Speak English podcast with teacher Georgiana

#136 English phrasal verbs with GET – ESL (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hello, everybody! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. In this episode: I’ll be discussing some more about some of the most common phrasal verbs. After that, you’ll be able to practice your grammar skills with an interesting Point of View lesson. Ok, let’s continue with the phrasal verbs. A phrasal verb is just a verb and a particle. For example, “get in.” If you haven’t checked out the first episode about phrasal verbs, please do it. Remember, you only need to learn the most frequently used phrasal verbs. Also, instead of learning all the different meanings of each phrasal verb, simply learn one or two common meanings. Ok, let’s get started! Today, we’ll play a bit with “get.” Get along / get on Do you have friends? Then, you’ll probably use this phrasal verb. It means to like each other. For example: I’m surprised how well I get along with my mother-in-law. The older and younger members get along well. I get along very well with foreign people. You can also use “get on” instead of “get along.” It’s exactly the same meaning. For example: I’m surprised how well I get on with my mother-in-law. The older and younger members get on well. I get on very well with foreign people. Go back / Come back / Get back Sometimes these phrasal verbs are confusing for the English students. First, let’s see the difference between ‘go’ and ‘come.’ An example: Please, Jim, come here. I need to talk to you. Please, Jim, go to the supermarket to buy some food. As you can see, when Jim approaches you, he “comes.” When Jim doesn’t approach you and goes somewhere else, he “goes.” Now let’s add the word ‘back’: Jim, come back from the supermarket. I’ve just ordered a pizza. In this first example, Jim is at the supermarket and returns to where he was before. Another example: Tomorrow, Jim will have to go back to the supermarket to buy more food. In the second example, Jim goes to the supermarket again. He went the day before. As you can see, adding the word ‘back’ emphasizes the idea that you go again to a place or you come again from a place. So, how about “get back“? It has virtually the same meaning. Here’s not so important if you go or if you come. It sounds a bit more informal. We didn’t get back from the movies until midnight. Call me when you get back. I visited my uncle in France two years ago, and I can’t wait to get back! #136 Phrasal Verbs with GET in English (rep) – ESL READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#134 How to talk about money in English – Warren Buffett (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hello, everybody! I am Georgiana your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques. Today I will talk about one of the wealthiest people in the world. His name is Warren Buffett. Born in 1930 in Nebraska, Buffet is a fascinating character because of his inspiring story. As a child, Buffett showed interest in stocks. He was writing stock prices on the board in his father’s office. His father was a stockbroker and future congressman. And while nowadays most children play video games, Warren bought his first stock was at the age of 11 and filed his first taxes at age 13. Because like many children of the Great Depression, Buffett grew up to respect the value of money. He became so frugal that when he moved to New York to attend business school, he lived at the YMCA to save money. “YMCA” is short for the Young Men’s Christian Association. I also used the word “frugal,” which refers to someone careful when using money or food. For example: a frugal lifestyle. a frugal meal of bread and soup. However, you can replace the word “frugal” with the words “economical” or “sparing.” Let’s continue. Buffett started working at the age of 13 as a paperboy delivering newspapers in the morning and afternoon. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, he enrolled in Columbia School of Business, where he graduated with a Master of Science in Economics. Only five years after his graduation, Warren started Buffett Partnership Ltd. (END OF THE EXTRACT). Get the FULL TEXT on my website: https://SpeakEnglishPodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana #134 How to talk about money in English – Warren Buffett (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#133 Summer Vacation Vocabulary in English ESL (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hello, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques. In today's episode, I'll give you some tips on how to spend your summer vacation, and you'll speak English with a mini-story. Before I go any further, I'd like to thank you for listening. I'm also a language learner, and I can identify with you and your goals, so I want to help you. Do you know how you can help me? It would be great if you could share my podcast with your friends or write a review on iTunes, YouTube, or my Facebook page. OK! Let's start! Time passes so quickly. I can't believe it's already August! And speaking of time, this is the last episode of the season. I'm going to take a short vacation to rest. But don't worry because I'm going to upload a selection of episodes from other seasons so you can continue practicing your English. So, I'll be back in September with new, highly refreshing content. But in today's episode, I thought it might help you think about what activities you can do during the summer vacation. So, let's see what you could do during this vacation: Connecting with nature A very healthy activity that you can do is to go to a natural spot and enjoy nature. The idea is to relax and forget about exams or deadlines. Of course, you can take the opportunity to do a little exercise by going for a walk. Ideally, you should find a place without too many people, especially children. I am sure that in your country there are many places where you can quietly enjoy nature. Wandering around the city Ok, if you get bored with so much nature, you can do the opposite. You can wander around the city where we live. The word "wander" means to walk without a specific destination. The idea is to rediscover the city where you live. Just let yourself be carried away and contemplate where your steps take you. We don't do this kind of activity daily because we are always in a hurry. But now you have a good excuse. Sleeping under the stars Ok, I know this sounds very romantic, but I believe that if the weather is pleasant, it is worth spending a night contemplating the night sky while we sleep. But remember that the sun comes up very soon and that you won't be able to sleep much with so much light. The advantage is that you will be able to see the sunrise as well. Watch classic movies Today, we are very used to watching the latest series and movies, although we shouldn't forget about classic films. So, it's a good time to rediscover films that marked an entire era. The quality won't be 4k, but you'll find real gems if you watch films from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, for example. Well, these were my modest suggestions for your summer vacation. Obviously, you can opt for the usual, and go to the beach and get tanned. You can also take the opportunity to travel to another country. I like both: I want to relax on the beach, but I also want to discover a new city as a tourist. And before I continue with a mini-story, I'd like to answer a common question. I'll briefly explain the difference between my courses and the podcast. I offer the episodes of the podcasts for free so that students all over the world become familiar with my method. My English courses are separated from the podcast, and they are complete programs designed to improve fluency through stories, with the question & answers and point of view lessons. Initially, the lessons are easier, and the difficulty increases little by little. The first lessons are shorter, and I speak a little more slowly. This way, you will adapt better to the whole program. In addition to that, you have a step-by-step guide so that you can get the most out of my courses. For more information about my courses, go to: courses.SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Ok. Let's continue with a mini-story. End of the extract. Read the transcript here: https://speakenglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana

#131 How to avoid awkward conversations in English (ESL) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today, in this episode: We’re going to continue to see some bad strategies that I don’t recommend in conversations. Next, you will practice some grammar in an intuitive way with a point of view lesson. Okay, let’s start! If you remember, last week, we saw some unwise ways to interact in a conversation. Today we are going to continue with more things that we should not say or do when you have a conversation in English. This is what we saw in the previous episode: – Talking about the weather. – Not listening to the other person. – Talking too fast, too softly, not articulating well, or not pausing. Talking about negative things. Talking about boring things. And my favorite: messing up. Remember, I told you how easy it is to mess up? That’s why we always have to be careful. If you didn’t listen to the previous episode, I suggest you do it along with this one. Cool! Let’s look at some more bad strategies. This way, you can avoid having uncomfortable conversations in the future. Interrupt others. Interrupting someone always has its risks, especially in more formal settings or with people we don’t know. I don’t like being interrupted at all, especially since I can lose track of what I was saying. This means that sometimes I don’t remember exactly what I was going to say. Of course, the worst thing is when they interrupt you to change the subject. Sometimes you just want to finish what you want to say, but they won’t let you. Imagine you’re telling a joke, and someone interrupts you. That completely ruins the moment. Okay, let’s move on to the next one: Always wanting to be right. It’s a classic. We always want to be right, even with strangers. We always know best. However, it’s better to be diplomatic and not try to impose on others. Sometimes someone says something we know is not true. We have to evaluate whether it is worth correcting that person or simply expressing our disagreement. It all depends on the type of relationship we have with that person and whether different opinions are accepted. Of course, if it is a brainstorming session, different points of view must be expressed. After all, this is the goal of the exercise. Speak English Now Podcast with teacher Georgiana #131 How to avoid awkward conversations in English (ESL) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#132 The differences between Bring, Carry, Take, and Fetch (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Hi, dear listener! I’m Georgiana, founder of the Speak English Now podcast. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier when you use the right material and techniques. Do you know the difference between the words “bring,” “carry,” “fetch,” and “take?” If the answer is no, this is going to be a very useful episode for you. I’ll start by explaining the meaning of each of these terms with some examples. And in the second part of this lesson, you are going to practice your speech with a funny mini-story. If you are new here, visit my website to get the transcript of today’s episode. Go to: speakenglishpodcast.com If you’re already familiar with this podcast, please share it with your friends and family. That would make me very happy! Tell your friends that the show is available everywhere on the internet. It’s available on my website and many podcast apps like Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc. Just look for “Speak English Now with Georgiana,” and start learning English with me!” Ok! Let’s begin this new episode! When do we use the word “BRING”? 1) “Bring” means to conduct something/someone to come with, to, or toward the speaker. Examples: “Jason, please bring me a beer.” “He brought his brother to the hospital.” When do we use the word TAKE? 2) “Take” means taking something/someone away from where you are, or when the person making the request is NOT at the intended destination.” Examples: “Am I allowed to take library books home with me?” “Can I take you to the movies tonight?” “Could you take these files to Jame’s office?” The following examples will help you to remember the differences between “bring” and “take“: Examples: “You bring something/someone here, and you take something there. “ “You bring something/someone toward a person, and you take something away from a person.” So far, so good? Ok. Let’s continue. When do we use the word CARRY? 3) To “carry” means to move while holding something/someone, in a vehicle, in our hand or body. We use it when the person making the request is NOT at the intended destination. Examples: “Bill, would you please carry my suitcase?” “Tom is carrying me in his arms.” (END OF THE EXTRACT). #132 The differences between Bring, Carry, Take, and Fetch (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#121 Speak English Podcast Global Pandemic part 1 READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Hi everyone! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Hello, dear students, I hope you're well. I am alright, and I have prepared a special episode for you. - We will practice expressions and vocabulary related to the recommendations of health authorities on how to limit the spread of this global pandemic. We will also practice fluency with a new mini-story by using the term "should," among other structures. As I'm sure you know, a global pandemic is affecting the health of many people and also our daily lives. I had planned to do another topic this week, but I think it's worth talking about this instead so that we can learn and practice relevant vocabulary. I thought it would be a good idea to review the indications and recommendations that health authorities give us to prevent the spread of the virus. So in today's episode, we're going to learn some useful and relevant stuff. Before continuing, and as a disclaimer, the only purpose of the episode is to learn English, not give medical advice. Today's episode is not intended as medical instruction or guidance. For any questions or concerns, please contact a doctor or the health authorities in your country. Okay, now we continue :) Wash your hands I'm sure you've heard many times how important it is to wash your hands patiently. Apparently, you have to spend at least 20 seconds washing your hands. Yeah, I know 20 seconds seems like a lot, but you should do it just in case. We have to wash every single finger and not forget the fingertips. It is especially important to wash regularly and particularly after coughing and sneezing. Soap and water are the most effective. Alcohol-based disinfectant gels can also be used, but it is preferable to use soap instead. Avoid touching your face. I often touch my face without realizing it, and this is not good. We can become infected if we touch our face, especially when we have previously touched a contaminated surface. In particular, try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Some people have a habit of biting their nails. Please try not to do that. In any case, wash your hands. Cover your mouth. An important aspect when we sneeze or cough is to cover our mouth. A tissue is enough, but if we don't have one, we can cough or sneeze into our sleeve. If we do this in the air, we will be releasing the virus into the same space the others are breathing. Therefore, we have to be cautious. Keep your distance from other people. Maintain a distance of at least 3 feet (0.91 m) from other people. If you or someone else is sneezing or coughing, you should keep even more distance. As a matter of common sense, the less contact we have with other people, the better. Every country is taking similar measures, so we have to respect what the authorities say. Wearing a mask I think wearing a mask is important, but I've seen people walking down the street practically alone and wearing masks. You only need to wear a mask if you are caring for an infected person and if you have a cough or sneeze often. Remember that we have to combine this with the above measures. Ah! And remember to wash your hands before touching the mask. When traveling With everything that is happening, I recommend not to travel. Besides, there are so many controls, and some countries are even closing their borders. If you really need to travel, take some masks and gloves with you in case you need them. And try to cooperate with the police and all the airport staff. These people are probably more tired than you are, so it is best to try to help by following their instructions. When you cook When we handle food, for example, when we prepare it before cooking, it is important to disinfect the surfaces where we put it. Also, clean all utensils, such as knives. And although it is obvious to remember... wash your hands before doing anything. When should you seek medical attention? Finally, if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, it is best to seek medical attention. Call as soon as possible. Also, if you are over 60 years old and have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or a respiratory condition, you should take the precautions described above and try to avoid spaces with other people. I hope this lesson has been useful, especially for learning English. Hopefully, all this will pass soon, and we can get back to normality. #121 Global Pandemic – About the Recommendations global pandemic, doctor vocabulary in English, going to the doctor in English, health vocabulary in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#122 Speak English podcast Global Pandemic Read the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Podcast with Georgiana Hi everyone! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Hi! How are you? Given the circumstances, I’m fine. I hope it’s the same with you too. As you know, there is currently a pandemic affecting us globally. And in the previous episode, I talked about the recommendations of the authorities. Today I want to make some personal suggestions on how to spend time during confinement. And with a fun mini-story, you can practice your spoken English. You’ll see. It’s very effective. By answering many questions, you can practice and improve your speech, just like in a real conversation. If you haven’t listened to the last week’s episode yet, visit my website speakenglishpodcast.com and search for episode #121. Let’s start! How to cope with this situation? What to do during the confinement? While staying informed is very important, it is better to take a break from time to time. It’s not a good idea to always be watching the news, and especially on social media. In any case, hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be disturbing. Take care of your body. Although you can’t go for a walk like you used to, I suggest you at least stretch a bit. If you’re like me and you like pilates or yoga, this would be an excellent time to do some exercises. Also, if you have a stationary bike or a stepper, they will become your best friends. In general, make sure you take care of your body. Eating healthy and doing some exercise will help you think clearly and thus, cope much better with this situation. Communication is more important than ever Call your friends and family, and spend some time talking to them and not just about the pandemic. In the last few weeks, I’m spending more time than ever talking to my friends, even the ones I only talk to at Christmas. Everybody feels like talking lately. Yesterday I went to take the dog for a short walk, and all my neighbors said hello, and I’m sure some of them weren’t even my neighbors, which doesn’t usually happen. I’m used to seeing people checking their cell phones, but lately, everyone wants to walk and talk. Remain positive When faced with significant challenges, especially if they are unexpected, it’s very easy to become discouraged. But I don’t recommend it because it will only make you feel overwhelmed. Whenever there is an obstacle, try to see it as an opportunity to grow. It’s a chance to become a stronger human being, to be resilient. Yes. Resilient. It’s when you need to recover quickly from difficult conditions. Avoid any stimulants. In these situations, avoid taking any stimulants. And coffee is one of them. You’ll have to drink infusions or water for a while. Keeping yourself hydrated will always help you feel better. Make jokes and laugh. Something happens to me when I get nervous. I start giggling, but unintentionally. I know it seems weird, but it’s not just because I have a great sense of humor. It turns out that laughter releases hormones that calm you down and allow you to be in control. Get some rest Take all the time you need to relax and stop thinking about the problems. I try to get some extra sleep in these circumstances. After I rest, I get my strength back, and I can see things from another perspective. I see things more clearly. Not getting enough sleep will not only damage your health, but you won’t be able to think clearly. And it’s tough to stay calm when you can’t think clearly. If you can’t sit still, you can stretch a bit, read a book or watch a movie. Whatever you choose. I hope this lesson will be useful for learning English, above all. I also wanted to help you get through the confinement. Let’s continue with a fun mini-story. #122 Global Pandemic – Things to do during confinement Read the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#130 Conversations in English (things you should not say in English) ESL READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today, in this episode Let’s look at some bad strategies and attitudes that don’t quite work in conversation. I mean, like having awkward conversations. Next, you’ll practice your fluency with a mini-story lesson—the best way to learn to speak English without translating mentally. Okay, let’s start with an important question: Do you think that you are too old to learn English? I have always thought that it is never too late to learn a language, and I have always had students of all ages using my method successfully. But a few days ago, I received an email from a student in Greece, saying something like this: Dear Georgiana, hello, I’m delighted to see your programs. I think you give your soul to every lesson. My mother tongue is Greek, and I am proud because our language has a positive contribution to the English vocabulary. I’m also proud that I try to improve my English even though I’m 94 years old. Georgiana, I encourage you to continue with your English lessons. I admire you! Erotokritos Thank you, dear Erotokritos, for your kind words. You are an inspiration for all of us. So, you see, I think I’ve made my point. It’s never too late to learn English. All right, have you ever been with someone and not know what to talk about? It’s happened to me sometimes. Every once in a while, we run into situations where it’s difficult to continue the conversation. One example is what happens in an elevator. Imagine that you meet a neighbor you hardly know, and a typical dialogue ends up going like this: —Good morning. —Good morning. —Going down? —Yes. — … — It’s cold today, isn’t it? — Yes, yes. It’s going to be like this all week, they say… — … As you can see, this conversation is not very intellectual. It’s more about avoiding silence, which can be uncomfortable. This doesn’t just happen in elevators but in all kinds of social interactions. I read recently that a silence of four seconds or more triggers anxiety. It doesn’t get any better when you have to speak in a language you are learning. You have even fewer resources to express yourself. #130 Conversations in English (things you should not say) ESL READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#128 English lesson on William Shakespeare ESL READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today I'm gonna keep talking about William Shakespeare. Last week you learned some interesting facts about his life, so I will continue sharing some exciting facts about him. What else do we know about Shakespeare? Well, one thing is for sure. Shakespeare's life was anything but boring. Did you know that we’re probably spelling Shakespeare's name wrong? We don't really know exactly how William Shakespeare wrote his name. There are almost 80 different versions of Shakespeare's name that appear in the records and other historical documents. You have to keep in mind that a lot of people were illiterate at that time. Let's learn some more about his life: His parents: His father's name was John Shakespeare, and he was a glove maker and leather worker. His mother, Mary Arden, was an heiress from a rich family. His parents were probably illiterate, like many other people at the time. And, it's very likely they never learned to read or write, as was often the case with people in their position. Shakespeare had seven siblings: Joan who only lived two months; Margaret; Gilbert, another Joan, Anne; Richard and also Edmund. Did you know that William Shakespeare’s Father Was Paid to Drink Beer? You might find this interesting, but John Shakespeare was appointed to one of the city's most important public offices: official beer taster. Another word for beer in English is ale. It may seem like a strange job today, but at the time, the ale tasting was an important and highly respected occupation. William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway Yes. I told you last week about this. What I didn't tell you is that Shakespeare was only 18 years old when he married an older woman who was three months pregnant at the time. They had three children: a daughter called Susanna, and twins, Judith and Hamnet. That’s right. Shakespeare’s only son was named Hamnet. And it is speculated that Shakespeare was inspired by his relationship with Hamnet to write Hamlet. Though sadly, Hamnet died when he was only eleven years old. As I said before, Shakespeare's life wasn't at all boring. Well, it turns out that William Shakespeare was quite mysterious because, in 1585, he disappeared from the records for about seven years. Historians refer to this part of the writer's life as "the lost years"... Did you know that Shakespeare never went to university? He began his proper education at the King Edward VI Grammar School at the age of seven. At the age of fourteen, young Shakespeare was forced to leave school because his father was in financial trouble. Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana #128 Speak English Now - William Shakespeare (part #2)- ESL

#129 Beautiful words in English – ESL READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Did you know that there are more than 1 million words in English? I know it’s hard to believe, so keep counting, I mean keep listening. 🙂 Hi, everyone! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today I will share with you 9 of the most beautiful words in English. And with the point of view story, you will learn grammar only by listening. Ok. Let’s start! In 2010, during a project to search for words in digitized books, researchers estimated a total of 1,000,000 words. Yeah, I was a bit surprized by this, too, but there’s an explanation for all this. First of all, you need to take into account that they have included different forms of the same word. Also, many words are archaic since they are not used in modern English. Speaking of archaic words, in the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, there are approximately 600,000 defined word forms. But that’s because it includes many old-fashioned words. And also, the dictionary expands every year to keep up with new words being invented. However, according to the BBC, the good news is that we only use about 170.000 words in English. Yeah. I know. It’s still a considerable number of words, but you don’t need to know all these words to be able to have a conversation in English. I actually believe it’s a mistake to keep track of the number of words you know. If you want to learn English effectively, remember how you learned your mother tongue. And let’s face it, you don’t know all the words that are included in the dictionary of your mother tongue. But that doesn’t stop you from speaking fluently and eloquently. Let’s not forget that words are a powerful form of communication. I have selected the ones that I consider to be the most beautiful out of all the words in English. 1. Cherish The word cherish means having a deep appreciation for something or someone. Example: “We all cherish our family, our home, our possessions, and I’m sure someone in your life cherishes you and the relationship they have with you.” 2. Demure We use the word demure when we refer to a person who is shy and polite. A demure outfit is a modest one. Examples: “The girl was dressed very demurely for the occasion.” “Her clothes were too demure for the occasion.” “The girl was demure.” 3. Ebullience Have you ever seen some puppies playing? The word that comes to mind is ebullience. Ebullience means excitement and enthusiasm. Just think of someone who is too noisy, almost euphoric. Example: “I remember that when you were a kid, you would always burst into the room with your usual ebullience, and talk to everyone.”4. Elegance I’m sure you’re smiling right now because this is a word you knew. However, it is still one of the most beautiful words in the English language. Examples: “When she entered the room, everyone was amazed at her elegance.” “We’ll deal with this matter with the utmost diplomacy and elegance.” #129 Beautiful words in English – ESL - Speak English Now READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#126 Why did you stop improving your English? READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Podcast with Georgiana Listen to a new episode of Speak English Now Podcast, your favorite material for practicing your spoken and heard English. You will also learn about lifestyle and culture, language, vocabulary, and how to improve your English more effectively. Transcript: Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. In today’s episode, I will talk about an issue that is of great concern to language students. It is the much-feared plateau. What is a plateau? A plateau happens when you stop your progress despite continuing to do “all the right things.” An interesting expression for this situation is: to hit a plateau. For example: “It seems I hit a plateau because I can’t see any progress with my English, and I’m still studying really hard!” More literally, a plateau is a large flat area of land. This definition makes total sense because if you are walking on a plateau, you are not going up or down. You stay at the same height. Plateaus are very common not only in learning a new language but in other areas—for example, a very common one is losing weight. Imagine that you’ve been on a diet and have lost some weight. But then, after two months, you stop losing weight. You’re still on a diet, but you’re not losing weight anymore. The main problem here is not the diet. It’s just that the body needs some time before it starts losing weight again. It has to adapt to the new situation. This type of situation is very tough because when we experience it for a while, we can easily lose motivation, and may end up giving up. It is essential to understand better why this happens so that we do not lose motivation and will to continue. I’m sure many of you have experienced this. When you started learning English, you were very motivated. You have spent a lot of time listening and answering questions, but now apparently, you are not experiencing any improvement. Usually, when we start listening or reading in the language we are studying, we notice a constant improvement in our level. Every day we learn new words, expressions, and structures. We are happy and pleased and want to keep learning more and more. This is a wonderful stage. After some time, we no longer notice a considerable improvement, although we still see small improvements. So we don’t worry too much and move on. But a bit later, our progress stagnates, and well, it’s when we start worrying. This situation makes us lose our motivation, and possibly, we are tempted to give up or at least postpone it, promising ourselves that we will continue to study with enthusiasm and motivation, but this seldom happens. The main reason this happens to us is simple. Our brain needs time to consolidate, structure, order, polish, and finally automate all this new knowledge. Learning a new language is not only about learning new words but also thinking differently. That’s why I always insist that you have to learn in context. This way, you can observe how words are used in a sentence, and that takes time. Think of it this way: when we learn math, we are using the conscious part of our brain to do calculations. To do this, we need to concentrate very hard. However, when we speak in our mother tongue, we can do this almost without attention and without effort. We can even do other kinds of activities while having a conversation. #126 Did you stop improving your English? Here’s why. READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#127 William Shakespeare English lesson READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today I’m going to talk about William Shakespeare and with a funny mini-story, you will practice your English speaking. Before I get started, let me thank you for listening to the podcast and for all your amazing comments on iTunes, Facebook, YouTube, and on my website. I also want to say hi to the Speak English Now community. OK. Now let’s get started! So, who was William Shakespeare, and why is he famous? You know, I find it very hard to believe that you’ve never heard of William Shakespeare, but just in case I’ll give you a brief introduction. Although most people believe that William Shakespeare is the most celebrated British writer of all time, only a few know that he was also an actor. And even though it’s been over 400 years since he died, people still celebrate his work all over the world. His plays were the most popular at the time, and I’m sure you’ve already heard of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Well, I guess now you know who I’m talking about. That’s great! Let’s continue! So what else do we know about Shakespeare? William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. We’re not really sure the exact day he was born, but we do know he was baptized on April 26 that same year. Did he get married? In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, and the couple went on to have three children. Wait a second. Anne Hathaway? Yes, Shakespeare’s wife’s name was Anne Hathaway. But obviously, I don’t mean the beautiful contemporary American actress. So, what else do we know about Shakespeare? We know he was a writer and wrote 37 plays. Shakespeare wrote histories about the lives of kings and famous figures from history. He also wrote comedies that end with a marriage and tragedies which end with the death of the main character. Shakespeare also wrote plenty of poetry and, published a book of 154 sonnets. #127 Who was William Shakespeare? esl English podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#125 Learn English with The Beatles - ESL (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Podcast with Georgiana Hi everyone! I am Georgiana, founder of speakenglishpodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today I’ll talk about the most famous band in the world. The Beatles! And you’ll practice your speaking with a funny mini-story. Have you ever listened to The Beatles? Actually, let me rephrase that. When was the first time you listened to a Beatles song? The Beatles are probably the most popular band in the history of music. They are considered by many to be the best band on Earth. The band was undoubtedly the most successful, with global sales exceeding 1.1 billion records. They were initially famous for their light pop music, although their later works achieved a combination of popular and critical acclaim, perhaps unprecedented in the 20th century. Beatlemania began in the UK and exploded after The Beatles appeared on a popular TV show in the US in 1964. The band became a worldwide phenomenon with adoring fans and hysterical adulation. The members of the group were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, all from England. John Lennon was a singer-songwriter and peace activist who co-founded The Beatles. Paul McCartney is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He has gained worldwide fame as a bassist and singer. George Harrison was a musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer who achieved international fame as The Beatles' lead guitarist. He was often referred to as "The Quiet Beatle." Ringo Starr is a musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who gained worldwide fame as a Beatles drummer. Have you ever heard of a 5th member of the band? I believe not many people know this, yet The Beatles had a fifth member named Stuart Sutcliffe. He was a Scottish-born painter and musician. He left the band to pursue his career as a painter. He and John Lennon are credited with inventing the name “Beetles.” He’s sometimes referred to as the "Fifth Beatle.” The really extraordinary thing is that the Beatles were constantly releasing new albums, and they got to have some of these songs on numbers 1, 2, and 3 at the same time. Despite the popularity of the name of the band in recent years is being debated about its correct spelling. For some years, editors from Wikipedia have been debating whether the article "the" should be uppercased when referring to the band. Is it "the" Beatles or "The" Beatles? All that really matters, I think, are the songs that have inspired millions of people all over the world. And these are my favorite songs from The Beatles: Help! Hey Jude Yesterday Here Comes the Sun She Loves You Drive my Car We Can Work It Out Get Back Twist and Shout Can’t Buy Me Love Please Please Me A Hard Day's Night Ticket to Ride I Want to Hold Your Hand Let It Be #125 Learn English with The Beatles esl (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#123 How Americans celebrate Easter in the USA (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Podcast with Georgiana Hello, everybody! I am Georgiana your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Today we’ll talk about something festive. Have you noticed that in springtime you go to your local supermarket, and you see chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs everywhere? Well, today I’ll talk about Easter and how Americans celebrate this holiday. And with a funny mini-story, you’ll practice your speaking while learning new things about the Easter holiday. What exactly are we celebrating at Easter? Each spring, people all over the world, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year we celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 21. Whenever Easter comes, everywhere you go, you’ll see from colorful eggs to Easter bunny cakes. Also, most people have a week off for Easter, so parties are organized to enjoy the occasion with family and friends. Certainly, Easter is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. And how else do Americans celebrate Easter? Apart from spending this holiday with friends and family, some people attend special services which are held in churches on Easter. And what’s with the eggs and the rabbits? Why are they a symbol of this holiday? Eggs and rabbits symbolize the rebirth and return to the fertility of nature in spring. The eggs are hard-boiled and decorated or made of plastic, candy, and of course, chocolate. #123 How Americans celebrate Easter in the USA (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#124 Learn English with Netflix (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana Hi, everyone! I’m Georgiana, founder of speakenglishpodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. In this episode, I’ll recommend you some of my favorite TV shows that will help you with your English. I’ll give you some useful tips on how to use Netflix to improve your English. And later, you’ll practice your English speaking with an exciting mini-story. Alright! Let’s start! Netflix has changed the way we spend our free time. We spend a lot more time watching our favorite shows, so why not use all this time to speed up the way we learn English too? English-language TV shows can quickly introduce you to authentic English and can help keep you motivated and entertained as you learn. In today's episode, I'll let you know how watching TV can help you improve your language skills. You’ll stop feeling guilty about watching TV! The next time your friends ask you what you did all weekend, you can proudly say that you spent all weekend watching TV. Here’s what you can do while you’re watching a TV show in English: 1)Always choose an English show which you are interested in watching. And always use subtitles in English. 2) To make it easier for you to start watching TV series which you’ve already watched in your own language. Since you already know the plot, you’ll spend more time focusing on the language. 3)Practice listening to different accents. The more you listen to different accents, the easier you’ll understand them. Remember to use subtitles in English. And because there are so many series worth watching nowadays, it’s hard to choose. I’ll start recommending my favorite series that can also help you to improve your speaking and to learn new vocabulary in English: SCIENCE FICTION Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) begins with the Enterprise-D crew tested by an omnipotent being known as Q. After successfully solving the mystery and avoiding disaster, the crew continues on their mission to explore strange new worlds, “to go where no man has gone before.” Star Trek: Discovery (2017-) follows Starfleet's travels in its quest to explore new planets and new life forms. It explores the war between the Federation and Klingon while following the crew of USS Discovery. Although it's hard to compare these two amazing series, I could mention that you'll find better special effects and much more action in the Star Trek Discovery series. I guess I like them both mainly because they're so different. DRAMA Mad Men (2007-2015) is a drama about one of New York's most prestigious advertising agencies in the early 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most talented advertising executives, Donald Draper. I simply loved this series! The costumes, the makeup, the hair, the sets. It's all a work of art! Ozark (2017-) is a dark and twisted series, and after every success, it seems that there's a failure. The main character flees Chicago with his family to escape a drug cartel, though, to his surprise, he finds a drug cartel in his new home in Missouri. Although many people could compare this series with Breaking Bad, I consider Ozark to be unique. Suits (2011-) focuses on Mike Ross, who's a brilliant college dropout, and begins working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's top lawyers forming a winning team. The series is very entertaining and can help you improve your English since it's easy to follow. Plus, the actors' pronunciation is very clear. House of Cards(2013-2018) is one of the best series ever produced. It’s about a congressman named Francis Underwood who begins to take revenge on those he feels have betrayed him. Together with his wife, Claire, they take Washington by storm. This series is certainly one of my favorites. Most of all, I love the main character played by Kevin Spacy. Outlander (2014-) is based upon author Diana Gabaldon's historical time travel book series of the same name. And tells the story of Claire Randall, a combat nurse who is mysteriously dragged in time until 1743, when she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a young Scottish warrior. Although it’s my favorite series, I only recommend it if you have an advanced level of English. COMEDY The Good Place (2016-) Is about four people and their common enemy from the other world who struggle in the afterlife to define what it means to be good. It’s a really funny series, and the dialogues are easy to understand. #124 Learn English with Netflix (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#120 Baking vocabulary in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi everyone! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. In today’s lesson, I’ll talk about baking. I’ll teach you how to bake my favorite blueberry muffins. So if you want to enrich your English vocabulary and try out my favorite muffin recipe, I suggest that you continue listening. And with a point of view lesson, you will improve your English grammar intuitively without memorizing any rules. Unbelievable! Today is episode 120. That means you get over 120 free English lessons. If my podcast helps you, be sure to share it with your friends. That would mean a lot to me. Thank you. Remember! You can get the transcript at speakenglishpodcast.com. Ok, let’s start! I don’t know about you, but I love baking. And the easiest recipe I know, and the one my friends like best, is blueberry muffins. People are very used to eating all sorts of pastries that contain an incredible amount of sugar, yet one of the things they love most about my cakes is the fact that I add very little sugar. That’s why I started baking. I’m not too fond of pies with a lot of sugar either. So today, I’m going to share with you my blueberry muffin recipe. Are you excited? Oh, I’m sure that if you try these muffins, you’re gonna love them. If you’ve never heard the word muffin, then you probably know the term cupcake. A cupcake is very similar to a muffin, but it is always sweet and often covered with frosting. Wait a minute, what’s frosting? It’s a sweet mixture that we use to decorate and fill cakes. Muffins, on the other hand, are generally considered healthier than cupcakes. They are usually made with whole wheat flour and loaded with fruit. It is not easy to describe how a muffin looks, but the only real difference between a slice of cake and a muffin is the shape. But just to give you an idea, a muffin looks like an oversized mushroom. It’s very easy to make them. It doesn’t matter if you’re a master chef or if you never set foot in the kitchen. And all you need is 30 minutes, 10 minutes of preparation, and cook for 20 minutes. And don’t worry because you won’t even need a food processor. A food processor is an electric machine that cuts, slices, and mixes food quickly. But in this case, you will only need a mixing bowl. Before we start cooking, let’s take a look at the ingredients we need for the muffins. This is an essential step. You have to make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start baking. This will speed up the preparation and ensure that no ingredients are missing. This has happened to me more than once. The other day I wanted to make a carrot cake, and I was pretty sure I had some carrots in the refrigerator. It turns out that there weren’t any carrots in the fridge, so I had to shop for groceries, and that ruined the moment. Before we go any further, let’s get a little better understanding of how we measure the ingredients. In the US, we use cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons in our recipes. To follow this recipe, you’ll need some measuring cups and spoons. You can get them online or in your local store. Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana #120 Baking and cooking vocabulary in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#119 Makeup vocabulary in English - Speak English Podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi everyone! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. In today's lesson, I'll talk about makeup. I've decided to introduce some basic vocabulary related to makeup products. So if you want to enrich your English vocabulary, I suggest that you continue listening. Make sure you don't miss the mini-story. It will help you improve your English speaking, and you will have a great time. Remember! You can get the transcript at speakenglishpodcast.com. Ok, let's start! Let's see what beauty products we need for a basic look. Most women want to be ready in 5 minutes and depending on the time that I have, or the occasion, I spend between 5 and 30 minutes doing my makeup. If you are a makeup lover, you know that there are countless makeup products. So, remember that in this episode, I will focus on the basics. Ok, so, what's the first step? Before I start, I'd like to mention some essential points like, how do we apply makeup? What makeup tools do we need for that? There are so many options, but don't worry; I promise to keep it simple. There are at least two makeup tools that you need to have in your collection: makeup brushes, and at least one makeup sponge, (also called a blender.) Depending on the product you want to apply, you'll choose the right makeup tool. Just keep in mind that many of the beauty items that I will mention come in a variety of textures. The most common ones are powder, liquid, cream, and gel. So, let's start our makeup routine. Remember, you only have 5 minutes! The foundation, as its name indicates, is where we apply the rest of the beauty products. It's a makeup product very similar to a cream, except that it should have the same color as your skin. We apply it all over the face or only on the spots where we choose to hide imperfections. Concealer is a very similar product, but we use it to hide the dark circles under the eyes that make us look tired. After applying foundation, we need to add some products on the cheeks: Bronzer is a product that gives the impression that we've been in the sun the whole weekend. I would say that nowadays, it's the most loved makeup product together with the highlighter. Wait a minute! What’s a highlighter? It’s a cosmetic product that reflects light. It gives a youthful glow to the face and body. Another thing that I like to apply is blush. This beauty product adds redness to the cheeks. It comes in a variety of colors like pink, peach, red, that imitate a natural flush. Speak English Now Podcast with Georgiana #119 Beauty and Makeup vocabulary in English - Speak English Now Podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#118 Valentine’s Day in the USA - Speak English Podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com "Do you love me?" “I love you more than the cookie monster loves cookies.” Happy Valentine's Day, everybody! I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. In today’s episode, I will talk about Valentine’s Day in the United States. And with a mini-story you will improve your English speaking. Remember! You can get the transcript at speakenglishpodcast.com. Ok. Let’s get started! Although it is a very commercial holiday, Valentine's Day has a fascinating history that goes back to ancient Rome! In the United States and other parts of the world, people celebrate February 14 by giving away candy hearts and red roses. Historians believe that Valentine's Day originated in ancient Rome as a pagan fertility festival. But despite its origins, in 1300, it officially became a holiday associated with love and romance. The Roman Pope officially declared February 14, "Valentine's Day." It was then associated with love because many believed that birds began their mating season on February 14. There was more than one St. Valentine. There have been multiple St. Valentines throughout history, like a bishop and a pope. But the most common one was the one who challenged Emperor Claudius II. Back then, Claudius had forbidden marriage because he thought it would distract young soldiers. However, Valentine disapproved, so he illegally married couples until he was captured. After he was convicted, young couples would visit his cell and give him flowers and cards. It’s said that he died on February 14. Let’s see how Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day nowadays. Since 1840 sending cards became a tradition and Americans send out 145 million Valentine's Day cards every year. Americans spend a lot of money on Valentine’s Day About 50% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day and spend about $19 billion a year, and over $2 billion on candy alone. That’s a lot of money, right? But do you know where most of the money goes? Americans spend almost 5 billion dollars on jewelry on Valentine's Day! They also spend more than $3.7 billion on going out at night, followed by flowers, clothes, and candy. Ok. Now let’s get a bit romantic. Nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine's Day. As it turns out, Valentine's Day was voted the best day of the year to get engaged. Because what better day to propose than a day devoted to love and romance? For me, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to tell others how important they are in my life. And what does Valentine's Day mean to you? Ok! Let’s continue with a mini-story. #118 Valentine’s Day in the USA - Speak English Now Podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#116 English Proverbs and their meaning READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques. Today, I’ll teach you some English proverbs. If you don’t know what proverbs are, continue listening. And with a story, you will improve your grammar intuitively but without memorizing any rules! Remember! You can get the transcript of this episode at speakenglishpodcast.com. Ok. Let’s get started! First of all, what’s a proverb? A proverb is a popular saying that highlights the basic facts of life. Some of them are quite serious, although others are very funny. Just like idioms, proverbs often have a greater meaning. It’s not just individual words put together. Great. So, what's the difference between an expression and a proverb? Many English learners find it hard to learn idioms, and that's because they don't usually make literal sense. Proverbs, on the other hand, are easier to guess, although their significance is greater, usually more philosophical. Let’s learn some proverbs: 1) Growing old is mandatory. Growing up? Definitely optional. Oh, yeah! This first one is quite philosophical, and especially those who are growing old understand the meaning of this proverb. While our body inevitably ages, our behavior doesn’t need to change. We can be young forever :) 2) Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it. Usually foolish people don’t take any advice, otherwise they wouldn’t be foolish. Right? 3) Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. Another wise proverb. Our lives are short, so it’s best to observe how other’s make mistakes and learn from them. That's why we don't need to try everything ourselves. For example, we have been told that fire burns, so we don’t stick our hands in the oven when it is at a high temperature. Right? 4) There is no difference between a wise man and a fool when they fall in love. Yes, it's true. We're all fools when we fall in love, so I guess this proverb is true. No matter how smart or wise you think you are, in the face of love you're just a poor fool. :) #116 Speak English Now podcast - English proverbs READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#117 Don't say I Think - Speak English Podcast READ the TRANSCRIPT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques. Do you often find yourself saying "I think" in a conversation? Well, today I'll teach you some new expressions that will enrich your English vocabulary and make you sound smarter. Remember! You can get the transcript of this episode at speakenglishpodcast.com. Ok. Let’s get started! Hey, everybody! I'm back with a new episode. Unfortunately, I couldn't record a new episode last week because I had a cold. So, how are you? I hope you're okay. Leave some comments on Facebook, on my YouTube channel, or on my website to let me know how you're doing. Let's start with today's topic. When we learn a new language, and we don't yet master much vocabulary, so we tend to repeat the same expressions over and over again. And even if people understand what you say, if you want to sound more like a native speaker, you need to expand your English vocabulary. For example, as an English teacher, I have noticed that some English students tend to abuse the phrase "I think". Don't get me wrong, there's nothing terrible about starting a conversation like that, but it's always better to learn new expressions. So, instead of repeating, "I think," just give your opinion and say: "In my opinion." For example: 1)"In my opinion, you should stop memorizing grammar rules and listen to easy English audios." "Tom likes you too much, in my opinion." As you can see, we can either place the expression at the beginning of a sentence or at the end. Another way to start a conversation is by using the expression "If you ask me." 2) "If you ask me Don't take this sentence literally. You can use this expression even though no one's asked you your opinion. It's just another way of saying what you think without using the word "think." Example: "If you ask me, he doesn't seem like a reliable worker." "She’s just a bit crazy if you ask me." 3) Instead of saying, "I think," just say, "The way I see it." As you probably guessed, we don't use this expression literally. It has nothing to do with someone's ability to see something. We use it to give our opinion. Example: "The way I see it, you should get a job as soon as possible." "It’s the best thing that could ever happen to you, the way I see it." 4) Another great expression would be, "As far as I can see / As far as I’m concerned." Example: “As far as I can see, he has done nothing wrong yet.” "That’s your own problem, as far as I can see." "He can leave anywhere he wants as far as I’m concerned." 5) And if you want to be really honest about something, start your sentence by saying: "I honestly believe." Examples: "I honestly believe that she’s not the right candidate for this position." "I honestly believe the worst is over." "Do you honestly believe he’s gonna quit his job?" Tell things from your point of view: 6) From my point of view "From my point of view, you already have enough money." "He has already done enough damage, from my point of view." "It’s a great idea, from my point of view, to go on vacation next summer." 7) I assume When you assume something, you accept something to be true without question or proof. Examples: "I assume David’s not coming to the meeting." "You already invited him to the wedding, I assume." 8) I consider "Although no progress has been made, I consider the outcome is positive." "I consider she helped her family to overcome their financial difficulties." 9)It seems to me Examples: "It seems to me that he’s not an honest guy." "It seems to me that things are gonna change very soon." 10) As far as I can tell. We use this expression to tell someone what you believe to be true, based on what you've learned so far. Examples: As far as I can tell, you’re not in a position to ask for explanations. "He’s a good father, as far as I can tell." Let's listen to the expressions one more time: In my opinion If you ask me The way I see it As far as I can see/as I’m concerned I honestly believe From my point of view I assume I consider It seems to me As far as I can tell Now we've come to the most exciting moment of the episode. Yes, I got a mini-story for you so you can practice your speaking. #117 Stop saying “I Think” - Speak English Now Podcast READ the TRANSCRIPT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#113 Christmas Holidays Vocabulary in English (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Listen to a new episode of Speak English Now Podcast, your favorite material for practicing your spoken and heard English. You will also learn about lifestyle and culture, language, vocabulary, and how to improve your English more effectively. Transcript: “Welcome to the Speak English Now podcast. With your host Georgiana. The podcast that will help you to speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.” Hi everyone! I’m your English teacher Georgiana, founder of speakenglishpodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. In this episode, I’ll talk about the Christmas holidays. And after that, you’ll practice your English speaking with an exciting mini-story about a man dressed in red. Alright! Let’s start! Ah! It’s Christmas at last! I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year. I start to think about what presents to give to my family and friends. Normally, I make a list, so I don’t forget anyone. Can you imagine forgetting someone? That would be terrible! That’s why I start very early to plan what presents to give to everyone. Finding the right gift for someone can be difficult, so what I usually do is search online for gift ideas. And buying online helps me avoid holiday crowds. To really feel the Christmas spirit, I like preparing a pot with a delightful scent using orange, cinnamon, apple cider, and clove. I let everything boil throughout the day so that the fragrance spreads throughout the house. At this time of year, I also love to listen to Christmas songs. I can recommend some popular Christmas songs: “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. “Last Christmas” by Wham! “Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It Snow!” by Frank Sinatra. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms. and something from Michael Bublé’s Christmas album. Plus, I enjoy placing Christmas lights and decorations. I sometimes use social media to find unique decorations. Did you know that some Americans use popcorn threaded on a string to help decorate their Christmas Tree? Or that in New England, you can find some shops called “Christmas Shops.” There they sell Christmas decorations and toys throughout the entire year! #113 English Podcast - Christmas Holidays Vocabulary 2019 (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#115 English Pronunciation Training with Tongue Twisters Get the transcript at https://SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast

#112 The word Look in English - Speak English podcast READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, everyone! I'm Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. Today you will learn how to replace the word "look" in a sentence if you want to be more concise. I'll give you an example, depending on the context. In the previous episodes, I gave several examples of terms or expressions that you may use instead of "look". So make sure that you listen to the earlier episodes as well. By the way, if you are new here, visit my website to get the transcript of today's episode. Go to: speakenglishpodcast.com If you're already familiar with this show, please share it with your friends and family. That would make me very happy! Tell your friends that my podcast is available everywhere on the internet. You can find it on my website and many podcast apps like Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc. Just look for "Speak English Now with Georgiana," and start learning English with me!" We’ll start with the word to scan. 1)To scan When we look over something quickly we "scan" it. Let me explain. Imagine you have to get out of the house, and you're in a hurry. Surprise, surprise, you can't find your keys or your sunglasses. By the way, that never happened to me. I was just kidding. Unfortunately, this occurs to me quite often. So what do you do in this situation? You start looking for your keys or your sunglasses. Or you could also say that you're scanning the room for your keys. Can you see? That’s a more precise word to use in this situation. We might scan a room at a party to see if our friend is there. Example: "I scanned the room to see if Mary was there." "I need to scan some diagrams for my PowerPoint presentation." 2)To eye The thing is that whenever we observe something we use our eyes, so this word is quite straightforward. We use the word "eye" to express our interest in something. We might eye the candies on the table even though we don't want the extra sugar. Example: "I have been eyeing that cake for hours now but I must resist, since I’m on a diet. 3)To examine When we "examine" something, we inspect it closely. A doctor might examine your body to make sure that you are healthy. Example: "Whenever I got a cut my mom examined it and then cleaned it for me." 4) To peer When you can’t see something completely because your vision is obstructed, we can say that you are peering at it. Examples: "The girl was jumping up and down trying to peer out the window." "George carefully peered inside the box." #112 English learning podcast - How to replace the word Look in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#113 Christmas Holidays Vocabulary in English (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Listen to a new episode of Speak English Now Podcast, your favorite material for practicing your spoken and heard English. You will also learn about lifestyle and culture, language, vocabulary, and how to improve your English more effectively. Transcript: “Welcome to the Speak English Now podcast. With your host Georgiana. The podcast that will help you to speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.” Hi everyone! I’m your English teacher Georgiana, founder of speakenglishpodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. In this episode, I’ll talk about the Christmas holidays. And after that, you’ll practice your English speaking with an exciting mini-story about a man dressed in red. Alright! Let’s start! Ah! It’s Christmas at last! I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year. I start to think about what presents to give to my family and friends. Normally I make a list, so I don’t forget anyone. Can you imagine forgetting someone? That would be terrible! That’s why I start very early to plan what presents to give to everyone. Finding the right gift for someone can be difficult, so what I usually do is search online for gift ideas. And buying online helps me avoid holiday crowds. To really feel the Christmas spirit, I like preparing a pot with a delightful scent using orange, cinnamon, apple cider, and clove. I let everything boil throughout the day so that the fragrance spreads throughout the house. At this time of year, I also love to listen to Christmas songs. I can recommend some popular Christmas songs: “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. “Last Christmas” by Wham! “Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It Snow!” by Frank Sinatra. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms. and something from Michael Bublé’s Christmas album. Plus, I enjoy placing Christmas lights and decorations. I sometimes use social media to find unique decorations. Did you know that some Americans use popcorn threaded on a string to help decorate their Christmas Tree? Or that in New England, you can find some shops called “Christmas Shops.” There they sell Christmas decorations and toys throughout the entire year! #113 English Podcast - Christmas Holidays Vocabulary 2019 (rep) READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com

#111 How to compliment your partner in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com Hi, dear students! I'm Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier when you use the right material and techniques. Although we don't celebrate Valentine's Day this time of the year, I think that as Christmas approaches, many of us spend more time with our partners. So today, I want to introduce some funny but useful compliments that will make your significant other feel special. There are all kinds of compliments: good, bad, original, ordinary, or funny ones. If you still don't know what they are, don't worry because I'll explain it to you. Next, we will practice fluency with a mini-story on a very special competition related to today's topic. Remember that you can get the text of the episode at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. As I said, today I'm going to talk about compliments, but first, let's define what they are. A compliment is basically a brief comment on an attribute or quality of a person. There are many types, and perhaps it is more common to say a compliment to a woman, although I think nowadays there are more and more women who compliment men. I have to say some compliments are tasteless. That is to say, they are rude and instead create the opposite sense of what is intended. My intention in this episode is to analyze some compliments I find to be especially witty or funny. Well, let's see the first one: #1 "I don't have a favorite color. It's pretty much whatever you are wearing." This is beautiful, and you can use it to congratulate a woman you're already dating. Let her know that you have noticed the color of her dress. Many women love it when our partners pay attention to what we're wearing. #2 "I can't take my eyes off of you. Unless you notice me, then I'll quickly look away and act like it never happened." Sometimes at the beginning of a relationship, you start doing silly things you've never done before. Although it may sound silly, it would be super cool if you would compliment someone like that. #3 "I'd be so happy to spend every minute of every day with you, but some days I have to do things." The reality is that as much as we would like to spend all our time with our loved one, it's practically impossible. At least it's not feasible in the long term since someone has to pay the bills. #4 "If you knew how much I think about you, I would be very embarrassed." If there is one person in your life who is always on your mind, don't be afraid to let them know with this honest compliment. #5 "It's not easy to be me. Which is why I need you." I know, this one's a bit silly, but I think it's genuine and sweet. Whoever you tell this to, no matter if it's a man or a woman, will appreciate your honesty or at least make them smile. #6 "I think the hardest part about being your friend is pretending as though I like my other friends as much as I like you." How awesome is this one! You can tell this compliment to a woman as well as a man. Especially when you've been friends for a while, and you want to take the relationship a step further. Be careful not to let other friends hear you say this! :) And how do you tell him or her that they are super attractive or hot? #7 "You might be the primary reason for global warming." You certainly don't want to scare them away by being too direct. So why not be a little poetic? This compliment is very original and amusing. #8 "If there is one thing I like about you, it's that I like more than one thing about you." Especially when you start dating someone, you tend to think they're absolutely perfect. I'm sure you could even make a list of all the things you like about him or her. So this compliment is for you if you are completely head over heels with someone. By the way, the expression "head over heels" means that you fell in love deeply and completely, especially all of a sudden. #9 "Talking to you is the best part of my day, aside from when I'm sleeping, and when I'm eating." Ha! I think this one is funny, original and lovely at the same time! Of course, at some point in the day, we're going to have to eat and sleep. As much as we love to talk with our partner, we will have no choice but to do these two things. Otherwise, we will simply die of love. #10 "You know what's awesome? Chocolate cake, oh, and your face." With this compliment, you're sure to make anyone laugh, and yet it's a playful way of saying how much you like that person. Because who doesn't like chocolate cake? Well, I'm not into chocolate cake. I'm more of a carrot cake person. (But that's another story.) #111 How to compliment your partner in English READ the TEXT here: https://SpeakEnglishpodcast.com