Smart English Coach

This episode is for you if you don't feel confident about your English. We talk about 'Imposter Syndrome' especially with work - that feeling that you aren't good enough, or that you don't deserve a high position. But if you've had a bad experience with English in the past, you might also not be very self-confident - and this can lead to slower progress in English. In...

Is it possible to be a really advanced speaker of English - but still not feel very confident about your English? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. In this podcast, I look at both the visible and the invisible parts of learning a language, and how a lack of confidence can make you feel blocked and anxious. If this is something that you have experienced, come along to my new workshop on October 11...

Don't feel guilty if you've stopped studying English for a while.  In fact, the research shows us that taking breaks can benefit learning. In this podcast, find out  - the three main reasons why taking breaks is so useful, and  - how different lengths of breaks can be helpful. Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the podcast Never miss an episode! Get free English coaching tips here . Get the t...

This episode is for you if you want to work for an American company! Kristine Knutter shares her tips for successful job interviews. In the conversation we talk about: - Erin Meyer's 'Culture Maps' and how they help you prepare for interviews - how to answer typical 'behaviour' interview questions - 3 crucial speaking tips for American interviews -  typical management styl...

Get five activities that will help you improve your English this summer. They're perfect for you whether you're lazing on the beach, or waiting for the rain to stop! Some of these activities are quick, while others are more of a longer project - but they are all fun! Links in this episode Wordle from the NY Times Crosswords The Mirror Non-fiction book club Guide to understand movies Send...

This episode is for you if you’ve ever experienced (or if you’re experiencing) the intermediate plateau: that you've got to a point in your English when progress feels much slower than before. It's really common at the B2 or upper-intermediate level, but there are lots of things you can do to get past it! In this episode: - six reasons why we get to a plateau (adapted from "The Plat...

It's my birthday this week, and to celebrate I'm offering a 50% discount on all my advanced English courses. The promotion is for you if you're at an intermediate level and want to progress to advanced level - without spending lots of time or money! You can get all these courses at just 50% of their normal price: Advanced English Pronunciation In 30 Days Advanced English Speaking In...

You've got an English interview soon. How can you prepare for it so that you can be confident? Careers and interview expert Kristine Knutter shares her best tips! - How to be less nervous in an English interview - The biggest interview mistake to avoid - How to prepare for a group interview and a Zoom interview - Mindset tips for enjoying the interview more Follow her tips to stand out at you...

If you want to feel fluent when you speak English, the quickest way is to use 'fluency phrases' - the 'blocks' of English that help you to build sentences almost without thinking. Two types of fluency phrases we've looked at are collocations and signalling phrases. (See links below.) But the third type is 'fixed phrases' - phrases that you don't need to add...

What do the phrases "I'd like to ...". "You wouldn't .... would you?" and "Can I just say..?" have in common? Answer: They're all examples of 'signalling' phrases that we can use to show the other person what we're going to say. Signalling phrases are a type of 'fluency phrase' (a block of language) that helps us speak more easi...

My #1 tip for English fluency is to use 'fluency phrases' when you speak. Fluency phrases are the 'building blocks' of conversation, because very often, all you need to do is just fill in the details to create sentences easily and quickly. In this episode, I look at one type of fluency phrase: collocations. - six common types of collocations that help you with fluency - the two...

If you say things to yourself like "I should be better at English by now", or if you're always searching for more grammar or vocabulary courses, then this episode is for you! Mindset coach Rhiannon Carter helps you feel more positive about your English. She can help you overcome negative thoughts so that you reduce anxiety and become  more confident. This is a truly eye-opening epis...

We're often better at one area of a language than another. So maybe your speaking skills are better than your writing, or your grammar knowledge is better than your listening ability. But when one area of English is less strong than another, it makes sense to focus on that area. One reason is that it gives you a great opportunity to see progress - which is motivating! (It's often harder...

What happened when a British English teacher and an American English teacher got together to talk about games? We didn't always understand each other - and those weren't the only differences! But, American teacher Vickie Kelty showed how playing games can help you develop your English and reduce speaking anxiety. Of course, games are also fun, and they allow you to explore the English yo...

One of the biggest fears about speaking English is that people won’t understand you. This could be because of your pronunciation, or because you use English that other people don't understand. "Intelligibility" -  how easy it is for people to understand you - is really important, obviously. In this podcast, I show you two ways to be more easily understood, through pronunciation and...

It's no secret. Repeated practice helps you get better at most things - including English! But the 'secret' is in how you use repetition. In this episode I show you how you can use it for vocabulary, speaking and pronunciation. Try out some of the activities to improve your fluency, accuracy and confidence. Even choosing just one or two can make a big difference. Links in this episo...

You don't need lots and lots of practice to get more fluent in English. You don't even need a speaking partner, either! In this episode, I show you four activities that will help you become more fluent. These activities are all quite quick, and - best of all - they get you almost immediate results! When you do them, you'll hear yourself speaking more fluently, and this will give you...

When you feel powerful speaking English, you feel more in control of what you say. You can avoid panic and minimise anxiety about speaking - even if you make mistakes. In this episode I show you ways that you can become more powerful, through physical and mindset tips. Find out how - breathing, standing and using your voice can make you feel stronger - making mistakes helps you get to the next lev...

In this episode, I show you three ways that will help you speak more naturally and more fluently in English. They will help you to: - avoid using the 'wrong' word - speak more concisely (so you can show your meaning quickly and simply) - add interest when you speak so that other people want to talk with you When you start using these techniques, you'll feel more confident in how you...

If you're interested in learning more about a country and its culture - but don't have the opportunity to visit - watching movies can help you get an insider's view. In this episode, Cara Leopold (from Movie Club) talks about how to connect with English-speaking culture through movies. Highlights of this episode: - why it's a mistake to only consider "high-level" movi...

My guest in this episode is Fabienne, an English and French teacher. She talks about her own journey to advanced English level and her work as a teacher. Some highlights in this episode - the importance of mindset in learning a language - how English pronunciation can be difficult - the methods that worked for her in English - her best advice for making progress in English Send us Fan Mail Subscri...

This episode is for you if you write English for work. In theory we have more time when we write to plan and to check - but this doesn't automatically happen. But even if you have limited time for writing and editing, there are many things you can do to make sure you avoid the three main problem areas. Highlights - the 3 things you need to get right for better communication - some simple ways...

Homestays can offer you so much more than a traditional English course in the UK. In this episode, Lucy Tilney from Bristol Homestay Tuition talks about some of the benefits of staying in the teacher's home while studying English. Highlights in this episode - the differences between a homestay and a traditional course - a typical day during a homestay - some unexpected benefits of homestay co...

Imagine you have to give a business presentation in English, or make an important speech. How do you start? In this episode, I share some ideas for making an impact when you speak (or write) English so that people pay attention to you! Highlights: - 3 types of 'hook' to make an impact when you speak - How to write a summary section in your CV / resume so that people keep reading - How to...

When you read your CV, does it make you feel proud of your strengths and achievements? Do you use words and phrases that are inspiring - or is your CV full of 'generic' words like "Responsible for..." or "Duties included..."? You only get one chance to impress an employer with your CV, so if you need to refresh and revitalise it, this episode is for you! I've got...