Make sure you know what to say when you want to be polite in different situations in English.
Learn the English phrases you need to check in at an airport in this video, including security questions and how to answer them. We made this video with our friend Rachel of Rachel’s English. She has a terrific website and YouTube channel on American English pronunciation. Click here to find lots more practical videos for […]
How to Check In at an Airport and Answer Security Questions in English Read More »
Sometimes we want to avoid a question because we don’t want to answer it. See how Vicki, and then Jay change the subject in order to avoid answering a question in this funny English conversation. So what did you think of my presentation? Oh, I wonder if the coffee’s ready? Let’s get some? No. I
How to avoid a question by changing the subject – English conversation Read More »
How to make a toast saying ‘Cheers!’ in 10 languages and also 4 useful English phrases for asking about words and their meanings. When you don’t know how to say something in English, you need to ask. In this lesson we’re going to look at some ways to ask, and also find out how to
Cheers! How to Make a Toast in Ten Different Languages Read More »
‘How are you?’ is a common English greeting, but what’s an appropriate reply? Is it polite to give a full and honest answer? Probably not. Watch what happens when Jay answers the question fully and truthfully. Usually the best reply is ‘Fine thanks’ or ‘Good’. How are you? Video Transcript Oh hi Kathy, how are
How are you? How NOT to reply to this common English greeting Read More »
Do you find small talk hard in English? Would you talk to a stranger who asked you questions an elevator? Here’s a funny English elevator conversation. It’s based on a story my dentist told me about something that happened to him. Video transcript Hello Kathy. I can’t believe it’s still raining. Yeah, it’s terrible. Really
Small Talk about the Weather – a Funny Elevator Conversation Read More »
The phrases I don’t care and I don’t mind are very common and useful, but they can cause offence and/or confusion when Americans and Brits use them together. In the USA they mean one thing and in the UK they mean another. When an American says I don’t care to a Brit, they can sound negative
I don’t care and I don’t mind: An American and British difference Read More »
Mind is such a useful English word. We can use it in lots of different ways and it’s often just the verb we need to be polite. But mind has some peculiar ways of behaving grammatically that you should know about. And knowing how to reply if someone asks you a question with mind is
Mind – How to Use this English Verb Read More »
Telephone English is just like normal English with a few special phrases, but many learners find English calls stressful. Watch this funny English telephone conversation with Barack Obama and you’ll learn some practical expressions you can put to use in your conversations. You’ll have fun along the way. Learn more useful expressions for everyday situations.
How to answer English calls when you’re busy – funny Read More »
This short conversation illustrates two formal questions we use to ask for opinions in English. English learners sometimes ask ‘What’s your opinion?’ without realizing that it is a formal way to ask the question. ‘What do you think?’ is more common and would sound more natural most of the time. Note that in the video,
Formal ways to ask for opinions – An English Conversation Read More »
Jay and Vicki are in Egypt and they want to take a photo of themselves in front of a pyramid. They need some help so they ask a passerby. Notice the way they make their request. They use the verb mind which is followed by a gerund – a noun form of the verb. And
Would you mind taking a photo? An English conversation Read More »
