Episode 149
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This episode revisits an earlier Speak English Now lesson: Episode 019 — Is English Changing You?.
Full lesson
Read the Transcript
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Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.
In this episode:
• I'd like to talk about how speaking a different language can change your personality.
• Later, a cool mini-story to practice your English speaking.
Let's get started!
So, did you know that speaking a different language can change your personality?
Yes, you heard me well! Studies show that depending on the language you speak; your personality can be affected.
Studies show that speaking two or more languages can lead to a split personality.
They say that many speakers have completely unique identities in each of the languages they speak.
Apparently, the way you speak impacts the way you think, and it influences everything from how you make decisions to how you perceive color.
Therefore, language is much more than just communication. Since the way you speak clearly affects the way you think.
I can speak several languages, besides English. When I speak in German, for example, I pay attention to the way I interact with people, the way I organize my ideas and my thoughts, my emotions. All of these become profoundly influenced by the language I'm speaking.
For example, whenever I speak in German, I become more rational.
On the other hand, if I have a conversation in Spanish, I can observe myself behaving differently. It's like being a different person. In this case, I feel more relaxed, more easy-going.
To acquire a new self, you'll need to immerse yourself in the culture. You can achieve that by taking a trip abroad, watching movies, interacting with a native speaker or, listening to the Speak English Now podcast.
Another key factor is how well you know the language. Of course, it's not the same if your level's low. The more you dominate the language, the more it influences your personality.
My advice is that when you're learning English, try to adopt a specific personality of the language. This way it'll get easier and easier, and finally, you'll speak English fluently and confidently.
When you learn a new language, you're not simply memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules - you also have the opportunity to adopt new elements of your identity.
Now, let’s practice.
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
Ok, let's continue with a mini-story.
A mini-story is very simple. I ask simple questions on purpose so that you can simulate a conversation in English. It's like talking with another person.
Ok, let's get started!
Lee is a Chinese guy who lives in Shanghai and studies Italian.
Does Lee travel to Shanghai?
No. Lee doesn't travel to Shanghai.
Does he live in Shanghai?
Yes. He lives in Shanghai.
Is Lee Italian?
No, he's not Italian. He's Chinese.
Who's Chinese?
Lee. Lee's Chinese, and he lives in Shanghai.
Who studies Italian?
Lee. He studies Italian.
He always wanted to learn Italian. It's been his dream ever since he was a kid.
What did Lee always want to learn?
Italian. He always wanted to learn Italian.
Did Lee always want to learn English?
No. He always wanted to learn Italian.
What was Lee's dream?
His dream was to learn Italian. Ever since he was a little kid, he wanted to learn Italian.
Did he always want to learn French?
No, not French. He always wanted to learn Italian.
Every time he tries to speak Italian like he speaks Chinese, he fails miserably.
Does Lee try to speak Italian like he speaks Chinese?
Yes. Lee tries to speak Italian, just like he speaks Chinese.
Does he succeed speaking Italian just like he speaks Chinese?
No, he fails. He can't speak Italian like he speaks Chinese. He fails miserably.
Who fails to speak Italian like he speaks Chinese?
Lee. He fails to speak Italian like he speaks Chinese.
Can Lee speak Italian well?
No. He can't speak Italian well.
Can Lee speak Italian as well as he speaks Chinese?
No. He can't speak Italian as well as he speaks Chinese. He fails miserably.
Lee tries out a new approach and starts speaking Italian by imitating the natives.
Does Lee try out a new approach?
Yes. He tries out a new approach, a different method.
Who tries out a new approach? James?
Not James. Lee. He tries out a new approach.
Is Lee imitating the native Italian speakers?
Yes. Lee is imitating the natives. He wants to speak like them.
After only one month, he notices a great improvement. He can finally speak Italian fluently and with confidence. He's really excited about it.
When does Lee notice a great improvement?
After only one month, he notices a great improvement after only one month.
Does Lee notice a small improvement or a great one?
A great one. Lee notices a great improvement.
Can he finally speak English fluently?
No. Not English. Italian. Lee can finally speak Italian fluently. And he's very excited about it.
Can Lee speak Italian with confidence?
Yes. Lee can finally speak Italian with confidence.
Who's excited about speaking Italian fluently? Are you excited?
No. Not me. I'm not excited. It's Lee who's excited about speaking Italian fluently.
Lee's so happy that he moves to Rome and sets up an Italian restaurant called: "Lee Pizza."🍕
Is Lee happy or sad?
Lee's happy. He's so happy that he moves to Rome.
Does Lee want to visit Italy?
No. He doesn't want to visit Italy. He wants to move to Rome.
Why's Lee moving to Rome? Does he have an Italian friend? No. Lee doesn't have an Italian friend. He's moving to Rome to set up his own Italian restaurant called "Lee Pizza."
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
Personality
The way a person typically thinks, feels, and behaves.
Split personality
The episode uses this expression for the idea that a bilingual person may seem to have different identities in different languages.
Perceive
To notice or understand something in a particular way.
Profoundly
Very deeply or strongly.
Easy-going
Relaxed and not easily worried or upset.
Immerse yourself
To surround yourself deeply with a language or culture.
Abroad
In or to another country.
Identity
The sense of who you are; the episode says learning a new language can add new elements to your identity.
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
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