The Just Start Talking Podcast

Today we’re talking about three practical strategies you can use every week to put AI to work in your English-speaking practice. Whether you want to improve fluency, fix grammar errors, or build a stronger vocabulary, AI tools can be a smart, friendly practice partner. I’ll walk you through step-by-step routines you can use each week, sample prompts you can copy, and quick tips to make sure your p...

This episode is designed to help English learners build confidence in professional conversations, share their ideas clearly, and feel more comfortable participating in workplace discussions. If you want to improve your business English, communication skills, and confidence in meetings, this episode will give you simple techniques you can use right away. Remember: expressing yourself at work isn’t...

Want to practice speaking English every day, even if you don’t have a conversation partner? In this episode of The Just Start Talking Podcast, you’ll learn 5 smart and simple ways to use AI to improve your English speaking skills, build vocabulary, and practice grammar daily. AI tools can help English learners practice real conversations, learn useful new words, and get instant grammar feedback. T...

Today, we’re tackling something every English learner faces at some point but doesn’t always talk about. Burnout. That heavy, tired, “I don’t want to study another word or listen to another video” feeling. If you’re learning English and feeling drained, you are not alone. And trust me, there is nothing wrong with you. Burnout happens to every committed learner. But here’s the great news. You can f...

Today, we are talking about something every English learner has faced at least once. Maybe you face it every day. People talk fast. Too fast. So fast that your brain feels like it is on fire. You want to understand, you want to join the conversation, but it feels like you are two steps behind. If this is you, you are not alone. Today, I will help you understand how to respond when people around yo...

Today we’re going to talk about something most of us do every week… or maybe every day if you’re like me and you forget things on your list. Yes — we’re going shopping for food in a big American supermarket! If you’ve ever been in an American grocery store and felt overwhelmed, confused, or unsure what to say, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to break everything down so you can f...

Today’s episode is about something we all have to do, especially when we travel. We have to ask for help. And let’s be honest, asking for help can feel a little awkward, even in your first language. In another language, it can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. So today, I want to make this simple, clear, and actually kind of fun. We’re heading to a big European train station.  People ev...

Today, we’re exploring one small change that can have a huge impact on your English learning journey. Have you ever thought about switching the language on your phone to English?  It might sound simple, but this tiny change can completely transform how you learn — helping you build vocabulary, confidence, and real-world fluency without even opening a textbook. In this episode, we’ll talk about how...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Just Start Talking Podcast — the show that helps you build confidence and fluency in real-world English conversations. I’m your host, Jody, and in today’s episode — “Ordering in a Café: Making Requests” — we’re diving into one of the most useful everyday English skills: how to order politely and naturally in a café. Whether you’re traveling abroad, studying Englis...

Today’s episode is all about something super practical — how to go through airport security in English. Whether you’re traveling for the first time or the fiftieth, airport security can be stressful — and even more so if English isn’t your first language. But don’t worry — by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to say, how to understand the officers, and how to make polite requests i...

Ready to travel confidently in English? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about how to check in at the airport in English — from the right travel vocabulary to useful phrases and grammar for making polite requests. If you’ve ever felt nervous speaking to an airline agent or confused at the check-in counter, this episode will help you sound natural and feel prepared. You’ll...

Feeling tired, unmotivated, or stuck in your English learning journey? You’re not alone — burnout happens to every language learner at some point. In this episode, we share four practical ways to fight burnout, stay motivated, and make learning English fun again. Discover how to change your study routine, set realistic goals, connect with others, and celebrate your progress — all while keeping you...

Today, we’re diving into a super practical topic: traveling on a bus. Whether you’re hopping on a city bus to get to work or taking a long-distance bus to explore a new place, knowing the right words and phrases can make your journey so much easier. In this episode, we’ll cover five key vocabulary words related to bus travel, three common phrases you’ll use when buying a ticket or riding a bus, an...

In this episode of The Just Start Talking Podcast, we break down the building blocks of clear English sentences — from Subject + Verb, to Verb + Object, to Place + Time. Using cozy autumn examples, you’ll learn how to form sentences that sound natural and confident. Whether you’re describing crisp air, raking leaves, or sipping hot chocolate, we show how structure helps your English flow.  Ideal f...

Today, we’re diving into something everybody deals with… introducing yourself. Whether it’s at work, in class, at a networking event, or even just meeting someone new in your neighborhood, introductions can feel awkward. Sometimes you don’t know what to say. Sometimes you say too much. And sometimes, the nerves just take over, and your brain decides to hit the pause button. Sound familiar? Yeah. W...

Today’s episode is all about How to Practice Speaking Skills Using AI. Speaking can feel like the toughest part of learning English, but with the right tools and strategies, it’s totally doable—and even fun!   We’re diving into five sections today to make this super actionable: First, we’ll explore how AI voice assistants can help you practice speaking. Then, we’ll look at speech-practice apps for...

Today, we’re diving into a super practical topic: How to Learn Vocabulary Effectively. Whether you’re just starting or brushing up on your skills, this episode is packed with tips to help you grow your word bank in a smart, sustainable way.  So, grab a notebook, a cup of tea—or coffee, no judgment here—and let’s get started! We have four sections today to break it all down: First, we’ll discuss wh...

If you speak a language like Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or Turkish, you might notice something interesting: those languages don’t really use articles. You can talk perfectly fine without them. Today’s episode is about a topic that seems small but is actually a huge part of speaking English clearly: articles. You know them—a, an, and the. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: Why articles exist...

Today’s topic is one I'm frequently asked about: Past Simple vs. Past Continuous in Business Communications. We’re going to break it down so you can understand not just the grammar rules, but also the why—why we choose one tense over the other, and how that choice changes the way people hear your message in a business setting. In professional communication, small details make a big difference. The...

Today we’re focusing on a really useful topic: pairs of phrases that look similar, sound similar, but actually mean different things. These are the kinds of small details that can confuse learners. And when you mix them up, sometimes people still understand you — but it doesn’t sound quite right. So, in this episode, we’re going to look at: On time versus In time At the end versus In the end By th...

Today we will discuss 5 polite ways to say Hello and 5 polite ways to say Goodbye in English. By the end of this episode you will be able to greet people warmly and politely, and you will be able to leave the conversation on a positive note.

Now, many of you are learning English because you want to use it in everyday life. And what’s more everyday than ordering food? Especially pizza! Ordering a pizza might sound simple, but when you’re on the phone—without seeing the person—it can feel stressful. Don’t worry. By the end of today’s episode, you’ll feel confident making a pizza order in English over the phone for delivery. I’ll teach y...

Our topic today? How to know what to say when you need to make small talk in social situations. Now, I know for some of you, hearing the words “small talk” makes you want to run the other way. You might think: Ugh, it feels fake. Or maybe you freeze and have no idea what to say. Or you’re just not a fan of talking to strangers. But here’s the truth: small talk isn’t magic. It’s not something you’r...

What does the past continuous even mean? Today’s episode breaks it all down with tips and tricks to help you understand and use the past continuous more often in your daily conversations.

Whether you are visiting a new place or need a convenient way to get around, knowing how to communicate with ride-share drivers in English can make your travels so much smoother. In this episode, we will discuss essential phrases and vocabulary that you can use when ordering and riding in a ride share. #English for travel #ESL #LearnEnglish