More Than English Podcast (Business English Fluency)

What's the difference between a reason and an excuse? Sometimes, we HAVE reasons for not doing what we need to do, and sometimes we MAKE excuses. If we understand the difference, it can help us be more productive in our day. In this episode, Jesse is going to explore these questions and share his opinion about the difference. Do you agree with him? Share your comments and your opinion.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

Do you have ten minutes a day to practice or improve something? At the end of six days, you will have practised for an hour. We can all find ten minutes a day to practice something. First, decide something to improve. Second, take 10 minutes a day to CONSISTENTLY practice this thing. Next, once you are consistently practising this thing every day, figure out specific areas for this skill. Follow these steps, and you will improve in this skill and as a person.

If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

Learning a language isn't much different than learning a sport, an instrument, or how to do anything—repetition repetition repetition. You will perform how you practice. In this episode, Jesse talks about studying English differently. Please focus on the muscle memory with your brain and mouth to get used to doing it the right way. Jesse gives some tips and examples for you to practice this on your own or with your teacher. If you would like to study with Jesse, visit sweedacademy.com and sign up for a lesson.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

Happy Halloween! It's Halloween when recording this, and it's a time for strange and spooky stories. Something strange and spooky happened to me a few years ago, and I want to share this story with you on this episode. I will tell you about the time I saw a ghost in my room, what I did, and how it felt to experience this thing. Listen for new vocabulary and expressions during my story and use them in your stories. 

If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

I have to fix what I said last week. I tried doing what I asked you to do, and I realized how to make it BETTER! Follow me and create ONE goal for yourself and plans of action. Last week, I had assigned you to write three goals for yourself. However, after doing that assignment MYSELF, I realized that creating three goals might be too much for you. Instead, focus on ONE goal and plans of action to accomplish that goal. Your goal should be: - specific - you can check off yes/no if you did it - concrete - include an amount or time frame - realistic Jesse talks about this and more in this episode of the More Than English Podcast.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

I want to take you through a typical first lesson with one of my students. Typically, for a first lesson, we look at your goals. Let's look at your goals. I will teach you how to set goals and use English to make a plan to accomplish those goals. This will be an interactive episode, so I'd like you to get a pen and a piece of paper to get ready to write down your goals. Also, take a photo of your goals and tag me on Instagram @SweedAcademy You don't have to make 3 goals. If you only have one goal, do these exercises for that goal!

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

Let's talk about the most common thing that holds learners back from learning something new or improving something... self-belief. In other words, CONFIDENCE. If you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right. This is what I want to talk with you about today. I will share a student's story and help you in your confidence because, believe it or not, you know more than you think you know. You're better than you think you are. You can do more than you think you can. 

If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

It's always important to get off to a good start and make an excellent first impression. However, starting a conversation is often very difficult and makes us nervous. In this episode, I want to share some strategies, tips, and expressions to use when you want to start a conversation with somebody. After the episode, we will have an English lesson and look at the expressions, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Learn these, practise these, and use these next time you want to start a new conversation.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

Do you feel like you're not improving in your English? There are many complicated parts of English that students find very difficult. Maybe you're studying grammar, vocabulary, phrasal verbs, expressions, verb tenses, and other details in English. In this episode, Jesse teaches you a trick to try when you get stuck with your English and feel like you're not improving. The secret is. Less is More. Focus on only one grammar point, vocabulary, or expression you're having trouble with and become obsessed with that for one week. Jesse will go into further detail with this in this episode.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 is "The Long Turn", or as many students say it, "The Hell Turn." I asked Dr Peter Crosthwaite to share tips and advice to succeed on this part of the speaking exam. He will give you study tips to prepare for the exam, advice and things to say, and some common mistakes to be careful for and not do or say on your speaking exam. If you are preparing for a speaking exam, this advice is a must-listen. At Sweed Academy, you will see a listening quiz to go with the conversation. At the end of our conversation, we have natural English conversation and banter to help your REAL English listening.

 If you still feel stuck in your English progress, apply for a FREE Level and Goals Assessment Call.