Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English Without Grammar.

Do you need help with technical problems during Zoom calls? In this episode, we'll cover common tech problems in Zoom meetings and how to handle them using helpful phrases. And you'll practice your speaking with a fun mini-story. Get the transcript on my website: Speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/ Zoom has become a crucial tool for remote work and communication. But, as you may have experienced, technical problems can pop up during a Zoom call. As an English learner, it's important to feel comfortable using the app and handling any problems that may come up. Don't worry if you're not a tech expert. Learning the basics of Zoom will help you communicate better with your coworkers and clients. It's a good idea to practice using Zoom's simple features, like sharing your screen, using the chat, and muting your microphone. These features can make your Zoom meetings run more smoothly. To help you tackle these issues, I've prepared an example conversation on Zoom addressing common technical problems. Participants: John

Today we will talk about one of my favorite movies: "Gone with the Wind." It's a romantic drama set during the American Civil War and its aftermath. The movie takes place in the southern United States, during the Civil War. The South is known for its elegance and charm, and the attention to detail in the movie is amazing. You'll see beautiful dresses, sprawling plantations, and stunning landscapes. But also the dark side of war and destruction, as the Civil War brings devastation and loss to the region. The main characters in the movie are Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Scarlett is a young woman who is used to getting her way. That means she always got what she wanted in spite of opposition. She's in love with Ashley Wilkes, who is engaged to her cousin, Melanie Hamilton. Scarlett is determined to win Ashley's heart, but her world is turned upside down when the war breaks out. The other main character, named Rhett, is a charming man who acts carelessly and recklessly. But he becomes enamored with Scarlett'

Do you get nervous when you need to speak English over Zoom? Don't worry because in this episode you'll discover how to engage in a business meeting over Zoom. In the second part of this episode, you’ll learn grammar in context with a point-of-view story. Okay! Let’s start! I'm not sure if you're good with technology, but as you know, over the past few years, many companies have adopted Zoom for work purposes. Therefore, you're probably already familiar with this app. And you may have noticed that whenever we connect to Zoom, technical problems tend to arise. Sometimes it's you, and other times a team member. However, today, let's focus on some useful phrases that can make our work-related Zoom conversations more effective. To help you feel more confident and prepared, I have put together an example conversation on Zoom. Participants: John (the host), Mary, Sarah, and Mark. John: Good morning, everyone. Can you hear and see me okay? Mary: Yes, John, we can hear and see you clearly. John: Great! Then let's get

Are you interested in becoming a permanent resident of the U.S.? Today I will discuss how to obtain a Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a green card. This document allows you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. And with a mini-story, you will practice your speaking skills. Hi there! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new episode. My mission is to help you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks. And, if you want to help me, it's very simple, just share the podcast with your friends. That would mean a lot. Thanks! Before we begin, I suggest you get the transcript from my website. SpeakEnglishPodcast.com Okay! Let’s start! A "green card" is a plastic card with the individual's biographic information, photo, fingerprint, and expiration date issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The card once called the "green card" has kept its nickname, even though it is now yellowish and has a barcode on the back. The Permanent Resident Card is valid fo

Transcript: Today, we will talk about how to negotiate when buying something while traveling. With a mini-story, you can improve your fluency by engaging in a conversation. It's like talking to another person in English. Hi there! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new episode. My mission is to help you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks. And, if you want to help me, it's very simple, just share the podcast with your friends. That would mean a lot. Thanks! Before we start, get the transcript on my website: https://SpeakEnglishPodcast.com To get the most out of the podcast and improve your fluency, I strongly suggest listening to each episode several times, if possible, on different days to better understand the material. Okay! Let's start! When you travel to a foreign country, knowing how to negotiate the price when shopping is essential. Here are some tips to help you get the best deal: 1. Do your research  Before you start bargaining, do your research. If h

Today we will learn how Easter is celebrated in the United States and Australia. We will hear Tom and Sarah's conversation about their plans for Easter this year. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing boring rules. Hi! Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. I'm Georgiana, and my mission is to help you improve your fluency. If you want to support me, please share the podcast with your friends and family. It would mean a great deal to me. Thank you! Okay! Let’s start! Tom, from the United States, and Sarah, from Australia, were catching up on a video call before the Easter holiday. As they started chatting, they quickly realized they had different traditions and plans for celebrating the holiday. Let's listen to their conversation: Tom: Hey, Sarah! Happy Easter! Sarah: Happy Easter to you too, Tom! I hope you're doing well. Tom: Yes, I'm doing great. So, what are your plans for Easter this year? Sarah: I plan to attend church and celebrate Easter

Today, let's keep talking about words related to trials. And to help you improve your English fluency, I have created a fun mini-story. As usual, I will ask you many simple questions you must answer quickly. It's just like having a conversation with someone in real life. Okay! Let's start! #1 Expert witness An expert witness is someone who, in a trial, gives their professional and impartial opinion on a specific topic related to the trial. Sometimes they may prepare a report or testify. Example: The expert witness gave his professional opinion on the box. It was indeed an empty box of chocolate chip cookies. #2 Witness A witness is someone who has direct knowledge of the facts on trial. Witnesses are essential because they can help determine a defendant's guilt. For example, a witness can provide key information about the crime's circumstances and help confirm whether the defendant was present at the crime scene. Example: The witness testified with horror that he saw the defendant eating and tasting the last

"Now that I’m all by myself, I’m going to indulge in this last cookie. I don’t think anyone will notice!” Today I’ll explain some words related to trials. While I’m hoping you’ll never have to use these words in real life, becoming familiar with this language will help you better grasp the subject and engage in conversation on the topic. Come on, let’s start! #1 The Accused or Defendant The person who is accused of breaking the law is called the accused or defendant. They have the right to tell their side of the story and present evidence to the judge.  For example: The police arrested the defendant. He is accused of having eaten the last cookie in the box. #2 Courtroom A courtroom is a place where legal cases are heard and decided. People go there when they are accused of doing something illegal or have a disagreement that needs to be settled by a judge or jury. Example: The trial of the defendant will take place in the courtroom. Okay, next word: #3 Crime A crime is an act or omission against the law punish

Are you planning a trip to the U.S.? In that case, this episode is for you because I will talk about how to get a visa to enter the United States of America. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing any boring rules. Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast. If you want to help, please share the podcast on social media. That would mean a lot. Thanks! Before we start, visit my website: Speakenglishpodcast.com, and subscribe to my FREE mini-course. Over the next five days, you will discover the 5 secrets to speaking English fluently. Okay, let's start! If you’re planning to visit the U. S., you must first obtain a visa. And even if the process can be complicated and time-consuming, you still need a visa to enter the U.S. Therefore, it is essential to understand the different types of visas and the information you need to provide.  For today's episode, I have put together some general tips about g

Healthcare insurance in the U.S. has a long history. However, the earliest forms of healthcare insurance in the U.S. were largely private plans that covered hospital and medical care for individuals or employers.  Today, most Americans obtain health insurance through their employers or government plans such as Medicare and Medicaid. In today's episode, I will start by talking about the private healthcare system. Private care in the U.S. allows individuals to purchase health insurance coverage from private companies instead of relying on public insurance sources like Medicaid or Medicare.  Most private health insurance plans are offered through employers and are known as employer-sponsored health insurance.   Private health insurance usually covers a wide range of healthcare services, such as doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health care, hospitalization, and emergency care. Depending on the plan, private health insurance might include coverage for vision and dental care, alternative medicine, and other ser

Transcript: Are you curious about how the healthcare system works in the U.S.? In this episode, I will explain the basics of the American healthcare system. There is not one universal system, but a range of public and private insurance options. I will lay out how these plans work so that you can gain a better understanding. And yes. Contrary to what some people assume, public health care exists in the USA. There are several public systems, both federal and state. All Americans must have health insurance or face a federal offense. Therefore, everyone should be properly insured. If someone is unemployed, they may be eligible for federal or state public insurance programs to help them access the necessary health care services. Let’s find out more about public health in the U.S. In 1965, the federal government created Medicare and Medicaid, which provided health coverage to the elders and the poorest segments of the population. What are Medicare and Medicaid? Medicare is a federal health insurance program primari

Transcript Do you like paradoxes? Today I will talk about the paradox of the magic bill, which has gone viral on social media.  Ok, let’s start! A paradox is a fact, expression, or story that seems contrary to logic. I invite you to listen to this paradox and then assume the solution. Pay attention! A tourist arrives at a hotel. He is very picky about the rooms, so he asks the receptionist if he can see them first. The receptionist agrees but asks the tourist to leave $100 at the front desk. The tourist leaves a $100 bill and goes upstairs to look at the vacant rooms to see if he likes any of them. The hotel manager then takes this bill and goes to the butcher shop to pay a $100 debt to the butcher. The butcher goes to the bakery to pay the $100 debt he owes the baker and does so with the same $100 bill. The baker, in turn, takes the bill and pays his debt to his doctor with the same bill. Finally, the doctor returns to the hotel and pays a $100 debt he owes to the hotel manager. At that point, the tourist re

Today, I'd like to take a closer look at a common issue faced by many learners of English: the proper usage of various verb tenses, as well as the potential mistakes they can make. First, you should bear in mind that native speakers tend to use fewer verb tenses when speaking compared to when they are writing. In other words, spoken language is more direct and simple. And that's good news!  So, why does this happen?  We can consider how to articulate our ideas best, select suitable grammar structures, and more when writing. However, when speaking, there is no time to think about how to construct a sentence. Secondly, when learning a language, there is often a conflict between two components. These two elements are fluency and self-correction. By fluency, I mean the ability to produce the language with few pauses, and by self-correction, I mean the perception that what you are saying may be wrong, and consequently, you self-correct. To illustrate this point, let's assume that Tom is an English learner with a l

Transcript: Every January is the same. Everyone wants to improve their lifestyle. So, let’s continue learning some new year expressions in English. Let's start! #1 Today is the first day of the rest of your life. People often use this phrase to express that every day is an opportunity to start over and make the most of life. It encourages people to make the most of each day and appreciate the present moment. Examples: "Don’t look back; look forward! Today is the first day of the rest of your life. " "Regardless of what happened yesterday, you can always start anew today. Remember, Today is the first day of the rest of your life!" #2 To give it my best shot. Giving your best means doing the best you can in a given situation. It implies that you will try your best and strive your best to achieve success. Examples: "I’ll give my best shot to get through this job interview and show them why I'm the perfect candidate." "Next month, I will run my first marathon and give my best shot." #3 To tighten [one’s] belt. To

Transcript: Today we will talk about pets in the United States. And with a fun mini-story, you will practice your English speaking. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy answering many questions in English. It’s like having a conversation with another person. Hi, I’m Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com, and I’m back again to help you speak English fluently. So, how can you help me? It’s really simple. Please share the podcast with your friends on social media. That would make me very happy! Before we start, subscribe to my free mini-course on my website: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com [With my free mini-course, you will learn: How to accumulate vocabulary, how to learn grammar, how to learn deeply and not forget, how to speak automatically, and how to stay motivated.] Okay! Let’s start! Nowadays, more and more people are adopting animals, and pet ownership in the States is on the rise. I had a dog some time ago, which was a beautiful experience. The connection between a dog and its owner

Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thank you for joining me for another episode.  If you want to help, please share the podcast on social media. That would mean a lot. Thanks! I hope you are doing great! The New Year is the perfect time for new beginnings and the perfect time to learn some idioms in English for the new year.  You will also learn grammar with a point-of-view lesson without memorizing boring rules. Before we start, visit my website: Speakenglishpodcast.com and subscribe to my mini-course - it's completely free! Ok, let's start! #1 To kick off the new year To kick off the new year means to start a new year. Examples: "Let's kick off the new year with a positive attitude." "The best way to kick off the year is to be surrounded by friends and family. #2 To turn over a new leaf It means to start acting or behaving better or more responsibly. Examples:  "Since I moved to New York, my life has completely changed. I can say that I have turned over a new leaf." "You always promise to turn over a

Hi, everybody! I’m Georgiana, founder of speakenglishpodcast.com. My mission is to help you to speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier when you use the right material and techniques. In this episode, let's take a look at the most common New Year's resolutions. Then you will practice your English fluency with a mini-story. Alright! Let’s start! By the way, if you are new here, visit my website to get the transcript of today's episode. Go to: speakenglishpodcast.com If you're already familiar with this show, please share it with your friends and family. That would make me very happy! Tell your friends that my podcast is available everywhere on the internet. You can find it on my website and many podcast apps like Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc. Just look for "Speak English Now with Georgiana," and start learning English with me!" Well, first of all... Happy New Year! How time flies! A new year has just begun. It’s curious how the passage of time is perceived according to ag

Transcript: Merry Christmas, everyone! I’m Georgiana, your English teacher, and my mission is to help you speak English fluently. And if you want to help me, share the podcast with your friends and family. Ah! It’s almost Christmas!!! And today, I will talk about Christmas Markets in New York. And with a fun mini-story, you will improve your speaking. If you need to give something special for Christmas, consider buying my Premium courses. Visit: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/courses and get my English programs at an exceptional price. Ok! Let’s talk about Christmas markets in New York. What are you planning to do at Christmas? I recommend you fly to NYC because the best Christmas markets are here. New York’s holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Plus, you can make your Christmas shopping a positive and relaxing experience.  Bryant Park’s Winter Village You could start by visiting Bryant Park’s Winter Village. One of the highlights of this market

Today we continue talking about money in English. You will learn new expressions, and I’ll give you some advice on how to save money. And with a fun mini-story, you will improve your English fluency. It’s like having a conversation with another person in English. Hi, I’m Georgiana, your English teacher, and my mission is you help you Speak English fluently. And do you know how you can help me? You can share the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks:) Before we get started, get the transcript at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast Ok. Let’s start! 1. Money doesn't grow on trees  We use this phrase to warn someone that money is a limited resource and should not be wasted.  Example:  "When I told my five-year-old son that I couldn't buy him a toy because "money doesn't grow on trees," he told me to use my credit card instead." 2. A penny saved is a penny earned  Although many families today live on credit, it is always wise to put some money aside. We use this expression to say that sav

Hi! I’m Georgiana, your English teacher. Thank you for joining me for another episode. Today you will learn new idioms in English with MONEY. I will teach you some English expressions related to money. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar without memorizing any boring rules. And if you want complete programs with hours of audio designed to develop your fluency, don't think twice. Visit Speakenglishpodcast.com/courses/ There are several levels. Ok! Let's start! Depending on the culture, people talk about money or get really uncomfortable when someone brings up this subject. However, everybody needs money nowadays, so today, we will learn expressions about money because "money makes the world go round." When something "makes the world go round," it is extremely important. But not only money makes the world go round; love also makes the world go round. However, love without money can get really complicated sometimes. Anyway, I'm digressing. Today, I'd like you to learn some English expressions