This podcast episode emphasizes the value of time, particularly for English learners, by offering practical strategies to avoid wasting it and instead invest it effectively in personal growth and language acquisition.
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English Leap Podcast
>> from [music] Speak English with Claus.
Hey English learners, welcome back to
the English Leap Podcast. Your English
podcast for daily life English, real
conversations, and easy English
listening practice.
>> Yeah, this is the place where you learn
real English from real talk, not from
boring grammar books.
>> I'm Anna.
>> And I'm Jake.
>> So Jake, how are you today? Did you have
a busy day? Yeah, a little busy. I had
work in the morning and then I went to
the gym, but I feel good now. How about
you, Anna?
>> I'm good, but a bit tired. I slept late
last night because I was watching a movie.
movie.
>> Ah, so you were maybe wasting a little
time. [laughter]
>> Maybe just a little, but it was a nice
movie. And today I'm happy because we
can talk with our listeners again.
>> Same here. It always feels nice to sit
down, talk with you, and help people
with their English.
>> Yes, it feels like we are all in one big
room together.
>> Okay, small talk finished. Now, let's
get into our topic.
>> Yes. Before we start wasting their time, [laughter]
[laughter]
>> right, today we have a very important
topic. Don't waste your time.
>> Yeah, time is life. If we waste our
time, we are wasting our life a little bit.
bit.
>> Ouch. That sounds serious. But don't
worry, we're going to keep it fun and simple.
simple.
>> Yes. And before we start, hm, we want to
ask you for a small favor.
>> Yeah. If you enjoyed this podcast,
please like this episode, subscribe, and
share it with a friend who is learning English.
English.
>> Mhm. Especially that friend who always
says, "I have no time to study English."
But then spends one hour scrolling on
their phone. [laughter]
>> We all know that friend. Sometimes it's
us. [laughter]
>> Yes. Okay, let's talk about what don't
waste your time really means.
>> So Anna, let me ask you first. What does
waste your time mean in simple words?
>> H good question. To waste time means you
use your time for something that is not
important and not helpful for you.
>> Right? So it's not just fun or not fun.
It's about if it helps you or not.
>> Exactly. Think about time like water
from a bottle.
>> H water from a bottle.
>> Yes. You only have a certain amount of
water in the bottle. If you pour it on
the floor, you can't drink it later.
That is like wasting time.
>> Ah, I like that. Time is like water. If
I just pour it on the floor, I can't use
it again.
>> Yes. When you use your time on things
that don't help you learn, don't help
you grow, and don't help you rest, then
you are just pouring your time on the floor.
floor.
>> And sometimes we know it, right? We
finish and we feel, "Why did I do that?"
>> Exactly. That feeling of regret. I could
use that time for something better is a
clear sign that maybe we wasted our time.
time.
>> Yeah. Like when I say I will watch one
short video and then 40 minutes later
I'm still there and I don't even
remember what I watched. [laughter]
[laughter]
>> Yes, that happens to so many people. So
now we know the meaning. Let's talk
about how we can stop wasting time
especially when we are learning English.
Okay, maybe I can start with a story.
>> Yes, good idea. Stories help us remember.
remember.
>> So, one day last month, I was working on
my computer. My brain felt tired, and I
said, I will take a 10-minute break.
>> That sounds like a good plan.
>> I sat on the sofa, opened my phone, and
started watching a funny video. I
laughed. It was nice. Then another video
started. I thought, "Okay, just one more."
more."
>> Very famous sentence. Just one more.
>> Yes, [laughter]
just one more. After some time, I felt a
little strange. I checked the clock and
1 hour and 15 minutes had passed.
>> Whoa, that's a big 10minute break.
>> Exactly. And the problem was I didn't
feel happy after that. I felt empty, a
little guilty, and more tired.
>> Yes, that's the feeling of time going
away like sand in your hands. You open
your fingers and it just falls.
>> That's a good picture. Sand in my hands.
So after that day, I said, "Okay, I need
to be more intentional with my time."
>> Intentional means you do something on
purpose, not by accident.
>> Right? And today we want to share some
tips that helped us and can help you too.
too.
>> Yes, simple tips with small stories so
you can remember them easily.
>> Okay, Anna, what is the first tip?
>> Tip number one, make a tiny plan.
>> Tiny, not big.
>> Yes, tiny. Think of a plan like a GPS in
your car.
>> GPS. Okay, I like that. When you don't
put any address in the GPS, the car can
go anywhere. You can drive in circles,
you waste petrol, and you waste time,
>> right? You just drive and drive with no
final place.
>> But when you put one simple address, the
GPS tells you, "Turn here, go straight,
you will arrive."
>> So, a tiny plan is like putting the
address for your day.
>> Exactly. Many learners say today I will
improve my English. But that is too big,
too vague.
>> Vague means not clear.
>> Yes, it's not clear. So instead, make a
tiny plan like today I will learn three
new words. Today I will listen to 10
minutes of an English podcast. Today I
will read one page of a story.
>> That feels lighter. I have a small
personal example.
>> Yeah, tell us.
>> When I started learning another
language, I told myself every day I will
study for 1 hour. It was too big for me.
I got tired. I skipped days and I felt bad.
bad.
>> I understand.
>> Then I changed the plan. I said, "Every
day I will do 10 minutes. That's all."
Some days I did more, but my promise to
myself was just 10 minutes.
>> And did that work better?
>> Yes, much better. I could keep my
promise. I didn't feel scared to start.
And every time I finished, I felt proud.
>> So the metaphor is a tiny plan is like a
small clear address in your GPS. You
don't wander around. You know where to go.
go.
>> Exactly. And when you know where to go,
you waste less time thinking, "What
should I do now?"
>> That's a powerful first tip. So, what's
the second tip?
>> H tip number two, use your pocket time.
>> Pocket time.
>> Yes. Think of time like coins.
>> Okay, I'm listening. During the day you
have some big coins like 1 hour blocks
but you also have many small coins 5
minutes here 7 minutes there 3 minutes there.
there.
>> Ah like when I wait for the bus or I sit
in a taxi or I wait in a line.
>> Exactly. Many people throw these small
coins in the trash. They just scroll
scroll scroll.
>> Mhm. Yes, I do that sometimes. But if
you collect these small coins, you can
buy something big.
>> That's a nice picture. Small coins
become a big amount.
>> For example, you can review your three
new words while you wait for the bus.
Listen to five minutes of an English
podcast while you wash the dishes. Read
five lines of a story while you wait for
your coffee.
>> H, that feels very realistic. I have a
friend who improved her English mostly
in pocket time. >> Really?
>> Really?
>> Yes. She has two kids and a job, so she
is very busy. She said to me, "I never
have one full hour, but I have many
small minutes."
>> Mhm. I like that.
>> So, she used those minutes. 5 minutes
walking to the bus, 10 minutes at lunch,
7 minutes before sleep. After a few
months, she noticed that she understood
more and could speak better.
>> So, those little coins turned into a big treasure.
treasure.
>> Exactly. If you don't want to waste
time, start using your pocket time. Even
five minutes can be useful.
>> H maybe our listeners can think now
where are my pocket times in the day?
>> Yes, that's a good question.
>> Okay, what about the third tip? H tip
number three, make English fun,
>> right? Because if it feels like
punishment, you will run away from it.
>> True. Imagine you are a child and every
time you play, someone shouts, "Do it
perfectly. Don't make mistakes."
>> The child will stop playing.
>> Yes, learning is the same. Your brain
doesn't like constant stress. If English
always feels heavy and serious, your
brain says, "No thanks."
>> So, how can we turn English into a game,
not a punishment?
>> We can connect English to things we
already like.
>> For example, I love music.
>> Yes. Tell us.
>> I remember one song that really helped
me. I printed the lyrics, the words of
the song, and listened again and again.
I circled new words. I sang in the
shower. I tried to copy the singer's
voice. It was fun and I learned a lot.
>> H, that's a good story.
>> What about you?
>> I love stories and shows. I watched a
short series in English. At first with
subtitles in my language, then later
with English subtitles. After some time,
I could understand many lines without reading.
reading.
>> Mhm. Like a small victory. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
Fun is important because it helps you
stay with English longer without feeling
that you are wasting time.
>> Right. If you watch a show in English
and you learn new phrases, you are not
just watching, you're growing.
>> Exactly. So tip three, don't just push
yourself. Also play with English. Songs,
stories, games, funny videos with
English subtitles. Use them wisely.
>> Now, I think we must talk about
something a little dangerous.
>> Yes, the dangerous thing in your hand.
>> The phone.
>> Tip number four, watch out for time thieves.
thieves.
>> Time thieves. I like that phrase.
>> Mhm. A time thief is something that
steals your time without giving you
something good. For many people that is
social media.
>> Yes, social media can be nice. But if
you are not careful, it takes and takes
and takes.
>> I remember one evening I sat on my bed
just to check one message. Then I saw a
funny video, then a short clip, then a
comment fight, then a news story. My
brain was full, but I didn't learn
anything. Hm. That's a very common experience.
experience.
>> And when I finished, I I felt tired and
a little sad.
>> Yes. So, we need to protect ourselves
from these time thieves.
>> How can we do that?
>> One simple way is to make small rules.
For example, when I study, my phone
stays in another room. I will only check
social media after I finish my tiny
English plan. I turn off notifications
for 1 hour.
>> That's good.
>> It's like locking the door when a thief
is outside. You don't hate the thief,
but you protect your house.
>> Yes, that's a strong picture.
>> When you protect your focus, you can do
more in less time. Then you save time
instead of wasting it. and you feel more
in control of your own life.
Now I have an important question Anna.
If we say don't waste your time, does
that mean we must work and study all the
time every minute?
>> No, not at all. This is very important.
Rest is not wasting time.
>> I'm happy you said that. Think about
your body and your mind like a phone battery.
battery.
>> Okay, that's easy to imagine.
>> If you use your phone all day and never
charge it, what happens?
>> It dies. It stops working.
>> Exactly. We are the same. If we work,
study, run around, and never stop, our
battery goes to zero.
>> Mhm. Yes.
>> Good sleep, quiet time, and simple rest
are like charging the battery. Do you
have a personal example?
>> Yes. Once I tried to work on a project
late at night. I was tired but I pushed
myself. I spent 2 hours but the work was
not good. The next morning after sleep I
did the same work again in just 30
minutes and it was better.
>> M I know that feeling.
>> So sometimes resting is smarter than
pushing. It is not wasting time. It is
preparing you to use your time better later.
later.
>> So the key is balance.
>> Yes. Some time to study, some time to
work, some time to have fun, and some
time to rest. A little of each.
>> Mhm. That's a peaceful idea.
>> Jake, we used some big words today.
>> Maybe we should slow down and talk about
them a little. Yeah, let's do a tiny
word tour before we finish. H
>> these words are important if you don't
want to waste your time.
>> First, we said intentional.
>> M right.
>> When you are intentional, you do
something on purpose, not by accident.
>> For example, I am intentional with my
time. I choose to study English for 10
minutes. or I want to be more
intentional and stop scrolling for one hour.
hour.
>> Then we had the word vague.
>> Yes, vague means not clear.
>> For example,
improve my English is a vague plan.
>> But learn three new words today is
clear, not vague.
>> We also talked about pocket time. H yes
pocket time is not in the dictionary but
it's a nice picture.
>> It means those small pieces of time in
your day like 5 or 10 minutes when you
are waiting.
>> You can say I use my pocket time to
listen to English
>> or I want to stop wasting my pocket time
on random videos.
>> Then we said distracted. M yes
distracted means you cannot focus
because your attention is jumping to
many things.
>> For example, I feel distracted when my
phone is next to me while I study
>> or the TV makes me distracted when I try
to read.
>> And we use the phrase time thief. I like
this one. >> [laughter]
>> [laughter]
>> A time thief is something that steals
your time without giving you anything good.
good.
>> For example, mindless scrolling is a
time thief for me.
>> Or I turned off notifications because
they were big time thieves.
>> We also talked about invest like you
invested your time. M yes invest means
you use time, money or energy now to get
something better in the future.
>> For example, when I listen to an English
podcast, I invest my time in my future.
>> Or you didn't waste this episode. You
invested your time in learning.
>> We said routine too. M yes your routine
is the normal order of things you do
every day.
>> For example, my morning routine is wake
up, make coffee and listen to English.
>> Or I want to add 10 minutes of reading
to my evening routine.
>> And one more beautiful word,
balance. M yes balance is when different
parts are in a good mix. Not too much,
not too little.
>> For example, I want a balance between
work, English, fun, and rest.
>> Or a healthy life is about balance, not
only work or only fun.
>> If you didn't catch every word, it's
okay. You can listen to this part again slowly.
slowly.
And if you want a small challenge,
choose one of these words and make your
own sentence.
>> You can say it in your head
>> or be brave and write it in the comments.
comments.
>> That's like sending your English brain
to the gym. [laughter]
>> Yeah, a small friendly gym where
everyone is learning together.
>> So, if someone is listening and
thinking, okay, this sounds nice, but
what should I do today? What can we tell
them? Um, let's give them simple steps.
>> All right.
>> Step one, choose one tiny English goal
for today. For example, I will learn
three new words from this episode.
>> Step two, decide when you will do it.
Maybe during your pocket time, on the
bus, during lunch, or before bed.
>> Mhm. Step three, make it a little fun.
Maybe listen to a song, use a show you
like, or relisten to a part of this podcast.
podcast.
>> Step four, after you finish, say
something kind to yourself.
>> Mhm. Like, nice. I used my time well.
Or, good job. I did my small plan.
>> That small sentence can change how you
feel about learning.
>> Yes, you stop being your own enemy and
become your own coach.
>> H, I like that. your own coach.
>> Okay, let's quickly recap our tips so
you can remember them.
>> Good idea.
>> Tip one, make a tiny plan like a GPS
address for your day.
>> Tip two, use your pocket time, the small
time coins in your day.
>> Tip three, make English fun. Turn
learning into a game, not a punishment.
>> Tip four, watch out for time thieves.
Protect yourself from endless scrolling
and random distractions.
>> Tip five, remember that rest is not
wasting time. It's charging your battery.
battery.
>> M, that's a beautiful summary.
>> Thanks. And we want to say this clearly.
Your time is valuable. You don't need to
be perfect. You just need to use your
time a little better each day.
>> Yes. Even 10 good minutes every day can
change your English over time.
>> Mhm. And we believe you can do that.
>> Now it's your turn.
>> Yes. Question for you. What is one thing
that wastes your time? And what is one
small change you will make after
listening to this episode?
>> Please write your answer in the
comments. Your idea might help another
learner too.
>> And if this episode helped you, please
like, subscribe, and share it with a
friend who also doesn't want to waste
their time.
Thank you so much for spending this time
with us. You didn't waste it, you
invested it in yourself.
>> M yes, we're proud of you.
>> This was the English Leap podcast with
Anna and Jake.
>> Until next time, use your time well and
be kind to yourself.
>> Bye everyone.
>> Your progress doesn't end here. To
continue advancing your English skills,
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