Thinking Out Loud in English

Hi Thinkers! Entering the brand new 2024, Jedrek and Masha discuss this very podcast, the idea behind its creation, the reason and advantages of listening to it for English language learners and the plans for the future. 2024 will also see a new project, a free weekly newsletter (you can subscribe to it at https://tolpodcast.com) which will provide a weekly does of reading in English. Stay tuned f...

Hi Thinkers! This is the end! The end of our podcasting in 2023 but fear not, we are coming back in 2024 :) In this end-of-the-year episode we are looking into the future and discuss top trends in education previewed for the next year (found on some random website). We are doing this, as always, with a pinch of salt, smelling a rat in everything we find on the interent. We didn't need a separa...

Hi Thinkers! This week on the show we're worndering what's good about the world we live in. Given we have been either whining, ranting or cursing lately, this time around (for once!) we're trying to be grateful and see the good sides of modern life and modern technology. We're hosting Kasia, our absolutely special guest who is live in Jedrek's studio. Listen to learn how the tw...

Hi thinkers! This week Jedrek and Masha dive into the intriguing realms of asceticism and minimalism. The duo navigates through diverse topics, drawing connections between Mark Zuckerberg's wardrobe choices, the allure of a capsule wardrobe, Apple's iconic minimalistic design, and the striking minimalism found in Tyrell Corporation's interiors from Blade Runner 2049. Adding a personal...

Hi Thinkers! This week we delve into the murky waters of social media, with a particular focus on Instagram. Labeling it as one of the most polluted platforms, Jedrek dissects the rampant scams and deceptive offers that mimic the tactics of TV shopping networks. The conversation takes a philosophical turn as Jedrek draws parallels with Yanis Varoufakis's latest book, "Technofeudalism." He eloquent...

Hi Thinkers! Jedrek and Masha commemorate a remarkable milestone - their second anniversary! As the podcast steps into its third year, it continues to thrive as a unique, 'local' platform, where 'local' signifies the special bond and direct interaction they maintain with their listeners. In this celebratory episode the duo delves into thought-provoking discussions that resonate wit...

Hi Thinkers! This episode offers a refreshing and thought-provoking perspective on education, catering to learners and everyone interested in the broader scope of educational systems, not just linguistic education. Jedrek and Masha, two English teachers who position themselves outside the traditional education industry, delve into the shortcomings of the current educational paradigm. They argue th...

Hi Thinkers! Welcome to Thinkin Out Loud, your go-to podcast for engaging and spontaneous English conversations! Join Jedrek and Masha as they delve into the heart of English language teaching and learning. In this episode, they reflect on Jedrek's upcoming presentation at the prestigious 42nd Annual International TESOL France Colloquium. Fresh from his inspiring experience at iELT 2023 in Bar...

Hi Thinkers! Welcome to a new episode of our English language learning podcast! Join Jedrek and Masha, two non-native English speakers, as they delve into the fascinating world of language acquisition. In this week's episode, we shift our focus from Halloween to the upcoming Black Friday and bring you an ordinary yet extraordinary discussion on language learning. Masha and Jedrek share their i...

Greetings, Screamers! This week, we're conjuring up a spine-chilling Halloween special that's bound to send shivers down your spine. Join us as we delve into the world of all things eerie and unsettling. In this episode, your hosts, Masha and Jedrek, are your ghoulish guides on a terrifying trip down memory lane. Masha shares her blood-curdling tale of her first experience as a young teach...

Hi Thinkers! In this week's engaging episode, Jedrek and Masha return for another insightful conversation. As the autumn season descends upon us, our perspectives may lean towards the pessimistic and gloomy side. However, it's no surprise, considering both hosts reside in regions facing conflict or high terrorist alerts, all while grappling with the ever-present fear of artificial intellig...

Hi Thinkers! Listen to our interview with Solange, who claims to speak "petrolium English" but, as you will soon find out, she's much more competent than that ;) Ultimately, we are going to discuss the concept of luxury with her, and we'll ask her who has (or had) a more comfortable life - a medieval king or us today. But before we get there, we are going to spend some time in So...

Hi Thinkers! This week Jedrek and Masha are finally hosting someone from Romania! :) Julie is a former English teacher, now a teacher-trainer based in Bucharest, Romania. Having spend a good deal of time in the UK, she's back and she has only good things to say about her country and the Eastern Europe in general. Julie is not afraid of AI and it disruptive potential, saying that people will fo...

Hi thinkers! The two English teachers, who dread AI, Jedrek and Masha, are coming back to you this week with a fresh dose of their fears od AI and some excellent conversation as well. Olha, their guest, is an English teacher and a freshly baked, certified life-coach. Listen in if you're interested in how to become a life coach, is this profession endangered by AI, when to seek help of a coach...

Hi Thinkers! This week Jedrek and Masha are in conversation with another non-native English user, Krzysiek, an owner of a software house in Poland and a big enthusiast of history. Listen in if you're interested in how he manages to combine these two areas, and also if you are curious: 1) what good came out of the slow trains in the 90's Poland? 2) how could history be used to combat the pr...

Hi Thinkers! This week it's just the two of us, Jedrek and Masha, but we hope you are going to enjoy the conversation that starts with some stats about our podcast and how international it has become, next we're discussing the legendary efficiency of the Scandinavial system of education (English in particilar), the potential of commercializing our show by advertising to you some big apps l...

Hi Thinkers! Rare is the pleasure to host teachers of languages other than English on our show, but today is the day. Jacek is a very popular teacher of French who is running a small language attelier in the very heart of Paris (https://parolerie.paris/en/home-page/). We are asking him about the transition from Warsaw to Paris, about the impostor sundrome and what's left of it, and last but ce...

Hi Thinkers! Have you been missing us? Because we were missing you a lot! Your 2 favorite English teachers are back with a new season of Thinking Out Loud. In the first episode of the season we're catching up after summer, explaining what this show is about to the new listeners and hoping AI will not replace us anytime soon ;)

Hi Thinkers! This week we're hosting Boris to discuss the difference between good quality and good condition. What happens to a car when it hits a tree? Does it lose its quality or does just its condtion change? What about a yoghurt long after its best-before date? This and much more in this week's conversation with our special guest whose English is impeccable but retains the charming Fre...

Hi Thinkers! This week we're discussing parenting with a brave Ukrainian mother, Julia, who is currently living in Warsaw, Poland. What is the difference between raising and training (or taming) children or animals? The end result seems to be the same - obedience, but the way to it is radically different. Check out our website : https://tolpodcast.com Leave us a sample of your English by leavi...

Hi Thinkers! We're always on the lookout for some interesting non-native English speakers and if we find them at an airport, so be it ;) That is the case of Michał who is joining us from the CDG Airport in Paris, to answer our burning question about the difference between Culture and Civilization: which comes first? Do we all belong to one, global civilization today or are there still more civ...

Hi Thinkers! This week on the show we're exploring the concept of professionalism - is it only about skills? Or does character count too? Can an a**hole be a pro? This and much more with our special invitee, Yzoja, a Polish-born, Irish-based designer-coder, a CSS princess, a blogger, a video-gamer not to mention a mother. Listen to what she has to say about professionalism, time-management and lea...

Hi thinkers! This week on the show we're hosting Dawid, a non-native English speaker from Elbląg in Poland, who is helping us to dissect the concept of the pace of life. What makes up the pace of life? Is it the size of the city, the numer of activities, GDP per capita, work-life balance, the flow of information, or yet something else? What is the relation between being busy and living a fast...

Hi Thinkers! This week on the show we are hosting Fr. Mateusz, a Polish catholic priest based in France, and one of our fans from Twitter, and we're discussing absolutely fascinating subjects concering plans, agency, destiny, fate, courage, virtues, and the line between ritual and routine. Expect sound criticism of consumptionism in an otherwise very friendly atmosphere. We had enormous pleasr...

Hi thinkers! What is the relation between compliments and self-esteem? Why is it sometimes hard to accept them, and what makes the Central and Eastern Europe a particular place on Earth where compliments are often seen as unnecessary or fishy? This and much more in this week's episode of ToL with Aga, our very special guest, who provides some serious insights into the concept of self-esteem, a...