All Ears English Podcast: Episode AEE 2356 - "Learn Some New English While You're At It"
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Introduction
In Episode 2356 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the nuances of everyday English expressions that enhance productivity and conversational flow. Titled "Learn Some New English While You're At It," this episode offers listeners valuable insights into the expression "while you're at it" and explores different productivity styles—piecemeal versus all-at-once approaches.
Productivity Styles: Piecemeal vs. All At Once
The episode kicks off with Lindsay and Michelle discussing their personal approaches to getting tasks done. Lindsay identifies herself as someone who prefers to tackle multiple tasks simultaneously, especially when working online. She shares:
Lindsay McMahon [02:01]: "If I have to wait... I have to go to another window and start something else. It's crazy."
Michelle, on the other hand, leans towards a piecemeal approach, handling tasks in smaller, more manageable segments. This contrast sets the stage for a deeper exploration of productivity styles and their impact on language usage.
Exploring "While You're At It"
The core focus of the episode is the expression "while you're at it." Lindsay and Michelle dissect its meaning, usage, and versatility in everyday conversations.
Michelle Kaplan [04:40]: "What does it mean? While we're at it? It means while we're doing something, we might as well do something else. Get something else done."
They emphasize that this phrase is not only useful for adding tasks but also serves as a smooth transition in conversations, making dialogues flow naturally without the abruptness of phrases like "and then" or "next, I'm going to."
Usage and Examples
To solidify understanding, the hosts provide multiple examples demonstrating how "while you're at it" can be seamlessly integrated into various contexts:
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Household Tasks:
Lindsay McMahon [07:09]: "I could say, 'Let's wash our hands. Oh, and wash the tomatoes while we're at it.'"
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Cooking:
Michelle Kaplan [08:58]: "I'll boil the water, and while I'm at it, I'll preheat the oven."
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Combining Activities:
Lindsay McMahon [10:59]: "I did my cardio at the gym and I figured while I was at it, I should also lift weights."
These examples illustrate the phrase's flexibility across different tenses and scenarios, enhancing both spoken and written English proficiency.
Related Expressions
The discussion naturally extends to expressions with similar meanings, such as "might as well" and "kill two birds with one stone."
Michelle Kaplan [05:01]: "It's convenient, so it would be a good idea. We've talked about that expression, kill two birds with one stone."
Lindsay McMahon [05:14]: "Two birds with one stone feels violent. It feels like what I said naturally... this is a much better go-to option for our listeners."
While "kill two birds with one stone" emphasizes achieving two objectives with a single effort, "while you're at it" focuses on adding tasks to those already being performed, often with a more casual and less forceful connotation.
Interactive Poll for Listeners
Engaging listeners, the hosts introduce a Spotify poll related to productivity styles:
Michelle Kaplan [13:25]: "Our poll for today... Are you a piecemealer, or a get-it-done-at-once person?"
This interactive segment encourages audience participation, fostering a sense of community and personalized learning. Lindsay further muses on whether productivity styles might be influenced by cultural or personality factors, adding depth to the discussion.
Role-Play Demonstration
To demonstrate the practical application of the discussed expressions, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play scenario centered around building a DIY bookcase.
Michelle Kaplan [15:34]: "Can you go in the other room and grab the instructions?"
Lindsay McMahon [15:56]: "Sure."
Michelle Kaplan [15:56]: "Oh, and you might as well grab the hammer while you're at it."
This exercise not only showcases the natural incorporation of "while you're at it" and "might as well" but also highlights how these phrases facilitate multitasking and streamline instructions in real-life situations.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As the episode wraps up, Lindsay and Michelle encourage listeners to reflect on their own productivity styles and consider which approach aligns best with their personal and professional lives. They also promote an upcoming episode, "What Do Birds and Efficiency Have in Common?" (Episode 2326), which further explores related expressions and their applications.
Listeners are reminded to participate in the Spotify poll and to leave reviews, fostering ongoing engagement and community building.
Lindsay McMahon [18:03]: "Are you a piecemealer, or do you prefer to get everything done at once? That is our poll for today."
Notable Quotes
- Lindsay McMahon [02:01]: "If I have to wait... I have to go to another window and start something else. It's crazy."
- Michelle Kaplan [04:40]: "While you're at it means while we're doing something, we might as well do something else."
- Lindsay McMahon [05:14]: "Two birds with one stone feels violent."
- Michelle Kaplan [13:25]: "Our poll for today... Are you a piecemealer, or a get-it-done-at-once person?"
Final Thoughts
Episode 2356 of the All Ears English Podcast serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing the expression "while you're at it," while also providing listeners with introspection into their personal productivity styles. Through engaging discussions, practical examples, and interactive elements, Lindsay and Michelle create an enriching learning experience for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to speak American English more naturally and confidently.
Join Lindsay and Michelle in their journey to mastering English with connections, not perfection. Subscribe to the All Ears English Podcast to continue enhancing your language skills and cultural understanding.