Have you ever wondered why Canada has a beaver on the nickel, a caribou on the quarter, a loon on the loonie, and a polar bear on the toonie?

In this episode, we talk about some of Canada's most iconic animals, share funny personal stories, explain where the words loonie and toonie come from, and share plenty of natural English vocabulary along the way.

You'll learn why beavers are more dignified than they might first seem, why the loon's call is considered both beautiful and a little spooky, and which animal each of us thinks should appear on Canada's next coin!

As always, expect natural Canadian English, lots of laughter, and a few moments where we admit we definitely aren't biologists.

🎧 Perfect for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their listening while learning about Canadian culture.

What animal would you put on a Canadian coin? Let us know!

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What was your first job?

In this episode, we take a trip back to our teenage years and talk about the first ways we earned money. From delivering newspapers as a child to babysitting at 12, working in libraries, and trying out jobs in the service industry, we share our own stories and memories from our early working lives.

You’ll learn about the kinds of jobs teenagers often have in Canada, what those experiences teach us, and some of the funny (and sometimes challenging!) moments that come with your first job.

Join us for a nostalgic conversation about first paycheques, childhood responsibilities, and the beginning of our working lives!

As always, this episode is great for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to practice listening to natural Canadian English and learn about Canadian culture.

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Last week, we introduced you to camping in Canada. This week, we're taking you deeper into the wilderness!

In Part 2, you'll learn about portagining, which is one of the most unique and challenging parts of canoe camping. Larissa shares stories from her teenage son's recent backcountry adventure, while Misha talks about taking her toddler on his very first camping trip. We also chat about swimming in the beautiful rocky lakes of Ontario, and the episode ends with Larissa inviting herself on Misha's family's next camping trip!

This episode is packed with natural Canadian English, real-life stories, and plenty of vocabulary to help you understand conversations about camping, travel, and the outdoors.

Grab a coffee, put on your headphones, and join us around the campfire for Part 2 of our Canadian camping adventure! 🛶🏕️

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Email us at extraenglishpractice@gmail.com

Visit our website for the transcript, vocabulary list, and extra learning resources for each episode.

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Thanks and we'll talk to you soon.