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PODCAST

Extra English Podcast

Extra English Podcast

Made by two Canadian English teachers for English language learners, join Misha and Larissa as they discuss daily life, life in Canada, and anything else that might come up!We are two native English speakers having relaxed, authentic conversations — the kind you might overhear between friends. It’s not a lesson, and we’re not here to speak slowly or perfectly. We’re here to help you get comfortable with real English.Along the way, you’ll hear natural vocabulary, common expressions, and the rhythm of

education language learning

All Episodes

21:10

Driving in Canada: Learning to Drive, Driving Abroad...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/10/01

Do you like driving? Or would you rather take the bus, ride a bike, or let someone else drive? In this episode, we talk about learning to drive in Canada, getting a driver's licence, driving tests, driving overseas, and how our feelings about driving have changed over the years. We share stories about learning to drive in small towns, failing a written test, almost failing a road test, watching our kids learn to drive, driving in Qatar, getting around without a car in Laos, and even trying to...

en-ca

21:47

Fall in Canada: Pumpkin Pie, Changing Leaves & Apple...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/09/24

Fall has arrived in Canada! In this episode of Extra English Podcast, Misha and Larissa talk about one of their favourite seasons: fall. We chat about classic fall things like apple and pumpkin farms, pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice, colourful leaves, and Thanksgiving. We also talk about a few unexpected things like the time Larissa turned orange, which months really count as "Fall", and how much the kids' play area at a pumpking patch is really worth. Plus, we get a little confused about the e...

en-ca

18:56

First Day of School: Kids Are Fine, Parents Are a Mess

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/09/17

It’s back-to-school time in Canada! In this episode, Misha and Larissa talk about first-day-of-school memories, nervous students, emotional parents, and what it’s like to start a new school year. We share stories from our own childhoods, talk about the nerves of starting a new semester as teachers, and discuss what it was like when our own children started kindergarten. From planning the perfect first-day outfit to crying after drop-off, there’s a lot to remember! We also talk about how schoo...

en-ca

24:00

Small Joys: The Little Things That Make Us Happy

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/09/10

What little things make you happy? In this episode of Extra English Podcast, Misha and Larissa talk about the small, everyday joys that can make life feel a little better—from finding a surprise zucchini in the garden to waking up before your alarm, discovering your favourite potato chips, using the “good” fork, finding the perfect pen, and getting an unexpected cool breeze on a hot day. We also talk about spontaneous visits, hand-me-down clothes, favourite jackets, clean windows, organizing ...

en-ca

20:43

Our 25th Episode! What We've Liked and Learned Along...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/09/03

25 episodes! 🎉 In this episode, we take a little time to look back at what we've learned since we started Extra English Podcast. We talk about the challenge of making a podcast that sounds like natural conversation without turning it into a lesson (we're English teachers, after all!), the technical things we've had to learn, and some of the surprising things we've discovered about each other. We also talk about some of our favourite episodes, including the ones that surprised us, the ones

en-ca

23:46

Potlucks: A Very Canadian Way to Eat Together

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/08/27

What exactly is a potluck, and why are they so popular? In this episode, we talk about one of our favourite Canadian ways to get together; everyone brings a dish, and together you make a meal! We share stories about potlucks with friends, neighbours, family, and even pre-pandemic classroom potlucks! We discuss potluck etiquette, dietary restrictions, what to bring, how much food is enough, and why Canadians often find it easier to share the cooking rather than have one person prepare an...

en-ca

21:07

Summer Camp in Canada: Cabins & Campfires

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/08/20

What is summer camp like in Canada? In this episode, Misha and Larissa talk about the Canadian tradition of sleepaway camp. They share their own childhood experiences, including homesickness, bunk beds, camp counselors, swimming, campfires, and all the little traditions that make camp feel like its own world. They also talk about how summer camp has changed, why some parents are more hesitant to send their children away than they used to be, and the idea of “family camp,” where the whole fami...

en-ca

27:01

The Chores We Love (and Hate)

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/08/13

In this episode of Extra English Podcast, we talk about chores and housework — the jobs we love, the jobs we hate, and the chores that never seem to end! We talk about vacuuming, sweeping, laundry, garbage and recycling, cleaning bathrooms, yard work, and the realities of keeping a house clean with children around. We also get into some interesting Canadian everyday life, including Repair Cafés, sharing things with neighbours, community recycling programs, and why having a housekeeper is cons...

en-ca

22:07

The Animals on Canadian Coins, From Beaver to Bear

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/08/06

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,...

en-ca

23:50

Our First Jobs as Teenagers in Canada

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/07/30

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 w...

en-ca

13:48

Camping in Canada Part 2: Portaging & Rocky Shorelines

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/07/23

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 M...

en-ca

17:17

Camping in Canada Part 1: Backwoods, Car Camping &...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/07/16

Whether you're planning your first camping trip or you're just curious about Canadian outdoor culture, this episode is for you! 🏕️ Join us as we talk about the different ways Canadians camp—from rugged backwoods adventures where you carry everything on your back, to relaxing weekends at car campgrounds. We talk about tents, trailers, RVs and the pop-up campers that were everywhere when we were kids. Along the way, you'll learn vocabulary and hear natural English conversations about

en-ca

24:17

Leaving Home: Our First Big-City Adventures

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/07/09

What does it feel like to leave the place where you grew up and start over somewhere completely different? In this episode, we look back on our first experiences living in big cities after growing up in small towns. We talk about the excitement, the surprises, the challenges, and the lessons we learned along the way. Misha shares the intimidating experiences she had in her first month in Montreal and a few tales from her time living in the Lao capital of Vientiane. Larissa talks about life in...

en-ca

17:51

Growing Up in Small Town Ontario (Measured in Tim...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/07/02

What makes a town "small"? We have a very Canadian answer: the number of Tim Hortons. One or none? That's a small town, just like the ones we grew up in. In this episode, we look back at what it was like growing up in small-town Ontario in the 80s and 90s. We share stories about the freedom kids had, the sense of community, and the moments that would probably never happen today. Misha tells the story of a strange encounter with two police officers who somehow knew her name without having to a...

en-ca

25:51

Learning Music in Canada: School Bands, Piano...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/06/25

Have you ever learned to play a musical instrument? In this episode, Misha and Larissa talk about their musical journeys, from childhood piano lessons and middle-school music classes to guitars, flutes, cellos, and even a Celtic harp. Along the way, they share stories about school bands, learning to read music, borrowing instruments from the library, and the surprising things that stay in your muscle memory long after you've stopped practicing. You'll also hear about a bird that got trapped i...

en-ca

21:46

The Books We Read as Kids and Those We Read to Our Kids

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/06/18

A children's book can make you laugh, spark your imagination, or even bring you to tears years later. In this episode, we talk about the books we loved growing up, the stories we've read to our own children, and why picture books aren't just for kids. We mention some loved books by Canadian authors, both classic and modern. We also explore how children learn to read and how children's books can be useful for adult learners. Whether you're a parent, a book lover, or an English learner lo...

en-ca

18:51

What's That Smell?

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/06/11

Which smells instantly take us back in time? In this episode, we explore the world of smells, including the ones we love, the ones we dislike, and the ones that bring back powerful memories. We discuss smells from nature, food smells, nostalgic smells and even weather smells. We discuss how certain smells are so nostalgic, like scratch-and-sniff stickers and the lotions our mothers used when we were young. Along the way, we compare opinions, share funny stories, and confirm that yes, co...

en-ca

21:19

Two Non-Sporty People Talk Sports

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/06/04

Are you a sports fan, or are you like us and almost completely clueless? Either way, you might enjoy these stories of our clueless experiences with professional sports! In this episode, Larissa shares what it was like to attend world-class sporting events in Qatar, including seeing some world-famous players! Misha tells the story of briefly managing a national rugby team and getting a behind-the-scenes look at competitive sports. Along the way, we discuss sports culture, international events,...

en-ca

26:29

Woodworking: Making Things and Making Mistakes

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/05/28

In this episode, we talk about our attempts at woodworking, with projects that didn’t always go as planned. Some things worked out really well, and others… not so much. We share a mix of small successes, predictable failures, and the lessons we learned along the way. From Larissa's bent saw blades and Misha's cracked desk top to a bountiful garden box and beautiful maple dresser, this episode is all about learning through doing and learning (or not) from our mistakes. If you enjoy simple Engl...

en-ca

31:22

The Junk Drawer Episode: All the Random Things We...

Extra English Podcast ·

2026/05/21

What strange things are hiding in our junk drawers? And what even is a junk drawer? In this episode, we explore the contents of our junk drawers, which are a staple in most Canadian kitchens. It's the drawer that collects all the things we don't know where to put. We talk about the random, useful, sentimental, and completely mysterious things we keep there. From bottle openers and too many pieces of string to strange gadgets and things even we don't recognize, you’ll hear plenty of natu...

en-ca

29 results

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