AEE: Mortifying Moments that Create Connection

Go here to read the full episode summary Do you know who pays for lunch when you go out with English speakers? This might be a source of serious confusion for you if you are making the mistake of translating the word "invite" from your native language to English! Today you'll learn how to avoid one of the most awkward possible misunderstandings when you go out for lunch! Today is number 7 of our Top 15 Fixes to Tune up Your Porsche!   What does it mean when you "invite" someone out for dinner or for lunch? The verb "invite" just means to extend an invitation to someone to go out and do something together. It does NOT mean that you will pay for the person's meal. Are you translating this verb and its meaning from your native language into English? A lot of people make this mistake! In English when we invite someone to dinner we aren't sure who is going to pay.   If you do want to pay for someone you can say: "I've got this" "I got this" "Let me get this" "This one's on me" "I'll take this" "Don't worry about it. I've got this"   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past   How do you deal with paying for the bill in your culture? Is it ok to refuse when someone offers to pay for you or should you accept? How do you think your culture is different from American culture in this sense? Leave us a message in the comments and let's have a conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Loka 201416min

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now   Do you want to maximize your English learning and get fluent in English faster? Today you'll learn how to maximize your English learning by using spreadsheets with Jane Lawson from Daily Step! You'll also learn two other very cool tips to speak English like a native.   Come back to our site to get specific tips and tricks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Loka 201418min

Americans love to use English slang. Would you like to sound more American when you speak English? Today we talk about four common slang combinations you can use to sound more like a native! Come back to our site for more examples As with other people and languages, Americans tend to bridge words and speak quickly. This can have the effect of shortening and even creating entirely new words.   Here are four slang combination-words that you are likely to hear when around Americans: wanna (want to): “I wanna go out tonight.” shoulda (should have): “I shoulda told the truth.” gonna (going to): “He’s gonna go to a movie later.” gotta (got to): “She says she’s gotta work.”       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Loka 201415min

Come back to our site for more info and tips Should you do a free language exchange instead of an English lesson? Today, we discuss why this might be a mistake! Language exchanges are a big topic in language learning. They’re popular because they’re both fun and free. But they do have some downfalls and sometimes a real teacher is better.       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Loka 201415min

Go here to read the full episode summary   Do you borrow or lend to a friend in need? Today, in #8 of our countdown of the Top 15 Fixes in English series, we’ll be talking about the difference between these two similar verbs!   You don’t want to let grammar get in the way of giving to or getting from your friends. But the verbs borrow and lend are tricky because they both mean to temporarily give — and yet they are different.   The key to using these verbs is understanding that they follow perspective. Consider who is doing the giving, and who is doing the receiving. Lend focuses on the one who is giving (the one doing the action). Borrow focuses on the one receiving (the one upon whom the action is done).   Here are some examples: I asked her if I could borrow some money. I asked her if she could lend me some money. Did you borrow it from her? Did she lend it to you?   Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past   Have you had trouble with borrow or lend? Tell us your story in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Syys 201415min

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now How do you make small talk in English interesting? Does it always have to be boring? Today we talk with Chris Colin about how you can generate great small talk!   Come back to our site to get more details and tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Syys 201420min

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now How can you get fast English improvement? How about improvement in 24 hours? Today, we talk about how you can go from zero to a million in English in only 24 hours! Come back to our site for more tips   We all want to be fluent and sound like a native speaker. But we all want it fast! What can you do to get you closer to your goal in only 24 hours? One thing is to break you bigger goal into smaller, actionable steps that you can actually accomplish. Think about all the little things related to your goal, and what you can do to make them work for you. Think small, but think hard. There are opportunities for improvement everywhere. Think also about how you can connect, whether it be to people or the language itself. What small connections can you find or make in a very short time?   How will you get closer to your goal in 24 hours? Any ideas? Share them with us in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Syys 201415min

Come back to our site for more tips and links Are you an active English learner? Or are you waiting for us to give you better English skills? Today we talk about how improving your English is about what you do, not what we do! A teacher can only support you and give you the tools you need to help yourself. But improving your English is your responsibility! Never say “I hope you can improve my English.” Instead ask yourself, “How can I use All Ears English as a tool to improve my English?       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Syys 201413min