TED Talks – Ideas worth spreading

“Have you seen the TED talk?” If not, find out what you’ve been missing!

So who is this Ted person? Ted isn’t a person, but rather an acronym:

T = Technology

E = Entertainment

D = Design

TED is also the name of a non-profit organisation devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks of 18 minutes or less. TED talks are held around the world, with experts from many fields delivering highly original, topical (even controversial) ideas – they’re informative and often really entertaining. Recordings of these talks are uploaded frequently onto the TED Talks website for everyone to enjoy for free!

Most recordings have subtitles available in many languages, and you’re able to get involved by adding your comments and reading those of other viewers, from all over the world! When you’re watching TED Talks you’re part of a global community.

While you’re stuck at home, if you need a break activity that is more inspiring than Netflix but just as entertaining, check out some of our recommendations below to get you started. But be warned, once you start you might not be able to stop! There are thousands of Talks to explore on nearly any topic you can imagine.

Learning in a second language – not easy, but always rewarding

Being a Second Language Learner – by Chantae Park

This talk explores how second language learners truly feel and think when finding limitations in their second (or other) languages. It further emphasizes the importance of having the courage to make mistakes and learn and improve based on their own experiences. It also asks native speakers to understand the experience of language learners.

The secrets of learning a new language – by Lýdia Machová

In this upbeat, inspiring talk, Lýdia shows the value of knowing multiple languages – something anyone can do if you follow her four principles.

Self Isolation – some of us cope better than others; some words of advice (and some fun) to see you through

How to make stress your friend – by Kelly McGonigal

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas – by Manoush Zomorodi

Learn to love being bored as Manoush Zomorodi explains the connection between spacing out and creativity.

How to create meaningful connections while apart – by Priya Parker

Author Priya Parker shares tools for creating meaningful connections with friends, family and coworkers during the coronavirus pandemic -- and shows how we can take advantage of gatherings that are unique to this moment of social distancing. "We don't necessarily need to gather more," she says. "We need to gather better."

Why people believe they can’t draw - by Graham Shaw

Most people think they can't draw, but communications expert Graham Shaw isn't buying it. In this fun, instructional talk, he demonstrates how a few adjustments to your drawing technique (and your attitude) can leave you with an effective new presentation tool as well as an outlet for your creativity.

Where joy hides and how to find it – by Ingrid Fetell Lee

Cherry blossoms and rainbows, bubbles and googly eyes: Why do some things seem to create such universal joy? In this captivating talk, Ingrid Fetell Lee reveals the surprisingly tangible roots of joy and shows how we all can find -- and create -- more of it in the world around us.

Study – talks on motivation, procrastination and more!

The puzzle of motivation – by Dan Pink

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward.

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – by Tim Urban

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages us to think harder about what we're really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

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And if you’re wanting to settle in for a long TED Talk session, we recommend you check out the Staying in? Geek out Playlist. It includes some amazing topics like;

- How trees talk to each other

- A visual history of social dance in 25 moves

- The 3,000-year history of the hoodie

or you can start following the TED Talks Daily Spotify channel for a regular daily dose!