Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall (1934- 2025) was a primatologist, an anthropologist and an adventurous woman who pioneered the observation of apes in their own habitats, when young English women were thought to be too fragile to expose themselves to the dangers of the jungle. She died last October at the age of 91.

Here you can listen to parts of two interviews she gave to Terry Gross (Fresh Air, NPR) in 1993 and 1999 where she talks about how she managed to make a career for herself to become the world-leading chimpanzee expert with no previous scientific training but with a passion for wild animals, starting in the 1950's as a secretary to palaeontologist Louis Leaky in Tanzania. She also talks about the complex social interactions of chimpanzees she observed and the similarities she found to human behaviour: how chimps communicate, how they make their own tools, how they bring up their infants, how they make war against rival groups etc. This long interview (37') has a script, so it can be recommended for C1 students and above, who will come across interesting expressions to learn or to activate like: a conservationist, groundbreaking [observations], mating [patterns], a host of [awards], to tackle [problems], offspring, to charge, bristling [hair], to drag [branches], to stamp [on me], to push, a baboon, a bush pig, dull [eyes], to get on with their lives, to lean [away from the microphone], striking, to embrace, to pat (one another on the back) to swagger, to tickle, a Band-Aid, Epsom salts, the undergrowth, a queer (white-skinned ape), to run off, oil [nut] palm, to groom, to peer, involvement, a wimp, a [return] fare, to be impressed, a gorge, a track, a trail, a scheme, to tramp [off], the bush, to stamp, to snort, to be charged [by a buffalo], a close call, a bully, rugged [ground], to knock [me] over, to charge, to drag, to crack [open] [my head], [to get] mad [at him], to squat, a twig, [to seem] unlikely, a mound, to crunch [them] [up], uproar, mothering, attentive, supportive, harsh, a toddling [child], a raid, a splinter [group], to twist, a limb, a prey, [primate] heritage.

For further information, you can watch the following National Geographic documentary (1h:30') Jane Goodall, an Inside Look, by Brett Morgen on YouTube, which can be watched with subtitles and is recommended for B2 students and above: 

Rosalía talks about "Lux"

Rosalía talks to New York Times critics Jon Caramanica and Joe Cascarelli on Popcast about her latest avant-guard pop album, "Lux" and her creative process to produce innovative sounds in flamenco, reggaeton or in pop music. In Lux, Rosalía sings about spirituality, feminine sainthood, words and poetry in 13 different languages. "There has to exist another way of making pop", Rosalía claims.

The New York Times Popcast is very long (1':30"), so it is recommended for C2 students (machine subtitles are available). Some interesting expressions you can come across along the conversation are: to butter [you] up, to break out, lush [string arrangements], to swerve, a [white] canvas, an abyss, to honour, to relate [to an idea], realm, to wrap your head around, hagiography, a [blank] slate, to crave, to haunt, back and forth, [cultural] appropriation, to pursue, to jot down, to anaesthetize [my pain], a relic, to kick up, a rigorous [task], to hang out with, brutalist, breakthrough, to hit a wall, auteur, fair enough, [to lead me] astray, picky, train of thought, haiku, to have an impression, duende, to commit [yourself], to flip [it], a bodega, to grab, a pantry, a wafer, a raspberry, a nuance, puffy, mealy.

Lux is coming out on November 7th, you can also watch the official video of her lead single Berghain.