The Bardwell Road Centre Podcast

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in an English for Everyday Use language course at pre-intermediate level (G03) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Ahmed (U.A.E.)
Mengyao (Sunny) (China)
Jabir (Qatar)
Rashid (Qatar)
Roman (Ukraine)
Cristian (Argentina)
Miho (Japan)
Guillermo (Argentina)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: Geoff (the group's second teacher), gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script, i.e. spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on the teacher's Apple MacBook Pro computer with Apple's Garageband application and a Samson Meteor Mic. The Garageband jingle used is Vino. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Elizaveta and Isabela
Topic: Makeup

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about makeup. Elizaveta, from Russia, and Isabela, from Brazil, host the show. They chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Macarena (Argentina)
Isidora (Chile)
Pauline (Belgium)
Dimitri (Belgium)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)
Alessandro (Italy)
Quinten (Holland)
Stijn (Holland)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)
Girls
1. Do you use make-up? If yes, how often? How much time do you spend on it?
2. Who taught you to use make-up?
3. Do you think make-up is good or bad for your skin? Why? Why not?
4. Do you prefer basic make-up or strong?
5. How do you think make-up could be considered as fake beauty? Why? Why not?
6. Could you completely change your appearance with make-up?
7. Could you date a boy who uses make-up?
Boys
1. What do you think about girls who use make-up? Do you prefer girls with make-up or without?
2. Can you tell when the girl is using make-up or not?
3. Have you ever used make-up?
4. Do you know that every man eats 3 kilos or more of make-up during his life only by kissing? Do you like it?
5. If the girl with whom you fell in love is ugly without make-up, what would you do?
6. Do you think is it acceptable for men to use make-up? Why? Why not? What about famous actors and pop stars?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the GarageBand app and a Samson Meteor Mic microphone. The GarageBand jingle used is Greasy Wheels. After editing in GarageBand and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Macarena and Stijn
Topic: Alcohol

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about alcohol. Macarena, from Argentina, and Stijn, from the Netherlands, host the show. They chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

As a class, we had watched a BBC Horizon Science documentary "Is Ecstasy worse than Alcohol?", with expert testimony from scientists charged by the UK government to evaluate the relative harmfulness of the most commonly used drugs in the UK. This podcast is an extension of the discussion following that. Before listening to the interviews, please note that some of what you will hear is clearly intended to be "tongue-in-cheek" (ironic).

We hear interviews with:

Isabela (Brazil)
Yana (Russia)
Isidora (Chile)
Dimitri (Belgium)
Quinten (the Netherlands)
Elizaveta (Russia)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Do you like alcohol?
2. When did you start drinking?
3. How often do you drink?
4. Which is your favourite drink?
5. How many drinks does it take to get you drunk?
6. Have you ever vomited from alcohol? Why?
7. From what age is it legal in your country to drink?
8. Do your parents drink?
9. Do they allow you to drink?
10. Do you have bad hangovers?
11. How often do you go to the club?
12. What do you think about clubbing in oxford?
13. What do you think about binge drinking?
14. Do you know that alcohol is worse then marihuana for you? What do you think about that?
15. Alcohol causes serious brain and liver damage, what do you think about that?
16. Can you have a good night clubbing without alcohol?
17. Have you ever had bad experiences with alcohol?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the GarageBand app and a Samson Meteor Mic microphone. The GarageBand jingle used is Electric Rodeo. After editing in GarageBand and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Carolina and Dimitri
Topic: Sport

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about sport. Carolina, from Brazil, and Dimitri, from Belgium, host the show. They chose the topic prepared the questions (with the teacher's help), introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Stijn (Netherlands)
Isabela (Brazil)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)
Alessandro (Italy/USA)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

WATCHING SPORT
How much time do you spend watching sports? (Which one(s)? Why?)
How often do you go to live sporting events?
Do you prefer team sports or individual sports? (Why? Can you give examples?)
What's the most exciting sport to watch, in your opinion? (Why?)

DOING SPORT
Do you do any sports yourself? (Which one(s)?)
How long have you been doing it(them)? (How good are you?)

MONEY AND SPORT
What do you think about people like David Beckham that earn so much money from sports?
Do you think that they deserve to earn this money? (Why (not)?)
Are sports superstars born or made?

DRUGS IN SPORT
Do you know anyone that uses steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs?
What do you think about the use of drugs in sports?
How much of a problem is it in the sports you enjoy?
If you were an athlete, would you use such drugs?
Why do some athletes risk their careers by taking drugs?
Do you think performance-enhancing drugs should be legalised?
If an athlete is caught using drugs in the Olympics, what should the punishment be?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the GarageBand app and a Samson Meteor Mic microphone. The GarageBand jingle used is Fireside. After editing in GarageBand and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Emiliano, Florencia, Javier
Topic: Friendship

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about friendship. Emiliano, Florencia and Javier, all from Argentina, volunteered to host the show. They chose the topic, prepared the questions (with the teacher's help), introduce the show and interview their classmates.

Emiliano, Florencia and Javier introduced an interesting change to the format of the show. They invited all the guests to sit with them around a table and got them all to respond to each question, before moving on to the next. This was a very successful strategy, and created a show of great cohesiveness. Respect!

The guests are:
Gisella (Argentina)
Dimitri (Belgium)
Alessandro (Italy/USA)
Sol (Argentina)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1) Some people say they have a close friend that they have always met on the Internet (e.g. Facebook), but never in person. Is this possible?
2) Do you think that you can have many real friends or just a few?
3) Some people say that their best friend is a pet, e.g. a dog or a cat. What would you say to somebody like this?
4) What do you usually do with your friends to have fun?
5) Could you be close friends with someone who had very different political or religious ideas from yours?
6) Can men and women ever truly be "just friends"?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer using the GarageBand application and a Samson Meteor Mic microphone. The GarageBand jingle used is Island. After editing in GarageBand, Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) and Levelator (to equalise volumes between different speakers), the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Gisella, Macarena and Victoria
Topic: Students' cultures

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about their cultures. Gisella, Macarena, Victoria, all from Argentina, very kindly volunteered to host the show. They chose the topic prepared the questions (with the teacher's help), introduced the show and interviewed their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Arkadiy (Russia)
Javier (Argentina)
Alessandro (Italy/USA)
Maria (Russia)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)
Dimitri (Belgium)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1) How do you introduce yourself when you meet someone? (Do people usually shake hands when greeting? Do they kiss?)
3) How much body contact is socially acceptable? (When can people touch each other, if at all?)
4) Can you give any examples of special gestures used by people in your country?
5) What do (young) people in your country usually do for fun (entertainment)?
6) What traditional dishes do people eat in your country?
7) When you are in another country, do you try the local food?
8) Can you tell us about traditional music in your country?
10) Can you tell us about sports in your country? (What sports are popular? Can you describe any traditional sports?)
11) How do people in your country celebrate birthdays?
12) What do students in your country usually do after high school (secondary school)? Do they leave home or stay with their parents?
13) When you meet an important person, what do you do?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the GarageBand app and a Samson Meteor Mic microphone. The GarageBand jingle used is Fifth Avenue Stroll. After editing in GarageBand and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at upper intermediate/advanced level (G02) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Alessandro (Italy/USA)
Dimitri (Belgium)
Maca (Argentina)
Victoria (Argentina)
Gise (Argentina)
Flor (Argentina)
Maria (Russia)
Javi (Argentina)
Gabriela (Venezuela/Spain)
Sol (Argentina)
Arkadiy (Russia)

We would like to give a special thanks to Arkadiy for doing the intro and outro - and in front of a big class, without any noticeable nervousness!

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Vino. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Ana and Gabriella
Topic: Ideal people

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about ideal people. Gabriella from Italy and Ana from Spain chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). They introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Estel (Spain)
Serif (Turkey)
Micky (Hong Kong)
Medyan (Jordan)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. How would you describe your ideal girl / boyfriend or romantic partner? (Describe him / her.)
2. Tell me about your best friend. Describe their personality.
3. Can you describe your own personality?
4. Are romantic relationships between English people different to your own country? How?
5. When you meet a member of the opposite sex, what is the first thing you notice?
6. If you want to chat somebody up, what do you say or do?
7. Can you tell us about your funniest or most romantic experience (love story)?
8. If you don't want to talk to a person, what excuse do you make up?
9. If you could have dinner with Angelina Jolie / Brad Pitt, what is the first topic you would talk about?
10. In your country, how do you say: "You are very beautiful / handsome"?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Roll Credits. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Estel and Micky
Topic: Countries and cities

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about their countries and cities. Micky from Hong Kong and Estel from Spain chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). They introduce the show and interview their classmates. Micky also answered the questions.

We hear interviews with:

Ana (Spain)
Gabriella (Italy)
Micky (Hong Kong)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

YOUR COUNTRY AND CITY
Where are you from?
How far is your country from England?
Do you know what the population of your country is, more or less?
Is it easy for people to buy a house in your country? Is accommodation cheaper or more expensive?
What are some traditional dishes in your country? (e.g. paella, spaghetti bolognese)
What's your favourite (national) dish?
Are restaurants more expensive or cheaper than England?
Describe your favourite music from your country. How is it different from music in England?
Can you tell me about your language? How similar is it to English?
Can you give any examples of superstitions in your country?
What is the thing that you miss most from your country?
Who is the leader of your country? Do you support him/her?
If I go to your country, do you have any recommendations for places I must see or visit?
How do people spend the weekend in your country?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Dewdrops. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Tahar
Topic: Travel and holidays

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about travel and holidays. Tahar, from Tunisia, chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). He introduces the show and interviews his classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Gabriella (Italy)
Medyan (Jordan)
Charles (Switzerland)
Serif (Turkey)
Ana (Spain)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Travel and holidays
1. Why do you think people travel?
2. How much holiday do you think people need every year?
3. Do you prefer a relaxing holiday or an activity holiday?
4. Do you prefer to travel with your friends or your family? (Why?)
5. When you go on holiday, do you prefer hot or cold countries?
6. Where are you going to go next time you travel? Who are you going to go with?
7. What's the most beautiful place you've ever been to? (Please describe it.)
8. What's your best (or worst) holiday experience?
9. Has the airline ever lost your luggage? (What happened?)

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Travel! After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Charles
Topic: Music

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about music. Charles, from Switzerland, chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). He introduces the show and interviews his classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Serif (Turkey)
Estel (Spain)
Gabriella (Italy)
Micky (Hong Kong)
Tahar (Tunisia)
Medyan (Jordan)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What kind of music do you listen to?
2. Do you copy music on the Internet or do you buy it? (You know that it's illegal?)
3. Do you prefer listening to music on headphones or on loudspeakers (or the radio)?
4. For you what's the best thing to listen to music on? (An MP3 player, the radio, a CD player..?)
5. Did you go to any festivals? (If yes, what kind of music? If no, why not?)
6. Do you like singing? Where do you sing?
7. Can you sing your national anthem?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Electric Fire. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format. The photo was edited in Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Medyan
Topic: Drinking alcohol

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about drinking alcohol. (The class had previously studied this topic, along with smoking.) Medyan, from Jordan, chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). He introduces the show and interviews his classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Charles (Switzerland)
Estel (Spain)
Serif (Turkey)
Gabriella (Italy)
Micky (Hong Kong)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Do you drink alcohol? (Why? Why not?)
2. Do you drink a lot? (How much in a typical week, for example?)
3. Do you think it is good for your health to drink a lot?
4. What is your favourite alcoholic drink?
5. Do you like to drink with your friends or with your family?
6. Which do you think is better, drugs or alcohol? Why?
7. When did you try alcohol for the first time?
8. Do your parents know you drink alcohol?
9. How do you feel when you drink a lot of alcohol?
10. What is the best thing you have done when you are drunk?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Full Court Press. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Audacity. The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Jaz
Topic: Cheating in relationships

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about cheating in relationships. Jaz, from Mexico, chose the topic and prepared the questions (with the teacher's help). She introduces the show and interviews her classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Estel (Spain)
Charles (Switzerland)
Medyen (Jordan)
Chelo (Spain)
Adrien (France)
Ales (Spain)
Micky (Hong Kong)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Who cheats more: men or women?
2. Have you ever cheated on your partner?
- If yes: tell us about it!
- If no: Were you never attracted to another person? Have you always controlled yourself?
3. Has anybody cheated on you?
- If no: Are you sure?
- If yes: Are you the jealous type?
4. Could you forgive somebody cheating on you?
5 Can one person be in love with 2 people at the same time?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Greasy Wheels. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Audacity. The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at intermediate level (G03) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Medyen (Jordan)
Micky (Hong Kong)
Adrien (France)
Charles (Switzerland)
Chelo (Spain)
Jaz (Mexico)
Estel (Spain)
Ales (Spain)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. Thanks to Ales for recording the intro and outro! The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously. Well done to all for managing so bravely in this first, a bit scary, episode.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the application Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Pastel Slide Full. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Audacity. The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Kyung and Jiemin
Topic: Drinking alcohol

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about drinking alcohol. Jiemin and Kyung (both from South Korea) chose the topic and prepared the questions. They introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Alex (Italy)
Joon Bum (South Korea)
Bin Yao (China)
John (South Korea)
Ghanem (Qatar)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Have you ever drunk alcohol before?
2. Do you like drinking alcohol? (If not, could you tell me your opinion?)
3. What kind of alcohol do you like?
4. What do you think of drinking? (Advantages? Disadvantages?)
5. Have you got any funny or interesting memories of when you or your friends were drunk?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Motocross. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Joon Bum and Bin Yao
Topic: Food

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about food. Joon Bum (South Korea) and Bin Yao (China) chose the topic and prepared the questions. They introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Alessandro (Italy)
Ghanem (Qatar)
Jiemin (South Korea)
Noman (Libya)
John (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What is your favourite kind of food?
2. Have you ever eaten any strange food? (What?)
3. What food is typical in your country?
4. Are you good at cooking? (For example?)
5. Would you recommend some food for me?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Buddy. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: John and Noman
Topic: Films

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about films. John (South Korea) and Noman (Libya) chose the topic and prepared the questions. They introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Ghanem (Qatar)
Alessandro (Italy)
Kyung (South Korea)
Yan (China)
Joonbum (South Korea)
Jiemin (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What kind of films do you like?
2. How often do you go to the cinema?
3. Could you tell me what's the best film you've ever seen?
4. Who is your favourite actor, actress or director?
5. Could you tell me one reason why you like films?
6. What is the last film you have seen? What did you think of it?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Piano Ballad. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Alessandro (Alex) and Ghanem
Topic: Holidays and travelling

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about holidays and travelling. Alessandro, from Italy, and Ghanem, from Qatar, chose the topic and prepared the questions. They introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Salah (Qatar)
Jiemin (South Korea)
Noman (Libya)
Yan (China)
Kyung (South Korea)
Arnelle (Benin)
Joonbum (South Korea)
John (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What do you think about going abroad on holiday?
2. What is your favourite place to spend a holiday?
3. What do you think is the best period in the year to go away on holiday?
4. What kind of accommodation do you like on holiday?
5. Who do you like to travel with?

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Backbeat. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at intermediate level (G02) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Ghanem (Qatar)
Joonbum (South Korea)
Kyung (South Korea)
John (South Korea)
Yan (China)
Alex (Italy)
Jiemin (South Korea)
Salah (Qatar)
Arnelle (Benin)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Gleaming Short. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Donatienne (Belgium) and Young Soo (South Korea)
Topic: Clubbing and pubs

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about clubbing and pubs. Young Soo, from South Korea, and Donatienne, from Belgium, chose the topic and prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Camille (Belgium)
Yeon Hee (South Korea)
Talgat (Kazakhstan)
Francesco (Italy)
Saood (Qatar)
Eugenia (Italy)
Kubra (Turkey)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Clubbing and pubs

1. Do you like going out? Where? What kind of place do you prefer?
2. How often do you usually go out?
3. What kind of drink do you usually order or do you prefer to be a teetotaller?
4. Do you think you can't have fun at a party if you don't have a drink?
5. Do you parents agree with clubbing?
6. When was your first time at a night club or pub?
7. Have you ever been so drunk that you were sick?
8. Do you have a story or special experience about clubbing and drinking?
9. Have you ever met handsome men or gorgeous women at clubs and pubs?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Zone. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Sorry, there is no podcast this week.

Kubra, from Turkey, and Yeon Hee, from South Korea, chose an interesting topic (their classmates' own countries) prepared questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates.

Unfortunately, the sound quality of the recording was so poor that we can't publish it. This was my (Geoff Taylor, the teacher's) fault. It is a real pity, as it was a great topic, and some very interesting discussion resulted. So, please check out the class photo.

Camille (Belgium)
Donatienne (Belgium)
Eugenia (Italy)
Talgat (Kazakhstan)
Francesco (Italy)
Young Soo (South Korea)
Saood (Qatar)

Kubra and Yeon Hee's interview questions:

Students' own countries

1. What are the biggest differences between the UK and your country?
2. When you stay in another country, what do you miss most from your country?
3. If you invited foreign friends to your home, what food would you cook for them?
(for example, a traditional dish in your country)
4. What is the most popular place in your country? Why? (Is there any special reason?)
5. In your country, are there any traditional clothes? (Can you describe them?)
Have you ever worn these clothes? (Why / why not and when?)
6. Recently, the weather has been very cold in Oxford. How about in your country?
(Could you describe your country's climate?)

Please check our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

Presenters: Jacek and Simone
Topic: Social networking

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about social networking. Simone, from Germany, and Jacek, from Poland, in their final week of class, kindly chose the topic and prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Eugenia (Italy)
Camille (Belgium)
Young Soo (South Korea)
Donatienne (Belgium)
Kubra (Turkey)
Francesco (Italy)
Talgat (Kazakhstan)
Yeon Hee (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Social networking

1. Do you use Facebook or other social networking services like Twitter or MySpace?
2. When did you start to use it and why?
3. How often do you use [this social networking service] and how much time do you spend on social networking services?
4. Do you think that you are addicted to social networking services?
5. Do you have any local service similar to Facebook in your country?
6. How many friends do you have on Facebook and how many of them are your real friends in real life?
7. Do you put many private pictures and other data on your Facebook account?
8. Have you ever had any bad experiences with any social network service?
9. Do you protect your privacy?
10. So don’t you think that you should be more careful with the information you put on Facebook?
Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Redondo Beach. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Saood

Topic: Fighting and arguing

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about fighting and arguing. Talgat, from Kazakhstan, and Saood, from Qatar, chose the topic and prepared the questions. On the day, Talgat was absent, so Saood introduced the show and interviewed his classmates alone.

We hear interviews with:

Donatienne (Belgium)
Francesco (Italy)
Simone (Germany)
Young Soo (South Korea)
Kubra (Turkey)
Jacek (Poland)
Yeon Hee (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Fighting and arguing

1. Have you ever been in a fight or an argument?
2. When you were a child, were you aggressive or not?
3. What would you do if somebody said a bad word to you or teased you?
4. Have you ever seen one of your friends having a fight? (If yes, what did you do?)
5. Have you ever fought with your brothers or sisters?
6. Have you ever been punched without any reason? What did you do?
7. Have you ever had to kill somebody? (Have you thought of doing that?)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is Dustbowl. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Camille (Belgium) and Eugenia (Italy)

Topic: Personal relationships

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 (upper intermediate) class interview other students in St Clare's about their personal relationships. Eugenia (Italy) and Camille (Belgium) kindly volunteered to do the first student-led show of the course. They really used their initiative, working independently, to create an unusual and interesting show this week. They chose their own topic, prepared interview questions themselves, chose and interviewed "secret" guest speakers, and recorded the intro and outro sections.

We hear interviews with:

Mikkel (Norway)
Vincent (the Netherlands)
Philip (the Netherlands)
Yaron (Germany)
Felice (Columbia)

Interview questions: Personal relationships

- Do you have a girlfriend?
- Have you ever been in a relationship?
- What's your kind of partner?
- At what age did you kiss a girl for the first time?
- Do you think that you're a good kisser?
- Are you jealous in a relationship?
- Do you think that having a lot of relationships when you're young will affect your relationship with your future partner?
- If you meet a really cute girl do you prefer a friendship or a relationship?
- Do you think that beauty is really important in a relationship?
- Do you think that you're a good partner?
- Who're the most beautiful girls in St Clare's?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded by Camille and Eugenia on Donatienne's Apple MacBook Pro notebook computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Half Moon Bay". After a little editing in Garageband and Audacity, the audio volume was levelled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator).

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Talgat from Kazakhstan
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at upper intermediate level (G02) introduce themselves. Thanks to Talgat for doing the intro and outro!

We hear interviews with:
Francesco (Italy)
Donatienne (Belgium)
Camille (Belgium)
Kubra (Turkey)
Young Soo (South Korea)
Yeon Hee (South Korea)
Simone (Germany)
Jacek (Poland)
Eugenia (Italy)
Saood (Qatar)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen is Greasy Wheels Full. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Cyril and ZhaoLin

Topic: Hobbies and interests

In this show, adult English language students in GO3* class talk about their hobbies and interests. Cyril, from France, and ZhaoLin, from China, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Kohei (Japan)
Cai (China)
Saaod (Qatar)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

1. Have you got any hobbies? Why do you like it/them?
2. Do you have special hobbies in your country (e.g. sport, food…)?
3. How much time do you spend on your hobbies? And how much money?
4. Do you think it's good to have hobbies? Why?
5. What are the disadvantages of your hobby?
6. Would you spend more time on your hobby? Why?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Wild Card". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Daniela and Eun

Topic: Learning a language abroad

In this show, adult English language students in GO3* class talk about Learning a language abroad. Daniela (Venezuela), and Eun (S. Korea), chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Kohei (Japan)
Cai (China)
Saaod (Qatar)
ZhaoLin (China)
Nicolas (Columbia)
Cyril (France)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Learning a language abroad

1. Why did you come to Oxford?
2. Who decided that you should come to England?
3. What was your first impression of England?
4. What was the most difficult thing for you to get used to in England? 
For example...
- cooking for yourself?
- learning English?
- doing your laundry?
- making friends?
5. What do you think is the best thing about being abroad?
6. Do you think learning a language abroad helps to make you more experienced about life?
7. Do you think learning a language abroad is better than in your own country?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Stepping Out". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Angela and Kohei
Topic: Travel

In this show, adult English language students in GO3* class talk about travel. Angela, from Venezuela, and Kohei, from Japan, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Nicolas (Columbia)
ZhaoLin (China)
Cyril (France)
Daniela (Venezuela)
Cai (China)
Eun (S. Korea)
Alaa (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

TRAVEL
- Do you like travelling?
- How many countries have you been to?
- Which country do you think was the most beautiful?
- In which country did you enjoy yourself the most? Why?
- Which country was the most interesting for you? Why?
- In the future, where will you want to go?
- Do you have a favourite place?
- Where do you usually go in summer?
- Who do you prefer to travel with?
- If you travel with your family, do you enjoy it?
- How do you like to travel: plane, train, bus or boat?
- Which form of transport do you think is the safest?
- Do you think visiting other countries is interesting?
- Do you think getting to know other cultures from different countries is important?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is Acoustic Sunrise. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: A big thank you to Angela and Daniela for bravely volunteering to introduce and conclude this show.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at intermediate level (G03*) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Angela (Venezuela)
Eun (S. Korea)
Nicolas (Columbia)
Cyril (France)
Kohei (Japan)
ZhaoLin (China)
Alaa (Saudi Arabia)
Cai (China)
Daniela (Venezuela)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen is Pastel Slide. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

100th EPISODE ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION!!!

Presenters: Dohwan and Tai-Chang

Topic: Music

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about music. Tai, from Taiwan, and Dohwan, from South Korea, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates.

This was a surprisingly controversial episode, with a wide range of attitudes towards musicians and the culture of popular music. Dohwan and Tai's plan was to get some people to sing on the show, but all the guests were too clever for them, and managed to avoid embarrassment!

Dohwan and Tai prepared a special surprise guest interview, which is tacked on to the end of the show. And we hear Dohwan doing a sound-check in Korean…!

We hear interviews with:

Al-Jazi (Qatar)
Olivia (Belgium)
Yao (China)
Khalid (Saudi Arabia)
Coco (France)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Do you like music? (Why?)
2. What kind of music do you like? (Why?)
3. Some people think classical music is boring. What do you think?
4. Who is your favourite singer or group? (Why?)
5. Could you recommend an album or a song?
6. What do you think about UK singers or groups, for example, U2, Queen or the Beatles?
7. When do you usually listen to music?
8. Can you play an instrument? (If no, which instrument do you want to learn?)
9. When you were a child, did you want to be a singer or musician? Would you let your child be a musician?
10. Have been to any concerts? How did you feel?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Carousel". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

A big thank you to all the students, teachers and other guests over the years who have contributed to the show!

Presenters: Al-Jazi and Aicha

Topic: Experiences in England

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about their experiences in England. Aicha, from Tunisia, and Al-Jazi, from Qatar, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduce the show and interview their classmates. We hear interviews with:

Olivia (Belgium)
Cho (South Korea)
Coco (France)
Khalid (Saudi Arabia)
Yao (China)
Tai-Chang (Taiwan)
Dohwan (South Korea)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. How long have you been here in England?
2. What do you like to do in England?
3. What do you think about English people? (Are they selfish or kind? A lot of people say that English people are distant. What do you think?)
4. Do you like English food? (Is it tasty?)
5. What about the weather? Do you find it different from your country?
6. Did you find it difficult to get used to the culture here?
7. What is your favourite part of England?
8. What the most important thing in England?
9. Have you ever had any bad (or good, or embarrassing) experiences in England?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Acoustic Sunrise". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Cho and Yao

Topic: Food and eating out

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about food and eating out. Cho, from South Korea, and Yao, from China, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates. We hear interviews with:

Dohwan (South Korea)
Olivia (Belgium)
Ekaterina (Russia)
Aicha (Tunisia)
Tai-Chang (Taiwan)
Coco (France)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- What is your favourite food? (Please describe your favourite food.)
- What is your opinion of British food?
- What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? Did it taste good or bad?
- What is a typical meal from your country? Do you prefer your own country's food or other kinds of food?
- Do you cook? If yes, what food do you cook the most often? What is the last meal you cooked for someone else?
- Do you prefer to eat at a restaurant or at home? What restaurant in this city do you recommend? Why is it a good place? About how much does a meal cost?
- Are there any foods that bring back special memories for you? What are they?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Half Moon Bay". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Pixelmator.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Olivia and Khalid

Topic: What do you do at the weekend?

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about their weekends. Olivia, from Belgium, and Khalid, from Saudi Arabia chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates. We hear interviews with:

Al-Jazi (Qatar)
Ekaterina (Russia)
Aicha (Tunisia)
Cho (South Korea)
Dohwan (South Korea)
Tai-Chang (Taiwan)
Columbine (Coco) (France)
Yao (China)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

General
1. What do you generally do at the weekend?
- What did you do last weekend?
- What's your plan for next weekend?

Morning
2. Do you wake up early or late at the weekend? (Why?)

Evening
3. What do you do in the evening at the weekend?
- Which pub or dance club can you recommend to have a good time?

Work
4. Do you work more at the weekend or during the week?

Activities
4. Do you have a special activity for the weekend? Cinema? Restaurants? Tourism? Shopping?
- Do you go to the cinema at the weekend? Which movies have you seen recently?
- Do you often go to restaurants at the weekends?
- Have you ever visited anywhere in Oxford at the weekend?
- Do you go shopping at the weekend?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenters is "Buddy". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

In this show, adult students in a general English language course at good intermediate level (G02) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:

Khalid (Saudi Arabia)
Al-Jazi (Qatar)
Coco (France)
Dohwan (South Korea)
Aicha (Tunisia)
Olivia (Belgium)
Cho (South Korea)
Ekaterina/Kate (Russia)

A big thanks to Kate for volunteering to introduce and close the show.

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program GarageBand. The GarageBand jingle chosen is Dewdrops. After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using Switch Audio File Converter (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Anastasia and Miki
Topic: Food

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 class talk about food.

Anastasia, from Russia, and Miki, from Japan (and more recently, Sweden!) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Ludovica (Italy)
Miguel (Switzerland)
Thamer (Saudi Arabia)
Eugenia (Italy)
Salem (UAE)
Gulten (Turkey)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Where are you from?
2. What is a traditional national dish?
3. If you invited foreign people to your party, what would you cook?
4. Could you explain how to cook it or are there any special ingredients?
5. Do you like it?
6. Do you recommend it for us?
7. Why we should try it?
8. Could you tell us how most food tastes?

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the class is "Biscotti". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Ludovica
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in their 1st week of a general English language course at intermediate level (G02) introduce themselves. A big thanks to Ludovica for presenting the first podcast for this group!

We hear interviews with:

Miguel (Switzerland)
Jakub (Poland)
Salem (UAE)
Anastasia (Russia)
Thamer (Saudi Arabia)
Miki (Japan/Sweden)
Lorenzo (Italy)
Ludovica (Italy)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the class is "Lazy Days". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Alina and Katherina
Topic: Cinema and films

In this show, adult English language students in GO5 class talk about cinema and films. (GO5 is a general English course at pre-intermediate level at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Alina (Ukraine) and Katherina (Switzerland) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Charlotte (Spain)
Nasser (Saudi Arabia)
Frank (China)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)
- What kind of films do you prefer? (action, comedy, romance, drama, black and white)
- Do you prefer going to the cinema or watching DVDs at home? (Why?)
- How often do you go to the cinema or watch DVDs?
- Do you have a favourite actor?
- If you could be a famous person, who would you like to be?
- What film have you seen recently? (Did you like it?)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program GarageBand. The GarageBand jingle chosen by the presenter is "Pastel Slide". After editing in GarageBand and (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Frank
Topic: Hobbies and interests

In this show, adult English language students in GO5 class talk about hobbies and interests (GO5 is a general English course at pre-intermediate level at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Frank, from China, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Katharina (Switzerland)
Charlotte (Spain)
Alina (Ukraine)
Nasser (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- How do you spend your free time?
- Do you have any hobbies? Can you tell me about...?
- Do you like sport?
- Do you need any special equipment? Is it expensive?
- At the weekends, do you prefer going to parties, going to the cinema or staying home?
- If the weather is bad, how do you spend your time?
- If you go out, who do you like to go with?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program GarageBand. The GarageBand jingle chosen by the presenter is "Carousel". After editing in GarageBand and (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Charlotte
Topic: Holidays

In this show, adult English language students in GO5 class talk about holidays. (GO5 is a general English course at pre-intermediate level at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Charlotte, from Barcelona, Spain, chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed her classmates.

We hear interviews with:
Frank (China)
Ingrid (Spain)
Alina (Ukraine)
Nasser (Saudi Arabia)
Katharina (Switzerland)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)
- Where is your dream holiday?
- What did you do last holiday? (Where did you go?)
- Do you prefer a beach, mountain or city holiday? Why?
- Do you travel with a lot of luggage?
- What is important for you to take?
- Who do you prefer to go with?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program GarageBand. The GarageBand jingle chosen by the presenter is "Travelling Shoes". After editing in GarageBand and (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Katharina
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in their 4th week of a general English language course at pre-intermediate level (G05) introduce themselves.

We hear interviews with:
Frank (China)
Charlotte (Spain)
Ingrid (Spain)
Katharina (Switzerland

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a template script for the start and end of the show (the "intro" and "outro"), and a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the class is "Havana". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Aaron and Ivy
Topic: Money

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about money. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Aaron (China) and Ivy (China) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and took turns interviewing their classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Jin (South Korea)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Kate (Russia)
- Rodrigo (Brazil)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Mohammed (Yemen)
- Sheila (Brazil)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- Do you like money? Why?
- Do you like shopping? Why?
- For you, what is the best city or country to go shopping in? Why?
- How many hours do you usually spend shopping? When?
- What kind of things do you usually spend money on?
- Do you save money? Why? For what?
- If you won a horse race or the lottery, what would you do after you got the money?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program GarageBand. The GarageBand jingle chosen by the presenters is "Buddy". After editing in GarageBand and (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Apple iPhoto and Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Rodrigo
Topic: Plans for the future

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about their future plans. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Rodrigo (Brazil) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Aaron (China)
- Kate (Russia)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Ivy (China)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Daniela (Columbia)
- Mohammed (Yemen)
- Jin (South Korea)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Sheila (Brazil)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- Which university will you go to after you finish your course at St Clare's?
- Do you want to get married and have children?
- Which country would you like to live in in the future?
- Where do you want to go on your next holidays?
- Do you think the St Clare's course will help you in the future?
- What are your plans for the future?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenter is "Night Flight". After editing in Garageband and (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence) Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Kate
Topic: England

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about England. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Kate (Russia) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed her classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Jin (South Korea)
- Sheila (Brazil)
- Mohammed (Yemen)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Rodrigo (Brazil)
- Aaron (China)
- Ivy (China)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- What is your favourite place in England?
- Name three ideas [associated] with England.
- What do you think is the most difficult thing for foreigners living in England?
- Why do you like England?
- Has England changed your life? (Your habits, interests...?)
- If you could change something in England, what would it be?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenter is "Glide". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Sheila
Topic: Students' countries

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about their countries. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Sheila (Brazil) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed her classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Jin (South Korea)
- Daniela (Columbia)
- Kate (Russia)
- Rodrigo (Brazil)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Aaron (China)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Ivy (China)
- Mohammed (Yemen)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- Where do you come from? Where were you born?
- What traditions do you have in your country? What do you like best?
- What is your favourite place in your country?
- What do you normally do at weekends?
- What do you do in your place? Can you tell me about your job and/or hobbies?
- Do you have any pets at home?
- Is this the first time you have left your country? How do you feel (homesick, excited)? Why?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenter is "Havana". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for noise removal and deletion of unnecessary silence), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Mohammed
Topic: Music

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about music. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Mohammed (Yemen) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Sheila (Brazil)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Kate (Russia)
- Ivy (China)
- Daniela (Columbia)
- Jin (South Korea)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Aaron (China)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- What kind of music do you like?
- Who's your favourite singer?
- When do you like to listen to music?
- How many hours do you listen to music every day?
- Why do you like music?
- How do you like to listen to music? (On your iPod? On CDs? On your computer?)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle chosen by the presenter is "Wild Card ". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for automatic silence deletion), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Felix
Topic: Television

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about television. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Felix (Germany) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Jin (South Korea)
- Daniela (Belgium)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Sheila (Brazil)
- Mohammed (Yemen)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- Do you think TV is a good thing or a bad thing? Why (not)?
- Do you like watching TV? Why (not)?
- Why do you watch TV?
- How often do you watch TV?
- What kind of programmes do you prefer to watch?
- Do people in your country watch TV often or not?
- Do you like going to the cinema or watching a DVD at home?
- What kind of movies do you like?
- Tell me something about your favourite TV programme.

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Greasy Wheels". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for automatic noise and silence deletion), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Turki
Topic: Holidays

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about their holidays. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Turki (Saudi Arabia) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Felix (Germany)
- Jin (South Korea)
- Daniela (Belgium)
- Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
- Mohammed (Yemen)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- How often do you go on holiday?
- Where was your favourite holiday?
- Where would you like to spend your next holiday?
- Who do you prefer to spend your holidays with?
- Which country do you like to visit most?
- How do you prefer to travel? What's your favourite form of transport?
- If someone asked you to live in Oceania, what would be your answer?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Three Pointer". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for automatic silence deletion), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Hyo Kyung

Topic: Best friends

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about their best friends (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Hyo Kyung (South Korea) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed her classmates.

We hear interviews with:
- Jin (South Korea)
- Turki (Saudi Arabia)
- Felix (Germany)
- Mohammed (Yemen)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- Could you tell me about your best friend?
- What's his/her name?
- How long have you known him/her?
- Could you tell me what he/she looks like?
- What is he/she like as a person?
- Why do you like him/her?
- Could you tell me about your best memory with him/her?
- What do you usually do when you meet him/her? (Do you do anything special together?)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Glide Medium". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for automatic silence deletion), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Jin

Topic: Food

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about food (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Jin (South Korea) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
Daniela (Belgium/Columbia)
Turki (Saudi Arabia)
Mohammed (Yemen)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- If I go to your country, which dishes do you recommend for the first time?
- What about the typical taste? Is it salty? sweet? spicy?
- Do you miss your national food?
- Have you cooked your national food yourself?
If no, do you want to learn how to cook it?
If yes, does it help you to miss it less?
- What is the difference between your national food and English food?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "44th Street". After editing in Garageband and Audacity (for automatic silence deletion), the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and the file was converted to MP3 format using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Mohammed

Topic: How to improve your English

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about how they improve their English (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Mohammed (Saudi Arabia) chose the topic, prepared the questions, introduced the show and interviewed his classmates. Great work, Mohammed!

We hear interviews with:

Daniela (Belgium/Columbia)
Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
Jin (South Korea)
Mohammed (Yemen)
Turki (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

- How can you improve your English?
- What is the best way to study?
- Do you think studying in school is enough or do you have to work at home by yourself too?
- How many hours do you spend studying at home?
- Do you have any special way or technique for studying?
- When you study, where do you study? In a comfortable place or where?
- Do you think there is any kind of food or drink helpful when you study, for example, coffee, tea or chewing gum?
- Which skills are most important for studying?
- If you can't understand, do you know which skills you need to improve, or which skills are weak?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Ride". After editing in Garageband, the audio was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenter: Daniela

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult students in their 2nd week of a general English language course at intermediate level (G03) introduce themselves.

Thanks to Daniela for being so brave as to volunteeer to do the intro and outro of this first show.

We hear interviews with:

Jin (South Korea)
Turki (Saudi Arabia)
Mohammed (Yemen)
Hyo Kyung (South Korea)
Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
Daniela (Belgium/Columbia)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show: The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband, and a Garageband musical jingle added ("Electric Rodeo Short"). After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Khalil and Zafer

Topic: Comparison between Britain and students' own countries

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about the differences between Britain and their own countries. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Zafer (Saudi Arabia) and Khalil (Tunisia) chose the topic, prepared questions, introduced the show and interviewed their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Tatiana (Italy)
Mehdi (Tunisia)
Ana (Spain)
Antonella (Italy)
Nasser (U.A.E.)
Talal (Dubai)
Abdulla (Dubai)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Is it difficult for you to live here?
How long did it take you to feel good in this country?
Can you leave your country to live here in the future?
Where do you feel more comfortable: here in Britain or in your country? Why?
What for you are the advantages and disadvantages of life in Oxford?
What is for you the main difference between Oxford and where you are used to living?
How would you compare British food and the food in your country?
Do you feel there are any differences in prices between Britain and your country?
Do you feel people are more helpful here in Britain or in your country?
How would you compare the buildings in Britain and your country? (Are they older, more fashionable, etc?)
How does education in Britain compare to education in your country?
What do you miss most from your country?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Dewdrops". After editing in Garageband, the audio was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Ana and Antonella

Topic: Love and relationships

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about relationships. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Ana (Spain) and Antonella (Italy) chose the topic, prepared questions, introduced the show, and interviewed their classmates.

We hear interviews with:

Kamia (Angola)
Zafer (Saudi Arabia)
Khalil (Tunisia)
Abdulla (Dubai)
Talal (Dubai)
Nasser (U.A.E.)
Mehdi (Tunisia)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Have you ever been in love? / fallen in love with someone?
2. What does love mean to you?
3. Can you fall in love with a person who has a very different culture?
4. When you are looking for a girlfriend/boyfriend, what are you looking for?
5. Do you believe in eternal, ever-lasting love? Or love at first sight?
6. At what age do people in your country get married?
7. Do you think you can bear a long distance relationship?
8. Have you ever done anything really crazy for a girl/boy (who you loved)?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Sea to Sky". After editing in Garageband, the audio was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Kamia and William

Topic: Art

In this show, adult English language students in GO3 class talk about art. (GO3 is a general English course at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Kamia (Angola) and William (France) chose the topic, prepared questions, introduced the show, and interviewed their classmates, provoking a good deal of interesting exploration of the definition of what art is, and what it means to us. Well done, William and Kamia!

We hear interviews with:

Gabriele (Italy)
Ana (Spain)
Olly (Switzerland)
Antonella (Italy)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What kind of art do you like?
2. What do you prefer: sculpture, painting or architecture?
3. What are your favourite artists?
4. What's your opinion: can we live without art?
5. Do you think music is art? Why (not)?
6. What is art for you?
7. When was the last time you visited a museum or art gallery?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Newborn". After editing in Garageband, the audio was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult English language students in GO3, a general English class at the Bardwell Road Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, introduce themselves.

Thanks to Tatiana and Gabriele for doing the intro and outro.

We hear interviews with:

Kamia (Angola)
Gabriele (Italy)
William (France)
Antonella (Italy)
Ana (Spain)
Tatiana (Italy)

Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show was minimal. The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously. The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband, and a Garageband musical jingle added (the class chose the jingle "Stepping Out Short"). After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Nadia
Topic: Food

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about food. (GO1 is an advanced level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Nadia single-handedly chose the topic, prepared questions, introduced the show, interviewed her classmates, and chose the linking jingle. She did a very nice job, enthusing her guests with her warm chatty interview style.

We hear interviews with:

Klemens (Austria)
Eduardo (Brazil)
Tanja (Switzerland)
Nikolai (Denmark)
Carolina (Brazil)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Do you like eating?
What kind of food do you like?
What is your favourite dish?
Do you cook?
What about ?
Do you like...?
- fast food
- junk food
- English food
- pastry
If you were a prisoner with one last request, what would you eat?
If there were no consequences, what would you eat?
Do you prefer savoury (salty) food or sweet food?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Buddy". After editing in Garageband, the audio was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Klemens and Nikolai
Topic: The future

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about the future. (GO1 is an advanced level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Klemens (Austria) and Nikolai (Denmark) did an excellent job as guest presenters, preparing well beforehand. They chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle. We hear interviews with:

Saud (Saudi Arabia)
Tanja (Switzerland)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. What are your plans for the future?
2. Is there something you really look forward to?
3. Anything special you want to achieve or experience in your life?
4. Do you want a family? Children?
5. Where do you want to live?
6. What will happen when you die? Do you believe in an afterlife?
7. Who will win the US election?
8. Who will win the European championship in football?
9. Are you afraid of the/an upcoming alien invasion?

The last question refers to an ongoing class discussion prompted by a tongue-in-cheek essay (or presentation, I forget which) by Nikolai, in response to a task set by group teacher, Julie, about major problems facing modern civilisation.)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Sorry (again!) for the poor sound quality. We were recording in a different room, and somehow, instead of using our external microphone, which produces a nice clean sound, the computer chose to record with its internal microphone, which includes an annoying background hiss. Because of this, an extra (and rather too lengthy) interview, with second teacher, Geoff, has been left out.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Half Moon Bay". After editing in Garageband, the audio converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Saud and Tanja
Topic: Travelling and holidays

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about travelling and holidays. (GO1 is an advanced level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Tanja (Switzerland) and Saud (Saudi Arabia) acted as guest presenters. They chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle. We hear interviews with:

Klemens (Austria), who answers in a surprising, tongue-in-cheek way
Boris (Belgium), who balances warm sincerity with moments of inspired lunacy
Nadia (Switzerland), who is clearly a raconteur of personal anecdotes
Carolina (Brazil), who paints a marvellous picture of the life of a young person in Brazil
Nikolai (Denmark), who entertains with information about a sports-related weekend trip, plus some very strange conversation about extremely long-distance travellers!

Sorry for the poor sound quality in the first few minutes of the show. We forgot to turn off an air heater, which - unnoticed - got increasingly noisier.

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Do you like travelling?
2. What kind of travelling do you prefer?
3. What was a holiday you can remember well and why?
4. Do you prefer to travel with your family or with your friends?
5. Which holiday or journey would you like to repeat?
6. What was your worst experience when travelling?
7. Is there a place you'd like to travel to that you've never been to before?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.
N.B. Don't miss the special "bloopers" section at the end where we include our "out-takes" (= mistakes and general craziness)!

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Island (Short)". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Carolina and Ernik
Topic: Our families

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about their families. (GO1 is an advanced level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Carolina (Brazil) and Ernik (Albania) kindly acted as guest presenters. Carolina chose the topic and prepared interview questions for her classmates. Carolina and Ernik introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle. We hear interviews with:

Klemens (Austria)
Marie-Liesse (France)
Saud (Saudi Arabia)
Boris (Belgium)
Nikolai (Denmark)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

1. Do you have a big family?
2. How many brothers/sisters do you have?
3. If you don't have any, do you like being an only child?
4. If you do, do you fight a lot with your brother/sister?
5. What was the longest time you stayed without meeting anyone from your family? Did you miss them a lot?
6. Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
7. How do you like to spend time with your family?
8. Do you have any pets?
9. If you could choose any member of your family to see now, who would you choose?

Please listen to our discussion - don't miss the special "bloopers" section at the end where we include our "out-takes" (= mistakes). Add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used is "Getting Started". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Eduardo and Marie-Liesse
Topic: Our countries and hometowns

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class talk about their countries. (GO1 is an advanced level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Eduardo (Brazil) and Marie-Liesse (France) kindly agreed to be this week's guest presenters. They chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced the show, interviewed their classmates and chose the linking jingle. We hear interviews with:

Nikolai (Denmark)
Tanja (Switzerland)
Klemens (Austria)
Saud (Saudi Arabia)
Carolina (Brazil)
Ernik (Albania)
Boris (Belgium)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Which country do you come from?
Do you live in a small or big city?
What do you like most about your hometown?
What are the things you miss the most?
What is the weather like in your country?
What are the things you don't like in your country/hometown?
In what ways is your country different from England?
What are the most important traditions or annual celebrations in your country?
Is your country very touristic and why?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used are "Stepping Out". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult English language students in their first week of GO1 introduce themselves. GO1 is an advanced level general English course.

Thanks to Khalid and Klemens for doing the intro and outro.

We hear interviews with:

Boris (Belgium)
Carolina (Brazil)
Eduardo (Brazil)
Khalid (SA)
Klemens (Austria)
Marie-Liesse (France)
Nikolai (Denmark)
Saud (SA)
Tanja (Switzerland)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show was minimal. The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a list of personal topics. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband, and a Garageband musical jingle added (the class chose the jingle "Havana"). After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Fahad and Raed
Topic: Our hometowns

In this show, adult English language students in GO4 class talk about their hometowns. (GO4 is a low intermediate level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Fahad kindly volunteered to host this show and chose the topic of hometowns, which we had written about previously, and prepared interview questions for his classmates. On the day, Raed opted to co-host the show. Fahad and Raed introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband. We hear interviews with:

Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)
Mingke (China)
Byeong Cheong (South Korea)
Hakob (Armenia)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Where is your hometown?
How big is it?
What is it like?
What is the weather like?
What's it famous for?
What's the best thing about it?
Do you like living there?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingles used are "Half Moon Short" and "Half Moon Long". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Maria and Nader
Topic: Personal experiences

SUMMARY
This show follows last week's show, episode 66. In that show, students from GO4 interviewed students from GO3. In this show, GO3 students get their chance to interview students from GO4 about their unusual personal experiences. (GO4 is an adult pre-intermediate level general English language course and GO3 is an intermediate level class, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

PARTICIPANTS
Maria and Nader introduced the show. Nader and Abdulaziz chose the linking jingle from Garageband. GO3 students took turns to interview GO4 students. We hear interviews with:

GO3 students:
Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia)
Ali (Saudi Arabia)
Ali (Kuwait)
Aykut (Turkey)
Charles (France)
Maria (Spain)
Nader (Saudi Arabia)
Natalia (Venezuela)
Simon (Venezuela)
Tetsu (Japan)

GO4 students:
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Fahad (Saudi Arabia)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)
Mingke (China)
Raed (Saudi Arabia)
Vicki (Spain)

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, or answer them yourself, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

Food
What is your favourite food?
Do you like to go to fast-food restaurants?
Do you like cooking?

Unusual experiences
What is the most difficult thing you have ever done?
What is the most difficult thing you have faced in England?
What is the most exciting thing you have ever done?
What is the most disgusting thing that you’ve ever seen?
Have you ever met a famous person?

Travel
What’s the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
Which city/country do you most want to visit?

Relationships
Have you ever been in love?
Who or what is the most important thing in your life?

Future
What do you want to do that you have never done?
What do you want to be doing in 10 years time?

YOUR COMMENTS
Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

THANKS
Thanks to Maria and Nader for their excellent work in presenting the show, to all the GO3 students for the work they did preparing the interview questions before the show, and especially to GO3 class teacher, Jane Manning, for all her extra work helping her students to prepare for this show.

PRODUCTION
The show was recorded in the GO3 classroom, on GO4 teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Sea to Sky". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Sebastian and Vicki
Topic: Personal Introductions

SUMMARY
This show is a bit different.

In this show, students in GO4 class interview students in GO3 class. (GO4 is an adult pre-intermediate level general English language course and GO3 is an intermediate level class, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

PARTICIPANTS
Vicki and Sebastian introduced the show, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband. Then GO4 students took turns to interview GO3 students. We hear interviews with:

GO4 students:
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)
Mingke (China)
Sebastian (Columbia)
Vicki (Spain)

GO3 students:
Ali (Saudi Arabia)
Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia)
Aykut (Turkey)
Charles (France)
Maria (Spain)
Nader (Saudi Arabia)
Natalia (Venezuela)
Simon (Venezuela)

YOUR COMMENTS
Please listen to our interviews and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

THANKS
Thanks to Vicki and Sebastian for presenting the show, to all the GO3 students for agreeing to appear on the show, and to GO3 class teacher, Jane Manning, for allowing this madness to occur during her class-time!

PRODUCTION
The show was recorded in the GO3 classroom, on GO4 teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Night Flight Short" and at the end of the show "Night Flight Full". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Hani and Mingke
Topic: Food and drink

In this show, adult English language students in GO4 class talk about food and drink. (GO4 is a pre-intermediate level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Mingke and Hani separately chose various topics and prepared several sets of interview questions. On the day, the class chose the topic of food and drink. Hani and Mingke introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband. We hear interviews with:

Vicki (Spain)
Sebastian (Columbia)
Raed (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

What food do you like or dislike?
What kind of food and dishes do people eat in your hometown?
What do you think about English food?
Have you ever eaten or drunk something unusual? What?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Gleaming Short". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Sebastian and Raed
Topic: Our countries

In this show, adult English language students in GO4 class talk about their countries. (GO4 is a pre-intermediate level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Sebastian chose the topic and - with the class teacher's help on grammatical accuracy - prepared interview questions. On the day, Sebastian and Raed introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband. Abdullah recorded a terriffic solo vocal performance of Arabic song, but decided not to let it be published on the Internet.

We hear interviews with:
Mingke (China)
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Fahad (Saudi Arabia)
Vicki (Spain)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

What is the worst problem in your country? Why you think that?
If you could, what things would you change about your country, and why?
Do you like the political leader (president) of your country? Why / why not?
What do you miss most about your country?
What is better in your country than England? Is anything better in England than in your country? What? Why?
In the future, do you want to live in England? Why / why not?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "East Ender Short". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Abdullah and Vicki
Topic: Future plans

In this show, adult English language students in their second week of GO4 talk about their future plans. (GO4 is a pre-intermediate level general English course, at St Clare's, Oxford, UK.)

Abdullah and Vicki chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband.

We hear interviews with:

Mingke (China)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)
Sebastian (Columbia)
Fahad (Saudi Arabia)
Raed (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions included:
(If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or more of the speakers and note their answers.)

What are your plans for the future?
Which university will you go to after this course?
How would you feel if you won one million pounds?
Where do you think you will go on your next holiday?
What are you going to do when you arrive back in your country?
How many children do you want to have?

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Daydream". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks. This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Lucia and Vicki
Topic: Last holida (vacation)

In this show, adult English language students in their second week of GO4 talk about their last holidays. (GO4 is a pre-intermediate level general English course.)

Lucia and Vicki, best friends from Argentina, chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking jingle from Garageband.

A big thank you to Lucia and Vicki for a great job hosting the show! And farewell and good luck back in Argentina (they were only in the UK for 3 weeks).

We hear interviews with:

Fahad (Saudi Arabia)
Hani (Saudi Arabia)
Raed (Saudi Arabia)
Sebastian (Columbia)
Vicki (Spain)
Mingke (China)
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)

Interview questions included:

Where did you go on your last holiday/vacation?
What did you do?
Who did you go with?
What was the weather like?
Where did you stay?
Did you like the food?
Did you have any problems?

If you are listening in class, you could ask a partner the interview questions, then choose one or two of the speakers and note their answers.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. The Garageband jingle used is "Campfire". After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Fahad and Hani
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult English language students in their second week of GO4 introduce themselves. GO4 a pre-intermediate level general English course.

Fahad and Hani, both from Saudi Arabia, for this first podcast, bravely presented the show and did a very good job.

We hear interviews with:

Vicki (Argentina)
Raed (Saudi Arabia)
Sebastian (Columbia)
Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
Vicki (Spain)
Lucia (Argentina)
Mingke (China)

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Preparation for this introductory show was minimal. The group teacher, Geoff, gave each student a copy of a list of personal topics. Each student chose a few items for their interview. The students took turns interviewing each other, responding without a script - spontaneously.

The show was recorded in class, on group teacher, Geoff's, Apple MacBook Pro computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com). The photo was edited in Adobe Fireworks.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Nina
Topic: Smoking
Produced at: St Clare's, Oxford, UK

In this show, adult English language students in GO1 class (the highest general English class at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford) interview students in GO2 (the second highest level general English class).

This was GO1's "revenge" podcast, where they had the opportunity to give GO2 students a taste of their own medicine, after the indignities they themselves suffered in podcast number 59 last week, when GO2 students asked them so many unexpected (and frankly often bizarre!) questions.

But GO1 were mature about it all, and opted to keep to a single discussion topic: smoking. With the help of their class teacher, Mark Searle, the class brainstormed a set of interview questions before the recording session.

THE INTERVIEWS

Isabelle (the Netherlands) interviewed Bernard (the Netherlands)
Jill (the Netherlands) interviewed Laura (the Netherlands)
Antoine (Switzerland) interviewed Philippe (the Netherlands)
Mauricio (Brazil) interviewed Gabriel (Venezuela)
Nina (the Netherlands) interviewed Anne (the Netherlands)
Damien (Switzerland) interviewed Federico (Italy)
Jo (Norway) interviewed Philippe (bravely returning to the microphone for a second interview)
Niklas (Sweden/France) interviewed Cherlyn (South Korea)
Celine (the Netherlands) interviewed Gabriel (also bravely returning for a second interview)

Finally, at the request of GO1 students, the two class teachers, Mark (GO1 second teacher) and Geoff (GO2 second teacher), also had a turn in front of the microphone!

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on Geoff's Apple MacBook Pro, with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

Presenters: Rutger and Laura (both from the Netherlands)
Topic: Various personal (sometimes highly personal!) topics

In this show, adult English language students in GO2 (a high level general English class), interview students in GO1 class (the highest level general English class). Each GO1 student was interviewed separately by a student in GO2.

GO2 class brainstormed a set of interview questions before the recording session, and Laura typed them up. Unfortunately, for technical reasons, they couldn't be printed out, and the students had to improvise interview questions at the time. Rutger introduced the show and Laura did the outro.

We hear interviews with:
- Robbert (Holland)
- Isabelle (Holland)
- Jill (Holland)
- Jo (Joachim) (Norway)
- Nina (Holland)
- Celine (Holland)
- Seda (Turkey)
- Damien (Belgium)
- Mauricio (Brazil)
- Antoine (Switzerland)
- Niklas (France/Sweden)

Our thanks to them, and to their teacher, Mark Searle.

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, notebook computer (this time a new Apple MacBook Pro!) with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Apologies for the poor audio quality at the beginning of the show, due to a technical oversight at the start of the recording.

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Philippe and Federico
Topic: Music

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, towards the end of GO2, a general English course, talk about music and their listening habits.

Philippe (the Netherlands) chose the topic, prepared a set of interview questions, and distributed copies of the questions before the recording session. He and his co-presenter, Federico (Italy), interviewed their classmates, and introduced and ended the show.

We hear interviews with:
- Bernard (the Netherlands)
- Gabriela (Brazil)
- Geoffroy (Belgium)
- Anne (the Netherlands)
- Laura (the Netherlands)
- Cherlyn (South Korea)
- Gabriel (Venezuela)

Before you listen to the show, why not try to decide how you would answer Philippe's questions? Here they are:

----------
MUSIC

1. What kind of music do you like? (Why?)
2. Do you have a favourite artist or DJ? (Who?)

3. Do you prefer to listen to music on your MP3 player or on the radio? (Why?)
4. When do you often listen to music?
5. What does music do to you?

6. How do you get your music?
7. Have you ever downloaded music?
8. What do you think about downloading music?

9. Can you make music with an instrument?
- Yes? What kind of music?
- No? Would you like to play an instrument? Which one?

10. What kind of music do they listen and play in your country?

11. Do you often go to the nightclub?
12. Are the nightclubs in your country different than in Oxford?
13. Do they play the same music?
14. At what time do the clubs close?
----------

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Using a digital keyboard, Philippe, a proficient piano player, recorded part of the song "Guantanamera". In Garageband, the track was duplicated a number of times, each time the type of digital instrument being changed, and used as a linking jingle.

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Gabriela and Bernard
Topic: Traditional festivals

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, in their sixth week of GO2 (a general English course), talk about traditional festivals in their countries.

Gabriela (Brazil) and Bernard (the Netherlands), this week's presenters, chose the topic, prepared a set of interview questions, distributed copies of the questions before the recording session, introduced and ended the show and chose the linking jingle.

We hear interviews with:
- Rutger (the Netherlands)
- Cherlyn (South Korea)
- Philippe (the Netherlands)
- Sunny (South Korea)
- Gabriel (Venezuela)
- Emilie (France)
- Anne (the Netherlands)

Before you listen to the show, why not try to decide how you would answer Gabriela and Bernard's questions? Here they are:

----------
FESTIVALS

1 Which kind of festival is the most famous in your country? And when is it?
2 And do you like this festival? Why? Do you celebrate with your family and friends?
3 What is the historical origin of this festival?
4 Is it religious or has it got other significance?
5 In this festival, what kind of customs are there?
6 And what kind of decoration?
7 What kind of food do [people] eat?
8 What kind of presents do [people] give, if any?
----------

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Geoffroy and Rutger
Topic: Sport

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, in their sixth week of GO2 (a general English course), talk about sport.

Rutger, from the Netherlands, and Geoffroy, from Belgium, this week's presenters, were kind enough to choose the topic, prepare a set of interview questions, distribute copies of the questions before the recording session, interview their classmates, introduce and end the show, and choose the linking jingle. They did a very good job!

We hear interviews with:
- Anne (the Netherlands)
- Philippe (the Netherlands)
- Cherlyn (South Korea)
- Sunny (South Korea)
- Gabriel (Venezuela)
- Emilie (France)
- Geoffrey (Belgium)

Before you listen to the show, why not try to decide how you would answer Rutger and Geoffroy's questions? Here they are:

----------
SPORT

1 What kind of sport do you prefer and why?
2 What is your favourite sport?
3 Can you tell me something about your favourite sport?
4 What kind of sport do you hate?
5 What kind of sport do you like to watch on TV but don't want to play in real life?
6 Is there a national sport in your country?
7 What do you think of the football madness in England?
8 Do you know someone who is famous in sport? (A friend, relative or...?)
9 Who is your favourite sportsman and why?
10 What is the most frightening sport that you know? Would you like to try it one day?
----------

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Cherlyn and Laura
Topic: Movies

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, in their fifth week of GO2 (a general English course), talk about movies.

Cherlyn (South Korea) and Laura (the Netherlands), this week's presenters, did a very good job. They chose and researched the topic; prepared a set of interview questions; distributed copies of the questions before the recording session; introduced and ended the show; and chose the linking jingle.

We hear interviews with:
- Gabriela (Brazil)
- Anne (the Netherlands)
- Philippe (the Netherlands)
- Rutger (the Netherlands)
- Gabriel (Venezuela)
- Sunny (South Korea)
- Emilie (France)
- Geoffrey (Belgium)

Before you listen to the show, why not try to decide how you would answer Cherlyn and Laura's questions? Here they are:

----------
MOVIES

1. What kind of movies do you prefer? Why?
2. What is your favourite movie? Why would you recommend this movie?
3. Who is your favourite actor or actress? Why?
4. Can you tell us something about your favourite scene of all?
5. What is your favourite line of all?
6. In which movie would you like to act? Which character would you like to play?
7. Which recent movie do you think deserves an Oscar? And which actor or actress?
8. What is your favourite soundtrack?
9. What do you think is the most famous movie from your country?
10. Is there a typical kind of movie that you only can find in your country?
11. Which place do you prefer to watch movies?
----------

The show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Borja (Spain) and Emilie (France)
Topic: Blood sports

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, in their fourth week of GO2 (a general English course), talk about blood sports, and in particular, bullfighting.

Borja (on his last day at St Clare's before returning to Spain) and Emilie, this week's presenters, followed the - now standard - process of creating the show, and did a very good job of it. They:
- chose and researched the topic
- prepared a set of interview questions (coming up with good "open-ended" questions, designed to stimulate discussion)
- distributed copies of the questions (a day before the recording session - well done!)
- introduced and ended the show
- chose the linking jingle

We hear interviews with:
- Philippe (the Netherlands)
- Geoffrey (Belgium)
- Anne (the Netherlands)
- Sunny (South Korea)
- Cherlyn (South Korea)
- Laura (the Netherlands)

Before you listen to the show, why not try to decide how you would answer Borja and Emilie's questions? Here they are:

----------
What do you think about blood sports?
What do you think about killing animals?
Do you accept the argument when people say it is their culture?
Can you tell us about a typical blood sport in your country?
Do you agree with the blood sport of your country?
What do you think about bullfighting? And why?
----------

The show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Anne (the Netherlands) and Gabriel (Venezuela)
Topic: Bad experiences

In this show, adult English language students at upper-intermediate level, in their third week of GO2 (a general English course), talk about their bad (and good!) experiences.

Anne and Gabriel, this week's presenters, prepped really well for the show. They...
- chose the topic
- prepared a set of interview questions
- distributed copies of the questions at the beginning of the recording session
- introduced and ended the show
- chose the linking jingle (something dramatic to match the topic!)

We hear interviews with:
- Sunny (South Korea)
- Borja (Spain)
- Gabriela (Brazil)
- Philippe (the Netherlands)
- Cherlyn (South Korea)
- Laura (the Netherlands)
- Emilie (France)

Here are Anne and Gabriel's questions:
----------
Have you ever had a bad experience...?
- with animals
- with foreigners
- with death
- with public transport
- while abroad (on holiday or something)
- while doing shopping
- at school
What is the most horrible experience you have ever had?
----------

The show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK.

Presenters: Philippe (the Netherlands) and Sunny (South Korea)
Topic: Holidays

In this show, adult English language students in their first week of GO2 (an upper-intermediate level general English course) talk about their past and future holidays.

Philippe and Sunny, this week's presenters, did a grand job of preparing the show. Before the recording, they chose the topic and prepared a set of interview questions, which they distributed at the beginning of the recording session, to help their classmates mentally prepare for the interviews. Jointly, Sunny and Philippe introduced and ended the show, and chose the linking jingles. Great work, guys!

We hear interviews with:

Gabriela (Brazil)
Anne (the Netherlands)
Gabriel (Venezuela)
Borja (Spain)
Emilie (France)
Laura (the Netherlands)

Here are Sunny and Philippe's questions:

========================================
Philippe & Sunny
Questions for Podcast
Topic : Holiday.

LAST SUMMER HOLIDAY
1. Where have you been during the last summer ?
2. What is your happiest memory ?
3. A : How was the local food?
B : Did you enjoy their culture?

ST CLARE'S HALF TERM HOLIDAY
1. We have 1 week holiday in October, did you know that?
2. Do you already have a plan for that holiday?
3. Why do you want to go to this place?

IDEAL HOLIDAY
1. What is your ideal holiday?
2. What was your best holiday in your life?
3. What was your worst holiday in your life?
4. Which country do you want to visit?
============================

The show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Orlando (Germany)
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, adult English language students in their first week of GO2 (an upper-intermediate level general English course) introduce themselves.

Orlando, in his first podcast and last day at St Clare's, bravely volunteered to introduce and end the show, and chose the linking jingle - thanks Orlando!

We hear interviews with:

Gabriela (Brazil)
Cherlyn (South Korea)
Laura (the Netherlands)
Borja (Spain)
Gabriel (Venezuela)
Anne (the Netherlands)
Philippe (the Netherlands)
Emilie (France)
Orlando (Germany)

The show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Sunny (Shaorong) and Shaorong (China)
Topic: Best experiences while studying in the UK

In this special one-off episode, adult English language students on a general English course in the UK talk about their best experiences during their time in Oxford.

As part of a special afternoon class on practical computer skills, two students, Sunny from South Korea, and Shaorong, from China, created the materials for this podcast.

They prepared by
- listening to sample podcasts
- choosing the topic for their own podcast episode
- rehearsing interviews and
- getting to know the software and hardware tools needed.

They interviewed three students during their free time, and took photos of everyone involved, except Polina, unfortunately.

We hear:
Antoine (Switzerland)
Polina (Russia)
Sana (Libya)

Then in class Sunny and Shaorong prepared the picture of the people involved, to accompany the podcast, and started checking and editing the audio clips.

Afterwards, the teacher, Geoff, finished checking the audio clips, equalised levels, assembled the final podcast audio track, adding a punctuating jingle, and exported it as an MP3 file. This audio file and the picture the students had made were put up on the podcast feed.

What about you? What have been your best experiences in Oxford and the UK? Please listen to our discussion and add your comments on our blog page at bardwellroad.podomatic.com.

This show was produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Julio (Spain)
Topic: impressions of Britain

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about their impressions of Britain, and what they miss about life in their home countries.

Please listen to our discussion and leave a comment on our blog page.

Julio, from Spain, is this week's presenter. He chose the topic, prepared interview questions (with the help of class teacher Geoff), introduced and closed the show, interviewed his classmates, and selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show. Julio's classmates, Joey, from China, and Shayma, from the UAE, then interviewed him!

We also give a shoutout to our friends in Brooklyn, Richard Green's students. Hello!

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the file was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Joey (China)
Topic: crime and punishment, especially capital punishment

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about crime and punishment, and in particular, about whether they are for or against capital punishment (the death penalty).

Please listen to our discussion and leave a comment on our blog page about what the situation is in your country, and what you think.

Joey, from China, is this week's presenter. He chose the topic, prepared interview questions (with the help of class teacher Geoff), introduced and closed the show, interviewed his classmates, and selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show.

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the file was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Aziz (Saudi Arabia)
Topic: Smoking and the new anti-smoking law to be introduced in England on July 1st, 2007

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about smoking and discuss the new anti-smoking law to be introduced in England on July 1st of this year, 2007. Under this new law, smoking will not be permitted in public places. For more information, see this BBC News article, for example:
England smoke ban to start 1 July
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6196910.stm

A big hello to Ricardo Verde and his students "across the pond" (as we say) in New York City, USA!

Please listen to our discussion and tell us how things are in NYC and the USA generally! How many of you smoke? Has anyone given up recently? Is smoking permitted inside public buildings in NYC? How strict are the smoking laws in the USA? Do smokers respect the laws or find ways around them? What's your forecast for the new law coming to England?

Aziz, from Saudi Arabia, is this week's presenter. He chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced and closed the show, interviewed his classmates, selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show, and press-ganged his two group teachers, me (ex-smoker), Geoff Taylor, and Helen Brown (smoker), into service to get points of view from native Englanders!

A big thanks to Azo (smoker) and to guests Shayma (non-smoker), from the United Arab Emirates, and Suliman (smoker), from Saudi Arabia. A special big thank you to group teacher, Helen Brown, for agreeing to be interviewed, and for her refreshingly sardonic contribution!

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the file was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Shayma (United Arab Emirates)
Topic: Oxford restaurants and food

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about Oxford restaurants and food.

Shayma, from the United Arab Emirates, is this week's presenter. She chose the topic, prepared interview questions, introduced and closed the show, interviewed her classmates, and selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show.

A big thanks to her and to her guests, Aziz and Suliman, from Saudi Arabia, and Joey, from China.

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the file was converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenters: Natsupa and Tuptim (Thailand)
Topic: Holidays and travel

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about holidays and travel.

Natsupa and Tuptim, from Thailand, are this week's presenters. They chose the topic and with the help of their classmates, planned the show content, with each person volunteering a sub-topic to talk about. Natsupa and Tuptim introduced and closed the show, interviewed their classmates, and selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show.

Shayma, from the United Arab Emirates, talks about the country she most wanted to visit in the future.

Julio, from Spain, talks about a very scary incident that happened during one of his holidays.

Aziz, from Saudi Arabia, talks about the best place he has ever visited on holiday.

Suliman, from Saudi Arabia, talks about what holidays mean for him, and his worst ever holiday experience.

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Deniz (from Italy)
Topic: Cars and driving

In this show, adult English language students in an upper-intermediate level general English course in the UK talk about cars and driving.

Deniz, from Italy, is this week's presenter. He chose the topic and with the help of his classmates, planned the show content (which followed on nicely from class studies during the week), with each person volunteering a sub-topic to talk about. Dennis introduced and closed the show, interviewed his classmates, and selected the jingle used to link the sections of the show.

Suliman, from Saudi Arabia, talks about differences between car use in his country and the UK

Natsupa, from Thailand, and Shayma, from the United Arab Emirates, talk about getting a driving license in their countries

Joey, from China, gives advice on the correct way to start off from a parked position

Tuptim, from Thailand, talks about how her mother saved her from a near-death experience behind the wheel

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

This show is produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Presenter: Suliman
Topic: Personal Introductions

CONTENT

In this show, produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, UK, adult English language students in their first week of GO2 (an upper-intermediate level general English course) introduce themselves.

PEOPLE

Suliman, a new student, in his first podcast, bravely volunteered to introduce and end the show, and chose the linking jingle - thanks Suliman!

We hear interviews with:
Deniz (Italy)
Julio (Spain)
Natsupa (Thailand)
Shayma (United Arab Emirates)
Suliman (Saudi Arabia)
Tuptim (Thailand)

PRODUCTION

As usual, the show was recorded in class, on second teacher, Geoff's, Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Producers: Sofia (Portugal) and Thomas (Venezuela)

In this show, through a video photo slide show and voice-over, Sofia and Thomas present an overview of Oxford, the city of students.

The show includes introductions to:
- the origin of the city
- the universities
- interesting tourist sites

HOW THE SHOW WAS MADE...

Sofia and Thomas scripted the show with a sequence of photographs, mainly taken by Sofia (plus a few from Geoff, class teacher). They spent a lot of time trying to identify the different buildings in the pictures, working closely with a map of Oxford city centre. They also used other text resources for background information.

This show was made during class time, using photos and recorded voices, all edited in the program Windows Movie Maker on the students' own laptops, and exported as a .wmv (Windows Media) file at 320x280 pixels.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

Unfortunately, none of the students' video shows, all in .wmv format, seem to download on the podcast subscribers' RSS feed, but they seem to play correctly in a web browser like Internet Explorer or Safari, on both Mac and Windows PCs. Please be patient, as "buffering" seems to take a little while!

If your are using a Mac, and .wmv video files won't play at all, an excellent solution is to install the FREE Flip4Mac Windows Media Components for QuickTime software. You can download it from Microsoft at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx

In this show, we speak about a typical students' day in Oxford.

In this show we speak about:

* St Clare's accommdation.
* St Clare's school
* The weather
* St Clare's activities
* Adriana's work
* Night life in Oxford

HOW THE SHOW WAS MADE...

This show was made in Geoff's class. We used photos and recorded our voices. First Cesar speaks and after Adriana.
We used Movie Maker Program to do this show. Geoff teaches us every Thursday in computer class how can we use this.

Presenters: Eloisa (Spain), Nicolas (Belgium)
Topic: GO5 class tell about the life at school and after school.

In this show, we are going to speak about the life at school and the life after school.
- St Clare's,Oxford (GO5).
-In class, the hard working hours!!!
-Happy moments during the class.
-Parties after school.

HOW THE SHOW WAS MADE...
Photos and voice in Movie Maker.

Thanks to Geoff Taylor.

Quiz master: Nicolas (Belgium)
Topic: GO5 class play a general knowledge trivia quiz

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a low intermediate level, mixed nationality, general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, play a general knowledge trivia quiz, in multiple-choice format, in the style of a radio or TV quiz show, with a presenter, and two teams of contestants.

We didn't have traditional "buzzers" for contestants to sound, to indicate readiness to answer, so instead we used the classroom hole-punch machine. The strange sound you often hear after the question is read is contestants banging and whacking and sometimes fighting over this small metal device!

You can read the questions and choices below, but to find out the correct answers, you will have to listen to the show!

THANKS...

Huge thanks to Nicolas for volunteering to host this week's show. He adopted the style of quiz master, and did it brilliantly, delaying giving the correct answers to build tension exactly like a professional broadcast quiz master. His warm, humorous style added greatly to the fun atmosphere of the show.

Massive thanks as well to Bridget Doyle, GO5 class second teacher, for preparing the students with language before the show, and especially for designing the format (quiz show) of this week's show, and choosing the content. It was a really good departure from the normal show format, and the participants had a lot of fun.

HOW THE SHOW WAS MADE...

As usual, the show was recorded during Bridget's "3rd hour" class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the iLife 06 program Garageband 3 (http://www.apple.com/uk/ilife/garageband/). After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

In this show, two little audio "stingers" from Garageband are used to signify correct or incorrect answers. For correct answers, there is a triumphant drum roll (Comedy Drum Roll). For incorrect answers, a regretful whistle (Comedy Whistle). The jingle, again from Garageband, is Roadtrip.

THE QUIZ: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE / TRIVIA QUESTIONS

1. King Louis XIV was the first person to wear:
a) a wig
b) high-heels
c) false teeth
d) a false nose

2. Where does Indian Ink come from?
a) India
b) Pakistan
c) Japan
d) China

3. What is it impossible to do when you sneeze?
a) jump
b) hear
c) smell
d) keep your eyes open

4. In which country do people bump foreheads when they shake hands?
a) Tibet
b) Ireland
c) Afghanistan
d) Thailand

5. What couldn’t King George I do when he became king of England?
a) he couldn’t speak French
b) he couldn’t speak English
c) he couldn’t read
d) he couldn’t write

6. Which sport did the Chinese invent nearly 2,000 years ago?
a) a kind of golf
b) basket ball
c) fishing
d) swimming

7. What were the Oscars made of during the Second World War?
a) silver
b) paper
c) wood
d) plastic

8. Why was the corkscrew invented?
a) to open bottles
b) to pull out teeth
c) to clean your ears
d) to open doors

9. Where were croissants invented?
a) France
b) Scotland
c) Austria
d) Germany

10. What was Winston Churchill before he became Prime Minister of England?
a) a milkman
b) a teacher
c) a dentist
d) a Shakespearean actor

11. What was the yo-yo originally used for?
a) as a weapon in the jungle
b) as a game
c) as a measuring tool
d) to get honey

12. If someone “passes away” they:
a) leave
b) die
c) faint
d) fall over

13. If someone is “feeling blue” they are:
a) unhappy
b) painting the house
c) happy
d) angry

14. When you say that you are “broke” you are:
a) crying
b) you don’t have any money
c) disappointed
d) happy

15. When you are “over the moon” you are:
a) crazy
b) far away
c) on an aeroplane
d) very happy

Presenter: Gabriela (Brazil)
Topic: GO5 class tell true stories of their own bad personal experiences

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level, mixed nationality, general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, told true stories of bad personal experiences that had happened to them.

THE STORIES
- Nicolas tells how he and his cousin got into trouble when he was eleven
- Eloisa tells about a bad experience with a motorbike when she was fifteen
- Cesar tells about a bad experience with a microwave when he was ten
- Steven tells about a dangerous experience with his bicycle about ten years ago
- Sofia tells about a very distressing experience (especially for her parents!) when she was nine
- Gabriela tells about a frightening experience in a lake when she was fifteen
- Thomas tells about a disturbing experience outside his apartment

THANKS...
Thanks to Gabriela for opening and closing this week's show and for choosing the jingle for the show. Thanks as ever to Bridget Doyle, GO5 class second teacher, for helping the students prepare the content for the show.

HOW THE SHOW WAS MADE...
As usual, the show was recorded during Bridget's "3rd hour" class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Presenters: Thomas (Venezuela) and Eloisa (Spain)
Topic: GO5 class talk about their favourite things

In this show, Thomas and Eloisa, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level, mixed nationality, general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, interviewed their classmates about their favourite things.

We hear interviews with:
Steven (China)
Adriana (Brazil)
Cesar (Spain)
Sofia (Portugal)
Gabriela (Brazil)

THANKS...
Great big thanks to Thomas and Eloisa for their brilliant hosting of this week's show! Thanks too to Gabriela, on this, her first podcast, for choosing the jingle for the show. Lastly, thanks as ever to Bridget Doyle, GO5 class second teacher, for helping the students prepare the content for the show.

As usual, the show was recorded during Bridget's "3rd hour" class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Guest presenter: Andres from Spain
Topic: Special magazine program where students in GO5 class interview students in GO4 class

Short description:
In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level mixed nationality general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, interviewed students in GO4, the next level up (intermediate).

Menu of interviews:
- Adriana interviewed Andres (Spain) about Spanish bullfighting and nightlife
- Thomas interviewed Goran (Montenegro) about why he is in Oxford, his opinion of the teachers in St Clare's, the politics of Montenegro
- Adriana interviewed Yu (Taiwan) about differences between UK and Taiwan, especially food
- Nicolas interviewed Joseph (Venezuela) about differences between life in the UK and Venezuela
- Sofia interviewed Iva (Bulgaria) about advice for tourists to Bulgaria (where to go and what to see, what to eat)
- Eloisa interviewed Alexis (Belgium) about differences in life between life in the UK and Belgium, and his personal life
- Sofia interviewed Renate (Brazil) about how she chose what to study at university, and her plans after she graduates
- Eloisa interviewed Naho (Japan) about differences between the UK and Japan, and her personal ambitions
- Cesar interviewed Minki (S. Korea) about the most famous and popular sport in his country (the martial art, taikwondo)

Our thanks:
- to the students of GO5 for agreeing to the interviews!
- to Bridget Doyle, GO5 class second teacher, helped the students prepare the content for the show, and to Mark Jennings, GO4 class teacher, who helped manage the event.
- to Andres in GO4, who introduced and ended the show and chose the linking music.

How the show was made:

The show was recorded during Bridget and Mark's "3rd hour" classes on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3, and on Geoff's 4th generation iPod with a microphone attachment.

After editing in Garageband, the audio volume was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Guest presenters: Nicolas (Belgium) and Adriana (Brazil)
Topic: Ideal or Dream homes

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, talk about their future dream homes.

Nicolas and Adriana introduce and end the show, interview their classmates, and chose the linking music.

Bridget, second teacher, helped the students prepare the content for the show.

The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. Audio was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

As for the photo on this page, well, the students decided, for a change, that a picture of their teachers should be posted here, rather than one of themselves. So be it...

Next week we plan to interview students in GO4 class, which should be fun! We are also planning a special class video podcast, and hoping to produce personal video projects, in connection with the EVO Video 2007: ESL/EFL Student Video Production online workshop sponsored by the TESOL Video and Digital Media and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) ISs. (http://evovideo07.wikispaces.com/)

Guest presenters: Steven (China) and Nicolas (Belgium)
Topic: Comparisons between life in different countries

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, make comparisons between life in different countries.

Steven and Nicolas introduce and end the show, interview their classmates, and chose the linking music.

Bridget, second teacher, helped the students prepare the content for the show.

The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. Audio was leveled using the program Levelator (www.gigavox.com/levelator), and converted to MP3 using LameBrain (check at www.macupdate.com).

Guest presenters: Nicolas (Belgium) and Sofia (Portugal)
Topic: Traditional food and drink in different countries

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, talk about traditional food and drink in their countries.

Nicolas and Sofia introduce and end the show, interview their classmates, and chose the linking music.

Thomas talks about Venezuela
Antonio, Cesar and Eloisa talk about Spain
Adriana talks about Brazil
Steven talks about China
Sofia talks about Portugal
Nicolas talks about Belgium

Bridget, second teacher, helped the students prepare the content for the show. The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3.

Bye Antonio!

Guest presenters: Antonio (Spain) and Adriana (Brazil)
Topic: Future plans and predictions

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, talk about their future plans and predictions.

Antonio and Adriana introduce and end the show, interview their classmates, and chose the linking music.

- Nicolas talks about his personal plans after St Clare's, and about the future of Belgium's economy
- Sofia talks about the future economy of Portugal
- Thomas talks about the political and economic future of Venezuela
- Cesar (Spain) talks about the future climate and weather of the world
- Adriana talks about the problem of violence and drugs in Brazil in the future
- Antonio (Spain) talks about his personal plans after St Clare's.

As well as helping the students prepare the content for the show, the class's second teacher, Bridget, is shouldering a lot of the thinking about format and content. Thanks, Bridget!

The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3.

Apologies: The sound quality of this podcast is well below our normal high standard. I'm really sorry about this, because the content of the podcast is very interesting. Unfortunately, there was a low level "hiss" in the original speech recordings that I couldn't get rid of in post-production. (I think for some reason the external microphone didn't work, and we actually recorded on the PowerBook's internal microphone, which doesn't produce brilliant results.)

Guest presenters: Thomas and Eloisa
Topic: First impressions of Oxford and St Clare's

In this show, adult English language students in GO5, a pre-intermediate level general English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, talk about their first impressions of Oxford and St Clare's.

Thomas and Eloisa introduced and ended the show, interviewed their classmates, and chose the linking music - thanks guys. You did a brilliant job.

We hear from:
- Adriana (Brazil)
- Antonio (Spain)
- Eloisa (Spain)
- Nicolas (Belgium)
- Sofia (Portugal)
- Steven (China)
- Thomas (Venezuela)

The class's second teacher, Bridget, helped prepare the students to talk about the content of the show - thanks Bridget.

In fact the students were so well prepared on this occasion, and relatively so fluent and articulate, that the show took about half the normal time to record! And there were many fewer hesitations and long pauses, and people spoke up really well, so I had much less post production work to do. Thanks guys.

The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. Most post-production work was done at the weekend.

Note: This time, in post-production, I had a new piece of free software called Levelator from Gigavox Media. It is for automatically normalising differences in volume of speech. This is going to save me so much time, literally hours every weekend! If any Mac-based podcasters are reading, go to their website and try it out.

GigaVox Media, Inc. The Levelator
http://www.gigavox.com/levelator

Guest presenters: Cesar
Topic: Personal Introductions

In this show, produced at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford, adult English language students in their first week of GO5 (a pre-intermediate level general English course) introduce themselves to the listeners.

Cesar, a new student, in his first podcast, bravely introduced and ended the show, and chose the linking music - thanks Cesar!

We hear from some other students, new to the class and to podcasting:
- Adriana (Brazil)
- Nicolas (Belgium)
- Sofia (Portugal)
- Thomas (Venezuela)

We also hear from three experienced podcasters:
- Antonio (Spain)
- Eloisa (Spain)
- Stephen (China)

The class's second teacher, Bridget, helped prepare the students to talk about the content of the show - thanks Bridget! The show was recorded in Bridget's class on Geoff's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3. Most post-production work was done at the weekend.

On a different tack, this 30th show marks the Bardwell Road Centre Podcast's 1 year anniversary, as episode 1, an introduction to podcasting, was posted 366 days ago, on January 11, 2006.

Happy birthday, Bardwell Road Centre Podcast!

Guest presenters: Eloisa and Antonio
Topic: Student life in Oxford

In this show, adult students in GO5, a lower intermediate level general English class, interviewed students in GO4, an intermediate level general English class about student life in Oxford, and their own personal impressions and experiences in particular:

Katell interviews Murat
Eloisa interviews Shayma
Sang-Wook interviews Jun
Camille interviews Mohamed
Stephen interviews Cengis
Alexia interviews Amin
Victor interviews Willem
Goran interviews Sergey
Antonio interviews Julie Dyson (the second teacher)

Classmates and guest presenters, Eloisa and Antonio, introduce and end the show. Thanks to them for their good work!

Unusually, the show was recorded in the Dining Rooms at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, while other people were having dinner. This turned out to be a good strategy (tip of the hat to Julie Dyson, whose idea it was), as it got people involved, and was a lot of fun! (We apologise for the sometimes obtrusive amount of background noise during the interviews.)

Most interviews were recorded, as usual, on GO5's group teacher, Geoff Taylor's Apple PowerBook computer with the program Garageband 3, but some were recorded on Geoff's 4th generation iPod, with a Griffin iTalk microphone attachment, permitting interviewers to conduct the interviews where they wanted. As usual, post-production work was done in GarageBand 3.

Guest presenter: Katell Pensivy
Topic: Traditional festivals (part 2)

In this show, adult students in our low intermediate GO5 class talk about traditional festivals in their countries. The topic links to class studies about the festivals of Halloween (October 31) and Fireworks Night (November 5) in the UK.

Classmate and guest presenter, Katell, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, plus the group teacher, Geoff Taylor, who did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Guest presenter: Hyun-Jung (Maggie) Kim
Topic: Traditional festivals

In this show, adult students in our low intermediate GO5 class talk about traditional festivals in their countries. The topic links to class studies about the festivals of Halloween (October 31) and Fireworks Night (November 5) in the UK.

Classmate and guest presenter, Maggie, negotiated the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, plus the class teacher, Julie Dyson, and the group teacher, Geoff Taylor, who did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

This is the first of a two-part show on traditional festivals - the class is now too large to easily fit into a single show.

Guest presenter: Sang-Wook Chung
Topic: Traditional food and drink in the students' countries

In this show, adult students in our pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about traditional food and drink in their countries. Classmate and guest presenter, Sang-Wook, chose the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, plus the group teacher, Geoff Taylor, who did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Guest presenter: Yu-Tsung Chuang
Topic: Birthdays

In this show, adult students in our pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about their birthdays. Classmate and guest presenter, Yu, chose the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

As usual, the show was recorded in class, with all the students present, plus the class teacher, Julie Dyson, and the group teacher, Geoff Taylor, who took the class photo and did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Guest presenter: Victor Grégoire
Topic: Spare Time Interests

In this show, adult students in our pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about how they spend their spare time interests. Classmate and guest presenter, Victor, chose the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present and the group teacher, Geoff Taylor, who took the class photo and did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Here are the questions Victor prepared, from which his classmates chose the ones they wanted to answer:
- How do you spend your free time?
- Do you play any sports?
- What are you hobbies?
- What's your favourite band?
- Do you play an instrument?
- What is your favourite movie and why?
- How much TV do you watch per week?
- Do you prefer a particular TV show?
- What do you think about the wonderful tool which is the Internet?
- How often do you use it?
- Is nightlife important for you?

Guest presenter: Camille Renaud
Topic: Personal memories

In this show, adult students in our pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about their personal memories. Classmate and guest presenter, Camille, chose the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, along with their class teacher, Julie Dyson. The other teacher, Geoff Taylor, took the class photo and did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Here are the questions Camille prepared, from which her classmates chose the ones they wanted to answer:
- What's your best memory of holiday? And the worst?
- What is the most beautiful place you've visited? And the worst?
- Who is the most interesting or famous person you've met?
- What is the most expensive thing you've bought?
- What is the most expensive present you've received?
- What is your best memory of childhood? And the worst?
- What was the happiest day in your life?

Guest presenter: Alexia
Topic: Personal hopes, plans and ambitions for the future

[Note for Windows users: The audio should play OK in Windows now. I'm really sorry if you had problems before.]

In this show, adult students in our pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about their hopes, plans and ambitions for the future. Classmate and guest presenter, Alexia, chose the topic, prepared the interview questions, introduced and ended the show, conducted the interviews, and chose the jingle.

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, along with their class teacher, Julie Dyson. The other teacher, Geoff Taylor, took the class photo and did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Hello again from St Clare's, Oxford, England, after our long summer break! This term, we hope once again to provide a regular weekly show of student recordings.

In this show, adult students in pre-intermediate GO5 class talk about their impressions of Britain. For most of them, this is only their second week in England, so these really are just first impressions...

The show was recorded in class, with all the students present, along with their teacher, Julie Dyson. Julie had prepared the interview questions. As in previous shows, the students were allowed to choose half a dozen or so questions from all the questions on offer. The students took turns to interview each other, the order of speaking set by a draw of playing cards, and their other teacher, Geoff Taylor, took the class photo and did the post-production work in GarageBand 3, on his Apple PowerBook laptop computer.

Here are the interview questions prepared by Julie:

What do you think of...?
- Oxford
- British food
- the weather in Britain
- public transport in Britain
- night clubs in Oxford
- shops in London
- shops in Oxford
- prices in British shops
- the buildings in Oxford
- restaurants you have been to in England
- nightlife in general in the UK
- Oxford city centre
- driving on the left
- British pubs

Hi everyone

Just to let you know that we'll be taking a break for the month of August, as the show's producer, Geoff Taylor (me), will be on holiday then for 3 weeks.

We aim to be back in production at the beginning of September - so please hang on!

Take care!

Geoff Taylor
Teacher, St Clare's, Oxford, UK

Episode 20, July 14, 2006

In this show, we have something a bit different: live music by Tatyana Draijer, a Dutch student on the General English course at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre, St Clare's, Oxford. She sings three songs, two in English and one in Dutch, her mother tongue, that she wrote, accompanying herself on her guitar. She also talks about herself and her music in an interview section.

The playlist:
1. You're My Star (in English)
2. I Will Wait For You (in English)
3. Untitled (in Dutch)
These songs are copyright 2006 Tatyana Draijer, all rights reserved.

Thank you so much to Tatyana for agreeing to let us include her songs in the show, and for the interview.

The show is brilliantly presented by Woun, a general English student from South Korea, and a regular contributor to this podcast. A million thanks to him! The audience was Julia, a student from Russia - a big thanks to her - and Geoff (teacher), also at the controls of GarageBand recording software on his Apple PowerBook laptop.

We welcome contributions from other students in any area that can be pictured, filmed, recorded or described in words. Next!!!

Woun chose from the following interview questions:

What kind of music do you like to play?
How long have you been playing?
How did you learn to play?
Do you play in a group or just alone?
Have you played in public or recorded before?
How many songs have you written?
What are your songs about?
How easy is it to write in English - a foreign language?
Do you only sing your own material or others too?
Who are you musical heroes/heroines?
Do you have ambitions to have a musical career or is it just a hobby?
Have you ever tried busking?
Do you have any advice or suggestions for listeners who might want to start playing music/writing their own songs?

Episode 19, 23 June, 2006

In this episode, Geoff's new GO4 class introduce themselves.

We hear from:
Jairo (Columbia)
Goran (Montenegro)
Hyung Koo (South Korea)
Yong Bum (South Korea)
Sun Hee (South Korea)

Episode 18, 8th June, 2006

MAGAZINE-STYLE SHOW
We try a different show format this week: instead of all the speakers talking about a single subject or theme, different students talk about different things.

MENU
In this show, we hear from four students in general English class GO3, intermediate level:

Cosi (Switzerland) talks about the last book she's read:
Three Men in a Boat (To say nothing of the dog) by Jerome K Jerome, 1889
- You can read it online, for free, with pictures, here: Read online: http://www.forgottenfutures.com/game/boat/boat.htm
- Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Men_in_a_Boat) gives this summary: "Three Men in a Boat... is a humorous account by Jerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on the Thames between Kingston and Oxford. The book was intended initially to be a serious travel guide, with accounts of local history of places along the route, but the humorous elements eventually took over, to the point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages now seem like an unnecessary distraction to the essentially comic novel."

Yong (S. Korea) talks about a Thai restaurant he's been to in Oxford, the Bangkok House. Check out this link:
- Oxford Restaurant Guide: Bangkok House
http://www.oxfordrestaurantguide.co.uk/bangkok_house/

Alexia (Spain) talks about her visits to London, including Camden Market. Check out these links:
- The London Tourism Guide - a free tourist and visitor guidebook for England's capital city
http://www.londontourist.org/
- Time Out London - what's on: including music, theatre, film, restaurants, art, night clubs and exhibitions,tickets, maps and hotels
http://www.timeout.com/london/
- Camden Town, London "Famous market, lock and nightlife; the bohemian place to be and be seen"
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/about/placescamden.html

Woun (S. Korea) talks about the last film he's seen, Over the Hedge (2006)
- You can find almost everything you want to know about this film via the Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327084/
- Check out the movie trailers:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/overthehedge/

HOW THIS SHOW WAS MADE
Unlike previous shows, the audio was all recorded on an iPod with the Griffin iTalk microphone attachment. The intention was to have a quick, portable recording device, which it was. Apologies for the sound quality!

APOLOGIES/THANKS TO WOUN
Woun's first 8-minute interview didn't record properly, but he kindly agreed to repeat the interview. Thanks, Woun!

Episode 17, 29th May 2006

Our host this week is Min, from South Korea. He asks his classmates about why they are learning English, what changes they have seen in themselves, and what their plans after the course are.

We hear from Won, Cosy, Yong and Woun, all from South Korea except Cosy, who is from Switzerland.

How this show was made

We missed our normal Friday slot, and instead the show was recorded on Monday morning. That's why it's a bit late getting out - sorry.

Apart from that, the episode was produced pretty much as last week. Min chose a slow rock jingle to punctuate the show.

Episode 16, 19th May 2006

Our hosts this week are, from left to right, Yong (S. Korea) and Fred (Germany), and their topic is freetime activities.

They interview their GO3 classmates: Woun (S. Korea), Cosy (Switzerland), Sky (S. Korea), Tian (China), Won (S. Korea) and Alexia (Spain)

How this show was made

As before, the show was recorded on Friday, in the last 20 minutes or so of one of the morning lessons.
The presenters had planned the topic and a set of interview questions, and students were chosen to come up to the front of the class, and be interviewed by the presenters.

As before, the show was recorded and edited on the class teacher, Geoff's laptop computer, using Apple's Garageband 3 software program. After class, the presenters gathered with Geoff, and went through the recordings and made a rough cut of the show. When the students came to choose a jingle, Fred immediately suggested an audio clip from the film Star Wars III, which he had on his mobile phone, and that's what is used to punctuate the show.

Geoff tidied up afterwards and posted the audio file, plus these show notes.

Episode 15, 12th May 2006

Presenters: Alexia (Spain) and Won (South Korea)
Topic: what their classmates in GO3 miss from their home countries

Studying abroad, in a different country, has many advantages: you get to know a different culture, a different language, and make international friends.

But there is a downside, too. At the beginning, especially, you can feel like a stranger in a strange land. People here in this new country do things in different ways, which you can't easily predict; they talk in different ways; eat different food; listen to different music; and, in the UK, maybe drive on the wrong side of the road!

Sometimes, these differences are exciting. But sometimes, we can miss places, things or people that we are comfortable with in our home countries.

Alexia and Won decided to find out what, if anything, their classmates in GO3 general English class miss from their home countries. They interviewed:
- Min (S. Korea)
- Woun (S. Korea)
- Yong (S. Korea)
- Tian (China)
- Cosima (Switzerland)
- Sky (S. Korea)

Episode 14, 5th May 2006

Our hosts this week are, from left to right, Cosi (Switzerland), Woun (S. Korea) and Sky (S. Korea), and their topic is Summertown, a nearby shopping area

They interview their GO3 classmates: Yong (S. Korea), Fred (Germany), Won (S. Korea), Min (S.Korea), and Elex (El Nur) (Azerbeijan)

Links
Oxford City Guide - Map of Summertown
http://www.oxfordcityguide.com/maps/MapSummertown.html
The Oxford Guide - Summertown
http://oxford.openguides.org/wiki/?action=index;index_type=locale;index_value=Summertown
Oxford Restaurant Guide - Summertown
http://www.oxfordrestaurantguide.co.uk/summertown/restaurants/

How this show was made

As before, the show was recorded on Friday, in the last 30 minutes or so of one of the morning lessons. The students had just done a fun speaking activity, and so they were in a pretty good, happy, chatty mood.

The presenters had planned the topic and a set of interview questions, and students were chosen to come up to the front of the class in a random sequence, and be interviewed by the presenters, who sat together in a group.

Woun had just been to see the film Mission Impossible III, and he "sang" a little bit of the theme tune, as a joke, at the beginning of the recording session. When the students came to choose a jingle, Cosi immediately suggested using Woun's MI3 bit, and that's what is used to punctuate the show.

As before, the show was recorded and edited on the class teacher, Geoff's laptop computer, using Apple's Garageband 3 software program. After class, the presenters gathered with Geoff, and went through the recordings and made a rough cut of the show. Geoff tidied up afterwards and posted it, plus these show notes.

Episode 13, 27 April 2006

It's a new term for EFL students at the Bardwell Road Adult Centre at St Clare's, Oxford, and a new group of students who will be producing the Bardwell Road Centre Podcast.

This term, it is the turn of students in the GO3 general English class. They begin their podcast season, naturally enough, with brief personal introductions.

We hear from Ivan (Russia), Woun (S. Korea), Fred (Germany), Yong (S. Korea), Gab (Thailand), Cosi (Switzerland), Sky (S. Korea), Alexia (Spain), Won (S. Korea), Min (S.Korea), El Nur (Azerbeijan)

Please keep listening. In the coming weeks, we hope to have teams of students from this class planning and producing a variety of interesting shows.

How this show was made

The show was recorded in the last twenty minutes or so of two lessons last week.

Geoff started off by introducing the show, then each student was supposed to briefly introduce themselves. But it turned out to be better to do it as two-person interviews. Geoff started off by interviewing Ivan. Ivan then interviewed Woun, and each student in turn interviewed another student

From the hundreds of jingles available in the software used, we couldn't agree on one for punctuating this first show, so after class Geoff chose a jingle, edited and uploaded the show, and put in the show notes.

The show was recorded and edited on the class teacher, Geoff's laptop computer, using Apple's Garageband 3 software program.

The students in GO5 class say goodbye!

Many of us (including Geoff, the teacher) are on holiday now, until Wednesday 19 April. So there won't be a podcast from us for the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Thanks for listening, and see you after Easter!

Guest presenter: Martha from Venezuela
Topic: Students talk about their own countries

Martha interviews classmates on her pre-intermediate level course about their countries.

We hear from:
- Bo Yang (China)
- Abdul (Saudi Arabia)
- Angela (Spain)
- Azo (Saudi Arabia)
- Hy Emi (South Korea)
- Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
- Juliane (Brazil)

How the show was made
Martha chose the topic, and prepared carefully for the show, typing out in full her introduction, and inventing and printing out copies of questions for her classmates to choose from before they were interviewed. She chose a piece of music from the jingles in Garageband 3, and then the class teacher, Geoff, tidied up the recording, inserting the jingle as punctuation between segments, and published it with these show notes.

Guest presenter: Abdulaziz (Azo) from Saudi Arabia
Topic: sport

Azo interviews St Clare's students from a range of countries and class levels about their opinions and experiences of sport.

We hear from:
- wAzzy (a.k.a. Suliman, from Saudi Arabia)
- Juliane (Brazil)
- "G" (Holland)
- Abdul (Saudi Arabia)
- Alexia (Spain)
- Diana (Venezuela)
- Mohamed (Saudi Arabia)

How the show was made:
Azo, the guest presenter, chose the subject of the show, prepared the questions used, managed the interviews, and chose the music from the free selection in Apple's Garageband 3. The class teacher, Geoff, ran the technical side of things, recording, editing, uploading, and writing these show notes.

Guest presenter: Juliane Felicio, from Brazil
Topic: food and eating out

Juliane - you know her from GO5 class - hosts a show about a topic of interest to many students at St Clare's: food, and eating out in Oxford!

We hear from Azo (Saudi Arabia), wAzzy (a.k.a. Suliman, from Saudi Arabia), Zaur (Azerbeijan), Hyemi (South Korea), and Kyungwon (a GO3 student from South Korea - thanks for helping us out!)

How the show was made:
Juliane chose the subject of the show, prepared the questions used, managed the interviews, and chose the music from the free selection in Apple's Garageband 3. The class teacher, Geoff, ran the technical side of things, recording, editing, uploading, and writing these show notes.

Azo chose these questions:
- What is your favourite food?
- How many meals do you usually have a day?

wAzzy chose these questions:
- What is your favourite food?
- Which is your favourite restaurant in Oxford?
- In your opinion, what is the most important thing when you have a meal in a restaurant? (the cost? service? quality? amount of food? kind of food?)

Zaur chose these questions:
- What is your national dish?
- What's your favourite food?
- Which is your favourite restaurant in Oxford?

Hyemi chose these questions:
- What's your favourite food?
- Do you like fresh food, including fruit and vegetables? What kind?
- Do you like desserts? What kind of desserts do you have in your country?

Kyungwon chose these questions:
- What do you think is healthier - eating at home or eating out?
- Do you find any difference between your national cuisine and British food?

We are very sorry, but ­ because of illness of the technical support person (GO5's class teacher) ­ there is no show this week from The Bardwell Road Centre Podcast.

We hope to return to our normal weekly schedule next week.

Guest presenter: Bo Yang Zhu, from China
Topic: learning English (as an adult speaker of another language)

Bo Yang hosts a show that should be of interest to our local audience, in St Clare's, Oxford, and people in similar learning situations in other parts of the world, consisting of interviews with his classmates (pre-intermediate general English class).

Bo Yang chose the subject of the show, prepared the questions used, managed the interviews, and chose the music from the free selection in Apple's Garageband 3 (part of iLife '06). The class teacher, Geoff, ran the technical side of things, recording, editing, uploading, and writing these show notes. (Apologies again for a technical hitch, an unexpected humming sound, during recording).

We hear from Martha (Venezuela), Azo (Saudi Arabia), Yuliya (Russia), Suliman (a.k.a. wAzzy, from Saudi Arabia), Zaur (Azerbeijan), and Juliane (a new student from Brazil).

Here are the questions Bo Yang's classmates chose to answer (from a selection of questions written by Bo Yang). How would you answer them?
- Can you tell me some experience about you study English?
- Grammar, speaking, vocabulary and listening. Which part do you think is easy for you? Why?
- How long do you study English every day?
- How do you feel about your English ability?
- Do you think learning English is important?
- Do you want to take some exam in the future? Which exam do you want to take?
- Do you have some idea about how to learn your country's language?

This podcast is a special hello from Geoff's General English class at St Clare's, Oxford, England, to all the students in Richard's Basic Speech class in Brooklyn, NYC.!

We listened to your podcast, and watched the video you made. Thank you! This is our reply to you. (Geoff brought in his video camera to make a video message, but some of us were too shy to be on video, so we did it just as an audio message.) To see what we look like, please see the picture of us on the show notes for this podcast at http://bardwellroad.podomatic.com

Guest presenter: Angela Vilarino
Topic: Valentine's Day, love and marriage.

Angela hosts a very topical show, consisting of interviews with her classmates (pre-intermediate general English class), linked to the day of the year in many countries traditionally connected to love and romance, St Valentine's Day, February 14.

Here are the questions that Angela's classmates chose to answer (from a large selection of questions written by Angela). How would you answer them?
- How do you celebrate St Valentine's Day in your country?
- What kind of presents do you get/give on St Valentine's Day?
- Do you remember your first girl/boyfriend?
- How old were you when you had your first girl/boyfriend?
- Do you you remember your first kiss?
- Do you have a girl/boyfriend?
- Are you in love (now)?
- Can you tell us about marriage in your country?

We hear from Ahmed (Saudi Arabia), Suliman (Saudi Arabia), Hyemi (South Korea), Boyang (China), Martha (Venezuela), Azo (Saudi Arabia), Abdul (Saudi Arabia), and Yuliya (a new student from Russia).

Guest presenter: Hyemi Kim (South Korea) in GO5 (pre-intermediate)
Guest class: General English GO2 (upper intermediate/ advanced)
Topic: Hyemi interviews students in GO2 class about films and cinema.
Hyemi prepared for the show by choosing the topic, preparing a scripted "intro" and "outro", and writing a number of conversation-starting questions, from which they were to choose two or three questions that they were happy to talk about.
We hear from:
Miwako - Japan
Marcello - Italy
Manuela - Spain
Cristina - Venezuela
Matias - Argentina
Javier - Spain
Roger - Holland
Kiyo - Japan
Hyemi majored in acting and drama (she graduated last year), and has worked as an actress, and a TV reporter for Sky News! She supplied us with a photo from her portfolio, in which she looks very glamorous. We'll be able to say we knew her before she got really famous.
Apologies from Geoff Taylor, publisher and technical assistant, about the poor sound quality on this episode. This is totally my fault. I forgot to check the audio settings, and discovered only after most of the interviews had been recorded that instead of recording via the external microphone, it was recording via my laptop's internal microphone. A lot of post-production work has salvaged most of the interviews, but the quality is poor. I'll remember next time!

Guest producer: Melanie Ruth Camsen
Melanie gets students in GO5 class to comment on Oxford nightlife. We hear from:
- Angela (Spain)
- Hyemi (South Korea)
- Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia)
- Zaur ( a new student from Azerbaijan)
- Marta (a new student from Venezuela)
- Boyang (China)
Also, it was Melanie's birthday yesterday (Thursday). We went to a café to have a small class party, and some recorded comments on the teacher's iPod. We hear from:
- Suliman (Saudi Arabia)
- Geoff (the teacher, UK)
- Hyemi (South Korea)
- and Suliman once again
Thanks and bye Melanie, come back soon!

Can you guess what Anne Fox in Denmark misses most about British food?
Listen and find out!

(This audio message continues the theme of food that started in a previous episode of The Bardwell Road Centre Podcast.)
[Anne Fox very kindly sent this as a voice mail message to The Bardwell Road Centre Podcast]

Guest producer: José Noceda Sanchez
José got his fellow classmates in GO5 class to talk about how they spent last weekend
Melanie
Aziz
Angela
Hyemi
Boyang

General English class GO5 introduce themselves. We hear from:
Angela
Aziz
Boyang
Melanie
Hyemi
Abdul
José

Welcome to the Bardwell Road Centre Podcast, the podcast for English language students at St Clare's, Oxford, by English language students at St Clare's, Oxford

In first this show, Geoff Taylor, English language teacher at St Clare's, Oxford, introduces the idea of podcasting:
•What is a podcast?
•How can podcasting help my English?
•How can I listen to a podcast?
•How can I make a podcast?

Welcome to the Bardwell Road Centre Podcast, the podcast for English language students at St Clare's, Oxford, by English language students at St Clare's, Oxford

In first this show, Geoff Taylor, English language teacher at St Clare's, Oxford, introduces the idea of podcasting:
•What is a podcast?
•How can podcasting help my English?
•How can I listen to a podcast?
•How can I make a podcast?