22. Chatting Pays Off!Send us a Text Message.In this episode you'll find out how chatting with the big guys in the tech industry will soon make me a proud owner of a brand new Tesla! You might also discover a great way to practise English.You can download the complete transcript of this episode here.Some words and phrases used in the recording (in alphabetical order): awkward: making you feel embarrassedbot: a computer programto catch up on sth: to spend time doing things you haven't done e...2023-01-1507 min