AEE 253: Update Your English! 7 Ways to Sound More Natural When You Greet People in English

Get our free IELTS video training now Today we have a quote! “Holding back is so close to stealing.” – Neil Young To hold back means to withhold or to not do something or to not give something. This episode is about taking chances in our lives. You may feel like you can’t be yourself in English. Maybe you are funny in your native language but you don’t know how to be funny in English so you hold back. But if you do that then you are “stealing” from the moment as this quote says. What do you think? When have you erred on the side of perfection and protection by protecting yourself and when have you erred on the side of connection by taking a chance? Let us know in the comments below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Mai 201511min

Get our free IELTS video training now Do you think it’s important to obsess over something to become successful at it? Another way to say it is ” to have tunnel vision.” Another word for obsession could be “focus” but it has more of a positive connotation. When we get really focused we have to be careful of burnout. We could get exhausted. When it comes to learning English you should chunk down the learning into bite-sized pieces and be sure that you are learning in a way that is fun for you.   Come back to our site to leave a comment and have a conversation with us   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Mai 201513min

Do you know how to leave a great voicemail in English? Today you’ll get the 5 steps that you need to follow to leave a great voicemail. Listen to the sample role plays in today’s episode to hear what your message should sound like. Here are the steps: 1) Greeting: “Hi it’s Lindsay” or “Hey it’s Michelle” 2) Why are you calling: “I just wanted to talk with you about tomorrow’s meeting” or “I’m calling to catch up.” 3) What they should do next: “Would you get back to me when you can” or “Give me a call whenever you’re free” 4) Your phone number: “My number is 359-284-9856″ or “You can reach me at 617-593-0952 5) Say goodbye: “Hope you’re having a good day” or “Take care” or “Have a great one”   Here are a few other tips: 1) Make sure they know how to get back to you 2) Don't ramble, don't go on and on, don't leave a long message, make it concise and tight and to the point 3) Do leave a message- don't call and hang up, it's better to leave a message with some grammar mistakes than it is to not leave a message and not connect with the person   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Mai 201517min

Get our free IELTS video training!   Do you know how to naturally talk about what you want in English? Native speakers use the verb “to want” in the past tense when we are making a request in the present tense. For example, you might call a colleague and say ” I wanted to confirm our lunch appointment for today.” This makes the message a bit more polite and more indirect. We think it’s also used more commonly for women.   Come back to our site for more information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Mai 201510min

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING NOW   What makes you come alive? To “come alive” means to become energized and excited about something. Here is the question: “Each day wake up and ask yourself, what will make you feel most alive that day.” What makes you feel happier? What makes you feel smaller or less alive? We all owe it to ourselves to think about this every day.   Come back to our website for more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Apr 201513min

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING   English acronyms are fun and easy when it comes text messaging and emailing but you need to know what impression you give the person when you use them! Today we’ll show you some common English acronyms and what impression they create. We’ll also give you some alternatives. Here are some common acronyms in English when we send text messages:   LOL (“Laughing out loud”)- A lot of people get annoyed by this one. This could be used in a text message. A good alternative is “haha” TTYL (“Talk to you later”)- This one also sounds really young. A more mature alternative is “talk soon” or “talk to you soon” or actually writing out “talk to you later” SMH (“Shaking My Head”)- This is a newer acronym. You can use this when you disapprove of something that someone has done. OMG: (“Oh my gosh”)- This can also be annoying. Other options are: “Oh wow” or “I can’t believe it.”   Which acronyms have you used? Let us know in the comments below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Apr 201517min

Get our IELTS Free Video Training   Do you know what to say to someone after a good or a bad date in English? Today you will find out from our favorite dating consultant, Jessica Coyle. You’ll also get some new English dating vocabulary and terms that you can use in the real world!   What should we do if we have just had a good date: (1) Send a text message that evening and say: “I had a really nice time.” “Had a great time tonight. (I) Would like to see you again.” “It was really nice meeting you, let’s hit up (go to) the MOMA.” “Thanks so much for a great time.” “I enjoyed meeting you.”   (2) Jessica likes to research the person online after a good first date to find out more about the person.   If you had a bad date you can say: “I didn’t feel any chemistry but best of luck.” “I got more of a friend vibe.” Key vocab from today: To ghost someone: To disappear and stop communicating after you have been on a date To do the fade-away: Similar to ghosting (see above) A vibe: A general feeling or impression To go Dutch: To split the bill Jessica’s Bio: Jessica Coyle has been teaching English since 2007. She received her Master’s in TESOL in 2013, finishing with a professional project researching the use of improvisational comedy teaching techniques to teach English as a second language. She has studied and performed improv comedy all over Korea, China, Canada and the United States. She writes a dating blog called Hopeful Disasters.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Apr 201519min

Come back to http://www.allearsenglish.com/305 and tell us what change you are going to make after today's episode Get our FREE IELTS CHEAT SHEET: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation   Today you’ll find out why staying in the same place will never get you to where you want to go and how to make an effective change quickly and easily. Here it today’s quote: “To get something you never had you have to do something you never did.” -Unknown “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -Tony Robbins   It’s so easy to get into a habit but we have to step back and ask ourselves if our habits are creating the results that we want. Time goes by fast. We often realize that we have been doing the same thing for years and we haven’t achieved our goals. Here are some examples of our goals: Michelle’s new goal: She wants to build upper body strength. How is she working towards the goal? She is using resistance bands at her home a few times every week. Lindsay’s new goal: She wants to deepen her meditation practice. She has started going to her meditation center every morning.   What about you? What are you going to change after listening to today’s episode? What change do you want to create in your life? Tell us in the comments below Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Apr 201517min