The US and UK have a rather different style of politeness. You’ll learn about them both in this video. In American English it’s often important to show warmth and friendliness. That’s true in British English too, but there we sometimes place more emphasis on not intruding or interfering. It’s not that one style of politeness […]
Are Brits or Americans more polite? Let’s see! Read More »
We’re back with some more tricky words to pronounce in English. Hear how some English learners say them and then listen to how Vicki and Jay say them, in British and American English. It’s a fun way to improve pronunciation. In this video you’ll learn the pronunciation and meaning of these words: Mishap Depth Mishap
Tricky words to pronounce in British and American English Read More »
Halloween is a big holiday at this time of year in the US. Folks are carving pumpkins to make jack-o’-lanterns and getting their costumes ready for trick-or-treating. Halloween is growing in popularity in the UK, but the big event for us is Bonfire night or Guy Fawkes. It’s a celebration of a historical event from
Halloween vs. Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. Read More »
It’s hard to know what to say to comfort people who are grieving. Grief and death aren’t easy topics to talk about in any language. In this video we share some English phrases that have made us feel a little better as we grieve the death of our dog Carter. Most of the words of
Words of comfort – expressing condolences in English Read More »
Learn how to use the past possibility modals may, might and could. This is the second of two videos on 3 useful modal verbs that we use to talk about possibility and certainty in English. The first video was about how we use them in the present and future and you can see it here.
Modal verbs: How to use may, might and could to talk about past possibilities Read More »
May, might and could are really useful English modal verbs. We use them in lots of different ways but an important one how we use them to express uncertainty when we’re not sure. You can use may might and could with the same simple structure if you’re talking about the present or the future. They
Modal verbs: How to use may, might and could to talk about possibilities Read More »
Translation is dangerous! Sometimes words and phrases that work in one culture are rude in English. This video is about cultural differences and how to be polite in English. We look at 5 things you shouldn’t say in English unless you want to be rude or get a black eye. Grandma and grandad/granddad Aunt and
5 Things You Shouldn’t Say in English (if you want to be polite) Read More »
In this lesson we look at how to agree in English and we’ll spice up your vocabulary with 12 different words and phrases. We’ll show you common words and phrases in action and explain what they mean. If someone gives an opinion or makes a suggestion that we like, we can say ‘I agree with
How to agree in English – 12 different ways Read More »
The B2 First Speaking test (FCE) has four parts and in this video we look at the last half of the test. In FCE speaking part 3, the examiner gives the candidates a task to perform and they need to interact with one another. In part 4, the topic stays the same, but the candidates
B2 First Speaking Test – Parts 3 & 4 + useful phrases Read More »
Here are eight words you’ve told us you find hard to pronounce in English. Watch some English learners pronounce them and learn how we say them in British and American English. It’s a great way to improve pronunciation. You’ll learn how we say: foreigner, athlete, climb, indict, dangerous, extraordinary, analysis, to analyze, and lure. You’ll
More words that are hard to pronounce in British and American English Read More »
