Shadowing Practice: How To Talk About June in English | Easy English Podcast - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Academy.
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I'm Sarah.
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And I'm Mike.
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Mike, I walked to the studio today and, wow, it actually felt like summer.
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Right?
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The air is different now.
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It is.
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Warm, but not too warm.
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The trees are full and green.
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And the days are so long now.
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It's bright until almost ten at night.
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I know.
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I love that.
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It makes the day feel longer.
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It really does.
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You wake up and the sun is already there waiting for you.
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Like a friend who came too early.
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So, should we just talk about it?
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Talk about what?
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June.
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It's June, Mike.
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We're standing right in the middle of it.
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Oh, that's true.
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And you know what?
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June is one of my favorite months.
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Really?
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Why?
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Because it feels like the start of something good.
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Summer is here.
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The weather is nice.
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People are happy.
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That's a good point.
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There's a different energy in June.
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People smile more.
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They do.
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Even in the supermarket, people seem more relaxed.
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That's true.
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In winter, everyone is rushing, cold, in a hurry.
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In June, they're slow and happy.
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Exactly.
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So yes, listeners, today we're talking about June and all the little things that make this month special.
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And as always, we'll teach you some useful, natural English along the way.
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But quick question for you listening right now.
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Is June hot where you live? Or rainy?
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Or maybe it's even winter for you?
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Oh, that's true.
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For our friends in the south of the world, June is cold.
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Right.
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It's funny to think about.
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We're sweating and somewhere else someone is wearing a big coat.
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The world is a strange place.
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So tell us in the comments, what's June like where you are?
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We really want to know.
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We love reading those.
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Okay, Mike, let's start simple.
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What is June, basically?
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Well, June is the sixth month of the year.
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It comes after May and before July.
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Right in the middle of the year.
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Exactly.
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The halfway point.
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And for many of us, June is the official start of summer.
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Yes, and there's one special day in June that I really like.
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Oh, what's that?
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The longest day of the year.
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We call it the summer solstice.
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The summer solstice.
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That's a slightly difficult word.
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Can you explain it?
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Sure.
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The summer solstice is the day with the most daylight in the whole year the most sun.
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So the sun is up for a really long time.
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Exactly.
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In some places, it's bright for 16, 17 hours.
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Wow, that's a long day.
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You know, last year on the solstice, the sun went down so late.
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By the time it got dark,
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I, hmm, Mike, had already fallen asleep or have already fallen asleep.
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I always mix up those past tenses.
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Ooh, good one.
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Think about it.
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Two things in the past.
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One happened before the other.
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Which tense do we use for the earlier one?
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Hmm, the earlier action, before it got dark.
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So it's had already fallen.
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Exactly.
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By the time it got dark, I had already fallen.
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We use the past perfect, had fallen, for the action that happened first.
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The past before the past.
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Tricky, but it makes sense.
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It is.
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And after that day, the days slowly start getting shorter again.
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Already?
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But summer just started.
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I know, it feels unfair.
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But don't worry, it's a slow change.
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Summer is still long.
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Good, because I'm not ready to think about winter yet.
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Nobody is.
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Let's not even say the word.
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Ha, ha, ha.
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Agreed.
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And honestly, the long days change how I feel.
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I have more energy.
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Same.
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In winter, it gets dark at 4 and I just want to go to bed.
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At four o'clock? At four.
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It's still afternoon, but my body thinks it's bedtime.
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But in June, it's bright in the evening and I think the day isn't over yet.
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Yes, you can have dinner and then still go for a walk after.
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Exactly.
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The long evenings give you a second chance at the day.
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I love that.
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A second chance at the day.
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And the mornings, too.
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The birds start singing so early.
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Oh, the birds.
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They wake up at four, and they are so happy about it.
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Too happy.
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Sometimes I want to say, please, just five more minutes.
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Okay, let's talk about June weather, because this is where it gets interesting.
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Yes, and this is where you and I are going to disagree, Mike.
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Already?
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We just started.
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I can feel it coming.
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Tell me, do you like hot weather?
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I love hot weather.
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See?
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I knew it.
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What's wrong with hot weather?
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Mike, when it's really hot, I can't think, I can't move.
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But that's the fun part.
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You slow down, you relax.
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That's not relaxing.
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That's melting.
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Okay, but June isn't usually too hot, right?
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It's that nice warm stage before the real heat of July.
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That's fair.
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June is warm but gentle.
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Usually.
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Usually.
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But sometimes June surprises you with a heat wave.
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Ah, heat wave.
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Good word.
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Can you explain it?
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A heat wave is a period of several days that are very hot.
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Not just one hot day, many hot days in a row.
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Yes.
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We had a heat wave last June, and it was almost 40 degrees.
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40 degrees.
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That's too much, even for me.
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See?
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Even you have a limit.
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And during that heat wave, I remember I was so tired.
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I… Mike, do I say I got used to work in the heat or used to working?
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My brain just froze.
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Good one.
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After used to here, do we use the plain verb or the ing form?
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Hmm, I think after used to, meaning comfortable with, it's the ing form. So, working.
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Exactly.
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I got used to working in the heat.
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That little ing is the trap. So sneaky.
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Anyway, at 40 degrees, everything is just baking.
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Baking, good word.
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It doesn't mean cooking here, right?
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No, no bread involved.
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Baking just means very, very hot.
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It's baking outside.
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I can't stand it.
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Or don't sit in the car.
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It's baking in there.
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Oh, the car in summer is the worst.
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You open the door and the hot air hits your face.
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Like opening an oven and the seat is so hot you can't sit down.
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You do that little dance.
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Ah, hot, hot, hot.
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Everyone knows that dance.
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And there's another summer feeling, when it's humid.
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Humid.
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I was going to say that one.
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Explain it for everyone.
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Humid means the air feels wet and heavy.
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Yes, it's that feeling when you start sweating just standing still.
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It's the worst.
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It's so humid today.
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I need a shower already.
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And you just had one.
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Exactly.
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Humid weather doesn't care.
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Your shirt sticks to your back.
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Your hair won't behave.
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Ugh, the hair.
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On a humid day, my hair has its own plans.
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Nothing you can do.
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So when it's baking and humid, where do you go, Mike?
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Easy.
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I find some shade.
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Shade?
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Explain it for everyone.
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Shade is the cool, dark area out of the sun, like under a tree or under an umbrella.
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Yes.
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Let's sit in the shade.
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It's too hot in the sun.
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The shade is my best friend in summer.
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I move from tree to tree like a little animal.
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Have you noticed June weather can change fast, though?
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Hot all day, then suddenly a big thunderstorm?
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Oh, yes.
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Summer storms come out of nowhere.
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One minute it's sunny, the next minute it's pouring rain.
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And then 20 minutes later, sunny again, like nothing happened.
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June is dramatic.
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Okay, so we have warm weather, long days, sometimes a heat wave.
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What do people actually do in June? So much.
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June is when everyone starts planning a getaway.
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A getaway.
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I like that word.
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What does it mean?
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A getaway is a short holiday or trip, usually just a few days somewhere nice.
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Right.
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We're planning a little weekend getaway to the coast.
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Exactly.
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People want to escape the city, go to the beach, the mountains, anywhere.
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I love a good getaway.
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Even two or three days makes a big difference.
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In fact, if the weather's nice next weekend,
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I think I, hmm, will go or would go to the lake.
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When it's a real plan with a real condition?
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Ah, the first conditional.
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Think, is this a real possible plan or just a dream?
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It's real.
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It could really happen this weekend.
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So, we'll go.
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Exactly.
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If the weather is nice, I will go to the lake.
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Real condition, real result.
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And would go is more for dreams, right?
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Right.
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If I were rich, I would go every weekend.
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One day.
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Anyway, even two or three days away makes a big difference.
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It really does.
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You come back feeling like a new person.
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And the mood everywhere is just better.
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Everyone is in high spirits.
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In high spirits.
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Good phrase.
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Can you explain that one?
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To be in high spirits means to be happy and full of energy, in a really good mood.
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Yes.
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Everyone was in high spirits at the summer party.
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It's true.
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In June, people just seem lighter, happier.
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I think it's the sun.
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The sun puts everyone in high spirits.
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Probably.
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When I see blue sky in the morning, my whole day feels easier.
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Same.
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It's hard to be in a bad mood when the sun is shining.
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Well, unless you're stuck at work.
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Oh, that's painful.
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Sitting inside, looking out the window at the beautiful day.
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And the clock moves so slowly.
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You just want to run outside.
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The longest afternoon of your life.
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And listeners, here's a question for you.
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What's your perfect summer getaway?
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Yes, tell us.
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The beach, the mountains, a big city.
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For me, somewhere quiet.
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A small town, slow days, good food.
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For me, somewhere by the water.
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A lake, the sea, anything with water.
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That sounds lovely, actually.
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It is.
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There's something about water in summer.
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It just feels right.
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I agree.
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But you know, June isn't perfect.
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Wait, here it comes.
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The problem you mentioned earlier.
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You remembered. Of course.
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You said there's a June problem nobody talks about.
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Okay, okay, yes.
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Here's the thing.
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June can be a little stressful.
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Stressful?
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In what way?
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Because suddenly everyone has a packed schedule.
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A packed schedule.
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That means very busy, right?
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Full of plans?
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Exactly.
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A packed schedule means your calendar is full.
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Too many things to do.
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Ah, so in winter you do nothing, and in June… In June, there's a wedding, a birthday, a barbecue, a trip, all in one weekend.
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That's so true.
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Everyone saves their events for summer.
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And every weekend is full.
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You're never just home.
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I feel that.
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Last weekend, I had three parties.
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By Sunday, I was exhausted.
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I had, hmm, too much plans or too many plans.
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I always mix those two up.
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Ooh, good one.
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Think, can you count plans?
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One plan, two plans?
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Yes, I can count them.
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So it's too many.
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Exactly.
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Too many for things we count.
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Too much for things we can't.
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Like too much work.
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That's a useful one.
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Too many plans, too much stress.
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Perfect example.
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And then you start to feel restless.
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Restless.
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Good word.
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You explain it this time.
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Okay.
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Restless means you can't relax.
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You feel like you have to move, do something, go somewhere.
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Yes, when you're sitting at home, but your brain says, go, do something, summer is happening without you.
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Exactly.
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I felt restless all weekend.
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I couldn't sit still.
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I get that a lot in summer.
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There's so much happening, you don't want to miss it.
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But here's the funny thing.
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Sometimes I'm so busy having fun that I need a holiday from my holiday.
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A holiday from your holiday.
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That is so real.
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You go on a getaway, you do 10 things a day, and you come home more tired.
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And you think, I need to rest now from all that resting.
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Exactly.
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So honestly, sometimes it's okay to stay home and do nothing.
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I agree.
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You don't have to do everything.
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One good day is better than five tired days.
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Well said.
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Okay, but let's talk about the other June problem.
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There's another one?
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The heat at night.
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I can't sleep when it's hot.
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Oh, this is real.
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The room is warm, the air doesn't move.
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You flip your pillow to the cold side every two minutes.
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The cold side of the pillow is the best feeling in summer.
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It is for about 30 seconds.
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Then it's warm again.
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And you flip it back all night long.
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It's a battle you can never win.
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So how do you beat the heat, Nike?
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Beat the heat?
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Nice.
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That means to find a clever way to stay cool when it's very hot.
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Exactly.
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We went to the cinema to beat the heat.
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Cool air, dark room, perfect.
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Oh, that's a good one.
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For me, a cold shower and a fan.
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That's how I beat the heat at night.
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Smart.
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For me, it's a cold drink and ice cream.
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Ice cream is always the answer.
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Always.
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And in the day, I drink so much water.
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Cold water with ice.
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Good idea.
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People forget to drink enough water when it's hot.
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They do.
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And then they feel terrible and don't know why.
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True.
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So that's another way to beat the heat.
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Just drink water.
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Okay, before our quick review, let's do a little shadowing practice.
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Yes, this is the easy, fun part.
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We say a short sentence, and you repeat it out loud after us.
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Listen carefully.
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Copy the rhythm.
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Copy the sound.
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Ready?
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Here we go.
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It's very hot this week.
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Let's sit in the shade.
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I can't sit still today.
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Don't forget to drink water.
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I need a little getaway.
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Nice work.
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Try saying those again later today.
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The more you say them, the more natural they feel.
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Okay, Mike, I think we should do a quick review before we finish.
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Good idea.
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Let's go through the words from today.
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First, summer solstice.
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The longest day of the year with the most sun.
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Baking.
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Very, very hot.
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It's baking outside today.
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Humid.
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When the air feels wet, heavy, and sticky.
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Heatwave.
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Many very hot days in a row.
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Shade.
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The cool, dark area out of the sun.
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A getaway.
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A short holiday or trip.
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In high spirits.
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Happy and full of energy.
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Packed schedule.
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A calendar that's very full and busy.
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Restless.
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When you can't relax and you want to move or do something.
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And beat the heat to find a clever way to stay cool.
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That's a lot of useful words for summer.
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It really is.
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And you can use these with friends, at work, anywhere.
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Try using one or two this week.
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Even one sentence is good practice.
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Yes.
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Maybe text a friend, it's baking outside today.
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They'll be so impressed with your English.
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So, listeners, we have one more question for you.
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Yes.
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Tell us in the comments, do you love the heat like Mike?
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Or do you run for the shade like Sarah?
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I don't run.
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I just walk quickly to the shade.
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Sure, sure.
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So pick a side.
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Are you Team Hot or Team Shade?
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Write it down and tell us what June is like where you live.
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We read every single comment.
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We really do.
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And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Everyday English Academy.
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Give us a like.
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It helps more learners find us.
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Share it with a friend who's learning English, too.
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Thank you so much for spending part of your day with us.
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Keep practicing, keep listening, and enjoy your June.
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But stay in the shade, okay?
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Beat that heat.
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Perfect ending.
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Take care, everyone.
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Bye, everyone.
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you

Context & Background

In the podcast episode "How To Talk About June in English," hosts Sarah and Mike discuss the unique characteristics of June, a month that symbolizes the arrival of summer. They share their personal experiences of the season, highlighting the changes in weather, people's moods, and the vibrancy that comes with longer days. This engaging conversation provides listeners with an authentic context for learning English, as it reflects real-life situations and feelings associated with the month of June. Through this episode, learners can pick up natural expressions and improve their spoken English skills.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “It feels like summer.” – A phrase to describe the shift in seasons and weather.
  • – An expression often used to comment on the changes in the environment.
  • “People seem more relaxed.” – A observation about the mood of individuals during warmer months.
  • “The days are so long now.” – A useful way to discuss longer daylight hours.
  • “June is one of my favorite months.” – A great sentence for expressing personal preferences regarding time.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To enhance your English speaking skills using the content from this episode, follow this shadowing guide:

  1. Listen Actively: Start by watching the video or listening to the podcast without any distractions. Pay careful attention to the pronunciation and intonation of Sarah and Mike.
  2. Identify Key Phrases: As you listen, jot down the key phrases listed above. These expressions are commonly used in conversational English.
  3. Shadow the Speakers: Using a shadowing app, play the audio again, but this time, repeat what the speakers say immediately after them. This practice will help you improve your rhythm and pronunciation.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your smartphone to record your shadowing attempts. This allows you to compare your speech with the original. Listen for clarity, speed, and accuracy.
  5. Reflect and Adjust: Identify areas where you struggle and focus on those phrases in your practice. Engage in IELTS speaking practice with a friend to further develop your skills while discussing similar topics.

By incorporating this structured approach into your routine, and using a shadowing site or app, you can effectively learn English with YouTube while mastering conversational nuances that relate to seasonal themes like June. This method not only supports language acquisition but also enhances your overall communication abilities.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.