Listen to our radio shows on British and Slovak life and culture seen through the eyes of British Council teachers. These shows were originally aired on Radio FM and part of the Selector programme.
Enjoy themes including popular music acts, media stories and more.
List of the broadcasted shows:
- Meet the parents broadcasted on 10.2.2018 - We look at this particularly tricky milestone in relationship development.
- What`s in fashion broadcasted on 3.2.2018 - We examine the glitzy road from fashion to trashion.
- First date or last date? broadcasted on 27.1.2018 - The kinds of behaviour that just don`t seem to work on a first date.
- Smartphones broadcasted on 20.1.2018 - Why is the fastest selling gadget in history so useful.
- The future of music broadcasted on 13.1.2018 - Rock´n´roll is becoming dreadfully modern. We look at how far it can go.
- What the Slovaks and British are good at broadcasted on 16.12.2017 - The British do nice lawns while the Slovaks are good at compact living. We look at some more strong points on both sides.
- Selfies broadcasted on 9.12.2017 - We investigate the merits of the foot selfie and the threat of the plandid.
- Winter broadcasted on 2.12.2017 - We look at the kind of things people do in winter both in the UK and Slovakia.
- Toys broadcasted on 25.11.2017 - What is big in the toy world this Christmas.
- Perfume broadcasted on 18.11.2017 - Just what is the difference between mighty Eau du Cologne, Aftershave and lowly Eau de toilette.
- Youtube broadcasted on 11.11.2017 - We examine the meteoric rise of the new TV.
- Guy Fawkes Night broadcasted on 4.11.2017 - We look at an apparently disappearing event with a most dramatic beginning.
- Annoying habits on public transport broadcasted on 28.10.2017 - An examination of the most grave irritations including sharp elbows, selfie sticks or eating cabbage as performed live on the bus, train or tram.
- Really annoying business jargon broadcasted on 21.10.2017 - We investigate why benchmarking stakeholders blue sky thinking involves a ballpark figure or at least the collection of some low hanging fruit.
- Aristocrats everywhere broadcasted on 14.10.2017 - In Britain, it is hard to move without bumping into various types of dukes, viscounts or at least a lowly baronet. Why are these titled individuals so numerous?
- Graffiti broadcasted on 7.10.2017 - What is and who makes the mysterious mass of designs that plaster our infrastructure, and why do they do it?
- Electric cars broadcasted on 30.9.2017 - Once as children we played with them on the floor, now they could have an arguably more significant role in saving the planet.
- Tattoos broadcasted on 23.9.2017 We investigate how Popeye`s anchor and rope design has flowered into a spectrum of designer motifs and pictures.
- Gap years and sabbaticals broadcasted on 16.9.2017 - We look at the advantages and pitfalls of the opportunities presented by a year off study or work.
- Climate change broadcasted on 9.9.2017 - It seems, depressingly, that perhaps soon there won`t be any polar bears, Bratislava will have a climate like Marseille and the UK will be even wetter.
- Buskers broadcasted on 2.9.2017 - They lurk on street corners scratching at their guitars. We investigate further.
- Collectors broadcasted on 26.8.2017 - Just what makes people methodically collect objects such as napkins, traffic cones and garden gnomes.
- Ice cream broadcasted on 19.8.2017 - Everybody seems to be crazy about the stuff. We ask why and start our earnest quest for the Slovak raspberry ripple.
- Cafe culture broadcasted on 12.8.2017 - We study both recent and ancient variants of the, pre wifi that is, social meeting points variously know as cafes, caffs or even dinners.
- Destination Croatia again broadcasted on 5.8.2017 - Since the annual migration to Croatia is now well underway, we probe just why Croatia is so touristy.
- So many fish broadcasted on 29.7.2017 - We discuss some fish linked facts including the very latest on the Slovak whale.
- Music and mud festivals broadcasted on 22.7.2017 - Two utter festival novices take you into the world of mosh pits, filler acts and interminable toilet queues
- Stonehenge but why? broadcasted on 15.7.2017 - What exactly was the point of dragging huge rocks around 3,000 years ago to make this famous monument?
- Great age differences in relationships broadcasted on 1.7.2017 - What happens when one partner is ....let`s say post-young.
- Edible insects broadcasted on 24.6.2017 - They are absolutely everywhere so why don`t people eat them?
- Robin Hood and Juraj Jánošík broadcasted on 17.6.2017 - The two swashbuckling folk heroes and their merry bands are compared.
- James Bond's Gadgets broadcasted on 10.6.2017 - A quick guide to James Bond`s highly useful and sometimes dangerous gadgets, including rotating car number plates, perfume flame throwers and a wetsuit with a fake duck on it.
- The other London landmarks broadcasted on 3.6.2017 - We look at what there is to see in London apart from the usual tourist traps.
- Real friends broadcasted on 27.5.2017 - Just what makes the original, not facebook version, of friend.
- Becoming a UK citizen broadcasted on 20.5.2017 - We gamely attempt the UK Citizenship Test.
- Dogs broadcasted on 13.5.2017 - Dogs – man`s best friend. Pooch, hound or mutt - we look at mankind´s close relationship with the dog.
- Water broadcasted on 6.5.2017 - Water - Its vital, wet and nearly everywhere.
- Hiking broadcasted on 29.4.2017 - Hiking – just why do we do it? We examine the massive attraction of hiking.
- Rain broadcasted on 22.4.2017 - Rain – does it really rain that much in Britain? Everybody says that it rains an awful lot in the UK - why?
- Agatha Christie broadcasted on 15.4.2017 - The master of the great British who done it also caused her own real life mystery.
- First Aid broadcasted on 8.4.2017 - Insects stuck in the ear, jellyfish stings and similar first aid events are examined.
- Translation broadcasted on 1.4.2017 - We look at the workings of this much underappreciated art.
- Sherlock Holmes broadcasted on 25.3.2017 - A discussion on the natty dresser and prototype super detective.
- The art of giving flowers broadcasted on 18.3.2017 - A rich source of faux pas. We look at some dos and don`ts for giving flowers.
- Business meetings broadcasted on 11.3.2017 - How to survive business meetings. Drawing Venn diagrams or your colleagues are two real possibilities in those long meetings.
- Retro - is it just pure nostalgia? broadcasted on 4.3.2017 - We are seemingly surrounded by retro fashion, music and objects. Why is it so popular?
- Which is the best time to be a kid? broadcasted on 25.2.2017 - In the past we had parks and jigsaws. Now the lucky young ones have got drones and selfie sticks besides. We examine which generation had it or has it best.
- Valentine's day broadcasted on 18.2.2017 - Is Valentine`s day on the decline? People seem to be paying less attention to cards and presents. So just how does Valentine`s day appear in the 21st century.
- English and Slovak wine broadcasted on 11.2.2017 - A quick look at winemaking in both countries.
- Table manners broadcasted on 4.2.2017 - Fork and napkin positioning can be real faux pas material. We try and steer away out of the many mealtime minefields.
- Predictions broadcasted on 28.1.2017 - We take a long look at what they say will happen in 2017.
- Beer broadcasted on 21.1.2017 - Is beer healthy? Warm or cold, bubbly or flat, its popular and a little of it may be not such a dreadful thing after all.
- Jack the Ripper broadcasted on 14.1.2017 - We discuss what is known about the terrible murderer who carried out horrific crimes in the wretched dark slums of 18th century London
- Breakfast broadcasted on 7.1.2017 - Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Breakfast in its many forms from honest horsey oats to black pudding is scrutinised.
- The nativity play broadcasted on 24.12.2016 - It`s been around 2000 years but the wise men still aren´t on time. We discuss this and other aspects of the tradition.
- Things couples fall out over broadcasted on 17.12.2016 - We take an awkward look at a few of the many things that couples do tend to slightly fall out over: friends behaving like Vikings, rampant relatives, finger marks, crooked towels, insufficient map reading skills......
- Love for Shopping malls broadcasted on 10.12.2016 - We take a journey among the food courts, catwalks and calm of the shiny, bright, new shopping malls which are springing up all around us.
- University life broadcasted on 3.12.2016 - A blow-by-blow account of student life.
- Trainspotting broadcasted on 26.11.2016 - We examine a somewhat mysterious hobby that quite simply involves collecting the numbers of train.
- Beards broadcasted on 19.11.2016 - It seems that goatees and friendly mutton chops are absolutely everywhere. We lament the fall and rise of the beard.
- Kidults broadcasted on 12.11.2016 - Things for kids but adults buy them too. The dawning era of the kidadult is explored.
- Common Cures broadcasted on 5.11.2016 - A look at both home cures and sheer quackery.
- Mushrooms broadcasted on 29.10.2016 - A source of great mistrust in the UK and much joy in Slovakia. We discuss why.
- Smells broadcasted on 22.10.2016 - How well do humans in fact smell and our take on those special aromas of the UK and Slovakia.
- DJs broadcasted on 15.10.2016 - We struggle with the dodgy wedding variety, turntablism, beat juggling and Grandmaster Flash.
- Bad habits broadcasted on 8.10. 2016 - Hair twirling, lip smacking, checking phones every two seconds – and so on, plus some bad habits in language learning.
- The Bike broadcasted on 1.10.2016 We evaluate the sheer brilliance of this the very greatest of inventions.
- Taboos aired on 24.9.2016 - We quietly discuss some taboo topics in a suitably roundabout and indirect fashion.
- Coffee aired 17.9.2016 - Apparently discovered by a goat, the pros and cons of this controversial pick-me-up are evaluated.
- Packing aired 10.9.2016 - The strange and skilled art of holiday packing is examined.
- George Orwell aired 27.8.2016 - A discussion on the great novelist, essayist, critic and life observer.
- Dating aired 20.8.2016 - We study the long journey that has taken us from matchmakers and chaperons to the brash era of online and speed dating.
- Fair Play aired 13.8.2016 - Life is a spicy mosaic of fair and rather less fair play. Queuing for the bus, courtship, the boss` desk, football diving and exams are considered from both ends of this moral spectrum.
- New words aired 6.8.2016 - Crumping, upskilling, power couples. What other words are brand new to the language and why, in fact, do we need them?
- Clouds aired 30.7.2016 - Wet with tongue-twisting names, a chat about the clouds in the sky above us.
- Joy Division - Love Will Tear us Apart aired 18.6.2016 - A brief look at a profound song from a famously sad band.
- Radiohead - The Bends aired 11.6.2016 - Strange name for a song. We discuss what it might in fact be about.
- The Manic Street Preachers – Design for Life aired 4.6.2016 - Libraries give us power. We consider the famous line.
- The Who - Won`t get Fooled Again aired 28.5.2016 - Biorhythms in the synthesizer track? A quick look at the classic Who song
- Death of Languages aired 21.5.2016 - How are rare languages surviving and should we keep them? We look at why languages die and whether they are being born.
- Bed and Breakfast aired 14.5.2016 - A fantastic but surprisingly non-dog friendly British institution. We consider blue bacon, copious tea, pretentious names and raucous toilets.
- Reasons to be cheerful aired 7.5.2016 - We firmly concentrate on the glass being half full side of life rather than the half empty version.
- Coincidence aired 30.4.2016 - A chat on chance, fate and coincidence.
- Kings and Queens aired 23.4.2016 - A rapid review of our monarchs including, of course, Ethelred the unready
- Ancient Britons aired 16.4.2016 - A look at the Ancient Briton: cloaks, early hair arrangements, stone circles and issues with aloof Romans.
- Secrets aired 9.4.2016 - They say its better to share your secrets than bottle it all up inside. We tell all. Maybe.
- Street food aired 2.4.2016 - Its getting slightly trendy. The explosion of takeaway food from its lardy fish and chip creation towards the illustrious peaks of hard shell tacos.
- The Great Fire of London aired 26.3.2016 - The fire of 1666 started in Pudding Lane and burnt for about three days.
- The Romans in Britain aired 19.3.2016 - From sewers to rabbits: how the Romans have changed Britain.
- Green aired 12.3.2016 - We celebrate the relaxing glories of the colour green and its worthy use on ticks, dragon skin, medieval merchant fashion, the House of Commons seats and dollars.
- Numbers aired 5.3.2016 - Our life is just a pile of numbers. We unmathematically discuss the magic number, numerology, early accounting and a dozen
- Zoos aired 27.2.2016 - As the wild rapidly disappears for wild animals, we reflect on the role of the zoo.
- Hunting and Fishing aired 20.2.2016 - A discussion on these increasingly regulated rural pursuits.
- St Valentine´s Day aired 13.2.2016 - We explore issues concerning the Valentine`s ecard as well as other highlights of the amorously, anonymous day.
- Oscar Wilde aired 6.2.2016 - The life, rise, times fall and legacy of the witty and flamboyant writer.
- Utopia aired 30.1.2016 - Is when everybody has everything they want all of the time. We discuss why this rarely happens!
- Beauty! aired 23.1.2016 - We tackle the intriguing history of blonde hair dye, corsets and beauty in the eye of the caveman.
- Margaret Thatcher aired 16.1.2016 - What she did and why it is still so talked about, including her undervalued contribution to the development of soft ice cream.
- Eccentrics! aired 9.1.2016 - Dinner parties for fashionably dressed dogs, eating jaguars, striking hair styles. We examine the glorious tradition of the great British eccentric.
- Winter Sports aired 2.1.2016 - The British did, apparently, actually invent ice hockey. This aside, we look at some other bracing aspects of winter sports.
- Charles Dickens aired 26.12.2015 - Something on the background, times and work of the great British writer.
- The Christmas Tree aired 19.12.2015 - As well as a nice pine smell, a pile of needles and some nice memories the Christmas tree has an intriguing story.
- Money aired 12.12.2015 - Money in its many forms. Are we really nearing the end of the piggie bank?
- The Days of the Week aired 5.12.2015 - We examine the names of the days of the week and statistically what happens on which day. Mobiles are most often stolen on Mondays while wars are usually declared on Fridays!
- Shakespeare aired 28.11.2015 - Shakespeare gave English over 2000 new words. Decades after leaving school, confused, we finally discover what the The Taming of the Shrew is actually about...
- Halloween aired 21.11.2015 - We examine one mixed-up festival involving ghosts, bobbing for apples, pumpkins, horror wellness events and bloody drinks.
- Alastair Bassett aired 14.11.2015 - We ask a top British Council employee to answer questions as to what he would do if he were, by some misfortune, shipwrecked on a tropical desert Island...
- The Moon aired 7.11.2015 - We scrutinize moonlighting, moonshine, over the moon and moony as well as a variety of slightly odd things associated with the moon.
- Getting Used to Life in Slovakia and the UK aired 31.10.2015 - We examine some things which new arrivals sometimes find hard to get used to in both countries.
- The Sun aired 24.10.2015 - It´s dreadfully hot and awfully useful. The ins and outs of the celestial body are discussed.
- British and American English aired 17.10.2015 - We consider pavement or sidewalk, restroom or toilet, math or maths and a long list of others.
- American and British Culture aired 10.10.2015 - A respectful gaze at those small cultural differences between the two countries that do somehow set us apart.
- Change in Bratislava aired 3.10.2015 - Changes to the capital, its places and people, for better or otherwise over the last few years.
- 1989 aired on 26.9.2015 - What was happening in the UK and the events of that year in Slovakia.
- Names aired on 19.9.2015 - We have a look at where our names come from, trendy names, stage names, and nicknames.
- Vegetarians and the planet aired on 1.8.2015 - We discuss curious Slovak vegetarian menus, famous vegetarians, just how many there are and why they are planet friendly.
- Teaching in the UK and Slovakia aired on 25.7.2015 - A look at this topic from the viewpoint of both those being taught and those teaching.
- What is early? aired on 18.7.2015 - A weary discussion on early birds and why they do in fact get up so dreadfully early.
- Going to the doctors aired on 4.7.2015 - We look at the issues of doctor`s challenging writing, waiting in waiting rooms and alternative medicine in both the UK and Slovakia, and decide just where it is better to be ill.
- The village aired on 27.6..2015 - How have villages changed in the UK, what`s in them and our impressions of Slovak villages.
- Train Trips aired on 20.6.2015 - A chat about train journeys in the UK and Slovakia. And, why there are so many songs about trains.
- Balconies aired on 13.6.2015 - Some a miniature oasis and others are a bike shed. We look at the wind-blown smokers last refuge.
- Storms aired on 6.6.2015 - We try and suggest why, “any port in a storm,“actually makes some sense in a country without a sea.
- The Expat aired on 30.5.2015 - A look at the habits of that unusual being the UK expat in Slovakia, and his Slovak counterpart in the UK.
- Countries of Contrast aired on 16.5.2015 - A chat about some contrasts existing in people`s lives both here and in the UK.
- Taxis aired on 9.5.2015 - We look at that oldest of trades - the taxi service in the UK and Slovakia.
- The great English picnic aired on 2.5.2015 - A blow-by-blow account of picnics ̶ what to take, where to go, who to take and possible problems with ants.
- Parents aired on 18.4.2015 - Victorian or helicopter parents. We discuss the different styles of parenting.
- Social networks aired on 11.4.2015 - A rapid look at the internet and social online networks.
- Art aired on 4.4.2015 - A discussion about some of the art around us.
- Robots aired on 28.3.2015 - The metal guys are on the way. A discussion about man`s best friend of the future.
- Colours aired on 21.3.2015 - We colour our language with colours. A chat about red herrings, black sheep, golden boys, blue moons, green fingers..
- The average British man and woman aired on 14.3.2015 - We discuss crucial features of the average Brit such as number of phone contacts, foot size, cooking repertoire, and romantic things....
- Spring aired on 7.3.2015 - A chat on spring. In particular, the worst spring birdsong, butterflies and nesting storks.
- The red British phone box aired on 28.2.2015 - We used to use these to phone people. A nostalgic glimpse at the time before even smartphones existed...
- Corporate Jargon aired on 21.2.2015 - Why, oh why is business talk full of words like cascading, H2H, best practice, future-proof, bleeding edge and core competencies. What do these things actually mean anyway?
- Job Interviews aired on 14.2.2015 - An analysis of the more unusual and usual questions that we meet on these occasions.
- Phrasal verbs aired on 7.2.2015 - A discussion about a confusing and slightly illogical aspect of English.
- Ages aired on 31.1.2015 - How life changes as we go through it. We concentrate on those best, rather exciting, bits.
- Image aired on 24.1.2015 - Just what creates somebody`s image: clothes, music, accent, hobbies, race of doggie…their attitude to Dire Straits ? And, of course, something about Hipsters!
- Interview aired on 17.1.2015 - A brief chat with a real radio person, namely Daniel Baláž.
- Games aired on 10.1.2015 - Why a game isn`t a sport and the special joys of board games.
- Dentists aired on 3.1.2015 - An end user´s view on drilling, saying no to anaesthetic, the waiting room and of course wisdom teeth.
- British Rock aired on 27.12.2014 - With measured admiration we look at what it is, what it looks like, the ways it`s changed, and why its always so good.
- Alternative Christmas aired on 20.12.2014 - A little look at our biggest holiday and spending it differently.
- Football aired on 13.12.2014 - Why we like it, the moves it involves and the horrors of school football.
- Men and women aired on 6.12.2014 - Definitely not the same. A tiny contribution to the never-ending discussion on this heated topic. We investigate housework, shopping, children`s shoelaces, the washing, tumbleweed dust balls...
- Crime aired on 29.11.2014 - Shop lifting and shop fittings. A quick discussion on breaking the law.
- Flying aired on 22.11.2014 - Love it or hate it, but most of us do it. We explore some of the thorny issues associated with air travel – queuing, completely lost luggage, seating and flying food.
- Cardiff aired on 15.11.2014 - The Welsh and apparently exceptionally flat capital explored.
- Bristol aired on 1.11.2014 - A discussion on why there are some many hotels called Bristol. Also, attractive graffiti and some music from the large west country city.
- London to Brighton aired on 25.10.2014 - Great Britain`s version of route 66 is explored.
- Landscapes aired on 18.10.2014 - A bird`s eye view of Britain`s varied topography.
- Chavs aired on 11.10.2014 - Two great songs and a discussion on a strange word describing a British stereotype.
- Second hand cars aired on 4.10.2014 - A hands-off chat about that strange, unpredictable animal – the second hand car.
- Divorce aired on 20.9.2014 - Two brilliant tunes and an eccentric sideways look at the whirlpool that is divorce.
- Marriage aired on 13.9.2014 - The traditional day and its slightly more odd traditions
- What to do in summer aired on 6.9.2014 - A chat about the summer time way of life in this neck of the woods.
- Pets aired on 30.08.2014 - Cats or Dogs? A discussion on this and other hot pet-related issues.
- DIY aired on 23.08.2014 - We share some thought on drill bits, flat packs, power tools and swearing, and whether walking around enormous DIY shops on Sundays is really a great morning out.
- Things that raise a smile aired on 16.08.2014 - Some things that raise a smile, with us anyway, in Slovakia
- Being Polite and Queuing.aired on 09.08.2014 - Two, sadly, non-olympic features of the British character are explored.
- British Foods aired on 02.08.2014 - A brief chat regarding a fraught subject.
- Afternoon Tea aired on 26.7.2014 - The truth behind this unshakeable event.
- Euphemism aired on 19.7.2014 - Do we ever say exactly what we mean, or do we put it another way. Some wonderful euphemisms explored.
- The Smiths aired on 5.7.2014 - Jangly guitars, the ever popular sixth form favourites.
- The Jam aired on 28.6.2014 - A theory regarding their name, plus a little bit more about the powerful three piece!
- David Bowie aired on 21.6.2014 - Challenging lyrics and an ever changing image.
- Oasis aired on 14.6.2014 - Some conversation about the Brit pop pioneers.The staggering truth about their name.
- The Who aired on 7.6.2014 - Power chords and a sometimes frictious relationship.
- Newspapers in the UK aired on 31.5.2014 - People’s reading habits in Britain. The ambiguous language of newspaper headlines.
- Music media aired on 24.5.2014 - The evolution of music recording from the vinyl era up to MP3. The impact of this on how music sounds, and how our listening habits have changed.
- Learning Slovak aired on 17.5.2014 - Our experiences of learning the language – common problems encountered and what we (don’t) recommend that learners try.
- French Words aired on 3.5.2014 - The are a lot of French words which are used and misused in the English language. Why do we use so many of them?