Podcasts about American English

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 12, 2025 is: flummox • FLUM-uks • verb To flummox someone is to confuse or perplex them. // The actor was easily flummoxed by last-minute changes to the script. See the entry > Examples: “If Thursday crosswords flummox you, remember that it's much better for your stress level to do your best and sharpen your skills than to become angry because you aren't sure what's going on.” — Deb Amlen, The New York Times, 11 June 2025 Did you know? When it comes to the origins of flummox, etymologists are, well, flummoxed. No one really knows where the word comes from. The first known print use of the verb flummox appeared in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers in the mid-1830s, while the adjective flummoxed appeared italicized a few years earlier in a Dublin newspaper article about laborers striking against employers who oppose their rights: “Lord Cloncurry is actually flummoxed. The people refuse to work for him.” To be flummoxed by something is to be utterly confused by it—that is, to be baffled, puzzled, bewildered, completely unable to understand. Fortunately, a word can be used even if everyone is flummoxed by its etymology, and by the end of the 19th century, flummox had become quite common in both British and American English.

Are you struggling to pronounce some of the trickiest words in American English? You're not alone! In this episode of [Your Podcast Name], we break down four of the most challenging words for non-native speakers: "Squirrel," "World," "Comfortable," and "Three."Join us as we provide a step-by-step guide to mastering these common pronunciation pitfalls. You'll learn the secrets to a perfect American accent, and gain the confidence you need to speak clearly and naturally in any conversation.In this episode, you'll learn:How to pronounce "Squirrel": We'll tackle the tricky combination of the "skw," "ur," and "l" sounds, a common obstacle in American English pronunciation.The secret to saying "World": Get a clear guide to mastering the "r" and "l" sounds in this one-syllable word.Breaking down "Comfortable": Discover how to handle this four-syllable word that is often shortened in spoken English.A simple trick for "Three": We'll show you how to correctly place your tongue for the "th" sound, a key element of a natural American accent.Whether you're an ESL student, a professional working on accent reduction, or just looking to improve your public speaking skills, this episode is your key to sounding more like a native speaker.Click here to Join the FREE Accent Training Community! BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ME HERE

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.#schwamill #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#schwamill #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Hey there! It's Michael here — and welcome to the very first Happy English Sunday Speak.Starting today, every Sunday I'll be here with one quick phrase to make your English sound more natural. Today's phrase is “You bet!”  “You bet” is a super casual, American-English phrase. You can use it in a few different ways:

Pitch, Tone & Prosody – Part 1 | Practice Prosody Using Pitch and Tone In this video, we'll begin practicing prosody — the natural rhythm and melody of speech — by focusing on pitch and tone. Mastering prosody is one of the most important steps to sounding fluent and natural in American English. ✔️ Learn how pitch rises and falls in everyday conversation ✔️ Practice tone variations to express meaning and emotion ✔️ Start building the rhythm and flow of Standard American English This is Part 1 of a multi-part series designed for ESL learners, professionals, and anyone looking to refine their speech for clarity and confidence.

Title: Languaging in Hampton RoadsEpisode 19: The Myth of Standard English: 3 profs talk about how language worksHosts: Jill Winkowski and Prue SalaskyDate: September 6, 2025Length: 46 minutesPublication Frequency: Fourth Friday (approx) of each monthWhat exactly is linguistics? Quite simply, linguistics is the study of language, not the study of one particular language, but language as a whole. So, when we talk about Applied Linguistics, we're talking about how linguistic theory translates to practice, whether teaching TESOL or a foreign language to English speakers, understanding language variations and dialects, recognizing the bias and power inherent in standardized or normative language, or how language changes and what that tells us about history, culture and identity.For this episode, we returned to interviews we conducted over the past 18 months with three linguists at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Hampton Roads to learn just how linguistics applies in so many aspects of life. And particularly about the standard English bias and its effects. Each professor talks about her linguistic path, her specialty and the broad reach of the field.We revisited our Jan. 2025 talk with sociolinguist Dr. Bridget Anderson, director of the Tidewater Voices oral history archive at Old Dominion University, a  collection of local dialects gathered over more than 20 years, https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/tidewatervoices/. Anderson is an expert in acoustic phonetics and language variation. We also pulled from our spring 2025 conversation with professor emeritus Dr. Janet Bing, a phonologist, and a driving force behind the establishment of the university's Applied Linguistics masters program (the only one in the region), and teacher of teachers of TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other  Languages). And we returned to our dialogue with Dr. Staci Defibaugh, graduate program director of the Applied Linguistics program at ODU, whose research focuses on discourse analysis of speech in health settings. In this episode we discover the shared features of linguistic discovery and what it can teach us about social standing, bias, and much more.In our earlier episodes (see below), we drew on their specific areas of expertise. Ep. #13 Guinea Talk: Gloucester County's Unique Dialect https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/languaginghr/id1727246364?i=1000688235981, Ep. #16 How do you say Norfolk? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/languaginghr/id1727246364?i=1000706264104,   and Ep. #4 How are you doing? Diagnosing Health Talkhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/languaginghr/id1727246364?i=1000654121382,Here are links to the Great Vowel Shift and the IPA vowel chart for American English, as discussed by Dr. Andersonhttps://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/021dYoM3E3G2qxJg0p5VlIoRg#IPA_chart_for_American_Englishhttp://eweb.furman.edu/~mmenzer/gvs/what.htmSend your feedback and questions to languagingHR@gmail.com, and be sure to visit our website, www.languaginghr.wordpress.com

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#schwamill #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Simple American Accent Training: Be Clear with Americans Every TimeAre you an Arabic, Portuguese, or Russian speaker struggling to be understood in American English? Do you want to sound more natural and communicate with confidence?In this special masterclass episode, the Accent Training Podcast breaks down its proven 3-point strategy for mastering the American accent. This isn't just about reducing your accent—it's about empowering you to speak with clarity and impact.This episode is a recording from a recent live webinar taught to a diverse, global audience. We'll walk you through the core components of our method:Strengthening your voice: Learn powerful diaphragmatic breathing exercises to build vocal power and stamina.Adapting speech patterns: Understand the rhythm and intonation of the American accent to sound more natural.Mastering articulation: Discover how to correctly produce American vowel sounds before moving on to consonants.This method is a simple, proven framework designed to help you go from being problem-focused to solution-focused. Stop worrying about being misunderstood and start communicating clearly and confidently.Click here to Join the FREE Accent Training Community! BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ME HERE

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#schwamill #fluentamerican #americanenglishteacher

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #33    In this video, we're reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English.   ✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words ✔️ Hear which letters might be pronounced differently than you think ✔️ Practice saying each word with correct pronunciation    Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #31  In this video, we're reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English. ✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words ✔️ Hear which letters might be pronounced differently than you think ✔️ Practice saying each word with correct pronunciation  The words we discuss in this video are: The words we discuss in this video are: ancient, origin, extraordinary, entrepreneurial, sagas, natural, tours, located, category, extensive, extent, quarterly   Ready to sharpen your accent and be better understood at work or in social situations? Learn how to speak with a Standard American English (SAE) accent.

Welcome to another Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English naturally. Today, let's clear up something tricky: stop doing vs. stop to do. These two sound similar, but they mean totally different things. Here's how we use them. My AI English Tutor is hereJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

I saw Halloween decorations at the store yesterday. What a reality check. I guess summer is almost over and we need to get back into the swing of things!Today, I want to talk about two big things that happen at the end of the American summer: Getting ready to go back to school and Labor Day weekend — the last big hurrah before fall kicks in. And along the way, I'll toss in a few idioms that you'll hear Americans using during this season. My AI English Tutor is hereJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.Find mp3 versions of our exercises here: www.fluentamerican.com/podcast#fluentamerican #shadowing #americanaccent

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here:    • How to Improve American English Pronunciat...  Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here:    • FREE Classes From Our Membership Programs  #wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Welcome to Day 1 of your American Accent Warm-up! This 7-Day Pronunciation Challenge for ESL is a straightforward and effective way to practice your American English.This episode focuses on the common challenge of distinguishing between the long 'e' sound (like in "green") and the short 'i' sound (like in "ship"). You'll learn to hear and produce the difference between words that are often confused.Daily Practice: Listen and RepeatYour challenge is simple: listen and repeat the provided words and phrases daily for 7 days. By focusing on these minimal pairs, you'll train your ear and mouth to confidently produce the correct sounds.Deed vs. Did (e.g., "A good deed" | "Did you do it?")These vs. This (e.g., "These are great" | "Let's try this")Cheap vs. Chip (e.g., "Cheap tickets" | "Want some chips?")Feel vs. Fill (e.g., "It feels soft" | "Will that fill the tank?")Deep vs. Dip (e.g., "How deep is it?" | "Try dipping it in first")Heat vs. Hit (e.g., "Heat this in water" | "Try to hit the ball")Peak vs. Pick (e.g., "Sneak-peak" | "Which one will you pick?")Sleep vs. Slip (e.g., "Don't sleep in" | "Careful not to slip")By practicing these specific sounds, you'll build the muscle memory and confidence needed to improve your American English pronunciation. Listen to this episode every day and get ready to hear and feel the difference in your speech!

I'm glad you're still studying English. I'm gonna guess that you have already heard my last podcast about linking sounds. What did you say? Not yet? You're not going to do that anymore, are you?Today, I want to talk about four small — but powerful — words that can totally change the feeling of your sentence. I'm talking about Already, Still, Yet, and AnymoreMy AI English Tutor is hereJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcriptVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Welcome to the Accent Training Podcast!Level up your American accent with our "Fox in Socks" accent training episode! Join us as we break down this classic children's book, helping non-native English speakers master tricky sounds and rhythms. Listen, repeat, and perfect your pronunciation with fun, engaging exercises. Tune in to boost your confidence and clarity in American English! Click here to Join the FREE Accent Training Community! BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ME HERE

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

Wha-cha do-win right now? It's time to tur-nup the volume and lih-seh-up to this lesson about link-in' sounds in English. Today, we're continuing our series on how to speak more naturally in English, and this time we're talking about something that really helps you sound more fluent — and that's linking sounds. My AI English Tutor is HERE: Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Are you confused about why certain words sound different in American English? This episode reveals the "hidden" SH sound in surprising places!Many English learners know the basics of the /ʃ/ sound in words like "she" and "shoe," but they get tripped up by less obvious spellings. We'll show you how the American English SH sound is present in a wide range of words, including:Words with "STR": Like in "street" or "stream."Words with "SSU": Like in "issue" or "pressure."French loanwords with "CH": Like in "chef" or "machine."In this episode, you will learn to spot these tricky pronunciations and master them. We'll provide clear explanations, practical examples, and listening exercises to help you sound more natural and confident.What you will learn:How to correctly pronounce words with the STR, SSU, and CH sounds.Common mistakes learners make with these pronunciations.Why these words can be so confusing for non-native speakers.Exercises to help you practice and build muscle memory.Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, this episode will provide you with the tools you need to sound more like a native speaker.Click here to Join the FREE Accent Training Community! BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ME HERE

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Think you've mastered English prepositions? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with my husband Lucas (an advanced English speaker) to tackle 5 prepositions even fluent speakers still get wrong. We'll cover:✅ Invest ____✅ Be interested ____✅ Participate ____ / Take part ____✅ Spend money ____✅ Depend ____ / Rely ____ And a few more that came UP naturally in conversation. Can you find them? You'll hear real-life examples, fun U.S. culture facts, and some entertaining stories. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but the goal is to have you stop second-guessing yourself and start sounding more natural when you speak. What do you think?

Welcome to The Accent Training Podcast!Struggling with words that have an "sh" sound but no "sh" spelling? This American Accent Training lesson is for you! In this episode, we'll uncover the hidden "sh" sounds in American English found in common words containing ci (as in social), tion (as in pronunciation), and sion (as in mission).Designed specifically for adult non-native English speakers, this episode provides clear, practical tips and exercises to help you master these tricky sounds. Stop guessing and start speaking with confidence!Click here to Join the FREE Accent Training Community! BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION WITH ME HERE

American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.Find mp3 versions of our exercises here: www.fluentamerican.com/podcast#fluentamerican #shadowing #americanaccent

Send us a textAmerican English is simply the best Beatles tribute story of our time. At the inception of the band, they were voted “number one” by thousands of Beatles fans as winners of sound a like contests at Beatlefest® for three consecutive years. They have also won Illinois Entertainer of the Year and have been voted "Best Tribute Band" three of the last four years by their fans in the Chicagoland area. Their demand here and abroad, coupled with their spectacular fan base, has anchored them into a professional setting, and launched them into larger venues and theatres worldwide.Support the showPodcast edited by Paul Martin.Theme song courtesy of M&R Rush.www.rocknrollchicagopodcast.com

More on /ae/ + N: https://youtu.be/dYEbSmjA6YQJoin the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

In this episode, we break down Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen (2019). We analyze the twisted layers of crime, class, and swagger as Matthew McConaughey's Mickey Pearson tries to sell his marijuana empire while rubbing shoulders with the UK's high society. We dissect Fletcher's duplicitous narration from Hugh Grant, the knockout performances, and Ritchie's knack for sharp dialogue, swift editing, and his signature blend of violence and wit. Join us as we uncover the elegance of The Gentlemen, and what makes this Guy Ritchie film a controversial throwback with modern bite.Chapters:00:00 Everything that is pure Guy Ritchie15:30 Cool characters & dicey dialogue23:33 Hugh Grant GRINDED for this movie26:01 Matthew McConaughey and American-English fashion32:38 Guy Ritchie bringing this movie more full circle34:01 Guy Ritchie's storytelling 40:44 Where would you get a pound of flesh52:46 Our official rating54:59 Final thoughts58:26 Cue the music

American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.#fluentamerican #shadowing #americanaccent

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Sentence stress. It's not the kind of stress, that keeps you up at night. And in fact, it's not anything bad at all. It's an essential part of English!And when I say sentence stress, I'm not talking about being stressed out about learning grammar. I'm talking about how we say certain words louder, longer, or more clearly — and how that changes the feeling, and sometimes even the meaning, of what we're saying.Use m free AI English Tutor HEREJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcriptVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

Welcome to Episode #64 of The Real Life English with Gabby Podcast. In this episode, you'll learn 18 fun and useful English slang, idioms, and phrasal verbs for things like rolling your eyes, giving someone the cold shoulder, and even making eyes at someone. People don't always say what they're feeling… but their body language gives it away! Body language is an important topic to know in every culture that you interact with and English is no different. And the best part? You can get the free Study Guide to go with this episode! It's packed with:All the new words and definitionsEasy-to-follow example sentencesThe full transcriptPractice exercises so you can actually use what you learnClick HERE For the Study GuideListen now—and start speaking English confidently!Get more English Lessons here: Visit me on InstagramVisit me on TikTok Visit me on YouTube Get the FREE Study Guide: >> CLICK HERE

In this wild episode, we dive deep into the Burmese python invasion in Florida's Everglades, which is one of the most unexpected and dramatic ecological crises in U.S. history. It all started with exotic pet owners, relaxed laws in the '80s and '90s, and one catastrophic storm: Hurricane Andrew. From there, things spiraled. Thousands of snakes were released, some intentionally, others by accident, and they found paradise in the Everglades. Warm weather, endless food, no predators? That's a snake's dream vacation... permanently. We'll talk about: 00:58 - Introduction: Bears, Neighbors & the Python Cowboy 03:23 - The Everglades: An important ecosystem for Florida 05:53 - How Burmese Pythons got to South Florida 06:00 - The rise of python ownership as a trendy, edgy status symbol; Exotic Pets & Loose Laws 09:09 - From Pet to Predator: The Rise of the Python Population 11:17 - Hurricane Andrew & the Reptile Escape 18:25 - How Many Are Out There? Estimating the Python Population 19:59 - Are Pythons Dangerous to Humans? 22:01 - The Python Elimination Program (Paid Hunting) 24:17 - The Florida Python Challenge Explained 25:46 - What Happens to the Snakes After They're Caught 28:11 - Can We Ever Win? An Uphill Battle 29:44 - Shana's Creative Snake Solutions 30:22 - High-Tech Tools: Judas Snakes & eDNA 30:58 - Robo-Bunnies and Future Innovations By the end, you'll see just how complex, challenging, and Florida this whole saga is. //SPONSORS ○ Brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at better help.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Local Legends Video by Brad Leone (as heard in intro) Cowboy Python Interview with Joe Rogan (most popular segment) All Creatures: A Giant, The Burmese Python (learn more about the snake) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready to pack a picnic and have some fun in the sun? Before calling it a day, check out today's English lesson podcast all about beach life, part of our summer series on American Culture. We're gonna talk about beach life, which could be the beach at the ocean or a lake, and to some degree even the neighborhood swimming poll. Along the way, I'll show you five idioms and phrases that match the sunscreen, beach umbrellas, and beach snacks theme: fun in the sun, catch some rays, pack a picnic, chill out, and call it a day.Use My AI English TutorJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcriptVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Have you ever used music to boost your English pronunciation?

We have 3 openings in our small group coaching that meets Tuesdays (9:15-9:45AM New York) and Wednesdays (10:45-11:15AM New York). Contact me at fluentamerican.com to register! Current price is $50/month Join the free group to share audio files on streams: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMxOR get feedback every single day: www.fluentamerican.com/telegramDownload a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcastOne immediate way to start sounding natural is to analyze how you sound in American English. The reality is many American English learners are not saying words in a way that sounds natural, often creating a rhythm that does sound natural because it has little to no variation in contrast, in addition to issues with placement, breath, and vowels. Let's show you some quick techniques will have you start sounding natural in American English pronunciation. Welcome back to the Schwa Mill❗❗❗❗❗❗JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEoWho am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7#wakeupamerican #fluentamerican #americanenglish

⭐ Download FREE sounds guide: https://espressoenglish.lpages.co/free-pdf-pronunciation-guide-american-english-sounds/  ❤️ American English Pronunciation Course: https://courses.espressoenglish.net/american-english-pronunciation-course-and-shadowing-with-shayna/  Do you want to sound more like an American when you speak English? You need to master the sounds of the language to speak more clearly and naturally! In this lesson, I'll break down every major sound in American English - with words to help you practice. Let's perfect your pronunciation, so you can speak English more confidently. If you would like to download this beautiful guide to all the sounds of American English, click here and enter your e-mail address, and I'll send you the PDF and audio to help you practice. Practicing these sounds every day will give you clearer English.  Let's get started - get ready to repeat after me - remember, your pronunciation only improves if you actually do it, you actually say the words out loud. When it comes to pronunciation, practice makes perfect! Meaning you need to do it lots and lots of times. This video is a great first step - and your next step is to join my American English Pronunciation Course, which has hundreds of exercises helping you master all these sounds. You can even get a teacher evaluation of your pronunciation, included! 

Just because you're speaking fast, doesn't mean you're speaking fluently. Fluency is not about speed. Fluency is about rhythm.  It's about sounding natural — with the right pauses, the right tone, and the right feeling. Today, I want to help you speak more naturally by focusing on something that native speakers do all the time — even if they don't realize it. And that is: Thought Groups.Use FREE: My AI English TutorJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcriptVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.The video version: https://youtu.be/9ISqPXAjuqY#fluentamerican #shadowing #americanaccent

Ever heard someone say, “Don't have a hissy fit”? In this episode, we break down this funny, very Southern expression that describes a dramatic overreaction (think tantrum, or an overreaction). You'll hear real-life examples—from picky eaters at restaurants to Wi‑Fi meltdowns—and find out how “hissy fit” made its way into American English. Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Season 4 Premium Content⁠ ⁠All Premium Content Seasons 1-3⁠ (+ discount on Season 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This one starts with a dodgy lane choice, a Starbucks coffee, and a misjudged underpass. As always. I'm back in the Land Rover — which might be its final podcast outing before it finds a new home — and today's episode is a rambling, reflective road trip through customer service, creative resilience, and the rapidly growing presence of AI in our industry. The day started badly. Cold shower (thanks British Gas), broken editing software, and a head full of terabytes. But it ended with a reminder of why kindness, craftsmanship, and conversation still matter. A haircut from someone I've known for 18 years. A deep chat with the owner of Michel Engineering while he lovingly took apart my ancient-but-beautiful record deck — the very same design featured in A Clockwork Orange and owned by Steve Jobs, no less. And then... a disappointing interaction with a distracted barista and a headset-wearing drive-thru operator. Same building, worlds apart. Customer service, it turns out, is alive and well — just not always where you'd expect it. But the main theme of this episode is AI. Not the doom-and-gloom kind, but the real stuff: the tools I'm already using, how they're reshaping our workflows, and how they might be reshaping entire economies. It's not AI that's coming for your job — it's the photographer who learns to harness it. We talk about: AI tools I already use (like EVOTO, Imagine AI, ChatGPT, and XCi) Using AI as a teaching assistant, sub-editor, and productivity coach The real-world implications of AI-generated ads, coding layoffs, and what it means for creatives Plans for a new AI section on masteringportraitphotography.com And if you hang in there until the end, I'll tell you about a girl named Dory, a gutsy 12-year-old contortionist, and the new edition of Mastering Portrait Photography — complete with fresh images, a decade of stories, and a very special launch offer. So pop on your headphones, admire the wheat fields if you've got them, and come along for the ride. Spoiler: there's C3PO's eye in here too. Yes, really.  

I'm glad you popped in today. Now this lesson may not make your eyes pop out, but before you pop out or pop the question, you're gonna want to learn these phrases and idioms with pop. You know, the word “pop” is such a fun little word in English. It's short, quick, kind of energetic… and actually, that's exactly how we use it — to describe things that happen quickly or suddenly. Today we're going to check out some of the most common and useful “pop” expressions that native English speakers use all the time. My AI English Tutor: Get it hereJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcriptVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/Cork Pop Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at better help.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self.  Ever wondered what life is like in the middle of the U.S.? Tune in to this week's episode with Bethany Anderson and discover tornado drills, taco pizza, sweet corn, Amish visits, and small towns bursting with culture. You'll get fun expressions, new vocab, and a fresh view of Iowa you won't find on any map!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AMERICANENGLISH and get on your way to being your best self. In this immersive summer episode, you'll escape to the sun-drenched shores of an American beach and soak up advanced vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations—all beach-themed and delivered in under 10 minutes (ish