AEE: Fine or Okay? How Taylor Swift’s Lyrics Teach the Difference

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11 Maj 20154min

Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now   Mother’s Day was yesterday in the United States. When is Mother’s Day in your culture? Today you’ll find out how we celebrate Mother’s Day and you’ll find out what you should say to your mom today.   Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Maj 201514min

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 Maj 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 Maj 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 Maj 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 Maj 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