Listen to a new episode of Speak English Now Podcast, your favorite material for practicing your spoken and heard English. You will also learn about lifestyle and culture, language, vocabulary, and how to improve your English more effectively.

Transcript:

Hi, everyone! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

Last week we started to learn some words like YouTuber, to Facebook, to Skype, etc. Today, we will learn some new English words added to the dictionary in the last decade.

You’ll also improve your English grammar in context with a point of view lesson, like that you won’t have to memorize any boring rules.

Before I get started, remember to get the transcript at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast

It’s free!

This way, you listen and read at the same time if you find it necessary.

Let’s get started!

As I said today, we will continue learning some more of the English words added to the dictionary in the last decade.

Let’s start with the first word:

1. Crowdfunding

Introduced in June 2015.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, crowdfunding is the practice of financing a project or venture by raising money from many people who contribute a relatively small amount, usually through the Internet.

For example, a music band can use crowdfunding to produce their next album. They can ask fans to contribute $10 to the project. And in return, they will receive a copy of the album when it’s ready.

2. E-bike

Introduced in June 2019.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, an e-bike is an electric bicycle.

E-bikes are a great idea because it allows people to commute without getting to work sweaty, and you can take longer rides.

3. Router

Introduced in March 2011.

What’s a router?

A router is a device that allows communication between the local home network – like the computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, etc.- and the Internet.

Every time we have internet problems, we reboot the router. It is also advisable to place the router as high up as possible and make sure no objects are too close to the device.

4. Kombucha  (kuhm-boo-chuh)

Introduced in June 2013.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, kombucha is a beverage produced by fermenting sweet tea with a culture of yeast and bacteria.

I must confess that I haven’t tried this beverage yet. But I’ve been told it’s great for digestion so, maybe I’ll give it a try in the near future.

 5. Cyber-

Introduced in December 2010.

“Cyber” is a word we use to describe a person, thing or idea that is part of the computer and information age. Here are some examples: cyberculture, cyberpunk, cyberspace, cyber sales, cyber economy, cyberattack.

6. CD

Introduced in March 2012.

CD means several things, but one of the international use is a Compact Disc.

I realized that CDs were no longer relevant ten years ago when I bought a MAC computer. At that time, Apple stopped making computers with a CD player.

So, I had to buy a separate CD player from Amazon. I’m curious if you still have CDs at home.

That’s it for now. Let’s continue with a fun point of view lesson.

But before we do that, remember to get the transcript at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com.

It’s completely free!

Do you know how you can help me? You can share the podcast with your friends and family. Tell them to go to SpeakEnglishPodcast.com and get my free mini-course. 

That would mean a lot to me. Thanks.

Let’s move on to the next section.

I’ll tell you a short story more than one time. Every time, I’ll change a grammar point. I can change the tense or the person. This way, you’ll notice the changes in context.

Let’s start!

First, we’ll listen to the story in the third person in the past tense:

Tom started an online business on a low budget. He had an old laptop and was experiencing constant Internet cuts. His router was practically obsolete, so he needed a new one, yet he couldn’t afford it.

Additionally, Tom was afraid of losing some of his most important documents, so he stored them on a CD.

Certainly, the cyber world was becoming frustrating, so Tom had to disconnect for a few hours.

So, he took his e-bike and rode around the city. After a while, he spotted a mysterious café.

He went inside and ordered a new drink called kombucha. After drinking this beverage, Tom wanted to move to a tropical island and drink kombucha all day and every day.

Since he had no money, he initiated a crowdfunding campaign explaining how he wanted to move to an island.

Surprisingly, he raised $1 million in one day.

So, Tom now lives on a tropical island, and all he does is drink kombucha.

(END OF THE EXTRACT).

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