Charm English Pod

Are you stuck on the intermediate plateau, or struggling to keep up with fast-talking native speakers? In this episode, I break down the mindset shifts and practical tools needed to move toward advanced English fluency.

In this episode, we cover:

Grammar as a Functional Tool: Why we use the Present Perfect for "catching up" and how the Past Perfect acts as the "past of the past." We use a specific (and slightly dramatic) crime scene example to show how these tenses clarify when things actually happened.

The Power of Listening: Why a few months of consistent podcast listening during your commute can create a very obvious difference in your ability to understand connected speech.

Identity & Speaking Fluency: Why your personality might feel different in English and how "playing" with a new persona can help introverted learners lower their inhibitions.

Mistakes: Why staying in your "safe zone" prevents growth and how to treat every error as a hypothesis for learning.

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Check out my website at charmenglish.app :)

In this episode, I break down one of the most confusing parts of English: phrasal verbs. Why does bring up mean “mention”? What does hang out have to do with hanging?

I explain why phrasal verbs feel so random (and why they actually do have a bit of logic to them), why avoiding them can hold you back, and how they add nuance and naturalness to your English. Instead of memorizing endless lists, I show you how phrasal verbs are part of a system built on patterns, especially the meaning of particles like up, out, and off.

We also look at what phrasal verbs really are, how they’re different from prepositional verbs, and simple tests you can use to tell them apart. Plus, I walk you through the three main types of meaning, from literal to fully idiomatic, and how these meanings evolve over time.

The goal is to help you stop seeing phrasal verbs as random chaos and start seeing them as something logical, learnable, and even interesting.

Sign up for B1 and B2 speaking-focused English classes at charmenglish.app :)

In this English lesson, I explain several common phrasal verbs in English and how the small particles in phrasal verbs (off, out, up, over) change the meaning. Phrasal verbs are extremely common in everyday English, but they can be confusing for English learners because small words can completely change the meaning of the verb.

In this episode, we look at phrasal verbs such as shy away from, cool down, cool off, dry off, dry out, dry up, hand in, hand out, hand over, back up, back off, and back out. I explain the meaning of each phrasal verb, the differences between similar expressions, and how they are used in natural conversation.

You’ll also learn helpful patterns for understanding phrasal verbs more easily. For example, off often relates to surfaces or separation, out can indicate something leaving or becoming empty, up can signal completion or support, and over often suggests transfer or control. Understanding these patterns can make it much easier to learn and remember new phrasal verbs.

This lesson is ideal for intermediate (or higher level) english learners who want to expand their vocabulary, improve their listening skills, and sound more natural when speaking English.

If you want to improve your English vocabulary and better understand phrasal verbs in everyday English, this episode will help you learn how these expressions work in real conversations.

Want to join me in a small group class to practice your English? Sign up here! https://CharmEnglish.app

In this live English class, we talk about awkward but very important vocabulary that many English learners never study: bodily functions. These are words people often feel embarrassed to ask about, but they come up in everyday life more often than you think.

In this lesson, you’ll learn natural, common ways English speakers talk about things like acne, sweating, farting, burping, and using the bathroom. We also discuss the difference between formal, neutral, slang, and childish expressions, so you know what sounds natural in different situations.

Many learners accidentally use expressions that sound too childish, too medical, or too rude, so this class will help you choose the right words depending on the context.

Topics covered in this class include:• Skin vocabulary (pimples, acne, breakouts, flare-ups)• Farting and burping (common words and euphemisms)• Natural ways to say you need the bathroom• Informal vs polite expressions (pee, poop, pass gas, use the restroom)• Sweating expressions and idioms• Talking about body odor and bad breath politely• Student questions about slang like out of pocket and chopped

This class is great for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to sound more natural and confident in real conversations.

If you enjoy practical English lessons like this, subscribe for more live classes and vocabulary explanations.

In this live class, I taught reporting verbs, not just reported speech, but the verbs we use to explain what someone said. These verbs are especially useful in storytelling, conversations, and news contexts.

We started with verbs followed by the to-infinitive when the subject does not change, such as agree, demand, offer, promise, refuse, threaten, and claim. For example, “He agreed to come” or “She promised to help.” These verbs describe someone’s own action.

Then we looked at verbs that require an object + to-infinitive, such as advise, allow, ask, beg, command, encourage, forbid, instruct, invite, order, permit, remind, urge, warn, and want. These involve one person influencing another, like “She reminded me to pay the bill” or “He warned me not to touch it.”

Next, we covered reporting verbs followed by gerunds (-ing), which often express emotion or reaction. These include accuse someone of doing something, apologize for doing something, admit to doing something, boast about doing something, complain about doing something, deny doing something, insist on doing something, suggest doing something, and recommend doing something. We also clarified important differences, especially between deny and refuse.

We discussed how many reporting verbs can also be followed by a that-clause, such as “He claimed that he knew the answer.” I explained backshifting in reported speech, noting that changing the tense to the past is usually the safest option, but keeping the present tense is acceptable when the statement is still true.

Throughout the class, we practiced transforming direct speech into reported speech using different structures. We focused on common challenges, such as choosing between infinitives and gerunds, remembering prepositions, and deciding when to backshift.

At the end, I shared advice on learning gerunds:

• Use gerunds as subjects (“Swimming is fun.”)

• Use them as objects (“I enjoy reading.”)

• Use them after prepositions and phrasal verbs (“I gave up smoking.”)

We wrapped up by emphasizing consistent practice and remembering that small mistakes are part of the learning process as we build confidence with these patterns.

In this episode, I talk about how small details in English—like hyphens—can completely change the meaning of a sentence. We look at examples like man-eating vs man eating, and I explain how compound adjectives work in everyday English.

I also go over:
• When to use hyphens before a noun
• Why we say a seven-day trip but the trip is seven days long
• Common compounds like see-through, well-made, stress-free, and last-minute
• Personality adjectives such as absent-minded, big-headed, and thin-skinned
• Informal expressions you might hear in real conversations

This episode is great for B1–B2 learners who want clearer writing, more natural speech, and fewer grammar doubts about hyphens.

Try this after listening:

1. Make three sentences with number + noun compounds (for example, a two-hour meeting).

2. Change a phrase into a compound adjective (plans at the last minute → last-minute plans).

3. Say your sentences out loud and notice how the words connect when they come before a noun.

I left the pauses in this audio so it's easier to use if you want to imitate me or shadow!

For english classes sign up here! https://charmenglish.app/

We covered a variety of topics, including vocabulary related to reactions in English, the challenges of learning Spanish for English speakers, and the importance of cultural immersion in language learning. I also share personal updates, such as upcoming family events, and discuss the nuances of teaching English, emphasizing the value of both native and non-native teachers. I engage with participants' questions and comments throughout.

We read reddit posts from Am I the A-hole, talked about icks and relationships, phrasal verbs, and more!

We go over some of my favorite conversaitonal phrases that you can use in your personal life or at work!

In this English class we practice using phrases for analyzing pictures taken in 2026, from this BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250905-the-most-striking-images-of-2025

The phrases wee practiced were:

It captures…

The photographer manages to highlight…

What stands out is…

You can clearly see…

It looks as though…

It might have been taken…

Judging by the lighting…

I get the impression that…

The timing is spot-on

Then at the end we have a Q&A. The conversation covers various themes, including human interaction with technology, activism and symbolism in art, the impact of striking images, improving English speaking skills, balancing language consumption and production, language learning and pronunciation, and managing anxiety in language learning.