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The Blorecast

The Blorecast

De : James Blore
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 Welcome to The Blorecast – An Englishman in Slovakia, a podcast designed for learners and teachers of English who want to improve their skills while enjoying real stories and conversations. Hosted by James Blore, an experienced English teacher and founder of The School of Blore in Košice, Slovakia, this show mixes practical English learning advice with humour, cultural insights, and engaging interviews. Each episode covers useful topics for everyday communication and English exams (including Maturita and Cambridge), explores the challenges of learning English in Slovakia, and shares tips for building confidence in speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. Along the way, James draws on more than 25 years of teaching experience, life in Slovakia, and his passion for storytelling, board games, and more. Whether you are a student preparing for exams, a teacher looking for classroom inspiration, or simply someone who loves the English language, The Blorecast offers a fresh, entertaining, and educational perspective. 👉 Listen now and join our growing community of learners and teachers at blore.skCopyright 2026 James Blore Apprentissage des langues Politique et gouvernement Sciences sociales Écritures et commentaires de voyage
Épisodes
  • Why I smuggled 480 tea bags into Slovakia | Blorecast 25

    Why I smuggled 480 tea bags into Slovakia | Blorecast 25
    Apr 19 2026
    Why do British people drink tea with milk?In this episode of The Blorecast, I explore the history, chemistry, and culture behind Britain’s most iconic drink—and why Slovakia never developed the same tradition.From the East India Company and the Industrial Revolution to tannins, empire, and everyday habits, this video explains how tea became Britain’s national beverage. Along the way, I compare British tea culture with Slovak traditions of herbal infusions and coffee, offering a unique cross-cultural perspective.If you’ve ever wondered why Brits put milk in tea—or why Slovaks say “Poďme na kávu” instead—this is the story behind the mug.☕ Featuring:• The history of tea in Britain• The science behind adding milk• Tea vs coffee in European culture• British traditions explained• A Brit’s life in Slovakia⸻⏱️ Chapters00:00:00 – A Nightmare in Slovakia: No More Tea00:00:08 – “Dust and Broken Dreams”00:00:12 – The Widnes Yorkshire Tea Story00:00:54 – A Personal Connection to Tea00:01:51 – What Do Brits Mean by “Tea”?00:02:49 – The Arrival of Tea in Britain00:03:17 – Tea vs Coffee: The Battle for Britain00:04:00 – Assam Tea and Why Brits Add Milk00:05:34 – The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Tea00:06:00 – Why Slovakia Is Different00:07:03 – Coffee Culture and the Habsburg Legacy00:07:35 – Turecká Káva and Socialist-Era Coffee00:09:00 – Trying to Find Proper Tea in Slovakia00:10:39 – George Orwell’s Rules for Making Tea00:11:06 – My Controversial Tea-Making Method00:12:23 – Tea, Culture, and National Identity00:13:08 – Final Thoughts and Conclusion00:13:35 – Finishing the Tea⸻#BritishTea #TeaWithMilk #BritishCulture #TeaHistory #WhyBritsDrinkTea #Slovakia #CulturalDifferences #YorkshireTea #Blorecast #LifeAbroad #TeaVsCoffee #UKCulture⸻The Blorecast is also available as a podcast🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNbhttps://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694⸻📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/⸻AttributionsHorror sounds: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/horror-horror-sound-lurking-horror-monster-189948/Catherine of Braganza: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catherine_of_Braganza.jpgUK Coffee House: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_of_a_London_Coffee-house,_17th_centuryFXD.jpgOxford: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:High_Street_Oxford_Queens_College.jpgTea Routes: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Whole_world_-_land_and_oceans.jpgCargo Ship: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Francis_Holman_%281729-1784%29_-_The_Indiaman_%27Withywood%27_-_BHC3730_-_Royal_Museums_Greenwich.jpgAssam: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Assam_in_India.pnghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zones_de_th%C3%A9iculture_de_l%27Assam,_1873.jpgAssam Tea: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assam-Tee_SFTGFOP1.jpgAssam Tea Plantation: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_01.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_02.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Tea_Plantation_and_workers_in_Assam_03.jpgTannic Acid: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tannic_acid.svgIndian Chai:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Indian_chai_tea_-_Haridwar_-_India.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/The_soothing_Indian_Chai.jpgIndustrial Revolution: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/MandK_Industrial_Revolution_1900.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/The_St._James%27s_magazine_and_United_Empire_review_%281871%29_%2814755278706%29.jpgČervený Kláštor monastery: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%8Cerven%C3%BD_Kl%C3%A1%C5%A1tor_monastery,_20210807_0849_1378.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C4%8Cerven%C3%BD_Kl%C3%A1%C5%A1tor,_House_of_Camaldul_Monks,_20210807_0927_1497.jpgVienna Cafe: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Caf%C3%A9_Griensteidl_Wien.jpgVienna Cafe (inside): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cafe-Griensteidl-1896.jpgMicrowave Ping: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/household-microwave-ding-104123/Drake Meme: https://imgflip.com/i/apbrtd?herp=1776329571625Orwell Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George-orwell-BBC.jpgOrwell's A Nice Cup of Tea: https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300011h.html#part35⸻MusicOur theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmEAnd the new funky beats are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat
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    14 min
  • Why Britain Lost Its Easter Traditions (and Slovakia Didn't) | Blorecast 24

    Why Britain Lost Its Easter Traditions (and Slovakia Didn't) | Blorecast 24
    Apr 5 2026
    🐰🐣🇬🇧 Why does Easter feel so different in the UK compared to Slovakia? 🧺💦🇸🇰After nearly 30 years living in Slovakia, coming back to Britain at Easter feels… strange. In the UK, it’s mostly chocolate eggs and a long weekend. In Slovakia, it’s five days of rituals, food, and traditions that go back centuries.In this video, I explore the real reasons behind that difference — and address a claim that keeps appearing in the comments: that Britain has weaker traditions because of immigration.The reality is far more interesting.We’ll look at how the English Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, and the decline of religious life reshaped British traditions — and how Slovakia’s history, from the Counter-Reformation to communism, helped preserve its own.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Intro00:41 British Easter – chocolate, bank holidays, and modern habits01:36 Slovak Easter – five days of rituals, food, and tradition04:11 The Argument – “Britain has lost its traditions because...”05:17 Pancake Day vs Fašiangy – one meal vs seven weeks 07:01 The English Reformation – how traditions were dismantled08:33 The Industrial Revolution – losing the connection to the land09:19 The Counter-Reformation – preserving ritual and tradition09:59 Morena – pagan traditions inside the Christian calendar10:32 Slovak National Revival – culture as identity10:52 State-funded Folklore – how communism preserved the forms11:33 Falling faith – modern decline in both countries12:29 The Biggest Sausage – a moment that explains everything. Sort of. 14:38 Wrap-up💬 I’d love to hear from you:What does Easter look like where you live?More chocolate… or more tradition?📌 If you enjoy videos about Slovak culture, language, and life in Central Europe, consider subscribing for more.#Easter #Slovakia #UnitedKingdom #Traditions #Culture #History #SlovakCulture #BritishCulture #EasterTraditions #Blorecast⸻The Blorecast is also available as a podcast🎧 Listen: https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNbhttps://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694⸻📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/⸻Attributionshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westminster_Abbey_(18754332104).jpghttps://www.flickr.com/photos/charmainezoe/33811011038https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EasterSaris12Slovakia8.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EasterSaris12Slovakia3.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gardavsk%C3%A1_Moravsk%C3%A9_typy.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poml%C3%A1zka.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pstrak-Monday.png#mw-jump-to-licensehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zz07_smigus_dyngus_sanok_2010.JPG#mw-jump-to-licensehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20_and_50_Euro_banknote_straps_delivered_by_G4S.jpg#mw-jump-to-licensehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Pancake.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pancake_race_London_on_your_marks.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C5%A1iangy_26_Slovakia_5.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ples_Matice_slovenskej.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palenka.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:After_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger_-_Portrait_of_Henry_VIII_-_Google_Art_Project.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_VI_of_England_-_2.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell_Gaspard_de_Crayer.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philipp_Jakob_Loutherbourg_d._J._002.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kosice_(Slovakia)_-_Jesuistical_Church.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ludovit_Stur_adj.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C5%A1iangy_WLF_21_Slovakia_5.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bratislava_Panorama_R01.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Religious_affiliation_in_Great_Britain_over_time.svghttps://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/national-and-regional-populations/population-of-england-and-wales/latest/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ha%C5%BE%C3%ADn_nad_Cirochou_22_Slovakia.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acetres_e_Hisopos_Sto_Domingo_Calzada_16.jpg⸻MusicOur theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmEThe first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat
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    16 min
  • Blorecast X The British Ambassador | Blorecast 23

    Blorecast X The British Ambassador | Blorecast 23
    Apr 4 2026

    I sat down with Bilal Zahid, the British Ambassador to Slovakia, for lunch at the Pilsner Urquell pub in Košice — and somehow the conversation ended up involving bears.

    We talked about what it's like to live in Slovakia as a Brit, the challenge of learning Slovak, regional differences across the country, and the wildlife. Bilal also shares his tips for language learning and I share my birdwatching gems around Košice.

    If you're learning Slovak, interested in life in Slovakia, or just curious what the British Ambassador makes of the place — this one's for you.

    🇸🇰 Learning Slovak? Check out my video on how I learned Slovak in just 27 years:

    https://youtu.be/s6x62XWGEtY

    📻 Listen to the Blorecast as a podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

    https://feeds.captivate.fm/blorecast/

    https://open.spotify.com/show/0kHQShCL2BG10TD20ILDNb

    https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/the-blorecast/id1837288694

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    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    00:36 The basics

    01:12 Slovak is a hard language

    01:48 Other languages

    02:17 Tips for language learning

    04:05 Best things about Slovakia

    05:29 Challenges

    06:43 Speaking tips

    07:36 Eastern accent

    08:23 Regional differences

    10:12 A foot in every nation

    10:45 James's top tips

    11:55 Bears, boars, ticks and midgies

    13:31 Hidden (birdwatching) gems

    14:29 Outro

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    #Slovakia #LearnSlovak #BritishAmbassador #SlovakLanguage #KošiceSlovakia #ExpatSlovakia #LifeInSlovakia

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    🔔 Subscribe for more

    The Blorecast is a podcast from The School of Blore in Košice, Slovakia. It’s about life, culture, language, and exams – all served up with a dose of humour and storytelling. Whether you’re learning English, preparing for Cambridge exams, or just curious about life in Slovakia, you’ll find something here.

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    📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@bloresk

    📌 Find out more at: https://blore.sk/

    📧 Contact: podcast@blore.sk

    👍 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blore.sk

    📸 Or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blore.sk/

    _______

    Attributions

    The pub:

    https://www.pilsnerurquellpub.sk/kosice/jedalny-listok/speciality#region-menu

    Our theme tune is Ode to Joy – Heavy Edition, written specially for us by the most excellent dafteaux: https://youtu.be/rU6nLowrtmE

    The first funky breakbeat drum loop is by Alexander, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/vintage-drum-and-organ-beat-87-bpm/

    And the new ones are from here: https://samplefocus.com/samples/acoustic-rolling-drum-loop-cool-beat
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    15 min
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