Podcasts about Fluency

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by WordFlight- Foundations in Learning.The webinar recording can be accessed here.For years, the phrase “rich and varied practice” has been used in reading instruction—but often without a clear definition. Explicit, direct instruction is a cornerstone of the Science of Reading, but it is in “rich and varied practice” that students consolidate and generalize their learning so that they can become fluent readers. A systematic approach to rich and varied practice is even more critical to our struggling readers, especially those in upper elementary and middle school.Teachers have long asked: What exactly does “rich and varied” practice mean? How do I implement this to help my students build automaticity and fluency?In this edWeb podcast, we explore over 60 years of research that sheds light on this important concept. You see how scholars and educators have created and continue to use practical frameworks that explain why this kind of practice works and how to use it effectively in the classroom.Most importantly, you walk away with classroom strategies and tools—based on the latest work from researchers and developers. These tools help you bring “rich and varied practice” to life—developing automaticity, fluency, engagement, deeper learning, and stronger outcomes.This edWeb podcast is of interest to elementary and middle school teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.WordFlightAssess and accelerate foundational reading skills to prepare students to become fluent readers.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

Do you want to speak Mandarin fluently, no matter what your level is? Use the 4/3/2 technique to build confidence and flow!#learnchinese #fluency #fluent #432 #speaking #paulnationLink to the article on Hacking Chinese: How to talk about Chinese characters in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/talk-chinese-characters-chinese/How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chineseHow to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluencyLearning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-inputHow narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chineseHone your Chinese writing ability by writing summaries: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hone-your-chinese-writing-ability-by-writing-summariesEn route to spoken fluency via task repetition – the ‘4, 3, 2 technique' and ‘Market place' (The Language Gym): https://gianfrancoconti.com/2017/03/04/en-route-to-spoken-fluency-via-task-repetition-the-4-3-2-technique-and-market-placeMore information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.comMusic: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Deliver the win, then ring the bell. Make small mistakes fast; make big learnings faster. Think global, act local — but don't go native. Do the nemawashi before the meeting, not during it. Your salary is earned in the stores: go to the gemba. A 28-year Domino's veteran, Martin Steenks began at 16 as a delivery expert in the Netherlands. He rose to store manager, multi-unit supervisor, then franchisee, building his operation to eight stores by 2019. After selling his stores, he became Head of Operations for Domino's Netherlands, then CEO of Domino's Taiwan in 2021, and subsequently CEO of Domino's Japan. Previously he was Chief Orchestrator in Japan, focusing on operational excellence, culture, and scalable execution in one of Domino's most exacting service markets. He is known for hands-on store work, cross-training, "Friday F-Up" learning rituals, the Grow & Prosper bell for micro-wins, and quarterly "Go Gemba" days that connect HQ functions with frontline realities.  Martin Steenks' leadership arc runs from a three-minute job interview at 16 to orchestrating Domino's Japan — one of the brand's most demanding markets for service quality. The connective tissue is execution discipline: he has run stores, supervised regions, built and exited an eight-store franchise, owned national operations, and led two country P&Ls. That breadth gives him pragmatic empathy for franchisees and HQ alike, which he leverages to align incentives, simplify operations, and insist that every back-office salary is ultimately "earned in the stores." Japan sharpened his leadership. Coming from low-context, fast-moving Dutch and Australian business styles into high-context Japan, he learned that meetings signalling agreement can still stall without prior nemawashi — the groundwork with middle management and other stakeholders. He now invests in pre-alignment, translating intent into culturally legible action: fewer big-room debates, more quiet lobbying, more ringi-sho style consensus building for irreversible decisions, and a clear bias to test-and-learn for reversible ones. Rather than trying to "change the culture," he adjusted himself — becoming more patient while preserving speed by separating decision types and sequencing alignment before action. His operating system is human and tangible. He set a weekly rhythm of learning with a "Friday F-Up" session, where leaders share mistakes and what was learned — a radical move in a high uncertainty-avoidance culture. He celebrates micro-wins with the Grow & Prosper bell to make progress visible, sustaining morale during long transformations. He bridged HQ–store gaps with Go Gemba: each quarter, every function works a store shift; IT discovers why a workflow fails at the point of sale, marketing sees campaign friction at Friday night peak, finance hears cost-to-serve realities. He personally worked in stores four to five days a month, especially during crunch periods like Christmas, leading by example and rebuilding trust through competence. Marketing localisation is equally pragmatic. Deep discounting can signal poor quality to Japanese consumers; "customer appreciation weeks" preserve value perception while rewarding loyalty. Community building is pushed to the store level — managers engage local clubs and schools to turn footfall into fandom. Cross-training makes delivery experts confident product explainers at the door, restoring a human touch in a world where >90% of orders arrive online. Ultimately, Steenks' playbook blended cultural fluency with decision intelligence. He aligned stakeholders through nemawashi, codified learning rituals, chose language and campaigns that respected local signals, and keeps strategy tethered to the edge where pizzas are made, boxed, and delivered hot. The title "Chief Orchestrator" wasn't just whimsy; in a business of many specialists, he conducted tempo, harmony, and timing — the difference between noise and music.  What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan's high service standards and high-context communication demand leaders who are both exacting and empathetic. Success depends on pre-work: nemawashi with middle managers, thoughtful ringi-sho style consensus for high-impact choices, and visible demonstrations of respect for the frontline. Uniforms (like Domino's iconic race jacket for store managers) and rituals create shared identity that motivates in a group-oriented culture. Why do global executives struggle? Low-context leaders often misread meeting "yeses" as commitment. Without groundwork, nothing moves. Impatience backfires in high uncertainty-avoidance environments; public criticism shuts people down. Leaders must separate reversible from irreversible decisions, secure alignment offline, and then move decisively. They should also avoid copy-pasting global marketing: in Japan, steep discounts can be read as "lower quality," eroding trust. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Japan is less risk-loving than many markets, but teams will take smart risks when safety and learning are explicit. Stanks normalises small, fast experiments, celebrates micro-wins, and protects people when bets misfire. This reframes risk as controlled uncertainty with upside — a shift from avoidance to improvement. What leadership style actually works? Lead from the front and the shop floor. Work stores every month. Tie HQ metrics to store impact. Use rituals — Friday F-Up, the Grow & Prosper bell — to institutionalise learning and momentum. Celebrate teams more than individuals, and praise privately when cultural norms warrant it. Think global, act local, but don't "go native": retain an outsider's clarity about pace and standards. How can technology help? Digital tools amplify decision intelligence when paired with gemba reality. Store-level dashboards, route optimisation, and digital twins of peak-hour operations can test scenarios before rollouts; telemetry from ovens, makelines, and delivery routes can reveal bottlenecks that nemawashi then resolves across functions. Tech should reduce operational complexity, not add it. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps, but intent matters more. Demonstrating effort — basic greetings, store-floor Japanese, and culturally aware email etiquette — earns trust. Tools that translate bidirectionally unlock participation, but leaders still need to read context and invest time with the middle layer. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Do the cultural homework, orchestrate alignment before action, and keep your hands in the dough — literally. When people see you respect their craft, protect their learning, and tie strategy to execution, they'll go all-in. Timecoded Summary [00:00] Origin story: hired at 16 as a delivery expert in the Netherlands; stayed through school; first — and only — job interview; early leadership as store manager, then multi-unit supervisor. [05:20] Entrepreneurship chapter: buys a struggling store; builds to eight locations with his wife's support; sells in 2019 to become Head of Operations for the Netherlands, trading entrepreneurial freedom for strategic impact. [12:45] Asia leadership: becomes CEO Taiwan in 2021, then moves to Japan; discovers that despite common Domino's DNA, markets differ; Japan's service bar is the highest. [18:10] Cultural recalibration: early meetings show apparent agreement but slow follow-through; learns nemawashi and middle-layer alignment; patience becomes a leadership muscle; adopts "Chief Orchestrator" title to reflect cross-functional reality. [24:00] Store-first operating system: cross-training (makeline ↔ delivery ↔ service); >90% of orders online makes the delivery interaction critical; community outreach by store managers; hands-on leadership with 4–5 store days per month and peak-period shifts. [31:30] Learning rituals: Friday F-Up meeting reframes failure as fuel; Grow & Prosper bell celebrates micro-wins to sustain momentum; public recognition calibrated to cultural comfort; Domino's manager jacket signals identity and pride in Japan. [38:05] Marketing localisation: avoid pure discounting (quality signal risk); position as "customer appreciation"; test premium, limited campaigns; keep operations simple for peak. [43:20] Bridging HQ and field: quarterly Go Gemba embeds IT/Finance/HR/Marketing in stores; internal surveys (anonymous) surface issues; visible follow-through flips scepticism to trust. [49:40] Leadership philosophy: lead by example, protect experimenters, separate reversible vs irreversible decisions, and use decision intelligence (telemetry, digital twins) to derisk change while moving faster. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan. 

This podcast episode argues that while PowerPoints became widespread during COVID and helped reduce teacher cognitive load, over-reliance on them can hinder teachers' development.  The key takeaway: if we are removing all obstacles, how are teachers learning from experience? Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

We are entering an era where language—the greatest filter in human history—is no longer an obstacle. Fluency once defined access to knowledge, markets, and opportunities, but now technology is dissolving these frontiers. Advanced AI models, digital clones, and instant translation systems are making communication as seamless as thought itself. Humanity is breaking beyond the biological limit of 24 hours a day: with intelligent avatars and expanded presence, time becomes elastic, enabling us to think, create, and collaborate simultaneously across languages and dimensions. More than a technological shift, this is a social and cultural revolution where presence becomes continuous and borderless. In this context, Future Hacker explores the frontier between human and digital consciousness through interactive digital clones—LARRUZ, based on José Larrucea’s ethical and humanistic Eclonomy vision, and JAIP, inspired by JP Melo’s fusion of leadership, art, and technology. Their dialogue transcends language, time, and space, offering a glimpse into the next great revolution: the era of expanded presence and communication without borders.

This episode of The Broadband Bunch features a conversation between host Pete Pizzutillo and Scott Neuman, Corporate Vice President of Marketing at Calix, recorded at Calix Connections 2025 in Las Vegas. Scott shares how Calix is redefining the broadband industry's approach to AI, customer education, and ecosystem collaboration. He explains how Calix helps service providers move beyond AI “literacy” toward true AI fluency, enabling them to understand, trust, and strategically deploy AI to transform their operations. The discussion covers the importance of building a solid data foundation, the rise of agent-based architectures, and how Calix's “layer cake” approach ensures that AI initiatives deliver measurable value rather than short-lived hype. Pete and Scott also explore how broadband providers can quantify business impact—from churn reduction and customer success strategies to driving adoption through data insights. Newman offers an inside look at Calix's Connections On Demand virtual follow-up event, new innovations in SmartLife services, and how AI is enabling a new era of hyper-personalized marketing and customer engagement. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on BEAD funding, industry consolidation, and what it really takes for ISPs to thrive in an AI-driven broadband economy.

Have you ever left a team meeting feeling confident everyone was working toward the same math goal, only to realize later that each person defined success in a different way?This episode explores how that kind of disconnect can quietly stall school improvement in mathematics. A school team set out to strengthen math fluency with clear objectives and measurable outcomes. Yet when each member was asked to describe what fluency meant, their answers revealed four different interpretations of what mathematical fluency looks and sounds like in the classroom. That moment exposed a deeper issue: the difference between being aligned and being truly coherent in math teaching and learning.Drawing on Michael Fullan's research on the right levers for system change, the discussion examines how fragmented math initiatives, competing priorities, and disconnected professional learning can prevent real progress for students.Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how to:Recognize when misalignment around key math concepts such as fluency, reasoning, and problem solving is creating invisible friction.Build coherence across math classrooms, schools, and systems so that professional learning, coaching, and curriculum decisions all reinforce the same mathematical goals.Engage every level of the system—teachers, coaches, and leaders—in shaping a shared vision for mathematics connected to a moral purpose of improving learning for all students.Press play to explore what coherence really means in mathematics and discover how a shared understanding can move your entire system forward together.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

"Care and respect aren't slogans; they're operating principles that shape decisions and client experiences". "Lead by approachability, using nemawashi-style one-to-ones to draw out quieter voices and better ideas". "Calm, clarity, and consistency beat volume; emotion never gets to outrank the message". "Consensus isn't passivity—done well, it's disciplined alignment that accelerates execution". "Confidence grows by doubling down on strengths, seeking honest feedback, and empowering the team". Akiko Yamamoto is the President of Van Cleef & Arpels Japan, leading the French maison's jewellery and watch business in a market it has served for over fifty years. She began her career at L'Oréal Japan, spending twelve years in marketing across brands including Kérastase, Helena Rubinstein, and Kiehl's, ultimately managing multi-brand teams. Educated in Japan with formative childhood years in the United States, she later completed a master's degree at the University of Edinburgh. Having led primarily in Japan, she now manages a multicultural team, drawing on international exposure, bilingual communication, and deep local insight to harmonise global brand culture with Japanese expectations. Akiko Yamamoto's leadership story is anchored in a simple premise: people follow leaders they can trust. That trust, she says, is earned through care, respect, and steady examples—not declarations. After a foundational run at L'Oréal Japan, where she learned the rigour of brand building and the mechanics of marketing leadership, Yamamoto stepped into the jewellery and watch world at Van Cleef & Arpels. There, she refined an approach that blends global standards with local nuance, ensuring the maison's culture of care resonates in Japan's relationship-driven marketplace. Her leadership style is deliberately approachable. Rather than "planting the flag" at the summit and expecting others to follow, she prefers to climb together, side-by-side. In practice, that means creating psychological safety, inviting dissent early, and spending time—especially one-to-one—to surface ideas that might be lost in large-group dynamics. She embraces nemawashi to build alignment before meetings, recognising that consensus in Japan is less about avoiding risk and more about creating durable commitment. Yamamoto's calm is a strategic asset. She is explicit that emotion can crowd out meaning; when leaders perform anger, the message gets lost in the display. In a culture where visible temper can be read as immaturity, she chooses composure so that the content of decisions remains audible. When missteps happen—as they do—she follows up, explains context, and converts heat into learning. The aim is not perfection but progress with intact relationships. For global leaders arriving in Japan under pressure to "turn things around," she recommends two immediate moves: become intensely reachable and cultivate a few candid truth-tellers who will share the real story, not just what headquarters wants to hear. Language helps, but fluency isn't the barrier; respect is. A handful of sincere Japanese phrases, consistent aisatsu, and an evident willingness to listen can narrow social distance faster than chasing perfect grammar. On advancing women, Yamamoto rejects tokenism yet underscores representation's practical value. Visible female leadership signals possibility; it tells rising talent that advancement is earned and achievable. Her own leap to the presidency required an external nudge, plus a disciplined shift of attention from self-doubt to strengths—past wins, trusted relationships, and demonstrated team outcomes. That reframing, combined with empowerment of capable colleagues, made the role feel both larger and more shared. Ultimately, Yamamoto treats "client experience first, results follow" as an operating model, not a motto. Decision intelligence—clear context, decisive action, and empathetic execution—converts consensus into speed. In her hands, culture is not a constraint; it's compounding capital. What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan prizes harmony, preparation, and earned consensus. Leaders succeed by combining decisiveness with empathy, using nemawashi to socialise ideas before meetings and ringi-sho-style documentation to clarify ownership and next steps. Calm conduct signals maturity; approachability creates safety for frank input. Why do global executives struggle? Many arrive with urgency but little social traction. Defaulting to big-room debates and top-down directives can silence contributors and slow execution. The fix is proximity: sustained one-to-ones, visible aisatsu, and a small circle of candid advisors who translate context and sentiment. Uncertainty avoidance exists—but it's often rational; people hesitate when they haven't been invited into the reasoning. Is Japan truly risk-averse? It's less "risk-averse" and more "uncertainty-averse." When leaders reduce ambiguity—through pre-alignment, clear criteria, and explicit trade-offs—teams move quickly. Consensus done well accelerates delivery because dissent was handled upstream, not deferred to derail execution downstream. What leadership style actually works? Approachable, steady, and standards-driven. Yamamoto models care and respect, sets crisp direction, and empowers execution. She avoids theatrical emotion, follows up after tense moments, and insists that client experience lead metrics. Clarity + composure + collaboration beats charisma. How can technology help? Technology should reduce uncertainty and amplify learning: shared dashboards that make ringi-sho approvals transparent, lightweight digital twins of client journeys to test service changes safely, and collaboration tools that capture one-to-one insights before group forums. The goal is not more noise but better signal for faster, aligned decisions. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps but isn't decisive. Consistent courtesy, listening, and reliability shrink the distance faster than perfect grammar. A capable interpreter plus leaders who personally engage—in simple Japanese where possible—outperform hands-off translation chains. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Lead with care, earn trust through example, and turn consensus into speed by front-loading listening and clarity. Focus on strengths, empower capable people, and keep emotion from overwhelming the message. Do this, and results follow. Timecoded Summary [00:00] Background and formation: Early years in the United States, schooling in Japan, master's at the University of Edinburgh. Marketing foundations at L'Oréal Japan across Kérastase, Helena Rubinstein, and Kiehl's; progression from individual contributor to team leadership. [05:20] Transition to Van Cleef & Arpels: Emphasis on a maison culture of care and respect that maps naturally to Japanese expectations; client experience as the primary driver with sales as consequence. Expanding to lead multicultural teams. [12:45] Approachability and trust: Building durable followership by remaining accessible after promotion; maintaining continuity of relationships; modelling aisatsu and everyday courtesies to embed culture. Using one-to-ones to surface ideas that large meetings suppress. [18:30] Calm over drama: The communication cost of anger; how emotion eclipses meaning. Post-incident follow-ups to turn flashes of heat into alignment and learning. Composure as credibility in a Japanese context. [24:10] Working the consensus: Nemawashi to prepare decisions; ringi-sho-style clarity to memorialise them. Consensus reframed as disciplined alignment that speeds execution once decisions drop. [29:40] Global leaders in Japan: Close the distance quickly—be reachable, secure truth-tellers, and learn enough Japanese for sincere aisatsu. Don't over-index on perfect fluency; prioritise respect, listening, and visible learning. [34:15] Women in leadership: Representation without tokenism; the confidence gap; how sponsorship and a focus on strengths help leaders step up. Empowerment as the multiplier—no president wins alone. [39:00] Closing lesson: Decision intelligence = context + clarity + care. Reduce uncertainty, empower teams, and let client experience steer priorities; results compound from there. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

The word exposure gets thrown around a lot in schools, especially when a student is behind in phonics or spelling. In this episode, Jocelyn takes a hard look at that belief and explains why presence in a lesson is not the same as learning, particularly for skills that are biologically secondary, like reading and writing.  This episode covers: • why exposure is not learning for secondary skills• what explicit teaching demands of attention and practice• how misuse of the term exposure clouds decisions• where whole-class text work fits and when it does not• why working memory limits should guide task design• how to use data to decide groupings and next steps• when to apply exposure without expectation in early years• practical ways to target phonics and spelling gapsHas something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

Your dyslexic child can finally decode words, but are they still struggling to understand what they read? Have you taught the phonics, but you're now wondering where is the comprehension? For decades, reading instruction focused almost exclusively on decoding, but the latest research is forcing a massive shift. In this episode, we dive into the Simple View of Reading and explain why decoding is only half the equation. Today, you'll discover the true foundation of comprehension: knowledge! The good news is that many dyslexic students possess strong reasoning and listening abilities, meaning they are perfectly positioned to build this crucial background knowledge when we provide them with the right access. Understanding this research empowers you to ask better questions and ensure your child's learning plan is truly comprehensive. By focusing on both systematic decoding and rich content exposure, we can help them bridge the gap and become the knowledgeable, confident readers they are meant to be.Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia! My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered. Topics Covered: How the massive research shift in reading instruction is here and why we need to stop focusing only on phonics [1:37] Decoding isn't enough and the reasons that comprehension requires more than just sounding out words [2:21] Why building background knowledge is the new foundation for literacy [2:59] A look at how science and social studies topics are now key for struggling readers [3:17] What to understand about prosody and why fluency is not just speed [4:53] How your child needs both systematic phonics and rich content exposure to truly thrive at reading [6:25] The red flags to watch for with reading interventions and what you can do to identify gaps in instruction that are holding your child back from knowledge [6:48] The action plan and immediate steps to take to ensure your dyslexic child accesses grade-level material [8:31] Key Takeaways: Reading comprehension requires knowledge, not just skills and decoding ability is only half the battle. Use listening to build the knowledge base. Fluency is about expression, not just speed: true reading fluency involves prosody. Links & Resources Mentioned: The Simple View of Reading (Formula) When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you: Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers! Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid. Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read. Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to jennie@literacyuntangled.com or a DM on Instagram. I want to support parents with dyslexic children and get this content in the hands of those who need it most. Click the share button and send away! Thank you. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your favorite podcast platform. Connect: - Visit my website - Sign up for my newsletter - Follow me on Instagram - Join me on Facebook

Memorizing math facts is helpful—but without meaning, it's just noise. Dr. Kathy Koch unpacks the science behind fluency and confidence, while Wayne Stender reflects on how families can apply Deuteronomy 6 in education. Together they help parents see how curiosity, practice, and purpose create lifelong learners who love truth.

Have you ever felt misunderstood even when you were speaking the same language? In today's global workplace, communication isn't just about what we say, but how our words are understood through different cultural lenses.In this episode of REVUP Your Leadership, we are joined by John Edward McGraw, a Multicultural Workplace Expert and founder of Hiyaku Coaching (“Hiyaku” meaning leap forward in Japanese). With over fifteen years of experience bridging cultures in Japan and Canada, John helps leaders and teams develop cultural fluency, break down communication barriers, and collaborate with impact.We dive deep into why shared language doesn't always mean shared meaning — and what inclusive leaders can do about it. We also explore why cultural awareness is critical to effective leadership, how the LEAP tool can help you reset and reconnect in moments of misunderstanding, ways to stay curious and aware of your own cultural lens, practical strategies to build more inclusive, high-performing teams, and more.If you lead across borders, backgrounds, or perspectives, this episode will help you make the LEAP forward toward more authentic connection and shared success.Chapters0:00 - Intro03:03 - Shared language isn't shared meaning08:32 - How John helps others15:09 - Differences within same cultures17:23 - LEAP21:14 - Keeping curiosity open23:45 - Tips for showing curiosity in an open way28:00 - Being aware of your own cultural lens39:12 - What's next for John40:48 - Where to find JohnVisit John's website - https://johnedwardmcgraw.com/ Free cultural diagnostic tool - https://johnedwardmcgraw.com/get-your-checklistConnect with John - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnedwardmcgraw/Hosted by Hilda Gan - ca.linkedin.com/in/hildagan Visit us at - peoplebrightconsulting.comFollow usLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/pplbrightTwitter - twitter.com/pplbright Facebook - www.facebook.com/pplbrightInstagram - www.instagram.com/pplbright/ Hilda Gan is a sought-after expert on effective HR strategies, work culture enhancement, and employee engagement. Unique among HR consultants, Hilda combines over 25 years of HR expertise with business acumen and business owner experience.People Bright Consulting is an award-winning HR Management Consulting firm that helps leaders of companies build the foundations for successful hiring, healthy and inclusive work culture, and engaged staff. It starts with listening to our clients and finding pragmatic customized business solutions to HR problems.#Communication #Culture #Inclusive #Leadership

Do you understand English perfectly when you listen or read, but freeze when it's time to speak? You're not alone—and it's not about learning more vocabulary or grammar rules. In this episode, we uncover the real reason behind this frustrating gap and reveal the four critical steps to transform your passive English knowledge into active speaking fluency.What You'll Learn:Receptive Vocabulary Activation: Discover why you have thousands of words locked in "passive storage" and learn 5 proven techniques to activate them for real-time conversation—including rapid word association games, reverse dictionary practice, and shadowing with gap-filling.Motor Programming: Understand why speaking is a physical skill that requires muscle memory training. Get 5 practical exercises to train your mouth muscles for English, from articulation drills to marathon speaking sessions that build physical speaking endurance.Spontaneous Formulation: Learn how to create English sentences in real-time without planning. Master 5 powerful techniques, including 3-second response challenges and live commentary practice that force your brain to think directly in English patterns.Error Tolerance Development: Break free from perfectionism paralysis. Discover 5 ways to reprogram your fear of mistakes, including stream-of-consciousness speaking and the no-editing speaking rule that prioritizes communication over accuracy.Key Takeaway:The gap between understanding and speaking isn't about knowledge—it's about training four distinct skills your brain needs to convert passive comprehension into active fluency. This episode gives you a complete roadmap with 20 actionable techniques you can start practicing today to finally speak the English you already understand.Perfect For: English learners who understand conversations, movies, and podcasts but struggle to express themselves confidently in real-time conversations.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

School leaders and teachers constantly face the challenge of turning great ideas intolasting change. In this episode of the Structured Literacy Podcast, Jocelynshares a practical, simple strategy to keep school improvement initiativesalive and thriving. Learn how to create consistency, maintain momentum, andprevent your best efforts from fading away. Whether you're a school leader orclassroom teacher, this episode offers a straightforward approach to makingschool improvements stick.Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

Can you become fluent in Chinese without teachers, classes, or even Chinese speakers around you? For Serbian software engineer Marko Javoanovic, the answer is “yes” by focusing on “fluency now”.In this episode, Marko shares how he started learning Japanese out of a love for anime but quickly pivoted to Chinese when he realized there were far more Chinese people than Japanese in his hometown of Novi Sad, Serbia. What began as a curiosity turned into a disciplined daily habit that transformed not only his language skills but also his friendships and worldview.Marko dives into how he built real working fluency from scratch using English-language resources like Mandarin Companion, YoYo Chinese, and extensive listening and how that foundation led to translating live at a visa interview, making friends over baozi, and becoming part of his local Chinese community.His story includes:Why he stopped obsessing over flashcards and HSK levelsHow “fluency now” helped him understand without translatingWhy tones matter more than you think (like mixing up “food” with “video”)The emotional reward of using Chinese to truly connectThis episode is a roadmap for any Chinese learner, especially those going it alone.Links from the episode:Mandarin Companion Graded ReadersLittle Chinese Everywhere | YouTubeDo you have a story to share? Reach out to us

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

“Leading is easy. Getting people to follow is the hard part”. “Listen first; don't pre-decide the outcome”. “Japan is a Swiss watch—change one gear and the whole movement shifts”. “Do nemawashi before decisions; ringi-sho is the runway, not red tape”. “Bring people back to Japan—networks mature with the country”. Chris LaFleur is Senior Director at McLarty Associates, the Washington, D.C. based strategic advisory firm. A career U.S. Foreign Service Officer, he served multiple tours in Japan—including Sapporo, Yokohama language training, and Tokyo in political and politico-military roles—worked on the staff of Secretary of State Al Haig, at the U.S. Mission to the UN, and at the U.S. Embassy in Paris focusing on Asia during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He later became Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, returned to Tokyo as Deputy Chief of Mission under Ambassador Tom Foley, and served in Washington as the No. 2 in the Bureau of East Asian Affairs as well as a negotiator on alliance modernisation with Japan and South Korea. He was U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia in the Iraq War era, then Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Japan, and repeatedly served as President and Chairman at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). Today, he advises global firms on policy, regulatory, and political risk across Japan and the region.  Chris LaFleur's leadership journey tracks the evolution of U.S.–Japan relations and the realities of making decisions inside complex systems. Beginning as a vice consul in Sapporo, he learned that listening precedes leading in Japan. Hokkaidō's standard Japanese, the step-by-step pace of regional life, and daily immersion built linguistic and cultural pattern recognition. That foundation scaled when he rotated through Yokohama language training and the Tokyo Embassy, where politico-military work brought alliance management into focus: with bases, communities, and bilateral policy layered together, decisions were not events but processes requiring consensus and continuity. Shifting to Washington to staff Secretary Al Haig offered a crash course in how policy gets made, while the UN posting and a Paris portfolio on Asia sharpened his systems view across capitals. Taiwan unlocked dormant Chinese language skills and reminded him that capability compounds with context. Returning to Tokyo as Deputy Chief of Mission under Ambassador Tom Foley, he saw that organisational power is distributed: success hinged on local staff with deep networks, continuity across rotating Americans, and steady, trust-building communication with home offices that wanted speed while Japan required sequence. As Ambassador to Malaysia during the second Iraq War, LaFleur had to explain and persuade amid public scepticism—learning again that legitimacy is earned by hearing concerns first. Transitioning to the private sector as Vice Chairman at JPMorgan Japan validated a surprising constant: large companies decide like large governments. He expected neat, calculated choices; he found coalitions, trade-offs, and path dependence. The lesson for leaders: map stakeholders, solicit ideas early, and let nemawashi do its work before the ringi-sho formalises momentum. In consulting today, he helps global executives reframe “risk” in Japan as uncertainty to be worked through with decision intelligence—aligning goals, mapping interdependencies, and testing scenarios before locking in. Japan, he says, is a Swiss watch: its precision is an asset, but every gear is linked. Leaders succeed by respecting that system—sequencing conversations, checking downstream effects, and ensuring consensus is genuine, not assumed. Technology can accelerate this work—digital twins for processes, collaborative platforms for traceable sign-offs—but tools must fit culture. Above all, bring people back to Japan; networks—and trust—rise with time. What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan's operating model is sequence over speed. Nemawashi aligns stakeholders in advance; the ringi-sho codifies consensus; and downstream interlocks across compliance, customers, and partners mean details matter before decisions. Leaders must treat decisions as journeys, not moments, and recognise local staff as the critical path to progress. Why do global executives struggle? Headquarters often assumes top-down approvals equal action. In Japan, meetings with “the top” rarely move the machine unless the working levels are engaged. Foreign leaders also underestimate uncertainty avoidance embedded in tightly coupled processes—the “Swiss watch” effect—so a small tweak can ripple across functions and clients. Is Japan truly risk-averse? It is more accuracy-seeking than risk-averse. The system prizes predictability because errors propagate widely. What looks like reluctance is often prudent scenario-testing. Reframe risk as uncertainty management: clarify assumptions, run premortems, and build reversible steps that preserve harmony while enabling change. What leadership style actually works? Listening first. LaFleur emphasises not pre-deciding outcomes and actively soliciting ideas from Japanese colleagues. Credibility grows when leaders translate Japan's logic to HQ (and vice versa), sequence approvals, and sponsor inclusive consensus. Authority helps; empathy and patience deliver. How can technology help? Use decision intelligence to visualise interdependencies and simulate impacts. Digital twins of processes reveal where approvals, compliance, and client commitments intersect. Collaborative tools can make nemawashi transparent, while structured knowledge bases preserve networks as staff rotate. Tech should speed alignment, not bulldoze culture. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency amplifies effectiveness but isn't binary. Even partial competence builds sensitivity to context, omissions, and implied meaning. Leaders who grasp how Japanese sentences carry subject and object through context better “hear” what a yes might actually mean in terms of readiness. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Inspire people to move together. Map the system, honour the culture, and turn listening into aligned action. Keep bringing talent back to Japan so relationships mature; in a consensus economy, trust is compounding capital. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

What does it really mean to be fluent in math—and are we measuring the right things in our classrooms?Math fluency is often reduced to speed drills and memorization—but true fluency goes much deeper. In this episode, we unpack the key differences between fact fluency, computational fluency, and procedural fluency—and why it matters for both teaching and learning. Drawing on research from Jennifer Bay-Williams and John San Giovanni, we explore what fluency actually looks like in action, and how educators can spot it beyond just correct answers. Whether you're a teacher, coach, or leader, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how fluency is developed, observed, and supported.You'll walk away with:A clear understanding of the three types of fluency and how they're interconnectedObservable indicators that a student is truly fluent—not just fastInsight into how to shift classroom practice away from rote performance and toward meaningful fluency developmentPress play to rethink fluency and gain practical insight for monitoring its development across your schools or district.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Book a 1.1 call with me:https://www.englishwiththiago.com/fluency-discovery-callJoin The Fluency Hub (My Private Community):https://www.englishwiththiago.com/communityPronunciation course:https://www.englishwiththiago.com/pronunciation-courseHow CEFR Levels Can Be Your GPS to English FluencyFeeling lost in your English learning journey? In this video, Thiago explains how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) can serve as your personal GPS, guiding you from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Thiago breaks down the significance of each level, how to assess your current level, and practical steps to reach the next stage. Whether you're a beginner or advancing towards fluency, this video provides a clear roadmap to achieve your language goals with confidence.

In this episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert is joined by Doug Lemov,  former teacher and school principal, to discuss how teachers can identify when disfluency is actually the root cause for students' struggles with comprehension—and what they can do about it. Using his new book, The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading, to guide the discussion, Susan and Doug address building attention stamina, the argument for reading whole books, and the value of expressive read-alouds. Finally, Doug ends the episode asserting that humans are meant to live in community, and that a deeper level of comprehension is unlocked through deep empathic connection to text and the experience of reading with others.Show notes: Listen to Season 2 of the Beyond My Years podcast for solutions to common teaching challenges directly from seasoned educators.Connect with Doug Lemov:X: @Doug_Lemov Resources:Read: The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of ReadingWatch: Gabby Woolf's Dr. Jekyll Lesson and the Power of Reading FluencyListen: ”Phonology as a settled science”Listen: ”The plea to preserve deep reading, with Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D.”Listen: ”Writing the way to better reading, with Judith Hochman, Ed.D.”Listen: ”The joy of reading aloud, with Molly Ness”Download: cComprehension 101 BundleSubmit your questions on comprehension! Join our community Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/scienceofreadingConnect with Susan Lambert: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-lambert-b1512761/Quotes:  “If you're not a fluent reader, you can't be a deep reader.”—Doug Lemov“The research is clear that when you start to read expressively externally, then your internal reading voice while reading silently is much more expressive and therefore infused with more meaning.”—Doug Lemov Episode Timestamps03:00 Introduction: Doug Lemov05:00 The importance of the middle grades07:00 Book: The Teach like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading13:00 How to build attention stamina16:00 Background knowledge and vocabulary19:00 Writing's impact on memory and reading22:00 The value in reading whole books25:00 Embracing smaller writing assignments27:00 Fluency deep dive30:00 Working memory35:00 Troubleshooting fluency39:00 Expressive reading41:00 Read-alouds44:00 Reading as a social act52:00 The argument for books*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

What to listen for:“Search and rescue work is the volunteer profession that you pay to do and is one of the most stressful things you can ever do, because somebody else's life could depend on what you're doing.”In part 2 of their conversation with Steve White, Robin Greubel and Stacy Barnett ask about the development of Hydrated Intensive Tracking (HIT), which evolved from experiments with scent-in-a-bottle methods.Steve's breakthrough came at a U.S. Police Canine Association seminar when handlers lacked marker training skills. By hybridizing traditional food-in-footstep methods with spray lines, Steve discovered that dogs crossing pavement with spray present kept their heads lower even after the spray evaporated. It's classical conditioning at work!Steve's training philosophy emphasizes creating calm, methodical working dogs rather than frantic high-energy animals. He seeks dogs with "conditioned emotional responses" of focused steadiness. He believes that clearheaded dogs perform better in difficult urban environments. This approach influenced his article training, where teaching dogs to find tiny objects like washers creates precision that makes finding larger targets effortless.Robin and Stacy zero in on the importance of generalization and stimulus control. Dogs absolutely distinguish training from operations, requiring extensive work in operational environments. Steve advocates for the "Green Eggs and Ham" principle. That is, can your dog perform here, there, everywhere? Handlers often mistake lack of stimulus control for lack of behavior knowledge.His current work with the United States Police Canine Association's Best Practices Working Group aims to preserve police canine programs by shifting focus toward the irreplaceable value of dogs' olfactory capabilities while promoting cooperation-based control methods over force-dependent approaches.Key Topics:Search Dogs vs. Examination Dogs (01:40)Evolution of Hydrated Intensive Tracking (12:09)Classical Conditioning and Surface Work (17:47)Generalization and Stimulus Control (26:48)Training for Operational Environments (36:37)Takeaways (45:23)Resources:You can find Steve White:Proactive K9 WebsiteProactive K9 Website FormsUSPCA YouTube Channel: Where you can find Steve's three-part series on odor/scent fundamentals, a 1000-hour eyes presentation where he talks about the eight indicators of dogs being on odor, and Robin's presentations about the recipe for building a great training session.We want to hear from you:Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer AcademyK9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer's Group on Facebook!Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!Crystal Wing (CB K9) can be found here!You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

In this engaging podcast episode, Teacher Tiffani reveals powerful strategies to achieve English fluency by thinking directly in English rather than translating from your native language. Discover how to organize your thoughts naturally and express yourself confidently through three transformative techniques.Each method comes with practical exercises you can implement immediately, including opinion journaling, news response practice, visual story creation, and daily experience storytelling. Whether you're an intermediate learner struggling with fluency or an advanced speaker looking to sound more natural, this episode provides the blueprint for breaking free from translation habits and thinking directly in English.Subscribe now to transform your English communication and join Tiffani's growing community of confident global English speakers!If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

掌握英语的 “反套路”：没有秘诀，只有 “重复再重复”很多人学英语时总在追逐 “速成技巧”，却陷入 “学了就忘” 的循环。今天分享的文章恰恰戳破了 “捷径神话”：掌握英语从无秘诀，他就藏在平凡重复的练习里，这才是掌握英语流利的真正答案。relentless /rɪˈlentləs/：adj. 不懈的；无情的repetition /ˌrepəˈtɪʃn/：n. 重复；反复unwavering /ʌnˈweɪvərɪŋ/：adj. 坚定的；不动摇的consistency /kənˈsɪstənsi/：n. 一致性；连贯性shortcut /ˈʃɔːrtkʌt/：n. 捷径fluency /ˈfluːənsi/：n. 流利；流畅echo /ˈekoʊ/：n. 回响；回声 v. 回响；重复mundane /mʌnˈdeɪn/：adj. 平凡的；普通的outlast /ˌaʊtˈlæst/：v. 比...持久；经受住There's no secret to mastering English, just relentless repetition and unwavering consistency.掌握英语没有秘诀，唯有不懈重复和始终如一的坚持。Forget shortcuts.忘掉捷径。Fluency is built word by word, day by day.流利度靠一字一句搭建，靠一日一日积累。Speak until your mouth remembers.说到嘴唇形成记忆。Listen until your brain echoes, and write until your hands ache.听到脑海产生回响，写到指尖发酸发胀。Progress hides in the mundane.进步藏在普通的练习里。Reread, rephrase, replay, stumble, repeat, forget, repeat, bored, repeat.重读、改写、复听、卡壳、重复、遗忘、再重复、感到乏味、继续重复。The magic isn't in a hack. It's in the thousandth time you try.奇迹不在捷径里，藏在第一千次尝试中。Stay stubborn, stay slow, outlast doubt.固执坚持，缓步前行，让怀疑无处存身。更多卡卡老师分享公众号：卡卡课堂 卡卡老师微信：kakayingyu001送你一份卡卡老师学习大礼包，帮助你在英文学习路上少走弯路

“Listening is easy; listening intently is leadership.” “In Japan, trust isn't a KPI — it's earned through presence, patience, and predictable behaviour.” “Leaders here must be gatekeepers of governance and ambassadors for people, culture, and brand.” “Don't copy-paste playbooks; calibrate the boss, context, and cadence.” “Win hearts first, then heads — only then will ideas and decisions truly flow.” Loïc Pecondon-Lacroix is President and Country Holding Officer (CHO) of ABB Japan, responsible for governance, compliance, and the enabling infrastructure that keeps ABB's Japan entities operating within law, regulation, and internal policy. A French national educated primarily in sales, he built his career as a business controller and CFO across local, regional, and global roles, developing a reputation for process discipline and decision support. Before ABB, he spent a decade in the automotive sector, including senior roles at German powerhouse Mahle, where he moved between France, Germany, China, and Japan. His first Japan posting was as a general manager in the automotive industry; his second brought him back to Tokyo, where — after his spouse's executive opportunity catalysed the move — he was recruited in-market by ABB directly into the CHO role.  What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan is a high-context, consensus-first environment. Leaders must prioritise nemawashi before ringi-sho, invest in psychological safety, and value presence over performative activity. Engagement is not a survey score but an accumulation of trust signalled by consistent behaviour, calibrated communication, and respect for cadence and etiquette. Decision intelligence here blends informal alignment with formal governance so progress sticks rather than bounces.  Why do global executives struggle? Many arrive with “fix it fast” mandates, underestimate uncertainty avoidance, and over-rely on imported playbooks. They communicate problems upward without solutions and fail to “manage the boss” — i.e., calibrate global expectations to local timeframes. Skipping nemawashi, they trigger resistance, burn political capital, and misread engagement metrics that don't map neatly across cultures.  Is Japan truly risk-averse? It's less risk-averse than uncertainty-averse. Leaders can reduce uncertainty with clearer problem framing, milestones, and prototypes, thereby enabling motion without violating safety and quality norms. The practical move is to de-risk through staged decisions, transparent governance, and strong internal controls — an approach especially congruent with ABB's integrity and compliance culture.  What leadership style actually works? Begin with humility and intense listening, then coach. Win hearts before heads, model the behaviours you seek, and make middle managers masters of feedback and retention. Use direct channels (town halls, internal social platforms) to complement cascades. Choose battles, protect cadence, and be explicit about “why this, why now.” Influence beats authority in matrix settings; patience beats bravado.  How can technology help? Internal communities and collaboration platforms create lateral flow so ideas don't stall under middle-management “concrete.” Analytics can enrich decision intelligence by signalling hotspots in retention and development. In ABB's domain, digital twins and automation are metaphors for leadership too: simulate options, align stakeholders, then execute with control plans that keep quality and compliance intact.  Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps but isn't decisive. Context literacy — reading air, watching body language, knowing relationship histories — often yields more truth than words alone. Leaders can operate in English while respecting Japanese protocols, provided they invest in nemawashi, maintain constancy, and avoid breaking trust with premature declarations or unilateral moves.  What's the ultimate leadership lesson? “Win hearts, then heads.” Authenticity tempered with empathy, disciplined listening, and careful boss-calibration turns culture from obstacle to engine. When people feel safe and seen, they move — applying for stretch roles, sharing ideas, and compounding organisational capability over long cycles.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

In this conversation, Brian Rubin discusses the key issues and priorities facing REIT boards today, including economic uncertainty, regulatory compliance, and the need for technology fluency. He emphasizes the evolving skills required for board members, strategies for effective governance, and the role of AI in enhancing board operations. The discussion highlights the importance of continuous improvement in governance practices to adapt to changing risks and opportunities in the real estate sector.

Leave us a review and share this episode with someone youthink might enjoy it! It really helps us out.Join our free WhatsApp community for Q&A submissions,polls on future episodes & links to the podcast first: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HB7n1PNGdGL5STACssEH1sFollow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/teachsleeprepeatpodcastFollow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/teachsleeprepeatpodcastCheck out Neil Almonds's great blog on fluency, reasoning and problem solving here: https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/fluency-reasoning-problem-solving/

Mastering High-Stakes Business Interviews in English: Essential Phrases and StrategiesThis episode shares a riveting story of Marcus, a Brazilian software engineer, navigating the high-pressure environment of a major tech job interview. Rob highlights the critical moments and strategic phrases that Marcus used to regain control and leave a lasting impression on the interview panel. The episode is packed with practical tips and techniques for handling interviews, negotiations, and high-stakes meetings, especially when English is not your first language. By mastering these tools and maintaining composure, you can turn potential disasters into career-defining successes.00:00 The Nerve-Wracking Interview Setup02:32 Marcus Faces the Panel05:08 Secret Weapon Phrases Revealed06:49 Ellie's Story: Handling Pressure08:53 Tactical Phrases for Interview Success13:57 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them15:05 Marcus's Triumph and Your Next Challenge16:56 Final Tips and Encouragement

Has something in this episode resonated with you? Get in touch! Are your students good readers, but poor spellers? If so, you are not alone. Spelling Success in Action addresses phonics, orthography, and morphology to give students a well-rounded understanding of how our language system works. Find out how you can help your students move beyond guessing and memorisation at https://www.jocelynseamereducation.com/spelling2 Quick LinksJocelyn Seamer Education HomepageThe Resource RoomYoutube channelFacebook Page#jocelynseamereducation #literacy #bestpractice #earlyprimaryyears #primaryschool #primaryschools #primaryschoolteacher #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearseducator #structuredliteracy #scienceofreading #classroom #learning #learningisfun #studentsuccess #studentsupport #teacherlife #theresourceroom #theevergreenteacher #upperprimary #upperprimaryteacher #thestructuredliteracypodcast #phoneme #grapheme #phonics #syntheticphonics

Generative AI has crossed the threshold from novelty to necessity—but most organizations still haven't caught up. In this episode, I talk with Kenneth Corrêa, global AI educator and author of Cognitive Organizations: Leveraging the Full Power of Generative AI and Intelligent Agents, about what it actually means to be AI fluent. Kenneth breaks down how leaders can move from scattered experimentation to systems-level adoption, why uploading your financials to a free chatbot isn't “innovation,” and how education—not fear—is the key to responsible implementation.We unpack the shift from predictive to generative AI, the cultural lag that keeps leaders from seeing tangible ROI, and why the real competitive advantage comes from empowered humans—not replaced ones. For anyone trying to make AI a force multiplier rather than a security nightmare, this episode's a roadmap.Related Links:Join the People Managing People community forumSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Kenneth on LinkedInCheck out 80 20 MarketingKenneth's book — Cognitive Organizations: Leveraging the Full Power of Generative AI and Intelligent AgentsSupport the show

Amy is joined by Amie Souza Reilly, author of Human/Animal, for an eye-opening discussion about stalking and safety, about how patriarchy thrives on women's fears and about what we actually have to be afraid of.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyAmie Souza Reilly is a visual artist and multigenre writer from Connecticut. Her work has appeared in various journals, including Wigleaf, HAD, The Chestnut Review, The Atticus Review, Catapult, SmokeLong Quarterly, Barren, Pidgeonholes and elsewhere. She holds an MA in English Literature from Fordham University and an MFA from Fairfield University, and is the Writer-in-Residence and Director of Writing Studies at Sacred Heart University. She is the author of Human/Animal and works as the Director of Writing Studies at Sacred Heart University.

What to listen for:Two-thirds of The Dames of Detection, Robin Greubel and Stacy Barnett, welcome Steve White, a veteran law enforcement K9 trainer whose 46-year career began in military working dog handling in 1975.Steve discusses the challenges facing modern police canine programs, particularly how vendor-driven training models often prioritize efficiency over optimization, which creates sessions where handlers log hours without meaningful individual development.Central to Steve's philosophy is building fluency in component behaviors before chaining them together. He emphasizes the "search-locate-report" sequence as the foundation of detection work, and warns against the common mistake of teaching dogs to retrieve training aids initially. This approach creates problems through the “law of primacy:” dogs default to their earliest learned behaviors under stress, leading to dangerous outcomes like consuming narcotics or explosives.Steve draws a critical distinction between "search dogs" and "examination dogs." Medical detection dogs must systematically examine each sample rather than hunting for the strongest odor source; a dog that vaults past a Stage 1 cancer sample to alert on Stage 4 creates catastrophic consequences. Similarly, explosive detection work often requires methodical examination of luggage or spaces where missing a threat is unacceptable.Steve traces his evolution from using sport castoff dogs from Europe to developing selection criteria focused on "self-righting" dogs: calm, confident animals who never seek fights but finish them. He shows us why it's so important to understand the trade-offs inherent in every training decision! Key Topics:Steve's Background and Career Evolution (03:10)Modern Police K9 Training Challenges (08:02)European Dog Selection and Trade-offs (16:03)The Search-Locate-Report Chain (27:09)Law of Primacy in Dog Training (28:19)Building Chains Without Fluency (30:29)German Tracking Experiments and Training Methods (37:00)Training Methods and Trade-offs (44:10)Dogs as Tools of Force in Law Enforcement (48:20) Resources:You can find Steve White:Proactive K9 WebsiteProactive K9 Website Forms USPCA YouTube Channel: Where you can find Steve's three-part series on odor/scent fundamentals, a 1000-hour eyes presentation where he talks about the eight indicators of dogs being on odor, and Robin's presentations about the recipe for building a great training session.We want to hear from you:Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer AcademyK9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer's Group on Facebook!Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!Crystal Wing (CB K9) can be found here!You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

227: When students read accurately but slowly, research supports using a repeated reading intervention. But how does it work? How long should students read? What kind of feedback should you give? Get answers to these questions and more from reading interventionist Melanie Brethour.Click here for this episode's show notes.Sign up for my free masterclass, 5 Essential Steps to Reach All Readers. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking for printable resources that align with the science of reading? Click here to learn more about our popular and affordable membership for PreK through 3rd grade educators.Connect with me here! Blog Instagram Facebook Twitter (X)

“Fluency takes YEARS.” “TV alone will make you fluent.” “You need a special language gene.” NOT TRUE! This new episode breaks down 10 language myths holding learners back—& shows what really works.Free trial to start learning a language right now: www.mosalingua.com/podcast

This week we're joined by Adam Alter to explore the behavioral forces that drive decision-making. From the psychology of getting unstuck to the power of fluency, labeling, and context, Adam shares practical insights for marketers looking to change minds - and behavior.

To hire me as your tutor, visit https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com

This conversation examines the crucial importance of math fact fluency in education, exploring effective teaching strategies, the role of parents, and the challenges faced by educators. The panel shares success stories from their classrooms, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and engagement in fostering student success in mathematics. They also address misconceptions about math instruction and the significance of building foundational skills for future learning. Brian Poncy Facts on Fire | math fact fluency| Podcast Follow on Twitter: @brian_poncy @rastokke @StamStam193 @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Kristin Ryan is a first-grade teacher in a rural, K-4 school in Wyoming. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in K-8 Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a focus on K-12 Reading Specialist, all from the University of South Dakota. She also holds a Principal Certificate from the University of Wyoming. She has worked in education for the past 16 years. Dr. Brian Poncy is a Professor of School Psychology at Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on academic interventions and behavioral principles of learning, specifically in the area of mathematics. Dr. Poncy created the Measures & Interventions for Numeracy Development (M.I.N.D.), a set of free materials to support teachers in the assessment and implementation of empirically-validated interventions to increase early numeracy and computation skills (www.factsonfire.com). Laura Stam is a 3rd-grade teacher in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She is a 2024-2025 Goyen Fellow and a founding board member of The Reading League Wyoming. Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg.. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.

Thanks for listening! To hire me as your tutor, visit my website: https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com

This week on Ask Amanda Anything: How it feels to watch your own life turned into television. Why false confessions still shape the way justice fails. How a flood of letters — from Harry Potter fan fiction to marriage proposals — carried Amanda through prison. And why the eternal debate of Han Solo versus Indiana Jones reveals more about resilience than you might think. Reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.amandaknox.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠amandaknox.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: @amandaknox IG: @amamaknox Bluesky: @⁠⁠amandaknox.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free: My Search for Meaning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Waking Up Meditation App ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wakingup.com/Amandaknox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, you'll learn about the five pillars of French fluency: what they are, why they matter, and how they work together to help you actually speak French. :)

In this video I discuss how the complexity theory can be applied to language learning and how even the smallest interaction can make a big difference.

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

Middle school reading scores are stagnant or dropping all over the country. What can we do about that? This podcast explores what a science of reading based response should look like. If you want to help upper elementary, middle school, and high school readers, please tune in!

Welcome to our fall season of new episodes! After a busy summer of family time and travel, I'm excited to be back with you on the podcast. Today's conversation is an important one about mindful language in conversations touching on race and culture. Join us!Our Featured GuestDr. Nathalie EdmondDr. Nathalie Edmond is a licensed psychologist and the author of Mindful Race Talk: Building Literacy, Fluency, and Agility. She is the perfect guest to help us approach race as clinicians in the therapy room and in our advocacy work. We are covering topics such as what it means to have an “embodied” conversation about race, the importance of our language, and how we can strike a balance between honesty and accountability. Our discussion includes the elements of conversations that are truly beneficial in light of today's racially charged climate of cancel culture and “colorblindness.” We wrap up with a look at how clinicians can build cross-racial solidarity. WebsiteYou'll Learn:The impetus and inspiration for writing Mindful Race TalkAn “embodied conversation” about race—What does that mean?The importance of practicing to balance compassion and accountabilityNot talking about race is NOT the answer!The danger that clinicians face regarding multicultural awarenessThe myth of “colorblindness” vs. living with an attitude of racial and cultural awarenessSteps to build racial competence, literacy, and agilityThe “charge” associated with the topic of raceDr. Nathalie's advice for clinicians about tuning in and developing mindfulness and awarenessActions clinicians can take to develop cross-racial solidarity—What does this look like?Resources:Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That's why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you'll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those time-consuming administrative tasks. That means less time buried in the details and more time focused on delivering exceptional care to your clients.You support your clients. Alma supports you.Learn more at sellingthecouch.com/alma and get 2 months FREE–an exclusive offer for STC listeners. Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Alma!Building and managing the practice you truly want can feel overwhelming. That's why Alma is here—to help you create not just any practice, but your private practice. With Alma, you'll get the tools and resources you need to navigate insurance with ease, connect with referrals that are the right fit for your style, and streamline those...

How does the definition of fluency change when your goal for math class changes? In this episode Pam and Kim discuss in some areas of mathematics they aim for fluency and how students use those relationships to build from.Talking Points:BuzzwordsWhat are our goals?Does automaticity need to be drilled or can it develop naturally?Strategies are synergistic Fluency with decomposing numbersFunctional fluencyFluency with prime and square numbersFluency in mathematical behaviorsCheck out these episodes to learn more about "working with multiplication facts".Ep 97: If Not the Multiplication Algorithm, Then What?Ep 34 - 38: Multiplication: The Good, The Bad, And the UglyCheck out our social mediaTwitter: @PWHarrisInstagram: Pam Harris_mathFacebook: Pam Harris, author, mathematics educationLinkedin: Pam Harris Consulting LLC 

In this episode, we explore the letter E in our English Fluency ABCs series, diving into essential vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and American culture insights. Join me as I break down meaningful E-words including "enigmatic," "eloquent," and "emphatic," along with key expressions and language patterns that will elevate your English fluency.You'll learn: • How to use "elephant in the room" to address uncomfortable topics that everyone knows about but avoids discussing • The meaning and application of the expression "every cloud has a silver lining" for finding positivity in difficult situations • Three practical phrasal verbs: "end up," "eat out," and "ease off" with real-world usage examples • The "Even though..." sentence pattern to express contrast or concession in your English conversations • Key insights about the American education system and its unique characteristicsPlus, I'll share "The Eleventh-Hour English Adventure," a comprehensive story that incorporates all the E-focused vocabulary and expressions in context, helping you understand how to use these elements naturally in conversation.Resource Available: FluencyPanion Notebook: https://shop.speakenglishwithtiffani.com/products/fluencypanion-your-english-fluency-notebook 365-Day English Study Plan: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365planIf you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Take our free English-level quiz here to find out what your current English level is.  Do you love All Ears English?  Try our other podcasts here: Business English Podcast: Improve your Business English with 3 episodes per week, featuring Lindsay, Michelle, and Aubrey IELTS Energy Podcast: Learn IELTS from a former Examiner and achieve your Band 7 or higher, featuring Lindsay McMahon and Aubrey Carter with Jessica Beck in previous episodes Visit our website here or https://lnk.to/website-sn If you love this podcast, hit the follow button now so that you don't miss five fresh and fun episodes every single week.  Don't forget to leave us a review wherever you listen to the show. Send your English question or episode topic idea to support@allearsenglish.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we continue our English Fluency ABCs series with the letter D, exploring essential vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and sentence patterns that will elevate your English communication. Join me as I break down the letter D with words like "diligent," "diverse," and "dilemma," along with useful phrasal verbs and authentic American culture insights that will help you sound more natural in everyday conversations.You'll learn: • Five powerful D-words including "diligent," "diverse," "dilemma," "double-edged sword," and "devil's advocate" • Three essential phrasal verbs: "drop by," "deal with," and "die down" with real-life examples • How to use the "Despite [challenge]..." sentence pattern to show resilience and contrast • Insights into American "Drive-thru Culture" and its significance in everyday life • How to apply all these elements through our engaging story about Maya, an English learner navigating life in ChicagoPlus, you'll hear how these vocabulary items and expressions connect naturally in context through our comprehensive review story that brings everything together. Upgrade your English vocabulary with these practical expressions that will help you communicate more confidently with native speakers!Resource Available: FluencyPanion Notebook: https://shop.speakenglishwithtiffani.com/products/fluencypanion-your-english-fluency-notebook 365-Day English Study Plan: https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/365planIf you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter