Espresso English Podcast

NEW Advanced Vocabulary & Collocations Course!

Do you want to learn more than 1000 advanced vocabulary words, so you can speak and write like a master...

Learn 20 powerful verbs to SUPERCHARGE your vocabulary!

I hope you’re ready to learn some awesome words! You don’t want to use the same basic English words...

How to think directly in English (step by step)

One HUGE step towards fluency is learning how to think directly in English. This will help you speak...

Learn 20 confusing collocations in English

Do you know the difference between “making trouble” and “taking the trouble”? What about “having...

How to pronounce 50 difficult words in English

Welcome to the final lesson in our pronunciation power-up mini-course! So far we’ve practiced 200...

How to pronounce 50 brand names in English

Hi! It's day 4 of our Pronunciation Power-Up Mini-Course, and today's theme is brand names. Nowadays...

How to pronounce 50 countries in English

Welcome to day 3 of our pronunciation power-up mini-course! Today we’re going to practice pronouncing the...

How to pronounce 50 food & drink words in English

Hi everyone! It’s day 2 of our pronunciation power-up mini-course, and today we’ll be practicing 50...

How to pronounce 50 jobs in English

Hello and welcome to our Pronunciation Power-Up Mini-Course!   We’re going to practice pronouncing...

Free Mini-Course Next Week! - Pronunciation Power-Up

Next week I'm giving a FREE mini-course called "Pronunciation Power-Up!" In video games, a "power-up"...

When to use DRANK vs. DRUNK

When should you use the word drank and when should you use the word drunk? They are pronounced differently...

English slang words for food & drink

Learn 16 American English slang words and expressions about food and drink!  Read the slang words...

Learn 10 phrasal verbs you probably DON'T know

Some English phrasal verbs are easy to understand, like "give away" or "wake up." But others are hard...

Best ways to review and remember English

Do you feel like you keep forgetting what you learn in English? Maybe you study words and phrases and...

Review or revise? Let's learn the difference!

Today we’re going to talk about the differences between the words review and revise. They’re used...

How to learn English FAST!

Sometimes students write to me and say “I need to learn English FAST.” Maybe they have a deadline,...

Homework vs. Housework

What’s the difference between homework and housework? These two words seem practically identical,...

5 phrases native English speakers NEVER say!

If you want to make your English sound more natural, more like a native speaker, then pay close attention...

"Sorry for my BAD English"

There are two phrases I hear many students say: "My English is terrible." "Sorry for my BAD English."...

Already vs. all ready, everyday vs. every day, and more!

Today you’ll learn some common English words that are often misused because they are so similar. The...

25 collocations with GIVE

During this month of December, we have some holidays… and during holidays, many people give gifts...

10 Informal English Expressions I’ve Used Recently

Native English speakers use a lot of informal expressions in day-to-day life! Lately, I’ve been paying...

Tips for pronouncing WORLD, WORD, WORK

Today I'm going to give you some tips for pronouncing "world" - a lot of students find this very difficult....

English phrases with THANK & THANKS

This week is the holiday of Thanksgiving in the United States... so in today's lesson, you'll learn...

Flip out, freak out, piss off, & tick off

A student asked about the following four phrasal verbs: flip out freak out piss off tick off She asked,...

Learn and practice 10 beautiful English words

The English language has a number of words that sound nice and are fun to say! Today I'll teach you...

16 super-confusing words in English

Do you ever use the wrong word in English? It's a very common problem - and it affects students at all...

20 different ways to say THANK YOU in English

This month we’ve been doing a series on different ways to say things in English, in order to help...

20 different ways to say SORRY in English

Today you're going to learn 20 different ways to say "sorry" in English. Why should you learn all...

20 different ways to say NO in English

Last week you learned 20 different ways to say "yes" in English, and today you’ll learn 20 different...

20 different ways to say YES in English

Today you’re going to learn a lot of different ways to say “yes” in English. But wait – why...

14 Business English "Buzzwords"

Today you're going to learn 14 business English “buzzwords” – informal expressions that you...

Worse vs. Worst (+ Expressions)

Today I’m going to teach you how to use worse and worst correctly. Even some native English...

12 advanced vocabulary words for colors

Do you know what color these words describe: maroon, fuchsia, hazel, and ivory? You probably learned...

Mini-Course Lesson 5: 20 ways to use the word SET in English

? Download the worksheet: http://bit.ly/miniexercise5 ?? Read the lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/20-different-ways-to-use-the-word-set-in-english/...

Mini-Course Lesson 4: 20 ways to use the word CUT in English

? Download the worksheet: http://bit.ly/miniexercise4 ?? Read the lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/20-different-ways-to-use-the-word-cut-in-english/...

Mini-Course Lesson 3: 20 ways to use the word BREAK in English

? Download the worksheet: http://bit.ly/miniexercise3 ?? Read the lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/20-different-ways-to-use-the-word-break-in-english/...

Mini-Course Lesson 2: 20 ways to use the word GET in English

? Download the worksheet: https://bit.ly/miniexercise2 ?? Read the lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/20-different-ways-to-use-the-word-get-in-english/...

Mini-Course Lesson 1: 25 ways to use the word RUN in English

? Download the worksheet: https://bit.ly/miniexercise1 ?? Read the lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/25-different-ways-to-use-the-word-run-in-english/...

Free Mini-Course - Words with Multiple Meanings!

Today I want to invite you to join a FREE mini-course starting soon – all about English words with many different...

Agree with, agree on, agree about, agree that, or agree to?

One place I see a lot of students making mistakes is in using the verb agree. Specifically, which preposition...

30 collocations with HAVE

HAVE is one of the most common verbs in English, and we use this word in many different ways! In today's...

Question or doubt?

Students often say, “I have a doubt” and then ask me something about English. However, native...

How we pronounce CAN & CAN'T when speaking fast

You might be thinking... why make a video about pronouncing CAN and CAN'T - that's so easy and obvious!...

20 expressions with the word FREE

Do you know what it means to have a "free spirit" or "free rein"? Is being a "freeloader" a good thing...

20 collocations with the word "goal"

In soccer, we don't say "make a goal," we say "score a goal." Outside of sports, we don't say "follow...

Quick answers to your questions about idioms

A lot of students ask me about phrases and idioms they've heard in conversations and TV shows. In today's...

10 practical phrases for worries and relief

When you're worried, it's even harder to express yourself in English - but this lesson will help: 10...

4 different ways to pronounce words starting with "U"

Did you know that these words all have DIFFERENT ways to pronounce the "u" in the beginning? ultimate...

DON'T use a preposition in these 5 situations!

Prepositions like in, of, at, from, and to are used very frequently in English. However, there...

Compliment vs. Complement vs. Complimentary vs. Complementary

These two words are pronounced the same, but they are spelled differently and have different meanings!...

Learn 36 compound words to expand your vocabulary

Today I'm sending you a special class all about compound words! Compound words are when two or...

My secret for staying motivated with Espresso English

My recent videos were all about staying motivated when learning English... ...but what's MY secret to...

273 - Stay motivated tip #10 - Challenge and reward yourself

I’m sharing my tenth and final tip for how to stay motivated to learn English. This one is really...

272 - Stay motivated tip #9 - Find a learning partner

Today’s tip for staying motivated is Find A Partner Or Join A Community Scientists have discovered...

271: Stay motivated tip #8 - Make learning English fun

today’s tip for how to stay motivated to learn English is very important. It’s so simple, but it...

270: Stay motivated tip #7 - Plan to come back after a break

Hi there! Today I’ll share my seventh tip for how to stay motivated to learn English, and that is:...

269: Stay motivated tip #6 - What to do when you feel lazy

Hello students! I’m back with another tip for how to stay motivated to learn English. This tip is...

268: Stay motivated tip #5 - Keep an English success journal

Today I’m giving you tip #5 on how to stay motivated when you’re learning English. This is something...

267: Stay motivated tip #4 - Visualize your English goals

Hi students! Are you ready to learn tip #4 for how to stay motivated to learn English? This one is something...

266: Stay motivated tip #3 - Don't take mistakes so seriously/personally

Hi there! I’m back with tip #3 on how to stay motivated when learning English, and this is a big one...

265: Stay motivated tip #2 - Never compare your English to others'

Hi students! It’s Shayna from EspressoEnglish.net and I’m excited to share with you my second tip...

264: How to stay motivated when learning English - Tip #1

Do you ever feel sad and discouraged about your English-learning progress? Do you sometimes find it...

263 - How to pronounce long, complicated words in English

Today I'm going to teach you an exercise for practicing the pronunciation of long, difficult multi-syllable...

262 - Phrases for education - 7 expressions and 1 common error

Today you'll learn some common English expressions for talking about education. This lesson will also...

261 - Learn 10 business English verbs

In today’s lesson you’re going to improve your business English vocabulary by learning some interesting...

260 - 4 ways to use the -ING form of verbs in English

Did you know that there are at least four different ways to use the -ING form of verbs in English?...

259 - Say, tell, speak, or talk?

If you frequently confuse the verbs SAY, TELL, SPEAK, and TALK, you’re not alone – these are some...

258 - How to pronounce English words ending in -ILE

Today I want to answer a question from a student who asked how to pronounce words ending in -ILE, like...

257 - 16 common collocations with "time"

"Time" is one of the most common words in English - but do you know all the different ways you can use...

256 - 20 phrasal verbs with GET

This lesson is on one of the topics that’s most requested by my students – it’s all about phrasal...

255 - 10 idioms for extreme emotion

If you want to speak fluent English, it's important to learn phrases and expressions - NOT just...

254: Quiz - 10 Common English spelling mistakes

Today's lesson is a quiz to help you practice some English words that are frequently spelled wrong....

253: English phrases for talking about the weather

Today you’ll learn 14 conversational English phrases about the weather. If you want to know how to...

252 - Pronunciation Practice: Difficult words with "R"

Today we're going to practice pronouncing some difficult English words that feature the letter R, like...

251 - 10 vocabulary words starting with "F"

We’ve just started the month of February, and I realized it’s been a long time since I did an English...

250: English phrase - Hindsight is 20/20

Today I'm going to explain the expression "hindsight is 20/20." It's now the year 2020, so I thought...

249 - How it feels to be fluent - My language-learning story

When you're learning a language, it's common to feel sad about your progress. You want to become fluent......

248: How to speak English confidently!

Do you often feel nervous when speaking English? Today I'm going to tell you my top tips for improving...

247: 10 new words added to the dictionary in 2019

Every year I like to teach a lesson on new words that have been added to the dictionary recently. The...

246 - Holiday or vacation?

It's just a couple days away from Christmas, which is a major holiday in the United States. So in today's...

245 - Correct your English errors FAST!

Today's lesson is about common mistakes, but first I want to say one thing: Please don't let the fear...

244 - How to improve your English listening

If you have difficulties in listening to and understanding English, you're not alone. This is one of...

243 - Later vs. Latter

Today I’m going to explain the difference between LATER and LATTER. These words are only different...

242 - Learn 7 MORE everyday English phrases!

After last week's lesson on common informal phrases, a lot of students e-mailed me saying, "please make...

241 - Learn 8 everyday English phrases and expressions

There are lots of little phrases that native English speakers use in daily life. But if you don't live...

240 - How to use going to, gonna, gonna go

Today's lesson is all about the expression "gonna” and when you CAN and CAN'T use it. I'll also...

239 - English Pronunciation Tip: Say, Says, Said

Today's quick pronunciation tip involves a very common verb: the word "say." You might be surprised...

238 - 15 English idioms and phrasal verbs you CAN use at work

Students often ask me if we can use idioms and slang in professional situations - and the answer is...

237 - Confusing English Words: Experiment and Experience

The words experience and experiment might be the same in some languages... but in English they are...

236 - How can I use grammar correctly when speaking English?

Today I want to answer a question that is important for everyone who is studying English. Many of my...

235 - English phrases explained: Good grief & For goodness' sake

When you're studying English, I recommend focusing on learning phrases and not just individual words....

234 - Important: 4 major English-learning problems

Today I'll teach you about some common English-learning mistakes that I’ve observed among the hundreds...

233 - Watch out for these spelling mistakes!

Today’s lesson is all about spelling mistakes involving adding an extra letter to a word, or accidentally...

232 - These errors were made by real students like you

Remember that mistakes are an opportunity to learn - and today you'll learn from the mistakes of other...

231 - Avoid these 7 pronunciation problems

In this lesson we’re going to look at 7 common pronunciation mistakes in words with confusing combinations...

230 - Common Errors with Adjectives and Adverbs

This month I'm going to teach you about some common errors in English. These are mistakes that I've...

229: English Vocabulary for Summer

Here in the U.S., we’re in the middle of summer - the hottest part of the year! Today you’ll learn...

228: English Grammar - Gerunds

A gerund is a word that looks like a verb, but functions as a noun in the sentence. Gerunds are formed...

227 - Learn 24 collocations with SPOT

The word spot has a few different meanings in English.The word spot has a few different meanings in...

226: Pronunciation Practice: Where, Were, We're

Are you ready to practice your pronunciation? Today we’re going to work on three very common words...

225 - Ten English idioms with "easy" and "hard"

Today I'll teach you 10 English expressions with the words "easy" and "hard." These individual words...

224 - Prepositions: OF vs. FROM

Do you know when to use "of" vs. "from" in English?  Using the wrong preposition is a very common...

223 - More answers to your questions about phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition, like get up and find out. Phrasal verbs...

222 - Peace of mind vs. Give someone a piece of your mind

Spoken English has a lot of little expressions that are used frequently by native speakers - and some...

221 - Food, meal, dish, or cuisine?

A lot of English learners get confused about the words food, dish, meal, and cuisine. These all...

220 - How to pronounce words starting with DR-

Are you ready for some pronunciation practice? In today's lesson we're going to work on pronouncing...

219 - Learn 10 idioms and informal expressions with GET

Today's question comes from a student who was watching a movie. In this movie, one character said to...

218 - IETLS exam tips - with Ben Worthington

Today I have a special guest - his name is Ben, and he's an expert in IELTS test preparation. He'll...

217 - How to use the words invaluable, infamous, inflammable

Today I'm going to teach you three pairs of confusing words that have the prefix IN-. In many words,...

216 - Finish vs. finish up and other verbs vs. phrasal verbs

Someone asked me if there's a difference between finish and finish up. The answer is no - there's...

215 – Practice with me to avoid these common pronunciation mistakes!

I’ve heard a lot of students' speaking samples in my courses, and today I’d like to address a few...

214 - What do these TV and movie phrases mean?

If you watch TV and movies in English, you'll probably see a lot of new words and expressions that might...

213 - 33 collocations and expressions for decisions

Today's lesson will teach you 33 collocations and expressions about decisions. Collocations are combinations...

211 - Free sample lesson from the new Current Events English Course

Here's a free sample lesson from my NEW Current Events English Course! Today I'll teach you 20 words...

210 - New Course! Current Events English: 2019 Edition

Join the course: https://www.espressoenglish.net/current-events-english-course One common suggestion...

209 – Can you use -ING after “to” in English?

I received a great question from a student: Is it possible to use ‘to’ followed by the ‘ing’...

208 - How to use the word "fool" in English

April 1 is an informal holiday known as April Fools' Day! People celebrate by playing jokes and trying...

207 - Emergency English Vocabulary

Do you know what to say in English in case of an emergency? In the moment, you might panic and not...

206 - A tricky little grammar mistake with SEE and HEAR

Today I want to teach you about a tricky little grammar mistake that I see a lot of students making...

205 - 30 phrases for business letters and e-mails

Do you have a hard time finding the right phrase to use in your business letters and e-mails? Today...

204 - Difference between clean, wash, clean up, and wash up

Are you wondering about the differences between clean, wash, clean up, and wash up? I'll teach you...

203 - Daily phrases: hit it out of the park, making the rounds, out of line, and more

In the month of February I'm going to do a special series of “phrase of the day” videos - so I'll...

202 - Daily phrases: bear the brunt, move the goalposts, fall by the wayside, and more

In the month of February I'm going to do a special series of “phrase of the day” videos - so I'll...

201 - Daily phrases: rough around the edges, turn a blind eye, do the trick, and more

In the month of February I'm going to do a special series of “phrase of the day” videos - so I'll...

200 - Daily phrases: have a leg up, cut to the chase, up for grabs, and more

In the month of February I'm going to do a special series of “phrase of the day” videos - so I'll...

199 - Five motivational quotes and how they apply to learning English

Sometimes you might get discouraged when studying English. Becoming fluent takes a really long time...

198 - Learn and practice these 5 tiny pronunciation differences

We have a saying in English that "the devil is in the details" - this means that you need to be careful,...

197 - Learn 50 collocations with PLAN and HOPE

Many of us have hopes and plans for what we would like to accomplish in the new year! Today I'll...

196 - New English words added to the dictionary in 2018

This is one of my FAVORITE lessons of the year  :-) Did you know that the dictionary is updated all...

195 - Learn 8 English idioms with END

It's December 31st - we're at the tail end of the year! (= the very last part) In today's lesson,...

194 - Answers to your questions about phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are very common in everyday spoken English - and many students ask me about the definitions...

193 - Three different ways to pronounce CC in English

I've noticed a pronunciation mistake that many students make when they say words like "succeed" and...

192 - Business English Vocabulary Quiz

Today you can test your knowledge of 10 common business English terms. This quiz only taught you 10...

191 - Learn English from the News: The growing tradition of Friendsgiving

We recently had the holiday of Thanksgiving in the United States. Most people celebrate it with their...

190 - Learn English from the News: Social Media and Depression

Today’s article is about social media and mental health. This one is written in a more casual style,...

189 - English in the News: A problem with the cute baby bear video

You might have seen a video on social media about a bear cub (that's a baby bear) trying very hard...

188 - Learn English from the News: Google Employees Protest Sexual Harassment Policies

This month, I'm bringing you a very special series of videos in which you can learn English from the...

187 - 10 English words with alternative pronunciation

The English language has a lot of regional variations and different accents - and there are some words...

186 - Wait or await? Sleep or asleep? Wake or awake?

Do you know the difference between wait and await, sleep and asleep, and wake and awake? These words...

185 - 5 phrasal verbs with BREAK

Today you’re going to learn the difference between break in, break out, break down, break up, and...

184 - Sometimes, sometime, or some time?

Today I want to clear up some confusion around the words sometime, sometimes, and some time.  Are...

183 - Four English expressions that don't seem to make sense

Some informal and idiomatic expressions in English just don't seem to make sense. In today’s lesson,...

182 - Three spelling/pronunciation changes that completely change the word

There are many English words that have similar spellings and pronunciations, and it’s common for English...

181 - English vocabulary for a road trip

I’ve just gotten back from a road trip with my family, and I’m going to use this opportunity to...

180 - Six grammar mistakes you might be making

In today’s lesson I’m going to show you six mistakes that real students of mine have made –...

179 - Eight English idioms from Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was a poet and playwright who lived in the 16th century. He is regarded as one of...

178 - How to pronounce recipe, receipt, debt, and debit

Today I want to teach you the correct way to say four words that I often hear students mispronouncing...

177 - 30 English collocations with TEST

Today we’re going to take a closer look at the word TEST – specifically the collocations (common...

176 - Three casual conversational expressions

Have you noticed that when you listen to informal English conversations, you hear some expressions that...

175 - Careless or carefree?

In today's lesson I want to clarify the difference between the confusing words careless and carefree. It’s...

174 - How to use the word "lack" correctly

Today I want to teach you how to use the word “lack” correctly. I’ve noticed some of my students...

173 - How to pronounce OUGH in English

OUGH is pronounced at least 5 different ways in English! In today’s lesson, I’m going to teach...

Daily English Phrases - A last resort, See the last of something

Daily English Phrases - It's an acquired taste, It grew on me

Daily English Phrases - Deep down, A deep dark secret

Daily English Phrases - None of your business, Mind your own business

Daily English Phrases - Have (got) what it takes

Daily English Phrases - Steer clear of something

Daily English Phrases - Get it over with, Get over it

Daily English Phrases - Have your heart set on something

Daily English Phrases - I couldn't care less, Who cares?

Daily English Phrases - Keep an eye on, Keep an eye out for

Daily English Phrases - Off the beaten path, In the middle of nowhere

Daily English Phrases - A game plan, Ahead of the game

Daily English Phrases - In over my head, Bite off more than you can chew

Daily English Phrases - Put your foot down, The last straw

Daily English Phrases - Play it by ear, Play it safe

Daily English Phrases - Out of the blue, Out of nowhere

Daily English Phrases - Look on the bright side, A blessing in disguise

Daily English Phrases - Get a head start, Get the ball rolling

Daily English Phrases - Set the record straight, Have a great track record

Daily English Phrases - It's a long story, To make a long story short

Daily English Phrases - I have no clue, Totally clueless

Daily English Phrases - On the right track, Get back on track

Daily English Phrases - Have the time of your life, Have a blast

Daily English Phrases - Out of shape, In good/bad shape

Daily English Phrases - I give you my word, I'll take your word for it

Daily English Phrases - Having second thoughts, On second thought

Daily English Phrases - Make yourself at home, Suit yourself, Help yourself

Daily English Phrases - Could I have a word with you?

172 - Don't mix up these English homophones!

The English language has many homophones – words that have the same pronunciation, but different spellings...

171 - Here are 10 "cold" English idioms

You know the basic meaning of the word "cold," but do you know these 10 idioms with "cold"? Today...

170 - Make sure, ensure, and make it a point

Are you wondering if there’s a difference between make sure and ensure? We also have the expression make...

169 - Depend or depending?

We use depend and depending when one thing is strongly affected by another thing. However, a lot...

168 - Learn 10 idioms with the word JUMP

Do you know what it means to jump ship, jump the gun, or jump down someone's throat? You will learn...

167 - English words with surprising pronunciation

English spelling and pronunciation can be complicated – and these 10 words are especially confusing!...

166 - Business English expressions quiz

Do you know these 10 expressions related to business and companies? Take the quiz to find out! Lesson...

165 - English collocations with the word THINK

Today I'd like to teach you some common expressions with the word "think." You'll learn: inclined...

164 - English words with disappearing syllables

Some English words have what we can call “disappearing or dropped syllables” – reductions or eliminations...

163 - Learn 10 expressions with the word KNOW

"Know" is one of the most common verbs in English, and I know that you know what it means! But what...

162 - 10 interesting verbs to expand your vocabulary

The English language has a lot of colorful words, which are great for improving your vocabulary. You'll learn...

161 - "Have had" and "had had"

Are you confused about how to use HAVE HAD and HAD HAD in English? Today’s lesson will help you! First,...

160 - How to speak faster in English

In today’s lesson I’m going to give you four important tips for speaking English faster. A lot of...

159 - What to say if you're not 100% certain

In today’s lesson, I want to teach you some phrases that you can use in a specific situation – that...

158 - Can you say "according to me" in English?

Today I want to talk to you about a phrase that’s I’ve seen some students use – and that phrase...

157 - Common error: I LIKE vs. I'D LIKE

I want to teach you about a mistake that I often hear students making when speaking. It has to do with...

156 - English phrases for mistakes

In today’s lesson, I want to teach you some phrases that native English speakers use when talking...

155 - How to use "it can't hurt" and other phrases

I want to teach you about a phrase that one of my students asked me about. That phrase is, “It can’t...

154 - I'm afraid vs. I'm scared

Today I want to answer a student question about the phrases I’m afraid and I’m scared. Is there...

153 - English phrases with KIDDING

This month, I want to focus our lessons on phrases, some kind of informal phrases that you might hear...

152 - How to pronounce ALLOW, LOW, and other words ending in -OW

Today we’re going to practice pronunciation of words ending in -ow. Make sure to check out my Pronunciation...

151 - Difference between criticize, criticism, critique, critic, and critical

Today I want to teach you about the confusing words criticize, criticism, critique, critic, and critical....

150 - Vocabulary words for joking and humor

A "joke" is a funny comment or short story that is supposed to make people laugh. Do you know any good...

148 - Don't make this pronunciation mistake with U

English pronunciation and spelling are very tricky - the same letter can be pronounced in different...

147 - It's my birthday! Here are 30 collocations with PARTY

Today is my birthday! I'm now 33 years old  :-) That's why today's new English lesson will teach you 30...

146: Learn 21 words and expressions for the bar

In American culture, people go to bars to socialize, flirt, and even to get to know business colleagues....

145 - Regular verbs vs phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb + preposition that has a specific meaning. Sometimes the...

144 - Students asked me about these confusing English words

There are a lot of words in English that seem to be the same – and in fact they are very similar –...

143 - 10 English expressions with "business"

The English language has some interesting expressions with the word "business" - and not all of them...

142 - How to pronounce English words starting with CON-

A student recently asked me how to pronounce English words starting with CON- such as content, contest,...

141: How many of these vocabulary words do you know?

Do you think you have a good understanding of English vocabulary? Today I'm sending you a challenging...

140: What to say in embarrassing situations

If you're embarrassed, it can be almost impossible to think of the right thing to say... especially...

139: Do you have a "question" or a "doubt"?

Students often say "I have a doubt" and then ask me something about the English language. However,...

138: 8 grammar mistakes that even advanced students make

I see this problem in a lot of more experienced English learners: Their written English might be 90%...

136: Learn 10 vocabulary words starting with "J"

We're in the middle of the month of June, and next month is July... so today let's learn 10 vocabulary...

135 - 10 interesting expressions for progress and speed

Today’s lesson is inspired by a student question – he asked what the expression “we're spinning...

134 - Eight more formal business English phrases

When writing a business letter or when e-mailing a business contact who we don’t know well, we use...

133: Learn 30 collocations with "country"

Let's learn some collocations - words that often go together! In today's lesson, you'll learn 30 different...

132: How to use "at all" in English

What does it mean when someone asks, "Do you drive at all?" In today's lesson, you'll learn how to use...

131: Do we use "the" with "police"?

One student said she sometimes sees "police" and sometimes "the police" - which is correct? What's the...

130: Difference between embarrassed and ashamed

What situations would make you feel embarrassed?  What situations would make you feel ashamed? Learn...

129: Meet, meet with, or meet up with?

What's the difference between meet, meet with, and meet up with? You'll learn (with examples) in...

Free Sample - Business English Idioms

Today's episode is another free sample from the Business English Course. You'll learn 12 common business...

Free Sample - Business English - Phrases for Meetings

Have you ever been shy about participating in a meeting in English? It can be really hard to think...

128 - When NOT to use the word "to"

It can be hard for English learners to know when to use the word “to.” In today's lesson, you'll...

127: Common English Pronunciation Mistakes

Sometimes students ask me about the "rules" of English pronunciation - but it's impossible to teach...

126: 10 Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be very challenging, even for advanced English learners! Today I’ll teach you 10...

125: Common English Mistakes with Direct and Indirect Objects

Can you find the mistakes in these sentences? They are all incorrect. They don’t sound natural. “I...

124: 20 Powerful Adjectives in English

If you're tired of using the same basic and boring English words all the time, today's lesson will teach...

123: Learn 10 Useful Phrasal Verbs With "With"

Do you know the difference between get away with and get along with ? Do you know what sleep with really...

122 - Ten "right" and "wrong" expressions in English

You probably already know that “right” and “wrong” are the same as “correct” and “incorrect”...

121 - Best Espresso English moments in 2016

In December, I like to reflect on all the wonderful things we did during the year. How about you? How...

120 - New Free E-Book: 50 Illustrated English Expressions

I have a very special holiday gift for you: A FREE little e-book with 50 expressions... illustrated...

119 - Ten English expressions with GIVE

""Give"" is a common English verb - and we use it in a lot of expressions. You can give advice, give...

118 - Learn 12 English slang words for talking about people

BE CAREFUL! Most of these words are not very complimentary. A lot of them have negative connotations,...

117 - 7 courses from 7 teachers with an 80% discount - All about the English Power Pack

A NEW English Power Pack is now available! What's the English Power Pack? It's SEVEN courses from...

116 - Vocabulary for unwanted gifts

English vocabulary in this lesson: retire downsize get rid of clutter antique heirloom knick-knack...

115 - Words and phrases from the U.S. election results

Vocabulary in this lesson: stunned polls cherish setback shatter the glass ceiling reaching out second...

114 - Learn English from the News: Vocabulary about Immigration

VOCABULARY IN THIS LESSON: a divisive issue burst / surge / influx a tight presidential race struck...

113 - English learning tips from Olly at "I Will Teach You a Language"

I have a special treat for you today! This is an interview with Olly from iwillteachyoualanguage.com...

112 - Learn English slang for talking about money

Native English speakers use a lot of slang words in casual conversations! Today you'll learn some English...

111 - Free sample from Everyday English Speaking Level 2

Do you want to understand conversations better, learn the expressions native English speakers use, and...

110 - 10 practical ways to motivate yourself in learning English

Do you ever feel sad and discouraged about your English-learning progress? Do you sometimes find it...

109 - Start using these 10 English expressions today!

In today's lesson, you'll learn 10 English phrases with the word ""start"". Click here for the lesson...

108 - How to Continue a Conversation in English

In this lesson, you will learn how to keep a conversation going, without running out of things to say!...

107 - 30+ English Slang Words for Appearance and Age

When you watch a TV show or movie in English, have you ever heard someone described as foxy, ripped,...

106 - 9 Collocations, 8 Phrasal Verbs, and 7 Idioms with the word SET

Sometimes people ask me to explain in detail the difference between a collocation, a phrasal verb, an...

105 - 15 Conversational English Expressions with IN and ON

Here's a fun way to study prepositions - let's learn some casual conversational expressions using IN...

EE104 - Learn how to talk more like a native English speaker

Do you want to understand English conversations better, learn the expressions that native speakers use,...

103 - Learn 20 great phrasal verbs for communication

Do you know what the phrasal verbs harp on, rattle off, and butt out mean? If not, you'll learn all...

102 - Spoken English phrases for bad travel experiences

Learn English phrases for talking about travel nightmares. For example, “My Flight Was Overbooked,...

101 - How to use the English verb "ask" correctly

“Ask” is one of the most common verbs in English, but there are a number of details to remember...

100 - Learn 15 English idioms with the word MAKE

You probably already know some basic English expressions with the verb “make,” such as “make breakfast,”...

099 - Learn 20 English adverbs to make your sentences more interesting

You want to express yourself better in English, right? Well, you can add more ""color"" and detail to...

098 - Learn 10 Informal English phrases I've used recently

Native English speakers use a LOT of informal expressions in day-to-day life! Lately, I've been paying...

097 - Five types of verb-verb combinations in English

Many students get confused when there are two consecutive verbs in a sentence – what form does the...

096 - Learn 10 English phrasal verbs with the word PLAY

One verb in English can be followed by various prepositions to make many different phrasal verbs. So...

095 - How does it feel to be fluent in English?

When you're learning a language, it's common to feel sad about your progress. You want to become fluent......

094 - English phrasal verbs for sports and health

One of the best ways to learn English phrasal verbs is to see them in context. This lesson will teach...

093 - 12 Everyday English phrases for driving

In today's episode, you'll learn expressions like buckle up, give you a ride, pull over, pit stop, and...

092 - Can you find the English grammar mistakes in these sentences?

Today's lesson is a challenge - I'm going to show you 10 sentences, and you have to find the grammar...

091 - 10 English expressions I found in the news recently

Reading the news in English is a great way to learn new words and phrases, especially for talking about...

090 - Learn English phrases with the word LIFE

Hello students! How's life? We sometimes use the question "How's life?" as a casual way to ask how the...

089 - How to improve English listening

Do you have difficulty listening to and understanding native English speakers? How to improve your English...

088 - 36 English collocations with HOUSE and HOME

A lot of students ask me about the difference between house and home. The word home refers to the place...

087 - Learn the difference between these confusing English words

Today I'm going to teach you English words that many learners confuse: - beside and besides - than and...

086 - 10 English Phrases with "What"

Today you'll learn English phrases with the word "What." These phrases are common in English conversation.#1...

085 - Top English Pronunciation Problems

In this lesson, you’re going to practice English words with very similar sounds. Many English learners...

084 - Difference between Lay and Lie

Both of these words refer to the action of putting something down on a surface, or an object/person/animal...

083 - Negative Adjectives in English

Do you want to expand your English vocabulary?Here are 10 negative adjectives for describing undesirable...

083 - Difference between WHO and WHOM

A lot of students ask me about when to use WHO and when to use WHOM. This is an aspect of English grammar...

082 - Regular English Words with Slang Meanings

In your native language, are there "regular words" that also have a slang meaning?In today's lesson,...

081 - 15 Phrases for Speaking Polite English

080 - English Grammar: When to use HAVE, HAVING, and HAVE GOT

Sometimes the verb "have" can be used in the present continuous (having) and sometimes it can be replaced...

079 - Learn English Conversation: Hotel Recommendations

078 - 5 English Phrases & 10 English Idioms for Complaining about your Job

Listen to these five English sentences to learn some idiomatic expressions for talking about negative...

077 - 20 English expressions with the word MIND

The English word “mind” refers to the center of your thoughts, memory, and imagination. In this...

076 - Is there any difference between these VERY similar English words?

Today's lesson comes from a really good student question: What's the difference between... - effective...

075 - Learn English Phrases for Talking about Plans and Goals

074 - Learn Collocations: Metaphors in English

A number of words in English are used metaphorically – with a meaning that is not exactly the same...

073 - Talk to or Talk with?

Today's lesson will teach you the difference between:talk totalk withtalk abouttalk overtalk throughtalk...

072 - Three VERY common mistakes with "it"

#1 – Forgetting to use “it” when the sentence needs a subject“I just bought a new computer....

071 - Quick answers to your questions about idioms

070 - Learn English Grammar: Be, Being, or Been?

069 - 10 Informal English Phrases in Conversation

For this lesson, I decided to do something a bit different.I took some snippets (small pieces) of conversations...

068 - 16 English Idioms with STAND & SIT

067 - How to use Either and Neither in English

066 - How to Pronounce -ED in English Verbs

There are 3 different ways to pronounce the -ED ending in English:1) -ED is pronounced like ED (with...

065 - 32 English Collocations for Talking About Your Family

Let’s begin our study of collocations by learning some common expressions about the family. Your parents...

064 - English Slang Expressions that Your Textbook Won't Teach You

These slang words are common in spoken American English, but you probably won’t find them in English...

063 - 18 Handy Idioms With the Word HAND

#1 - get out of hand (v.) = To get out of control.My uncle’s drinking problem got out of hand, and...

062 - Sentence Starters for Everyday English Speaking

One of the biggest challenges when learning to speak English is simply knowing how to start your sentences.And...

061 - So, Neither, Too: How to Agree in English

A lot of students get mixed up when it comes to using short answers of agreement, like "So do I" and...

060 - Ten Idioms With the Word SHOW

059 - Take Over or Overtake?

Learn the differences between... - take over / overtake - come over / overcome - look over / overlook...

058 - Business English Phrasal Verbs

If you work in an English-speaking environment, you might hear these common phrasal verbs used in business...

057 - 20 English Phrases with TIME

056 - Do you know these interesting English heteronyms?

055 - 20 English Collocations With the Word GOAL

The English word "goal" has a meaning both within and outside sports. In today's lesson, you'll learn...

054 - 10 English Expressions with GO

"Go" is one of the most common verbs in the English language, and it is also used in plenty of idiomatic...

053 - 20 Collocations with BREAK

052 - Learn 12 Phrasal Verbs with the Word RUN

051 - How to Talk About Movies in English

050 - I, Me, My, Mine, and Myself

049 - Practical Phrases for the Doctor's Office

048 - 15 "Hot" English Words & Phrases

In the northern hemisphere, summer is starting - and the weather will be hot. It has inspired me to...

047 - How to Make English Part of Your Life

If you don’t live in an English-speaking country, it can be hard to make progress because you don’t...

046 - Ten Informal Phrases Native Speakers Use

045 - Are you making these pronunciation mistakes?

As you know, English words are pronounced differently from the way they are written. This can lead to...

044 - 10 Phrasal Verbs about Socializing

Phrasal verbs are so common in the English language. Here are 10 phrasal verbs you can use for talking...

043 - Linking Words: Reasons and Results

Linking words help you connect the ideas in a sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn some common linking...

042 - Advanced Vocabulary: 16 Different Words for Speaking

The English language has a very rich vocabulary, and learning alternative words can give more complexity...

041 - Slang Words for Food and Drink

Do you have a sweet tooth?Have you ever pigged out?Do you wanna get some grub... or booze?In today's...

040 - "My English is terrible"

There are two phrases I hear many students say:“My English is terrible.”“Sorry for my bad English.”Be...

039 - First Conditional

Use the First Conditional to talk about future possibilities:If it’s sunny tomorrow, I’ll go to...

038 - Common Collocations with Big, Great, Strong, Large, Deep, and Heavy

In English, a collocation is two or more words that go together naturally. Learning collocations is...

037 - Confusing Prepositions: IN and ON

Learn how to use IN and ON with place, time, and in other expressions in English.Click here for the...

036 - 100 Answers to Common English Questions

Sometimes, even when you know a lot of English, you can have difficulty finding the right words or phrases...

035 - Learn 10 Phrasal Verbs with Emotions

Here are 10 common phrasal verbs related to emotions and attitudes, with definitions and example sentences....

034 - Everyday English Phrases & Expressions (Part 2)

Here are seven more English phrases used in everyday situations. Click here for the lesson text

033 - Everyday English Phrases & Expressions (Part 1)

Here are some English phrases used in everyday situations. They’re very common, but they’re rather...

032 - Pronunciation Practice with Reductions

Many English learners pronounce each word clearly, to get the pronunciation perfect – but native English...

031 - Learn 36 Different Expressions with GET

  “Get” is a great word in English! It is used in so many different ways. In today’s lesson,...

030 - 10 English Words Ending in -LESS

Today you're going to learn one of the "shortcuts" to expanding your vocabulary - focusing on prefixes...

029 - 10 English Words Ending in -FUL

Today you're going to learn one of the "shortcuts" to expanding your vocabulary - focusing on prefixes...

028 - 8 Very Confusing Verbs in English

The English language has a number of words that are very similar. These eight verbs in English seem...

027 - One Word, Two Pronunciations, Two Meanings

Do you know the difference between OB-ject and ob-JECT? Today you’ll learn 8 English words that can...

026 - 18 Phrasal Verbs with TAKE

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition, such as take out, take off, take over, take...

025 - 10 Interesting "Water" Idioms

In this episode, you’ll learn the idiomatic expressions: like a fish out of water come hell or...

024 - Difference between JUST and ONLY

The word “just” can be used in two ways: 1) Recently Be careful – I just washed the floor, and...

023 - Difference between Big, Large, Long, Tall, Short, Huge, and Tiny

This is a free sample from the e-book  600+ Confusing English Words Explained. It will help clear up...

022 - Speaking Fluent English: My Top 10 Tips

MANY students write to me and ask how they can become fluent – so here are my top 10 tips for reaching...

021 - How to Disagree Politely in English

In spoken English, just saying “I disagree” is often too direct. Most English speakers use phrases...

020 - Common Collocations with TIME

Time, time, time – here are 16 different ways to use time in English! Learn these common English collocations...

019 - Phrasal Verbs for Romantic Relationships

Phrasal Verb Definition in Context hit on someone demonstrate romantic / sexual interest ask someone...

018 - English Expressions for Extreme Emotion

#1 - “My boss hit the ceiling when I told him I’d lost the documents.” The idiomatic expression “hit...

017 - Talking about the Future: Will or Going To?

There are two ways to talk about the future in English: will/won't and going to. Use going to for...

016 - British English vs. American English Vocabulary

This is a story about the daily life of New York Nate, who lives in the United States; and London...

015 - Linking Words in English: Contrasting Ideas

Using "linking words" can improve your spoken and written English by helping you form longer, more complex...

014 - Difference between SAY, TELL, and SPEAK

If you frequently confuse the words SAY, TELL, and SPEAK, you’re not alone – these are some of the...

013 - Extreme Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe the qualities of something. Some adjectives in English are gradable -...

012 - How to Start a Conversation in English

Do you have difficulty speaking English? Sometimes the hardest part is simply starting a conversation....

011 - English Vocabulary Words for Describing Appearance

In this lesson you’re going to expand your vocabulary with 37 words to describe a person’s appearance. Let’s...

010 - 60 Common English Collocations with DO and MAKE

These two words can be confusing, but I’ll teach you the difference – and teach you 60 common collocations...

009 - Passive Voice in English

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence DOES the action: Jake wrote a letter.subject / verb / object In...

008 - Difference between TO and FOR

Don’t say: “I’m studying every day for improve my English.” Say: “I’m studying every...

007 - Travel, Trip, or Journey?

A lot of English as a Second Language learners confuse the words TRAVEL, TRIP, and JOURNEY. In today's...

006 - An Easy Way to Form Questions in English

Forming questions in English can be confusing. Don’t worry – I’m going to teach you a simple formula...

005 - Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect

Both present perfect and past perfect talk about something that happened before a point in time (reference...

004 - How to Improve Your Spoken English

Speaking English is difficult for many learners. In this article, I’ll give you 10 ways to speak English...

003 - Difference between SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, and WOULD HAVE

Should have, could have, and would have are sometimes called “modals of lost opportunity” because...

002 - Difference between SHOULD, COULD, and WOULD

The difference between should, could, and would is difficult for many English learners – this...

001 - Direct and Indirect Questions in English

Direct questions are the “normal” questions that we can ask to friends, family members, and people...