English Speeches' Newsletter #16

Hello, English Speeches community!

Warm greetings and welcome to the 16th edition of the English Speeches Newsletter! As our community continues to flourish, our unwavering commitment to aiding your English-language journey shines brighter than ever. This week's edition is brimming with fresh insights and captivating content, meticulously tailored to enhance your learning experience.

Here's a preview of what you can expect:

• Dive into a gripping exploration of the world's most liveable cities for 2023. We'll delve into the factors that make a city stand out, from its rich history to its modern-day amenities, ensuring you stay informed while enhancing your English comprehension skills.
  

• Get ready to unravel the mysteries of phrasal verbs in English. This enlightening segment promises to challenge your perspectives and stimulate your intellectual curiosity, offering a reading experience that's both enlightening and engaging.
  

• Embark on an immersive journey with a heartfelt speech by Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. From its profound messages to its intricate linguistic nuances, this section promises a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience.
  

• Discover the beauty of language with our spotlight on vocabulary from Rishi Sunak's interview. Whether you're aiming to expand your vocabulary or gain insights into the world of politics and leadership, this section has something special in store for you.

And there's so much more to explore...

With this 16th edition, we've curated content that is both informative and inspiring, designed to ignite your passion for the English language. Your progress and feedback are paramount to us, and we eagerly await your thoughts and suggestions. Together, let's make this English learning journey memorable and rewarding. Dive in, and happy reading! 😊

↳ ENGLISH WITH NEWS

The World's Most Liveable Cities for 2023

This week, we delve into the cities that have been ranked as the most liveable in the world for 2023 by the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index. The index, which evaluates 173 cities on factors like stability and healthcare, has shown a 15-year peak in liveability, driven by advancements in regions like Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Despite global challenges, Vienna, Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver, Osaka, and Auckland stand out for their unique attributes, from rich history to affordability.

Key Words:

• Liveability (noun): The suitability of a place for living in; quality of life.
  

• Index (noun): An indicator or measure of something.
  

• Stability (noun): The state of being stable; not easily changed or affected.
  

• Infrastructure (noun): The basic systems and services that are necessary for a country or an organization to run smoothly, for example buildings, transport, and water and power supplies.
  

• Pandemic (noun): A disease that affects a large number of people and spreads quickly to many countries.
  

• Metropolis (noun): A very large city, often the most important city in a large area or country.

↳ ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

30 Common Phrasal Verbs in English

This week, we're spotlighting an invaluable resource for English learners: a comprehensive guide to mastering 30 common phrasal verbs. Here's a sneak peek:

Understanding Phrasal Verbs: At first glance, phrasal verbs might seem daunting. However, they become incredibly straightforward and handy once you grasp their usage. A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more other components, such as a preposition or an adverb. Their idiomatic nature means they can't always be understood by breaking them down word by word.

Dive into Common Phrasal Verbs:

• To call around: Contacting multiple people.
  Example: Roy called around to find a nearby mechanic.
  

• To check out: To verify a person or thing. Can also have a flirtatious connotation.
  Example: I’ll check the contract out. or I’ll check out the contract.
  
  

• To end up: To eventually find oneself in a particular situation or condition.
  Example: He ended up taking the job.
  

• To give up: To cease an activity or habit.
  Example: Merlin gave chocolate up or Merlin gave up chocolate.

Phrasal verbs are an integral part of the English language, adding depth and nuance to our conversations. They might seem tricky, but with practice and real-life application, they become second nature. For a deeper dive into these and other phrasal verbs, explore the full guide and elevate your English proficiency.

↳ LEARN ENGLISH WITH SPEECHES

Shah Rukh Khan: A Tale of Life and Choices

In today's lesson, we dive deep into a heartfelt speech by Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. Guiding you through this enlightening English learning journey is Anna, your animated instructor.

Here's our enlightening line-up:

• In-depth Exploration: Anna meticulously dissects Khan's speech, spotlighting its vibrant vocabulary, intricate grammar, and profound messages.
  

• Illustrative Examples: To simplify intricate language concepts, Anna provides tangible and relatable instances.
  

• Life Philosophies: Embark on Khan's personal narrative and grasp the English expressions to articulate analogous life experiences.
  

• Cultural Glimpses: Immerse yourself in Khan's unique worldview, broadening your understanding of diverse perspectives.

Dive deeper into your English proficiency with our captivating speech analysis on our YouTube channel. Commit to consistent practice, and don't forget to share your insights in the comments. Embrace the joy of learning!

↳ SPEECH RECAP QUIZ

1. What does 'zilch, nada, not at all, nothing' mean in the context of Shah Rukh Khan's speech?
   
   a. No experience or knowledge at all

   b. A lot of experience or knowledge

   c. Some experience or knowledge
   

2. What does Shah Rukh Khan mean by 'chance upon your dreams'?
   
   a. Actively search for your dreams

   b. Forget your dreams

   c. Stumble upon or discover your dreams unexpectedly
   

3. What does 'grudge' refer to in Khan's speech?
   
   a. A feeling of joy and happiness

   b. A feeling of gratitude

   c. A feeling of resentment or bitterness

Don't forget to check your answers! The correct solutions are provided at the end of this newsletter. Keep reading to see how you did.

↳ GRAMMAR ESSENTIALS

In every edition of our newsletter, we demystify complex grammar rules to help you master English step by step. This week, we're focusing on the use of phrasal verbs, a prominent feature in Shah Rukh Khan's speech.

What are Phrasal Verbs?

As seen previously, phrasal verbs are verbs that are combined with one or more words, usually prepositions or adverbs. They have a different meaning than the individual words alone.

Exploring Phrasal Verbs in Khan's Speech:

• Dive into: Engage deeply with something.
  Example from the speech: "Today, we're diving into an inspiring speech..."
  

• Look after: To care for or attend to someone or something.
  Example from the speech: "...will always look after you."
  

• Set forth: To begin a journey or process.
  Example from the speech: "...as you set forth into the big bad world..."

Common Mistakes:

It's essential to remember that the meaning of a phrasal verb can be different from the meanings of its individual words. For instance, "turn up" means to arrive, not to turn in an upward direction.

Phrasal verbs are a vital component of the English language, adding nuance and depth to conversations. Practice using them in sentences to get a better grasp of their meanings and usage. Share your sentences with us, and let's learn together!

↳ +3000 ENGLISH PHRASAL VERBS

This comprehensive eBook is the perfect tool for mastering English phrasal verbs, an essential aspect of spoken and written English. It contains +3000 English phrasal verbs with clear explanations, example sentences, and usage, which would be beneficial for students, professionals, and language learners.

↳ QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Mistakes? They aren’t setbacks. They’re teachers in disguise, showing you where to improve and how to grow.

Remember, every time you stumble with a word or a phrase, there’s a lesson to grasp.

Hold onto those lessons, refine your skills, and know that each challenge faced is making your English foundation stronger. Embrace the journey, and let each lesson light your path!

English Quiz Answers: 1.a | 2.c | 3.c

We're grateful for your continued companionship on this language-learning voyage. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, or inquiries. Together, we'll keep exploring, expanding, and expressing ourselves with confidence in the English language!

Keep learning and thriving,

Ricardo
Founder, English Speeches YouTube Channel