Happy English Podcast

Just in case you were wondering, this is another podcast English lesson. And in case you like what I’m gonna teach here, I’ll give you some tips to help you remember it.  Today, I want to help you out with a handful of phrases that all use the words “in” and “case.” In this lesson, we’re going over expressions like “in case,” “in case of,” “just in case,” “in any case,” “in that case,” and  “whate...

I’m glad you popped in today. Now this lesson may not make your eyes pop out, but before you pop out or pop the question, you’re gonna want to learn these phrases and idioms with pop.  You know, the word “pop” is such a fun little word in English. It’s short, quick, kind of energetic… and actually, that’s exactly how we use it — to describe things that happen quickly or suddenly. Today we’re going...

I really hope this podcast English lesson catches on. It took me a while to write it, because sports aren’t really my thing, but I stepped up to the plate and did it. And the inspiration for this lesson came out of left field.  It’s Week 6 of our American culture summer series, and today we’re talking about summer sports—you know, the kinds of things that make you sweat, smile, and maybe fall on y...

Have you worked on your English yet today? Have you studied a lot? Have you ever wanted to improve your pronunciation? Work > worked, study > studied, Want > wanted. Let’s dive in! Today we’re gonna clear up that mystery. I’m talking about the pronunciation of -ed in past tense verbs. Believe it or not, there are three different ways to pronounce -ed, and once you know the rules, it actua...

Oh man, it’s a scorcher out there. I just came back from walking Max, and I’m melting. I mean, it’s so hot, you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. How’s the weather where you are? Oh, hot there too? Why don’t we beat the heat together with this podcast English lesson. English has some fun ways to talk about this kind of weather. That’s what we’re going to check out today. Cool Words for Hot Weather. ...

I want you to know that I didn’t just throw this lesson together. And please, if you’re driving, feel free to turn it up! And if you’re at home, kick back, and enjoy as we dive into backyard fun. Every week, all summer long, we’ve been looking at how Americans live, relax, and celebrate the season. This is part of my This Week in American Life series—and today, we’re talking about something simple...

I almost hit the wall when I backed up my car. I was in the middle of talking to Jack when he suddenly cut me off to tell me that I should slow down. Anyway, why don’t you pull up so we can go through this lesson! If you’ve ever driven in the U.S., or you’re just curious about how we talk about driving in everyday English, then today’s episode is for you. We’re going to talk about phrasal verbs th...

I’m sure you won’t forget this lesson. Even though my usual recording software won’t work with my new microphone, I won’t give up brining this to. I know you like to study here, so I won’t disappoint you! Today, we’re going to talk about a small word that packs a lot of meaning—“won’t.” That’s W-O-N-apostrophe-T. It’s short for “will not,” but depending on the context, it can mean a lot more than...

The temperature was already 30 degrees at 7:00 this morning. Let me tell you, it’s time to beat the heat. A nice dish of chocolate ice cream is one of my favorite ways to cool off, and on a day like this, that really hits the spot! It’s Week 4 of our summer series, and this time, we’re talking about how Americans beat the heat. Well, two things come to mind right away: ice cream and movie theaters...

I have some things to tell you today, even though I had some trouble putting this lesson together. I mean I had like some 50 different ideas, but I narrowed it down to this one. This is gonna be some lesson! Today, we’re diving into a small word that does a lot of work in English—“some.” You probably already use it, but did you know that some has more than one meaning? Did you know that we have 7...

The other day, I was thinking about what kind of lesson I can teach here and at first I had an idea, and then I had another idea and then another one. The first one actually brought me to the other one.  Today, we’re going to talk about three little words that can cause big confusion: another, other, and the other. They might seem similar, but they’re used in different ways—and understanding how t...

This summer, I’ve been sharing short and fun lessons about American life—what people do, eat, and celebrate. This week, we’re talking about Fireworks & Food, because it’s time for one of the biggest holidays of the summer: July 4th, officially known as Independence Day, and casually called, the fourth of July. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcr...

I’m gonna guess that each of you listening to this podcast is interested in improving your English. I think about that ever time I write up one of these lessons. And I’m sure that today, every one of you is gonna like this lesson about each and every.  Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https...

I believe you like learning English, don’t you. In this case, I believe has the same meaning as I think. I’m pretty sure you like English. Believe me, if that’s true, I believe you’re gonna love this English lesson. Today, let's look at the difference between believe, believe in, and trust.  These little words come up all the time in conversations, and even though they seem pretty similar, they ea...

Why don’t you take a short getaway from what you were just doing, and check out today’s podcast English lesson. I’m pretty sure that doing so will make you a happy camper. Today, we’re talking about Summer Getaways—road trips, camping, and national parks. Let’s dive in! Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript Visit my website for over 3,000 free Engl...

I think you’re gonna like this lesson. I assume you’ve heard a lot of this vocabulary before, but I reckon maybe you haven't used all of it. In that case, I guess you may need to grab a notebook! You know, English has a ton of words for expressing thoughts, opinions, guesses, feelings, and assumptions. So today, we’re going to break those down — in a fun, simple way — so you can use them naturally...

Hey, thanks for spending time with me today. I’m sure you’ll feel that by listening to this podcast, you’ll be spending your time wisely. Today I’m gonna help you build your vocabulary, and I hope that doesn’t make you too spent. Today, we’re going to talk about using spend. A small word with a lot of power.  Now, you might think it’s just about money, but “spend” has a few really useful and inter...

I hope you’re getting fired up for this English lesson because today, we’re gonna talk about how Americans kick off the summer.  This week, we’re kicking off a brand new summer series that I’m calling “This Week in American Life.” Each week this season, I’ll be sharing some fun facts and cultural tidbits about how Americans live, eat, and chill during the summer months. And of course, I’ll throw i...

I was much too tired to go to the gym today. To be honest, I guess I’m too bored with that gym. The equipment is too old and there are too many people working out there. Wait a minute...maybe I’m just much too grumpy. Today, we’re gonna talk about a few tiny little words that pack a punch in English — too, much too, and too much. They may sound simple, but these words can really help you express h...

Besides English, do you study any other languages? I mean, except for your native language. Think about those questions, because  without any further delay, I think it’s time to dive right into today’s English lesson. At first glance, the words besides, except, and without all kinda seem like they’re doing the same thing — talking about adding or leaving something out — but actually, each one has...

Just think. A year ago you were at a totally different place along your English learning journey. And if you think that reaching your language goals is impossible, well, think again. When it comes to goals in life, you have to think big.  Today, I want to talk about a word that we use all the time… but we don’t always stop to think about how we use it. Yep — you guessed it. That word is, "think."...

Do you remember the last song you listened to? When was that, last night? And how long did it last? I’ll bet this is the last thing you thought I’d ask you. Well, at last, we’re gonna get this English lesson off the ground. For today’s podcast English lesson, we’re going to talk about a really small word that’s used in a lot of big ways—“last.” This word pops up all the time in English, and it’s n...

Why don’t you have yourself a cup of joe, grab your notebook and settle in. Today we’re gonna talk about your old car that has had it, and even that old container of leftovers in the fridge. Yeah, that’s had it too.  Today we’re going to talk about a very small word that’s used in a lot of very cool ways in English — and that word is “have.”  Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://lea...

Have you ever let it slip or let it rip? Maybe you need to tell someone to let it go or just let it all hang out. And of course, you can just let it be.  Today, we’re going to talk about eight phrases and phrasal verbs with “let” that’ll help you sound more natural, more confident, and more fluent.  Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript Visit my we...

I know that you often listen to this podcast. Maybe it’s because you like to hear authentic American English and you find that this helps you speak English a little better. Well today, it’s all about dropping the T Today, we’re diving into one of those little pronunciation secrets that can really help you sound more natural when you speak English. You might’ve noticed that in a lot of words, the T...