To Fluency Podcast: English with Jack (JDA Industries Inc.)

In this English audio lesson, you're going to learn about a typical day in the life of Dave. And in this short story, you're going to hear over 50 phrasal verbs. After listening to the story, you'll learn what these phrasal verbs mean and I'll give you lots of examples to help you better understand how to use them.

Phrasal verbs are important for being able to speak English fluently and with confidence. So, listen to this episode and take notes!

Want to learn more about this podcast? Go here: https://www.tofluency.com/podcast

In this episode, I talk about why it's important to embrace difficulty and to get excited when you can't do something. This is how you're going to improve.

Learn more about our methods here:
https://www.tofluency.com

We also go into the difference between deliberate practice and passive learning and I give you my favorite method for learning English fast.

I hope you enjoy it!

In this English lesson, you're going to learn a way in which you can learn English over the next 12 months. Most learners fail because they don't stay consistent. This video will give you the 10+ Method for English learning success.

Learn more about our methods here: https://www.tofluency.com

In order to reach English fluency (a C1 level in most cases), you need to do the right things consistently. This includes:

- getting lots of input
- learning the sounds of English and pronunciation in general
- using repetition in a smart way
- getting natural speaking practice

But it's one thing knowing what to do. It's another thing actually doing it.

That's where the 10+ method can change everything!

It's this: commit to ten minutes of something that you need to do every day. Just ten minutes. You must do this every day. No excuses.

If you do more, great! If not, no worries.

There will be days when you want to do more. There will be days when you don't. But the minimum amount is 10 minutes (or 5 or 15 or 20 - whatever you choose. Don't get greedy though!).

Informal contractions are common in everyday English. In this episode, you're going to learn the most common examples so that you can better understand English speakers.

Here are the examples from the episode:

1. Didja do it?
2. I shoulda done it
3. I hafta go
4. Wouldja do it?
5. I dunno
6. Gimme some time
7. Whatcha doing?
8. Doncha wish your…
9. I kinda like it -
10. Tellem to do it
11. I kinda wanna go soon

Go to https://www.tofluency.com/relax to get the show notes. Thank you for listening!

In this English lesson, I'm going to go through American vocabulary and Americanisms that seem natural to me now (I'm from the U.K. but live in the U.S.) - listed below.

I'll also go through words and phrases that still sound strange to me.

This is great for you if you want to learn some differences between British and American English.

Want a free English fluency book? Visit our website here: https://www.tofluency.com

Here is the list of the words and expressions used in this episode:

- Soccer
- Diaper / stroller
- Like
- Did you have breakfast yet?
- Can I get…?
- Chips and fries
- Takeout
- Gas and gas station

Words and phrases I still use that are considered British English:
- Couldn't care less (not could!)
- Yoghurt
- Tomato
- Water bottle
- Trolley
- Torch

To find our British and American English conversations, simply search for "English Conversations To Fluency" in your favorite search engine.

In this episode of the To Fluency Podcast, you're going to learn 37 phrases related to cooking pizza (see the phrases below).

Want a free fluency book? Go to my website here: https://www.tofluency.com

Here are those phrases:

- the woman is wearing an apron
- I don't think I've worn an apron for 10 years
- we also have all the different ingredients out for her
- the chef is taking some flour and pouring this into a bowl
- she's adding flour to a bowl
- she picks up the bowl of yeast and adds that to the mix
- yeast is very important when it comes to pizza bases
- now she mixes all of that together
- you can see here she is pouring milk to this flour base
- she's pouring the liquid into the bowl
- This is when things can get a bit messy
- you obviously want to wash your hands before doing this
- you can see now that she's kneading it together
- now unless you want the dough to stick to the table, it's a good idea to sprinkle some flour on the table
- she breaks off some of the dough
- She puts that dough on the table, pushes it down a couple of times
- she flips it over
- she takes the rolling pin to roll the dough into the shape of a pizza
- Before making the rest of the pizza, she goes out to the garden
- she cuts off some basil
- she brings the basil inside and washes it under the tap
- she then places it on a towel to dry
- the puts the pizza base on a plate
- she puts some sauce on the base and spreads it out
- she grates the cheese over the pizza
- this can be called grated or shredded cheese
- she brings over some vegetables
- the vegetables have already been sliced
- she puts the vegetables on the pizza
- this adds a little bit of spice to the pizza
- she then takes the basil that she picked before
- she adds this as a garnish
- the last thing it needs is a little bit of salt on top
- I would have added some meat
- she then takes the pizza over to the oven
- the oven is already preheated
- she puts the pizza in the oven
- I hope she puts a timer on
- you never want to burn your pizza
- the cheese is going to start burning in a second
- it's starting to look really good
- she opens the oven and takes the pizza out
- she uses oven gloves so she doesn't burn her hands
- I would have cooked that for another two or three minutes
- I like a crispier crust
- I would still eat it
- it's now time to cut the pizza into slices
- I normally burn my fingers doing this because I'm too eager
- everyone jumps in and takes a slice
- hopefully, they're going to wait until it cools down

Thank you for listening!

Get your free book here: https://www.tofluency.com

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

Our friends, family, and workmates influence us more than we think. The famous quote from Jim Rohn states that we are the average of the five people that we spend most of our time with. Here are some examples:

- If everyone around you eats unhealthily, you will most likely eat bad food too.
- If everyone around you is always complaining and isn’t enjoying life, it will be difficult for you to be carefree and to have fun.
- But, if everyone around you is highly motivated, you are more likely to be motivated too.

As James Clear puts it: “Most of our behaviors are driven by two things: our environment and our beliefs. And environment is perhaps the most powerful of those two because in many cases your environment can shape your beliefs. This is especially true when you consider your environment to include the people who surround you”

How We Can Apply This to Learning English?

It’s hard to do anything on your own for a long time, especially when progress can’t always be seen. Learning English is a long-term journey; a journey full of different challenges. And it’s even more difficult to do what we need to do over the long-term if others aren’t supporting you.

We only have so much willpower [the ability to control our actions]; we need the support of others and to be in a positive environment to achieve our goals. Think about the people that you spend the most time with:

- Are they driven and motivated?
- Are they supportive of your English learning goals?
- Are they the type of people who can achieve a goal such as learning English?

If not, they could be slowing down your progress without you knowing it. They could be affecting you subconsciously and stopping you from doing the things you need to do to reach English fluency.

This might sound quite depressing, but there is good news..

Spend More Time With Those Who Inspire You:

What I don’t suggest is that you leave your family, ditch all your friends, and then only hang around [spend your time with] Richard Branson, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama!

But a great starting point is to hang around with others in person or online who have similar goals and ambitions that you have. For example, I meet up with four other entrepreneurs once a month in my local area, and we chat regularly online too. We all inspire, motivate, and help each other to do the things that we need to do in order to achieve our goals.

I’m also friends with teachers online who are as driven and committed as I am. We inspire each other to keep creating amazing resources for our students and to keep improving as teachers.

Being surrounded by these people has helped me and this website grow tremendously over the past year. And I don’t think that I would be where I am now if I hadn’t taken that step.

So, let’s now take a look at what you can do to improve your circle of influence so that you reach your English learning goals.

As learning English isn’t something that can be achieved in 3 months, you may hear a lot of negative things from other learners, such as:

- English is so hard.
- I’ll never reach fluency.
- My English is terrible and it’s getting worse. I should give up.

What I suggest you do is to ignore these comments, and don’t spend time with these people (when possible). Instead, connect with others who are going to have a positive influence on your English learning. The effect this will have will be huge, and will make a big difference to the progress you make.

You can do this by:

- Following inspiring people on social media (teachers and language learners) and communicating with them in meaningful ways.
- Joining groups with other English learners to discuss your goals and what you are doing to achieve them. Keep the discussion positive, and encourage each other to keep progressing.
- Changing the subject when someone talks about your goals in a negative way.

This is a great starting point, and you will soon notice how being around positive people, both teachers and fellow learners, will have a positive effect on your learning.

In episode 8 of the To Fluency Podcast (Learn English with Jack), I talk about the strange reason why I started learning Spanish and the mistakes that I made as a beginner.

I then go through what I would have done differently if I knew what I know now (what a great sentence to learn!).

Enjoy this episode and then, head over to https://www.tofluency.com to get your free book.

Thanks for listening.

In this episode, Jack talks about phones and social media in society today and how you can leverage them to learn English. There are many phrases to learn here and I think you will find the topic interesting.

Want a free fluency book? Go here: https://www.tofluency.com

In this episode, I am going to give you an English reading method that will help you make fast progress to fluency.

You are going to learn:

- the difference between intensive and extensive reading
- how to find the books in English that are going to help YOU
- a reading method that ensures you enjoy reading and helps you learn new words and phrases

Read the article here: https://tofluency.com/english-reading-practice/

https://www.tofluency.com/book - Click here to join my email list and get my book (for free!).

The European Framework for Languages can help you with this. There are six levels in total:

A1: Beginner - This is where you can use very simple expressions. You need the other person to speak slowly.

A2: Elementary - This where you can understand frequently used expressions and can talk about simple things.

B1: Intermediate - You can deal with most situations when traveling and give explanations for opinions and plans.

B2: Upper Intermediate - You feel confident in most situations and can speak with a certain level of fluency.

C1: Advanced - This is fluency. You can use the language in a flexible way in many situations.

C2: Proficient - Understand everything and you speak like a native.

So, what level do you currently have? And are you happy with this level?

Please share this video if you found it useful. Thanks.

Here is the article on this topic: https://www.tofluency.com/english-level-test

In today's episode, you're going to learn English phrases related to getting around cities in Europe and the U.S. This will give you great listening practice, give you vocabulary related to this topic, and give you insight into what it's like living in the United States.

Here are some key phrases from this lesson:
- I grew up in the U.K.
- To get around a city
- Pavement - Sidewalk
- Zebra crossings - crosswalks
- It used to cost…
- If I had time, I would walk
- The U.S. is set up for cars
- The train system in the U.S. isn’t as developed as in Europe
- Most people drive or take a flight
- They’ve been built with the car in mind
- There aren’t any sidewalks
- Strip malls are popular here
- They drop you off on the side of the road

Be sure to go to https://www.tofluency.com to get your free book. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, you’re going to learn a power verb. To get the examples, be sure to search for “to fluency Jack get” in Google. Enjoy!

In this episode, Kate joins Jack to have a conversation about online shopping. The key with this episode is to get listening practice and to try and understand as much as you can.

Want to listen along with subtitles? Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTCB6FStEQ

In this episode, I talk about the reason for buying local. This is a follow-up to episode 14 where Kate and I talked about online shopping.

Get the book I mentioned here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Watch the conversation with subtitles here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTCB6FStEQ

In this episode, you're going to learn how you can improve your writing in English. This is one of the four skills of English and practicing in this area will help you master English in a general sense too.

Here is the app that I recommend (affiliate link): https://www.tofluency.com/grammarly/

Tip 1: Write in the style that you're going to use (IELTS, business, conversational)
Tip 2: Copy text. Get your favorite drink, read a sentence and copy a sentence
Tip 3: Read a lot to get used to how English is written
Tip 4: Practice and get feedback from a teacher
Tip 5: Use the app that I listed above
Tip 6: Take your time and look up words and phrases

Thank you for listening! Get your free book here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

Here's the lesson on GET:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E8JqV4D3Os

Here's the lesson on future tenses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UISiuiPd_FY

Here are some of the key phrases from this lesson:

(to get the audio flashcards, go here: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/ )

- Look up flights
- Direct or with stops
- Flight times
- Red-eye flights
- Price
- Checked bags, assigned seats, and cancelation policy
- Which airport you fly out of and to
- Buy tickets
- We’re traveling to California in August
- We’re planning on traveling to California in August
- We’re going to travel to California in August
- We bought tickets for California in August
- Pack your bags and remember your passport and other important documents
- I prefer to pack light - means not take more than you need to
- If I can get away with having just a carry-on bag, I’ll do it
- Get to the airport (get is a power word in English - see my lesson on that) - it means to go or arrive somewhere
- In the past, I have taken taxis, trains, and buses
- In the U.S., most people drive or get dropped off by someone
- Park at the airport - maybe you need to get a shuttle bus - then, enter the airport - bigger airports have different terminals
- This is where the fun starts!
- Stressed
- Rushing
- Get there in good time
- Check- in - check your passport and your tickets
- Weigh your carry-on bag
- Give you your boarding passes
- The tough bit - going through security
- It used to be much easier (used to)
- Now, there are long queues/lines and it can be quite stressful
- You have to empty your pockets, take out your electronics, take off your shoes, and take off your belt
- Then, you go through a scanner
- Most people don’t like this part. However, waiting on the other side can be great
- You go airside
- This is where the shops, restaurants, bars, duty-free stores, and boarding gates are
- Mose people feel much more relaxed here
- We normally have a walk around, go to a few shops, go the restroom - bathroom - and then, find our gate
- On the ticket, there’s information with the gate number, flight time, seat number, boarding time, and zone
- The zone means when you are going to board the plane - business and first-class go first - economy goes last
- Although things seem great here, there can be a few things that happen
- First, a flight might be delayed or even canceled due to a number of reasons
- No one like this - especially, if you have a connecting flight - which is another flight from the airport you’re flying to
- Another issue could be overbooking. This is where the airline has issued more tickets than seats available. This is common practice as statistically, there are people who don’t show up for their booked flight. At first, people volunteer to take a flight the day after.
- If they don’t get enough volunteers, passengers are bumped - which means, they’re chosen to fly at a later date
- When it’s time to board, you show your passport and boarding ticket to go through. Here, you through the tunnel and in most cases, board the plane there. In other cases, you might have to take a shuttle bus to the plane.
- Boarding tends to close 15-20 minutes before departure - if anyone hasn’t boarded and the gates are closing soon, they will announce their name over the speaker system
- After going through the tunnel and arrive at the plane door, you show your boarding pass again, go to your seats, put any carry-on luggage in the compartment above your seat, and then get comfy
- Once on the plane, you’ll usually receive a blanket and a pillow for longer flights - you’ll also have a mini-tv
- In economy class, there isn’t much legroom - and your seat doesn’t recline that much
- On most flights, I read a book or watch something. Sometimes, I’ll have a nap
- When taking off, you put on your seatbelt and listen to the safety announcement
- Now… airplane food. To be honest, I don’t normally eat any of it. It’s never that appealing. I don’t tend to drink alcohol either.
- When landing, you’ll need to put on your seatbelt, and put up your food tray and your seat
- When the plane arrives at the gate, people are quick to take off their seatbelt and get their bags out of the overhead compartment
- From here, people get off the plan, walk through the airport to the baggage area and wait for any checked baggage to come on the luggage belts
- Then, if you have traveled internationally, you go through customs. Depending on the airport and country, this can be quick or can sometimes, take hours
- Once you have done that, you are free to leave the airport and get to wherever you’re going

In this episode, you're going to learn phrases that you can use to express how you are feeling in English.

Here is the link to get bonus lessons and more:
https://www.tofluency.com/more

- Fear
- I’m scared of heights (phobia)
- Standing on the edge of that building was scary
- I was so scared when I was on that building
- I’m terrified of heights
- It freaks me out (American)
- To be Scared to death

- Anger
- I’m really angry about he did
- It makes me so mad when people…
- I can’t believe you did that
- I’m so upset (similar to sadness)

- Sadness
- I’m sad that we lost today
- I’m distraught that Preston lost today
- I’m gutted
- I’m gutted that I didn’t get the job

- Joy
- To be happy
- I’m happy that you came
- I’m so happy you came to the party
- Will you be happier if you quit your job?
- With enthusiasm
- To be pumped about something
- I’m pumped about this game!
- To be stoked
- I’m stoked
- I’m glad you came
- Aren’t you glad you came now?

- Surprise
- I’m surprised he bought that car
- It’s surprising
- I’m shocked she did that
- I can’t believe it (intonation)

- Trust
- I trust him
- I should never have trusted her
- Do you think I should trust them?
- I don’t think he’s very trustworthy

- Anticipation

- I’m really looking forward to our vacation
- I can’t wait for our vacation
- I’m excited about our vacation
- Are you excited about it?
- To be honest, I’m not looking forward to seeing them later

- Shame
- I feel bad about what I did/I said
- Do you feel bad about it?
- I feel terrible for doing that
- I just want to hide

- Boredom
- I so bored
- I’m bored of this book now
- This book is boring

There are two reasons why you mightn find it difficult to speak English:

1: It's a difficult skill (compare it to reading, for example)
2: You don't practice speaking enough (think about typical language lessons)

Think about it. When speaking, you have to use the right words in the correct order, speak clearly and accurately, and also be able to understand what the other person is saying.

Most learners don't get the practice that they need.

Here is how to improve:

1. Work on your pronunciation - do that through my program: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/
2. Use the To Fluency Method: also inside my program
3. Shadow native speakers (but be careful about how you do this)
4. Get natural practice

Commit to doing this each day. Try the different methods above and find out which one(s) works best for you.

To learn more about these methods, watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

00:00 Introduction
01:29 Explaining 4th July
02:05 The history of Independence Day
04:03 The Boston Tea Party
05:43 The French Influence
06:20 The most famous passage
08:49 Phrases related to the celebration
12:48 How to learn more

Here is the Thanksgiving podcast:
https://youtu.be/xp--TdCU9GI

Here is a great video by @CrashCourse that explains the American Revolution:
https://youtu.be/HlUiSBXQHCw

Here is a summary of the Boston Tea Party by @TED-Ed :
https://youtu.be/1cT_Z0KGhP8

Here are some visuals of how Americans celebrate the 4th by @Brazidicas :
https://youtu.be/kbGqFJF9Xv8?t=93

Here is a summary from Wikipedia with that quote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

Here's a list of the 13 colonies:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies

Here are the lesson notes:

- 4th July is the national holiday of the United States
- It’s to commemorate (remember and celebrate) the declaration of Independence of the United States from the British monarchy - King George the Third - on July 4th, 1776
- There were 13 colonies of the United States under the rule of King George
- Leading up to this, Great Britain and France had fought a war in various territories, including, North America
- This had been costly - expensive - and new taxes were introduced in the colonies to help pay back these debts
- The Stamp Act was introduced in 1765 and another act in 1767. This led to unrest, especially, in Boston, so the British sent troops (soldiers) to help the situation
- But it only made it worse. People didn’t like British soldiers on the streets and this led to the Boston Massacre
- The Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a key event too. Now, this wasn’t a fun tea party where people had tea and biscuits. Instead, a group called Sons of Liberty protested a new tea tax by dumping tea from three ships into Boston Harbor.
- Tensions kept growing and in 1775 the British planned to capture two colonial leaders. However, American spies got wind of this (which means, they learned about this), and 77 militiamen met British forces and it was here where the American Revolutionary War began.

- Not everyone wanted independence but the Continental Congress decided to vote for this and Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence

- The second sentence is the most famous
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.:

Self-evident = obvious - doesn’t need to be explained
All men are created equal = heavily influenced by French Philosophers such as Voltaire - Thomas Paine from England had a big influence here too
Endowed by their creator = given by God
Unalienable rights = unable to be taken away
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

American won the war (with help from the French and the Spanish) and became an independent nation.

By a remarkable coincidence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only two signatories of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as presidents of the United States, both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration

———

Celebrations:

National Holiday in the U.S.

- Thanksgiving is the other big holiday. That is a formal family get-together with a sit-down meal of Turkey, Potatoes, Vegetables etc. (listen to the podcast on that)
- Fourth of July is more informal
- Barbecues
- Friends
- Summer - outside parties
- Bring something for the grill and a side or two
- hot dogs and burgers
- Apple pies
- Corn on the cob
- Beer
- Clothing
- Red, white, and blue
- American flags everywhere
- Water slides if weather permits
- Fireworks - downtown when dark

ENGLISH PHRASES USED IN THIS CONVERSATION:

(To REALLY learn these phrases and to be able to speak without thinking about grammar rules, join the To Fluency Program: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/ )

- What was your first job?
- I had to work my way up to that
- growing up watching American movies
- one thing that I think of when the weather gets summery
- you just deliver them through the mailbox
- how long did it take you?
- I wonder if they still do it in the UK?
- he could duck under the van
- it was quite difficult to keep them in line
- what's your dream job?
- if you weren't doing this...?
- what about you?
- add something into the mix
- I've done some cold calling
- well worth the time
- someone would brew up
- take time off
- paid leave

In this lesson, you're going to learn 10 ways to express your opinion in English. Learn these phrases (and some bonus ones below) as they're really useful.

Want them as digital flashcards? Join The To Fluency Program here:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

- I couldn’t agree
- I couldn’t disagree more
- It’s amazing
- It’s an amazing show
- It was terrible
- It was a terrible decision
- It’s been so good being here
- It’s been such a good vacation so far
- It’s going to be amazing
- It’s okay
- It’s an okay plan
- What do you think about him?
- What did you think about their presentation?
- He thinks it’s going to work
- Do you think you’re going to like their strategy?
- Do you think he’s going to do well here?
- I think it will be closed by the time we get there
- I’d say so - that sounds good
- I’m not a doctor but I’d say that sounds quite dangerous
- Studies show that random acts of kindness are healthy
- Studies show that wealthy people are more likely to lie
- Studies show that pets in the workplace are good business
- I reckon this will work
- Do you reckon he’ll come?
- I reckon Man Utd will get beat today
- I see what you’re saying but I prefer the other option
- It wasn’t the best movie
- We’re not the best team at the moment
- It wasn’t the best food I’ve ever had
- In my experience, people don’t stick with a goal for long enough
- In my experience, it’s really hard for people to give up smoking

In this English lesson, learn about the power of prepositional verbs. This is one of my favorite areas to learn in a foreign language and I'm sure you'll find it useful learning this in English too.

The song I mentioned is by Robbie Williams - Feel.

Use this to practice your writing (affiliate link):
https://www.tofluency.com/grammarly/

Here are the lesson notes and phrases from the lesson:

BELIEVE IN:

It means to have faith in the existence or truth of something. The best examples is:

- Do you believe in ghosts?
- Do you believe in aliens?

It can also mean to have an opinion that something is right or desirable:

- I don’t believe in the way things are being censored at the moment

DEPEND ON:

This is a very good one to know. I use it all the time. For example, if someone says:

- Will I become fluent in English this year? - It depends on what you do with your time and how much time you spend learning English
- How much TV time you get later will depend on how much you tidy today
- Whether we on vacation this year will depend on flight restrictions

LOOK AT:

- Look at this

This is used to bring someone’s attention or gaze to something

- Quick, get outside and look at the moon right now
- That guy’s looking at me in a weird way

It can also be used when thinking about something carefully

- I’ll take a look at what you sent me and make a decision later
- Could you take a quick look at my new lesson plan?

4: APOLOGIZE TO:

- Can you apologize to your sister?
- My boss finally apologized to me for shouting the other day

5: AGREE WITH:

- I don’t agree with a thing you said
- Can you just agree with me for once in your life!
- I agree with the Primer Minister - he’s right

6: DEAL WITH:

- I can’t deal with everything right now
- He’s dealing with his new school really well
- Yes, I’ll deal with it in the morning - don’t worry boss

7: THANK FOR:

- Did you thank grandma for the present?
- I just want to thank you for being here on this channel. Thank you.

8: SUFFER FROM:

- I’m suffering from a lack of sleep at the moment
- I’m suffering from a little lack of self-esteem right now

9: SMELL OF:

- This house smells of tuna - people are coming over in 10 minutes!
- This car smells of wet dog!

10: LAUGH AT:

- You’re laughing at me - do I amuse you?
- What are you laughing at?
- They started laughing at me when I started talking in Spanish

11: THINK ABOUT:

- I’m contemplating thinking about thinking
- Let us think about it for a couple of days and get back to you
- What are you thinking about right now?

12: FORGET ABOUT:

- Did you remember to call Mr Smith? - I forgot about that
- Oh, man. I completely forgot about that holiday!
- I think Susan’s forgotten about the meeting again

Watch this English conversation (with subtitles!) about pets and animals. Jack and Kate talk about pets they had growing up, how to talk to dogs in English, animals in our neighborhood, and our bear encounters.

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC32mYgIHS-e3C3Eyd2tRw6g/join

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

WATCH MORE CONVERSATIONS:

Watch our conversation about jobs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCjPjoolzMs

Watch our conversation about food:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1zzPXXVE4s

Watch our conversation about online shopping:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTCB6FStEQ

FUN LINKS FROM THE LESSON:

Burmese pythons in Florida (not boa constrictors!):
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/snakes-ate-florida-180972534/

Tiger stat link:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/us/tigers-captive-us-wild-trnd/index.html

Man fights kangaroo:
https://youtu.be/OrIS4vTtpig

The Knoxville Tiger:
https://fox17.com/news/local/knoxville-tiger-sighting-was-a-case-of-mistaken-identity-twra-says-wildlife-tennessee

Koala prank:
https://youtu.be/6RzrUOCWjtw

CONTENTS:

01:04 Pets we had growing up
06:05 exotic pets
12:59 how to talk to dogs in English
16:49 animals where we live
19:49 bears getting into cars
28:19 Quick animal Q&A
29:49 Kate's question

KEY PHRASES FROM THIS LESSON:

- what pets did you have growing up?
- The cat was a little feral
- She had a habit of eating spiders
- hauling water
- I put on my boots and mucked out (new to me)
- A hoof pick cleaned out the hooves
- You can leave food for a cat
- People kept boa constrictors as pets
- The country with the most amount of tigers in the world is the U.S.
- It ended up being a false alarm (the tiger in Knoxville)
- Unless you have a significant number of tigers at the same time
- We were used to Lyle being so small
- He developed a lifelong hatred of cats
- He chased it out / chased it away
- Sit, lie down, roll over, speak, shake, leave it, wait
- He'll do anything to get food
- Kangaroo are as common as deer
- It's dangerous to drive at dusk and dawn
- We have some venenous animals
- we see bears all the time
- they'll topple over the trash cans
- I had gotten a text message that there was a bear in our minivan
- they get into the car and they destroy it
- You got me to check the car
- a neighbor sent me a picture
- touch wood
- we both had a bear stand up to us
- the cubs will go into the tree and wait
- we have a healthy respect for bears

Learn new words and phrases - and practice your listening - by watching this real English conversation about food! We discuss the differences between food in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain.

Get all the phrases below!

Listen to more conversations here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYo8s2UKr--aqOi9UssrOh96

Differences between British and American English:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVbc-Bg32Mo

How to pronounce English counties (Worcestershire sauce):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfz4ZNSdrhs

Want to improve your English? Join the To Fluency Program here:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

PHRASES FROM THIS LESSON:

Have friends over for dinner
People have different dietary restrictions
A lot of people are gluten-free
Some people have a condition called celiacs
Some people are dairy-free so they don’t eat dairy products
People can be vegan
I was trynna think of a chicken-based dish
A glaze is a rich, thick sauce
We’re cooking a meal tonight
What we’re going to do for sides?
We’re probably wanna do vegetables
They’re most delicious when they’re the least healthy
What immediately comes to mind
You would have beans, toast, bacon, roasted tomatoes, and eggs
I had beans on toast most mornings when I young
Sometimes I like it when different flavors come together
I don’t want my toast to be soggy
You want it to be crunchy and dry
Take your toast and put the right amount of beans on
You either love it or hate it
I feel that way about strong cheese too
Beans are not very popular as a breakfast food at all
We tend to have baked foods - pancakes, waffles, muffins
You have dessert for breakfast
We have pancaked one day a year
It amazes me, you’ll have donuts for breakfast!
Donuts are the ideal breakfast food
They’re the worst!
My perfect breakfast is bacon and eggs
I need a bit of fuel to get me going
When my mum comes to visit, she can’t understand menus here
I was confused at first as well
People come from different countries and cultures
They bring a little bit of their culture
You’ll be able to get Indian food
We haven’t had sandwiches in a while
At school, I used to always have a sandwich
You have to go out of your way to find it
We might have touched on this before
You gave me clues and I finally got it
The average American eats 1,500 PB&J sandwiches by the time they’re 18
That’s usually how averages work
I will fact check this
It’s astonishing if true
My parents packed me sandwiches
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Can I cheat?
I could eat chili all day every day
I grew up having a Sunday roast every Sunday
Dinner in the UK is usually around 6
You have a small version of Thanksgiving dinner every week
We make a big fuss about it
The pressure affects your cooking time
It kinda has a cult following
The coffee in Spain is unbelievable
Tell us the best way to make coffee
I know coffee’s big there
We bought the least expensive coffee
I never released it
We need to have a snack sampler
We used to share menu of the days
The thing I was excited about the most was the coffee
Did you put sugar in it?
It’s all about omega threes
Why don’t we make paella?
I didn’t quite get the hang of it
What is a dish we should try?
Now you’re just pulling my leg

In this lesson, we discuss if you need to go to an English-speaking country in order to become fluent. This is especially important right now due to the lack of opportunities to go abroad to learn.

Get the free fluency book here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Listen to episode 19 on how to improve your speaking.

Use this tool to improve your writing (affiliate link):
https://tofluency.com/grammarly

Learn about shadowing here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHmfinXxu5c

Learn about the sentence method here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

In this lesson, you're going to learn the secret behind why you're not confident when speaking in English as a second language.

(Hint: ego plays a strong role)

Be sure to watch the entire video and answer the questions I ask honestly.

Here's the link to learning English in a non-English speaking country:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_iPrNwL7mA

Here's the playlist on how to learn English effectively:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4w8yAHWDEU&list=PLZOJurmtexYpQYEvWTJaieyehensaC_eU

Thank you for being here!

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

In this English lesson, you're going to learn 43 commonly used phrases related to romance. You're going to do this by watching a video of David and Sarah meeting in a hotel bar.

Get the definitions here: https://www.tofluency.com/53-english-phrases-romance

*** RESOURCES ***

English fluency book:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

To Fluency Program:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

Watch the lesson here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghDWj9VpvRU

*** The 43 Phrases ***

- Sitting on her own at a hotel bar
- Sarah has recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend
- David is, let’s say, a little bit of a player
- He likes to chat up women
- He likes to go out on lots of dates
- At the moment he is single too
- He’s checking the football results on his phone
- He starts to check out Sarah
- He likes what he sees
- He finds her very attractive
- He thinks she’s very beautiful
- She has this special aura about her
- To see if she’s noticing him as well
- He’s starting to get a little frustrated
- He’s trying to build up the courage to go over to her
- Finally, he gets up out of his chair
- Walks over to Sarah at the bar
- And makes his move
- This is the first time that she has seen him
- There is instant chemistry
- They flirt with each other straight away
- Although she’s a little hesitant
- She starts to open up about what she does
- This tattoo caused the breakup of her long-term relationship
- He’s happy she’s single
- They’re glancing at each other and flirting a little bit more
- David orders two shots
- They raise their glasses
- He downs it in one
- She needs to go back to her room soon to prepare for her presentation
- He hands over his phone
- He asks her to put her number in it
- He thinks about when he’s going to text her next

In this episode, you're going to learn all about the three options available to you as an English learner and which option will help you reach fluency fast.

Be sure to get my book here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Here is the platform I recommend for one-to-one lessons (affiliate link):
https://go.italki.com/tofluency

The three options are to:

1. Take lessons at a language school or one-to-one
2. Go to an English-speaking country to take an immersion course
3. Learn English on your own

I highly recommend making option three your focus. You need massive input in order to understand English speakers - this is something you can do by using your phone and headphones no matter where you live.

You can add English lessons and immersion courses to help you improve. But make your self-study the foundation on which you build.

Thank you for listening!

Learn conversational English by listening to this real conversation about fall/autumn.

This is for intermediate and advanced learners of English who want to practice their listening, learn new words and phrases, and get vital input.

Get your free fluency book here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

MORE CONVERSATIONS:

Thanksgiving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp--TdCU9GI
Summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBHD9UBiI0U
Winter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJQTfMK_wvw

ENGLISH PHRASES USED IN THIS CONVERSATION (COMING SOON!)

To REALLY learn these phrases and to be able to speak without thinking about grammar rules, join the To Fluency Program: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, learn these 10 English phrasal verbs with the word get. See below for the full list. If you want to listen to the episode where we talk about the verb GET, listen to episode 13.

Get your free fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

HERE ARE THE PHRASAL VERBS:

1. Get away
- Go somewhere for a rest/vacation
- Let’s try and get away at the end of the month
- Escape
- They tried to grab him but he got away

2. Get away with
- To avoid getting caught - something bad
- We got away with not paying for the train
- I don’t know how he gets away with it

3. Get along with / on with
- Like each other - have a good chemistry
- I think we’re going to get along with each other
- He seems to get along with everyone
- They didn’t really get along - it’s a shame

4 Get around to
- To do something that you have intended to do for some time
- I haven’t got around to it yet
- Have you got around to sending that form?

5 Get back (trip)
- Arrive home after a trip
- I’m super tired today because I got back late last night
- When are the Smiths getting back?

6 Get back to (return to)
- Contact someone later to give information
- Could you find someone who can help me with this proposal?
- Sure. I’ll ask around and get back to you
- To continue doing something that you had started earlier
- Okay, gotta go. I need to get back to work

7 Get over (fear / recover from
- To recover from something
- I just can’t seem to get over this cold
- Have you got over the loss yet?

8 Get rid of (dispose of)
- I use this a lot - dispose of something
- Should I keep this jacket or just get rid of it?
- You didn’t get rid of that pen, did you?
- We need to get rid of a lot of stuff

9 Get used to (become accustomed to something)
- It didn’t take me long to get used to driving on the right side of the road
- I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this weather
- Keep practicing, you’ll get used to it

10 Get up to
- Do
- What did you get up to at the weekend?
- We didn’t get up to much

Learn 22 advanced English phrases, idioms, and phrasal verbs for daily conversation.

Watch the original conversation here: https://youtu.be/EGItAJniRL4
Get my fluency book for free: http://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

The conversation we had was about fall/autumn.

OTHER VIDEOS TO WATCH:

Use this method to learn English fast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

How to understand native speakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4w8yAHWDEU

Listen to our popular podcast episode here: https://youtu.be/d9NZS2P_Va4

PHRASES FROM THIS LESSON:

All phrases from the lesson can be found here:
https://tofluency.com/advanced-english-vocabulary

Here is the map showing how English has changed over the years:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/increasing-number-british-people-don-t-pronounce-word-three-properly-these-maps-explain-why-a7079976.html

Here is an article on TH fronting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th-fronting

Thank you for watching!

Learn 48 English vocabulary phrases based on the topic of jobs and work. Included will be essential phrases, expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms, and more.

Watch the conversation about jobs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCjPjoolzMs
Get my fluency book for free: http://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

PHRASES FROM THIS LESSON:

All phrases from the lesson can be found here:
https://tofluency.com/english-vocabulary-jobs/

00:00 Introduction
01:05 What do you do?
04:01 Start and finish work
05:33 Job satisfaction
06:15 Paid leave
07:57 Looking for a job
09:09 Interview vocabulary
10:31 Present simple and continuous
11:17 Office gossip vocabulary
11:37 Job idioms

Thank you for listening!

In this English lesson, learn 11 essential idioms - idioms that native English speakers actually use. Yes, this video comes with subtitles too!

Get all the phrases here:
https://www.tofluency.com/english-idioms/

ENGLISH IDIOMS IN THIS LESSON:

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Jump on the bandwagon
02:15 Under the weather
03:10 Bucket list
04:21 Second wind
05:04 No pain, no gain
06:17 Blessing in disguise
07:39 Get something off your chest
08:56 So far, so good
09:49 Get on someone's nerves
10:37 Lighten up
11:29 Butterflies in your stomach

WATCH OTHER LESSONS:

Real English conversations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTCB6FStEQ&list=PLZOJurmtexYo8s2UKr--aqOi9UssrOh96

How to learn English:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4w8yAHWDEU&list=PLZOJurmtexYpQYEvWTJaieyehensaC_eU

Thanks for watching!

Here are 17 tips to help you reach fluency in English.

00:00 Introduction
01:04 Set a goal
03:03 Learn English daily
04:04 Listen as much as possible
07:26 Be grateful for resources
08:39 Do everything in English
10:28 Don't worry about mistakes
12:07 Get out of your comfort zone
14:33 Write every day
16:50 Learn English sentences
18:44 Personalize your learning
20:54 Don't worry too much about grammar
22:41 Repetition is key
25:12 Repeat English phrases
27:32 Practice speaker
29:16 Commit long-term
30:59 Have fun while learning
32:32 Be proud of the progress you've made

RESOURCES FROM THIS LESSON:

Download my fluency book for free:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Listening hours:
http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/10000-hours-building-listening-comprehension/

How to get more speaking practice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ybiSXxcNk

Learn English through sentences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zb9YmoErCs

My favorite method for English fluency:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Become a confident English speaker:
https://youtu.be/rGZH4Wu6zB0

In this English lesson, expand your vocabulary by learning nine other ways to say "I don't know." See examples and practice your English by repeating after me.

Get all the phrases here:
https://www.tofluency.com/other-ways-dont-know/

Get my book for free here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

OTHER WAYS TO SAY I DON'T KNOW IN ENGLISH:

Dunno
Not sure
Great question
Not the best person
Have no idea
Haven't got a clue
Don't ask me
My best guess is

Thank you for listening!

In this English lesson, listen to a story that gives you the phrasal verbs you need to know to talk about daily routines.

Here is the tool that I recommend for your writing task (this is an affiliate link(:
https://www.tofluency.com/grammarly/

00:00 Introduction
02:09 Phrasal verbs story
16:45 Summary and challenge

RESOURCES FROM THIS LESSON:

How to use get:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E8JqV4D3Os

Get phrasal verbs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TgnZqTloQk

Thank you for listening!

In this English podcast, learn two ways In which you can acquire English naturally so that you can speak with confidence. Not many learners are doing this and I believe that if you follow these methods, you’ll be motivated more.

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

Here’s the article on this: https://www.antimoon.com/how/input-intro.htm

Over the past 15 -20 years, the way people learn English - and other languages - has been transformed. The internet has become central and given opportunities to people all around the world to learn languages. But is something new coming that might be the future of learning. Find out what that is in today's lesson.

Get my book for free here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Listen to the podcast on how to learn English through social media here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQXY6ABsyj8

Listen to conversations in English here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYo8s2UKr--aqOi9UssrOh96

Articles on the Metaverse:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58749529
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-10-28/explainer-what-is-the-metaverse-and-how-will-it-work
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59154520

Films that predicted this:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/seven-tech-advances-that-will-make-minority-report-a-reality/
https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/features/top-ten-movies-predicted-vr/

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC32mYgIHS-e3C3Eyd2tRw6g/join

Improve your English pronunciation by watching this lesson. I'll take you through, step-by-step, exactly what you need to do to ensure that you speak English accurately and fluently.

Here is my book (free) to download:
http://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Here is my program if you want the resources and feedback that I mentioned:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

00:00 Why pronunciation is important
03:27 An important analogy
08:50 Improve step-by-step
09:22 Minimal pairs
11:45 The importance of feedback
14:45 How to improve pronunciation on your own
18:40 Practice a phrase

Thank you for watching! Be sure to like this video and subscribe for more!

Do you need to learn all English tenses? How often are some of them used? In this video, I go through verb tense frequency, give a summary of all the tenses, and then explain how best to learn tenses so that you can use them naturally.

Get my fluency book for free here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Get my program here:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

RESOURCES FROM THIS LESSON:

Present Perfect vs Past Simple:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4VAoRg9bg

Future Tenses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UISiuiPd_FY

Using Present Tenses for the Past:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwWHDpcUJxc

Test your knowledge of English tenses:
https://youtu.be/6Yqzm3mjAQ8

Verb tense study summary:
https://ginsengenglish.com/blog/english-verb-tense-frequency

A summary of the different verb tenses:
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses.htm

In this video, learn what you should be listening to so that you improve your comprehension. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a clear understanding of how to create a plan so you can fully understand English speakers.

Get my fluency book for free here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Get my program here:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

RESOURCES FROM THIS LESSON:

The input hypothesis:
https://www.leonardoenglish.com/blog/comprehensible-input

Sam Harris podcast example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfkjhHqf1qM&ab_channel=SamHarris

How to improve your pronunciation (listen to episode 40.

17 tips for English fluency:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL3GsB-2_ek

Listen to our conversations here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYo8s2UKr--aqOi9UssrOh96

English lesson: want to finally learn how to use should, could, and would have? Take this lesson today and read on for the examples that we use. These models, to talk about the past, are useful to learn.

Get the book for free here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

00:00 introduction
01:21 could vs should vs would
03:52 should have
08:23 could have
12:26 would have
15:01 pronunciation practice

RESOURCES FROM THE LESSON:

The blog post for this lesson:
https://tofluency.com/shouldhave-couldhave-wouldhave/

An overview of the modal verbs:
https://www.espressoenglish.net/past-modals-should-have-could-have-would-have/

More examples:
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have.html

Okay, so you're not happy with your level of English. We can fix that! In this lesson, learn the 7 reasons why you're not fluent in English yet and how to overcome these issues. If you want to make fast progress, watch this lesson!

Get your free fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Get the program here: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

RESOURCES FROM THE LESSON:

Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

AJATT quote: http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/mediocre-excellence/

Thank you for watching!

In this lesson, find out how Christmas is celebrated in the U.K. and the U.S. and learn some key phrases that will be useful for all situations.

Get the free book here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Join the program here:
https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

Watch another Christmas lesson here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81UnVx2fOmE

Thank you for listening!

In this English lesson, learn all about secret memory tricks that people have used throughout history to memorize anything, how this is linked to the shadowing technique in language learning, and a three-step process for acquiring English fluency.

Get my book for free here:
https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Here is the original shadowing video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHmfinXxu5c&ab_channel=ToFluency

Here is the book that I recommend (affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/3eoVwzs

Learn more about 52! here:
https://czep.net/weblog/52cards.html

Here's the Wikipedia article on speech shadowing:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech_shadowing

Here's information on the Google Effect:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_effect

In this English lesson, learn how to enter a flow state - also known as the zone - in order to progress to fluency. You should find this episode relaxing and by the end of it, have a plan of action to move forward with your English learning.

Get my fluency book for free here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Join the program here: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

LEARN ENGLISH PODCAST: YOU MUST DO THIS TO IMPROVE FAST (+ BEST METHOD)
https://youtu.be/d9NZS2P_Va4

The flow state: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190204-how-to-find-your-flow-state-to-be-peak-creative

Short stories (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3JY58A7

Let me take you through the zero, first, second, and third English conditionals - along with a bonus one - in this English lesson. Watch this until the end and finally master conditional sentences.

Get my book for free here: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Join the program here: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

Get the writing tool here (affiliate link): https://www.tofluency.com/grammarly/

Learn more about mixed conditionals here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgzLPUccHqQ

Take the conditionals test here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfpUyjcLhtw

Be sure to subscribe to the channel and share the lesson if you found it useful. Thank you for being here!

In this English lesson, I go through my story of being a YouTube (great listening practice), discuss current content trends, and give tips on how to become a creator.

Get my book for free: https://www.tofluency.com/5-step-plan/

Join the program: https://www.tofluency.com/tfp/

(BTW, here is a guide on email marketing from my other channel - you'll find this useful if you're in the creator space - https://www.teachingeslonline.com/emcdf )

Here is the episode on social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQXY6ABsyj8

Here is the episode on the Metaverse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK95x6i1jLc

Here is the article for this lesson: https://explodingtopics.com/blog/cultural-trends

Thank you for listening!

Get your fluency book here: https://www.tofluency.com/book (it's FREE to download!)

In this episode, learn all about the concept of microlearning and why you might want to try this to learn English (hint: repetition is key!).

Be sure to read the articles that I talk about in this lesson:

- https://explodingtopics.com/blog/education-trends
- https://elearningindustry.com/what-is-microlearning-benefits-best-practices
- https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/guest-commentary/os-op-attention-span-dwindling-20210706-rwv2owqhezbp5hkmyqqtpmiq4u-story.html

We're back!

Learn English by taking this fun and useful English lesson that explores 10 idioms all related to time.

Use these idioms to sound more natural in English when speaking.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH (Note: more coming soon!)

Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

In this episode, you’re going to learn how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize the way you learn English.

With four key methods, two bonus tips, and exciting predictions for the future of AI in language learning, this podcast provides a roadmap to faster, more effective English fluency. RESOURCES

FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/

Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency

Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/

Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

💡 FOUR POWERFUL WAYS TO USE AI FOR ENGLISH LEARNING

1. ASKING LANGUAGE QUESTIONS AI provides instant, accurate explanations for grammar, word usage, and more. You can also ask follow-up questions to clarify concepts, making learning faster and clearer.

2. GENERATING EXAMPLES Get tailored examples of grammar, vocabulary, or phrases to understand their usage in different contexts. This builds confidence and deepens your understanding of English.

3. GETTING WRITING FEEDBACK Use AI to correct your writing, identify errors, and explain how to improve. Practice creating sentences and receive immediate, personalized feedback.

4. PRACTICING CONVERSATIONS Engage in role-playing scenarios with AI, like ordering at a restaurant or preparing for a job interview. Use voice mode for even more realistic practice in a comfortable environment.

🎁 BONUS TIPS

✨ PERSONALIZE YOUR AI EXPERIENCE Share your goals, level, and interests with ChatGPT for responses tailored to your needs.

✨ PRACTICE FROM AI-GENERATED NOTES Ask AI to summarize or organize example sentences into tables or text files for focused practice and better retention.

🌟 THE FUTURE OF AI AND LANGUAGE LEARNING Advanced AI language teachers and immersive VR experiences will transform learning. Imagine practicing English in realistic scenarios like a train station or pub with AI-guided support.

While exciting advancements are ahead, AI today can already help you immerse yourself and learn effectively. Try these methods and discover how AI can transform your English learning journey! 

In this episode, you’re going to learn one of the most effective ways to build confidence in English conversations. This simple and practical method is often overlooked by English learners but can transform how you approach speaking English. By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to create personalized sentences that will prepare you for most conversations and make you feel more fluent and confident.

Listen to episode 52 to learn how to use AI.

Listen to episode 19 for the fluency method.

💡 WHY PERSONAL SENTENCES ARE SO POWERFUL

1. MOST CONVERSATIONS ARE ABOUT YOU
Conversations often begin with questions about your life, such as your job, hobbies, or recent experiences. If you prepare answers in advance, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and speak more naturally.


2. TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF DOESN’T CHANGE
Since you often discuss the same topics—like your job, family, or interests—you can prepare answers that are nearly perfect and use them repeatedly.

3. SPECIFIC SENTENCES ARE MORE INTERESTING
Generic sentences are fine, but specific details make your answers more engaging and easier to remember. For example, instead of saying "I like tennis," you can say, "I love playing tennis, but I only play in the summer."

💡 HOW TO CREATE YOUR PERSONAL SENTENCES

1. LIST COMMON TOPICS
Start with basic topics like your name, age, and where you’re from, then move to more detailed ones like your job, hobbies, family, and recent experiences.

2. WRITE SIMPLE, NATURAL SENTENCES
Create sentences that are clear and easy to say. Focus on natural phrasing instead of trying to sound complex. For example, "I’m a graphic designer. I create logos for small businesses."

3. PRACTICE REGULARLY
Repetition is key. Use methods like flashcards or the listen-record-repeat-compare technique to internalize your sentences and ensure they sound natural.

 ADDITIONAL TIPS

✨ PRACTICE WITH AI OR TEACHERSUse tools like ChatGPT or practice with a language teacher to refine your sentences further. AI can help you generate examples or correct your sentences.

✨ PREPARE COMMON QUESTIONS
Don’t forget to practice asking questions too. For example, “What do you do?” or “Are you into sports?” These will make your conversations more dynamic and engaging.

🌟 THE BENEFITS OF THIS METHOD
This approach builds confidence, improves fluency, and helps you internalize vocabulary and grammar naturally. As your life changes, you can update your sentences while maintaining the same method.Start today by writing 10 sentences about yourself. Practice them regularly, build on them over time, and use them in real conversations. This simple method will help you feel more prepared and confident when speaking English. Try it, and see the difference it makes!

Money makes the world go round, but how well do you understand the phrases we use to talk about it? In this lesson, we explore key English phrases about money, from saving and spending to investing and everyday idioms. Whether you're discussing finances, planning a budget, or chatting about inflation, these phrases will help you sound more natural in English.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/

Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency

Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/

Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw

Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

Here’s what we’ll cover in this lesson:

The evolution of money: Learn about barter systems, intrinsic value, fiat money, and the debt-based system.
💬 Barter systems were one of the earliest forms of trade.
💬 These metals had intrinsic value, meaning their worth came from the material itself.
💬 Fiat money has value because the government says it does.
💬 Modern money is largely created through lending, a debt-based system.

Spending money: Improve your vocabulary for talking about how you manage your finances.
💬 My friend blew all of his money on a new car. (blow money)
💬 I need to tighten up after our vacation. (tighten up)
💬 I feel like splurging on a new sound system. (splurge on something)

Saving money: Learn how to talk about saving for the future and emergencies.
💬 I'm putting money aside for a new car. (put money aside)
💬 They've built a nice nest egg over the years. (nest egg)
💬 It's always wise to save for a rainy day. (save for a rainy day)

Investing money: Understand the key terms for discussing investments.
💬 I invested in tech stocks last year. (stocks)
💬 It's important to have a balanced portfolio. (portfolio)
💬 Don't put all your eggs in one basket. (spread your investments)
💬 I'm going to play it safe and choose low-risk investments. (play it safe)
💬 I'm going to take a gamble on this investment. (take a gamble)

Debt and loans: Talk about borrowing money and managing repayments.
💬 I'm going to pay off my car loan today. (pay off)
💬 We're drowning in debt since Paul lost his job. (drowning in debt)

Inflation and rising costs: Understand the impact of inflation and how to discuss it in English.
💬 Inflation has caused prices to go up significantly this year. (inflation)
💬 The cost of living is rising in many cities. (cost of living)
💬 Gas prices are going through the roof. (prices are going through the roof)
💬 I can't afford to eat out anymore. (can't afford)

Everyday money idioms: Add some fun expressions to your conversations.
💬 Money doesn't grow on trees. (money is limited)
💬 He made a killing in real estate last year. (make a killing)
💬 Buying that car was like throwing money down the drain. (waste money)

By the end of this video, you’ll not only understand these phrases but also feel confident using them in real conversations. Don’t forget to practice creating your own sentences with these expressions and share this video with friends who want to learn too!

In this English lesson, you're going to practice your listening skills with the story The Uninvited Guest. After the story, we'll explore seven key phrases that will help you understand how to convey suspense, tension, and emotional depth in English. Whether you're here to improve your vocabulary, comprehension, or overall fluency, this lesson will give you practical tools to use in everyday conversations.

Chapters: 00:00 intro to the story
01:00 the story
07:24 learn phrases from the story

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency
Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/

Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ

Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

The first phrase: A knot form in her stomach 💬 Laura felt a knot form in her stomach when she saw David at the door. 💬 I felt a knot in my stomach before the exam. 💬 She had a knot in her stomach when she realized she'd made a mistake.

The second phrase: Good to see you again 💬 David said, "Good to see you again," to James in a neutral way. 💬 It's good to see you again after all these years. 💬 Good to see you again! How have you been?

The third phrase: Never one to miss an opportunity 💬 David was described as never one to miss an opportunity, meaning he always took advantage of chances. 💬 She's never one to miss an opportunity to help others. 💬 He's never one to miss an opportunity to show off his knowledge.

The fourth phrase: Stick with you 💬 David said some memories stick with you, meaning they remain in your mind for a long time. 💬 The kindness of strangers during my trip really stuck with me. 💬 That lesson stuck with him and shaped how he handled challenges.

The fifth phrase: Walking on a tightrope 💬 Laura felt like she was walking on a tightrope during the evening, navigating a delicate situation. 💬 Managing the team while avoiding conflicts felt like walking on a tightrope. 💬 She was walking on a tightrope trying not to upset anyone.

The sixth phrase: Lingering gaze 💬 David's lingering gaze added to the tension, suggesting deeper feelings or intentions. 💬 His lingering gaze told her everything he didn’t say. 💬 The lingering gaze between them hinted at something unspoken.

The seventh phrase: Let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding 💬 Laura let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding after David left, feeling relieved. 💬 When the test was over, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. 💬 She finally let out a breath as the situation resolved.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of these phrases and how to use them effectively in your own conversations. Listen to the story again and focus on how these expressions are used in context. Don’t forget to share this video with friends who are learning English—it helps the podcast grow and reach more learners. Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next lesson!

In this English lesson, you'll learn how to confidently talk about your devices, apps, tech problems, social media habits, and even the future of technology. We'll explore useful phrases, common idioms, and fun conversational topics to help you sound natural when discussing technology in English.

Whether you're excited about a new phone or trying to explain a tech issue, this lesson has you covered.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/

Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency

Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/

Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

Your Devices: 💬 I just got it, and it’s amazing. 💬 The camera is incredible. It takes such clear photos. 💬 The screen is huge, and the battery lasts all day. 💬 My laptop is outdated. I need to upgrade. 💬 My phone keeps freezing. It’s so annoying. 💬 The battery on my tablet doesn’t last anymore.

Phrases to Fix Tech Problems: 💬 Do you know how to fix this? 💬 Have you tried restarting it? 💬 Can you take a look at my phone?

Talking About Apps and Websites: 💬 I downloaded a new app to help me learn English. 💬 I have a new fitness app, and it’s great for tracking my exercise. 💬 Is it free, or do you need to pay for it? 💬 Could you send me the link? 💬 What’s the name of that app again? 💬 I looked it up on Google and found everything I needed. 💬 I spend way too much time online shopping. 💬 My phone updated automatically last night.

Social Media Phrases: 💬 I spend way too much time scrolling through Instagram. 💬 I posted a photo yesterday, and it got lots of likes. 💬 Have you seen that viral video of the cat dancing? 💬 I deleted my Facebook app because I needed a break. 💬 I’m trying to limit my time on social media.

Technology Habits: 💬 I’m trying to cut down on my screen time. 💬 I check my phone first thing in the morning. 💬 I’m addicted to my phone. I can’t put it down. 💬 I check social media every five minutes. I’m totally addicted.

The Future of Technology: 💬 I think AI is going to change everything. 💬 Virtual reality is going to change how we work and play. 💬 Have you heard about self-driving cars? 💬 I think self-driving cars will be everywhere in 10 years.

Useful Tech Idioms: 💬 AI tools like ChatGPT have been a game-changer. 💬 I went camping and was completely off the grid.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be ready to talk about all things tech with confidence. What are your top three apps right now? Leave a comment below! And don’t forget to share this video or podcast with a friend who’s learning English. 

Welcome to this English lesson, where you'll improve your listening skills with the story "The Community Garage Sale." This touching tale follows Anna and her son Max as they participate in their neighborhood garage sale. What starts as a mundane task turns into a heartfelt moment when an elderly man finds an old record player that brings back precious memories of his late wife. Through this interaction, Max learns the value of memories and human connection, realizing that the things we discard can mean the world to someone else.

00:00 intro to the story
01:08 the story
07:31 language analysis In this lesson

You'll also learn key English phrases used in the story to convey emotion and vivid imagery. Here’s the language analysis:

“One person's junk is another person's treasure” Meaning: Something you no longer value might be meaningful or useful to someone else. Example: I was about to throw out my old chair, but the neighbor took it. One person's junk is another person's treasure.

“Gathering dust” Meaning: Something has been sitting unused for a long time. Example: My guitar has been gathering dust in the corner for years.

“Brought him back to a time” Meaning: Something makes someone remember a specific moment from the past. Example: Hearing that song brought me back to a time when I was a child.

“Long lost” Meaning: Something not seen for a very long time but once greatly valued. Example: She found a long-lost letter from her childhood tucked into that book.

“Lump in her throat” Meaning: A physical feeling of being emotional, often when trying to hold back tears. Example: When I watched that video, I felt a lump in my throat.

“Clearing space in her heart” Meaning: Letting go of physical or emotional clutter to feel lighter and happier. Example: Sometimes clearing space in your home helps clear your mind as well.

“Unspoken understanding” Meaning: When people understand each other without needing to say anything. Example: When she smiled at him across the room, there was an unspoken understanding between them.

Listen to the story again to reinforce your learning, and check the description for the full text of the phrases, additional learning resources, and more episodes to help you improve your English. Don’t forget to share this lesson with a friend and subscribe if you’re new here. Thank you for being here, and I’ll see you next time!

Welcome to this special English lesson where we dive into the four essential skills you need to master: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Pronunciation. This comprehensive lesson is packed with strategies, tips, and examples to help you improve step by step. Each skill is crucial for fluency, and by mastering them, you’ll boost your confidence in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing in English.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espr...

Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluenc...

Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/flue...

Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Here’s what we’ll cover:


- Listening Skills Learn how to improve your listening comprehension and why comprehensible input is essential for language acquisition. ✅ Find resources slightly above your level for steady improvement. ✅ Listen to podcasts, news, and interviews you can mostly understand. ✅ Challenge yourself gradually with more advanced materials. ✅ Acquiring grammar comes from hearing it repeatedly in context.
- Reading Skills Discover the difference between intensive and extensive reading and how to combine them for maximum benefit. ✅ Intensive reading: Focus on new words, phrases, and grammar structures. ✅ Extensive reading: Read for pleasure and overall understanding without stopping. ✅ Find books that interest you, are comprehensible, and relevant to your goals. ✅ Use graded readers and audiobooks to enhance your learning. ✅ Highlight unfamiliar vocabulary, then review and internalize it using digital tools.
- Writing Skills Practical tips to improve your writing and integrate it into your learning routine. ✅ Keep a daily diary to practice conversational English. ✅ Copy text from articles or books to internalize sentence structures. ✅ Read widely to absorb natural writing styles. ✅ Get feedback on your writing through apps or teachers. ✅ Use tools like grammar apps to refine your grammar and sentence construction. ✅ Search for phrases online to ensure your writing is accurate and idiomatic. 
- Pronunciation Skills Master English sounds, stress, intonation, and linking for fluency and confidence. ✅ Learn how to produce specific sounds, such as the V and F sounds. ✅ Practice, record yourself, and get feedback to refine your pronunciation. ✅ Focus on stress and intonation to sound natural in conversations. ✅ Work on retractions and linking, such as “I could’ve done it.” ✅ Repeat sounds and phrases regularly to build muscle memory. 
By the end of this lesson, you’ll have practical tools to improve your English fluency. Take notes, check the description for a summary and resources, and most importantly, take action. Which skill do you want to work on first? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this lesson with a friend who’s learning English. Let’s continue your journey to fluency together.

Listen to the short story The Wrong Suitcase to practice your English listening skills. This story is about Lena, who mistakenly takes the wrong suitcase after a flight to Florence. Inside, she finds a series of mysterious clues that lead her on an adventure through the city, where she ultimately reconnects with her boyfriend, Alex, in a heartwarming and unforgettable way.

00:00 lesson introduction
00:29 English short story
05:17 Language analysis

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency
Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/
Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

In this lesson, we’ll explore 10 commonly used phrases and phrasal verbs from the story to help you sound more natural in English and improve your understanding. Let’s break them down:

🗨️ “Step off” means to exit a vehicle or mode of transport by stepping down or out of it. "He stepped off the train and looked for a taxi." "As soon as we stepped off the bus, we were greeted by the tour guide."

🗨️ “Grab” means to take hold of something quickly or firmly. "Can you grab me a bottle of water from the fridge?" "I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the door."

🗨️ “Kick off” has two meanings. It can mean to remove something, usually shoes, in a casual way. "At the hotel, she kicked off her shoes to relax." "After a long day, I love kicking off my shoes and lying on the couch." It can also mean to start an event or activity. "Let’s kick off the meeting with a quick update."

🗨️ “Set out” means to begin a journey or task with a specific goal in mind. "We set out early to explore the city before it got too crowded." "She set out to finish her report before the deadline."

🗨️ “Rummage through” means to search for something in a hurried or untidy way. "I rummaged through my bag but couldn’t find my keys." "He rummaged through the drawers looking for a pen."

🗨️ “Scan the room” means to look around quickly, usually to find someone or something. "She scanned the room for a familiar face." "The teacher scanned the room to see who wasn’t paying attention."

🗨️ “Head toward” means to move in the direction of a specific place. "We’re heading toward the park for a picnic." "He headed toward the exit after the meeting ended."

🗨️ “Hand over” means to give something to someone, often formally or with a specific purpose. "The cashier handed over my receipt and change." "He handed over the documents to his lawyer."

🗨️ “Look around” means to observe your surroundings, often when exploring or searching for something. "We looked around the museum for hours." "She looked around the shop for a gift but didn’t find anything."

🗨️ “Slip on” means to put something on quickly, often referring to clothing or accessories. "I slipped on my jacket before heading out." "She slipped on her shoes and ran to catch the bus."

In this lesson, we’re going to explore 15 phrasal verbs commonly used in everyday English. These phrasal verbs will help you improve your conversational skills and understand native speakers better.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/
Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

HERE ARE THE PHRASAL VERBS FROM THE LESSON:

🗨️ Catch on means to understand something, especially after some time. “She didn’t catch on at first, but now she understands perfectly.” “It took me a few lessons to catch on to the new software.”

🗨️ Run out of means to use up all of something so that there’s none left. “We’ve run out of milk.” “I ran out of time to finish the report before the deadline.”

🗨️ Look after means to take care of someone or something. “She looks after her younger siblings every afternoon.” “Who’s going to look after the plants while we’re on vacation?”

🗨️ Turn on means to activate a device or machine. “Turn on the oven and preheat it before cooking.” “Let’s turn on the projector to start the presentation.”

🗨️ Turn off is the opposite of turn on. “Please turn off the lights before you leave.” “Turn off your phone in the library.”

🗨️ Pick up means to collect someone or something. “I’ll pick you up at 7:00.” “Can you pick up the kids after school?”

🗨️ Drop off means to leave someone or something at a specific location. “She dropped off her son at school before going to work.” “I’ll drop you off at the bus station.”

🗨️ Put on means to wear or apply something. “Put on your jacket; it’s cold outside.” “He put on some music to create a relaxing atmosphere.”

🗨️ Take off means to remove something or for a plane to depart. “Take off your shoes before entering the house.” “The plane took off on time.”

🗨️ Give up means to stop trying or to quit. “She gave up smoking after 10 years.” “Don’t give up just because it’s difficult.”

🗨️ Make up has two meanings: to reconcile after a disagreement or to invent something. “They made up after their argument.” “He made up a funny excuse for being late.”

🗨️ Call off means to cancel something. “They called off the meeting because of bad weather.” “The concert was called off due to rain.”

🗨️ Carry on means to continue doing something. “She carried on working despite the noise.” “After the interruption, we carried on as usual.”

🗨️ Cut down on means to reduce the amount of something. “I’m trying to cut down on sugar.” “We’re cutting down on expenses this month.”

🗨️ Run into means to meet someone by chance or encounter something unexpectedly. “I ran into an old friend at the mall.” “I ran into technical issues during the meeting.”

Take these phrasal verbs and practice using them in sentences. Check the description for more resources and examples. If you enjoyed this lesson, share it with a friend, and I’ll see you in the next one!

This English lesson helps you improve your listening skills through a heartwarming short story, “The Cafe Reunion.” Alongside enjoying the story, you’ll learn 10 phrasal verbs and three idioms used in everyday English. To make the most of this lesson, listen to the story with subtitles, then revisit it after reviewing the language analysis. Repetition is key—each time, you’ll absorb the language more deeply.

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency
Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/
Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

Chapters: 00:00 learn English through story 00:37 the story 05:36

Language analysis 🔑 Push open: To open something, like a door, by pushing it. “Rachel pushed open the café door to step inside.” “He pushed open the door to the classroom and walked in quietly.” “I pushed open the window to let some fresh air in.”

🔑 Shake off: To remove something by shaking or moving. “She shook off the rain from her umbrella.” “She shook off the sand from her shoes after the beach trip.” “It took her a while to shake off her nervousness before the speech.”

🔑 Look around: To observe your surroundings or explore a place. “She looked around the café to take it all in.” “We looked around the park to find a good spot for a picnic.” “She looked around the shop but didn’t find anything she liked.”

🔑 Pull out: To take something out of a bag, pocket, or container. “Rachel pulled out her notebook and phone to prepare for the interview.” “He pulled out his wallet to pay for the meal.” “She pulled out her phone to check the time.”

🔑 Catch up: To reconnect and talk about what’s happened in someone’s life. “Oliver invited her to catch up on their lives.” “Let’s catch up over coffee this weekend.” “I need to catch up on the work I missed while I was sick.”

🔑 Bring back: To make someone remember something or feel a certain way again. “The conversation brought back memories of university.” “That song always brings back memories of my childhood.” “Seeing her old house brought back a lot of emotions.”

🔑 Speak up: To say something, especially when it’s important or difficult. “Rachel finally spoke up to ask why Oliver had disappeared.” “If you don’t agree, you should speak up during the meeting.” “She was too shy to speak up about her concerns.”

🔑 Keep it together: To stay calm and composed in a stressful situation. “Oliver explained he was trying to keep it together during a tough time.” “She kept it together during the presentation even though she was nervous.” “It’s hard to keep it together when everything feels overwhelming.”

🔑 Come back: To return to a place or situation. “He thought he’d come back to university, but things didn’t work out.” “I can’t wait to come back to this restaurant—it’s amazing.” “After taking a break, she decided to come back to her art classes.”

🔑 Leave behind: To move on from something or let go of it. “Rachel felt like she’d left behind years of unanswered questions.” “When he moved to the city, he left behind his old life.” “Don’t leave behind your phone—it’s still on the table.”

Idioms from the Story:

🌟 Life’s funny like that: Used to describe unexpected or surprising events in life. “Oliver said, ‘Life’s funny like that,’ referring to their reunion.” “I bumped into my old teacher today—life’s funny like that.”

🌟 For old times’ sake: Doing something to remember or celebrate the past. “Oliver brought tea and cookies for old times’ sake.” “Let’s watch that movie again for old times’ sake.”

🌟 A lump in her throat: Describes feeling emotional or close to tears. “Rachel felt a lump in her throat as Oliver explained why he disappeared.” “The speech was so moving that everyone had a lump in their throat.”

Welcome to this English lesson, where you'll improve your vocabulary, listening skills, and conversational English by exploring everything related to weddings. From wedding preparations to the ceremony and reception, this lesson covers key phrases, expressions, and differences between weddings in the UK and the US. Whether you're attending a wedding or just want to enhance your fluency, this lesson will provide you with practical language skills.

atch all podcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW

Key Wedding Vocabulary and Expressions

🎉 Wedding Invitations "Have you got a wedding invitation yet?" "Don’t forget to RSVP before it’s too late." "Does the invitation say I can bring a guest?" "I haven’t been to a wedding for such a long time."

🎉 Preparations "What should I wear to the wedding?" "Is it formal or casual?" "I’m going to wear this suit. I think it’s the best option." "Should we buy something from the registry or give cash instead?"

🎉 Wedding Ceremony "How long do you think the ceremony will last?" "The bride looked stunning as she walked down the aisle." "You may now kiss the bride."

🎉 Wedding Reception "Where is the seating chart?" "Let’s grab a drink from the open bar." "What song are they playing for their first dance?" "The best man’s speech was hilarious." "The father of the bride’s toast made everyone tear up." "Everyone was on the dance floor all night—it was so much fun."

🎉 Post-Wedding Reflections "That was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever been to." "The bride looked stunning, didn’t she?" "Did you see the groom’s uncle dancing? That was so funny." "They had to change the venue at the last minute. Can you believe it?" "The DJ was late, so the bride’s brother had to play music from his phone."

Practice and Reflect Weddings are filled with special moments and unique challenges, offering plenty of opportunities to use descriptive language and expressions. Practice these phrases and vocabulary by imagining conversations about weddings or reflecting on a wedding you’ve attended. Repetition and real-life practice will help you remember these expressions and use them naturally.

😊 RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency
Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/
Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

Eating out in an English-speaking country? Want to sound more natural when talking about restaurants? This lesson is for you! Learn useful restaurant phrases, understand cultural differences between the UK and the US, and get real listening practice to boost your fluency.🗣️

What You'll Learn in This Lesson• How to ask where to eat
• Ordering food at a restaurant
• Talking to servers and making requests
• Paying the bill/check and tipping
• Describing your dining experience
• Common restaurant idioms

📖 Essential Restaurant Phrases
Should we eat out tonight?
• Where should we go for dinner?
• I'm in the mood for Italian food.
• What about that place we went to last time?
• Do we need to book a table or can we just show up?
• Do you have a reservation?
• For how many?
• We have a 30-minute wait. Would you like me to put your name on the list?
• Is there room at the bar?
• Can I get a water as well? (British vs. American pronunciation: water vs. wah-der)
• Are you ready to order or do you need a few more minutes?
• I think we’re ready.
• I'll have the pasta with chicken, please.
• Can I get the burger but without onions?
• How is everything?
• Excuse me, I ordered fries, not broccoli.
• Can I get these out of your way? (When they take your empty plates.)
• Can we get the check, please? (US) / Can we get the bill, please? (UK)

Tipping in the US
• Standard tip = 20%
• If the meal is $50, you leave a $10 tip.
• It’s not obligatory, but it’s expected.Talking About the Restaurant Experience• I should have ordered the burger.
• I should have left a bigger tip.
• The food was okay, but it wasn’t worth the price.
• Those portions were way too small.
• That was one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time!
• The server was really rude. / The server was great!

🍕 Takeout, Delivery & Fast Food• In the UK, it’s called takeaway. In the US, it’s takeout.
• I rarely get takeout, but sometimes I do on a Friday night.
• Drive-throughs are common in the US, especially for coffee.

🏆 Restaurant Idioms

• Bite off more than you can chew – Taking on too much responsibility.
• Have a lot on your plate – Being very busy with many responsibilities.
• Leave a bad taste in your mouth – Having a negative experience that stays with you.

🎯 What to Do Next:
✅ Rewatch the lesson and repeat the phrases.
✅ Check the description for learning resources.
✅ Share this lesson with a friend!

Get English fluency training here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC32mYgIHS-e3C3Eyd2tRw6g/join

Want to describe your free time naturally and confidently? Whether it’s hobbies, weekends, or relaxing, this lesson will help you understand native speakers better and talk about your free time fluently! 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

Watch all podcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW

📖 Key Phrases from the Lesson

🗓️ Talking About Free Time During the Work Week • I try to wind down in the evening by reading a book. (To wind down = To relax after a busy day) • Some people like to hit the gym straight after work. (To hit the gym = To go to the gym) • I like to put on a podcast and cook dinner. (To put on = To start playing music, a video, or a podcast) • I wish I had more time in the evening. (To wish = To express regret or desire) • Do you wanna head to the pub after work? (To head to = To go to a place)

📆 Weekend Plans – Asking & Answering • What are you doing this weekend? (Using present continuous for future plans) • Do you have any plans for the weekend? (Common way to ask about weekend plans) • I’m looking forward to the weekend. (To look forward to = To be excited about something) • I often take it easy on Sunday mornings. (To take it easy = To relax and do little activity*) • Let’s hang out this weekend! (To hang out = To spend time casually with friends*)

💤 Catching Up on Rest • I like to catch up on sleep at the weekend. (To catch up on sleep = To sleep more to recover lost sleep) • I like to have a lie-in on Sundays. (To have a lie-in [UK] / To sleep in [US] = To wake up late) 🍽️ Weekend Food Traditions – UK vs. US • In the UK, Sunday roast dinners are a tradition. (Sunday roast = Traditional British Sunday meal with roast meat and vegetables) • In the US, people love going out for brunch on Sundays. (Brunch = A meal between breakfast and lunch)

🌞 Talking About Holidays & Vacations • I’m taking a few days off next month. (To take time off = To not work for a period of time) • I’ve been working non-stop—I need a break! (To work non-stop = To work without breaks) • Have you ever been to Japan? (Have you ever been to… = Asking about past travel experiences)

🎨 Talking About Hobbies & Interests • I love playing the guitar. (Simple way to express hobbies) • I’m getting into yoga at the moment. (To get into = To start enjoying a new activity) • I’m thinking about signing up for a pottery class. (To sign up for = To register for an activity or course) • I’ve always wanted to learn how to paint. (I’ve always wanted to… = Expressing a long-term desire) • Okay, I’ll give it a go! (To give it a go = To try something new)

🧠 Inspirational Quotes About Free Time • 💡 “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” – Bertrand Russell • 💡 “A man should never neglect his leisure.” – Confucius • 💡 “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

🎯 What To Do Next: ✅ Listen to the episode again and repeat the phrases. ✅ Practice using these expressions in your own conversations. ✅ Leave a comment with your answers: What do you do in your free time? 💬 Which phrase was your favorite? Share it in the comments!

🚀 RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH Affiliate Disclosure Some links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

Fantastic courses from a teacher friend: https://www.tofluency.com/espresso/
Find a language teacher online here: https://go.italki.com/tofluency
Learn English through TV: https://www.tofluency.com/fluentu/
Learn English with AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cIvJsDPmXw
Speaking method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PGRbvJBkQ
Writing method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDkiY1lcfgw

Want to improve your English naturally while enjoying a great short story? 📚 This lesson is perfect for practicing listening, reading, and vocabulary! You’ll learn real-life expressions used in everyday conversations, so you can speak more fluently and understand native speakers better.
✅ Listen & Read at the same time
✅ Learn useful phrasal verbs & expressions
✅ Master natural English conversation

Stay until the end, where we break down key phrases from the story! 

📖 Key Words & Phrases from the Story

• Cut it close – To almost run out of time.
"Ella was cutting it close to finding a seat on the train."
"I woke up late and cut it close to missing my flight."

• Pull out – To remove something from somewhere.
"The guy pulled out one earbud and turned to look at her."
"She pulled out her phone to check the time."

• Sit up straighter – To adjust your posture and become more alert.
"Jake sat up straighter when Ella spoke to him."
"He sat up straighter when the teacher asked a question."

• Catch up – To talk about things that have happened after time apart.
"It was easy, like they were two old friends catching up."
"Let’s meet for coffee and catch up!"

• Drift into – To slowly move into a topic or activity.
"The conversation drifted from books to travel to childhood memories."
"The meeting drifted into small talk after a while."

• End up – To arrive somewhere or in a situation unexpectedly.
"Jake once got lost on a hike and ended up in the wrong town."
"We took the wrong bus and ended up at the beach."

• Slow down – To reduce speed.
"As the train slowed down, people stood up."
"She slowed down as she reached the traffic lights."

• Pull down – To bring something from a higher place.
"People stood up, pulling down bags and stretching their legs."
"He pulled down a book from the top shelf."

• Hold up – To lift or show something.
"Jake pulled out his phone, holding it up."
"She held up the map so everyone could see."

• Step off – To move off a train, bus, or platform.
"Ella stepped off the train and turned back."
"He stepped off the stage after finishing his speech."🎯

What To Do Next:
✅ Listen to the story again and repeat the phrases.
✅ Practice using these expressions in your own conversations.
✅ Leave a comment: Have you ever met someone interesting while traveling? Which phrase was your favorite? Share it in the comments! 

Learning English through TV is possible. But a lot of learners don't do it the right way. Have you ever watched a TV show in English but struggled to understand what was happening? Do fast conversations, slang, and accents make it difficult to follow along? This lesson will give you the tools, strategies, and methods you need to learn English through TV shows and movies effectively.

By the end of this episode, you'll know:
✅ How to choose the right TV shows for your level
✅ The best subtitle strategy for learning English
✅ The pause and repeat method to improve pronunciation
✅ How to use TV dialogue for spaced repetition learning
✅ Why binge-watching can actually help you learn faster

🎬 Watch more episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playli...

⏳ Timestamps
00:00 Best tv shows for English learners 05:00 Should you use subtitles? 06:39 Improve your English through tv 09:08 Learn new vocabulary through tv 12:00 The power of binge watching

📚 Resources & Links 🔗 TV Shows for Learning English – https://storylearning.com/lear...
🔗 How to Read for Fluency (Related Video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
🔗 The Full Pause & Repeat Method – https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
🔗 Listen and Repeat videos: https://www.youtube.com/playli...

📢 Question for You What TV show are you going to watch next? Or what TV show have you watched that helped you improve your English? Let me know in the comments – your answer might help other learners too! 💬 Like & Share if this lesson helped you! Subscribe for more English lessons.

In this English listening practice, you'll learn real phrases and natural English expressions while discovering the key differences between houses in the UK and the USA! 🏠🇬🇧🇺🇸
From house sizes and layouts to renting, buying, and home design, this lesson is packed with essential vocabulary, cultural insights, and idioms to help you speak and understand English fluently.

👉 Stay until the end to learn common phrases, idioms, and housing vocabulary differences between British and American English!

📌 Watch more English podcast episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW

📚 Key Differences Between UK & US Houses
✔️ House Sizes
• UK: 76 m² (~800 sq ft) 🏡
• USA: 201 m² (~2,000+ sq ft) 🏠
✔️ Layouts & Design
• UK: Smaller, separate rooms
• USA: Open-plan living spaces
✔️ Storage & Closets
• UK: Wardrobes 🚪
• USA: Walk-in closets 👕
✔️ Heating & Cooling
• UK: Radiators, no air conditioning ❄️🔥
• USA: Forced air systems (AC & heating) 🌬️
✔️ Renting & Buying
• UK: Homes are often furnished 🛋️
• USA: Homes are usually unfurnished 📦
✔️ Neighborhoods & Suburbs
• UK: More people live close to city centers 🏙️
• USA: Suburban living is more common 🚗
✔️ Outdoor Spaces
• UK: Gardens 🌿
• USA: Yards 🌳

📌 Useful Housing & Home Phrases
✅ "Cramped" – Small and lacking space
"UK homes feel a bit cramped compared to the US."
✅ "Furnished vs. Unfurnished" – Whether a house comes with furniture
"In the UK, many rental homes come furnished."
✅ "To hire movers" – Paying professionals to move your furniture
"We hired movers to make the process easier."
✅ "Open-plan layout" – A design where rooms are not separated by walls
"Many US homes have an open-plan kitchen and living room."
✅ "Terraced house" – A row of houses attached together
"She lives in a terraced house in London."
✅ "Suburbs" – Residential areas outside city centers
"Most American families live in the suburbs."
✅ "A roof over your head" – A home or shelter
"Even though the apartment is small, at least I have a roof over my head."
✅ "To feel at home" – To feel comfortable in a new place
"After a few weeks in Spain, I started to feel at home."
✅ "Make yourself at home" – A phrase to welcome guests
"Come in and make yourself at home!"
✅ "The walls have ears" – Be careful what you say, someone might be listening
"We shouldn’t gossip too much at work—the walls have ears."

📌 British vs. American Housing Vocabulary
🇬🇧 UK → 🇺🇸 USA
🏢 Flat → Apartment
🚪 Lift → Elevator
🏡 Garden → Yard
🔑 Estate agent → Realtor
🏠 Semi-detached house → Duplex
📦 Letting agency → Rental agency
📏 Ground floor → First floor

📩 Want to improve your English?
1️⃣ Subscribe for more English lessons!
2️⃣ Like & Share to help others learn English.
3️⃣ Comment below—What do you think about houses in the UK vs. USA?

🎙️ Listen to more English podcast episodes here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW
Thanks for watching & see you in the next lesson! 👋😊

In this English listening practice lesson, we’re talking about food, meal times, grocery shopping, and dining out in the UK and the USA. You’ll learn natural phrases, cultural differences, and interesting facts about how people eat in both countries. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and a deeper understanding of English-speaking food culture!

🔗 Listen to more podcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW

🍽️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ The difference between British & American breakfasts 🥞☕
✅ What time people eat in the UK vs. the USA ⏰
✅ Why snacking is so popular in the US 🍪
✅ Grocery shopping & why American supermarkets are so big 🛒
✅ Eating out in restaurants & tipping culture differences 💰
✅ Fast food & takeaway – why they’re different in each country 🍔
✅ Fun food idioms & famous quotes about food 🍎

📌 Key Phrases from This Lesson
✅ “What’s for tea tonight?” – In northern England, “tea” can mean dinner.
✅ “I’m in the mood for Italian food.” – A natural way to say what you feel like eating.
✅ “We need to get some snacks.” – Snacking is a huge part of American food culture!
✅ “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches” – A classic American lunch that’s not common elsewhere.
✅ “Fish and chips” – A traditional British meal, still very popular today.
✅ “Let’s eat out tonight.” – A way to say you’re going to a restaurant.
✅ “Would you like a refill?” – In the USA, many drinks have free refills!
✅ “Tipping is expected.” – Unlike the UK, tipping in the US is not optional.

🥗 Famous Food Quotes
🍎 "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." – Eating healthy keeps you from getting sick.
🍋 "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." – Turn challenges into opportunities!
🥚 "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket." – Don’t take unnecessary risks.
🍰 "It’s a piece of cake!" – Something is really easy.
🍮 "The proof is in the pudding." – You’ll only know something is good by experiencing it.