Episodes

  • Learn Natural English: Talking about Food in the USA and UK (+ Learn New Phrases)

    Learn Natural English: Talking about Food in the USA and UK (+ Learn New Phrases)
    Mar 18 2025
    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.
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    19 mins
  • Natural English for Your Ears: Talking about Housing in the UK and USA (Can You Understand?)

    Natural English for Your Ears: Talking about Housing in the UK and USA (Can You Understand?)
    Mar 11 2025
    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! 👋😊
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    23 mins
  • 66: Learn English through TV: Listen to this Before Watching TV in English

    66: Learn English through TV: Listen to this Before Watching TV in English
    Mar 3 2025
    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.
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    15 mins
  • 65: Learn English through Story: The Last Seat (+ Language Analysis)

    65: Learn English through Story: The Last Seat (+ Language Analysis)
    Feb 27 2025
    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!
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    10 mins
  • Advanced English Listening Practice | Can YOU Understand? | Hobbies (with Subtitles)

    Advanced English Listening Practice | Can YOU Understand? | Hobbies (with Subtitles)
    Feb 17 2025
    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
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    21 mins
  • 63 Learn English through the BEST Listening Practice | Talking about RESTAURANTS & EATING OUT

    63 Learn English through the BEST Listening Practice | Talking about RESTAURANTS & EATING OUT
    Feb 3 2025
    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!
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    15 mins
  • 62: Learn Conversational English & Get the BEST Listening Practice (Weddings)

    62: Learn Conversational English & Get the BEST Listening Practice (Weddings)
    Jan 27 2025
    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
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • 61: LEARN ENGLISH FAST through Short Stories | The Cafe Reunion | English Listening Skills

    61: LEARN ENGLISH FAST through Short Stories | The Cafe Reunion | English Listening Skills
    Jan 23 2025
    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.”
    Show more Show less
    13 mins
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