11 Super Common Conversation Expressions in American English

Chances are you’ve been in a conversation with a native English speaker when they used a few expressions that were pretty new to you. You probably got the gist of what they were saying, but you still wanted to make sure that both of you were on the same page. In fact, we use a lot of expressions to transition between ideas, move on to another point or change the subject, or even to refer … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Indirect Questions – Make Requests and Offer Subtle Suggestions

Do you happen to know what time it is? I was wondering if you’d help me move next week. Could you tell me where the nearest station is? Notice anything interesting about these sentences? That’s right – they’re questions hiding within other questions or statements. If you’ve ever missed answering a question because the question was actually hidden within a statement or another question, then this video will help. In this video, you’ll learn how … Read the article and watch the video lesson

How to Give Clear Suggestions and Strong Recommendations Using Polite Language

Have you ever wanted to give a clear, strong suggestion to a friend, relative, or coworker, while still sounding tactful and polite? At times, we need to encourage or even urge other people to take action, but we don’t want to sound bossy, demanding, or like we’re ordering people around. I recommend that you keep watching to find out how to offer clear suggestions and make strong recommendations in American English. In this video, you’ll … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Don’t Let This Outdated Accent Advice Keep You From Speaking English – Your Ideas Matter!

If you’ve spent any time working on your accent, pronunciation, or voice in English, then you’ve come across a ton of advice. Go to just about any corner of the internet, and you’ll find videos, podcasts, articles, and message board discussions telling you exactly what you need to do to achieve your accent goals. If you’re like most people, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the information out there. How do you … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Dropped Sounds & Deleted Syllables – Why Entire Syllables Disappear from Words in American English

The words we’re going to talk about today aren’t especially interesting, but they probably sound different than you expect. We’ll focus on several words that you use almost every day, so that you feel more comfortable saying them naturally. Is what we’re discussing today still a mystery? Then grab a warm beverage, like hot chocolate, and let’s get started! In this video, you’ll learn 20 words in American English that have dropped, deleted, or disappearing … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Advanced Word Stress – Practice Contrast Between Stressed and Unstressed and Reduced Syllables

By now, you know the number one piece of accent advice I wish I could give every non-native speaker: stress your words clearly. Word stress helps you pronounce words accurately, and it helps other people identify and understand the word you’re saying. When we stress a word, we emphasize one syllable of this word by making the vowel sound longer, louder, and higher in pitch, with extra clear mouth movement. Stressing words consistently helps you … Read the article and watch the video lesson