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Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. By the way, if you want to see the video version of this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today's phrasal verb is gear up for. When you gear up for something, it means you get ready or prepare for it - mentally, physically, or with the things you need.Like, these days a lot of people are gearing up for their New Year's resolutions.And the gym near my house is gearing up for the January rush - they even added new machines.Even I'm gearing up for a busy month of new lessons and new projects.Here's a pronunciation tip: gear up for sounds like geer-uhp-for. The R in Gear links with UP.So how about you? What are you gearing up for this month?Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week's Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Get Daily Vocabulary Words - http://dailyenglishvocabulary.com/Do you ever recognize a word instantly when reading but can't seem to pull it from your brain when speaking? You're not alone—and you're not broken. In this eye-opening lesson, you'll discover the scientific reason behind this frustrating gap and learn exactly how to fix it.Most English learners have been training the wrong skill for years. Traditional study methods—flashcards, tests, reading—build your ability to recognize words, but they don't train your brain to produce them in real conversations. The result? A warehouse full of vocabulary with a rusty exit door.This lesson breaks down the two vocabulary systems your brain uses, explains why one is strong and the other is weak, and gives you a clear path to transform your passive knowledge into active fluency.What You'll Learn:The two vocabulary systems – Why recognition and production are completely different skills (and why school only trained one)The warehouse analogy – How your vocabulary is stored and why the output door is stuckThe science of retrieval pathways – What happens in your brain when you try to recall a word under pressureWhy cramming fails – How massed practice builds recognition but leaves production pathways weakThe phone contacts metaphor – A simple comparison that makes the recognition vs. production gap instantly clearThe engineering fix – Exactly how to train the output side through daily, low-pressure retrieval practiceThis isn't about learning more words—it's about unlocking the thousands you already know. Stop letting your vocabulary stay asleep. Watch this lesson now and finally close the gap between what you know and what you can use.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English uses a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson
[970] Part 1 of 2. An English podcast about simple habits you can introduce in your life, to be in top condition for learning English all year long. This is all backed up by scientific research into how our brains work, how we learn language, and how little changes in our behaviour can help us perform better and achieve more in the time we are given. Includes top advice for preparing yourself to be a great learner of English in 2026. Part 2 will be available next week.Get the episode PDF
Do you have this problem? When you talk about habits in English, you might use the same grammar again and again? Things like, “I eat breakfast at 7,” or “I go to bed late,” or “I work on Saturdays.” Those sentences are correct - no problem there. But if you always talk about habits that way, your English can start to sound a little flat or mechanical. The good news is, native speakers actually use several different expressions to talk about habits, depending on how strong the habit is, how they feel about it, or whether it's something now or from the past. Today, we're going to look at four very common and very natural ways native speakers talk about habits in everyday conversation. And as we go, I'll show you how each one sounds a little different, even though they're all talking about repeated actions. Let's dive in.Do you want to learn more phrasal verbs? My new 8-week course Speak Naturally with Phrasal Verbs starts January 8. 2026. Join us here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/snpvWatch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Since this is the first lesson of this series in the new year, let's try something different today. Now, I want to practice with you. Today's tip is shadowing - one of the fastest ways to improve your American English pronunciation. Shadowing means listening to a native speaker and copying them at the same time - kinda like singing along, but with speaking. We'll try it right now. I'll say a sentence twice. First, just listen. Then the second time, shadow me - speak with me at the same time. Ready? Here we go.Sentence 1 - reduction + linking: “I'm tryin' uh learn more English.”(Again for shadowing:) “I'm tryin' uh learn more English.”Sentence 2 - tiny W: “Doowit again.”(Shadow:) “Doowit again.”Sentence 3 - connected speech: “Whaddaya wanna do today?”(Shadow:) “Whaddaya wanna do today?”Shadowing helps you pick up natural reductions, linking, and rhythm without memorizing rules. Just copy the sound - your mouth will learn the pattern.Hey, thanks for practicing with me today! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Sunday's Speak Naturally in a Minute.Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Do you want to learn more phrasal verbs? My new 8-week course Speak Naturally with Phrasal Verbs starts January 8. 2026. Join us here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/snpvWatch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signupI edited the "ding" sound effect, which came from CambridgeBayWeather https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ding_Dong_Bell.ogg, is used here for educational purposes
Are you tired of freezing up or feeling anxious every time you need to speak English? In this powerful lesson, you'll discover exactly how to overcome nervousness and speak with confidence—even in high-pressure situations.Whether you're preparing for a presentation, a job interview, or simply want to feel more comfortable in everyday conversations, this lesson gives you five proven methods to eliminate hesitation and boost your fluency.What You'll Learn:Practice speaking in short, simple sentences first – Reduce pressure and speak smoothly without overthinkingThink in English, not your native language – Train your brain to form ideas directly in English so you stop pausing to translateUse "chunking" (memorized phrases) instead of single words – Speak in natural phrases to boost fluency and reduce hesitationPrepare 3 "go-to responses" for common questions – Have ready-made answers that eliminate pressure in real conversationsBuild vocabulary around topics you talk about often – Familiar vocabulary reduces blank moments and increases confidencePlus, don't miss the personal storytime where I share an embarrassing moment from my own experience with nervousness—and the valuable lesson I learned from it!Stop letting fear hold you back. Watch this lesson now and start speaking English with the confidence you deserve.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today, let's look at a really natural expression you'll hear a lot at the beginning of the year - “start off on the right foot.” We use the idiom, start off on the right foot to mean begin something in a good, positive, or successful way.Like, when it's the first day back at work this year, your coworker might say: “I want to start the year off on the right foot.”Or when you decide to remodel the kitchen, you can say: “Let's start off on the right foot and keep everything organized from the beginning.”We also use this phrase to talk about relationships: Like, Jack started off on the right foot with his new neighbors.It's positive, it's friendly, and it's perfect for January when everyone is thinking about goals, routines, and fresh starts. Start off on the right foot is a natural way to say you want to begin something well - whether it's a new year, a new job, or even a new habit.Lemme know in the comments how you're planning to start your year off on the right foot, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday's English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.To help you stick to your English learning goals in the new year, I created a brand-new 8-week phrasal verb course to help you speak more naturally. It starts on January 8th (this Thursday):https://www.myhappyenglish.com/snpvWatch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. By the way, if you want to see the video version of this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today's phrasal verb is perfect for the new year - kick off. When you kick off something, it means you start it in an energetic or official way. We use kick of for events, projects, meetings, and even new habits or goals.Like, my friend Emma kicked of2026 by joining a new gym.A lot of companies kick off events with a big team meeting.And me? I'm kicking off the new year with a fresh batch of podcast English lessons like this one.And here's a pronunciation tip: kick off sounds like kik-koff. The K at the end of kick links with off. That makes the sound smooth.So how about you? How are you kicking off the new year? Maybe with a new hobby, a new routine, or a new goal for learning English?Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week's Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.I'm starting a small live English group next week focused on speaking with phrasal verbs.Keeping it small so everyone can talk. Join us here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/snpv
Download the transcript for this episode: https://www.britspeak.co/transcriptsIn this episode of the Proper British English Podcast, I talk about:What this podcast is all aboutWho I am and my teaching journeyWhat you can expect from meWant more episodes? https://www.britspeak.co/proper-british-english-podWelcome to the Proper British English Podcast. The podcast designed to help you understand British life, British culture, and of course, British English. My name is Dan from BritSpeak and I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher with over 10 years experience. I'm originally from Sheffield, UK, but I moved to Japan in 2016. I help people learn British English so they can build better connections and do more cool stuff in their lives, such as:Live and work in the UKAdvance their careersFeel more confident in everyday conversationsMore from BritSpeak:BritSpeakPod - https://www.britspeak.co/britspeakpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@brit-speakArticles - https://www.britspeak.co/blogInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/britspeakWork with me:Lessons: https://www.britspeak.co/storeCourses: https://www.britspeak.co/courses
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
We're joined by the very British Luke from Luke's English Podcast for an (almost) all trivia episode. Fred counts down to midnight with a quiz for Sarah and Luke (and you!) to play along. Sarah hosts trivia nights as Paris Quiz Mistress and Fred Eyangoh is an actor and trivia host based in Paris. Music by Mad98 and production by Célia Brondeau. Do you want to support us? Tip jar here : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ParisQuizMistress
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English uses a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
This is an episode of Luke's English Podcast, in which SEND7 host, Stephen, asks Luke 20 questions about 2025.Test your knowledge of what happened and try to beat Luke!You can find Luke's English Podcast in your listening app, or at www.teacherluke.co.uk--------Become a SEND7 supporter at send7.org to have access to all of our transcripts, vocabualry lists, worksheets and world news quizzes.Get €10 off joining as a yearly supporter in December using the code december2025
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Now, in everyday spoken American English, when a word ends with an “ee” sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, we often connect those sounds with a very small, quick Y sound.I call this the tiny Y.Like, see it. We don't stop the sound, and in one breath we say, see-yit. It's not see. it. It's see-yit. Like, That movie? I'm gonna see-yit tomorrow. Did you hear the tiny y? I'm gonna see-yit tomorrow. Here are some other examples: She is sounds like she-yiz. She-yiz the boss.We are sounds like we-yar. We-yar happy to see you!Many apples sounds like meni-yapples. There are meni-yapples on the table.This tiny Y keeps the flow smooth and natural. Be sure to practice these phrases yourself this week and they will become part of your English.And remember to follow and subscribe so you won't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Sunday's Speak Naturally in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening! Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
In this powerful 2.5-hour Idioms Masterclass, Teacher Tiffani breaks down the most common and confusing idioms used by native speakers. You'll finally understand expressions like barking up the wrong tree, bite the bullet, butterflies in your stomach, bury the hatchet, cut corners, bend over backwards, and more. Each idiom is explained with clear examples, real-life context, and pronunciation practice to help you use them naturally. Whether you're in America, Australia, or anywhere in the world, this lesson will help you express yourself fluently, confidently, and naturally every time you speak English.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today, let's look at a really natural phrase you'll hear in everyday English - “to this day.” We use to this day to mean until now, usually when something began in the past and is still true today. To this day often shows strong feelings - surprise, wonder, and even admiration.Like, I first saw Casablanca when I was in my twenties, and to this day, it's still my favorite movie.”Our relationship ended over 25 years ago, but to this day, I don't know why she broke up with me.You'll hear the phrase to this day a lot in stories, interviews, and even documentaries, because it connects the past and present in a simple, powerful way. So try using to this day in your English conversations this week. Lemme know in the comments how it goes, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday's English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Today's phrasal verb is luck out. When you luck out, it means you have really good luck - usually by chance. Something goes much better than you expected, and you didn't have to do anything special. It just happened.For example, this morning I lucked out and found a parking spot right in front of the station.And my friend Jake lucked out last week - he got the last two tickets to a concert that had been sold out for days.And yesterday, I lucked out at the supermarket… strawberries were half price!Here's a pronunciation tip: luck out sounds like luk-kout. The K at the end of luck connects with out.So how about you? When was the last time you lucked out?Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week's Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening. And until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Thanks for tuning in! So… why are you listening to this podcast? Maybe it's so that you can improve your English? Or in order to sound more natural? Or just to have fun learning something today? Well, whether you said so that, in order to, or to, you were talking about the purpose of doing something.And that's what these expressions are all about - showing the reason or goal behind an action.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
At the start of the year, I had a fairly clear idea of what the next twelve months would look like...that didn't happen.In this episode, I talk about how the year actually ended up - the practical changes, the shifts in routine, and how you can end a year in a completely different place without any single dramatic moment causing it.It's not a recap, and it's not a lesson. Just a look at how plans drift, circumstances change, and how that only becomes obvious when the year is already over.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English uses a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Have you ever gone somewhere… and then realized you should've been somewhere else? Or maybe you went somewhere, and now you're trying to explain that… but the grammar just won't come out right. Don't worry - this happens to a lot of English learners. So today, we're going to clear it all up.Went, Been, Gone. Yeah - I know. These words all seem similar, and sometimes even native speakers mix them up. But there is a pattern. There is a logic behind when we use went, gone, and been. So today, I'm gonna break it down for you in a clear, simple way - with a bunch of examples to make it all stick.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Now, in everyday spoken American English, we often connect vowel sounds with a very small, quick W sound. I call this the tiny W. The tiny W happens when when one word ends with an “oo” sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound. Like, do it. We don't stop the sound, and in one breath we say, doo-wit. It's not do it, it's doo-wit. I'm gonna doo-wit tomorrow. Did you hear the tiny w? I'm gonna doo-wit tomorrow. Here are some other examples: You are sounds like yoo-wahr. Yoo-wahr a nice person. Who else sounds like hoo-welse. Hoo-welse is coming to the party?To ask sounds like too-wask. You need too-wask the boss.Be sure to practice these phrases yourself this week and they will become part of your English. And remember to follow and subscribe so you won't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Sunday's Speak Naturally in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening! Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
In this 4-hour Ultimate English Expressions Masterclass, Teacher Tiffani teaches hundreds of real-life expressions that will instantly upgrade your fluency. You'll master phrases like bend over backwards, cut to the chase, bring it up, backseat driver, believe it or not, couldn't care less, and more — all explained clearly with examples, tone, and pronunciation tips. Discover how native speakers actually use these expressions in everyday conversations across America and beyond. Whether you're learning English for work, school, or daily life, this masterclass will help you express yourself naturally and confidently in every situation.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I'm here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. And if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today, let's look at a really useful expression for telling stories - “the next thing I knew.” We use the next thing I knew when something happens quickly or unexpectedly, especially in a story. It's another way to say “and then suddenly…” or “after that…”Like, “I sat down on the sofa to rest, and the next thing I knew, I fell asleep.”Or: “I was looking at instagram on my phone, and the next thing I knew, it was after midnight.”We use this expression to show a jump in time - like your story skips ahead to the next big moment.So remember, if you want to make your storytelling more natural and dramatic, try using “the next thing I knew.” It brings your story to life.Lemme know in the comments how it goes, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday's English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Hey there! It's Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English.I'm here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. By the way, if you want to see the video version of this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.Today's phrasal verb is chew out. When you chew someone out, it means you scold them strongly - usually because they did something wrong or made a big mistake. It's a very informal, very American way to say “tell someone off.”Like yesterday in the office, my manager chewed out the team because the report wasn't finished on time.And my friend Olivia got chewed out by her mom for coming home too late.Even I got chewed out once - I forgot to reply to an important email, and the client was not happy.Here's a pronunciation tip: chew out sounds like choo-wout. The W sound in chew links with out.So how about you? Has anyone ever chewed you out - or maybe you had to chew someone out?Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don't miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week's Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcastsBuild Vocabulary With My Free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English uses a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.