Hi Everyone! Christmas is just a few days away and what better way to prepare than by learning how to describe desserts in English. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the holiday season tends to be a time of indulgence; if you're not diving into calorie-filled desserts with your family members (even just on Zoom this year), what are you doing?!? In English the four tastes are sweet, salty, sour and bitter (some also mention umami). Today, we'll talk about other adjectives to describe your f...
Dec 24, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Hi Everyone! Welcome back to Episode #088. Today we will be talking about a poem, a very famous poem. In fact it may be one of the most read and referenced poems in English. Don't quote me on that, but it's a poem that you'll hear on the radio in the U.S. as December 25th approaches, you'll see lines from it on Christmas cards, in advertisements and in many many movies. It's called A Visit from Santa Claus, but you may know it as The Night Before Christmas. If you don't celebrate Christmas, or y...
Dec 09, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 88
For today we're back with another 5-Minute English episode and it's all about Strengths and Weaknesses, one of the most challenging questions you'll run into at a job interview. In the 5-Minute discussion we'll dive into an individual's head on the day of a job interview and see how they decide on their strength. As usual, 5-minute episodes are intensive listening exercises so it should be a challenge! If you're struggling to understand and feel overwhelmed by the complexity of advanced vocab wo...
Dec 03, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 87
In today's episode you'll learn how to use the expression IN THE RED and we'll talk about how BLACK FRIDAY got started, how it grew in popularity and what it's like in case you want to take advantage of sales on your next trip to the US. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than just the audio. For many episodes, like this one, there is premium content t...
Nov 19, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 86
In this episode, we have a special guest. His name is Charlie Baxter and he's the host of the British English Podcast. We talk about the British Bake Off and he helps me understand the terminology used in it. To gain access to the full episode, transcript, podcast player, quizzes and more, be sure to sign up to Season 2 (see below) Charlie's Info The British English Podcast Website The British English Podcast Charlie's Youtube channel Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) Season 2 - Pr...
Nov 12, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Listen to Jessica (my college roomie) and I talk about our college experiences at UC Santa Barbara! To gain access to the full episode, transcript, podcast player, quizzes and more, be sure to sign up to Season 2. Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) Season 2 - Premium Content for episodes 051 - 100 OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Other Content Get the Free E-Book: 101 American English Slang Words Connect on Instagram Get updated when new epis...
Nov 06, 2020•34 min•Season 2Ep. 84
In this episode, you'll hear about what my family has been doing in the month of October. You'll hear the Present Perfect Continuous tense used over and over again. To gain access to the full episode, transcript, podcast player, quizzes and more, be sure to sign up to Season 2. Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) Season 2 - Premium Content for episodes 051 - 100 OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Other Content Get the Free E-Book: 101 American E...
Oct 30, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 83
In this episode, you'll hear a lower intermediate story for Halloween called the Red Spot. It's disgusting. Don't say I didn't warn you, so either skip it or listen all the way to the end because you'll be less disturbed if you make it to the last few minutes! To gain access to the full episode, transcript, podcast player, quizzes and more, be sure to sign up to Season 2. Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) Season 2 - Premium Content for episodes 051 - 100 OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT ...
Oct 22, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 82
In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about FALL (AKA AUTUMN) in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker. Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in this lesson. Mentioned in this episode: The 5-Minute English C...
Oct 15, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression HIT THE SPOT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about Ben and Jerry's, one of the most socially and environmentally conscious companies in the U.S.. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than just the audio. For many episodes, like this one, there is premium content that will pu...
Oct 08, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Hi everyone! In today's episode we'll be talking about THE FACES ON OUR MONEY. By money, I'm referring to the United States Dollar, which is commonly written as USD. The faces I'm referring to are the portraits of influential Americans you'll see if you look at the front of our bills and coins. According to the U.S. treasury, these portraits are "of deceased persons whose places in history the American people know well." Deceased is a fancy way of saying dead. So an individual needs to have died...
Oct 01, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 79
In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about ELECTIONS AND VOTING in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker.Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in this lesson. To gain access to the full episode, transcript,...
Sep 24, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 78
In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about LABOR AND DELIVERY, as well as facts and statistics about GIVING BIRTH in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker.Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in this lesso...
Sep 17, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, Liz is back on the show! We have a very fun / funny episode for you which is about Portmanteaus. Don't be afraid of the word, I don't think most Americans know what a portmanteau is. What's important is we USE them ALL THE TIME! For example, instead of saying "I'm going out to grab some frozen yogurt," we might say "I'm going out to get some froyo." Froyo is a portmanteau; it's a blend of two words to make one word that has one meaning. Get ready to laugh and imm...
Sep 08, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 76
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about WILDFIRES, which is a devastating issue many Americans face every summer (including myself!). Since this is a 5-Minute Episode it's topic-specific and MORE CHALLENGING than regular episodes. In it, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and collocations needed to talk about this topic in depth in English. Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to ...
Aug 26, 2020•18 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Hi Everyone! In this week's episode, I retell the very famous Brothers' Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. I've made a few changes to the original text. First of all, I've intentionally added phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases throughout the text so that you can learn them in a context. Secondly, I've modernized some of the language a bit, since the original texts were written in German in the 1800s. I want you to be able to use the language that you hear in conversation. **Premium Conten...
Aug 19, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression ON THE EDGE OF ONE'S SEAT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about the life of STAN LEE, the brain behind some of the world's most beloved and despised superheroes and villains. You'll also get some insight into comic book history! :) **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than j...
Aug 13, 2020•35 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about CLEANING, which is an activity that most of us dread. The thing is, the topic often pops up in conversation so the vocabulary, phrasal verbs, collocations and expressions in this episode are very useful! Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in this lesson. Mentioned in this episod...
Aug 06, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression THROUGH THICK AND THIN like a native speaker. You'll also learn about MATERNITY LEAVE / PARENTAL LEAVE IN THE US. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than just the audio. For many episodes, like this one, there is premium content that will push you to improve your language level fro...
Jul 30, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression MUSIC TO ONE'S EARS like a native speaker. You'll also learn about the fascinating life of ELVIS PRESLEY. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than just the audio. For many episodes, like this one, there is premium content that will push you to improve your language level from an int...
Jul 23, 2020•30 min•Season 2Ep. 70
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about Summer in the US. For many Americans, summertime brings back a sense of nostalgia. Today, we'll talk about the common activities kids do outdoors during the summer months, how families spend summer break (road trips!) and about temperature. Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in ...
Jul 15, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 69
In this episode of the American English Podcast, we will talk about initialisms which are a type of abbreviation. The initialisms discussed are used in PRE-PARTY and PARTY situations. In the first part of the discussion I explain the difference between initialism and acronym. I also explain a list of party initialisms (such as RSVP, BYOB, etc.). In the second part, you will hear a conversation with my mom using them all in a discussion about PARTY CULTURE IN THE U.S.. Premium Content (formerly c...
Jul 09, 2020•24 min•Season 2Ep. 68
In this American English Podcast Episode you'll learn how to use the expression A LOT ON ONE'S PLATE and hear about COMPETITIVE EATING in the U.S.. The topic arouses mixed feelings probably in you and in many Americans because of world hunger, domestic hunger issues and obesity. We'll touch on such criticisms during the discussion. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episod...
Jul 01, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I start by talking about our recent trip to an RV park, a chat with some boys I had about hunting and eating bear and then dive into a 5-minute discussion about AMERICAN BARBECUE. (For you people who hate "American" as an adjective, I'm sorry, but that's the adjective that exists for the United States). If you're interested in hearing casual chat and a lot of useful and different vocabulary words, listen in! Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and...
Jun 24, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, we talk casually about NESTING which is a phenomenon that occurs with pregnant women (some men!) and animals before childbirth. It's characterized by preparing the environment, cleaning, organizing and more. If you're interested in hearing casual chat and a lot of useful and different vocabulary words, listen in! Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) This episode is part of Season 2 . By purchasing Season 2, you'll be able to access the full transcript,...
Jun 17, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to pronounce the 50 U.S. States. In this lesson, you'll also learn about unstressed syllables and the importance of listening. The American English Accent Course Nobody needs to change their accent; it's a personal decision! If your accent bugs you - if it screws with your confidence, makes it difficult to be understood, or is the reason why natives speak slower to you - I've made a course to help you out. The American English Accent course teaches th...
Jun 10, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to use the expression TAKE A HIKE like a native speaker. For the fun fact, we go over YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK and places to visit in the surrounding area. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) Each episode is much more than just the audio. For many episodes, like this one, there is premium content that will push you to improve your la...
Jun 02, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Episode #62 is part 2 of a long conversation with my good friend Liz Johnson about BASEBALL and BASEBALL EXPRESSIONS we use in everyday life. The examples shared in the audio are real and personal and we hope that you will learn how you can insert them into your everyday life. Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) This episode is part of Season 2 . By purchasing Season 2, you'll be able to access the full transcript, a comprehension quiz and the premium podcast player to work on your p...
May 26, 2020•26 min•Season 2Ep. 62
In Episode #61, my good friend Liz Johnson and I talk about BASEBALL CULTURE IN THE U.S. and we teach COMMON BASEBALL EXPRESSIONS we use in everyday life. This is PART 1 of a longer recording. PART 2 will be posted soon. The examples shared in the audio are real and personal and we hope that you will learn how you can insert them into your everyday life. Premium Content (formerly called the Classroom) This episode is part of Season 2 . By purchasing Season 2, you'll be able to access the full tr...
May 20, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I teach how to use the expression OUT OF THIS WORLD like a native speaker. For the fun fact, we go over THE LIFE STORY OF WALT DISNEY.At the beginning of the episode, you will learn many alternative adjectives for the word " amazing." During the fun fact section, you'll hear a number of expressions in context. **Premium Content** (formerly called the Classroom) Get Season 2 Premium Content OR Get ALL PREMIUM CONTENT FOR SEASONS 1-3 (including transcripts + mp3s) ...
May 13, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 60
