Go Natural English Podcast | Listening & Speaking Lessons

Join the channel for daily lessons: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Pbt3q-ihROg1lmmmQdU2w/join Or join the podcast for audio lessons on your favorite podcast platform: https://gne.supercast.com Gabby (00:00) If you still struggle to think 100 % in English, then this is for you. If you're new here, hi, I'm Gabby, your American English fluency coach here at Go Natural English. And today we're talking about something that can completely change your English fluency. Stop translating in your head and do this instead. Maybe this happens to you. Someone asks you a simple question in English and inside your brain, there's a whole emergency meeting happening. You hear English, you translate it into your native language, and you think of your answer in your native language, you translate it back into English, then you check the grammar, then maybe you wonder, you doubt yourself, is this natural? Is this how people really speak in real life or is this just... what I learned in my textbook, but by the time you're ready to answer, the conversation has already moved on. You lost your chance. If that sounds familiar, you are not the problem. You're not bad at English. You just were taught the wrong way. You're using a process that you learned in your classroom from your textbook that is too slow for real conversation. So today, I'm going to show you how to start thinking more directly in English. Not by forcing your brain, not by memorizing more grammar rules, but by building an English environment around your real life. And I think this is actually really fun because here's the truth. You don't start thinking in English by translating faster. It's always going to slow you down. You start thinking in English by living more of your life through English. So here, the obstacle is the way. The obstacle, English fluency, is the way. Living your life through English is the way to fluency. So now I'm gonna share concrete, specific examples that you can use to start thinking in English today. This is going to improve your fluency so much, and I'm so excited. Just before we jump in, I want to let you know about a special project that I've started and I want to invite you to join and go deeper in your fluency with me. If you enjoy these free lessons and you want daily private English lessons, join as a YouTube channel member or a private fluency podcast member, whichever you prefer. Some people prefer watching on YouTube. Some people prefer listening to the podcast. The link is in the description. You'll get short, about 15 to 20 minute daily private English lessons designed to help you immerse yourself in real English. They're conversational lessons with real learning and everyone, we do talk about vocabulary to expand the way you express yourself and real life English. This will help you to start thinking in English more naturally. And there's no big commitment. You can just try it for a month and see for yourself. Also, we've kept this super affordable because we want to help as many people as possible around the world to improve their fluency and confidence. So this is honestly one of the best ways to make English part of your everyday life. It's easy. It's simple. All you have to do is watch along with the videos that I make for you and repeat after me. Just copy and repeat me. Repeat after me. Even if you're busy, you can do this. Okay. So now let's talk about why translation keeps you stuck. This is important to understand the problem. Most people learning English were trained to treat English like a school subject. You study vocabulary, you memorize grammar rules, you translate sentences, you fill in the blanks, you answer textbook questions. Can you relate to any of this? Did you have to do this? All of that can help you build a solid foundation, but real English conversations do not sound like a textbook. And when you go from the classroom and your textbook to real life English, you can feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and honestly feel kind of bad about your English because there is a big gap. But again, it's not your fault. See, native speakers do not usually speak like your teacher. And that's why I'm here to help you understand how to bridge that gap between your old English class and real life English now. So your teacher might say, for example, what are you doing? But in real life, especially in casual American English, people often say, what are you doing? Or what are you up to? Or even what you doing? These are all ways to ask the same thing that you might not have heard or learned, but this is important to start getting familiar with how natives really speak. If your brain is waiting to hear that perfect, clear textbook English, you may not recognize real life English when you hear it. That's one reason you feel like I know English, but I still can't understand people. You may know the clean version of English. The real life gives you the connected version. So let's compare. Textbook English. What are you going to do? Real spoken English. What are you going to do? Textbook English. I do not know. Real spoken English. I don't know. Textbook English. Did you eat yet? Real spoken English. Geet yet? That one sounds funny, but yes, some people really do say it that way. Textbook English. Do you want to? Real spoken English. You wanna? Textbook English. I am going to. Real spoken English. I'm gonna. Now I'm not saying you always need to speak this casually, but you absolutely need to understand it. Because if you only study perfect textbook English, Real English will sound blurry, messy, confusing, and too fast. But it's not random. It has patterns. Native speakers connect words. We reduce sounds. We drop sounds altogether. We blend words together. So part of thinking in English is training your brain to recognize English as it is actually spoken, as you hear it, not just as it is written and as you know how to read it. So here's the big mindset shift for today. Fluency is not translation. Fluency is direct connection. You want to connect an English word with the real meaning, an English phrase with the feeling, an English sound with the situation, an English expression with real life use, not English to your native language to the meaning to your native language to English. So that middle step is what slows you down. So instead of asking, how do I translate this or how do I say this in my native language? Ask, when would I use this in English? For example, don't just translate, I'm running late. That could mean something very different if we translate this directly, literally. Connected to the situation, you're leaving the house, you're stuck in traffic. You're texting someone, you're five minutes behind schedule, that's when you say, I'm running late. Now the phrase is not just a translation, it's connected to your real life. That's how you start thinking in English, connecting real life phrases with real life situations. So now maybe you've heard people say, just immerse yourself in English, and maybe you think, okay, Gabby, but I don't live in the United States. I don't have English speaking friends. I don't work in English all day. It's okay. I get it. Immersion does not have to mean moving to another country. Immersion means creating more English contact points throughout your day. And I think this can be fun. I want you to remember this phrase, start slow and grow. You don't need to change your whole life overnight. Start with small, repeatable habits. Five minutes of journaling. listening to a song in English, one Netflix scene with English subtitles, one voice note to yourself, one short conversation, one private podcast lesson a day. The goal is not to study English for three hours once a week. The goal is to touch English every day in ways that feel meaningful, meaningful to you. Now, let me teach you five useful phrases for this topic because even as we talk about learning to think in English, we can improve your vocabulary. So number one, of course, think in English. This means you connect ideas directly in English without translating every word. For example, and please repeat after me. I'm trying to think in English instead of translating everything. Next, real life English. This means English as people actually use it in normal conversations. For example, I want to understand real life English, not just textbook English. Next, word for word translation. This means translating each individual word instead of understanding the whole idea. For example, word for word translation makes me speak too slowly. Next, daily immersion. This means surrounding yourself with English a little bit every day. For example, daily immersion helps my brain get used to English. Next, natural expression. This is a phrase that sounds normal to native speakers. For example, instead of translating from my language, I want to learn natural expressions. Now, repeat after me. I want to think in English. I want to understand real life English. Moving away from word for word translation. Daily immersion helps me improve. I'm learning natural expressions. Beautiful. Great job. Now let's learn five phrasal verbs that connect beautifully to this topic. First, to pick up. Now this has many meanings, but today we're talking about the meaning to learn something naturally. often without formal study. For example, you can pick up natural English by listening every day. This is what children do. They pick up language from hearing it again and again. Next, get used to, to become comfortable with something over time. For example, at first fast English sounds difficult, but you'll get used to it. This is huge. You don't need to understand everything in English immediately. You need repeated exposure. Next, tune in means to listen or pay attention, especially to audio or video. For example, tune into English podcasts while you're cooking or walking. Next, speak up to say something more clearly, confidently or publicly. For example, Creating a private podcast can help you speak up in English. To keep up with means to follow or understand something that's moving quickly. For example, at first it's hard to keep up with native speakers, but it gets easier. Now repeat after me. I can pick up English naturally. I'm getting used to fast English. I tune in every day. I'm learning to speak up. I can keep up with real conversations. Excellent. I love this for you. Now, here's one of the most important points in this whole episode. Do not just study English. Do things through English. There's a big, big difference. Studying English is when English is the subject. You're solely focused on English. Doing life through English is when English becomes the tool. For example, instead of only writing practice sentences in a notebook, write a real letter in English. You could write to a politician about an issue you care about. You could write to an organization you support. You could write letters to seniors in assisted living who may not have family visiting them. You could write encouraging notes to people who are lonely. You could write to inmates through a legitimate, safe letter writing program if that's something meaningful to you. I'm just sharing these examples as ways that you can use English in real life as a tool and it will help you develop your fluency and give you meaning and motivation while you do it. Now, English is not just an exercise. English is helping you express your values. That is powerful because your brain remembers language better when there's emotion, purpose, and real meaning attached to it. Now let's talk about speaking. A lot of learners say, I don't have anyone to practice with. And I understand that is a real challenge, but I also want to gently challenge you. You can create reasons to speak. You could start a YouTube channel in English. It doesn't have to be public at first. You can make all the videos private. You could start a podcast in English and not publish it until you're ready. You could record voice notes to yourself. You could explain your day in English. You could review a book, a movie, a recipe, a news story, or personal experience. The point is, at this level, give yourself a reason to keep speaking. Don't wait for an assignment from your teacher. In fact, I want to empower you through these lessons to give you ideas to use English in the real world. even if you don't feel quite ready yet. This might be the push or the sign that you've been waiting for. If you're only waiting for the perfect conversation partner, you may wait forever. But if you start speaking privately or publicly, you train your mouth, your brain and your confidence. And later when a real conversation happens, your English is already warmed up. So let's build what I call your immersion ladder. You don't need to jump from textbook exercises to full speed native conversations overnight. That's too much pressure. Instead, climb the ladder step by step. Step one, journaling. Write three sentences a day in English, in a notebook, on your phone, in a word doc. For example, today I feel a little tired, but I'm proud of myself because I practiced English. Step two, music. Listen to songs that you like in English. Look up the lyrics. Sing along. I did this a lot when I was learning Spanish. It was a huge help. Music helps with rhythm, pronunciation, connected speech, and emotional memory. Step three, Netflix or YouTube. Watch short clips in English. Don't try to understand the whole movie perfectly, but watch one scene. Repeat one line. Notice how people really speak. And step four, private speaking practice. Record yourself answering simple questions. For example, what did I do today? What am I looking forward to? What is one thing I care about? And step five, real conversations. Talk with people online, in a class, in a community, while traveling or in your workplace. Step six, travel or routine change. If possible, take a trip where you can practice English outside your normal routine in your native language. It doesn't have to be a huge, expensive trip. Even a short trip, a conference, a retreat, a meetup, or a local intentional event that you're interested in can help. Or if you're traveling internationally, go to a local event there. The key is to put yourself in a situation where English becomes useful, not just academic. It's not just about the grades. It's about how you and use English in real life. So this is exactly why I created Private Daily Lessons. If you want help making English part of your daily life, join as a YouTube channel member or a Private Fluency Podcast member. The link is in the description. You'll get daily private English lessons about 15 minutes a day so you can immerse yourself in real English consistently. This is for you if you want to think in English, understand natural American English, and build fluency without needing to sit down with a textbook for hours. No commitment. Try it for a month and see for yourself. Okay, now let's talk about what this sounds like in real life. Let's compare the translating version and the natural version. So imagine someone asks, what are you up to this weekend? A translating answer might sound like, I will make the cleaning of my house and maybe I will see a movie. It's understandable, but it sounds translated. Very strange. A more natural answer, I'm probably going to clean up around the house and maybe watch a movie. Notice, clean up around the house. Probably going to. Watch a movie. Very normal, very natural. Another example. What are you doing later? Textbook brain hears, what are you doing later? Natural answer. Not much. I might grab a dinner with a friend or I'm just taking it easy tonight or I'm catching up on some work. Now let's practice those. Not much. I might grab dinner with a friend. I'm just taking it easy tonight. I'm catching up on some work. These are the kind of phrases you want to absorb as whole chunks. Don't translate every word. Let the whole phrase speak for you. Learn the whole phrase connected to the situation. Now here's a big fluency tip. Think in chunks, not individual words. A chunk is a group of words that native speakers commonly use together. For example, I'm running late. I'll get back to you. That makes sense. I'm looking forward to it. Let me think about it. I'm not sure yet. I'm trying to figure it out. I didn't catch that. What are you up to? I'm taking it easy. When you learn chunks, you don't have to build every sentence from zero. You can pull a phrase from memory and use it. That's how real fluency feels. It's not perfect grammar construction every time. from scratch, from zero, it's having useful language ready when you need it. So instead of studying one word at a time, like late, learn I'm running late. Instead of studying the word understand, learn that makes sense. Instead of studying one word like busy, learn I've got a lot going on. That is real English. So let me tell you a quick personal story. When I was learning Portuguese, I remember feeling frustrated because I could understand my teachers pretty well. They spoke clearly, they used organized sentences, they slowed down for me, and I thought, okay, I'm getting good at this. Then I went outside into real life and suddenly I felt like I knew nothing. People were speaking fast, they were using slang, they were cutting words, they were laughing, they were talking. over each other and I remember thinking wait, did I study the wrong language? But I didn't study the wrong language. I'd studied the classroom version and now I needed the real life version. So I started listening more. I paid attention to repeated phrases. I copied what people actually said. I stopped trying to translate every single word and slowly things started to click. Not all at once, but little by little. And that is what I want for you. So don't be discouraged if real English feels fast. It's not a sign that you're failing. It's a sign that you're ready for the next level. Now let's practice. Repeat after me. I don't need to translate every word. I can connect English directly to meaning. I'm learning real life English. I'm getting used to fast English. I can pick up natural phrases by listening every day. I'm going to start slow and grow. I can make English part of my daily life. I don't just study English. I do life through English. I can write, speak, listen, and think in English every day. My fluency is growing one day at a time. Beautiful. Now let's make this practical. Here's your challenge for the next seven days. Every day, do one small thing through English. Write three sentences in English about your day. Listen to one song in English and read the lyrics. Watch one short YouTube video or a Netflix scene in English. Record a one minute voice note in English. Write a letter, comment, email, or message in English about something you care about. Repeat five natural phrases out loud. Have one real conversation, even if it's short. So do one of these things each day. Those were seven activities. You can do one each day for the next seven days. And remember, you're not trying to be perfect. You're training your brain to connect English with your real life. That's how you stop translating. So let's review what we learned today. You can expect native speakers to sound like real life English, not like your teacher or your textbook. In real life, people don't always say, what are you doing? They say, what are you doing? So if you want to understand real English, you need real English input. To think in English, you must immerse yourself in English, but start slow and grow. Use journaling, music, Netflix, YouTube, podcasts, voice notes, real conversations, and travel when possible. Don't just study English, make English a part of your daily life. Write through English, speak through English, listen through English, think through English, create through English, and most importantly, learn chunks, not just individual words. This is how your English becomes faster, smoother, and more natural. I want to leave you with this thought. You do not become fluent by translating perfectly. You become fluent by living imperfectly through English every day. So take the pressure off. You don't have to understand every word. You don't have to speak perfectly. You don't have to sound like a native speaker tomorrow, but you can take one small step today. One sentence, one song, one voice note, one conversation, one private lesson, one real life moment in English. This is how fluency grows. If you want daily support with this join as a YouTube channel member or a private fluency podcast member The link is in the description You'll get daily private English lessons about 15 minutes a day to help you immerse yourself in English Understand natural American English and start thinking in English. There's no commitment. Try it for a month and see for yourself I'm Gabby from go natural English And thank you so much for watching and learning with me today. So in the next episode, we'll keep building your real life fluency. So make sure you subscribe and turn on notifications. And remember, don't just study English, live through English.  

Do people ask you to repeat yourself in English? The problem probably isn't your accent. It's clarity. In this episode, you'll learn 10 powerful pronunciation fixes that will instantly make your English clearer, smoother, and easier to understand — without trying to sound American or British. You'll practice: • Linking sounds in connected speech • The American flap T sound (why "what are you" sounds like "whaddaya") • Soft final T pronunciation • Natural contractions like should've, would've, they'll, and I'd like to • Professional vs casual pronunciation differences • Tongue twisters for articulation • Word stress in advanced vocabulary like phenomenal and unprecedented • Common native phrases used in everyday conversation This episode is perfect for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to improve spoken English, sound more natural, and build confidence in real conversations. Press play, repeat out loud, and train your mouth to move like a native speaker. Clarity builds confidence. Confidence builds fluency. Let's practice.      

Most English learners think their listening is "pretty good." This quiz will prove whether that's true. In this video, you'll take a real English listening test based on how native speakers actually talk — fast, connected, and reduced. No vocabulary tricks. No grammar questions. Just listening. You'll hear each sentence one time and write exactly what you hear.

Understanding English at work shouldn't feel like guessing. In this episode, you'll practice advanced English listening with real, native-speaker speech used in meetings, presentations, interviews, and professional conversations. This is repeat-after-me listening training designed for professionals who already know English but struggle to follow fast, natural conversations in the workplace. You'll hear how native speakers actually talk at work, including contractions, reductions, and connected speech that are rarely taught in textbooks. By practicing these phrases out loud, you'll train your ear to recognize spoken English faster and respond more confidently in real time. This episode focuses on building listening comprehension, communication clarity, and executive presence in English. You'll learn how to stop translating in your head, understand English in context, and stay engaged in fast-moving conversations with colleagues, clients, and leadership teams. This lesson is best for intermediate to advanced English speakers who want to sound natural, confident, and professional in English at work. If you want guided practice, real conversations, and structured training to build true English fluency, join the Fluent Communication waitlist at gonaturalenglish.com/prereg. Follow Go Natural English for daily listening and speaking tips on Instagram and TikTok.

Why You Don't Understand Spoken English (Biggest Listening Mistakes + What to Do Instead)  Do you understand English when you read it but struggle when people speak? You're not bad at English. You're making common listening mistakes that most English learners never fix. In this lesson, I break down the biggest English listening and comprehension mistakes that block fluency, confidence, and professional communication, and I show you exactly what to do instead. If you: • Pretend you understand English when you don't • Miss small words like "the," "to," or "are" • Get confused by fast, natural speech • Struggle with English vowel sounds • Avoid real English videos because they feel "too hard" This video is for you. You'll learn: • Why pretending to understand English hurts you long-term • How to ask for clarification in English naturally and professionally • How reduced speech affects English listening • Why function words matter for listening and speaking • How vowel sounds change meaning in English • How to train your ear using real English audio and video • The listening habits fluent English speakers actually use This is real-world English listening, not textbook English. By the end of this video, you'll understand: • Why native speakers sound "too fast"  • What you're actually missing when you listen  • How to stop nodding and guessing  • How to build listening confidence for work, meetings, and conversations  This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to:  • Understand native speakers more easily  • Speak more clearly and naturally  • Sound more confident in English  • Improve professional communication  Best for: English listening practice English comprehension skills Understanding fast English Reduced speech in English Real English listening for learners Business English listening Advanced English listening If you want to stop guessing, stop translating, and finally understand real spoken English, start here. Hashtags: #EnglishListening #EnglishComprehension #LearnEnglish #SpokenEnglish #EnglishFluency #AdvancedEnglish #BusinessEnglish #RealEnglish  00:00 Introduction 00:34 How to learn faster 00:50 I'm Gabby from GoNaturalEnglish.com 01:02 Let's start with the biggest listening mistake 03:35 How to fix the first listening mistake 04:13 Phrases for clarification 06:25 Another big listening mistake 07:22 How to fix the second listening mistake 08:40 Third big listening mistake 09:18 How to fix the third listening mistake 10:27 A fourth big listening mistake 11:25 Examples to fix this big listening mistake 12:35 A fifth big listening mistake 13:35 Examples and how to fix this big listening mistake 15:05 Listening trains your pronunciation and speaking skills 16:03 Stop listening passively (and what to do instead) 17:55 Your new fluent listening identity 21:15 Fluent Communication Class update 21:45 Listening practice and phrases 26:23 Listening quiz

Why does English feel easy when you read it, but suddenly impossible when people speak? In this episode, I break down the real reason listening is the hardest skill for intermediate and advanced English learners. The problem isn't your vocabulary or grammar. It's that spoken English doesn't sound the way it looks, and most learners were trained through textbooks, not real conversation. You'll learn how native speakers actually listen and speak in everyday English, including why words disappear, sounds blend together, and phrases matter more than individual vocabulary. I share 10 practical strategies you can use in just 10 minutes a day to improve your English listening and comprehension, plus real examples of fast, natural speech that usually confuse learners. This episode covers why reading and listening are not the same skill, how to train your ear before your brain, why learning phrases instead of words changes everything, and how to measure listening progress the right way. If you understand English when you read but struggle to follow real conversations at work or in social situations, this episode will help you start rebuilding your listening skills through sound, not text. To join the waitlist for my Fluent Communication program, visit gonaturalenglish.com/prereg.

Talking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That's why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships. In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope, daily sustainability habits, and clear English vocabulary related to the climate conversation. What Does a Climate Scientist Do? Dr. Alpert evaluates new climate solutions, from clean energy to carbon-removal technologies to sustainable farming. Her work starts with two key questions: Does this solution meaningfully help reduce climate impact? What are the trade-offs or challenges that come with it? Her job is not just to imagine solutions but to determine what actually works. The Biggest Misunderstanding About Climate Change Dr. Alpert explained that a major misconception is the idea that climate action is "all or nothing." People often believe: "It's too late to do anything," or "It's someone else's responsibility." Both mindsets lead to inaction. "You don't have to be perfect," she said. "Every step forward helps. The idea of 'everything or nothing' isn't useful." How She Stays Hopeful Climate news can feel heavy, so I asked what keeps her motivated. Her answer was simple: the future. "I have three kids. That's three votes for the future. We are moving in the right direction, and I think we'll get most of the way there." Her optimism is practical and rooted in evidence. Many climate solutions are already working and becoming more affordable. Misconceptions About Sustainability, Especially in Texas One surprising part of our conversation was about renewable energy in Texas. Many people assume Texas is not sustainable, but the opposite is true. Texas produces more clean energy than any other U.S. state, and by a huge margin. Wind, solar, and battery storage are growing rapidly. Much of this growth is driven by economics, not ideology. "It's the cheapest energy," she said. "People are making money from it." Another misconception is that sustainability is always more expensive. In reality, the cheapest new energy to build today is solar. Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Benefits Many sustainable choices cost more upfront but save money over time: installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or purchasing high-quality items that last longer. I shared the example of clothing I've kept for more than a decade. A well-made sweater ended up costing less over time than several cheaper ones. Dr. Alpert agreed. "The upfront investment is real. But long-term thinking matters." Everyday Sustainability: What Works for You Dr. Alpert emphasized that sustainability should be personal and realistic. A few examples we discussed: Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping Buying used items reduces waste and builds community. Reusing Items for Children Circulating children's items among families increases their lifespan and reduces unnecessary purchases. Flexible Eating Habits She chooses what feels natural. She doesn't eliminate any foods, but she eats less beef because she doesn't enjoy it much and knows it has a higher climate impact. Her philosophy is simple: do what works for your lifestyle, not someone else's. Cultural Differences in Sustainability Many listeners of Go Natural English live in the United States but grew up abroad. If that describes you, you may have noticed differences in: recycling habits how food is packaged energy use transportation diet choices We would love to hear about your experiences and what surprised you when comparing sustainability practices around the world. Key English Vocabulary for Talking About Climate Change Because much climate information is published in English, we reviewed several useful terms. Carbon footprint The amount of greenhouse gases created by an activity. Carbon neutral No net increase in emissions; emissions are balanced by removals. Renewable or clean energy Energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Examples include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and sometimes nuclear. Fossil fuels Coal, oil, and natural gas. Dr. Alpert jokingly compared them to "burning dinosaurs." Move the needle To make a meaningful impact or measurable improvement. In the same boat Facing the same challenge or depending on the same shared resource. Individual Actions and Leadership Actions While individual choices matter, Dr. Alpert pointed out something important: You cannot expect one person to "save the world." Leadership and policy matter too. So how do we hold leaders accountable? Voting, especially at the local level Joining conservation-minded organizations Speaking up through social media or letters Staying informed on local policies Supporting leaders who prioritize clean energy and sustainability These steps make a meaningful difference. Where to Learn More Dr. Alpert recommends two easy places to start: The book "Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie

Stop Giving Embarrassing Answers — Improve Your Speaking 133% with the D.N.A.S. Method

Too many talented, experienced professionals get overlooked at work—not because they aren't qualified, but because they stay quiet. In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English shares 10 powerful phrases you can use to speak up in meetings, express your opinions confidently, and get noticed for the capable person you truly are. You'll learn how to join a fast-paced conversation, agree or disagree politely, ask clarifying questions, and summarize key points without sounding nervous or rude. Whether you're an intermediate or advanced English learner—or even a native speaker—these practical expressions will help you sound more natural, professional, and self-assured in any business setting. Plus, Gabby explains why speaking up (even with mistakes) is far better than staying silent, how to use small attention-getting words like “well” and “um” to hold the floor, and why confident communication is essential for career growth in English-speaking workplaces. If you're ready to stop being overlooked and start being heard, this episode is for you. Join the English Insiders waitlist for advanced lessons, feedback, and community practice at gonaturalenglish.com/insiders. New episodes every week. Subscribe, share, and keep growing your authentic English fluency with Go Natural English.

Why is English pronunciation so confusing? In this episode, Gabby Wallace breaks down the five hardest English sounds—and shows you how to fix them with simple, effective practice techniques. From the tricky TH to the mysterious schwa, you'll learn how to make these sounds clearly and confidently, plus how to avoid the most common mistakes learners make. Gabby also shares the correct pronunciation of 13 everyday words that English learners often say wrong (like comfortable, vegetable, and Wednesday), and explains how to train your ear and mouth to sound more natural. You'll learn: The two TH sounds and how to pronounce them correctly What “R-colored vowels” are and why they're essential for fluency The secret behind the most common English vowel sound: the schwa How to handle consonant clusters like “str” in street or “fr” in friend How long and short vowels completely change meaning in words like lick vs. like 13 words that most English learners mispronounce—and how to fix them today Listen if you want to: Improve your pronunciation and sound more confident Be understood faster in conversations Understand why English spelling and sounds don't always match Learn to love your accent while polishing your clarity Resources mentioned: Download Gabby's English Fluency Formula ebook: GoNaturalEnglish.com/ebook Next episode: 8 Ways to Sound More American — how to polish your pronunciation and rhythm for natural-sounding American English. https://www.gonaturalenglish.com/8-ways-to-speak-with-a-north-american-accent/ #GoNaturalEnglish #EnglishPodcast #EnglishPronunciation #LearnEnglish #AmericanAccent #EnglishFluency

Do you ever hear native English speakers say things like “break the ice” or “hit the books” — and wonder what on earth they're talking about? In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English breaks down 10 idioms you'll hear every day — so you can understand them instantly and start using them naturally. You'll get: ✅ Clear meanings and real examples ✅ Repeat-after-me pronunciation practice ✅ Tips to sound more fluent and natural in conversations If you're ready to stop sounding like a textbook and start speaking real English, join English Insiders — Gabby's exclusive fluency course designed to help you master idioms, slang, and native pronunciation.

Have you ever tried using slang in English and wondered… “Did I sound natural?” Slang can make your English sound more authentic — but if you use it wrong, it can get awkward fast. In this episode, Gabby Wallace shares 10 modern American slang words and phrases you can actually use in 2026. You'll learn what they mean, how native speakers use them, and when not to use them. Inside this episode: The slang expressions Americans are using right now. Example sentences you can copy instantly. Warnings so you don't sound weird or out of place. Quick repeat practice to help you remember. By the end, you'll know how to confidently drop phrases like “I'm down,” “no cap,” and “hits different” into real conversations. Want more practice? Join us inside English Insiders for role-plays, listening exercises, and slang challenges: gonaturalenglish.com/ei No cap — this episode hits different!  

☝️ Get info on the Complete English Fluency course here: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg  00:00 Introduction to You may not know THIS about learning English 00:35 English fluency has no real finish 01:30 Setting specific goals 02:40 English pronunciation 03:34 Individual vocabulary words 04:15 Cultural context 05:05 Consuming English content does not make you fluent 06:35 Fear impacts your fluency 08:00 English fluency in social settings 08:25 Know your learning style When learning English, there are a few things that people may not be aware of. Here are some aspects that are worth noting: 1. English has diverse accents and dialects: English is spoken with various accents and dialects, even within the same country. Understanding different accents can be challenging, but exposure and practice can help improve comprehension. 2. Phrasal verbs are crucial: Phrasal verbs are verb phrases with prepositions or adverbs, often having figurative meanings. 3. English spelling can be tricky: Spelling in English can be inconsistent, with exceptions and alternative spellings. 4. English has a vast vocabulary: English offers a wide range of words and synonyms, enhancing precision in expression. 5. English grammar is complex: Understanding grammar rules like tenses, articles, prepositions, and word order is important for effective communication.  #LearnEnglish #EnglishLesson #GoNaturalEnglish

☝️ Get info on the Complete English Fluency course here: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg  00:00 Introduction to Improving Your English Every Day  00:28 Choose an article to practicing reading  01:53 Practice a few difficult words  02:28 Review advanced grammar rules 03:03 Create vocabulary flash cards Improving your English skills every day is an excellent goal!  Here are some practical tips to help you enhance your English proficiency: Read regularly: Make reading a habit by engaging with various English materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. This practice will expose you to different writing styles, new vocabulary, and sentence structures. Expand your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases each day. You can use vocabulary-building apps, flashcards, or online resources like dictionaries and word-of-the-day websites. Apply these new words in your conversations or writing to reinforce your learning. Practice speaking: Find opportunities to speak English as much as possible. Join conversation groups, language exchanges, or engage in conversations with native English speakers. Don't be afraid of making mistakes; it's a natural part of the learning process. Listen actively: Improve your listening skills by regularly listening to English audio, such as podcasts, music, or audiobooks. Focus on understanding the context, pronunciation, and intonation patterns. Repeat and mimic what you hear to improve your own speaking skills. Watch English videos and movies: Choose English-language films, TV shows, or YouTube channels that interest you. This will help you familiarize yourself with colloquial expressions, cultural references, and improve your comprehension skills.  #LearnEnglish #EnglishLesson #GoNaturalEnglish About Go Natural English: In regular English classes, you learn English grammar and English vocabulary, and in our English speaking lessons, you'll learn English the Go Natural English way - with advice to help you speak English like a native, with real English conversation and listening practice. Here you'll finally learn American English with a focus on English speaking skills. Unlock the English speaking world and finally understand English conversation. Learn how to speak English fluently with our English speaking course!

Enjoy following along to this real, natural, fast native English conversation and learn the important key phrases to understand slang, idioms and phrasal verbs that you may not know yet.

Are you still looking for ways to speak English Fluently? Watch these 5 easy steps with teacher Hailey to master speaking in English!

If you're planning a trip, practice these common English phrases to help you feel confident on your next travel!

Do you know how to call in sick for work or class with confidence? What information do you need to share? Watch this English lesson with teacher Vida to find out the best most professional and correct phrases that native English speakers use. We hope you won't use these phrases, but when you do, you're now prepared to tell someone the natural English way to call in sick.

A preposition is one of the tricky terms in the English language that tells us where or when something happens. Learn the biggest tip of prepositions with teacher Casie.  Don't get frustrated, I know sometimes English can be really frustrating but you can do it with more practice! 

Today we're going to learn about how to fluently confidently introduce yourself for the first time to new colleagues, new classmates or just anyone that you meet. This is really important because first impressions are everything! We're going to talk about how to really connect with people and the phrases that you need to know to sound like a native speaker.

Did you know that the way you pronounce words can really make a difference in how people understand you, or even if they want to talk with you? Practice difficult words with us today!

Learn phrases used in professional work English situations (not in casual or informal conversation). Sound more professional when you use these advanced business English phrases, and boost your confidence immediately when you understand what they mean when your colleagues use them!

Have you ever thought that learning English was painful, challenging, and difficult? Well, it doesn't have to be! Learning English through stories is one of the most effective ways to improve your English fluency.

Why is it so difficult to express yourself in a foreign language, like the way you really feel?

Learn how to make people think you're more FLUENT in ENGLISH than you really are. It's all about the WAY you SPEAK ENGLISH!

There are so many different words, idioms, and phrases to describe people and personalities. We describe how they think, how they act, and how they show up in the world. Today I'll give you a selection of adjectives that I highly suggest you use when you need to describe yourself. You might use them in an interview or another opportunity in your professional life.

Because of internet, we have access to a lot of opportunities but also to so many competitions out there. So it is key  to stand out and to stand out means to BE DIFFERENT to make people notice you.

Here's an advanced English fluency topic many of you who are at the intermediate English speaking level still struggle with.

It's so much fun to travel, practice your English, and learn new things! Traveling is a lot easier if you know some essential English travel vocabulary. These are words you really need to know before you go! ✈️

Do you want to improve your English speaking skills? Here are three easy ways for you to speak English more fluently and confidently like a native.

Why do some people become fluent in English while others struggle? Here are the 9 reasons why people become fluent English speakers.

English Idioms for Daily Conversation to Talk about Money. This is about how to use common English idioms that you'll hear in daily conversation to talk about money, business deals, negotiation, your paycheck, how much money you earn, etc.

Here I share with you exactly the phrases you need to speak more naturally, from a North American English point of view. You'll learn how to interrupt politely to share your opinion, to change the topic or to maintain a topic, to end a conversation, and much more. Join me, Gabby, your American English teacher, from GoNaturalEnglish.com, for this lesson that will help you speak English more naturally in a short time!

When you're speaking English, it's hard to remember vocabulary words! Here's a fun English speaking lesson where you'll learn several words you can use to replace ANY vocabulary word you might forget in English. Enjoy!

Let's speak English together. In this episode, you can practice along with me and improve your English speaking skills and listening skills.

Native English speakers don't say "said" as much as the phrase you will learn in this English lesson. This is great for informal, casual English speaking. Learn more conversational English with me: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg/

How do you know if someone is a native English speaker? Do you want to know what it is about your English speaking that shows people you are fluent or native-like? These are the EXACT points in English (vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation) that really instantly tell people if you are a native English speaker or not. Learn more conversational English with me: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg/

Let's have some fun and practice saying 10 of the most difficult English words to pronounce. Ready? Remember to practice saying them with me! Learn more conversational English with me: https://gonaturalenglish.com/prereg/

What to say, what to ask the first meeting (or first date)? These conversation starter questions PLUS 4 quick tips for making first meetings less awkward will surely help you feel more confident and make you a better communicator in English!

Do you ever wonder how to speak English more like an American? Avoid these phrases, which are correct English, but really not common in the USA! Learn more with Gabby at https://GoNaturalEnglish.com/prereg

Learn more! Join my free email group for English learners at https://gonaturalenglish.com/email/ and get tips in your inbox. 

Maybe you've heard the phrase, "communication is the most important part of a relationship." Today we're talking about love

Whether you live in an English speaking country or not, English can be very beneficial for your career and personal life. Find out 7 ways speaking English can help you win at work! Stick around until the end for personal stories of people that have been able to improve their lives a lot because of English!  

There are so many interesting, colorful phrases you can use to sound more natural in English. Today I'm sharing 5 awesome phrases with you to describe when you eat too much. Practice and repeat after me, and learn how you can practice these phrases with real native English teachers!  

Luke shares helpful and easy strategies for you to say these verb endings with confidence to improve your accent. Learn how to pronounce words in common English expressions and phrasal verbs, with lots of tips to improve your English pronunciation and fluency!   Pssst... Did you know our online English Course (Fluent Communication 3.0) Registration will be open in 2 weeks?   Pre-register here for more information so you don't miss out: http://gonaturalenglish.com/email