Learn
Watch & LearnLearning Paths
English for Daily LifeEnglish for Social ConnectionEnglish for WorkVOA English
Words and Their StoriesRelationships & Dating
Download my free e-book: "5 Steps To Becoming A Confident English Speaker" http://www.speakenglishwithvanessa.com/ebook
Vanessa introduces a conversation with the RealLife English hosts about politics, understanding people, and becoming a global citizen. The discussion explores how people can open their minds to perspectives that differ from their own. It also considers whether social media helps or harms understanding. Rather than presenting the conversation as a list of fixed answers, the lesson uses a dialogue to model how people exchange ideas and explain their reasoning.
The hosts discuss listening to podcasts and watching videos as natural ways to learn English. Their conversation gives learners exposure to multiple voices, opinions, and speaking styles. Vanessa invites viewers to notice expressions and reflect on how speakers respond when they disagree. The purpose is both language practice and thoughtful engagement with ideas, not memorizing one speaker’s opinion as the correct view.
“Open our minds” means become willing to consider ideas or experiences beyond what we already believe. “Pretty different from” means noticeably unlike someone or something. “Take a look at” invites someone to examine an example or topic. “Have a special surprise” introduces something unexpected and positive. “A fun, natural, convenient way” describes a method that is enjoyable, realistic, and easy to access. “Listen to the podcast version” directs a learner to an audio adaptation of the conversation.
These phrases are useful when discussing culture, learning, and different viewpoints. Someone can say, “I’m trying to open my mind to another perspective,” or “Her experience is pretty different from mine.” It is respectful to ask questions and summarize what another person means before responding. Being open-minded does not require agreeing with every claim; it means considering ideas fairly and checking evidence.
The lesson’s longer format allows learners to hear a sustained conversation. They can listen to a short section, write down one useful phrase, and summarize the point in their own words. If a topic feels sensitive, learners can focus on the language and communication strategy rather than adopting the example opinion. A podcast version may offer another way to revisit the discussion.
For practice, describe one idea you learned from someone with a different background. Use a phrase such as “pretty different from” to compare experiences without making a broad generalization. This combines language learning with curiosity and respectful conversation.
0 qualified plays 0 unique learners 0.0 hours watched 0 completed
Only playback on RealTalkBridge counts. A random first-party identifier deduplicates returning visitors; no IP address is stored. Country labels appear only when at least five distinct learners are represented.
Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding.
hi I'm Vanessa from speak englishwith vanessa today I have a for you you're going to see a conversation between myself and the real life English guys we had a conversation on Google Hangouts and I want to show
Try it: Describe one respectful way to learn from someone whose background or opinion differs from yours.
Phrase cheat sheet
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
Something unexpected that is presented as a pleasant or notable extra.
Tone and use: Friendly and positive. Use it to introduce an unexpected addition.
May not fit: “Surprise” can be positive or negative; “special” frames it positively.
Example“The guest interview was a special surprise in the lesson.”
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
Become willing to consider ideas or experiences beyond what we already believe.
Tone and use: Common and reflective. Use it when encouraging curiosity about different perspectives.
May not fit: It means consider ideas, not accept every claim without evidence.
Example“Travel can open our minds to other ways of living.”
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
Noticeably unlike someone or something.
Tone and use: Conversational and informal. Use it to compare experiences, opinions, or situations.
May not fit: “Pretty” is an informal degree word; “quite different” is more neutral.
Example“Her school experience was pretty different from mine.”
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
Examine or consider something, often briefly.
Tone and use: Friendly and common. Use it to direct attention to an example or topic.
May not fit: Tone determines whether it is an invitation or an instruction.
Example“Let’s take a look at how the speakers explain their views.”
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
Playing and paying attention to spoken audio programs.
Tone and use: Neutral activity phrase. Use it when describing an audio-based learning routine.
May not fit: Choose material at a level and topic that you can follow.
Example“Listening to podcasts helps me practise English during a walk.”
Introduces a conversation about global citizenship and understanding. · expression
The audio adaptation of the video conversation.
Tone and use: Neutral descriptive phrase. Use it when referring to an audio edition of a video.
May not fit: It may not include the same visual material as the video.
Example“I listened to the podcast version of this video on my commute.”
Knowledge check
Use it in a sentence · “listening to podcasts”