English Tips and Tricks

Another new series - First Pages ... a read-through and discussion of meaning and new vocabulary of the openings of famous novels, for B1+/B2 learners aiming for proficiency, hopefully giving you the confidence to read on in the novels.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode:

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Two handy little sentence starters today for awkward or interesting moments in a conversation.

Transcript and key vocab here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yYyixdp2e0beMfWOxfuWYADeP5oPgkmC/view?usp=sharing

Get in touch with your questions: [email protected]

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In today's episode, we continue a new series called 'Colourful Language', looking at how to swear like a native speaker in English. In this second episode, we'll be looking at the word 'bloody' and how it's used in popular films and polite society.

Link to PDF transcript of the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ih4e1Dx_xJmb5DUKlCiyC5G2JXr3fqeC/view?usp=sharing

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Another new series - Zombie English... giving idioms and vocabulary from zombie films, like the excellent Shaun of the Dead. Today's idiom is 'Wait for things to blow over'.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgdlmKVjdFmdLOAAyEv0qpoyrLineveO/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Another new series - How to talk about... giving key vocabulary about current topics like AI, Donald Trump and today, heatwaves.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UTBUs6EuqPGVZCHF4-mpceXYid8pLd-v/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, we start a new series called 'Colourful Language', looking at how to swear like a native speaker in English. In this first episode, we'll be looking at the word 'damn' and how it's used in popular films and polite society.

Link to PDF transcript of the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Euknml_a8zJ-okzCyQ_XbCPEd0002bss/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reading can be a great way to improve your English and build vocabulary - just make sure you choose the right book!

Links:

• Penguin Readers: https://www.penguinreaders.co.uk/books/
• excerpt: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/excerpt
• elegant: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/elegant
• poignant: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/poignant
• grasp: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/grasp



Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: [email protected]

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The most self-defeating episode ever? Or a really useful pro-tip to help you improve your listening skills? You decide!

Vocabulary links:

• Chore definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chore
• Naturally definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/naturally
• Self-defeating definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-defeating
• Handy definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/handy
• Hooks definition (the final definition): https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hook?q=hooks
• Geopolitics definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/geopolitics

Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: [email protected]

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A handy little sentence starter for questions that seek to understand the reason for something.

Useful vocab from today's episode:

• How come dictionary definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/how-come
• Meta definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meta
• Recessive definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/recessive
• Keen definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/keen

Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: [email protected]

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Why is everything being called something-adjacent these days? What is its meaning and should you try using it?

Links:

1. The New York Times article cited: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/style/are-you-adjacent.html
2. Merriam Webster definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjacent

Do get in touch with any questions about English: [email protected]

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