Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English without grammar.

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...

Today, I want to tell you about a book that I really love—Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott.

To be honest, it's one of my all-time favorite stories.
It's warm, emotional, and full of life. I've listened to the audiobook version, and what makes it extra special is that it's a full-cast recording. That means each character has a different voice. It's not just one person reading the book—it sounds more like a movie. And it really bri...

Today's episode is about something many English learners do too often:
Saying "sorry" all the time—even when they don't need to.

Let me give you some examples:

• "Sorry, can I ask a question?"
• "Sorry, my English is bad."
• "Sorry for bothering you."
• "Sorry for my pronunciation."

Maybe you've said these before...

In today's episode, I want to talk about a very helpful idea for your English and your life. How to be more aware when Speaking English?

Being aware means that you notice what is happening—inside of you and around you.

You stop and ask:

• "How do I feel right now?"
• "What is my body doing?"
• "Am I breathing fast or slow?"