Comments on: Podcast 24 – Public Holidays in Australia

By: Rob McCormack

Rob McCormack — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:07:33 +0000

In reply to Ignacio.

Hi Ignacio,
Thanks for the feedback and also thanks for the great summary of public holidays in Spain. I like to use public holidays for resting too, although since I retired, every day is a public holiday of sorts for me.
I like the idea of different cultures and different traditions. That’s what makes the world so interesting.
Have a great day.
Rob

By: Ignacio

Ignacio — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 11:47:56 +0000

Hi Rob,
In Spain, most of the public holidays have to do with catholic reasons, but most of the people just use the day for resting.
January the 6th is the day when kids receive the Christmas presents. Three Wise KIngs visit the houses of all the young spanish kids and leave toys. If anybody has had a bad behaviour, the Kings leave sweet coal, which is candy.
In febreary, we celebrate the Carnaval. The best known are those in Canary Islands and Cádiz, where I live.
Then we celebrate Eastern, specially in Andalucía and Castilla, when the images of the sacred characters are taken in parades with music.
Here, in Andalucía, in spring, we celebrate what we call “ferias”. Traditionally, they were meetings to sell cattle and, after that, they used to celebrate the agreement eating, dancing, drinking. Nowadays, the main activity is having fun.
In many regions, the celebrations include bull games, such as in Pamplona. Have you read “Fiesta” by Hemingway. A lot of spaniards want to ban them while many others say that is part of our culture.
The cult to the Virgin Mary is very important and we celebrate several episodes of her life in different dates: 15th of august, 12 of october and 8th of december. As the 6th of december is the day when we voted our Constitution, that week is a nice time to have a short holiday.
Finally, of course, Christmas and New Year Day. The 31st of december, at midnight, we eat 12 grapes and the we toss.
Well, different cultures, different traditions.
Thank you for your podcast.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 20:20:01 +0000

In reply to Anastasiya.

Hi Anastasiya,
Many thanks for your comment. I hope you will visit Australia some day.

Have a great day.

Rob

By: Anastasiya

Anastasiya — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 13:05:07 +0000

Dear Rob,
Thank you for your so detailed podcast.
As visit to Australia is one of my dreams it was interesting for me to read about your holidays…
Going to read all other information that you have posted here.
Thanks!

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 21:30:09 +0000

In reply to James.

Hi James. For the accent, I think it’s very difficult to get exactly the same sound as a native speaker, although with practice you can always improve. Perhaps one aspect of accent is the grammar you use. This is something that can be more easily improved. Some native speakers may react badly to seeing (in writing) or hearing (in spoken language) errors in English grammar. So improving your grammar will always help to improve the way people respond to you. For example, using the correct tense and the correct plural endings will always impress native speakers. This will help to overcome any effects from having a different accent. Improving your grammar is simply a matter of studying it. Perhaps take a short English grammar course online, or make it a point to study one grammar point each day. For example, I follow Deutsche Welle on Facebook and Twitter, because every day they send me small grammar exercises to do in German. Do a search on Facebook or on Twitter and you will find many similar useful resources for English learners.
Hope that helps. Have a great day.
Cheers,
Rob.

By: James

James — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:46:58 +0000

In reply to Rob. Hey rob I m so glad that you have replied me . I was born in oz but I went to hk when I was 1 year age( family issue) . I came back to oz since I graduated my years 12 from hk . Now I m studying medicine degree from Sydney u . The oz accent is always bothering me . It has effect my daily life n even from my work . Do you have any suggestion ?? I m 22 year ages .

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 01:13:53 +0000

In reply to James.

Hi James. I am glad that you like my podcast. I have the Aussie accent because I was born and grew up in Australia. I think the only way to get a true Aussie accent is to learn English in Australia from a young age. But does it really matter about your accent? As long as you can understand others and be understood, that is all that matters.
Have a great day.
Cheers,
Rob

By: James

James — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:08:55 +0000

Thank so much , i love your podcast so much . Do you know how to pick up the oz accent ??

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 20:58:43 +0000

In reply to Elena.

Hi Elena,
Many thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it. And thanks for liking my Facebook page. Have a great day.
Cheers,
Rob

By: Elena

Elena — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:40:51 +0000

Hi Rob,
Thanks for turning the task of improving my English in a pleasure, please keep posting more poscast
Best wishes from Spain

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 01:59:35 +0000

In reply to Raymonbd Herd.

Hi Raymond. Many thanks for your comment. I find I always learn something too, as I research each topic.
Cheers,
Rob

By: Raymonbd Herd

Raymonbd Herd — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 01:03:23 +0000

Great post Rob. I always learn something from your blog and thoroughly engoy reading it. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Raymond