Recent Posts
15 British English Phrases for When You’re Feeling Stressed
If you're learning English and want to sound more natural in everyday conversations, especially when life feels a bit overwhelming, this post is for you.
Here are 15 common British English phrases that people use when they're tired, overworked, or quietly not okay. These expressions are perfect for English speaking practice and will help you express yourself more clearly, more naturally, and more like yourself.
10 Daily Habits to Improve Your English
If you're trying to improve your English skills but feel overwhelmed by textbooks, lack of time or just don’t know where to start, this post is for you. Whether you're learning English for work, study, travel, or personal growth, building small, consistent habits can make a huge difference. So here are ten simple daily habits that can be included in your daily routine to can help you grow your fluency and confidence in English
English Vocabulary for Talking About Mess
Let’s be honest — we all have those days when the house is a mess, our to-do lists are chaos, or our brains feel completely scrambled. And sometimes we need just the right word or phrase to describe that mess — especially if we want to sound natural and fluent in English.
This post explores a range of vocabulary to describe untidiness, from gentle and polite to vivid and informal
Why Your English Isn’t Improving- The Intermediate Plateau
Do you ever feel like your English is just... stuck?
You’re not a beginner anymore, but fluency still feels far away. You practise regularly, you speak when you can, you study vocabulary—but it feels like you’re not making progress in English.
In this post, we’ll explore why your English isn’t improving—and more importantly, what you can do to keep moving forward.
How to Avoid Awkward Silences in English Conversations.
We’ve all been there. You’re having a conversation, and suddenly—silence. Nobody speaks, and the pause stretches on, making everyone feel uncomfortable. For English learners, these moments can feel especially stressful. But the good news is, you can learn strategies to handle awkward silences smoothly—without panicking!
How to Politely End a Conversation in English
We’ve all been in a situation where a conversation seems to drag on, and we’re not quite sure how to leave without seeming rude. Whether at a social event, a networking gathering, or a casual chat with an acquaintance, knowing how to exit a conversation smoothly is a useful skill. Here are five polite and natural ways to end a conversation in English without feeling awkward.
How to Get Better at Small Talk in English
Are you terrified of small talk? Does it feel awkward or pointless? In this blog, I break down how to master small talk in English, especially if you're learning it as a second language. You'll learn practical conversation starters, key phrases, and tips to make small talk feel more natural—even if you're an introvert like me!
English for Introverts: How to Speak Confidently Without Feeling Drained
Speaking English as an introvert can feel overwhelming. The thought of group classes, talking to strangers, and constant small talk may seem exhausting. However, becoming fluent in English does not mean you have to change who you are. Instead, you can use strategies that work with your personality, not against it.
This guide will explore effective language learning techniques tailored for introverts, helping you build confidence, improve fluency, and develop speaking skills at your own pace.
9 Ways to Say You’re Bad at Something – Speak English Like A Brit
Want to speak English like a Brit? In British English, we rarely say, 'I'm not good at something.' Instead, we use self-deprecating expressions and informal vocabulary that make us sound more natural, funny, and relatable! In this blog, you'll learn 9 essential British phrases to express when you're bad at something-whether it's sports, cooking, driving, or even small talk.
How Learning in Chunks Can Help You Speak English More Fluently
Do you ever find yourself hesitating, searching for the right words while speaking English? Do you worry about grammar mistakes and feel frustrated that your sentences don’t sound natural?
Many English learners face these challenges. Traditional methods focus on memorising individual words and grammar rules, but this often makes speaking slow and unnatural. The good news? There’s a better way—learning English in chunks.
22 English Idioms With ‘Hand’ And How To Use Them.
Until I started exploring English idioms with the word ‘hand’ I didn’t realise quite how much we use the word in idiomatic phrases and expressions. The word ‘hand’ pops up in so many English idioms (some of which I’ve probably neglected to include!) and quite often, the meaning isn’t as obvious as you’d expect. Amongst other things, we use hand idioms to talk about control, help, fairness, and even sneaky behaviour.
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 (+free pdf)
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!
Find out how to use Chat GPT to practice speaking English and download my FREE pdF.