I have just found your podcast, and I very like it. I use transcript very often. Vocabulary notes are needed (for my level), but nit so extended. Some phrases like “as far as X goes�, I would never find it elsewhere. For other words I use very useful plugin for Mozile Browser “Dictionary Tooltip�. I just click on word (I want to now meaning for) and tooltip is displayed with information from different dictionaries like Thesaurus. This all for no cost and totally free from advertisement.

See Mozila Browser at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ and dictionary tooltip add-in at
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1171/

This will reduce your work in vocabulary section for about 70 %.

Thanks for your kind words! I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcasts and the notes. I’ll keep doing them. Sorry for not posting this weekend (normally I post new episodes on the weekend), but I’ve been ill again. Will try to get a new episode uploaded tomorrow.

Thanks for your time!
Vanessa

I think your podcast is very useful, especcially the vacbulary at the end…I find there all the explanations to my doubts, so continue like this

Bye

Pablo, thanks for the nice comments and suggestions. There actually is a donations page set up here: http.//www.betteratenglish.com/support-better-at-english/

If every subscriber donated 10 dollars per YEAR, I could afford to quit my normal job and do B @ E full time. That would mean daily podcasts Monday through Friday with vocab, transcripts and even extra exercises and goodies. Gotta dream a dream…;-)

What about begin accepting donations or creating a membership ?

I’m sure that a lot of people that really likes your podcast would donate.

Paypal could be a good option: http://www.paypal.com.

Note: I love your podcasts !!

Bye
Pablo

I don’t need the transcript, but the vocabulary notes are precious. Without your notes I wouldn’t have understood some expressions like “they’re few and far between”, or “chisel-jawed”.

thanks, and keep up the good work!

cheers,
Pietro

Thanks Lin, that would be some useful linkage indeed — thanks for the tip. If I ever come across a good source, I will definitely post it.

For the record, anyone who lives in a country where cinemas and TV use subtitles (like here in Sweden) rather than dubbing (like Indonesia) is really lucky, because that’s a great way to get “free” exposure to a vast range of foreign languages (including different regional dialects of English).

Keep up the good work.

Let’s see if I’m getting on…

I see that you got my view (though badly expressed) and I’m glad you plan to improve the site! I perfectly understand that it’s free so you don’t have any obligation. Sure you know we all thank you for your time. If not, let me say thanks again.

As far as I’m concerned, the content (listening, transcripts and vocabulary) is absolutely fantastic. Only, perhaps, scant (ups, I know, I know, I’m being rude again. Just trying to practice new words…) Knowing that you are in the way of restruturing the site and recording new content, I’m more than satisfying.

Concerning topics, I’ll think on something, I promise

And, of course, keep it free, please!

Regards,
Gustavo

A poll about topics is a good idea, if rather difficult to do as a multiple choice survey. But everyone can feel free to suggest topics in comments or email. If it’s one we find interesting and do-able, we’ll do it.

Matteo: Thanks for your comments! Glad you’re finding the show useful.

Healthy, red-blooded man
They’re few and far between
The love interest
Chisel-jawed

These are some of the vocabulary items I wouldn’t get without your help.

The way the show is now is, of course, perfect. But I can understand it’s really time consuming.

If I had to give up something, I’d rather give up the Transcript rather than the Vocabulary List.

Matteo, Italy

I’ve just discovered your web site and podcast content. I’ve been listening to this conversation and the one about Rock, Paper, Scissors.

First of all, I want to say I’ve really enjoyed these listenings. I’m going to keep on listening to you whatever you upload in your web site, for sure. Please, keep it interesting!

But I’d like to say something not so pleasant too. Sorry. It’s about your web site structure. In my personal opinion, it’s a mess! I’m not able to find contents out easily.

Anyway, I’d like to thank you for your time and interesting listenings. What about a poll on topics? It could keep audience attention, don’t you think?

Regards,
Gustavo

Juanmi: Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, http://www.m-w.com is becoming a turn-off to me because of the annoying popups (good example of breaking your brand and alienating customers who LOVE you just to make a quick buck). And for the record, I’ve bought the last two CD editions of their collegiate dictionary/thesaurus, so I am a real fan. Two other reasons I’m not into linking to definitions: 1) most people (me included) are lazy and in a hurry – they won’t want to spend time clicking, 2) adding tons of hyperlinks is also quite time consuming, 3) linking to other sites makes you dependent on them and puts you at risk of landing in 404 hell. OK, that was three reasons….

Pascale: Judging from the email I get, B @ E readers range from advanced beginners to near-native speakers. So I try to keep that in mind when doing the vocab lists. Then again, I also run into the problem of “If they can understand the explanation, they can probably understand the target vocab anyway.” This is something I notice with many other ELT podcasts – the explanation section seems more difficult to understand (from an L2 perspective) than the target vocabulary itself. Point taken, though, thanks.

Massimilano: Thanks! As long as this site enjoyable, I’ll keep on doing it. Getting nice feedback is part of what keeps this enjoyable.

i have just had a look at the vocabulary. Maybe shouldn’t you go into so much detail: “to have to = must” , this is one of the basics when you learn English, this would save a little bit of your time.
The rest is perfectly fine: topics, length…
Thanks
Pascale

I really don’t need the vocabulary list at the bototm, so how about this: you could link all the highlighted vocabulary words to M&W Dictionary. So you could check the words individually if you have any doubt.

Juan

Anyway, I’m not sure if we’re supposed to discuss the content of the lesson or the lesson itself, but I take it you’ll correct me if I’m not supposed to discuss content.

I think fake breasts are … ugly. Not in a “I got breast cancer and now have a breast prothesis”-way but in a “I couldn’t live with myself so I got a new pair”-way.

As to the point of stereotypes: that’s why they’re stereotypes. Woody Allen tries to break with all the stereotypes and, frankly, the majority of people haven’t seen a Woody Allen movie. If they’ve seen one, they most probably fell asleep after five minutes. I mean, Woody’s not exactly Mister Hunk. He’s not even Mister Average. He’s … the Dork from the Basement. And the girls that play in his movies, on average, aren’t Miss Universe Material either. Of course, I watch Woody’s movies from an intellectuel and cultural perspective. I’m never as excited to go watch a Woody movie (boy, does that ever sound wrong) as I’m excited about watching Kate Beckinsdale jump from a building and give the next vampire a thorough beating.
And there’s also a number of “eternal bad guys” who are cool and rugged-looking as well. Even though I can never remember their names, their faces are etched in my memory forever.

As to the vocabulary thing, I would like to elaborate on that a bit. I’m not an avid reader of the vocabulary. I’ve had 6 years of English at school so the vocabulary isn’t particularly useful to me. However, I really like the fact that a number of words have been highlighted in the transcript so I know I should pay special attention to these. I’m not even halfway near perfect, so I try to pick up as much pointers as possible.

Thanks for another very interesting period.

And for what it’s worth: you’re 100% allright! Hugs are on me, tonight.