Recent Posts
How to Speak English Confidently in Work Meetings
Speaking up in work meetings can be nerve-wracking, especially when English isn't your first language. Maybe you're worried about making mistakes, struggling to find the right words, or feeling like everyone else sounds more fluent. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many people—native and non-native speakers alike—find meetings intimidating. But the good news? Confidence in meetings is a skill you can develop. Here’s how to approach it.
10 Common English Phrasal Verbs with ‘Play’
Phrasal verbs are a huge part of everyday English and mastering them can really boost your fluency. So today we’re going to explore 10 common phrasal verbs with ‘play’ that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking English.
Whether you're playing along with a joke, playing up an achievement, or playing down a mistake, these handy little phrases add richness and depth to your communication. I’ve included clear definitions and real-life examples to help them stick in your mind!
Why Are British People So Hard to Understand? 10 Essential British English Phrases You Need to Know!
Have you ever spoken to a British person and thought to yourself, What on earth are they going on about? You’ve been studying English for years, you know all the grammar, and you have a solid vocabulary, yet when you’re faced with a Brit, you feel completely lost.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some essential British English phrases that will help you understand Brits better—and even start using them yourself.
Advanced English Phrases and Vocabulary for Describing Depressing Places.
When learning English, we often focus on language to talk about and to describe beautiful, charming locations and environments.
However, in the real word we also need the vocabulary to talk about slightly less appealing places; you know, the rather more grim or just downright miserable corners of the world.
So today, I’ve come up with some advanced English vocabulary that you can use when describing places that are frankly, a bit depressing.
How to Stop Procrastinating: Practical Tips for English Learners
If you keep telling yourself you’ll practice English tomorrow but somehow tomorrow never comes, you’re not alone. Procrastination is something we all struggle with, whether it’s putting off studying, avoiding conversation practice, or scrolling through social media.
But here’s the thing—procrastination isn’t just about laziness. It’s often linked to fear, overwhelm, or perfectionism. So, how can you stop putting things off and actually make progress in your English learning?
8 Phrasal Verbs with Pop: How to Use Them Naturally in English
There’s something quite charming about the word ‘pop,’ isn’t there? It’s short, snappy, and full of energy. And in English, we use it in a variety of phrasal verbs to describe quick, unexpected actions or movements. Many of these expressions are particularly common in British English, especially when talking about casual visits or short trips.
English for talking about parenting.
Are you a parent? Do you want to talk about the highs and lows of parenting in English and familiarise yourself with some of the idiomatic language that is used to discuss this topic? Today’s blog (and Netflix recommendation) is for you!
10 English Phrasal Verbs for Talking about Time.
How much time do you set aside for learning phrasal verbs?
Understanding phrasal verbs is key to sounding more natural in English, and when it comes to talking about time, we use them all the time (pun intended!). Whether you're discussing past events, making plans, or feeling like time is slipping away, these phrasal verbs will help you express yourself fluently and confidently.
How to Use ChatGPT to Improve Your English Conversation Skills
In my English conversation classes I often encourage students to practice their English speaking skills using ChatGPT. Not many people can afford daily conversation classes, but using AI you can now practise speaking English regularly. Even better it’s free!
Using voice mode, ChatGPT can now listen to you and respond in real time, making it an incredibly effective tool for practicing spoken English, or any language.
Learn Everyday English Idioms- A Can of Worms
Today we’re looking at another everyday English idiom - can of worms. If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where trying to solve one problem only leads to a whole lot of other problems, then you’ve probably opened a can of worms.
Let’s look at its meaning and how to use this idiom in your English conversations.
Mastering English Collocations with the Word 'Question'
If you’ve ever wondered how to sound more natural in English, one of the best things you can do is learn collocations—words that naturally go together. Today, let’s talk about collocations with the word question. Pressing questions, rhetorical questions, dodging questions and more1 These phrases will help you express yourself more fluently and confidently in both speaking and writing.
Learn Phrasal Verbs With ‘Check’
Phrasal verbs are a brilliant way to make your English sound more natural and conversational. Today I’ve got a quick guide to some common phrasal verbs with the word ‘check,’ including their meanings, and examples to help you use them confidently. Some of these English phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, so check them out!
Advanced English Vocabulary for Talking About Money and Personal Finances
Talking about money and personal finances in English requires a strong grasp of vocabulary to articulate your thoughts clearly and accurately. In this blog post, we’ll explore advanced English adjectives, verbs, nouns, and phrases to help you discuss financial topics with confidence.
Oh Bollocks! : How to swear in British English
Swearing in British English can be quite an art form—often combining humour, sarcasm, and just enough cheekiness to keep things interesting. The swear word bollocks is a prime example of this, so let’s have a look at what this classic British swear word means, where it comes from, and—most importantly—how you can use it (with plenty of examples, of course).
Learn 20 English Collocations with ‘Family’
Many of us, all over the world gather with family during December and January. Perhaps you’ve just celebrated a family Christmas or a New Year’s Dinner with your loved ones, or maybe you’re preparing for Lunar New Year and a chance to catch up with more distant relatives. Today I’ve got a useful list of English collocations with the word family, along with their meanings and example sentences.
8 English Idioms For Talking About Your Goals
Hey everyone and happy New Year! As English learners, you might be setting fresh goals for the year ahead—like improving your English listening skills, expanding your English vocabulary, or becoming more confident in your English conversations. These goals can feel challenging, but having a few idioms in your toolkit will give you the language to express yourself and speak about your plans and intentions fluently. Today I’ve got 8 English idioms you can use to talk about your goals.
9 Tips for Achieving Your English Learning Goals in 2025
As we move into a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on your English learning journey and set yourself some personal goals for 2025. Whether you're looking to improve your fluency, expand your vocabulary, or master advanced grammar, setting clear goals can help keep you motivated and on track.
So, with that in mind, here are 9 practical steps and tips to help you achieve your English learning goals in the year ahead.
English Word of the Day - Chaotic
Advanced English Vocabulary for Everyday Life- In this blog post, we’ll look at the definition of the English adjective chaotic, explore its synonyms and antonyms, share real-life examples of how to use this word in sentences and offer practical tips to help you talk about those hectic moments that we all encounter. Plus we look at an example of the word from the recent news.
10 Phrasal Verbs for Talking About the New Year in English (2025 Edition)
As one year draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the past twelve months while dreaming of fresh starts and new possibilities. Whether you’re celebrating achievements from 2024 or planning your intentions for 2025, here are ten phrasal verbs that will help you talk about your goals, ambitions, and reflections in English with confidence!
10 Must Watch British Christmas Movies To Boost Your English
My Very British English Christmas Movie Recommendations With Trailers.
Few things capture the magic of the festive season quite like a good Christmas film. The following 10 festive movie recommendations (including a few of my absolute favourites!) will help you to fine-tune your English listening skills, expose you to a variety of British English accents and give you the chance to learn a bit about British Christmas traditions and culture.