American English Podcast

In this Chats with Shana episode, you'll hear about some of the language mistakes I've made in foreign languages. You'll learn how to get yourself out of awkward situations in English by using common expressions! Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode (formerly...

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you’ll learn how to use the expression “to ring a bell” and hear about the Liberty Bell, one of the most famous symbols of freedom in the United States. Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode (formerly “The Classr...

In Episode #93, you’ll hear about my adventure starting a business in New York City and traveling overseas as a digital nomad. You’ll also hear the lessons I learned from that experience while practicing the third conditional. Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this epis...

In this episode of the American English Podcast, you’ll learn how to use the expression “to pull some strings” and hear about The Great Iditarod, the largest annual sporting event in Alaska. Spoiler alert: it’s all about dogsledding (and has a fascinating back story)! 🐕‍🛷Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, w...

How many vocabulary words, phrases, and collocations can you think of related to the topic of babies? I bet quite a few. But do you know how to say them in English? This episode introduces the vocabulary you’ll need to navigate a conversation about babies with a native speaker—aside from two obvious terms I’ve left out: crying and baby bottle. You probably already know those. This episode is long...

This is the first of what will hopefully become many yearly reviews. There’s nothing better than reflecting on the highlights of the year. I created this partly for myself and partly for you, the listeners. I revisit some of the events I talked about on the podcast to “jog your memory” (Episode #1), and I also use several expressions from past expression episodes to describe my 2020. This episode...

Hi everyone! Christmas is just a few days away, and what better way to prepare than by learning how to describe desserts in English? Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the holiday season tends to be a time of indulgence. If you're not diving into calorie-filled desserts with family members (even if it’s just on Zoom this year), what are you doing?! In English, the four basic tastes are sweet,...

Today we’re going to talk about a poem—a very famous poem. In fact, it may be one of the most widely read and referenced poems in English. Don’t quote me on that, but it’s a poem you’ll hear on the radio in the U.S. as December 25th approaches. You’ll see lines from it on Christmas cards, in advertisements, and in many, many movies. It’s called A Visit from St. Nicholas, though you may know it as ...

For today we're back with another 5-Minute English episode and it's all about Strengths and Weaknesses, one of the most challenging questions you'll run into at a job interview. In the 5-Minute discussion we'll dive into an individual's head on the day of a job interview and see how they decide on their strength. ⚠️ Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You migh...

In today's episode you'll learn how to use the expression IN THE RED and we'll talk about how BLACK FRIDAY got started, how it grew in popularity and what it's like in case you want to take advantage of sales on your next trip to the US. Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content fo...

In this episode, we have a special guest. His name is Charlie Baxter and he's the host of the British English Podcast. We talk about the British Bake Off and he helps me understand the terminology used in it. To gain access to the full episode, transcript, podcast player, quizzes and more, be sure to sign up to Season 2 (see below)Charlie's Info The British English Podcast Website The British Engl...

Listen to Jessica (my college roomie) and I talk about our college experiences at UC Santa Barbara! Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode (formerly “The Classroom”). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, you'll hear about what my family has been doing in the month of October. You'll hear the Present Perfect Continuous tense used over and over again. Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode (formerly “The Classroom”). Learn more about your ad choic...

In this episode, you'll hear a lower intermediate story for Halloween called the Red Spot. It's disgusting. Don't say I didn't warn you, so either skip it or listen all the way to the end because you'll be less disturbed if you make it to the last few minutes! Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can...

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about FALL (AKA AUTUMN) in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker.⚠️ Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There...

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression HIT THE SPOT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about Ben and Jerry's, one of the most socially and environmentally conscious companies in the U.S..Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episo...

Hi everyone! In today's episode we'll be talking about THE FACES ON OUR MONEY. By money, I'm referring to the United States Dollar, which is commonly written as USD. The faces I'm referring to are the portraits of influential Americans you'll see if you look at the front of our bills and coins. According to the U.S. treasury, these portraits are "of deceased persons whose places in history the Ame...

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about ELECTIONS AND VOTING in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker. ⚠️ Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. Th...

In this episode, you'll hear a 5-Minute English episode about LABOR AND DELIVERY, as well as facts and statistics about GIVING BIRTH in the United States. By the end, you'll learn vocabulary, phrasal verbs and collocations needed to talk about this topic with a native speaker. ⚠️ Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at lea...

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, Liz is back on the show! We have a very fun / funny episode for you which is about Portmanteaus. Don't be afraid of the word, I don't think most Americans know what a portmanteau is. What's important is we USE them ALL THE TIME! For example, instead of saying "I'm going out to grab some frozen yogurt," we might say "I'm going out to get some froyo." Froyo is a port...

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about WILDFIRES, which is a devastating issue many Americans face every summer (including myself!). Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to fully comprehend it. There are 40+ vocabulary words and phrases in this lesson. Want to take your learning further...

Hi Everyone! In this week's episode, I retell the very famous Brothers' Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. I've made a few changes to the original text. First of all, I've intentionally added phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases throughout the text so that you can learn them in a context. Secondly, I've modernized some of the language a bit, since the original texts were written in German in...

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression ON THE EDGE OF ONE'S SEAT like a native speaker. You'll also learn about the life of STAN LEE, the brain behind some of the world's most beloved and despised superheroes and villains. You'll also get some insight into comic book history! :)Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials....

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, I talk about CLEANING, which is an activity that most of us dread. The thing is, the topic often pops up in conversation so the vocabulary, phrasal verbs, collocations and expressions in this episode are very useful! Like most 5-Minute Episodes, the listening is short and more challenging. You might need to listen to an episode at least three times in order to full...

Hi Everyone! In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the expression THROUGH THICK AND THIN like a native speaker. You'll also learn about MATERNITY LEAVE / PARENTAL LEAVE IN THE US.Want to take your learning further?  ⭐ ⁠Visit the website⁠ for more learning materials. You’ll also find the Academy there, where you can access bonus content for this episode (formerly “The Classroom”). Learn more...