Language Learning Report Card with English teacher Vickie Kelty

Having a pet is one thing, telling an entertaining story about them is quite another. Telling 9 of them?! Well, that is a feat in itself - one that I tackle in today’s episode. Wish me luck, folks! But as soon as I’m done, you’re up to bat. So, get ready!  Within these pet sagas you'll practice: Telling stories to elicit different emotions  Thinking of and then telling stories on the spot Connecti...

Get ready to give pet owners a piece of your mind. Do you have some good advice to share with them? It can be about what to feed their pet, how to care for it, or even where it should live.  I am sharing my pet advice in this episode and I can’t wait to hear yours too!  You'll practice: Giving advice to pet owners Including reasons for each piece of advice Using should and shouldn’t   Then it wil...

Do you have a pet? Can you describe your pet easily? After today, you will have a lot of practice describing many animals. In this episode, I’ll describe 9 different pets.  You'll practice: Using colors and sizes to describe pets Talking about activities pets do (run, jump, play…) Saying what each animal eats Bonus! Guess what pet I’m describing and check your answers on the blog. When you finish...

Have you ever split your pants before in public? What about sitting in gum? How about wearing your clothes inside out all day?  I may or may not have done all of the above. Ha!  In this episode, I share some hilarious wardrobe malfunction stories for your enjoyment. You'll practice: Explaining your own past wardrobe mishaps Enhancing your storytelling with linking phrases Casting your vote on each...

How do you prefer to complete your looks? Do you add fancy jewelry? Or maybe less is more with your outfits.  In this episode, I’ll share the different ways I accessorize my everyday looks.  You'll practice: Accessories and articles of clothing Using adjectives with clothing Conditionals practice Then it will be your turn to say how you would accessorize. Subscribe now so you don't miss future lis...

Do you have a favorite outfit? Are you a T-shirt and jeans type of person? Maybe you love something a little more formal. In this episode, I'll describe what I typically wear and where I like wearing it. You'll practice: Clothing vocabulary Talking about clothing preferences Describing your own outfits Then it's your turn. Tell me about your favorite outfits and where you like wearing them. Subscr...

Have you ever noticed that certain kinds of stories keep appearing in different movies? In this episode, I'll share some of my favorite examples from films I've watched over the years. See how many patterns you recognize... and whether they remind you of movies you've seen too. You'll practice: Talking about movies in more depth Sharing recommendations and opinions Expanding your vocabulary throug...

Think you know your movie genres? I'll describe nine different genres without saying their names. Your job is to listen carefully and guess each one. You'll practice: Listening for adjectives Recognizing movie genres Describing movies in English Then it's your turn. Head to the blog and check your answers. Subscribe now so you don't miss future listening practice episodes. Full listening activitie...

Do you love romantic comedies? Avoid horror movies? Or maybe your favorite genre isn't on my list at all. In this episode, I'll share the kinds of movies I enjoy watching... and the ones I usually skip. You'll practice: Movie genre vocabulary Talking about your likes and dislikes Describing your own movie preferences Then it's your turn. Tell me about the movie genres you love... and the ones you'...

Droughts. Floods. Snowstorms. Tornadoes. Weather can be fascinating... and sometimes a little (or a lot) chaotic. In this episode, I share stories about different weather events I've experienced in Nebraska and Spain and the effects they had on daily life. You'll practice: • Discussing weather phenomena • Describing causes and consequences • Sharing personal experiences and opinions Listen, then t...

What was the weather like last year where you live? And how has it been recently? In this episode, we'll talk about weather in different seasons and compare past experiences with what's happening now. You'll practice: • Talking about past weather • Comparing seasons and years • Listening for different verb tenses Listen, then tell me about the weather you've experienced recently and how it compare...

What weather do you like? Sunny days? Snowy mornings? Maybe you're a fan of cloudy weather... or maybe not. In this episode, we'll explore different types of weather and talk about what we like and don't like about them. You'll practice: • Weather vocabulary • Talking about preferences • Describing seasons and clothing Listen, then tell me about your favorite (and least favorite) weather. Want to...

What were your mornings like growing up? In this episode, we shift into storytelling. I share what mornings looked like for me as a child (including going off on a few tangents haha!), and you’ll practice doing the same. Practice tenses through real storytelling Improve fluency by sharing personal experiences Build confidence speaking in longer ideas Listen… and then tell your story. Full show not...

How do you have fun talking about your morning and make your English sound natural? In this episode, I walk through my morning routine again, but this time, with idioms and natural phrasing (and a few real-life moments… like pressing snooze too many times). Learn and hear common idioms in context Practice sounding more natural when you speak Try describing your own routine with more personality Li...

What does your morning sound like… in English? In this episode, we keep it simple. You’ll listen to a basic morning routine and then describe your own. Build confidence with everyday vocabulary Practice speaking in short, simple sentences Start noticing what you can say (not just what you can understand) Listen first, then try it yourself. Full show notes + practice: VickieKelty.com Want to feel m...

This guided practice helps you turn one question into a full conversation. It's as easy as that! Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/english-gift Practice speaking on real topics with Voice Message Speaking Prac...

Think you understand everything you hear in English? This homework challenges you to listen for details using short videos (no listening burnout, only fun!). Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/english-gift Prac...

Textbooks: effective or just boring? In this episode, I give my honest review of textbook-based language learning. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/english-gift Practice speaking on real topics with Voice Mes...

This guided practice adds more elements to summarizing in English with extra steps, more time, and structured support, so you'll feel guided from the beginning to the end of the whole process. Let's get started! Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resour...

Ready to practice? This episode guides you through a short, timed summary of a TV show, movie, or podcast to reinforce natural English use. Repeat as desired. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/english-gift Pra...

Repetition doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, if it isn't boring, you'll be more likely to repeat it! In this episode, I share a simple homework idea that uses TV shows, movies, or even podcasts to review English naturally. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English f...

Feeling stuck in your English? This guided coaching-style episode helps you work through one language block step by step, and I'll be with you the whole way. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/english-gift Prac...

Your commute is the perfect time for English listening! But make sure to do it the right way. In this episode, I share how to practice safely and effectively while commuting. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www.vickiekelty.com/...

Want to review your English without textbooks, apps, or worksheets? In this episode, I share a simple review method you can use during everyday routines, and you only need your brain for it. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www....

What if listening practice could happen while waiting for the bus or sitting on a plane? In this episode, I share a simple, real-life way to use your surroundings to understand more English. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on any episodes or our live study sessions—let’s learn together! Do you want to feel more comfortable speaking English? Grab my free English fluency resource here: https://www....