Thinking in English

Where is the best place to study English? Is it better to move to Britain, the US, or another English-speaking country, or can you learn just as effectively at home? Does studying in person produce better results than studying online?

Is a private one-to-one class better than a small group or a large class? What about structured lessons that teach grammar and vocabulary compared with conversation-focused classes?

In this episode, we’re going to look at the research behind these questions and try to work out what makes an English-learning environment effective. The goal of the episode is to explore what combination of place, teaching, interaction, and practice gives you the best chance of improving your English!

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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/21/406-where-is-the-best-place-to-study-english-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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Singapore is one of the wealthiest and most modern countries in the world, but that wasn’t always the case.

Today, I want to discuss the history of Singapore. We'll look at its early role in Asian trade, British colonial rule, the Japanese occupation, independence, and its transformation into one of the world's richest and most developed countries.

We'll also explore the political and social model behind Singapore's success and ask whether its unique approach can continue into the future.

At the same time, we will learn some new vocabulary and practice our English listening comprehension at the same time.

Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/

TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/14/405-history-of-singapore-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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What is corruption?

Corruption or corrupt are words that I use quite often in my episodes… but what is corruption? What forms does it take? Why does corruption happen, what damage does it cause, and why can it be so difficult to stop?

In this episode, we are going to look at different types of corruption, the political and economic conditions that allow it to develop, and some of the consequences for ordinary people and society. We'll also look at three famous corruption scandals: the 1MDB scandal in Malaysia, the Siemens bribery scandal, and the huge corruption scandal that shook FIFA in 2015.

So, let's understand corruption while improving our English listening comprehension and learning some new vocabulary!

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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/09/07/404-what-is-corruption-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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Some people see failure as proof that they aren’t good at something. Others see it as an opportunity to improve. Why?

Today I want to try and answer this question by thinking about “growth mindsets”. The growth mindset concept suggests that our abilities aren’t completely fixed, and that we can improve through practice and effort.

We are going to look at what a growth mindset means, how it affects learning, and why it can be particularly important when learning a language. And at the same time, we will practice our English listening comprehension and learn some new vocabulary!

Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/

TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/31/403-what-is-a-growth-mindset-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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Which country shares the longest border with France?

I think most people would say Spain. Spain is right next to France in Europe. Or perhaps you might have said Belgium, Switzerland, or Italy.

But the answer is actually Brazil. Yes, Brazil. France and Brazil share a border of more than 700 kilometres. The reason is French Guiana, a territory on the northeastern coast of South America which is officially part of France.

French Guiana isn't the only surprising part of France. France has territories and departments in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and South America. People living in many of these places are French citizens. They can vote in French elections, use the euro, and in some cases are part of the European Union.

How did France end up with territory on several different continents? Why are these places still part of France, while many former British colonies became independent countries? And do the people living in these territories want to be French?

In this episode, we're going to explore Overseas France and learn some new English vocabulary along the way!

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TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/08/24/402-france-is-bigger-than-you-think-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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