• Chapter 60: Making of...(re-upload)
    Jan 22 2024

    For technical reasons we had to re-upload this episode. Apologies for any inconvenience.

    In this chapter I'm joined by Marina, my partner, to explain the making of the podcast, and the plans for the future.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

    The Adventures of Lola Badiola is now available as a book.

    It’s the perfect complement for this podcast.

    It includes complete transcripts, explanations and quizzes.

    So buy it now on Amazon, right here!

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    25 min
  • Chapter 59: The Aftermath
    Apr 20 2023

    Lola and her colleagues walk away from the headquarters of TechSpania with a deal in their hands, and as one adventure ends another one begins.

    In the final chapter of our story, we discuss a lot of relevant vocabulary. In the world of geopolitics, we explain the term ROGUE NATION. And we review the purpose of a COVER STORY.

    We add another four relevant phrasal verbs to your vocabulary, namely - TO RUN THROUGH, TO GO OUT, TO SORT OUT and KICK OUT.

    We explain a couple of very common idioms. Do you have ANY LOOSE ENDS TO TIE UP before the end of the day? How does it feel when THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER?

    And finally, we review the grammar rules of REPORTED SPEECH.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

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    28 min
  • Chapter 58: The Signature
    Mar 21 2023

    The deal between TechSpaina and JBlock is finally signed, but it is not the agreement that anyone expected.

    We discuss two advanced grammatical structures that are used in this chapter. The first is called an INVERSION, the second it’s called a QUESTION TAG.

    We continue to enrich your use of adjectives with words such as MALICIOUS and SLANDEROUS. And we explain the concept of SARCASM and how it differs from irony.

    There are five common expressions related to business deals. Who holds THE UPPER HAND in a negotiation? Who will be THE FIRST TO BLINK? Are you a STRAIGHT SHOOTER. Do you always do EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK? Or are your agreements NOT WORTH THE PAPER THEY ARE WRITTEN ON?

    Finally, we analyse a BODY LANGUAGE technique that can be used to demonstrate authority and influence.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

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    34 min
  • Chapter 57: The Offer
    Mar 21 2023

    Mario Ruiz de Velasco and the team from TechSpania are enraged by Lola’s last-minute intervention in their negotiations.

    In this chapter we explain some really cool verbs related to physical reactions in stressful situations, they include TO FLINCH, TO SQUIRM, and TO DRUM YOUR FINGERS.

    We discuss a couple of important business terms. What is PROOF OF CONCEPT and why is it so important in the technology sector? What does it mean to be BEST IN CLASS?

    We also explain a couple of everyday expressions. Do you know anybody who has a TWINKLE IN THEIR EYE?

    Finally, we focus on the grammatical structure THE SOONER… THE SOONER.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

    The Adventures of Lola Badiola is now available as a book.

    It’s the perfect complement for this podcast.

    It includes complete transcripts, explanations and quizzes.

    So buy it now on Amazon, right here!

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    24 min
  • Chapter 56: The Hack
    Mar 21 2023

    Lola makes an audacious attempt to prevent TechSpania from buying JBlock.

    This chapter is full of interesting vocabulary. Has anybody ever treated you with DISDAIN, have they PATRONIZED you, have they tried to MANSPLAIN something to you?

    How does a company get a FOOTHOLD in the market? And how does it create SYNERGIES when acquiring another company?

    There are also a couple of relevant expressions. Who is THE WHALE in your market? And do you keep AN ACE UP YOUR SLEEVE?

    Finally, we discuss some sensitive issue within the business world. How do you prevent your body from shaking due to nerves when you are PUBLIC SPEAKING?

    How do you put a value on a TECHNOLOGY COMPANY with no revenues but tremendous potential? And how does it feel to be the ONLY WOMAN in a boardroom?

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

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    31 min
  • Chapter 55: The Set Up
    Mar 21 2023

    Lola and her companions enter the boardroom of TechSpania as the deal to buy JBlock is being finalised.

    In this chapter we have some interesting vocabulary related to DRESS CODE in an office. Is it important to be IMPECCABLY DRESSED? Have you ever bought a TAILOR-MADE SUIT? Do you know how to create a WINDSOR KNOTTED TIE?

    We also explain some relevant terms in dealmaking. Do you know how to keep a POKER FACE when negotiating? And who does the final PROOFREADING of the contract?

    We do some work on the pronunciation of the “I” VOWEL SOUND in words such as Wi-Fi.

    And finally, we talk about the importance of BODY LANGUAGE when communicating, negotiating, and presenting.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    28 min
  • Chapter 54: The Entrance
    Mar 16 2023

    Lola and her team arrive at the headquarters of TechSpania, but they still need to pass the security guards to reach the boardroom on the 51st floor.

    There are a couple of interesting common expressions in this chapter. Why do people make LAST-MINUTE CHANGES to agreements? And what does it mean to be in the EYE OF THE STORM?

    We discuss the role of a company’s BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

    We consider the philosophical question of whether THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.

    And finally, we offer some GOOD BUSINESS ADVICE for the moment just before you enter a meeting room full of people.

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.


    The Adventures of Lola Badiola is now available as a book.

    It’s the perfect complement for this podcast.

    It includes complete transcripts, explanations and quizzes.

    So buy it now on Amazon, right here!

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    26 min
  • Chapter 53: Rush
    Mar 9 2023

    Lola has a plan to stop JJ selling the company to TechSpania, but she needs to act fast!

    Let’s examine the advanced grammatical structure of QUESTION TAGS. You know what they are, don’t you?

    In the vocabulary section we explain the verbs TO REBOOT, TO PATCH and TO GATECRASH. We also illustrate what a BINDING CONTRACT is.

    We focus on a very common mistake in Business English , the confusion over BORROW vs. LEND,.

    And finally, we discuss two common expressions. Do you prefer it when people GET TO THE POINT? And what happens when THE PENNY DROPS?

    We hope you enjoy the diverse and relevant content in this chapter. When you are ready for more, please sign up to live and interactive classes with Marina and me, right here:

    www.gratton.es/club-gratton-info

    Bring English into your life!

    And gain the language skills and confidence to succeed in international communication.

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    29 min