Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Today we discuss the kinds of resolutions we make, and discuss tips on how to keep them. Learn what a SMART goal is, and learn the idioms and interesting vocabulary words we use when speaking: ‘to be on to … [Read more...]

Today we talk about the best present we’ve ever gotten, and define interesting words, terms, and phrases that come up in natural conversation. Learn the phrases ‘freaking out’, ‘big deal’, ‘to be up to it’, ‘nailed it’, ‘stand out’, 'add up', the … [Read more...]

David and I ask each other questions to get the conversation going – then we stop when we use an idiom, phrasal verb, or challenging vocabulary word and explain it. You’ll learn and these words and phrases because you heard them in context! Some of … [Read more...]

When we were in Italy recently, we often struggled with knowing the polite way to phrase a request or ask for something.  We could get the point across, but we lacked nuance with the language.  Today we discuss phrases you can use to be polite in … [Read more...]

Today we reflect on our trip to Italy and what it was like being non-native speakers. We discuss how we picked up language there, and how it felt not being able to fully communicate. We talk about becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable, and … [Read more...]

Today we listen to a conversation that we recorded in Italy with my sister- and brother-in-law as we discuss what it means to be in another country, trying to speak a new language. We talk about leaving your whole self behind to try to embody the new … [Read more...]

Today we study casual English conversation as David and I ask each other questions like: Think back 10 years. What's something that has changed about your personality? As we speak, we pick out the phrasal verbs, idioms, and interesting vocabulary … [Read more...]

The IELTS exam tests your proficiency in English, and today we sit down with IELTS expert Eliot Freisen of Magoosh. He has created a training program to help students prepare, and today we discuss in-depth the speaking section of the exam, how it’s … [Read more...]

Today David and I ask each other a series of questions to get the conversation going. Then we stop ourselves as idioms, phrasal verbs, or interesting vocabulary words come up in conversation. A sample of what is covered: meaning of ‘economically … [Read more...]

Today we answer questions about making friends with Americans—and growing friendships with Americans. Is it normal to have good friends of both sexes? Do Americans avoid talking about the difficulties in life? How to meet friends and start … [Read more...]

Today we do a deep-dive into the American English diphthongs. How many are there, and why doesn't everyone agree with that number? We discuss different spellings of the diphthongs, as well as the benefits of studying mouth positions. Rachel talks … [Read more...]

Today David and I ask each other a series of questions to get the conversation going, then we stop ourselves as idioms, phrasal verbs, or interesting vocabulary words come up in conversation. A sample of what is covered: idiom ‘stuck between a rock … [Read more...]