Do you have an information addiction? Today, Lindsay and Michelle will have a natural English conversation about how information addiction can affect your life, and what you can do to unplug!   Come back to our website for more tips       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you nervous about speaking English? Are you looking for a way around it? Today, Lindsay and Michelle share a story about one student who overcame his fear of speaking English by being an expert at something else!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   An English student in an American business course had little confidence in his English abilities. But when the other students in his course discovered that he understood their subject better than any of them, he was asked to be their tutor. Of course, they wanted him to tutor them in English. This turned out much better than expected. As a tutor, he had to be in the moment and focused. He couldn’t worry about his inhibitions or nervousness, or making mistakes. And because of this, he was able to take control.   A classroom is a safe place to learn English, but you are expected not to make mistakes, and so you must focus on your own perfection rather than connection. Connecting with others is more natural. Try to get out of the classroom and overcome your inhibitions.   How do you practice English outside the classroom? Does it help make you less self-conscious about speaking English? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Need some help talking about your plans in English? On today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle tell you how to talk about the future the way native speakers do!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Usually English textbooks tell you to talk about the future using ‘will’ and ‘going to’. These work, but native English speakers also do it by using the progressive tense. To native ears, this is a more natural and conversational way to talk.   Here are some examples of conversation about the future using the progressive tense: “What are you having for dinner?” “Tonight I’m having chicken.”   “Are you bringing anything?” “I’m bringing wine.”   “What are you doing tomorrow?” “I’m going to see a movie.”   Note that all of these conversations are talking about the future, not the immediate moment.   What are you doing tomorrow? What are you doing next week? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to get a job in the US? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss what you need to know to excel at an American job interview!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Job interviews everywhere focus on skills and training. But in the US, employers are usually interested in character as well. They want to know whether you’re a team player, what your potential is to be a leader, and how you will grow in your job. As such, they might ask some questions focused more on your behaviors than your skills. It would help to think about these questions ahead of time, so you can be prepared.   Some American job interview questions might include: “Tell us about the most difficult/frustrating individual you ever had to work with, and how you managed to work with them.” By asking this, they’re seeing whether you can rise above a problem and keep it from affecting the company. “Give an example of how you’ve broken out of a routine or when you’ve successfully developed a new approach.” Here they’re asking you to show flexibility. “How do you schedule your time/prioritize time when you have a tight turnaround?” With this, you might want to explain how you ask others for help or delegate your work.   In answering all of these questions, try to tell a story from conflict to resolution, and keep it under three minutes if possible.   Do employers ask questions like these during job interviews in your country? Tell us about it in the comments section below!     Brad received his undergraduate degree at New York University in 1984, and spent the next 15 years in the business world focused on sales and marketing. After spending a year testing the English teaching waters in Korea, he returned to the USA and got a Masters degree in TESOL from Seattle University in March 2001. Since then Brad has worked in London for a summer, spent a few years in Ireland writing TEFL materials for the Wall Street Institute and other companies, and has worked in Germany and Austria as an in-house Business English trainer for companies like Siemens, Deutsche Post/DHL and EADS. He has also taught many seminars and workshops for various companies on skills like presentations and business correspondence, as well as a business course for two years at the University of Ulm, Germany.   How to Work with Brad on italki: Step 1- Go to italki to get $10 off your second lesson. You must use this link to get the special deal. Step 2- Search for “Brad C” in the teacher search bar after you have registered with the above link for our special promotion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever take a risk when learning English? Or would you rather be ordinary and routine? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss how not being a play-it-safer can help your English grow!   Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want some help with the local English in San Francisco? Today, San Francisco native Sarah Honour talks about how you can go local with your English in the City by the Bay!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course   San Francisco is one of the most unique and amazing cities in the United States. It’s residents are technology-centric due to their proximity to Silicon Valley, as well as health-centric and nature-centric due to the progressive philosophy that has long been part of the spirit of the city. Sarah believes that these traits are found in some of the language that San Franciscans use, and that knowing this terminology can help you fit in just a little better. Here are Sarah’s three top terms for your visit to San Francisco: “Is there an app for that?”: App is short for application, as in for your phone. Because the Bay Area is near the center of a major technological development region, there are apps for almost everything in the city — from calling a taxi to getting your groceries delivered. Organic, Local, Sustainable and Seasonal: Food quality is really important to San Franciscans. Organic means that no pesticides have been used, local means the food was grown nearby, and sustainable means the environment was not harmed to produce it. Seasonal simply means that it is the natural time of year for the food to grow. “Where’s the wiggle?”: San Francisco is a great city for biking, but it is also a city with lots of hills. The ‘wiggle’ is the route for biking with the least amount of hills to go up.   Have you ever been to San Francisco? Would you like to go? Tell us why in the comments section below!   Sarah is a 31 year old American who was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, studied Communications in Seattle, Washington, and worked for almost 10 years as a nanny (or babysitter) in San Francisco, California.  She now splits her time between San Francisco and Sardinia, Italy where her boyfriend lives. She is an English teacher on italki, and is learning Italian and sampling as much of the amazing food and wine from Italy as she can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you clarify information in English? Have you ever met someone on the phone or the internet before you met them in person? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss tag questions, and how they can help you confirm what you think you know, but aren’t sure about!   Come back our site for more tips   A tag question helps you to confirm a piece of information that you think is true, but that you want to clarify. Though they are used as a tool for clarity, they can also be a great way to create conversations. Tag questions tend to begin with the statement to be clarified, and then end with the question. There are many possible combinations.   Some common examples of tag questions include: “You’re from Washington, aren’t you?” “You used to live in New York, didn’t you?” “He can play the piano, can’t he?” “Her birthday is in July, right?”   Are You Ready to Practice? Get a Private, Native English Teacher Now! Try italki to learn to speak like a native. You’ll get your English mistakes corrected immediately! For a limited time you’ll get 10UD to use towards private English lessons on italki. Visit italki now to claim your 10USD in free English lessons.   Do you ever use tag questions? What kinds of things do you need to confirm or clarify in others? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to start a conversation in English? Today, Lindsay introduces and talks about conversations with Michelle Kaplan, the new All Ears English co-host!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you improve your English conversations? Is conversation a science? Find out today as Lindsay talks with Travis Wolven about the poetics of conversation! Come back to our site for more info and tips   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What should be your focus when learning English? How can you make the most of the time you invest in studying? Today Lindsay talks with Nick Vance about the 80/20 principle, and how it can improve your English conversations!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Nick believes that 80% of the positive benefits of something come from 20% of the input. In business, some customers are more valuable than others. With friends, though you may have many, only a few are truly close. In learning English, most of the grammar mistakes a new learner makes are really the same mistake over and over. Correcting these most common 20% of mistakes would eliminate 80% of all grammar mistakes. The best way to identify these is by working with a teacher who can help point out your mistakes.   Another way to work with the 80/20 principle is to prepare answers to the most common questions you might get from native English speakers. This will help you comfortably get conversations started — which is probably 80% of the work! You might prepare answers to questions like: Where are you from? How long have you lived here? What do you do for a living?   Do you see the 80/20 principle working in your life? How so? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!  Nick Vance is originally from Kentucky and has lived in North Carolina, Washington DC, San Diego and Portland. He has been living in Berlin, Germany for 2.5 years.  Nick’s degree is in math but he left that field when he realized how much he enjoyed helping others learn English.  Nick has been helping people improve their English for 4 years and have been teaching online via Italki for about one year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get a job in the United States? What do employers want and expect? Today, Lindsay and Kristy talk about 3 things an employer in the U.S. might look for in a job candidate!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to know what your potential employer is looking for. Like any other country, the U.S. has a professional culture which places more value on some individual qualities than others. These qualities may be very different from what employers look for in your home country!   Some qualities American employers seek in employees: Proactive attitude: Show that you are autonomous and energetic – the opposite of passive. It means to show up early, confirm the time you will meet, and say thank you. Positive attitude: Americans like smiles. But it’s also important that you get along with others and not be pessimistic. Communication: When you actively communicate it shows you are engaged. A big part of this is simply that you let the boss know what is going on. Be a “Giver”: Show that you believe in the vision of the company and are personally invested in its success. In other words, it’s more than a job to you.   Are these the same traits that employers look for in your country? Do you have them? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When should you use the word ‘the’ in English? Today, in #1 of the Top 15 Fixes series, we discuss the most common article in the English language, ‘the’! Come back to our site   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Use if the word ‘the’ can be a confusing. But there are some rules that can help you get it right most of the time.   The first requires that you consider whether the focus is on something specific, or something more general. When focused on specific items, use ‘the’. If you’re sitting at a table, talking about the food that is actually in front of you, you might say: “Do you like the turkey?” “Yes, the turkey is great!” “Could you please pass the salt?” When focused on more general terms, you don’t use ‘the’. If you’re discussing food in general, you might say: “Do you like turkey?” “Have you tried pumpkin pie?” “Cranberries are too tart for me.”   Geographical terms can also be tricky for ‘the’. In most cases, large, well-known geographic places will have ‘the': the content, the Pacific Ocean, the moon. With specific countries, a country’s formal name might require ‘the,’ while a less formal name might not: the United States, the Russian Federation; America, Russia.   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People Episode 209: How much versus How many Episode 213: Make vs. Do Episode 217: By Yourself vs. On Your Own   What have you found difficult about ‘the’? Tell us all about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you free to follow your goals in life? Or are you afraid? Today, learn how freedom comes with fearlessness! Come back to allearsenglish.com/219 for more!   Go here to read the full episode summary   There are so many things to be afraid of: loneliness, lack of money, professional failure or meaninglessness. Fears can overwhelm you. But what if you have a vision that’s bigger than fear? To accomplish anything, you have to get out of your head and into your body. Action means letting go of your thoughts. But to do that, you need the freedom to be fearless.   Freedom to be fearless means: Questioning everything Avoiding “perfectionist paralysis” Having goals, but knowing that goals are not always the most important thing Being able to communicate effectively with others when the stakes are high   Are you free and fearless? How does it come out in your life? Tell us your story in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You need to be able to write in English in a concise way. Today meet AEE blogger and writer Jay Bethke and get his top tips to write like a pro in American English. Go here to subscribe to transcripts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you an adult living at home with your parents? Did you know that American culture discourages this? Today, find out why Americans feel compelled to move out of their family home at age 18 – even if they don’t have enough money to do so!   Come back to our site for more info   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you surround yourself with doers? Is it important to spend time with others who appreciate your dreams? Today, we talk about why it’s a good idea to hang out with people who can do and dream, and one action you can take to build a supportive social circle!   Come back to our site for more tips   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video trainnig course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you dream without fear? Do you link your English studies to your big goals? Today, learn about one All Ears English listener who has an incredible goal and dream for his English – and why it’s making all the difference in his life! Come back to our site for more tips   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Sergin is an All Ears English listener in Turkey. He listens to English conversations 4-8 hours every day! His goal is to become an actor and move to Hollywood. That may sound like an ambitious dream, but it is possible. Dreaming big is the only way to achieve big things. And it’s important to have a goal that you care about. What you’re doing must inspire you and hold your attention. Find what you want to do in life, not just what you should do!   Do you have any big dreams or goals connected to learning English? Tell us all about them in the comments section below!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Go here to read the full episode summary What’s the difference between do and make in English? Do you make something, or do you do it? Today, in #3 of our Top 15 Fixes, we talk about the difficulty of distinguishing when to use these two verbs!   Many English learners have difficulty using do and make, often because they are directly translating from their own language. But native English speakers make it even more difficult. Even though there are some basic rules for using these verbs, native speakers tend to break them.   Make usually means to create something, from the ground up. Some examples include: Making food, a drink, or anything requiring ingredients Making friends (creating friendships) Making the bed or table (putting things together) Making a phone call, or making mistakes Do usually relates more to a responsibility, an action or a job. Some examples include: Doing dinner, coffee or drinks (something you do together, with others) Doing homework, or doing the dishes (doing a job or work) Doing someone a favor Doing your best   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People Episode 209: How much versus How many What do you make? What do you do? Let us know in the comments section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you make friends in New York? What do you need to know? Today, we discuss one little part of making it in the Big Apple!   Come back to our site for more!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know how to celebrate Halloween like an American? Today, we discuss how Americans celebrate this strange holiday, and how learning English will allow you to celebrate Halloween all year! Come back to our site for more   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Halloween is a popular traditional American holiday. For many Americans, it is their favorite holiday. Among the many activities Americans engage in, the most important for celebrating Halloween is dressing up in a costume. Adults might dress up for parties, and kids might dress up for trick or treating. This is a chance to be somebody different and to reinvent yourself! Learning a new language can also allow you to take on a new personality. A new culture and language might mix with your unique personality to make you into someone 'different'. Speaking a new language is thus like Halloween all year!   Do you celebrate Halloween in your country? What do you do? Tell us all about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is learning English up to you? Today, we talk with Steve Kaufmann, founder of English LingQ about how your English learning goals are closer than you think!   Come back to our site to learn more   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it correct to ask how much, or how many in English? Today, in #4 of the Top 15 Fixes series, we discuss using the words 'much' and 'many' when discussing quantities!   It’s important to think of the meaning of the words much and many, and how each is used differently in counting.   If you're counting something as a mass that can be spilled on the table so that it goes everywhere, you would use the word 'much'. Examples include: Grainy or powdery substances like sugar or flour Liquids, semi-liquids or semi-solids like milk, honey or butter Money (when considered abstractly, as in “too much money”)   If you are counting individual pieces, use the word 'many'. Examples include: Grains such as sugar counted individually Groups of items, like chocolate chips, marshmallows or berries Countable units, such as cups, teaspoons or bags   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People   Do you have any examples for using much and many in your baking or cooking? Share with us in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you speak English like an American? Do you wish you did? Today, learn 3 ways to sound a little more like an American when you speak English! Come back to our site for more tips from Amy   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you plan for your priorities? Do you run your day, or does your day run you? Today we discuss how planning your day can help you accomplish your priorities!   If you don’t decide how you’ll manage you time, someone else will. It’s simple to understand but easy to forget.   Come back to our site for more expert tips   Taking IELTS? Get our free video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we discuss a big mistake you’re making with "miss" and "lose" when you talk about missing the bus in English! Come back to our site for more tips If you take the bus or train, what do you say when you discover it has already come and gone without you? “I lost the bus,” is a common mistake. The problem with saying this is that it suggests you owned the bus, but no longer know where it is. A person can lose their keys or their wallet, but they can only lose their bus if they’re a bus driver!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you talk about people in English? Is the word “people” plural or singular? Read the full notes for this episode Today, in #5 of the Top 15 Fixes, we discuss a mistake you might be making when you translate your native language into English – and how to fix it! In some languages, the word for “people” is singular. But it’s important to remember that, in English, this word is plural. People are interesting. NOT: People is interesting.   The singular term for “people” is “person.” This is similar to the situation with the words “children” and “child.” The children are good. The children are energetic. The child is good. The child is energetic.   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To   Have you had trouble with the plural and singular of these words? Does it come from translating from your own language? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you like advice from an expert English teacher? Today, we talk with Tony from italki.com about 3 outside-the-box ways to improve your English!   Come back to our site to learn more   Are you taking the IELTS Exam? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you take time to reflect on your English learning? Today we talk about how spending 15 minutes on one specific action could save you hours of work later! Come back to our site for more   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come back to our site for more Can you use your body to increase your confidence in English speaking? Today, learn what poses can make you more comfortable and powerful!   Social psychologist Amy Cuddy says body language affects how we think, and how others think about us. When people are slouched and closed-in on themselves, they not only feel less powerful, but they appear less powerful to others. Consider: Are your shoulders slouched? Or are they back, with your chest open? Are you spreading yourself out physically? Are you smiling? Is your body upright?     Tips for power-posing your way to confidence: Stand with your arms up, legs spread out, shoulders back and chest out. Take up space and breathe deeply! If you can't do this at the moment, imagine you’re doing it, or do it in the bathroom before your important interview or presentation. You can even do it while talking on the phone. Yawn! By yawning, we are naturally bringing oxygen to our brain, which makes us feel more alert and confident.   Have you tried power posing? Has it worked for you? Tell us your story in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Read the full episode summary When you’re talking about the future in English, should you use “will” or “going to”? Today, in #6 of the Top 15 Fixes, we discuss the correct way to tell others what you want to do, whether in the immediate future or many years from now!   "Will" and "going to" are interchangeable in meaning, but native English speakers tend to use them for slightly different purposes.   Will is often used in the context of a big plan or dream, often in the far future: I will get married, eventually. “Someday, people will live on Mars.”   However, Will can also be used if you have just spontaneously made a decision, at this very moment, or for promises: “Maybe I will go out to lunch.” “I will always love you.”   Going to is used for more specific decisions about your immediate future: “I’m gonna (going to) go biking tomorrow.” “She’s going to call later tonight.” These rules are general. Remember, there are exceptions, and native speakers can be inconsistent. The best way to learn is to get out and hear native English speakers, and use the language the way you hear it spoken.   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch?   What will you do in the future? What are you going to do? Tell us about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How should you talk about money in American culture? Today, we discuss what you should and shouldn't ask Americans about money! Go here to read the full episode summary Americans tend to think it rude to discuss personal finances and financial decisions. This may be due to the basic American value of faith in an egalitarian society. But whatever the reason, money is a touchy subject, and questions about it alienate or even upset an American.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you a perfectionist when it comes to learning English? If you are, then you are not alone! Today we have an awesome guest! Today Jun from Hapa Eikaiwa is here to talk about how you can beat this problem. Do you feel like you are afraid of making mistakes or that everything that you say has to be perfect? Jun has found that a lot of his students rehearse their sentences in their heads and can’t jump into a conversation and express themselves because of perfectionism. Do you think more than you talk? Come back to our site for more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you an English amateur or a pro? Today we talk about the work from author Steven Pressfield and what it means for your English learning. Go here to read the full episode summary Who’s a Pro? The pro artist or English learner or entrepreneur will show up every day and will do the work. He will move past the thoughts that tend to make him get side-tracked. The pro is present in his studies and his work. He doesn’t repeat negative thoughts or make excuses. Are you a pro when it comes to learning English?   Who’s an Amateur? He might make excuses for not being fluent in English. The amateur might decide that his lack of English skills is because he doesn’t have a good teacher, or good resources, or the right opportunities. Are you an amateur English learner? Tell us in the comments! Are you an English amateur or an English pro? Why? Can you share a strategy to help other AEE listeners “turn pro”?       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Go here to read the full episode summary Do you know who pays for lunch when you go out with English speakers? This might be a source of serious confusion for you if you are making the mistake of translating the word "invite" from your native language to English! Today you'll learn how to avoid one of the most awkward possible misunderstandings when you go out for lunch! Today is number 7 of our Top 15 Fixes to Tune up Your Porsche!   What does it mean when you "invite" someone out for dinner or for lunch? The verb "invite" just means to extend an invitation to someone to go out and do something together. It does NOT mean that you will pay for the person's meal. Are you translating this verb and its meaning from your native language into English? A lot of people make this mistake! In English when we invite someone to dinner we aren't sure who is going to pay.   If you do want to pay for someone you can say: "I've got this" "I got this" "Let me get this" "This one's on me" "I'll take this" "Don't worry about it. I've got this"   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past   How do you deal with paying for the bill in your culture? Is it ok to refuse when someone offers to pay for you or should you accept? How do you think your culture is different from American culture in this sense? Leave us a message in the comments and let's have a conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now   Do you want to maximize your English learning and get fluent in English faster? Today you'll learn how to maximize your English learning by using spreadsheets with Jane Lawson from Daily Step! You'll also learn two other very cool tips to speak English like a native.   Come back to our site to get specific tips and tricks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Americans love to use English slang. Would you like to sound more American when you speak English? Today we talk about four common slang combinations you can use to sound more like a native! Come back to our site for more examples As with other people and languages, Americans tend to bridge words and speak quickly. This can have the effect of shortening and even creating entirely new words.   Here are four slang combination-words that you are likely to hear when around Americans: wanna (want to): “I wanna go out tonight.” shoulda (should have): “I shoulda told the truth.” gonna (going to): “He’s gonna go to a movie later.” gotta (got to): “She says she’s gotta work.”       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come back to our site for more info and tips Should you do a free language exchange instead of an English lesson? Today, we discuss why this might be a mistake! Language exchanges are a big topic in language learning. They’re popular because they’re both fun and free. But they do have some downfalls and sometimes a real teacher is better.       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Go here to read the full episode summary   Do you borrow or lend to a friend in need? Today, in #8 of our countdown of the Top 15 Fixes in English series, we’ll be talking about the difference between these two similar verbs!   You don’t want to let grammar get in the way of giving to or getting from your friends. But the verbs borrow and lend are tricky because they both mean to temporarily give — and yet they are different.   The key to using these verbs is understanding that they follow perspective. Consider who is doing the giving, and who is doing the receiving. Lend focuses on the one who is giving (the one doing the action). Borrow focuses on the one receiving (the one upon whom the action is done).   Here are some examples: I asked her if I could borrow some money. I asked her if she could lend me some money. Did you borrow it from her? Did she lend it to you?   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past   Have you had trouble with borrow or lend? Tell us your story in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now How do you make small talk in English interesting? Does it always have to be boring? Today we talk with Chris Colin about how you can generate great small talk!   Come back to our site to get more details and tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now How can you get fast English improvement? How about improvement in 24 hours? Today, we talk about how you can go from zero to a million in English in only 24 hours! Come back to our site for more tips   We all want to be fluent and sound like a native speaker. But we all want it fast! What can you do to get you closer to your goal in only 24 hours? One thing is to break you bigger goal into smaller, actionable steps that you can actually accomplish. Think about all the little things related to your goal, and what you can do to make them work for you. Think small, but think hard. There are opportunities for improvement everywhere. Think also about how you can connect, whether it be to people or the language itself. What small connections can you find or make in a very short time?   How will you get closer to your goal in 24 hours? Any ideas? Share them with us in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Come back to our site for more tips and links Are you an active English learner? Or are you waiting for us to give you better English skills? Today we talk about how improving your English is about what you do, not what we do! A teacher can only support you and give you the tools you need to help yourself. But improving your English is your responsibility! Never say “I hope you can improve my English.” Instead ask yourself, “How can I use All Ears English as a tool to improve my English?       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Do you want to speak English like a native? Today we chat with Drew Badger, host of English Anyone, about 3 tips to help you achieve fluency! We become fluent in our native language by connecting to others. Drew believes we should use the same behavior to get fluent in other languages. In other words, be a speaker, not just a learner!   Come back to our site for links and more info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Are you interested, or interesting? What’s the difference? Today, in #10 of our countdown of the Top 15 Fixes in English series, we’ll be discussing when to use the -ed and -ing endings!  To be interested is not the same as being interesting. The same applies to other English phrases such as bored and boring, or excited and exciting. Here is a general rule to help you remember the difference: When talking about yourself or your feelings, use the –ed ending. "I am interested in music." When talking about others or something outside yourself, use the –ing ending. "That music is interesting."   Here are some more examples: "She's excited by travel." "Travel is exciting." "They're bored by soccer." "Soccer is boring."   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English   What do you find interesting, boring or amazing? What isn’t interesting, boring or amazing? Tell us in the comments section below!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Do you need a plan to learn English? Do you have so many learning resources you’re overwhelmed? Today we discuss why you need to stop trying to do it all and start creating an English plan! Come back to our post for more tips and a summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Can you learn English like an entrepreneur? Today we talk with successful New York entrepreneur Kristy Oshita about how starting a business can compare to learning English! Entrepreneurs must to work at least as hard as English learners for success. They have to know how to use their time, focus their energy and maintain their sanity.   Come back to our website for more tips and a summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now The English future tense can be tricky. Today, in #11 of our countdown of the Top 15 Fixes in English series, we’ll be discussing the most common mistake with the future tense of English! Come back to our site to get the details Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Native English speakers often break grammar rules – did you know that? Today we discuss six common ways native English speakers mistakenly speak their own language! Language creates culture, and people talk the way they want to be seen. Sometimes this means being loose with the language, whether using slang or speaking in a way that is more comfortable than right.   Come back to the site to get the phrases in writing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the most productive way to learn English? Are there strategies you can use to improve productivity in language learning? Today we talk with productivity expert Thomas Frank about three ways to learn English faster! Thomas believes a big part of success in learning a language has to do with how you manage your time. By using certain strategic behaviors, he says that you can get more and better learning, faster. The top 3 three tips for improving English learning productivity: Come back to our site to get the top 3 tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices