Speak English Now – Mini-Stories with Georgiana

Welcome back! This is the third episode in our 4-part series about going to the doctor.
So far, we practiced how to make an appointment and how to check in at the clinic. Today, we'll continue with the next step: talking with the nurse.
Usually, before you see the doctor, a nurse will ask you a few questions about your health. The nurse may also take your temperature, check your blood pressure, and write notes for the doctor.

Get t...

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Hey there!
Welcome back to the podcast. I'm really happy you're here today.

Christmas is a special time in the United States. But here's something interesting:
people don't celebrate Christmas the same way everywhere.

In today's episode, let's look at some fun and unusual Christmas traditions
from different parts of the USA.

Get the transcript on my website: h...

Hi! I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast—the podcast that helps you speak English fluently, with no grammar and no textbooks.

This is the second episode in our 4-part series on going to the doctor.

In the last episode, we practiced how to make an appointment on the phone. Today, we will look at what happens when you actually arrive at the clinic.

Get the transcript on my website: https://...

Today we're beginning a new series—four episodes designed to prepare you for going to the doctor.

Why this topic? Well, the truth is simple. At some point, whether you live abroad, travel, or study in another country, you will need medical care. And the very first step is usually the same: booking an appointment.

Making that call can feel stressful, especially if you're not confident speaking English on the phone. Don't worry. I'll...

Tom (Being serious): Hey, do we have to send thank you notes to everyone we've ever met for Thanksgiving?

James (Laughing): Oh no, it's not like that! Thanksgiving is more about enjoying turkey and pie with family and friends, not writing thank you notes to everyone! 

Hi! Welcome to a special podcast about Thanksgiving! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher, and I want to tell you about Than...

This is the fourth and final episode in our pronunciation series. In the first episode, we practiced R and L. In the second, we worked on the TH sound. In the third, we practiced V and B. And today, we will practice the difference between SH and CH.

These sounds look similar, but they are not the same. For example: ship and chip.

So let's practice with some minimal pairs, some fun tongue twisters, and finally a mini-story.

Get the ...

This is the third episode in our pronunciation series. In the first episode, we practiced R and L. In the second one, we worked on the TH sound. And today, we'll practice the difference between V and B.

These sounds can be very tricky, because in some languages there isn't much difference between them. But in English, they are very different.

So today, we'll warm up with some minimal pairs, then practice with simple sentences, and ...

Today, we'll practice one of the trickiest sounds in English: the TH sound.

Actually, English has two TH sounds:

• The voiceless /θ/, like in think, thank, thirty.
• The voiced /ð/, like in this, that, brother.

Many students replace them with t, d, s, or z. For example:

• They say tank you instead of thank you.
• Or zis instead of this.
  

Get the transcript on my website: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/360-english-pro...

This is the first episode in a special pronunciation series. We'll do four episodes in a row, each one focused on different sounds.

In this first episode, we'll work on R and L.
Next time, we'll practice the TH sound.
Then, we'll look at V and B.
And finally, we'll practice SH and CH.

So, step by step, you'll train your pronunciation with word pairs, tongue twisters, and fun mini-stories.

Get the transcript here: https://speakengl...

Welcome back, travelers! One last time, pack your bags — we're heading west.

Today, we'll visit the Southwest and the West.

In the Southwest, we have: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
And in the West, we have: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

That's fifteen states in total! Today, we'll take a closer look at Texas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Oregon, an...

This is the third episode of our state names series. This time, we're traveling to the Midwest.

Let's quickly list all the states in the Midwest:
They are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

That's twelve states in total! I'll just focus on a few of the most representative ones: Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Get the text he...

Hi! This is part two of our series about US state names.
Today, we'll explore the Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

That's eleven states in total! And today I'll focus on: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. You'll hear stories of English kings, Dutch settlers, and Native American words that...

Are you ready for a trip through the United States?
Pack your bags — because today we're starting a special journey!

In this first episode, we'll travel to the Southeast: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Next time, we'll continue our trip to the Northeast, then to the Midwest, and finally we'll finish in the West and Southwest.

Get the transcript here: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/the-weird-wonderful-origins-of-us-stat...

Let me ask you something: what's the easiest way to start a conversation in English?
If you said the weather, you're absolutely right!

It doesn't matter where you are—London, New York, or Paris—at some point, people will always talk about the weather. And it makes sense, right? The weather touches everyone's life. If it's sunny, people feel cheerful. If it rains, people complain. If it snows, kids celebrate while adults worry about...

I'll be honest with you—I don't really enjoy going to the dentist. I think most people feel the same way. It can be a little scary, right? Now imagine you're not speaking your native language. If you already feel nervous about the dentist, trying to explain everything in English can make the experience even more stressful.

So today, let's go step by step and learn some useful phrases you can use before, during, and after your visit...

Last time, we talked about false friends—words that look similar in English and your native language, but mean something very different.

Get the text on my website: https://speakenglishpodcast.com/351-false-friends

Example 1: Actual

This one's a classic false friend.

In Spanish, "actual" or in Portuguese "atual" means "current" or "present."

But in English, "actual" means real or true — not "current."

So if you say:
👉 "My actual j...