Ze English Podcast by Ecsplicite

What's the podcast about? Well, frankly... we really didn't know ... until we decided to make the absence of ideas the subject for today's podcast : what we do when we run out ideas.

Colleagues Sue and Lawrence discuss different ways to get back on track. And as you'll hear, you, our listeners, have a role to play.

Groundhog Day? The Spring US Primary season will have disappointed US voters frustrated at the prospect of a sterile rematch of the 2020 Biden Trump face off. For many, it seems like 'back to the future'.
This week we ask Jonathan, our British colleague who has been living in the US for a number of years, to read the runes.  Where are we? How did we get here and what's likely to happen next?  

This week France became the first country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution.  

Already legal in France since 1975, opinion polls show overwhelming public support in France to guarantee women’s  freedom to choose.

The result of the almost unanimous vote was announced in Versailles to a standing ovation and the Eiffel tower lit up with the words My body My Choice as the French President proudly described the vote a "universal message".

This week, France added the right to choose to its constitution.  

Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, but this change to the constitution guarantees women’s freedom to choose as a fundamental right.

The Eiffel tower lit up with the words "My body My Choice" and French President described the move as French “pride” in carrying a "universal message".

In this episode, we hear from our colleague Gillian, who tells us why she agrees with President Macron about uniforms, and why they are a good idea. 

In this episode of Fly on the Wall we hear from our British expat colleague Gillian, who tells us all the reasons why she's inclined to agree with President Macron about uniforms, which now appear to her with hindsight to be a ‘jolly’ good idea. 

Enough is enough. For farmers in France the social contract appears at a breaking point and they are asking the government to recognise that the constraints, taxes and rules imposed on them to meet climate commitments leave agricultural workers out in the cold. Two British colleagues, who live in France, discuss why this protest has the support of so many.

A scandal about influential powerful men with predatory tastes that reaches deep into the heart of the establishment and affairs of state. Sound familiar? Today our Canadian colleague and reporter Phoeby takes us on a journey that uncovers the extraordinary tale of Jeffrey Epstein, who we now know used his power and prominence to exploit young women, often under the age of consent, in exotic and luxurious locations.

A scandal about powerful men taking advantage of young women and girls in exotic locations. Today our Canadian colleague Phoeby takes us on a journey to uncover the disturbing tale of Jeffrey Epstein, a tale about power, influence and sexual exploitation.

In November last year, Argentines, faced with an economy in serious trouble and inflation running at 150%, decisively elected a liberal outsider Javier Milei, as their new president who was welcomed by US ex-President Donald Trump, & Brazil's former leader Jair Bolsonaro. For our first podcast of the year we hear from our Argentinian colleagues, Victoria and Sergio, as they explain what happened and look ahead to a very different Argentina in 2024.

Kylian Mbappe who turned 25 this week has been criticised in France recently for revelling a little too much in his success. But who can blame him?  Certainly not our colleague Désirée who takes a peek inside the phenomenon and imagines what it must mean to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. 

Many years from now, when historians cease to argue about the great figures who shaped the 20th century, very few will receive such clear acclaim and recognition as Nelson Mandela, who carried the flame of hope and reconciliation across the millennia.  This year and this very day, December 5, marks the 10th anniversary of his death and our colleague Inger reminds us why it is a particularly telling occasion to celebrate and honour his life and legacy.  

The 5th of December 2023 marks the 10th anniversary since Nelson Mandela died and as you'll hear, our South African colleague Inger & her ten year old son Zakai talk together about his life and legacy and what it must mean to those growing up in modern South Africa.

Fans of Netflix series and big box-office franchises can heave a sigh of relief as the actors’ strike comes to an end. After 118 days,  the longest strike in their history, American actors have succeeded like the writers a few weeks earlier in securing an agreement about pay, conditions and protection from artificial intelligence. During the 4 month stoppage film studios lost billions and A-list stars of film and television lined up to support and finance the strikers with million dollar donations. Listen to find out more.

Fans of Netflix series and big box-office franchises are relieved. After the longest strike in their history, American actors have got agreement about pay, conditions and protections from the film studios as stars of film and television lined up to support and finance the strikers with million dollar donations.  

The 9th November in France marks a national day for the prevention of bullying at school. Up and down the country school principals and teachers will be raising awareness amongst pupils about the damage that bullying poses to mental health, academic achievement, and simple human rights.  In the United States, school authorities are finding different ways to deal with the problem, as our colleague Regina explains in this special bonus episode.

“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” is a common saying before bedtime in English, and it is not superstition if you are in Paris currently, as my colleague Sue, just back from a visit, is going to tell us.  What are bedbugs and what do they mean for the Olympic games next year?

“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite” I used to intone to my kids before they went to bed. It is meant to be reassuring, a familiar litany to ward off undesirable visitors and sooth attendant night time anxieties. Something that seems superstitious unless you happen to be living in Paris. My colleague Sue , just back from a visit to the French capital, joins me to discuss what’s going on, why it’s important and what is being done in the run-up to the Olympic games in Paris next year.

44 rugby matches in 5 weeks, soon the semi-finals, only 4 teams remaining, France & Ireland eliminated, only one team from the northern hemisphere, still in the tournament, England.  Probably the Springboks will meet the All Blacks in the final.

Today Kevin, in South Africa, looks back at the quarter final matches and explains why the Southern hemisphere so dominate the competition and why France don't win.

After 44 rugby matches in 5 weeks, we are now down to the last 4 teams in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.  Even if the former top rated 2 teams in the world until this weekend, Ireland and France, have just been eliminated., there is still one team from the northern hemisphere, still in the tournament, England.  In all likelihood, however, it is the Springboks and the All Blacks who will face off in the final in 10 days time. Today Kevin, our rugby correspondent in South Africa, looks back at the quarter final matches and shares his thoughts on why the Southern hemisphere so dominate the competition and why France was never likely to win.

An historic World Cup victory by the Spanish women's soccer team, in August this year, was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation during the medal ceremony when he kissed striker Jenny Hermoso on the mouth. 

An exuberant if regrettable display of masculine joy and or a political red-line that has been crossed all too often?

What’s the story, why it matters and what should happen next is the subject of our first podcast, in the company of our colleague Emma, who gives us her take on the kiss that has rocked Spanish football.

Our colleague Emma tells us today about what happened to the Spanish wome n’s football because of a very controversial kiss.   

FLY ON ZE WALL - Ecseptional, Ecsiting, Ecsentric! Ze English Podcast by Ecsplicite is back for Season 2.
Nous sommes de retour avec de courts reportages décalés et collés aux actualités. Tous les mois nous allons dégoter un sujet brûlant d'actualité, soit un sujet bien français vu depuis l'étranger, soit un sujet d’intérêt général qui touche tout le monde. En donnant la parole à nos collègues qui regardent l'actualité depuis leurs leurs horizons différents vous allez découvrir que le monde est vraiment au bout de la langue.

The Toronto international film festival (or TIFF for short) jury will be announcing the winners for the 2023 season this weekend and our colleague Phoeby gives us an insight into what makes the TIFF the artistic, cultural and economic equivalent of the Cannes festival here in France. 
Along with festivals like Sundance & Tribeca this is of THE top film festivals to follow in the late summer, featuring many of future Oscar-winning movies before they hit theatres.  Today our colleague Phoeby from Toronto, shares with us her thoughts and feelings about what is one of the most prestigious festivals of cinema in north America.

Creativity: according to the Cambridge dictionary, it's the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas. But how and when do you express your creativity? Do you consider yourself a creative person? Most of us would probably answer "yes". But when you're asked to take part in a brainstorming session, does your brain freeze or does your heart clench at the thought of coming up with new ideas out of the blue? In either case, in this last podcast of the season, our super coach Inger, based in Southern Africa, is going to offer us some simple recipes for unleashing the creative genius in all of us.

If you love travelling and enjoy exotic destinations, then you are no doubt aware of the ethical choices your globe-trotting involves.  Today we hear from Tazmin about the plight of working elephants in Thailand which have played such a substantial role in the social and economic development of the country over the centuries, participating in manual labor, armed conflicts, as tourist attractions and royal mascots. In particular, we learn about The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and the inspiring work of one woman, who has dedicated her life to rescuing these majestic animals. 

We often associate national parks in Africa with unique wildlife and capturing what are known as the big five on camera; the big five are amongst the most famous of Africa's large animals and often feature in popular culture.  In today's episode we hear from our colleague Desiree who shares a childhood encounter with one of the big five in a surprising story that took place in the enormous Kruger National Park in South Africa, an animal reserve  the size of Wales in the United Kingdom or a region like Brittany in France.

Australians call them crocs and last month alone there were 3 reports in the news of the dangers of getting too close to Crocodiles, including one holidaymaker who was attacked while out snorkeling.  He only managed to escape by prising the predator’s jaws off his head.   Well, what do you know? Anne has a cold-blooded story to share about her close shave with a reptile.  Spoiler alert – to reassure you that Anne is alive and well and just dying to tell her story.

Last week the governor of the bank of France told us not to fret – inflation would be back to a comfortable 2% by the end of the year.  Yet over the last year inflation has reached heights not seen for 40 years in the UK, where it is currently somewhere between 10% & 11%,  Here in France, official figures suggest only half that figure, but that’s for the birds and if you are like me, you are really "feeling the pinch".  Spare a thought therefore for Argentinians whose yearly inflation rate has risen to around 100%.  That's prices doubling every 12 months.  How do Argentinians cope with systematic price hikes?  What does that mean on a day to day basis for the average person living & working in Buenos Aires?  Today we find out as we talk to our colleague Victoria who is currently working in our office in the south of France.

Have you ever wondered how much your childhood and upbringing have influenced the adult you are now? What memories do you carry with you from your youth?  

In this episode, Sasha Gaye uses her senses to recall her childhood in the Parish of Trelawny, Jamaica. The friendship, the games, the food, but also the chores...  

Through the memory of the sometimes arduous daily tasks she had to perform, she explains how this shaped her personality and contributed to her strength and determination. And as she puts it : what doesn't kill us makes us stronger! 

This week marks just over 400 years since the death of probably our most famous playwright William Shakespeare. Curiously we know comparatively little about his life, but his legacy of poetry and plays mean that today he is still very much alive in the words and expressions we use everyday.  And that’s precisely what we are going to hear about today in the company of April and Edward.

Blackouts, power cuts, energy restrictions: from September to November in France, we were told they were likely to happen and we should be prepared. There was a real possibility that we were going to come home in the dark to find the house with no lights, no heating, food melting in the freezer, no telephone, no C-news, no Netflix! But finally nothing really happened; at least here in Provence. For Suzanne, however, in South Africa it was altogether a different story, as you shall hear, as she shares her special guide to surviving regular power cuts.

In today’s episode, we are going to talk about sound with our colleague John who is a professional bass player.  We all love going to concerts of our favourite singers and groups.  But we probably don’t spend much time thinking about the preparation involved in a successful music concert.  John is here today to set us straight. And as you’ll see the process is of clockwork precision and balance.

In this special edition we go to the Emerald Isle, to meet Therese, our colleague who lives in the beautiful city of Baile Átha Cliath or Dublin as it is known in more commonly. She’s going to talk about Saint Patrick’s Day, held annually on March 17, which marks and celebrates the patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick.  Therese tells us about what this celebration means for her and no doubt for the many people of Irish origin living around the world, and she tells us what the Irish in Ireland do on that day.

In today’s episode we travel to India with our colleague Anne to hear more about one of the most ancient of Hindu festivals called Holi-the Festival of Colour.  Celebrated this year on March 8th, Holi is a playful rainbow celebration of fun and laughter at the end of winter where happy excited crowds cover each other from head to foot in vividly coloured powders. As you will hear, Holi also possesses deeper symbolic and spiritual meaning.

Many of us dream of relocating to another country.  We imagine the positive impact of starting over in a completely different place.  But how easy is it really to make the change?  In this episode we explore the experience of moving abroad and we hear from our colleague, Sankie, about the challenges and rewards of moving with his family to Portugal to embark on a new chapter in their lives as they settle in a new country with its people, its culture and its language.

In today’s podcast we are curious to learn more about one of the United State’s biggest sporting events of the year. 
Whether or not you are fan of American football, the Super Bowl is the ultimate sporting antidote to mid-winter blues, bringing spills and thrills, pageantry and music, family and friends all together to celebrate a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, totally rivetting and perfectly choregraphed sporting extravaganza.

In today’s podcast we have been asking colleagues at our office in Provence, in France, what they are looking forward to in 2023.  While some aspirations are common for many of us as we embark on a new year, they are one or two which may surprise you.

In this first podcast of 2023 we wish you a happy new year by taking you to the Carribean island of Jamaica to talk to our colleague Floyd about some intriguing local traditions.

When we are unsure of what to say, a hesitation can seem cold and unwelcoming, particularly when meeting someone for the first time. 
In this episode we will be reviewing language for welcoming visitors in a business context and learning a few simple expressions to make your guest feel “at home” and appreciated.

In this episode our colleague Hannah, who is an international athlete, shares an inspiring story about the challenges of starting a family in a foreign country as she meets the demands of training for top level international sporting competitions.

In this special bonus episode for Thanksgiving, we go to Canada to find out how Thanksgiving in Canada differs from the United States.
Cecilia, our Canadian colleague, explains how this also reflects the diverse culture over there.

In this episode our American colleague Regina shares her impressions about Thanksgiving, a celebration which is almost unique to North America. 
We’ve all seen movies where families sit down together to celebrate, but there is much more to the Thanksgiving Day than turkey, as you shall find out.

In this episode, Cecilia, our Canadian colleague talks to us about some unexpected behavior during lockdown which has opened up a really positive opportunity for her.

They may not live in the US anymore, but for Kristen in England and Noelle in France, Halloween is still a favorite holiday.  Listen to this bonus episode to hear two of our American expat colleagues explain why Halloween is still so special.

Answering the phone in English is easy and fun with simple expressions that you can practise and use in your daily business life, unlike our colleague Mani, in today’s episode, who is showing signs of panic.

In this episode, Regina & Jenny take us to South Carolina in the USA.  
Jenny is visiting Regina & the US for the first time and shares with us her first impressions about what makes it so different from what she sees in France.

Vous recherchez une façon fun et ludique pour progresser en anglais ? Découvrez Ze English Podcast by Ecsplicite !

Imaginé et conçu par Ecsplicite, expert en formation linguistique depuis 1991, ce podcast va vous permettre de vous lâcher en anglais, en alliant apprentissage et plaisir. 

Nous vous donnons rendez-vous deux fois par mois pour approfondir une compétence linguistique ou bien pour rencontrer un de nos formateurs à l’autre bout du monde et explorer avec lui un sujet d’actualité. 

A très vite pour découvrir le premier épisode !