Advanced English Listening - Secrets to Understanding Native Speakers and FAST English
Improving your listening skills is vital if you want to be competent in the English language. In this lesson, you're going to learn how to improve this area in the most efficient and rapid way possible so that you can understand native speakers and fast English.HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS:Native speakers don't understand everything they hear. It's true. I sometimes find it difficult to understand:when on the phonewhen talking to people with accents I'm not used towhen watching moviesand when listening to musicThis is going to happen to you. You'll never reach a stage where you understand everything. But it's important to improve so that you can understand more.Here is how:Improve your vocabulary and grammar: the more you know, the more you'll understand. Search for "input To Fluency" to learn how to do this.Listen as much as possible: get used to the way people speak. You can listen while doing other things.What you listen to is important: find audio that is enjoyable, specific to you, and comprehensible. I recommend audiobooks that have been adapted for English learners (graded readers)Work on your pronunciation: if you can make the sounds in English, you'll better understand them when you hear them.Have natural conversations: this is the best type of listening practice but it's more expensive and harder to find.I encourage you to try these methods. Start today. Commit to doing more in English. Enjoy the journey. Hope you enjoyed this! Please subscribe if you're new!
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English Listening Practice: Learn Key Words and Phrases (Tariffs)
Learn key words and phrases all about tariffs in this English lesson. Practice your listening and improve your English.Useful Vocabulary and PhrasesTariffs are added to imported goods. 👉 Passive voice for focus. Example: Taxes are collected by the government. Tariffs can protect local jobs. 👉 Use modal verbs (can/might/could) for possibility. Example: Tariffs might protect local industries. Consumers will end up paying more. 👉 “End up” = final result of a situation. Example: If prices rise, shoppers end up spending less overall. Supply chain 👉 Where parts of a product are made and assembled. Example: The global supply chain was disrupted last year. Free trade 👉 Trade with no tariffs or restrictions. Example: The EU is an example of a free trade area. Retaliate 👉 Respond with an action. Example: One country raised tariffs, the other retaliated. Trade deficit 👉 When imports are greater than exports. Example: The US has a trade deficit with China.Conditional Sentences with TariffsIf tariffs go up, prices will go up. 👉 First conditional (real future). If countries keep raising tariffs, it might start a trade war. 👉 First conditional with might (possibility). If tariffs were lower, consumers would save money. 👉 Second conditional (hypothetical). 💬 Idioms About Money and Tariffs Pick up the tab – to pay for something, often expensive. Example: Shoppers pick up the tab when tariffs rise. Hit the wallet – to negatively affect finances. Example: Tariffs have hit consumers’ wallets hard this year. Jack up the prices – to raise prices suddenly and sharply. Example: Companies had to jack up prices after tariffs were introduced. Tighten your belt – to spend less money. Example: Families are tightening their belts due to higher grocery costs.
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Learn Natural English: Talk about AI with Confidence & Get Listening Practice
In this English lesson, you’ll learn how to talk about AI naturally in English. You’ll get useful phrases, idioms, and real examples so you can confidently join the conversation.How to use AI to learn English: https://youtu.be/pysIoC1bb3IUseful Phrases and Idioms from the LessonHear of / Hear about “Barely anyone had heard of ChatGPT a year ago.” “Have you heard about that new movie?” 👉 Use when asking if someone knows about something. Example: I’ve never heard of that restaurant before.It saves me hours of work 👉 AI helps us save time. Example: Using templates saves me hours of work every week.It helps me come up with new ideas 👉 “Come up with” = invent or create. Example: Brainstorming with others helps me come up with new solutions.It depends on… “It depends on how we use it.” 👉 Use this phrase when giving a balanced opinion. Example: It depends on the weather — we might go hiking.It’s hard to say for sure 👉 Use when you’re uncertain about the future. Example: It’s hard to say for sure if prices will go down next year.It feels creative, but it’s copying patterns 👉 Great for talking about AI art, writing, or music. Example: The story felt creative, but it was copying patterns.I’m excited about AI 👉 Show enthusiasm. Example: I’m excited about how AI will help education.I’m a bit concerned about… 👉 Express worry. Example: I’m a bit concerned about privacy online.I don’t know how I feel about it yet / I’m on the fence 👉 Neutral expressions when unsure. Example: I’m on the fence about moving abroad.The future is here / The future is now 👉 Used when something futuristic is happening today. Example: Self-driving cars make it feel like the future is here.It’s a game changer 👉 Something that completely changes the situation. Example: The smartphone was a game changer for communication.Get with the times 👉 Adapt to modern trends. Example: You need to get with the times and start using online banking.Thank you for watching.Get English learning resources here: https://tofluency.com/5sp-book-temp/
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20 Common English Phrases to Use in Conversation (Making Plans)
In this English listening‑practice lesson we’re focusing on how to invite someone, make plans, and set dates — from a quick coffee to a full night out. You’ll master natural phrases for casual and formal invitations, learn how to suggest activities without sounding pushy, and discover polite ways to check someone’s availability. By the end, you’ll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and the confidence to set up plans like a native speaker!🔗 Get all lessons here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW📌 Key Phrases from This Lesson✅ “Would you like to grab a coffee this weekend?” – friendly, informal way to suggest meeting up for coffee✅ “Would you like to grab lunch this weekend?” – same structure, but for a meal✅ “Do you fancy going for a drink on Friday?” – British‑English invite, often with a romantic vibe✅ “Would you like to do this?” – polite, flexible invitation when plans aren’t fixed yet✅ “I was thinking we could go to that show this weekend?” – sharing an idea while gauging interest✅ “Want to do something this weekend?” – very casual American way to propose hanging out✅ “Let’s get together soon.” – open‑ended suggestion without committing to a date✅ “How about we try that new restaurant on Saturday?” – ‘How about…’ to put forward a concrete plan✅ “What if we tried that new Italian restaurant?” – ‘What if…’ to float a suggestion and invite feedback✅ “Why don’t we try it?” – concise ‘Why don’t we…’ proposal for any activity already mentioned✅ “Why don’t we try that new Italian restaurant?” – specific version of the above, naming the plan✅ “Should we go for a walk tonight?” – ‘Should we…’ to ask if the other person thinks it’s a good idea ✅ “Should we go for a walk if it’s not raining?” – adding a condition to the suggestion✅ “Why don’t we check out that new gallery everyone’s talking about?” – inviting someone to a popular event✅ “Let’s do something fun like bowling.” – enthusiastic ‘Let’s…’ plus an example activity✅ “Let’s have a catch up next week.” – arranging a future meeting to talk and reconnect✅ “Should we do this next week?” – checking the other person’s schedule for a postponed plan✅ “Maybe next time.” – polite way to decline or postpone an invitation without closing the door
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Learn Natural English: Talking about Food in the USA and UK (+ Learn New Phrases)
In this English listening practice lesson, we’re talking about food, meal times, grocery shopping, and dining out in the UK and the USA. You’ll learn natural phrases, cultural differences, and interesting facts about how people eat in both countries. By the end of this episode, you’ll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and a deeper understanding of English-speaking food culture!🔗 Listen to more podcast episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZOJurmtexYqc6KY_Db4-fV7F06af1FkW🍽️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ The difference between British & American breakfasts 🥞☕✅ What time people eat in the UK vs. the USA ⏰✅ Why snacking is so popular in the US 🍪✅ Grocery shopping & why American supermarkets are so big 🛒✅ Eating out in restaurants & tipping culture differences 💰✅ Fast food & takeaway – why they’re different in each country 🍔✅ Fun food idioms & famous quotes about food 🍎📌 Key Phrases from This Lesson✅ “What’s for tea tonight?” – In northern England, “tea” can mean dinner.✅ “I’m in the mood for Italian food.” – A natural way to say what you feel like eating.✅ “We need to get some snacks.” – Snacking is a huge part of American food culture!✅ “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches” – A classic American lunch that’s not common elsewhere.✅ “Fish and chips” – A traditional British meal, still very popular today.✅ “Let’s eat out tonight.” – A way to say you’re going to a restaurant.✅ “Would you like a refill?” – In the USA, many drinks have free refills!✅ “Tipping is expected.” – Unlike the UK, tipping in the US is not optional.🥗 Famous Food Quotes🍎 "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." – Eating healthy keeps you from getting sick.🍋 "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." – Turn challenges into opportunities!🥚 "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket." – Don’t take unnecessary risks.🍰 "It’s a piece of cake!" – Something is really easy.🍮 "The proof is in the pudding." – You’ll only know something is good by experiencing it.
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