English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" - Mao Zedong, 1927

"In the 21st century, culture is power" - Park Geun-hye (ex President of South Korea, home of Gangnam Style)

How do other countries win the political game without force? Why is language such a fantastic tool to project power across the world? What is Donald Trump doing for US interests outside the US?

Learn about how soft power is a vital tool in the global diplomatic toolbox, and how countries use it to advance their diplomatic aims.

You'll find out what The Spice Girls, The Premier League, Pizza and Renaissance art all have in common.

Full transcript, key vocabulary, and bonus episodes available on www.leonardoenglish.com

Show Notes

 

"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" - Mao Zedong, 1927

"In the 21st century, culture is power" - Park Geun-hye (ex President of South Korea, home of Gangnam Style)

How do other countries win the political game without force? Why is language such a fantastic tool to project power across the world? What is Donald Trump doing for US interests outside the US? 

Learn about how soft power is a vital tool in the global diplomatic toolbox, and how countries use it to advance their diplomatic aims.

Topics covered:

  • The history of soft power
  • Why it is no longer acceptable to attack other countries
  • What components go into soft power
  • Why language is the ultimate example of soft power (and why countries promote the learning of their language)
  • The UK's soft power across the world
  • The Soft Power Report (and who came top in 2019)
  • Why the UK, France, Italy, the US, Sweden and Estonia all do well in terms of soft power
  • China's soft power initiatives
  • Why you can't buy soft power
  • Why politicians neglect soft power
  • What Europeans think of the US since 2016

Key vocabulary: Self-proclaimed, Geopolitics, Zero-sum, Projected, Coercion, Sanctions, Aspirational, Coined, Lingua franca, Dominant, Packs a sizeable punch, Prevalence, Gradual, Decline, Institutions, Slipped, Footprint, Republican, Imprint, Mastery, Amplifies, Deemed, Agenda, Funding, Portray, Toolbox, Timeframes, Reap, Foster, Blossom, Soundbites, Hostile, Struggle, Ranked, Bound, Dividends, Set in motion, Shift, Packs a substantial soft power punch, Neglect

Full transcript and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/what-is-soft-power-and-why-does-it-matter

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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

What is English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English ?

Are you looking for a more interesting way to learn English?

English Learning for Curious Minds is an English podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their English listening while learning weird and wonderful things about the world.

If you want to learn English naturally, improve your English listening skills, and discover fascinating ideas at the same time, this podcast is for you.

Every episode helps you improve your English through interesting stories, history, psychology, business, culture, science, and strange-but-true events from around the world. Instead of textbook exercises or boring grammar drills, you’ll learn English through ideas worth talking about.

This is an English-learning podcast for curious adults — people who want to build confidence in English, improve listening comprehension, expand vocabulary in context, and enjoy the process of learning.

This podcast is spoken in clear, British English.

Whether you want English listening practice, vocabulary in context, or simply a way to learn through ideas worth talking about, you'll find episodes designed for intermediate to advanced learners and spoken at a speed you can understand.

Every episode comes with:

* Interactive transcripts
* Subtitles
* Key vocabulary explanations
* Bonus learning materials
* PDF study packs

You’ll hear episodes about history, psychology, language, business, habits, strange stories, culture, communication, and the ideas that shape how people think and behave — all designed to help you improve your English naturally.

Questions we help listeners answer include:

* How can I improve my English listening?
* How can I learn English without boring textbooks?
* What is the best English podcast for intermediate learners?
* How can I build vocabulary in context?
* How can I stay motivated while learning English?

Join listeners in 189 countries and discover a more interesting way to learn English.

Find bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles, vocabulary explanations, and more at www.leonardoenglish.com