Listen up! With Mr. I

Context is important in language. How do you translate ご飯 into English? 彼女? How about "water" into Japanese? Listen and find out why it's important to think about how you are using words in your first language to decide the right word in your second language.

Why are the months called what they are? Listen and find out the origins of January, February and all the others!

Why is Sunday called "Sunday"? What about Monday, Tuesday, and the others? Learn about where the names of the week in English come from in this episode. Source: EF Blog - The origins behind English weekday names https://englishlive.ef.com/en/blog/language-lab/origins-behind-english-weekday-names/

Mr. I talks about the issue of bears in 2025, including his encounters this year. He also talks about what some of the reasons for the increase in bear attacks and deaths.

Are computer translation tools good for learning languages? What about AI? Listen and find out when it's OK and what you should be careful about with computer translation tools like DeepL and AI.

English uses many acronyms - words made from the first letters in a phrase. Listen and find out what some of the most well known and recent acronyms are!

It's the start of a new school year, so let me re-introduce myself. Listen to hear Mr. I's self-introduction and find out more about him.

Mr. I talks about differences in the names of cities and countries in English and Japanese. Why are some city names so different? Listen and find out!

Mr. I talks about changing attitudes about surname changes after marriage. Listen and find out what it's about and how Mr. I feels about it!

Mr. I talks about how his experiences learning foreign languages - from Spanish in high school, to Japanese in university, and now Swedish on his own.

Mr. I talks about whether or not he thinks everyone should learn English, and if they do, how should they learn.

Mr. I talks about some changes in the use of Japanese recently, especially suffixes like -san, -chan, and -kun, as well as requests vs. commands.

How did Mr. I and his family end up with 5 cats? Listen and hear how Mame (AKA Bean) and Mu found a home with Mr. I's family.

Mr. I talks about some ways elementary school in the US is different from elementary school in Japan. Listen to find out more!

Mr. I talks about some ways houses in Japan and the US are different. Some things are inside the house and some are outside. Listen to learn more!

Mr. I talks about his first trip back to the US in 5 years. In part 2, he talks about the different things he thinks are better in Japan. Listen and find out what those things are!

Mr. I talks about his first trip to the US in 5 years. In part 1, he talks about the differences in things that he thinks are better in the US. Listen and find out!

How do you get a driver's license in the US? How is it different than in Japan? Listen and find out!

Driving and cars are different in Japan and the US. What are some of those differences? Listen and find out!

Mr. I talks about the differences between the ideas of old and new in the US and Japan. How do words change from culture to culture? Listen and find out! Listen Up! website #ListenUp #LearningEnglish

Mr. I talks about some differences in dating in the US and dating in Japan. How do you decide you are officially dating in the US? Listen to find out! #ListenUp #LearningEnglish

Mr. I talks about some questions from students that he finds a little strange or hard to answer. What are they and why does Mr. I find them strange. Listen and find out!

What is extensive listening, exactly? And why should you do it? Mr. I talks about how extensive listening can help your language skills. #ESL #ListenUp

Mr. I talks about his feelings about these two holidays. What are some of the differences between Japan and the US? Listen to find out! #ListenUp #ESL #ExtensiveListening

Mr. I talks some more about music. This time, find about some of the most memorable concerts and music festivals Mr. I has been to, both in the US and Japan. #ESL #ListenUp #ExtensiveListening