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. They are two native English speakers having relaxed, unscripted conversations — the kind you might overhear between friends. It’s not a lesson, and they’re not here to speak slowly or perfectly. They’re here to help you get comfortable with real English. Along the way, you’ll hear natural vocabulary, common expressions, and the rhythm of everyday speech.
Episodes
Funny Neighbour Stories: Awkward Encounters, Cat Pools & More
Are neighbours in Canada friendly? In this episode, we share funny, awkward, and heartwarming stories about the people who live next door.From a giant dog mistaken for a cow to an ex you try to avoid in your own apartment building, we talk about childhood memories, neighbourhood gossip, unexpected friendships, and the small ways neighbours look out for each other. Plus, there's a little girl
Little Things We’re Terrible At
Why are some everyday things so much harder than they should be?In this episode of the Extra English Podcast, we're talking about the things we're surprisingly bad at. From parking and keeping houseplants alive to estimating quantities, remembering people's names, and somehow getting lost in a mall or on a road we've driven before, we've got a lot to confess.And then there
Travel Gone Wrong: Missed Flights, Late Buses & Lost Passports
Travel doesn't always go according to plan!In this episode of Extra English Podcast, Misha and Larissa share stories about some of their most memorable travel mishaps. Misha tells the story of missing a flight in India after a very late train, getting questioned about her visa, and eventually finding comfort in an unexpected moment of kindness. Larissa remembers waiting for hours for a bus in
Driving in Canada: Learning to Drive, Driving Abroad & Other Stories
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
Fall in Canada: Pumpkin Pie, Changing Leaves & Apple Farms
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
First Day of School: Kids Are Fine, Parents Are a Mess
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 fi
Small Joys: The Little Things That Make Us Happy
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 tal
Our 25th Episode! What We've Liked and Learned Along the Way
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 abo
Potlucks: A Very Canadian Way to Eat Together
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
Summer Camp in Canada: Cabins & Campfires
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 sen
The Chores We Love (and Hate)
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, sh
The Animals on Canadian Coins, From Beaver to Bear
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 di
Our First Jobs as Teenagers in Canada
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 tho
Camping in Canada Part 2: Portaging & Rocky Shorelines
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
Camping in Canada Part 1: Backwoods, Car Camping & Bear Barrels
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
Leaving Home: Our First Big-City Adventures
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 an
Growing Up in Small Town Ontario (Measured in Tim Hortons)
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
Learning Music in Canada: School Bands, Piano Lessons, and a Surprise Harp
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 musc
The Books We Read as Kids and Those We Read to Our Kids
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&
What's That Smell?
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 wer
Two Non-Sporty People Talk Sports
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-sc
Woodworking: Making Things and Making Mistakes
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 epi
The Junk Drawer Episode: All the Random Things We Keep in a Kitchen Drawer
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 ma
Things with Wings, Teeth, and Too Many Legs
In this episode, we talk about unexpected encounters with creatures of all kinds, from tiny mice to giant snakes. We share stories about a mouse in the house, a bear in the yard, a bat in the kitchen, and the strange mix of fear, fascination, and comedy that comes from surprise meetings with wildlife.Perfect for English learners who enjoy natural conversation, storytelling, and a little chaos.Send
After the Long Winter: Spring in Canada
Spring in Canada feels like a reward after months of winter, and in this episode, we talk all about it! From blossoming trees and spring flowers to muddy parks, allergies, and the unpredictable weather, we share what this season is really like in Canada. We also talk about why spring feels so important after a long Canadian winter.If you’re learning English, this episode is full of natural convers
(Don't) Call Me!
In this episode, we talk about something many people love… and many people don’t: talking on the phone.From old landlines to modern smartphones, we share our experiences with phone calls and why we both usually prefer texting instead. We also talk about when phone calls are still useful, and how phone habits have changed over time in Canada.This episode is perfect for English learners who want to
Formal Events in Canada: Proms, Galas & What to Wear
What counts as a “formal event” in Canada, and do you really have to dress up?In this episode, we share stories from our first formal experiences (hello, grade 5 graduation!) to high school dances, proms, galas, and a few international events. Along the way, we talk about how fashion expectations have changed—like wearing sneakers with formal outfits—and the pressure (or freedom) to dress a certai
Does Canadian Food Even Exist?
In this episode, we tackle a deceptively simple question: Does Canadian food even exist?Canada is known for its diversity, but what does that actually mean for the food we eat every day? We talk about the meals we grew up with, from breakfast to dinner, and realize just how hard it is to define something as “typically Canadian.”Of course, we don't skip the classics — poutine certainly gets a
Why We Love Teaching
Teaching is a lot of things, but for us, it's never boring. In this episode, we talk about why we genuinely love what we do -- from the relationships we build with students, to the constant learning, to the unexpected moments that make us laugh. We have, in our opinion, the best job. Let us tell you why. Send us Fan MailJoin the conversation! Try out our app to learn and practice your English
Libraries: More Than Just Books
In this episode, we’re talking about one of our favorite places: the library. 📚 We share why we love libraries, how they can be an amazing community resource, and all the surprising things you can borrow (it’s not just books!). We also talk about how libraries can be a welcoming space for everyone—whether you’re new to a country, looking for connection, or just need a quiet place to be.And yes, La
Winter in Canada
What do people actually do in winter in Canada? In this episode of Extra English Podcast, we have another natural, unscripted conversation, this time focusing on winter activities -- a class Canadian topic!If you are learning English, listening to our podcast is a great way to hear how native English speakers talk about real life, using natural vocabulary, expressions and connected speech. This is
Welcome to Extra English Podcast!
Welcome to Episode 1 of Extra English Podcast!In this first episode, we introduce ourselves by telling you a little bit about our teaching careers, cultural backgrounds, and reasons for starting this podcast. This podcast is designed for English language learners who want to hear natural English conversation. You can learn new expressions and vocabulary while improving your listening skills. Send
