Charm English Pod

To watch on YouTube go to: https://youtu.be/TnxcbEHsdos

I chat with my sister Stacey about what it is really like to work in animal control. Stacey shares field stories, the kinds of calls she gets, and the choices officers make when balancing animal welfare and community needs. Along the way we focus on language that learners can use in real life. You will hear natural vocabulary and phrases, pronunciation practice of animal names, and clear explanations of animal behavior that help with safety and pet care. This is a great fast-paced conversation to learn plenty of vocabulary because we don't just use technical words, we also use a lot of conversational phrases and phrasal verbs (clutter up, on the books, etc.)

What learners will get from this episodePractice listening to everyday conversation about animals and jobsVocabulary and pronunciation examples for animal names and common phrasesStories about animals and animal controlPractical pet tips like microchipping and reading body language

In this live Q&A I answer student questions about casual speaking, speaking and learning tips, verb tenses (past perfect and the past participle,) causative verbs, pronunciation difficulties, and small language nuances like the difference between “shade” and “shadow.” I give many examples, correction tips, and practice suggestions you can use right away. Suitable for B1–B2 learners who want practical speaking practice and clearer grammar use.Some takeaways:-Use adverbs at the start of sentences to sound more natural.-Phrasal verbs are essential for conversational fluency.-Use past perfect to show event order/background.-Causative verbs (make/have/get) show actions done by others.-Cultural context improves comprehension and use.-Practice vowel sounds with rhymes and minimal pairs.-Balance communicative speaking with targeted grammar practice.-Solo speaking practice also builds fluency and confidence.

Remember you can watch on youtube at @charmenglishmaggie and you can sign up for a class at www.charmenglish.cl

In this episode, I explore sayings and life mottos that we live by. We dig into procrastination, motivation, and how social media shapes our views of other people’s lives. Along the way I share language tips for learners, cultural expressions you can use today, and simple mindset shifts that make action easier.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Life mottos that can guide you and your lifestyle

• Idioms that express motivation, acceptance and resilience.

• Reflections on beating procrastination and not comparing yourself to others on social media

• Language learning + communication tips for speaking English

Chapters (highlights) — jump in at the time that fits you
00:00 Intro • 02:14 Personal life mottos • 16:15 Honesty & communication • 23:06 No pain, no gain • 25:14 Social media comparisons • 27:07 Idioms & cultural expressions • 31:28 Language tips for interviews • 36:58 Final reflections

Love the episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share a life motto that guides you

In this episode, I break down how to use modals of possibility like may, might, and could in real-life English conversations. We also talk about phrasal verbs and idioms that help you sound more fluent and express uncertainty naturally — phrases like turn out, end up, and up in the air.

If you’re trying to speak English with more confidence, this lesson will help you understand how to talk about odds, likelihood, and future possibilities in a clear and natural way. It’s a great mix of grammar, pronunciation, and conversation practice, so you can use what you learn right away.

What you’ll learn:• How to use may, might, and could to express uncertainty• Common idioms and phrasal verbs for talking about results• Ways to describe odds and possibilities in everyday English• Tips to improve fluency and communication skills

Perfect for learners who want to build stronger English communication skills and sound more natural when they speak.

Sign up for English classes at charmenglish.cl

We talk about so much everyday health vocabulary, from sneezing and tissues and Kleenex, to symptoms, to phrasal verbs like pass out versus pass away.

This is a great episode for anyone wanting to work on their listening skills and useful vocabulary!

In this episode I sit down with Emily, my sister!

We talk about different varieties and dialects of English like AAVE, Scottish vs US English, and Polari. She also shares her experiences moving to Scotland and studying a Master's in teaching English. We talk about her experiences learning several languages and what's worked for her. This is a fast-paced episode with so much great info!

If you'd like to have an English class with Emily, you can sign up at www.charmenglish.cl

Dialects and varieties of English that we mention:

AAVE (African American Vernacular English) is a variety of English traditionally spoken by many African Americans. It has its own consistent grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, and is recognized as a legitimate dialect of English rather than “incorrect” English. To learn more, check out https://www.thoughtco.com/african-american-vernacular-english-aave-1689045 and the YouTube channel What's Good English https://youtu.be/Hw25n4Ehs4o?si=eqnYPAskO1aaqmnF and the work of linguists like Dr. Lisa Green

Polari is a secretive, informal language or slang historically used in Britain, especially by gay men, actors, and sailors, to communicate discreetly. It mixes elements from Italian, English, Romani, Yiddish, and slang. Read more in the work of Paul Baker https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/polari-and-hidden-history-of-gay-seafarers

Scots is a West Germanic language variety that developed from Early Middle English and is spoken in Scotland. It’s closely related to English but has its own distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Scottish Gaelic (or Gaelic) is a Celtic language spoken in parts of Scotland. It has its own grammar and vocabulary, distinct from English and Scots, and is part of the same language family as Irish and Manx.

In this episode, we take a closer look at the word “as” and all the different ways it’s used in everyday English. You’ll hear common phrases like as soon as possible, as opposed to, as for, as far as, and more. We’ll also go over how “as” works in equative comparisons (I’m as tall as him), to show reason (As it was raining, we stayed inside), and as a time marker (I was looking outside as the bird flew by).

We’ll go over plenty of examples you can use right away in conversation—like as long as you finish your work first, as much as I’d love to go, or as if that were true. By the end, you’ll see just how versatile this small word can be and feel more confident using it in different contexts.

Looking for conversational English classes? There are spots in my B1 and B2 group classes online at www.charmenglish.cl :)

In this class we have so many tongue twisters and other tips and tricks for you to practice your pronunciation!

I show different vibrating sounds like S versus Z, TH, and B versus V.

We also talk about the flap T, which is when a T between two vowels sounds more like a D, and the US English R sound.

Listen and say the tongue twisters along with me!

This episode is all about spicing up your English with some kitchen and cooking vocab. We’re talking all the action words you need—slice, chop, mince, blend—so you can be more specific when telling people about foods from your country. Plus, we’ll hit the cooking methods: grill it, boil it, roast it, you name it.

Then we’ll put it all into practice, walking through how to make dishes step-by-step so you can actually use the words instead of just… knowing them.

If you’re a foodie, a home chef, or just someone who wants to talk about food without awkward pauses, this episode’s gonna give you the vocab to make your English chef’s kiss

In this very special interview episode, I sit down with Will, a fellow ESL teacher and online content creator from Venezuela, living in Colombia.

We talk about his own journey learning English and eventually becoming a teacher, and he shares what worked for him.

Along the way, we also dive into the challenges of mastering English, hear about his hobbies, and even sing a little bit, as to be expected at this point on Charm English Pod, heheh ;)

Whether you’re learning English or teaching it, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and insight in this conversation with Will!

Follow Will on instagram https://www.instagram.com/english_with.will/

and on TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@english.with.will

And follow me on instagram

https://www.instagram.com/charmenglishcl/

and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@charmenglishmaggie