Espresso English Podcast
612 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 355 ratingsOn the Espresso English podcast, you'll learn English grammar, vocabulary, phrases, idioms, and more. Espresso English lessons are clear and practical, making it easy to learn the language quickly and effectively.
Visit http://www.espressoenglish.net to get English courses and e-books that will help you learn faster!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
062 - Sentence Starters for Everyday English Speaking
October 28, 2015 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.33 MBOne of the biggest challenges when learning to speak English is simply knowing how to start your sentences. And if you think too much about it, there will be awkward pauses... or the conversation will just move on without you! That's why it's good to learn "sentence starters" - easy phrases that native speakers use frequently. In today's lesson, you'll learn 36 sentence starters that you can use in everyday spoken English. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/en...
061 - So, Neither, Too: How to Agree in English
October 21, 2015 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.95 MBA lot of students get mixed up when it comes to using short answers of agreement, like "So do I" and "Neither do I." In today's lesson, I'll teach you exactly how to use these phrases - both the simple way, and the more complex way in all the verb tenses. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/so-neither-too-how-to-agree-in-english/
060 - Ten Idioms With the Word SHOW
October 14, 2015 12:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MBDo you know what it means to steal the show or ask for a show of hands? What's the difference between the expressions show someone the door and show someone TO the door? You'll learn all these idioms and more in today's lesson about 10 English idioms with the word SHOW! Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-english-idioms-with-the-word-show/
059 - Take Over or Overtake?
October 07, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.24 MBLearn the differences between... - take over / overtake - come over / overcome - look over / overlook - think over / overthink - do over / overdo Click here for the episode text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-confusing-english-words-with-over/
058 - Business English Phrasal Verbs
September 30, 2015 12:00 - 4 minutes - 4.55 MBIf you work in an English-speaking environment, you might hear these common phrasal verbs used in business situations! draw up get ahead burn out not measure up zero in on lay off pencil in close down run by/past sign off on Click here for the lesson text.
057 - 20 English Phrases with TIME
September 23, 2015 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MBahead of one’s time = having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the culture/society at the moment My grandmother was ahead of her time – she opened her own company in an era when there were few women in the business world. Learn 19 more phrases in today's lesson! Click here for the lesson text
056 - Do you know these interesting English heteronyms?
September 16, 2015 12:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBHeteronyms in English are two words with the same spelling, but different pronunciations and different meanings. Two common examples are the words CLOSE and LIVE. close (adj.) with an “s” sound = near, not far My house is close to the bus station. close (v.) with a “z” sound = shut, opposite of open Please close the door when you leave. live (v.) with the same “i” as in “sit” = reside I live in an apartment in the city center. live (adj.) with the same “i” as in “I” (me) = happening at ...
055 - 20 English Collocations With the Word GOAL
September 09, 2015 12:00 - 4 minutes - 4.04 MBThe English word "goal" has a meaning both within and outside sports. In today's lesson, you'll learn 20 common English collocations (combinations of words) with the word GOAL. Click here for the lesson text
054 - 10 English Expressions with GO
September 02, 2015 12:00 - 5 minutes - 5.22 MB"Go" is one of the most common verbs in the English language, and it is also used in plenty of idiomatic expressions in English. You'll learn 10 of them in today's lesson. Click here for the lesson text
053 - 20 Collocations with BREAK
August 26, 2015 12:00 - 8 minutes - 8.1 MBYou can break a habit, break a promise, or break someone's heart... and how is it possible that "break a leg" is a good thing to say to somebody? Find out in today's episode, where I'll teach you 20 English collocations and expressions with the word BREAK. Click here for the lesson text
052 - Learn 12 Phrasal Verbs with the Word RUN
August 19, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.17 MBThe same verb can be used with various prepositions to create phrasal verbs with different meanings... and some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, too. Today you'll learn 12 phrasal verbs that all use the word "run." Click here for the lesson text
051 - How to Talk About Movies in English
August 12, 2015 12:00 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MBIn today's lesson, you'll learn 12 phrases that can be used to talk about movies. I'll explain all the vocabulary along the way! Click here for the lesson text
050 - I, Me, My, Mine, and Myself
August 05, 2015 12:00 - 5 minutes - 5.28 MBDo you have some doubts about when exactly to use the words I, me, my, mine, and myself? Don't worry, I'll help you understand them perfectly in today's lesson! Click here for the lesson text
049 - Practical Phrases for the Doctor's Office
July 29, 2015 12:00 - 6 minutes - 6.31 MBIn today's lesson, you're going to learn 15 useful English phrases for the doctor's office. There are 7 phrases a doctor might say, and 8 phrases a patient might say. Make sure to read the phrase descriptions for explanations of the vocabulary! Click here for the lesson text
048 - 15 "Hot" English Words & Phrases
July 22, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.53 MBIn the northern hemisphere, summer is starting - and the weather will be hot. It has inspired me to teach you 15 English words and expressions with "hot." - hotbed, hotshot, and hot spot - full of hot air - a hot-button issue - have the hots for someone ...and more! Click here for the lesson text
047 - How to Make English Part of Your Life
July 15, 2015 12:00 - 6 minutes - 5.92 MBIf you don’t live in an English-speaking country, it can be hard to make progress because you don’t have many opportunities to use English in your regular daily life. What can you do if you’re not surrounded by English? I have some good news: There ARE ways you can make English a regular part of your life, even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country! Here are my top 6 ways to make English part of your everyday life. They don’t require a lot of time, just a few simple changes. ...
046 - Ten Informal Phrases Native Speakers Use
July 08, 2015 12:00 - 4 minutes - 4.08 MBIf you've spoken with native English speakers, you know that we use a lot of informal phrases. For example, we might say... - "What's up?" instead of "Hello." - "I'll get in touch" instead of "I'll contact you." - "Gotta run!" instead of "I need to leave." Today I'll teach you 10 common informal expressions that you might not be familiar with. See if you can guess what each phrase means before reading the definition! Click here for the lesson text
045 - Are you making these pronunciation mistakes?
July 01, 2015 12:00 - 6 minutes - 5.89 MBAs you know, English words are pronounced differently from the way they are written. This can lead to pronunciation mistakes. Here are some of the most commonly mispronounced words in English, and how to say them correctly. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/commonly-mispronounced-words-in-english/
044 - 10 Phrasal Verbs about Socializing
June 24, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.12 MBPhrasal verbs are so common in the English language. Here are 10 phrasal verbs you can use for talking about social interaction. Click here for the lesson text
043 - Linking Words: Reasons and Results
June 17, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.21 MBLinking words help you connect the ideas in a sentence. In this lesson, you’ll learn some common linking words to express reasons and results: - Because / Because of - Due to / Owing to - Due/Owing to the fact that - Since - As - Therefore - Consequently - As a result - So Click here for the episode text
042 - Advanced Vocabulary: 16 Different Words for Speaking
June 10, 2015 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBThe English language has a very rich vocabulary, and learning alternative words can give more complexity and meaning to your sentences. Here are 16 different words for speaking or vocalizing. Click here for the lesson text
041 - Slang Words for Food and Drink
June 03, 2015 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.77 MBDo you have a sweet tooth? Have you ever pigged out? Do you wanna get some grub... or booze? In today's episode, you'll learn some common slang words and informal expressions related to eating and drinking! Click here for the lesson text
040 - "My English is terrible"
May 27, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.55 MBThere are two phrases I hear many students say: “My English is terrible.” “Sorry for my bad English.” Be careful, because these two phrases are dangerous to your English learning! I'll explain why in today's lesson. Click here for the lesson text
039 - First Conditional
May 20, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.75 MBUse the First Conditional to talk about future possibilities: If it’s sunny tomorrow, I’ll go to the beach. If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay home. There are two parts to a first conditional sentence: the condition and the result. Click here for the lesson text
038 - Common Collocations with Big, Great, Strong, Large, Deep, and Heavy
May 13, 2015 12:00 - 6 minutes - 5.66 MBIn English, a collocation is two or more words that go together naturally. Learning collocations is essential for making your English sound fluent and natural! Here are 50 common English collocations with the words big, great, large, deep, strong, and heavy. Click here for the lesson text
037 - Confusing Prepositions: IN and ON
May 06, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.83 MBLearn how to use IN and ON with place, time, and in other expressions in English. Click here for the lesson text
036 - 100 Answers to Common English Questions
April 29, 2015 12:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBSometimes, even when you know a lot of English, you can have difficulty finding the right words or phrases to answer simple questions. Here are 20 of the most common questions in English – each one with five sample responses. Click here for the lesson text
035 - Learn 10 Phrasal Verbs with Emotions
April 22, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.33 MBHere are 10 common phrasal verbs related to emotions and attitudes, with definitions and example sentences. Click here for the lesson text
034 - Everyday English Phrases & Expressions (Part 2)
April 15, 2015 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.95 MBHere are seven more English phrases used in everyday situations. Click here for the lesson text
033 - Everyday English Phrases & Expressions (Part 1)
April 08, 2015 12:00 - 8 minutes - 8.03 MBHere are some English phrases used in everyday situations. They’re very common, but they’re rather colloquial, so you often won’t find them in an English textbook! Learn these phrases and expressions as well as the situations in which you can use each one. Click here for the lesson text
032 - Pronunciation Practice with Reductions
April 01, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.56 MBMany English learners pronounce each word clearly, to get the pronunciation perfect – but native English speakers don’t do this. Natural spoken English contains reductions - sounds that change and disappear when spoken at normal speed. This sometimes makes spoken English hard for students to understand. Doing English pronunciation practice with reductions will help you speak more naturally AND understand spoken English more easily. Listen and repeat! Click here for the lesson text
031 - Learn 36 Different Expressions with GET
March 25, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.21 MB“Get” is a great word in English! It is used in so many different ways. In today’s lesson, you’ll learn 36 different expressions with example sentences. Click here for the lesson text
030 - 10 English Words Ending in -LESS
March 18, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.01 MBToday you're going to learn one of the "shortcuts" to expanding your vocabulary - focusing on prefixes and suffixes, the beginnings and endings of words. The word "colorful" means "full of color," and the word "colorless" means "without color." ...but some of these words aren't as simple as they seem! For example, "fruitful" doesn't necessarily mean "full of fruit," the opposite of "helpless" is NOT "helpful," and there's a difference between "mindful" and "thoughtful." Click here for th...
029 - 10 English Words Ending in -FUL
March 11, 2015 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.89 MBToday you're going to learn one of the "shortcuts" to expanding your vocabulary - focusing on prefixes and suffixes, the beginnings and endings of words. The word "colorful" means "full of color," and the word "colorless" means "without color." ...but some of these words aren't as simple as they seem! For example, "fruitful" doesn't necessarily mean "full of fruit," the opposite of "helpless" is NOT "helpful," and there's a difference between "mindful" and "thoughtful." Click here for th...
028 - 8 Very Confusing Verbs in English
March 04, 2015 13:00 - 7 minutes - 7.08 MBThe English language has a number of words that are very similar. These eight verbs in English seem like they are the same… but there are some small differences in their meanings and/or use. Listen to this lesson to make sure you don’t confuse them! close & shut start & begin listen & hear end & finish Click here for the lesson text
027 - One Word, Two Pronunciations, Two Meanings
February 25, 2015 13:00 - 8 minutes - 8.51 MBDo you know the difference between OB-ject and ob-JECT? Today you’ll learn 8 English words that can be pronounced two different ways… the meaning and use of these words changes based on how you pronounce them. Click here for the lesson text
026 - 18 Phrasal Verbs with TAKE
February 18, 2015 13:00 - 9 minutes - 9.33 MBPhrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition, such as take out, take off, take over, take in, etc. In today’s lesson, you’ll learn 18 different phrasal verbs with the word “take” - with examples to show you how they are used! Click here for the lesson text
025 - 10 Interesting "Water" Idioms
February 11, 2015 13:00 - 6 minutes - 6.33 MBIn this episode, you’ll learn the idiomatic expressions: like a fish out of water come hell or high water in deep water in hot water dead in the water not hold water test the waters keep your head above water a watering hole water under the bridge Click here for the lesson text!
024 - Difference between JUST and ONLY
February 04, 2015 13:00 - 6 minutes - 6.08 MBThe word “just” can be used in two ways: 1) Recently Be careful – I just washed the floor, and it’s still wet. (= I washed the floor a few minutes ago) He just finished a big project. (= he finished the project very recently) 2) Only I have just one brother. (= I have only one brother) I thought you were hungry, but you ate just half of your sandwich. (= you ate only half of your sandwich, and no more) Click Here for the episode text!
023 - Difference between Big, Large, Long, Tall, Short, Huge, and Tiny
January 28, 2015 11:00 - 5 minutes - 4.76 MBThis is a free sample from the e-book 600+ Confusing English Words Explained. It will help clear up your doubts about how to use English words correctly, so that you can speak and write more confidently. Click here for more information!
022 - Speaking Fluent English: My Top 10 Tips
January 23, 2015 14:00 - 10 minutes - 9.64 MBMANY students write to me and ask how they can become fluent – so here are my top 10 tips for reaching your goal of fluency! Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/how-to-speak-fluent-english-top-10-tips/
021 - How to Disagree Politely in English
January 20, 2015 20:19 - 8 minutes - 7.38 MBIn spoken English, just saying “I disagree” is often too direct. Most English speakers use phrases that are modified to be more polite, or indirect methods to express disagreement. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to disagree without offending anyone! Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/practical-english-speaking-how-to-disagree-politely/
020 - Common Collocations with TIME
January 19, 2015 10:55 - 8 minutes - 7.5 MBTime, time, time – here are 16 different ways to use time in English! Learn these common English collocations to improve your vocabulary. spend time waste time make time for something save time free/spare time have time kill time / pass the time take your time on time just in time have a hard/rough time it's about time pressed for time run out of time stall for time take time off Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/16-common-english-collocations-w...
019 - Phrasal Verbs for Romantic Relationships
January 16, 2015 17:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBPhrasal Verb Definition in Context hit on someone demonstrate romantic / sexual interest ask someone out invite someone for a date (a romantic encounter) lead someone on give the person false hope or expectations about the relationship hit it off with someone have a great connection from the first moment you meet the person fall for someone fall in love with the person split up / break up separate, end the relationship drift apart slowly go in different directions over time ...
018 - English Expressions for Extreme Emotion
January 15, 2015 17:00 - 5 minutes - 5.4 MB#1 - “My boss hit the ceiling when I told him I’d lost the documents.” The idiomatic expression “hit the ceiling” means to get very angry and upset. Other expressions for sudden anger include “go ballistic” and “blow a fuse.” Listen to the episode to learn more expressions! Click here for the episode text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-english-phrases-for-extreme-emotion/
017 - Talking about the Future: Will or Going To?
January 14, 2015 17:00 - 5 minutes - 5.01 MBThere are two ways to talk about the future in English: will/won't and going to. Use going to for plans/arrangements Use will for promises, offers, and decisions made in the moment Use either will or going to for predictions Click here for the episode text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/grammar-in-use-willwont-vs-going-to/
016 - British English vs. American English Vocabulary
January 14, 2015 00:00 - 8 minutes - 7.66 MBThis is a story about the daily life of New York Nate, who lives in the United States; and London Laura, who lives in England. As you can see, they have very similar lives… but the vocabulary words they use are very different! Click here for the episode text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/british-english-vs-american-english-vocabulary/
015 - Linking Words in English: Contrasting Ideas
January 11, 2015 22:24 - 6 minutes - 6.23 MBUsing "linking words" can improve your spoken and written English by helping you form longer, more complex sentences. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to use: but / however although / even though despite / in spite of while / whereas / unlike Click here for the episode text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/linking-words-contrasting-ideas/
014 - Difference between SAY, TELL, and SPEAK
January 11, 2015 22:20 - 6 minutes - 5.74 MBIf you frequently confuse the words SAY, TELL, and SPEAK, you’re not alone – these are some of the most commonly confused English words! In this lesson, I’ll teach you the rules for the difference between say, tell, and speak. Click here for the episode text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/difference-between-say-tell-and-speak/
013 - Extreme Adjectives
January 11, 2015 22:16 - 8 minutes - 7.74 MBAdjectives are words that describe the qualities of something. Some adjectives in English are gradable - that means you can have different degrees or levels of that quality. For example, the weather can be a little cold, rather cold, very cold, or extremely cold. Extreme adjectives or non-gradable adjectives are words that mean “extremely + adjective” – for example, “freezing” means “extremely cold.” The weather can’t be “a little bit freezing” or “very freezing” – because the word “freezin...