Episodes

  • Learn English Naturally: Talking about Cooking - Can You Understand? (Video Podcast with Subtitles)

    Learn English Naturally: Talking about Cooking - Can You Understand? (Video Podcast with Subtitles)
    Nov 25 2025

    Learn everyday English through the topic of cooking and food.

    In this episode, we talk about breakfast routines, snacks, quick meals, go-to dinners, grocery shopping, and even washing up. You’ll get natural listening practice plus lots of useful phrases that you can use to describe your own daily life in English.

    We keep things conversational and practical so you can build real-world fluency while enjoying a relaxed chat about food.

    In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

    • Talk about your typical breakfast and morning routine
    • Describe snacks, cravings, and “guilty pleasures”
    • Explain quick meals and leftovers in natural English
    • Use phrases for ordering takeout and frozen meals
    • Describe your go-to meals and cooking style
    • Use common expressions for grocery shopping
    • Talk about washing up and taking turns with chores
    • Express food preferences, likes, and dislikes

    Useful phrases from the episode:

    Breakfast and habits

    • I tend to have breakfast around nine or ten.
    • I usually start the day with a cup of coffee.
    • I used to eat a lot of cereal as a kid.
    • I used to live in Spain.
    • I’ve grown to love this.
    • I’ve gotten used to being hungry.
    • I don’t mind being hungry.

    Snacks and cravings

    • I’m not big on snacks.
    • I just need a little something before lunch.
    • I need a little snack to get me through until dinner.
    • Let’s grab a few snacks before we go.
    • I fancy something to eat.
    • I fancy something sweet.
    • Chips are my guilty pleasure.
    • Chocolate is my guilty pleasure.
    • I’m trying to cut back on chocolate.
    • I’m trying to cut back on snacks.

    Quick meals, leftovers, and takeout

    • I’m just going to throw something together.
    • Let’s just have pizza.
    • Let’s finish that leftover pasta.
    • We have some leftovers in the fridge.
    • I love leftovers.
    • Can I get a box for this?
    • In American English, we say “takeout.”
    • Frozen pizza is really popular here.
    • It’s convenient and fast.

    Go-to meals and cooking style

    • What’s your go-to meal?
    • My go-to meal is beef stew.
    • My go-to meal is beef pasta.
    • I like to cook from scratch.
    • I don’t really like ready meals.
    • Instant meals are very popular in the U.S.
    • We try to rotate meals each week.

    Grocery shopping

    • Do we have any garlic?
    • Do we have any pasta left?
    • Do we have any herbs for this dish?
    • I’m just going to nip to the store.
    • Let’s stock up before the weekend.
    • I’m not a big fan of grocery shopping.
    • I forgot the one ingredient I needed.

    Cooking and washing up

    • I like to clean as I cook.
    • I like having music or a podcast on while I cook.
    • I don’t mind washing up.
    • We take turns doing the washing up.
    • It’s my turn to wash up tonight.
    • Whose turn is it to wash up tonight?
    • The sink is full again.
    • The dishwasher hasn’t been unloaded.
    • This pan needs soaking.
    • I like to get in the zone when I’m cooking.

    Talking about likes and dislikes

    • I fancy a quick drink before dinner.
    • I fancy going out to eat.
    • I’m craving steak tonight.
    • It’s not my cup of tea.
    • I’m not a big fan of full English breakfasts.
    • I’m not keen on full English breakfasts.

    Reflect and practice

    If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Use the phrases from this episode to describe your own breakfast, snacks, and dinner routines in English.

    Chapters:

    (00:00) Learn English Podcast Intro

    (00:48) Breakfast

    (04:11) Snacks and Snacking Habits

    (08:26) Quick and Easy Meals

    (09:16) Leftovers and Takeout Culture

    (11:44) Cooking from Scratch vs. Instant Meals

    (15:15) Grocery Shopping Tips

    (20:30) Cleaning Up and Final Thoughts
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    23 mins
  • Learn These Powerful English Sentences to Instantly Improve Your English (Adj + Prepositions)

    Learn These Powerful English Sentences to Instantly Improve Your English (Adj + Prepositions)
    Nov 18 2025

    In this lesson, you’ll learn natural adjective + preposition combinations such as afraid of, interested in, angry about, excited about, addicted to, and more. These structures are essential for fluent and natural English, but most learners struggle with them because you simply have to learn them through examples and patterns, not rules.

    Below, you’ll find all the key phrases and example sentences from the lesson so you can review them, repeat them, and add them to your sentence-learning routine.

    Want to be able to think in English freely? Listen to this next: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ghgRn40AS2BeHJNN5BJvS?si=JtONR5i3ROqij-eNyTaG2g

    Learn 30 phrases about emotions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/27ASOVrQexjGZfPeI1huJr?si=flGLmYsTRrqeAosaBMU3pQ

    Phrases and examples from the lesson:

    Afraid of
    • I’m afraid of the dark.• I’m afraid of going outside when it’s dark.

    Interested in
    • I’m really interested in photography at the moment.• I’m not really interested in watching any more of that show.• He didn’t seem very interested in what we proposed.

    Angry about
    • I’m angry about what you did.• He’s angry about not being able to see his friends.

    Ashamed of
    • I’m ashamed of what I did.• I’m ashamed of what the company is doing at the moment.

    Aware of
    • Not that I’m aware of.• Be aware of your surroundings when you go downtown at night.

    Good at / bad at / fantastic at / terrible at / amazing at
    • Try and get good at speaking to strangers to help you improve your English.• I’m bad at keeping in touch with people at the moment.• He’s really good at listening to people when they speak.• She’s amazing at explaining things in a simple way.

    Certain about
    • I’ve never been so certain about something in my entire life.• Are you certain about that?• I’m not completely certain about it, but let’s just do it anyway.

    Content with
    • I’m not content with the state of our house at the moment.• I’m content with staying in tonight.

    Busy with
    • I’m so busy with work right now.• They seem really busy with their new restaurant at the moment.

    Smart of / stupid of
    • That’s not very smart of you.• It was stupid of him to say that.• How stupid of you. What were you thinking?

    Addicted to
    • I think I’m addicted to coffee.• Kids are addicted to screens these days.

    Excited about
    • She’s so excited about going to the party later.• He doesn’t seem that excited about it.• I was really excited about going to the pool.

    Sad about / happy about
    • We’re so sad about what happened.• Are you happy about your new job?

    Disappointed with / pleased with
    • I’m really disappointed with how you are acting at the moment.• I’m so pleased with you.• Are you pleased with your progress this year?

    Overwhelmed with / overwhelmed by
    • I’m overwhelmed with all the work I have to do right now.• I was overwhelmed by all the cleaning I had to do.

    Use the phrases in the description to review, repeat, and build your own personalized sentence list.

    If you enjoyed this lesson, watch the next video on your screen and keep practicing English in a natural, sentence-based way.
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    12 mins
  • 30 English Conversational Phrases You MUST Know About Emotions

    30 English Conversational Phrases You MUST Know About Emotions
    Nov 4 2025
    In this English lesson, you’ll learn 30 natural phrases to express your emotions — happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and relief. These are expressions native speakers use every day in both the UK and the USA. By the end, you’ll know how to describe exactly how you feel — in real conversations.

    How to learn English on your own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
    Resources for you: https://tofluency.com/5sp-book...

    💬 Phrases from the Lesson

    😊 Happiness & Excitement
    • That’s awesome – “This restaurant is awesome.”
    • That’s brilliant – “That’s brilliant news.”
    • That made my day – “That news really made my day.”
    • I can’t stop smiling – “I couldn’t stop smiling after hearing the news.”
    • I’m over the moon – “I’m over the moon about my new job.”

    😲 Surprise & Shock
    • No way – “No way! I can’t believe that.”
    • You’re kidding – “You’re kidding! Really?”
    • I wasn’t expecting that – “I wasn’t expecting to pass the test.”
    • It took me by surprise – “The ending of that movie took me by surprise.”
    • I was blown away – “I was blown away by that restaurant.”

    😔 Sadness & Disappointment
    • That’s such a shame – “It’s such a shame they can’t make the party.”
    That’s too bad – “That’s too bad you can’t make it.”
    • I’m feeling a bit down – “I’m feeling a bit down today.”
    • It broke my heart – “It broke my heart to see him leave.”
    • I was a bit disappointed with… – “I was a bit disappointed with the food.”
    • I’m disappointed in you – “I’m disappointed in you recently.”
    • I’m gutted – “I’m gutted we lost today.”

    😤 Frustration & Anger • I’ve had enough – “I’ve had enough of this noise.”
    • It really annoys me when… – “It really annoys me when people are late.”
    • I’m fed up of… – “I’m fed up of waiting.”
    • I’m sick of… – “I’m sick of waiting all this time.”
    • He completely lost it – “He completely lost it when he found out.”
    • I can’t deal with this right now – “I can’t deal with this right now.”
    • I just can’t – “I just can’t.”

    😰 Fear & Nervousness
    • I’m a bit nervous about it – “I’m a bit nervous about the presentation.”
    • My heart was racing – “My heart was racing before the speech.”
    • She got cold feet – “She got cold feet before the wedding.”

    😳 Embarrassment & Awkwardness
    • That was so awkward – “He forgot her name—it was so awkward.”
    • It was so embarrassing – “It was so embarrassing when I spilled my drink.”
    • I wanted the ground to swallow me up – “I wanted the ground to swallow me up after that mistake.”

    😌 Relief & Acceptance
    • What a relief – “I passed the exam—what a relief.”
    • That’s a weight off my shoulders – “I finally did my taxes—that’s a weight off my shoulders.”
    • I’m not sure how I feel about it – “I’m not sure how I feel about moving abroad.”
    • It is what it is – “We lost—it is what it is.”

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Emotions in English 00:59 Expressing Happiness and Excitement 04:27 Phrases for Surprise and Shock 07:16 Talking About Sadness and Disappointment 10:42 Dealing with Frustration and Anger 14:10 Expressing Fear and Nervousness 15:54 Handling Embarrassment and Awkwardness 18:09 Relief and Mixed Feelings
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    21 mins
  • How to Think in English and Speak Automatically (Simple Daily Method)

    How to Think in English and Speak Automatically (Simple Daily Method)
    Oct 29 2025
    🎧 How to Think in English Naturally (Step-by-Step Method)

    In this episode, you’re going to learn how to think in English naturally — without translating from your native language and without worrying about grammar rules. You’ll learn the exact method I use to think in other languages too. When you reach this stage, English starts to flow. Sentences come out automatically, your speech becomes smoother, and conversations feel effortless. Most learners never reach this point — but you can if you follow this simple process.

    💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    ✅ What it really means to think in English
    ✅ Why grammar and vocabulary must be internalized — not memorized
    ✅ The method I use to make English automatic
    ✅ How to build this into your daily routine

    📺 Watch the technical tutorial on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pysIoC1bb3I

    The Method (Step-by-Step)

    1: Create or Find Sentences
    Start with sentences that are personal to you — things you actually want to say in English. These should reflect your life, your hobbies, your work, and topics you care about.
    Use tools like ChatGPT or work with a teacher to create natural, real-world examples.

    :. Add Audio
    Listen to how these sentences sound naturally. You can use AI text-to-speech or native recordings. Hearing real pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation is essential for internalizing how English feels.

    3: Use Spaced Repetition
    Import your sentences (with audio) into an app like Anki or Memrise.
    Listen, read, and repeat each sentence aloud — matching the sound as closely as possible.
    The system will show you sentences right before you forget them, which is the most efficient way to review.

    4: Make It a Daily Habit
    Do this every day — even if only for five minutes.
    On days when you’re busy or tired, just review a few sentences. The goal is consistency.
    Over time, English grammar and phrases will become automatic — you’ll start thinking in English instead of translating.

    5: Keep Adding Sentences
    As your life changes, add new sentences that match your experiences, goals, and topics you want to talk about.
    Each new sentence strengthens your fluency and builds flexibility when speaking.

    🧩 Why This Works Because you’re not just learning words — you’re training your brain to recognize and reproduce patterns.
    You’re absorbing English through repetition, sound, and context — the same way native speakers learn.

    If you found this lesson helpful, share it with a friend who’s learning English — and remember: English fluency comes from consistent, focused practice.
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    18 mins
  • English Phrases for Pubs and Bars That You'll Actually Use (Conversational English)

    English Phrases for Pubs and Bars That You'll Actually Use (Conversational English)
    Oct 8 2025
    Learn conversational English phrases that you'll actually use and hear for bars and restaurants.Even if you don’t drink, these phrases will boost your small talk, invitations, ordering, paying, and polite conversation skills. Stick around to the end for UK–US differences and useful idioms.How to learn these words and phrases: ALL PHRASES FROM THE LESSON• Fancy going for a drink? – friendly UK invite• Do you wanna grab a drink? – casual US invite• Do you want to grab a drink? – neutral variant• Fancy going to the bar? – UK invite variant• Fancy going to the pub? – UK invite variant• Let’s go for a pint. – suggest getting a beer• Do you know anywhere good? – ask for recommendations• Do you know anywhere good around here? – local variant• There’s a great place just around the corner. – close by• There’s a great place just round the corner. – UK spelling• It’s got a good vibe. – nice atmosphere• Happy hour. – time with cheaper drinks• I could use a drink. – need to relax• I could really use a drink. – stronger emphasis• We haven’t been out in ages. – it’s been a long time• Let’s invite a few friends. – suggest a small group• I’ll meet you there around eight. – plan the time• I’ll meet you there round eight. – UK variant• I’m running a little bit late. – polite late notice• It’s packed tonight. – very crowded• Shall we grab a table? – polite suggestion• Let’s grab a table. – direct suggestion• Do you wanna sit inside or outside? – seating choice• Let’s sit at the bar. – sit at the counter• Do we order at the bar or at the table? – clarify ordering• What you having? – very casual offer to buy• What are you having? – neutral version• It’s my round. – I’ll pay for this round• What do you want? – follow-up to buying• Can I help you? – what you’ll hear at a busy bar• What can I get you? – what you’ll hear from staff• Can I have a pint of lager, please? – ordering• Can I get a pint of lager, please? – US-style ordering• Can I get a Diet Coke? – soft drink• Can I get a lemonade? – soft drink (note UK/US lemonade differs)• I’ll have a gin and tonic, please. – ordering with “I’ll have…”• Could I get a soft drink? – polite request• Could I get another beer? – another of the same type• What’s on tap? – ask about draft beer• What’s on tap tonight? – “tonight” variant• Do you have any non-alcoholic options? – alcohol-free choices• Can I see the drinks menu, please? – ask for menu• Do you have a menu? – shorter variant• Do you serve food? – ask about food service• Are you serving food at the moment? – kitchen open?• Can I get another one of these? – repeat same drink• Could I get another one of these? – more polite variant• Same again? – staff offer to repeat your drink• Cheers! – toast before drinking• So, how’s work been? – easy conversation starter• How’s your trip been? – traveler version• So, how have you been? – general check-in• I’ve been good. – common reply• I’ve been busy, but I’ve been good. – nuanced reply• It’s been amazing. – present perfect trip reply• I can’t believe how expensive drinks are now. – friendly complaint• $10 for a pint—that’s ridiculous. – stronger complaint• It’s a bit loud in here. – noise comment• It’s a bit bright in here. – lighting comment• Do you wanna go somewhere quieter? – suggest moving• Do you wanna sit somewhere quieter? – seating variant• I’ll finish my drink and then we’ll head out. – plan to leave• Let’s head back soon. It’s getting a bit late. – suggest leaving• Can I close my tab, please? – pay and finish (US)• Is this on one check or separate? – split payment question (US)• Can we pay separately, please? – ask to split the bill• That was such a good night. – positive wrap-up• It’s on me. – I’ll pay• Let’s call it a night. – finish the evening• Hair of the dog. – a drink the next day for a hangover• A bit tipsy. – slightly drunk• I’m feeling a little bit tipsy. – variantCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Pub and Bar Phrases00:53 Inviting Someone for a Drink02:01 Finding and Describing a Good Place05:09 Ordering Drinks and Snacks11:01 Common Conversations at the Bar13:00 Paying and Leaving the Bar14:12 Idioms and Fun Phrases15:21 Cultural Differences: UK vs USA
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    17 mins
  • Advanced English Listening - Secrets to Understanding Native Speakers and FAST English

    Advanced English Listening - Secrets to Understanding Native Speakers and FAST English
    Sep 26 2025
    Improving your listening skills is vital if you want to be competent in the English language. In this lesson, you're going to learn how to improve this area in the most efficient and rapid way possible so that you can understand native speakers and fast English.

    HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS:

    Native speakers don't understand everything they hear. It's true. I sometimes find it difficult to understand:
    • when on the phone
    • when talking to people with accents I'm not used to
    • when watching movies
    • and when listening to music
    This is going to happen to you. You'll never reach a stage where you understand everything. But it's important to improve so that you can understand more.

    Here is how:
    1. Improve your vocabulary and grammar: the more you know, the more you'll understand. Search for "input To Fluency" to learn how to do this.
    2. Listen as much as possible: get used to the way people speak. You can listen while doing other things.
    3. What you listen to is important: find audio that is enjoyable, specific to you, and comprehensible. I recommend audiobooks that have been adapted for English learners (graded readers)
    4. Work on your pronunciation: if you can make the sounds in English, you'll better understand them when you hear them.
    5. Have natural conversations: this is the best type of listening practice but it's more expensive and harder to find.
    I encourage you to try these methods. Start today. Commit to doing more in English. Enjoy the journey. Hope you enjoyed this! Please subscribe if you're new!
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    17 mins
  • English Listening Practice: Learn Key Words and Phrases (Tariffs)

    English Listening Practice: Learn Key Words and Phrases (Tariffs)
    Sep 1 2025
    Learn key words and phrases all about tariffs in this English lesson. Practice your listening and improve your English.

    Useful Vocabulary and Phrases


    Tariffs are added to imported goods. 👉 Passive voice for focus. Example: Taxes are collected by the government.


    Tariffs can protect local jobs. 👉 Use modal verbs (can/might/could) for possibility. Example: Tariffs might protect local industries.


    Consumers will end up paying more. 👉 “End up” = final result of a situation. Example: If prices rise, shoppers end up spending less overall.


    Supply chain 👉 Where parts of a product are made and assembled. Example: The global supply chain was disrupted last year.


    Free trade 👉 Trade with no tariffs or restrictions. Example: The EU is an example of a free trade area.


    Retaliate 👉 Respond with an action. Example: One country raised tariffs, the other retaliated.


    Trade deficit 👉 When imports are greater than exports. Example: The US has a trade deficit with
    China.

    Conditional Sentences with Tariffs


    If tariffs go up, prices will go up. 👉 First conditional (real future).


    If countries keep raising tariffs, it might start a trade war. 👉 First conditional with might (possibility).


    If tariffs were lower, consumers would save money. 👉 Second conditional (hypothetical). 💬

    Idioms About Money and Tariffs


    Pick up the tab – to pay for something, often expensive. Example: Shoppers pick up the tab when tariffs rise.


    Hit the wallet – to negatively affect finances. Example: Tariffs have hit consumers’ wallets hard this year.


    Jack up the prices – to raise prices suddenly and sharply. Example: Companies had to jack up prices after tariffs were introduced.


    Tighten your belt – to spend less money. Example: Families are tightening their belts due to higher grocery costs.
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    12 mins
  • Learn Natural English: Talk about AI with Confidence & Get Listening Practice

    Learn Natural English: Talk about AI with Confidence & Get Listening Practice
    Aug 26 2025
    In this English lesson, you’ll learn how to talk about AI naturally in English. You’ll get useful phrases, idioms, and real examples so you can confidently join the conversation.

    How to use AI to learn English: https://youtu.be/pysIoC1bb3I

    Useful Phrases and Idioms from the Lesson

    Hear of / Hear about “Barely anyone had heard of ChatGPT a year ago.” “Have you heard about that new movie?” 👉 Use when asking if someone knows about something. Example: I’ve never heard of that restaurant before.

    It saves me hours of work 👉 AI helps us save time. Example: Using templates saves me hours of work every week.

    It helps me come up with new ideas 👉 “Come up with” = invent or create. Example: Brainstorming with others helps me come up with new solutions.

    It depends on… “It depends on how we use it.” 👉 Use this phrase when giving a balanced opinion. Example: It depends on the weather — we might go hiking.

    It’s hard to say for sure 👉 Use when you’re uncertain about the future. Example: It’s hard to say for sure if prices will go down next year.

    It feels creative, but it’s copying patterns 👉 Great for talking about AI art, writing, or music. Example: The story felt creative, but it was copying patterns.

    I’m excited about AI 👉 Show enthusiasm. Example: I’m excited about how AI will help education.

    I’m a bit concerned about… 👉 Express worry. Example: I’m a bit concerned about privacy online.

    I don’t know how I feel about it yet / I’m on the fence 👉 Neutral expressions when unsure. Example: I’m on the fence about moving abroad.

    The future is here / The future is now 👉 Used when something futuristic is happening today. Example: Self-driving cars make it feel like the future is here.

    It’s a game changer 👉 Something that completely changes the situation. Example: The smartphone was a game changer for communication.

    Get with the times 👉 Adapt to modern trends. Example: You need to get with the times and start using online banking.

    Thank you for watching.

    Get English learning resources here: https://tofluency.com/5sp-book-temp/
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    14 mins