Interesting differences between British and American English
There’s a short vowel that we use in British English that doesn’t occur in American. You’ll find it in words like ‘lot’, ‘rock’ and ‘bomb’. In this vowel pronunciation video, we compare it with two other vowel sounds that Americans commonly use instead. Working on English vowels is a great way to improve your accent. […]
The British short vowel ‘ɒ’ & other English vowel sounds Read More »
Learn how to pronounce the R sound in British and American English. Jay has a rhotic accent and Vicki has a non-rhotic accent. You’ll hear how that affects our pronunciation of R before consonants and at the end of words. We’ll help you recognize the pronunciation differences and also share some tips for making perfect
The R sound in British and American English Read More »
English spelling is tricky because sometimes words look nothing like they sound. But here’s a rule that can help: i before e except after c. Join Vicki and Jay at a spelling bee, or spelling competition as we call them in the UK. You’ll learn when it’s useful to apply the rule and when it
i before e except after c – a useful English spelling rule Read More »
Are American’s excited about the royal wedding? After all, it’s a British event. Watch this video to find out what American’s think of Meghan and Prince Harry and to learn lots of great English expressions. This is a listening practice lesson with fast, natural English. Click here to see videos about British and American English
Meghan, Harry and the Royal Wedding. What do Americans think? Read More »
Should you say different to or different than? Or should you say different from? In this short video you’ll learn what we say in British and American English. Click here to see more British and American differences Click here to learn how to use the prepositions for and to Different to, different than or different
Different to, different than or different from? A British and American Difference Read More »
I had to learn some new words when I went shopping for clothes in the US. I’m British and I had some puzzled looks from shop assistants when I used my English words. Here’s a short video that goes through some of the different words we have for clothing in British and American English. Click
British and American words for clothes – they’re different! Read More »
Learn how to pronounce can and can’t in British and American English. Can is pronounced in much the same way in both varieties, but can’t is very different. It explains one of the (many) reasons why Vicki sometimes find it hard to understand Jay. Click here to learn about some more British and American differences.
How to say Can and Can’t in British and American Read More »
Come join me and find out what a US political rally is like. And the home of the brave. God bless you all. This weekend I went to my first American political rally and I thought you might like to see it too. Hello Simple English Videos! Philadelphia! Are you ready to elect Hillary Clinton
US Election Special and American and British English Group Nouns Read More »
There are abbreviations in British English that Americans don’t use – words like brolly and chippie. I wonder if you know them? This video is about some differences in British and American abbreviations and you’ll learn some common British short forms. We made this video after the collaboration we did with other ESL YouTubers for the
British Abbreviations. Learn about English short forms Read More »
The phrases I don’t care and I don’t mind are very common and useful, but they can cause offence and/or confusion when Americans and Brits use them together. In the USA they mean one thing and in the UK they mean another. When an American says I don’t care to a Brit, they can sound negative
I don’t care and I don’t mind: An American and British difference Read More »
