How to Find Work/Life Balance and Time to Study English
Confident English Spotlight Episode 5 is here! This month I chat with Olga from Ukraine.
In this interview, I talk with Olga about being a mom with a full-time job and how she finds work/life balance and time to study English. We also talk about her love of reading and favorite books in English.
If this is your first time joining me for a Confident English Spotlight Interview, in 2018 I’m interviewing a woman in my Confident English community every month. I’m interviewing women who have developed a successful career, are doing amazing work for others, are doing something inspiring and have overcome challenges in English. In each interview, I also ask how they became more confident and fluent in English.
And I want to share their stories with you for inspiration and motivation.
After you listen, be sure to review the vocabulary I’ve highlighted below the video. Olga also has two fantastic book recommendations for reading in English. I’ve shared those as well.
If you’ve missed previous episodes of Confident English Spotlight, you can find them here:
Finding time for English with a busy life.
Lesson by Annemarie
“If you’re persistent, if you really want to move ahead, to make progress, then you’ll find the way for this.” – Olga on how to be more confident in English
Notes from Today’s Confident English Spotlight with Olga
I’d like to highlight some great language Olga used in her interview so you can add it to your daily English.
to be an avid reader = to read with enthusiasm and eagerness
Olga mentioned she’s an avid reader. Here are two books she recommends in English:
- The Martian by Andy Weir
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah—I can also recommend this book and it’s one of my top favorites!
to absorb = to take in knowledge; to fully engage; to engross; to consume
We often use this verb in expressions such as:
- to be absorbed in thought (to be fully engaged or consumed by thoughts)
- to be absorbed in a book (to be fully engaged or consumed by a book)
to bump into (idiom) = to touch or strike someone/something accidentally; to encounter someone unexpectedly
This is a great idiom Olga used. Here are two example sentences using the meaning given above.
- I have a bruise on my shin from bumping into the corner of a table. I wasn’t paying attention and I didn’t see the table.
- Guess who I bumped into today?! I saw Sarah at the store. I don’t think I’ve seen her for 10 years!
Now that you’ve watched the video and reviewed some of the language from the interview, I’d love to hear from you.
This is a great opportunity to practice what you’ve learned in this interview with Olga. Here are two questions using today’s key language:
- Are you an avid reader? If so, do you have a favorite book? Share your favorite book below! You might have the perfect recommendation for someone else.
- Do you have a hobby that you get easily absorbed by? Like Olga, I get absorbed by a good book. What about you? Share an example using this vocabulary word.
The best place to share with me is in the comments below. I read and give feedback to comments, plus it’s a great way to learn from others in the community. I look forward to hearing from you.
~ Annemarie
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My name is Rina and I from madagascar. I would like to thank for the interview and also for those news vocabulary. I don’t have too much time to learn however I try my best because you are spending your time to share your knowledge to us. Indeed I want to be fluent in speaking english. Please find below my answer. I am an avid reader of the bihavioural, ecology of Primates books. I highly recommand these books for those who want to know the oustanding creature, these animal deserve a protection and conservation, because their status are vulnerable and… Read more »
Thanks so much for sharing, Rina! Sounds like you’ve been doing some interesting reading in preparation for your thesis!
Let’s review the time tense of your last sentence. Did this happen in the past? If so, what could you change here –> “I bump___ into my colleague…” 🙂
I used to be an avid reader in the childhood. Now, I like reading, but I focus on business articles and books. I get absorbed by a traveling. I like all destinations, the park near my house or different the continent.
Thanks for sharing, Oksana! It sounds like you’re still an avid reader but your reading choices have changed. Do you have a favorite website, blog, newspaper, or magazine for reading business articles?
This example is really incredible. because it is real. If she reaches her goal – I’m thinking while I’m watching the interview – probably I also can realize my aim of being more confident and more prepared in English. And I deeply believe in the only rule: practice everyday is the only way to keep your resolution. i’m an avid reader and i’m trying to divide my time between an italian book and an english book. the second one is the funny and catchy novel by David Duchovny (yes, the actor!) called “Holy Cow”. And, at the same time, alongside… Read more »
Hi Vicky,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview with Olga. It certainly is real and Olga has worked hard to develop her fluency and confidence. And you can absolutely do it too! 🙂
I had no idea David Duchovny had a book! I’m very curious about it. Thank you for sharing that recommendation.
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying my lessons and thank you for the kind comments.
Thank you guys for this video, for this nice conversation! And many thanks to Annemarie again, for her efforts linking people all over the world! Like Olga, I also come from a multicultural region, which is the South Eastern Siberia, close to the border with Mongolia. This is a kind of melting pot for different ethnicities, religions and cultures of the former Russian Empire. Many people came here and settled after exiles long before 1917 and later, in course of industrial development which was under the USSR, following their own good will and in search of a better life, like… Read more »
Hello Dara,
I enjoyed your comments so much! Thank you for sharing your story, your history, and your memories. What fun memories of your friends coming back with juicy fruit to share after their summer in Ukraine. 🙂
And I love your motivation for English.
I get absorbed by really good books by Jodi Picoult. I’ve read almost all of her books and watched some movies based on her books. . I highly recommend to read them.
Great recommendation, Jhanna, and nice work with “to get absorbed by!” 🙂 Thanks for your comment and your suggestion.