All Ears English Podcast | Real English Vocabulary | Conversation | American Culture

What’s so difficult about the IELTS Speaking Part 1? What can you do to prepare? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss some tactics for avoiding the dangers and allowing yourself to stand out!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS includes questions about yourself. You will be asked about three topics, and though it may seem like simple stuff, the danger is that you might become too relaxed and start using one-word answers. You want to do better than that. In fact, ideally your answers will be 2-4 sentences each! How can you do come up with that? Do some brainstorming. Think of the question words. Question words can help you think of better answers.   Vocabulary is also important in Speaking Part 1. If you want to achieve a higher score, you will need to use a range of vocabulary, including slang and idioms. The examiner wants to hear that you know more than what’s in your textbook. A good strategy is to have a short list of slang and idioms ready to use.   W

How do you persist in learning English? Do you expect it to ever get easier? Today, learn how a New York-based painter went from poverty to riches by sticking with it, and how you can achieve success by following his example! Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can movies cause problems in speaking natural English? Today, find out why mimicking phrases from movies can make it difficult to have natural-sounding English conversations!   Hollywood is drama. Its stories are fiction. This means that the language used by characters is often unrealistic. Because of the unnatural dialogue, you don’t want to quote from movies unless it’s understood that you are quoting. Native English speakers do it all the time by slightly changing the tone of their voice. Even then, such quotes are usually made in a context that makes it clear that the usage is a little joke.   Some popular American movie quotes: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump “May the odds be ever in your favor.” – The Hunger Games “May the force be with you.” – Star Wars “Houston, we have a problem.” – Apollo 13   While it can be fun to directly quote movies, you want to try to sound more like a real English speaker, not a fictional character.   Do you ha

Do you need a plan for Writing Task 1 on the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica share two clear steps for helping you beat it!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   The IELTS exam’s written section is divided into two tasks. Task 1 requires you to interpret a map or chart in approximately 150 words, while Task 2 is about 250 words on your own thoughts. Even though it is longer, Task 2 is often easier for test-takers. Task 1, because of the vocabulary needed, can be much more difficult. The Task 1 chart is usually some kind of line or graph that shows a change over time. To give yourself the language needed to discuss this chart, a good tactic might be to read the business section of the newspaper and pick up the vocabulary you need – words like that describe change, like increase, decrease, decline and skyrocket.   In writing your answer for Task 1, keep it clear and simple. A good plan might be to discuss increases in paragraph one, and decreases in paragraph two. That way, your

Do you have trouble using English modals? Today, Lindsay and Michelle give you three crazy role-plays to understand when to use should, could and would!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Correct use of modals like should, could and would can be confusing.  All three deal with time and possibility, and all three involve telling or asking someone to do something.   Should describes the strong possible likelihood of something.  It is also used to give advice. “I should arrive on time.” “You should apply for the job.”   Could describes a possibility in the past or the future.  It can also be used as a polite request. “She could have eaten dinner already.” “Could you pick me up at the airport?”   Would is most commonly used to make a polite request. “Would you like to come with me?” “Would you ask him about the book?”   How can you use should, could and would? Give us some examples in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast

Are you preparing to take the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss what you need to know to pass with the score you want!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have trouble writing an email in English? Do you worry about what kind of impression you’re making? Today, Lindsay and Michelle share four common email mistakes made by non-native English speakers, and how to correct them!   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

Have you ever thought about taking the TOEIC? On today’s Test Talk, Lindsay and Jessica talk about using prediction in testing, and how it can help!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   When getting a bank account, cell phone, or internet connection in a foreign country, you need to be able to ask questions and know the right structures of conversation. If you don’t, you might not be told all of the information you need to know. By practicing, especially if you’re able to do so with a partner, you can learn to anticipate what might be said by the other person. Doing this is learning to predict, and see what you’re missing. It might make you a better test-taker.   A practice conversation might go like this: “I need to open a bank account.” “Okay, to open an account, please complete this form.”   “Where should I take the form?” “Give it to the woman in the office down the hall.”   “When can I have my account? Today?” “No, it takes two weeks.”   “Do you need my passport?” “Ye

On today’s Deep Thoughts Thursday, Lindsay and Michelle consider a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.   When he was a child, Teddy Roosevelt was weak, sickly and asthmatic. He had poor eyesight, too. Yet he grew up to be one of America’s greatest symbols of achievement and individual strength. His attitude continues to inspire today, and is summed up in the following quote: Come back to our site to leave a comment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you thinking about testing in English? Today, Lindsay introduces Jessica, the Examiner of Excellence, who’s here to help you excel at your English tests!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Test preparation doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it should be interesting. When you’re studying for an English test, it isn’t the same as studying for a math test. You need to activate your emotions so you can remember more. Reading or watching movies in English can help, but you can also practice writing essays on subjects that are interesting to you, or go out and speak English with native speakers. Think of it as test preparation.   As for taking the actual test, Jessica has four essential tips to give you an advantage: Be proactive. Take an active approach that involves your brain. Try to think about and predict answers. Trust yourself. Don’t start doubting yourself when answering questions. Often, your first answer is the correct one. Follow directions. Tests are written by smart

Are you sometimes unsure what to do next in life and with your English learning? Today Lindsay and Michelle talk about how to proceed when life feels overwhelming!   Come back to our site for more tips   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 classr

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 ask

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 grocer

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! Fo

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