Espresso English Podcast

Native English speakers use a LOT of informal expressions in day-to-day life! Lately, I've been paying attention to my own conversations - and today I'll teach you 10 informal English expressions I've used recently. You'll learn phrases like: ""Can we just drop it?"" ""That's not for the faint of heart."" ""You're in for a treat!"" What do these mean? Take the lesson to find out! Click here to read the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-informal-english-expressions-ive-used-recently/

Many students get confused when there are two consecutive verbs in a sentence – what form does the second verb take? This lesson will show you five types of verb + verb combinations with example sentences. If you want to practice more, try creating your own example sentence for each verb in the tables! Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/5-types-of-english-verb-verb-combinations/

One verb in English can be followed by various prepositions to make many different phrasal verbs. So you might know the basic meaning of the verb play (play sports, play the piano, etc.) - but do you know what it means to play at something or play along with something? Today you'll learn 10 different phrasal verbs with the word ""play."" There are also questions to help you form your own sentences and put the phrasal verbs into practice. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-english-phrasal-verbs-with-play/

When you're learning a language, it's common to feel sad about your progress. You want to become fluent... but it seems like that goal is so far away! If you hear an expression that you don't know, or have difficulty understanding a fast conversation, it's easy to lose confidence in your abilities. You might think negative thoughts like "My English is so bad." You might wonder, "Will I ever become fluent in English, or is it impossible for me?" Let me tell you about my language-learning experience... Click here for the lesson text: http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18&id=7dc976843f

One of the best ways to learn English phrasal verbs is to see them in context. This lesson will teach you 15 common English phrasal verbs related to sports and health by showing each one in use in an example sentence. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/15-english-phrasal-verbs-in-use-sports-health/

In today's episode, you'll learn expressions like buckle up, give you a ride, pull over, pit stop, and slam on the brakes. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/12-everyday-english-phrases-driving/

Today's lesson is a challenge - I'm going to show you 10 sentences, and you have to find the grammar mistake in each one. After you've done your best to identify each error, I'll give you the correct answers and explanations. Click here for lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/can-you-find-the-english-grammar-mistakes-in-these-sentences/

Reading the news in English is a great way to learn new words and phrases, especially for talking about current events. I was reading the newspaper recently, and found these 10 English expressions I'd like to teach you today. Click here for lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-english-expressions-i-found-in-the-news-recently/

Hello students! How's life? We sometimes use the question "How's life?" as a casual way to ask how the person is feeling and what they have been doing recently. In today's lesson, you'll learn 10 phrases and expressions with the word "life," such as: - "Get a life!" - "He leads a charmed life." - "They put their lives on the line." - "I feel like I have a new lease on life." - ...and more! Lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-phrases-and-idioms-with-life/  

Do you have difficulty listening to and understanding native English speakers? How to improve your English listening Listening is one of the BIGGEST problems for English learners. It’s possible for you to: read well have good grammar & vocabulary skills be able to speak and write …but when you listen to spoken English, you don’t understand everything. So why is listening so difficult? There are three main reasons. Lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/do-you-want-to-improve-your-english-listening/  

A lot of students ask me about the difference between house and home. The word home refers to the place where you live and feel an emotional connection, and the word house refers to a specific type of building. We also use some different collocations with house and home! Today you'll learn 36 adjectives, verbs, and nouns that are frequently used together with these words. Lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-collocations-with-house-and-home/  

Today I'm going to teach you English words that many learners confuse: - beside and besides - than and then - wander and wonder By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use these English words correctly and confidently! Lesson text: https://www.espressoenglish.net/beside-or-besides/ http://www.espressoenglish.net/then-or-than/ https://www.espressoenglish.net/wander-or-wonder/  

Today you'll learn English phrases with the word "What." These phrases are common in English conversation.#1 - "What's the catch?"Say this in response when something sounds too good to be true... and you suspect there's a hidden problem. For example, if your friend says he'll sell you his car for just $200, you could say, "What's the catch?" because you are wondering if there's something wrong with the car... or if your friend wants you to do some favor in return.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-conversational-english-expressions-with-the-word-what/

In this lesson, you’re going to practice English words with very similar sounds. Many English learners have problems pronouncing these words correctly. If you can master the differences in pronunciation between these words, you’ll improve your pronunciation and be able to talk more like a native English speaker.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/top-10-english-pronunciation-problems/

Both of these words refer to the action of putting something down on a surface, or an object/person/animal resting on a surface. However, lay has a direct object and lie does not. In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the English words LAY and LIE with examples.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/lay-or-lie/

Do you want to expand your English vocabulary?Here are 10 negative adjectives for describing undesirable traits in people, things, or situations. You'll learn how to use words like hideous, petty, repulsive, obnoxious, dreary, and more.Read the definitions, learn from the examples, and try to create your own sentences, too! When you improve your vocabulary, it's much easier to express your ideas in English.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-negative-adjectives-in-english/

A lot of students ask me about when to use WHO and when to use WHOM. This is an aspect of English grammar that even native English speakers confuse! Today I'll explain it to you clearly with example sentences. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/who-or-whom/

In your native language, are there "regular words" that also have a slang meaning?In today's lesson, you're going to learn the alternative slang meanings of English words like hot, high, dump, dig, grand, beat, and more!Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-common-english-words-with-slang-meanings/

Sometimes the verb "have" can be used in the present continuous (having) and sometimes it can be replaced by "have got"... but not always. In today's podcast, I'll teach you 15 expressions with the verb "have" and tell you whether you can use "having" and "have got" in these phrases.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/15-english-expressions-with-have/