This is the fourth and final episode in our pronunciation series. In the first episode, we practiced R and L. In the second, we worked on the TH sound. In the third, we practiced V and B. And today, we will practice the difference between SH and CH.

These sounds look similar, but they are not the same. For example: ship and chip.

So let's practice with some minimal pairs, some fun tongue twisters, and finally a mini-story.

Get the transcript here: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/362-english-pronunciation-practice-sh-and-ch-sounds/

This is the third episode in our pronunciation series. In the first episode, we practiced R and L. In the second one, we worked on the TH sound. And today, we'll practice the difference between V and B.

These sounds can be very tricky, because in some languages there isn't much difference between them. But in English, they are very different.

So today, we'll warm up with some minimal pairs, then practice with simple sentences, and finally we'll do a mini-story.

Get the transcript here: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/361-english-pronunciation-practice-the-v-and-b-sounds/

I'll be honest with you—I don't really enjoy going to the dentist. I think most people feel the same way. It can be a little scary, right? Now imagine you're not speaking your native language. If you already feel nervous about the dentist, trying to explain everything in English can make the experience even more stressful.

So today, let's go step by step and learn some useful phrases you can use before, during, and after your visit to the dentist.

Get the transcript: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/352-dentist-visit

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Do you love dogs? That's wonderful because today, we're going to learn some new idioms in English about dogs. And with a mini-story, you will learn about Mark's success and challenges in the workplace while using these dog expressions. I

Our first idiom is Barking up the wrong tree. Imagine you're trying to find your lost keys, and you start looking under the couch.

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Today, you will learn new English vocabulary through fun riddles. 

I will introduce you to some popular riddles and ask you to guess the correct answer. If you don't know what a riddle is, don't worry because I'll explain it to you.

And with a point of view lesson, you will learn grammar without memorizing any boring rules.

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Have you ever wondered if someone intended to make you doubt your own perceptions, experiences, or understanding of events? We call this gaslighting.

Today, I will talk about this word that is becoming more and more popular. And with a point-of-view story, you will improve your grammar in context, without memorizing rules.

Where does "gaslighting" come from?

The word "gaslighting" comes from a play called "Gas Light." written in 1938 by Patrick Hamilton.

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Have you ever spent a whole weekend just relaxing and doing nothing? Just playing games or binging shows? It's a nice break, right? 

Well, there's a Japanese word for this -"Hikikomori," which means "being confined." It's about people who choose to stay away from society completely. This is common in Japan, but other cultures have similar ideas. People call them loners or "modern-day hermits." 

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I'd like to include some food and cooking vocabulary in this episode.

And with a mini-story, you will improve your English fluency.

You'll see, it's like having a conversation with another person.

You know, when I enter the kitchen, my first thought is… Why am I here? Yeah. I'm hungry. That's why. Now I remember. :)

I open the refrigerator and start scanning for some delicious food.

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Today we are going to talk about phrasal verbs with the verb give. Many of you have asked for a new phrasal verbs episode, so I am sure that you are excited about it. Apparently, everyone wants to learn new phrasal verbs.

And with mini-story, you will improve your fluency. I will ask you many questions that you will need to answer right away. It's like speaking English with another person.

• Here are some phrasal verbs:
• To give something away
• To give oneself or somebody else away
• To give in
• To give out 

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In today's lesson, we're going to explore the fascinating world of homophones. These are words that sound the same but have different meanings, and sometimes can be tricky for English learners.

Don't worry, though! By the end of this episode, you'll have a solid understanding of homophones and be able to use them confidently in your everyday conversations.

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and may be spelled differently. They can often cause confusion, as they sound identical, but their meanings can vary. Let's explore some common examples of homophones to help clarify their usage.

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Today, let's explore the incredible American experiences you can only find in the USA! And with a fun mini-story, you will improve your English fluency.

The United States is known for its diverse culture, innovation, and unique things to do. In this episode, we'll discover American experiences exclusive to this country.

The USA is home to stunning natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. These parks offer magnificent beauty and outdoor adventures that you can only find in the USA.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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This time, I'll share more types of writing in journalism. In an earlier episode, I talked about different types of newswriting, such as news, report, and interviews. And with a fun mini-story, you will practice your English speaking.

We will explore opinion genres, where writing is done from a subjective perspective. 

Let's see what they are:

• Editorial
• Opinion Article
• Column
• Letter to the Editor

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Today, we will discuss the different types of journalism we can find in the media.

The news

News is a crucial and representative category of informative journalism. It covers recent and intriguing political, sports, cultural, and social events.

Objectivity is a vital but often lacking aspect of news. Ideally, a news story should be impartial and unbiased, but this isn't always true.

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Last time, we talked about false friends—words that look similar in English and your native language, but mean something very different.

Get the text on my website: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/351-false-friends

Example 1: Actual

This one's a classic false friend.

In Spanish, "actual" or in Portuguese "atual" means "current" or "present."

But in English, "actual" means real or true — not "current."

So if you say:
👉 "My actual job is very interesting,"
you probably mean: "My current job."

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Today, we're going to discuss a newspaper article that talks about five signs that indicate the need to find a new job.

Let's take a look!

• You hate it when they ask you about your job.
• You have a lousy time on Sundays.
• It affects your self-esteem.
• You hate logging into LinkedIn.
• Poor Sleep Quality.

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Let's take a closer look at the expression "butter up" and how it is commonly used.

When someone tries hard to please others to gain their favor or personal benefits in the workplace, it's known as 'buttering up.'" 

Here are some other expressions that are similar to "buttering up":

• Sucking up to someone
• Kissing up or Kissing someone's boots
• Playing up to someone:
• Apple-polishing
• Flattering
• Brown-nosing
• Playing the game
• Bending over backward

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We'll start with a brief conversation that includes the top 10 business expressions.

And to make learning more fun, I've taken inspiration from 'The Office' TV show. And you'll learn grammar in context with a point of view story.

Let's listen to the used expressions:

#1 "Thinking outside the box" - This phrase means to think creatively or in a non-traditional way.
#2 "In the loop" - This means to be informed or included in a particular situation or discussion.

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Today, we will keep exploring and learning more about expressing larger amounts.

When we want to talk about more significant quantities, we can use different words and expressions. These terms can indicate having more of something or a significant amount.

When referring to small amounts, we use words like: "a little" or "a few."

And when it comes to large quantities we can use words like "a lot," "many," or "plenty."

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Today, we'll talk about words and phrases that can help you express the amount or quantity of something and when to use them effectively.

Let's start by discussing small quantities.

If you only have a little bit of something, you might say "a few" or "some." A few means three to five of something, while some are a bit more vague and can mean any small amount.t.

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Do you need help with technical problems during Zoom calls? In this episode, we'll cover common tech problems in Zoom meetings and how to handle them using helpful phrases. And you'll practice your speaking with a fun mini-story.

Zoom has become a crucial tool for remote work and communication. But, as you may have experienced, technical problems can pop up during a Zoom call.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Today we will talk about one of my favorite movies: "Gone with the Wind." It's a romantic drama set during the American Civil War and its aftermath.

The movie takes place in the southern United States, during the Civil War. The South is known for its elegance and charm, and the attention to detail in the movie is amazing.

The main characters in the movie are Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.

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Do you get nervous when you need to speak English over Zoom? Don't worry because in this episode you'll discover how to engage in a business meeting over Zoom. In the second part of this episode, you'll learn grammar in context with a point-of-view story.

However, today, let's focus on some useful phrases that can make our work-related Zoom conversations more effective.

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Are you interested in becoming a permanent resident of the U.S.? Today, I will discuss how to obtain a Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a green card. This document allows you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. 

A "green card" is a plastic card with the individual's biographic information, photo, fingerprint, and expiration date issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Permanent Resident Card is valid for ten years and must be renewed. 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Today, we will talk about how to negotiate when buying something while traveling. With a mini-story, you can improve your fluency by engaging in a conversation. It's like talking to another person in English.

I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. My mission is to help you speak English fluently without grammar or textbooks.

When you travel to a foreign country, knowing how to negotiate the price when shopping is essential. Here are some tips to help you get the best deal:

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Hi! I want to talk about something that can really help you understand English vocabulary better — especially if you speak a Romance language like Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, or Romanian.

These languages all come from Latin — you know, the language spoken by the Romans a long time ago. That's why we call them Romance languages.

Get the transcript on my website: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/350-false-friends

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Today, we will learn how Easter is celebrated in the United States and Australia. We will hear Tom and Sarah's conversation about their plans for Easter this year. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing boring rules.

Tom, from the United States, and Sarah, from Australia, were catching up on a video call before the Easter holiday. 

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Today, let's keep talking about words related to trials. And to help you improve your English fluency, I have created a fun mini-story. As usual, I will ask you many simple questions you must answer quickly. It's just like having a conversation with someone in real life.

• Expert witness
• Witness
• Cross-examination
• Judge

The judge is the most influential person in the courtroom. They preside over the trial and pass sentences. 

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Today, I'll explain some words related to trials. While I'm hoping you'll never have to use these words in real life, becoming familiar with this language will help you better grasp the subject and engage in conversation on the topic.

• The Accused or Defendant
• Courtroom
• Crime
• Accomplice
• Lawyer or attorney
• Presumption of innocence

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Are you planning a trip to the U.S.? In that case, this episode is for you because I will talk about how to get a visa to enter the United States of America.

And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing any boring rules.

If you're planning to visit the U. S., you must first obtain a visa. And even if the process can be complicated and time-consuming, you still need a visa to enter the U.S. 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Healthcare insurance in the U.S. has a long history. However, the earliest forms of healthcare insurance in the U.S. were largely private plans that covered hospital and medical care for individuals or employers. 

Today, most Americans obtain health insurance through their employers or government plans such as Medicare and Medicaid.

In today's episode, I will start by talking about the private healthcare system.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Are you curious about how the healthcare system works in the U.S.? In this episode,

I will explain the basics of the American healthcare system.

There is not one universal system, but a range of public and private insurance options. I will lay out how these plans work so that you can gain a better understanding.

And yes. Contrary to what some people assume, public health care exists in the USA. There are several public systems, both federal and state.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Do you like paradoxes? Today I will talk about the paradox of the magic bill, which has gone viral on social media. 

A paradox is a fact, expression, or story that seems contrary to logic.

A tourist arrives at a hotel. He is very picky about the rooms, so he asks the receptionist if he can see them first. The receptionist agrees, but asks the tourist to leave $100 at the front desk. The tourist leaves a $100 bill and goes upstairs to look at the vacant rooms to see if he likes any of them.

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Today, I'd like to take a closer look at a common issue faced by many learners of English: the proper usage of various verb tenses, as well as the potential mistakes they can make.

First, you should bear in mind that native speakers tend to use fewer verb tenses when speaking compared to when they are writing.

In other words, spoken language is more direct and simple. And that's good news! 

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Everyone wants to improve their lifestyle.

Let's continue learning some new year expressions in English.

#1 Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

People often use this phrase to express that every day is an opportunity to start over and make the most of life. It encourages people to make the most of each day and appreciate the present moment.

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Today we will talk about pets in the United States. And with a fun mini-story, you will practice your English speaking. I'm sure you're going to enjoy answering many questions in English. It's like having a conversation with another person.

Nowadays, more and more people are adopting animals, and pet ownership in the States is on the rise.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

Some students like to read while they listen. Others prefer to read afterward. It's totally up to you.
You might find it helps connect the sounds and the spelling—or just gives you more confidence.
And one last thing before we jump in:

Even if it feels like you're learning slowly… you're not.
Small steps really do add up.

Read the full text on my website: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/349-learn-english-with-small-daily-habits/

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The New Year is the perfect time for new beginnings and the perfect time to learn some idioms in English for the new year. 

You will also learn grammar with a point-of-view lesson without memorizing boring rules.

#1 To kick off the new year

To kick off the new year means to start a new year.

Examples:

"Let's kick off the new year with a positive attitude."

"The best way to kick off the year is to be surrounded by friends and family.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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In this episode, let's take a look at the most common New Year's resolutions. Then you will practice your English fluency with a mini-story.
It's curious how the passage of time is perceived according to age. Young people don't think much about it. Middle-aged people think about the things they still want to achieve and realize that they have less and less time. 

Don't worry; I won't get too philosophical in this lesson.  :) I'll go ahead and talk about New Year's resolutions.

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Merry Christmas, everyone! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher, and my mission is to help you speak English fluently. And if you want to help me, share the podcast with your friends and family.

And today, I will talk about Christmas Markets in New York. And with a fun mini-story, you will improve your speaking.

New York's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Today, we continue talking about money in English. You will learn new expressions, and I'll give you some advice on how to save money.

Here are some of the expressions about money we will learn in this episode: 

• Money doesn't grow on trees 
• A penny saved is a penny earned 
• Flat broke 
• Live from hand to mouth 
• Save for a rainy day 
• Daylight robbery 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Today, you will learn new idioms in English with MONEY. I will teach you some English expressions related to money. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar without memorizing any boring rules.

Depending on the culture, people talk about money or get really uncomfortable when someone brings up this subject. However, everybody needs money nowadays, so today, we will learn expressions about money because "money makes the world go round."

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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In this episode, let's look at some bad strategies and attitudes that don't quite work in conversation. I mean, like having awkward conversations.

All right, have you ever been with someone and not know what to talk about? It's happened to me sometimes. Every once in a while, we run into situations where it's difficult to continue the conversation.

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 Today we have a very interesting topic:

• I'm going to talk about three concepts that are often confused: irony, sarcasm, and cynicism.
• Next, you'll practice verb tenses with a short story about two kids who have a problem on a frozen lake.

Yes, many language learners indeed know more grammar than the average native speaker, yet they can barely speak fluently. That's why I recommend my mini-course.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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In today's episode:

• I'll be talking about one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States: Halloween.
• After that, you'll practice your speaking with a new mini-story.

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the last day of October. I would say it's very popular because everybody's excited about it, especially children.

The word Halloween comes from an old English expression, "All Hallows' Eve," and it means the day before All Saints' Day. 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

Today, I talk about how to stop making mistakes when speaking English. And how to improve writing.

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Next, we'll practice fluency with a question-and-answer exercise.

Many students asked me over the years how to avoid making mistakes when speaking English. 

To speak fluently, you have to do it without worrying whether you speak perfectly. 

So as I was saying, it is very important to listen to understandable content. 

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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• In this episode, you'll learn some new tongue twisters in English to help you with your English pronunciation.
• And with a mini-story, you will improve your fluency. A mini-story is very simple but very powerful. I ask easy questions on purpose so that you can simulate a conversation. It's like talking with another person in English.

So, do you remember what a tongue twister is? 

For example, "Peter Piper picked a pickle of pickled peppers."

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Today, I want to tell you about a book that I really love—Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.

To be honest, it's one of my all-time favorite stories.
It's warm, emotional, and full of life. I've listened to the audiobook version, and what makes it extra special is that it's a full-cast recording. That means each character has a different voice. It's not just one person reading the book—it sounds more like a movie. And it really brings the story to life.

Get the transcript here: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/

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• Today, we will continue the accent reduction exercise with some fun tongue twisters in English.
• And with the help of a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing any boring rules.

Last week we started this accent reduction exercise by focusing on the S sound with the help of some fun tongue twisters.

So, let's remember the tongue twisters we used last week to help you improve your English pronunciation.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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• Today, we are going to do an accent reduction exercise with some fun tongue twisters in English. To be specific, we will practice the S sound.
• And with the help of a mini-story, you will improve your English fluency. A mini-story is very simple but very powerful.

Here's how it works: I ask easy questions deliberately so that you can simulate a conversation. It's almost like talking to another person in English.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast

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Are you having a hard time following conversations in English? Don't worry. Today, I'll show you some expressions you can use confidently in situations where it isn't easy to follow a conversation.

When we learn a new language, we are eager to practice speaking with another person. But what happens when the conversation is difficult for some reason? Maybe it's hard to keep up or follow what they tell us.

For more episodes and the full text, visit SpeakEnglishpodcast.com/podcast