Charm English Pod

Practice these specific sensory adjectives to get better at describing your holiday celebrations in English! Words in this episode:Savoryhaving a salty or rich taste, not sweetcheesepizzasoupFestivefun and happy, like a celebration or holidayChristmas lightsballoonsparty decorationsRusticsimple and natural, often from the countrysidea wooden tablea small country houseclay platesVelvetyvery soft and smootha velvet dresschocolate cake with smooth icinga soft pillowTangya strong, slightly sour tastelemon juiceyogurtorange sauceCrunchyhard and making noise when you eat itpotato chipsapplestoastButterytasting rich and smooth like buttercroissantsmashed potatoes with butterbutter cookiesChewysoft but hard to bite through quicklycaramelsgummy candybagelsWarma little hot or giving comforta cup of teaa sweatersunshineCreamythick, smooth, and softice creamcreamy soupyogurtSpicyhaving a hot or strong tastechili saucecurryspicy noodlesAromatichaving a strong, nice smellcoffeefresh breadherbsLivelyfull of energy and activitya busy marketa partya classroom gameEarthysmelling or tasting like nature or the groundmushroomspotatoessoil after rainTendersoft and easy to cut or bitecooked chickensteak cooked wellsoft breadNostalgicmaking you think about happy times in the pastold photoschildhood songstoys from when you were youngCozywarm, comfortable, and relaxinga blanketa small caféa sofa

This is a meditation from Alan Watts' 1969 album, "Why Not Now: Dhyana, The Art of Meditation"

I answer your questions about how to order a coffee, how to get better at speaking and listening to fast speech, and how to form mixed conditionals.

In this class we talk about when things going wrong can turn into opportunities!

The class includes plenty of phrases like "look on the bright side", "rejection can be redirection" and "hindsight is 20/20".

We also have a lot of practice with the connectors of concession, despite/ although/ even though.

You can check out my website at charmenglish.cl

In this episode I tell you everything you need to know to have a proper uncerstanding of the context of this US holiday. We unpack Thanksgiving: history, traditions, and perspectives often left out. I discuss the common Thanksgiving origin story that you might have been told or seen on TV. I trace the real historical origins to modern celebrations, including Friendsgiving, the turkey pardon, Black Friday’s origin, and Indigenous perspectives that challenge popular myths.
Further reading & sources• History.com — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-thanksgiving• Encyclopaedia Britannica — “Thanksgiving Day”https://www.britannica.com/topic/Thanksgiving-Day• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian — “Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving”https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving• Delish — “The Dark Truth Behind the Origins of Thanksgiving”https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/a33984895/native-american-thanksgiving-holiday/• Boston University — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/history-of-thanksgivingVideos & episodes to watch / listen• One Mic History — How Black Americans Made Thanksgiving Our Own (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZr87VyUTaY&t=1s• Podcast — Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies? (Spotify)https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ejgX3JZnaJTNZmxKQ1T7y?si=f19f7e39fc584133

Group classes at www.charmenglish.cl

In this episode, we talk about how water shapes our daily lives, from water consumption habits to global challenges like droughts and floods.. We talk about potable water and contaminated water.

Most of the class focuses on common English idioms related to water, like to be a fish out of water or "sink or swim".

Key Takeaways

• A reminder that “water” is an uncountable noun in English—and why that matters

• How water-related idioms enrich English communication

• Essential water terminology for clearer, more accurate discussions

• Cultural differences in attitudes toward water availability and quality

Sign up for classes here: charmenglish.cl

In this episode, we dive into how to use the prepositions at, in, and on inside common English idioms. I walk you through practical examples, song references, and clear explanations so you can understand these expressions and use them confidently in real conversations. Perfect for learners who want to sound more natural and fluent.

You'll learn:

• How at / in / on function inside idiomatic expressions

• Idioms for timing, like in the long run and at the 11th hour

• In the long run → future outcomes

• At the 11th hour → last minute

• In no time → very quickly

• In the blink of an eye → extremely fast

• On cloud nine → very happy

• At your wits’ end → very frustrated

• On fire → performing extremely well

• On edge → anxious or tense

• In hot water → in trouble

• At risk → possible danger

In this episode, I announce the winners of our Spooky Story Contest and read the top three horror stories written by English learners! Each story brings something special — suspense, emotion, and creativity — and we explore what makes them so engaging.In this episode I read: the runner-up “The Mystery Story" by Akko, the chilling second-place entry, "My first night by myself at home" by Joao, and the haunting winner “Always Here For You” by Almir. After each reading we break down what we liked about the stories: language choices, pacing, and ways to build fear and emotional impact.

✨ Takeaways:

• Creativity and originality make stories memorable.

• Listening helps you learn vocabulary in context.

• Analyzing stories deepens your understanding of how language works.

  
  

Keywords: spooky stories, storytelling, creative writing, writing contest, horror stories, English listening practice, story analysis, narrative techniques, vocabulary in context, engaging stories.

charmenglish.cl

In this episode we unpack how phrasal verbs turn into compound nouns. You will hear clear examples like takeover, breakdown, check-in, follow-up, and meetup, plus easy spelling tips and simple pronunciation rules to help your English sound more natural. Whether you use English at work, in social situations, or when making decisions, these words are everywhere. Listen for practice ideas you can try right away to lock this grammar into your speaking and writing.

What you will learn• How compound nouns form from phrasal verbs• Verb versus noun use, with easy examples• Spelling patterns and why some words change from two words to one word• Pronunciation and stress tips for natural sound• Plenty of examples to practice and remember these forms

Sign up for a class at ⁠charmenglish.cl⁠

In this episode I break down one of the trickiest parts of English grammar: verbs that take gerunds vs infinitives. We cover common patterns, mental-process verbs (think, imagine, recall), verbs of intention (intend, plan), and verbs that accept both forms with little change in meaning. Expect real-life examples, practical chunks you can use in conversation, and teaching tips for ESL learners (B2–C1). Whether you’re preparing for interviews, improving fluency, or teaching English, this episode gives bite-sized rules and plenty of practice ideas to make gerunds and infinitives stick.

Key takeaways

• Some verbs require gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid) — often for likes/dislikes or ongoing actions.

• Some verbs require infinitives (e.g., intend, decide) — often for intentions/decisions.

• A small group of verbs can take both gerund and infinitive with little or no change in meaning (e.g., start, begin, continue).

• Context and meaning decide which form to use — practise with categorised lists and speaking drills.

• Use real-life examples and mixing activities to make the forms feel natural.

Practice suggestions

• Make a 2-minute recording using 5 gerund phrases (I enjoy…, I’m used to…, I avoid…).

• Role-play intentions: use infinitives for decisions (I intend to…, I plan to…, I decided to…).

• Sorting activity: create two columns (gerund / infinitive) and sort verbs from the episode.

• Conversation prompt: “What’s something you pretend to do? What’s something you intend to start?”