Join the channel for daily lessons: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Pbt3q-ihROg1lmmmQdU2w/join

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Gabby (00:00) If you still struggle to think 100 % in English, then this is for you. If you're new here, hi, I'm Gabby, your American English fluency coach here at Go Natural English. And today we're talking about something that can completely change your English fluency. Stop translating in your head and do this instead. Maybe this happens to you.

Someone asks you a simple question in English and inside your brain, there's a whole emergency meeting happening. You hear English, you translate it into your native language, and you think of your answer in your native language, you translate it back into English, then you check the grammar, then maybe you wonder, you doubt yourself, is this natural? Is this how people really speak in real life or is this just...

what I learned in my textbook, but by the time you're ready to answer, the conversation has already moved on. You lost your chance. If that sounds familiar, you are not the problem. You're not bad at English. You just were taught the wrong way. You're using a process that you learned in your classroom from your textbook that is too slow for real conversation. So today,

I'm going to show you how to start thinking more directly in English. Not by forcing your brain, not by memorizing more grammar rules, but by building an English environment around your real life. And I think this is actually really fun because here's the truth. You don't start thinking in English by translating faster. It's always going to slow you down.

You start thinking in English by living more of your life through English. So here, the obstacle is the way. The obstacle, English fluency, is the way. Living your life through English is the way to fluency. So now I'm gonna share concrete, specific examples that you can use to start thinking in English today. This is going to improve your fluency so much, and I'm so excited.

Just before we jump in, I want to let you know about a special project that I've started and I want to invite you to join and go deeper in your fluency with me. If you enjoy these free lessons and you want daily private English lessons, join as a YouTube channel member or a private fluency podcast member, whichever you prefer. Some people prefer watching on YouTube. Some people prefer listening to the podcast.

The link is in the description. You'll get short, about 15 to 20 minute daily private English lessons designed to help you immerse yourself in real English. They're conversational lessons with real learning and everyone, we do talk about vocabulary to expand the way you express yourself and real life English. This will help you to start thinking in English more naturally.

And there's no big commitment. You can just try it for a month and see for yourself. Also, we've kept this super affordable because we want to help as many people as possible around the world to improve their fluency and confidence. So this is honestly one of the best ways to make English part of your everyday life. It's easy. It's simple. All you have to do is watch along with the videos that I make for you and repeat after me.

Just copy and repeat me. Repeat after me. Even if you're busy, you can do this. Okay. So now let's talk about why translation keeps you stuck. This is important to understand the problem. Most people learning English were trained to treat English like a school subject. You study vocabulary, you memorize grammar rules, you translate sentences, you fill in the blanks, you answer textbook questions.

Can you relate to any of this? Did you have to do this? All of that can help you build a solid foundation, but real English conversations do not sound like a textbook. And when you go from the classroom and your textbook to real life English, you can feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and honestly feel kind of bad about your English because there is a big gap. But again, it's not your fault.

See, native speakers do not usually speak like your teacher. And that's why I'm here to help you understand how to bridge that gap between your old English class and real life English now. So your teacher might say, for example, what are you doing? But in real life, especially in casual American English, people often say, what are you doing? Or what are you up to? Or even what you doing?

These are all ways to ask the same thing that you might not have heard or learned, but this is important to start getting familiar with how natives really speak. If your brain is waiting to hear that perfect, clear textbook English, you may not recognize real life English when you hear it. That's one reason you feel like I know English, but I still can't understand people. You may know the clean version of English.

The real life gives you the connected version. So let's compare. Textbook English. What are you going to do? Real spoken English. What are you going to do? Textbook English. I do not know. Real spoken English. I don't know. Textbook English. Did you eat yet? Real spoken English. Geet yet?

That one sounds funny, but yes, some people really do say it that way. Textbook English. Do you want to? Real spoken English. You wanna? Textbook English. I am going to. Real spoken English. I'm gonna. Now I'm not saying you always need to speak this casually, but you absolutely need to understand it. Because if you only study perfect textbook English,

Real English will sound blurry, messy, confusing, and too fast. But it's not random. It has patterns. Native speakers connect words. We reduce sounds. We drop sounds altogether. We blend words together. So part of thinking in English is training your brain to recognize English as it is actually spoken, as you hear it, not just as it is written and as you know how to read it.

So here's the big mindset shift for today. Fluency is not translation. Fluency is direct connection. You want to connect an English word with the real meaning, an English phrase with the feeling, an English sound with the situation, an English expression with real life use, not English to your native language to the meaning to your native language to English.

So that middle step is what slows you down. So instead of asking, how do I translate this or how do I say this in my native language? Ask, when would I use this in English? For example, don't just translate, I'm running late. That could mean something very different if we translate this directly, literally. Connected to the situation, you're leaving the house, you're stuck in traffic.

You're texting someone, you're five minutes behind schedule, that's when you say, I'm running late. Now the phrase is not just a translation, it's connected to your real life. That's how you start thinking in English, connecting real life phrases with real life situations. So now maybe you've heard people say, just immerse yourself in English, and maybe you think, okay, Gabby, but I don't live in the United States.

I don't have English speaking friends. I don't work in English all day. It's okay. I get it. Immersion does not have to mean moving to another country. Immersion means creating more English contact points throughout your day. And I think this can be fun. I want you to remember this phrase, start slow and grow. You don't need to change your whole life overnight. Start with small, repeatable habits. Five minutes of journaling.

listening to a song in English, one Netflix scene with English subtitles, one voice note to yourself, one short conversation, one private podcast lesson a day. The goal is not to study English for three hours once a week. The goal is to touch English every day in ways that feel meaningful, meaningful to you.

Now, let me teach you five useful phrases for this topic because even as we talk about learning to think in English, we can improve your vocabulary. So number one, of course, think in English. This means you connect ideas directly in English without translating every word. For example, and please repeat after me. I'm trying to think in English instead of translating everything. Next, real life English.

This means English as people actually use it in normal conversations. For example, I want to understand real life English, not just textbook English. Next, word for word translation. This means translating each individual word instead of understanding the whole idea. For example, word for word translation makes me speak too slowly. Next, daily immersion.

This means surrounding yourself with English a little bit every day. For example, daily immersion helps my brain get used to English. Next, natural expression. This is a phrase that sounds normal to native speakers. For example, instead of translating from my language, I want to learn natural expressions. Now, repeat after me. I want to think in English. I want to understand real life English.

Moving away from word for word translation. Daily immersion helps me improve. I'm learning natural expressions. Beautiful. Great job. Now let's learn five phrasal verbs that connect beautifully to this topic. First, to pick up. Now this has many meanings, but today we're talking about the meaning to learn something naturally.

often without formal study. For example, you can pick up natural English by listening every day. This is what children do. They pick up language from hearing it again and again. Next, get used to, to become comfortable with something over time. For example, at first fast English sounds difficult, but you'll get used to it.

This is huge. You don't need to understand everything in English immediately. You need repeated exposure. Next, tune in means to listen or pay attention, especially to audio or video. For example, tune into English podcasts while you're cooking or walking. Next, speak up to say something more clearly, confidently or publicly. For example,

Creating a private podcast can help you speak up in English. To keep up with means to follow or understand something that's moving quickly. For example, at first it's hard to keep up with native speakers, but it gets easier. Now repeat after me. I can pick up English naturally. I'm getting used to fast English. I tune in every day. I'm learning to speak up.

I can keep up with real conversations. Excellent. I love this for you. Now, here's one of the most important points in this whole episode. Do not just study English. Do things through English. There's a big, big difference. Studying English is when English is the subject. You're solely focused on English. Doing life through English is when English becomes the tool.

For example, instead of only writing practice sentences in a notebook, write a real letter in English. You could write to a politician about an issue you care about. You could write to an organization you support. You could write letters to seniors in assisted living who may not have family visiting them. You could write encouraging notes to people who are lonely. You could write to inmates through a legitimate, safe letter writing program if that's something meaningful to you.

I'm just sharing these examples as ways that you can use English in real life as a tool and it will help you develop your fluency and give you meaning and motivation while you do it. Now, English is not just an exercise. English is helping you express your values. That is powerful because your brain remembers language better when there's emotion, purpose, and real meaning attached to it.

Now let's talk about speaking. A lot of learners say, I don't have anyone to practice with. And I understand that is a real challenge, but I also want to gently challenge you. You can create reasons to speak. You could start a YouTube channel in English. It doesn't have to be public at first. You can make all the videos private. You could start a podcast in English and not publish it until you're ready.

You could record voice notes to yourself. You could explain your day in English. You could review a book, a movie, a recipe, a news story, or personal experience. The point is, at this level, give yourself a reason to keep speaking. Don't wait for an assignment from your teacher. In fact, I want to empower you through these lessons to give you ideas to use English in the real world.

even if you don't feel quite ready yet. This might be the push or the sign that you've been waiting for. If you're only waiting for the perfect conversation partner, you may wait forever. But if you start speaking privately or publicly, you train your mouth, your brain and your confidence. And later when a real conversation happens, your English is already warmed up. So let's build what I call

your immersion ladder. You don't need to jump from textbook exercises to full speed native conversations overnight. That's too much pressure. Instead, climb the ladder step by step. Step one, journaling. Write three sentences a day in English, in a notebook, on your phone, in a word doc. For example, today I feel a little tired, but I'm proud of myself because I practiced English.

Step two, music. Listen to songs that you like in English. Look up the lyrics. Sing along. I did this a lot when I was learning Spanish. It was a huge help. Music helps with rhythm, pronunciation, connected speech, and emotional memory. Step three, Netflix or YouTube. Watch short clips in English. Don't try to understand the whole movie perfectly, but watch one scene.

Repeat one line. Notice how people really speak. And step four, private speaking practice. Record yourself answering simple questions. For example, what did I do today? What am I looking forward to? What is one thing I care about? And step five, real conversations. Talk with people online, in a class, in a community, while traveling or in your workplace.

Step six, travel or routine change. If possible, take a trip where you can practice English outside your normal routine in your native language. It doesn't have to be a huge, expensive trip. Even a short trip, a conference, a retreat, a meetup, or a local intentional event that you're interested in can help. Or if you're traveling internationally, go to a local event there.

The key is to put yourself in a situation where English becomes useful, not just academic. It's not just about the grades. It's about how you and use English in real life. So this is exactly why I created Private Daily Lessons. If you want help making English part of your daily life, join as a YouTube channel member or a Private Fluency Podcast member. The link is in the description.

You'll get daily private English lessons about 15 minutes a day so you can immerse yourself in real English consistently. This is for you if you want to think in English, understand natural American English, and build fluency without needing to sit down with a textbook for hours. No commitment. Try it for a month and see for yourself. Okay, now let's talk about what this sounds like in real life.

Let's compare the translating version and the natural version. So imagine someone asks, what are you up to this weekend? A translating answer might sound like, I will make the cleaning of my house and maybe I will see a movie. It's understandable, but it sounds translated. Very strange. A more natural answer, I'm probably going to clean up around the house and maybe watch a movie. Notice, clean up around the house. Probably going to.

Watch a movie. Very normal, very natural. Another example. What are you doing later? Textbook brain hears, what are you doing later? Natural answer. Not much. I might grab a dinner with a friend or I'm just taking it easy tonight or I'm catching up on some work. Now let's practice those. Not much. I might grab dinner with a friend. I'm just taking it easy tonight.

I'm catching up on some work. These are the kind of phrases you want to absorb as whole chunks. Don't translate every word. Let the whole phrase speak for you. Learn the whole phrase connected to the situation. Now here's a big fluency tip. Think in chunks, not individual words. A chunk is a group of words that native speakers commonly use together. For example, I'm running late.

I'll get back to you. That makes sense. I'm looking forward to it. Let me think about it. I'm not sure yet. I'm trying to figure it out. I didn't catch that. What are you up to? I'm taking it easy. When you learn chunks, you don't have to build every sentence from zero. You can pull a phrase from memory and use it. That's how real fluency feels. It's not perfect grammar construction every time.

from scratch, from zero, it's having useful language ready when you need it. So instead of studying one word at a time, like late, learn I'm running late. Instead of studying the word understand, learn that makes sense. Instead of studying one word like busy, learn I've got a lot going on. That is real English.

So let me tell you a quick personal story. When I was learning Portuguese, I remember feeling frustrated because I could understand my teachers pretty well. They spoke clearly, they used organized sentences, they slowed down for me, and I thought, okay, I'm getting good at this. Then I went outside into real life and suddenly I felt like I knew nothing. People were speaking fast, they were using slang, they were cutting words, they were laughing, they were talking.

over each other and I remember thinking wait, did I study the wrong language? But I didn't study the wrong language. I'd studied the classroom version and now I needed the real life version. So I started listening more. I paid attention to repeated phrases. I copied what people actually said. I stopped trying to translate every single word and slowly things started to click.

Not all at once, but little by little. And that is what I want for you. So don't be discouraged if real English feels fast. It's not a sign that you're failing. It's a sign that you're ready for the next level. Now let's practice. Repeat after me. I don't need to translate every word. I can connect English directly to meaning. I'm learning real life English. I'm getting used to fast English.

I can pick up natural phrases by listening every day. I'm going to start slow and grow. I can make English part of my daily life. I don't just study English. I do life through English. I can write, speak, listen, and think in English every day. My fluency is growing one day at a time. Beautiful. Now let's make this practical. Here's your challenge for the next seven days.

Every day, do one small thing through English. Write three sentences in English about your day. Listen to one song in English and read the lyrics. Watch one short YouTube video or a Netflix scene in English. Record a one minute voice note in English. Write a letter, comment, email, or message in English about something you care about. Repeat five natural phrases out loud.

Have one real conversation, even if it's short. So do one of these things each day. Those were seven activities. You can do one each day for the next seven days. And remember, you're not trying to be perfect. You're training your brain to connect English with your real life. That's how you stop translating. So let's review what we learned today. You can expect native speakers to sound like real

life English, not like your teacher or your textbook. In real life, people don't always say, what are you doing? They say, what are you doing? So if you want to understand real English, you need real English input. To think in English, you must immerse yourself in English, but start slow and grow. Use journaling, music, Netflix, YouTube, podcasts, voice notes, real conversations, and travel when possible.

Don't just study English, make English a part of your daily life. Write through English, speak through English, listen through English, think through English, create through English, and most importantly, learn chunks, not just individual words. This is how your English becomes faster, smoother, and more natural. I want to leave you with this thought. You do not become fluent by translating perfectly.

You become fluent by living imperfectly through English every day. So take the pressure off. You don't have to understand every word. You don't have to speak perfectly. You don't have to sound like a native speaker tomorrow, but you can take one small step today. One sentence, one song, one voice note, one conversation, one private lesson, one real life moment in English. This is how fluency grows.

If you want daily support with this join as a YouTube channel member or a private fluency podcast member The link is in the description You'll get daily private English lessons about 15 minutes a day to help you immerse yourself in English Understand natural American English and start thinking in English. There's no commitment. Try it for a month and see for yourself I'm Gabby from go natural English

And thank you so much for watching and learning with me today. So in the next episode, we'll keep building your real life fluency. So make sure you subscribe and turn on notifications. And remember, don't just study English, live through English.

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Do people ask you to repeat yourself in English?

The problem probably isn't your accent. It's clarity.

In this episode, you'll learn 10 powerful pronunciation fixes that will instantly make your English clearer, smoother, and easier to understand — without trying to sound American or British.

You'll practice:

• Linking sounds in connected speech • The American flap T sound (why "what are you" sounds like "whaddaya") • Soft final T pronunciation • Natural contractions like should've, would've, they'll, and I'd like to • Professional vs casual pronunciation differences • Tongue twisters for articulation • Word stress in advanced vocabulary like phenomenal and unprecedented • Common native phrases used in everyday conversation

This episode is perfect for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to improve spoken English, sound more natural, and build confidence in real conversations.

Press play, repeat out loud, and train your mouth to move like a native speaker.

Clarity builds confidence. Confidence builds fluency.

Let's practice.

Most English learners think their listening is "pretty good."

This quiz will prove whether that's true.

In this video, you'll take a real English listening test based on how native speakers actually talk — fast, connected, and reduced. No vocabulary tricks. No grammar questions. Just listening.

You'll hear each sentence one time and write exactly what you hear.

🎯 SCORING: 35–40 correct → Elite listening (top 1%) 25–34 → Advanced, but missing key details Under 25 → Listening is holding your fluency back

If this test feels hard, that's not bad news — it's clarity.

Every time you misunderstand English: • You miss information • You lose confidence • You limit your career and opportunities

That's why I created The English Fluency Formula — an audio + ebook system to help you finally hear English clearly and respond with confidence.

👉 Train your listening and fluency here: https://gonaturalenglish.com/ebook

If you're serious about fluency, this is where it starts.

Subscribe for more advanced English listening and fluency training.

Understanding English at work shouldn't feel like guessing.

In this episode, you'll practice advanced English listening with real, native-speaker speech used in meetings, presentations, interviews, and professional conversations. This is repeat-after-me listening training designed for professionals who already know English but struggle to follow fast, natural conversations in the workplace.

You'll hear how native speakers actually talk at work, including contractions, reductions, and connected speech that are rarely taught in textbooks. By practicing these phrases out loud, you'll train your ear to recognize spoken English faster and respond more confidently in real time.

This episode focuses on building listening comprehension, communication clarity, and executive presence in English. You'll learn how to stop translating in your head, understand English in context, and stay engaged in fast-moving conversations with colleagues, clients, and leadership teams.

This lesson is best for intermediate to advanced English speakers who want to sound natural, confident, and professional in English at work.

If you want guided practice, real conversations, and structured training to build true English fluency, join the Fluent Communication waitlist at gonaturalenglish.com/prereg.

Follow Go Natural English for daily listening and speaking tips on Instagram and TikTok.

Why You Don't Understand Spoken English (Biggest Listening Mistakes + What to Do Instead)

Do you understand English when you read it but struggle when people speak?

You're not bad at English. You're making common listening mistakes that most English learners never fix.

In this lesson, I break down the biggest English listening and comprehension mistakes that block fluency, confidence, and professional communication, and I show you exactly what to do instead.

If you:

• Pretend you understand English when you don't

• Miss small words like "the," "to," or "are"

• Get confused by fast, natural speech

• Struggle with English vowel sounds

• Avoid real English videos because they feel "too hard" This video is for you.

You'll learn:

• Why pretending to understand English hurts you long-term

• How to ask for clarification in English naturally and professionally

• How reduced speech affects English listening

• Why function words matter for listening and speaking

• How vowel sounds change meaning in English

• How to train your ear using real English audio and video

• The listening habits fluent English speakers actually use This is real-world English listening, not textbook English.

By the end of this video, you'll understand:

• Why native speakers sound "too fast"

• What you're actually missing when you listen

• How to stop nodding and guessing

• How to build listening confidence for work, meetings, and conversations

This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to:

• Understand native speakers more easily

• Speak more clearly and naturally

• Sound more confident in English

• Improve professional communication

Best for: English listening practice English comprehension skills Understanding fast English Reduced speech in English Real English listening for learners Business English listening Advanced English listening If you want to stop guessing, stop translating, and finally understand real spoken English, start here.

Hashtags: #EnglishListening #EnglishComprehension #LearnEnglish #SpokenEnglish #EnglishFluency #AdvancedEnglish #BusinessEnglish #RealEnglish

00:00 Introduction 00:34 How to learn faster 00:50 I'm Gabby from GoNaturalEnglish.com 01:02 Let's start with the biggest listening mistake 03:35 How to fix the first listening mistake 04:13 Phrases for clarification 06:25 Another big listening mistake 07:22 How to fix the second listening mistake 08:40 Third big listening mistake 09:18 How to fix the third listening mistake 10:27 A fourth big listening mistake 11:25 Examples to fix this big listening mistake 12:35 A fifth big listening mistake 13:35 Examples and how to fix this big listening mistake 15:05 Listening trains your pronunciation and speaking skills 16:03 Stop listening passively (and what to do instead) 17:55 Your new fluent listening identity 21:15 Fluent Communication Class update 21:45 Listening practice and phrases 26:23 Listening quiz

Why does English feel easy when you read it, but suddenly impossible when people speak?

In this episode, I break down the real reason listening is the hardest skill for intermediate and advanced English learners. The problem isn't your vocabulary or grammar. It's that spoken English doesn't sound the way it looks, and most learners were trained through textbooks, not real conversation.

You'll learn how native speakers actually listen and speak in everyday English, including why words disappear, sounds blend together, and phrases matter more than individual vocabulary. I share 10 practical strategies you can use in just 10 minutes a day to improve your English listening and comprehension, plus real examples of fast, natural speech that usually confuse learners.

This episode covers why reading and listening are not the same skill, how to train your ear before your brain, why learning phrases instead of words changes everything, and how to measure listening progress the right way.

If you understand English when you read but struggle to follow real conversations at work or in social situations, this episode will help you start rebuilding your listening skills through sound, not text.

To join the waitlist for my Fluent Communication program, visit gonaturalenglish.com/prereg.

Talking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert

Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That's why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships.

In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope, daily sustainability habits, and clear English vocabulary related to the climate conversation.

What Does a Climate Scientist Do?

Dr. Alpert evaluates new climate solutions, from clean energy to carbon-removal technologies to sustainable farming. Her work starts with two key questions:

1. Does this solution meaningfully help reduce climate impact?

2. What are the trade-offs or challenges that come with it?

Her job is not just to imagine solutions but to determine what actually works.

The Biggest Misunderstanding About Climate Change

Dr. Alpert explained that a major misconception is the idea that climate action is "all or nothing."

People often believe:

• "It's too late to do anything," or

• "It's someone else's responsibility."

Both mindsets lead to inaction. "You don't have to be perfect," she said. "Every step forward helps. The idea of 'everything or nothing' isn't useful."

How She Stays Hopeful

Climate news can feel heavy, so I asked what keeps her motivated. Her answer was simple: the future.

"I have three kids. That's three votes for the future. We are moving in the right direction, and I think we'll get most of the way there."

Her optimism is practical and rooted in evidence. Many climate solutions are already working and becoming more affordable.

Misconceptions About Sustainability, Especially in Texas

One surprising part of our conversation was about renewable energy in Texas. Many people assume Texas is not sustainable, but the opposite is true.

• Texas produces more clean energy than any other U.S. state, and by a huge margin.

• Wind, solar, and battery storage are growing rapidly.

• Much of this growth is driven by economics, not ideology.

"It's the cheapest energy," she said. "People are making money from it."

Another misconception is that sustainability is always more expensive. In reality, the cheapest new energy to build today is solar.

Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Benefits

Many sustainable choices cost more upfront but save money over time: installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or purchasing high-quality items that last longer.

I shared the example of clothing I've kept for more than a decade. A well-made sweater ended up costing less over time than several cheaper ones.

Dr. Alpert agreed. "The upfront investment is real. But long-term thinking matters."

Everyday Sustainability: What Works for You

Dr. Alpert emphasized that sustainability should be personal and realistic.

A few examples we discussed:

Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping

Buying used items reduces waste and builds community.

Reusing Items for Children

Circulating children's items among families increases their lifespan and reduces unnecessary purchases.

Flexible Eating Habits

She chooses what feels natural. She doesn't eliminate any foods, but she eats less beef because she doesn't enjoy it much and knows it has a higher climate impact.

Her philosophy is simple: do what works for your lifestyle, not someone else's.

Cultural Differences in Sustainability

Many listeners of Go Natural English live in the United States but grew up abroad. If that describes you, you may have noticed differences in:

• recycling habits

• how food is packaged

• energy use

• transportation

• diet choices

We would love to hear about your experiences and what surprised you when comparing sustainability practices around the world.

Key English Vocabulary for Talking About Climate Change

Because much climate information is published in English, we reviewed several useful terms.

Carbon footprint

The amount of greenhouse gases created by an activity.

Carbon neutral

No net increase in emissions; emissions are balanced by removals.

Renewable or clean energy

Energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Examples include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and sometimes nuclear.

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas. Dr. Alpert jokingly compared them to "burning dinosaurs."

Move the needle

To make a meaningful impact or measurable improvement.

In the same boat

Facing the same challenge or depending on the same shared resource.

Individual Actions and Leadership Actions

While individual choices matter, Dr. Alpert pointed out something important: You cannot expect one person to "save the world." Leadership and policy matter too.

So how do we hold leaders accountable?

• Voting, especially at the local level

• Joining conservation-minded organizations

• Speaking up through social media or letters

• Staying informed on local policies

• Supporting leaders who prioritize clean energy and sustainability

These steps make a meaningful difference.

Where to Learn More

Dr. Alpert recommends two easy places to start:

1. The book "Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie 📘 https://amzn.to/4nWcJ4L

2. A simple online search for "Guide to what you can do about climate change" She found this produces highly practical resources.

Her Approach in One Sentence

"Do your best and forget the rest."

Sustainability does not require perfection. It requires participation and consistency.

What Will You Try Next?

Is there one small action you feel inspired to try this week? Have you noticed differences in sustainability habits between countries?

Share your experience in the comments on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/OrspTd7eSyk

Your perspective might inspire someone else.

If you'd like more conversations like this—combining expert insights with practical English learning—follow the Go Natural English podcast for upcoming episodes.

Stop Giving Embarrassing Answers — Improve Your Speaking 133% with the D.N.A.S. Method

🗣️ Episode Description: Have you ever left an interview, meeting, or conversation thinking, "Ugh… why did I say it like that?" You're not alone. Even smart, well-educated professionals often sound less intelligent than they really are — not because of their ideas, but because of how they answer questions.

In this episode, Gabby Wallace (founder of Go Natural English) reveals her D.N.A.S. Method — a 4-step system that helps you organize your thoughts, speak clearly, and sound instantly more confident in English.

💡 What You'll Learn:

• Why most people give messy, disorganized answers (and how to fix it)

• The #1 secret to sounding smart and fluent — even under pressure

• How to answer questions confidently in interviews, meetings, and conversations

• The 4 steps of the D.N.A.S. Method: D = Direct answer N = Numbers to structure your points A = Anecdote or analogy S = Summary to finish strong

🎯 Whether you're speaking English at work, studying abroad, or leading a team — this episode will help you transform the way you communicate so people actually listen and respect your ideas.

✨ Full Lesson + Practice: Get the complete lesson, transcript, quiz, and worksheet here 👇 👉 https://gonaturalenglish.com/DNAS

🎧 Perfect for: ESL learners, professionals, interview prep, business communication, and anyone who wants to speak English clearly, confidently, and naturally.

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🗣 Business English for Negotiations — How to Say "No" Without Sounding Rude

Learn how to say "no" politely and confidently in English! In this Business English lesson, you'll discover 5 professional ways to say "no" without offending anyone — perfect for meetings, negotiations, and workplace conversations.

You'll learn my 5 C's Framework for polite refusals — practical phrases, real examples, tone tips, and short dialogues to sound confident in business English conversations.

🎯 What You'll Learn

✅ How to say "no" politely and professionally in English ✅ 5C's method: Check, Conditional Yes, Choice, Care, and Close ✅ Real negotiation dialogues for business situations ✅ Pronunciation and intonation to sound natural ✅ Why "no" earns respect — not rejection

💬 Useful Phrases

• "Let me check and get back to you by Friday."

• "We can do that if we extend the deadline."

• "That may not work, but what if we try this approach?"

• "I completely understand, but unfortunately that's beyond our budget."

• "I appreciate the offer, but we'll have to decline at this time."

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 – Why saying "no" is so hard 00:15 – Recovering from being a "yes" person 00:35 – Why saying no earns respect 01:13 – When to use the 5 C's method 01:28 – Let's get started 01:36 – Why this is an essential skill 02:03 – Introducing the 5 C's Framework 02:28 – Fluent Communication 5.0 invitation 03:00 – Cultural differences: what "no" means around the world 03:32 – Direct vs. indirect communication (US, Japan, Brazil) 04:46 – How to be politely direct 05:02 – C1: Check (Delay Technique) 05:40 – Example: responding to your boss 05:57 – Why "Check" buys you time 06:09 – C2: Conditional Yes 06:28 – Example: realistic negotiation condition 06:50 – C3: Choice (Offer an alternative) 07:03 – Example: different timeline 07:20 – C4: Care (Show empathy) 07:52 – Example: understanding the other person's stress 08:41 – C5: Close Firmly (Polite but clear "No") 09:13 – Use softeners like "just" or "at this time" 09:34 – Pronunciation: rising vs. falling tone 09:54 – Practice tone examples 10:12 – Role Play 1: Client asks for a discount 10:44 – Role Play 2: Boss asks for extra work 11:10 – Quiz & Recap of the 5 C's 12:40 – Why clear "no" = respect and confidence 13:00 – Next lesson preview: How to say "Yes" effectively 13:52 – Subscribe & join Fluent Communication 5.0 waitlist 14:08 – Closing

🚀 Want to Speak Fluent, Confident Business English?

Join Fluent Communication 5.0 — my live coaching program for advanced English speakers who want to sound natural, intelligent, and persuasive in real business conversations. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here

🎥 Next Lesson: How to Sound Fluent in Job Interviews — Advanced Phrases and Answers 📩 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss it!

Episode keywords: business english, how to say no politely, polite english phrases, english for professionals, english at work, negotiation english, english communication skills, business english conversation, how to refuse politely, english fluency training, english conversation practice, professional english speaking, fluent communication, gonaturalenglish, english lessons for advanced learners

Too many talented, experienced professionals get overlooked at work—not because they aren't qualified, but because they stay quiet. In this episode, Gabby Wallace from Go Natural English shares 10 powerful phrases you can use to speak up in meetings, express your opinions confidently, and get noticed for the capable person you truly are.

You'll learn how to join a fast-paced conversation, agree or disagree politely, ask clarifying questions, and summarize key points without sounding nervous or rude. Whether you're an intermediate or advanced English learner—or even a native speaker—these practical expressions will help you sound more natural, professional, and self-assured in any business setting.

Plus, Gabby explains why speaking up (even with mistakes) is far better than staying silent, how to use small attention-getting words like "well" and "um" to hold the floor, and why confident communication is essential for career growth in English-speaking workplaces.

If you're ready to stop being overlooked and start being heard, this episode is for you.

Join the English Insiders waitlist for advanced lessons, feedback, and community practice at gonaturalenglish.com/insiders.

New episodes every week. Subscribe, share, and keep growing your authentic English fluency with Go Natural English.