Improve Listening & Writing Skills | English listening comprehension | Learn English with podcast

have you ever found yourself struggling to understand native English speakers or maybe you feel nervous when speaking in English because you're not sure if you're saying things correctly you're not alone many English Learners face these challenges but don't worry this episode is here to help you improve your listening and speaking skills in today's episode we'll talk about real life situations and stories that can make your learning process fun and practical you'll get to hear how native speakers talk about everyday situations and I'll share some personal examp of how I overcame the same challenges when I

was learning English for instance there was a time when I visited a new city and I had to ask for directions at first I was too shy to speak up worried that I might say something wrong but then I realized that the best way to improve is to practice in real life situations I asked for directions in English and even though I made a couple of mistakes the conversation went smoothly I learned that it's okay to make mistakes as long as you keep trying listening to stories like this where people talk naturally about their experiences

will not only help you improve your listening skills but also give you the confidence to speak in real conversations let's dive into another real life story have you ever been to a cafe or a restaurant where the menu was in English and you weren't sure how to order that happened to me once when I visited a small coffee shop in London I wanted to order a latte but I wasn't sure how to ask for it with no sugar I thought for a moment and said can I have a latte please with no sugar the Barista

smiled and repeated my order back to me confirming it that simple interaction boosted my confidence so much because I realized I could handle small everyday conversations in English now imagine you're in a similar situation how would you order your favorite drink think about the words you I would use and how you would say them practicing these simple sentences can help you feel more prepared when the moment comes here's another example when I first started learning English I often found myself in awkward situations because I didn't know how to respond politely for instance once a colleague

asked me how's it going and I froze because I wasn't sure if I should say good or give a longer answer after some practice and listening to how others replied I realized that a simple I'm good thank you how about you works perfectly let's practice this imagine someone asks you how's it going how would you respond repeat after me I'm good thank you how about you practicing out loud is essential for building confidence and improving your speaking skills these small but practical phrases are a part of everyday conversations and mastering them can make you feel

more comfortable speaking in English let's talk about shopping something we all do but often find challenging in a foreign language when I first moved to an English-speaking country I had a funny yet embarrassing experience at a grocery store I was looking for flour to bake a cake but instead of saying flour I mistakenly asked a store assistant for flower he gave me a puzzled look and pointed me toward the gardening section I quickly realized my mistake laughed it off and corrected myself saying I mean flour for baking that moment taught me two important lessons first

it's okay to make mistakes native speakers often find them charming and are happy to help second pronunciation matters similar sounding words can completely change the meaning of a sentence so whenever you're in a situation like that don't be afraid to laugh at yourself and learn from the experience now let's practice a scenario imagine you're at a grocery store and you need to ask where the milk is think about how you would ask you could say excuse me where can I find the milk or can you tell me where the milk is please these are polite

and simple ways to start a conversation try saying one of these sentences out loud practicing these phrases will help you feel prepared when you're in a real life situation here's another story this one is about taking public transportation on my first day in New York City I needed to take the subway to meet a friend I was nervous because I wasn't familiar with the system and all the announcements were in English when I asked a fellow passenger for directions I wasn't sure how to phrase my question so I simply said which train to go here

they smiled and kindly explained you mean which train should I take to get to this station that small correction stuck with me and I now use that structure whenever I ask for directions think about a time when you needed help finding your way how would you ask someone practice saying excuse me can you tell me how to get to location it's a polite and effective way to ask for help now let's shift to another important area making small talk one of my most memorable experiences with small talk was at a bus stop I was waiting

for the bus and it started raining lightly a woman next to me said looks like we might need an umbrella today I smiled and replied yes it seems like the weather is unpredictable that short exchange turned into a friendly conversation about the best local places to visit and I ended up learning about a park I hadn't heard of before this story shows how small talk can lead to meaningful interactions and help you connect with people let's try a similar situation imagine you're at a bus stop and someone comments on the weather how would you respond

a simple reply like yes it's quite chilly today or I didn't expect the sun to come out this afternoon is a great way to keep the conversation going practice these lines out loud and think about how you'd naturally react finally let's talk about handling tricky situations once at a coffee shop the cashier misunderstood my order I had asked for a cappuccino but they handed me an iced coffee instead I hesitated for a moment but decided to politely clarify I said sorry I think there's been a mistake I ordered a cappuccino the cashier apologized and quickly

fixed the order this taught me how important it is to speak up respectfully when there's a misunderstanding have you ever been in a situation where something went wrong and you had to explain it in English how did you handle it if not imagine this you ordered food at a restaurant and the waiter brought the wrong dish what would you say you could try something like excuse me I think there's been a mixup I ordered your dish practice this sentence out loud it's a polite way to address the issue without sounding rude by listening to these

stories and practicing these scenarios you'll gain the confidence to handle everyday inter actions in English keep practicing and remember that every small step counts let's move on to another essential topic asking for help I remember the first time I had to ask for help in English when I was lost in a new city I was walking around trying to find a street and I realized I didn't know the way I stopped someone and said excuse me can you help me the person smiled and responded sure where are you trying to go I was a bit

nervous at first but the person's friendly tone made it much easier to continue the conversation they gave me clear directions and I was able to reach my destination without any issues asking for help is one of the most practical things you can do when you're learning English it can be in any situation whether you're looking for a bus stop a restaurant or even finding out where to buy something you can start with simple phrases like excuse me can you help me or I'm looking for place can you tell me where it is these are polite

and straight forward ways to ask for assistance now take a moment to think about a time when you had to ask for help how did you do it try practicing some of these phrases to get comfortable with them another real life situation I'd like to share is when I needed to make a phone call in English at first I was terrified of speaking on the phone because I couldn't see the person's face so I worried about misunderstanding what they said but I learned that just like in face-to-face conversations it's important to speak clearly and ask

for clarification when necessary the first time I had to call customer service I started with hello I'm calling about the reason for the call the representative on the other end was very patient and helped me through the issue that experience taught me that phone conversations can be just as easy as in-person conversations especially when you take it step by step and don't hesitate to ask for clarification let's practice a phone call situation imagine you need to to call a hotel to make a reservation you could start the conversation by saying hello I'd like to make

a reservation for number of people on date it's a simple but effective way to begin try saying this out loud and imagine how the conversation would flow it might feel a little strange at first but with practice you'll get used to it on a different note let's talk about introducing yourself I once attended a conference where I had to introduce myself to people I didn't know I was a little ner about speaking to strangers but I quickly learned that making a good first impression is easy when you use Simple phrases I started with hi my

name is your name nice to meet you then I shared a bit about why I was at the conference the person I was speaking with immediately responded with it's great to meet you I'm their name we then had a nice conversation about our interests and it helped me feel more comfortable speaking English with others introducing yourself is something you'll do often in real life whether it's meeting a new colleague or making a friend you can use a simple introduction like hi I'm your name what's your name or nice to meet you I'm your name these

short polite sentences help break the ice try practicing this with someone you know or even in front of a mirror the more you practice the more confident you'll feel when meeting new people another thing that's essential for improving your listening skills is watching or listening to conversations in English I remember when I started watching movies and TV shows in English it was tough at first I couldn't understand everything and the character spoke too quickly but over time I began to pick up on key phrases and expressions I started watching with subtitles and I'd pause the

video when I didn't understand something I'd look up the meaning and repeat the phrase aloud until it felt natural this is something you can do too choose a short video or a clip from a TV show you like and listen to it carefully if you don't understand a word pause and look it up try to repeat what the characters say to practice your pronunciation eventually you'll notice that you're able to follow along more easily and your listening skills will improve significantly let's also talk about making plans with others I remember the first time I tried

to make plans with a friend in English we were trying to figure out a time to meet but I wasn't sure how to phrase it I started with do you want to meet at place my friend responded sure what time I thought for a moment and said how about 3 p.m. that was the perfect way to make plans and I realized that it's much easier than it seems to make plans when you know the right phrases for making plans you can use Simple expressions like do you want to do something or what time works best

for you and how about time these phrases help you start the conversation and make the process of planning easier try practicing with a friend or family member and imagine yourself arranging plans for an outing or a trip lastly I want to share a story about a time when I had to ask for something in a store I remember walking into a clothing shop looking for a shirt but I wasn't sure where to find it I approached the store assistant and said excuse me can you tell me where the shirts are they smiled and directed me

to the section where the shirts were located I was happy to learn that asking simple questions like that is enough to get the information you need when you're shopping it's useful to know how to ask where something is you can say excuse me where can I find item or do you have item in stock these are polite ways to ask for help in a store try practicing these sentences so you're ready the next time you need to shop another important skill to practice in English is making plans with others I remember when I was planning

a weekend trip with my friend Alex I said hey do you want to go on a road trip this Saturday day we could drive to the beach and have a picnic Alex replied that sounds like a lot of fun what time do you want to leave we made a plan quickly and everything went smoothly making plans is a common part of daily life whether it's for an event or just to spend time with friends you can say things like do you want to go to the park this weekend or what time do you want to

meet at the cafe for example when I'm setting up a time to meet a colleague I might say would you like to have coffee tomorrow at 3 or or how about we meet at the park in the afternoon these are easy ways to schedule plans in English practice these phrases with your friends or family and see how comfortable you get in using them in real life let's also talk about giving feedback feedback is important in both professional and personal settings a few months ago I had to give some feedback to my colleague Emma about a

presentation she gave at work I said I really liked your presentation it was C and well organized one thing I think could improve is adding a few more examples to make it more engaging Emma appreciated my feedback and said she would work on it giving feedback in English can be tricky but it's a valuable skill you can say things like I think you did great but maybe you could try adding a little more detail or I really liked your idea but perhaps you could improve the timing another example is when I had to give feedback

on a friend's cooking my friend Maria made a delicious pasta dish and I told her it tastes amazing maybe next time you could try adding a bit more garlic for extra flavor giving constructive feedback in a friendly and supportive way is important especially when you're trying to help someone improve practice giving feedback by focusing on both the positives and areas for improvement this will help you build better communication skills in English another situation where you might use English is when discussing your goals or Ambitions I remember having a conversation with my friend David about career

goals I said I'm thinking of starting my own business in the next couple of years I want to help small businesses grow by offering them marketing Services David looked impressed and said that sounds like an exciting plan what steps are you going to take to get started talking about your plans and goals in English can help you express yourself more clearly and give you the confidence to share your Ambitions with others you can say things like I hope to start my own business in the future or I'm working towards becoming a freelance graphic designer think

about your own goals what are you hoping to achieve in the next year whether it's learning a new language traveling to a new country or advancing in your career discussing these goals in English will help you become more confident in talking about your future you could say I want to travel to Japan in the next 2 years or my dream is to work as a software engineer in a big company use these phrases will help you share your dreams with others and practice speaking English in the process now let's talk about another situation where English

is useful talking about past experiences I remember a time when I went on a trip to New York City with a group of friends we visited Central Park and had a picnic I told my friends I remember the last time I was here it was really crowded but this time it's so peaceful and quiet talking about past events is a great way to improve your English and reflect on things that have happened in your life you can say last time I was in New York it was summer and the park was full of tourists or

I've been to Central Park many times but this time it felt different another time I was talking to a colleague Sam about my recent trip to the mountains I said I had a great time last weekend hiking in the mountains the weather was perfect and the views were amazing Sam responded by saying that sounds wonderful I've always wanted to go hiking what was your favorite part of the trip sharing stories about past experiences is not only a great way to improve your speaking skills but also a way to bond with others over shared interests think

about an experience you've had recently maybe a trip a hobby or a special event try describing it in English using past tense verbs you might say I went to the beach last weekend or I tried surfing for the first time during my trip to Hawaii these simple sentences will help you practice your English and share interesting experiences with others now let's practice one more important skill making offers a few weeks ago I was with my friend John and we were having coffee at a cafe I said do you want me to grab you another coffee

he smiled and said that would be great thanks making offers is a simple way to be polite and show kindness you can offer to help with things like would you like me to carry that for you or can I help you with your project these phrases are useful when you want to offer assistance to someone for example when I'm with my family I might say can I get you anything to drink or would you like me to help you with that offering help is a great way to build positive relationships and practice using polite language

in English try offering help in different situations whether it's at home at work or with friends when you practice all these phrases and skills making requests giving directions complimenting people making suggestions apologizing and offering help you'll find that your English improves significantly these are all real life situations that you'll encounter and by using the right phrases you'll feel more comfortable communicating in English every day keep practicing and soon speaking English will become second nature to you now let's talk about another skill that's really useful making and responding to invitations last month my friend Sarah invited

me to her birthday party she called me and said hey I'm having a party next Saturday at my place would you like to come we'll have music food and lots of fun I was excited and said that sounds great what time should I come invitations like this are common whether for a celebration or just getting together with friends you can make invitations like do you want to join me for lunch tomorrow or I'm planning a movie night this weekend are you free making invitations in English can be simple but it's important to sound friendly and

polite when I invited my colleague Tom to join me for a coffee after work I said hey I'm going to the cafe later want to join me for a coffee Tom happily agreed and we had a great time chatting about work you can also use invitations in more formal situations like inviting a client to a meeting or suggesting an event think about times when you've invited someone to do something how do you ask them do you say say would you like to join me or how about we go to the park this weekend practice making

and accepting invitations as this is an important part of everyday communication another situation where English comes in handy is when giving advice for example a few months ago my friend Chris was feeling stressed about his job interview he asked me what should I do to prepare for the interview I'm nervous I told him don't worry too much just practice your answers stay confident and remember to ask questions at the end that shows you're interested giving advice can be done in many ways like saying you should try practicing your answers before the interview or maybe you

could take a deep breath and relax before the interview starts I also gave advice to my cousin Emma when she was planning her trip to Paris she was unsure about how to get around so I said I recommend you buy a Metro pass it'll save you time and money when you travel around the city also May sure you check out the Eiffel Tower and the Lou Museum giving advice is a skill that can help others and it's also a great way to practice using modal verbs like should or could whenever you give advice try to

be kind and helpful you can say things like maybe you could try this or I suggest you do this it's a good way to offer support to friends and family and it can also help improve your English skills now let's talk about sharing experiences sharing personal stories is one of the best ways to connect with others last year I went on a road trip with my friend Rachel we drove through the countryside and stopped at different places along the way one of the most memorable moments was when we got lost and had to ask for

directions I said excuse me could you tell us how to get to the nearest gas station the person we asked gave us clear directions and we were able to continue our journey without any trouble that experience reminded me how important it is to know how to ask for directions in English you might say can you tell me the way to the nearest subway station or how do I get to the airport from here these simple questions can help you in many situations whether you're traveling exploring a new city or even just getting to a friend's

house sharing experiences with others is a great way to practice English especially when you describe places you've been things you've done or challenges You' faced it's also a good opportunity to practice using past tense verbs like I went I saw or I visited let's take a moment to practice together think about a time when you went on a trip met new people or faced a challenge how would you describe that experience in English for example you could say last summer I went to the beach with my family or I visited London last year and saw

the Big Ben by practicing these sentences you'll improve both your speaking and writing skills another skill to practice is offering and accepting apologies a while ago I accidentally bumped into my neighbor John while walking down the street I immediately said sorry about that I didn't see you there he smiled and replied it's all right no worries apologies are an important part of communication and knowing how to say sorry in different situations will make your conversations more natural you can say things like I'm sorry for being late or I apologize for the mistake I made there

was another time when I had to apologize to my friend Julia we were supposed to meet for dinner but I accidentally missed our plans I called her and said I'm really sorry I lost track of time and couldn't make it can we reschedule Julia was understanding and said no problem we'll meet next week apologizing is important in both casual and formal situations and it shows that you care about the other person's feelings it's a great way to maintain good relationships with people when you practice apologizing you'll become more comfortable in different social situations you can

also practice saying things like I'm sorry I didn't mean to or please forgive me these simple phrases will help you feel more confident when speaking English one more skill to practice is asking for help a few weeks ago I was at the supermarket and I couldn't find the serial aisle I turned to an employee and said excuse me can you help me find the serial aisle the employee kindly point Ed me in the right direction and I was able to get what I needed asking for help is a useful skill in everyday life whether you're

in a store at work or in a new place you can ask can you help me with this or could you show me how to do this asking for help can also be a way to improve your English if you don't understand something in a conversation don't be afraid to ask could you explain that again or I'm not sure I understand can you clarify this will help you keep the conversation going and make sure you're on the same page as the other person by practicing all of these skills making invitations giving advice sharing experiences apologizing

and asking for help you'll improve your English and feel more confident when speaking with others whether you're talking to friends colleagues or strangers these are all essential skills that will make you a better Communicator in English keep practicing and you'll notice the difference in your speaking and listening skills let's move on on to another important area talking about your plans and future intentions a few weeks ago I met with my friend Mark to talk about our upcoming vacation plans I said next month I'm planning to visit New York I'm really excited to see Central Park

and maybe check out a Broadway show Mark responded that sounds awesome I'm thinking of going to the beach next summer I've been saving up for it talking about your plans and intentions is a great way to practice using future tenses in English you might say I will go to the park tomorrow or I'm going to meet my friends later both of these sentences talk about the future but with different levels of certainty using will expresses a decision made in the moment while going to shows that the plan has already been decided last year I made

plans with a group of friends to attend a music festival we had been talking about it for months and when the day arrived we were all excited to finally see our faite bands I said I'm looking forward to the Festival this weekend I've been planning this for so long it was a great opportunity to practice talking about events in the future and it made the conversation flow smoothly when you practice making plans think about things you're going to do in the future you might plan to visit a new city try a new hobby or simply

relax over the weekend you can say I will start exercising next month or I'm going to try a new restaurant this Friday the more you use future tenses the more comfortable you'll get with them now let's focus on another skill asking for opinions a few months ago I asked my friend Lisa for her opinion about a book I was reading I said I'm reading this book about time management but I'm not sure if I'm enjoying it what do you think Lisa thought for a moment and replied I read that book last year it's a good

read if you like practical advice but it can be a bit dry at times asking for opinion is a great way to practice using question forms in English you can ask what do you think of this idea or how do you feel about the new movie it's important to be open to different perspectives and by asking for opinions you can start conversations and learn new things from others I've learned a lot from simply asking friends and family for their thoughts on topics I find interesting I also asked my colleague Ben for his opinion on a

presentation I Was preparing for work I said Ben can you give me some feedback on my presentation I want to make sure it's clear and engaging Ben was helpful and suggested that I simplify the slides and focus on key points to make it easier for the audience to follow asking for feedback like this is a great way to improve your skills in any area including your English when you ask for opinions try to be respectful and open-minded you might say what do you think about this or do you have any suggestions for improvement these types

of questions show that you value the other person's input and can help you learn new things another skill that will help improve your communication is making comparisons last week I was talking to my friend Emily about two restaurants in our neighborhood I said I love the pizza at Tony's Pizza but the one at Bella's is better Tony's is good but Bella's has a thicker crust and more cheese Emily agreed saying I prefer Bellas too their pasta is amazing but Tony's has better service making comparisons is important when you want to describe the differences between two

things whether it's food places or even people you can use phrases like this is better than that this is more expensive than that or I like this more than that it helps to make your conversation clear and more interesting I also made a comparison when I was trying to choose between two phones I said to my friend Alex I'm not sure whether to buy the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy the iPhone has a better camera but the has more storage I like the design of the iPhone more but the Galaxy is cheaper comparing products is

something we all do in our daily lives and it's a great way to practice English next time you need to make a comparison think about two things you like or dislike how are they different which one do you prefer and why using comparison phrases will help you communicate your thoughts and opinions more effectively another useful skill is talking about your hobbies and interest for example I've always been passionate about photography I remember when I first started I took my camera everywhere to practice one day I was out with a friend and I took some photos

of the sunset my friend asked wow these pictures are amazing how long have you been into photography I smiled and said I've been interested in it for a few years now and I just love capturing moments talking about your Hobbies is a great way to get to know people and share what you enjoy doing in your free time when you talk about your hobbies you can say I enjoy playing tennis I love reading books or I like hiking on the weekends these sentences help you express what you like to do and can also lead to

interesting conversations with others who share similar interests I also talked to my cousin Laura about her love for painting I said I noticed your paintings on Instagram they look incredible how did you get into painting Laura replied I've always loved art I started painting a few years ago and it's become my favorite way to relax talking about hobbies and interests can also help improve your vocabulary you can learn new words related to sports music books and other activities plus it's a fun way to practice your English so whether you're discussing future plans asking for opinions

making comparisons or talking about your hobbies all these skills will help you improve your speaking and writing the more you practice the more confident you'll become in expressing yourself in English so keep practicing and soon you'll notice how much better you've become at communicating now let's dive into another area of speaking and writing That's essential describing your experiences we all have moments in life that stand out and sharing them with others is a great way to practice English for example I'll never forget the time I went on a road trip across the country with my

friend Sarah we drove through several States and I remember stopping at a small town in the middle of nowhere I said look at this this place looks like something out of a movie Sarah looked around and replied I love it it's so peaceful here describing your experiences especially travel or special moments helps you practice using descriptive language you might say last year I traveled to Paris and I was amazed by the Eiffel Tower or when I went to the beach the water was so clear and the sand felt soft under my feet using details like

this adds depth to your conversations and makes your experiences come alive for others I remember one experience from last summer when I went hiking in the mountains it was an incredible experience because the weather was perfect and I was surrounded by Nature I told my friend Jack the view from the top of the mountain was amazing I could see the entire valley below and the air felt so fresh describing experiences like this helps you practice both your vocabulary and your storytelling skills when you describe your experiences think about how you felt and what you saw

heard or smelled did you feel excited nervous or happy what made the moment special the more you practice the easier it will be to create vivid pictures with words now let's move on to expressing likes and dislikes a few days ago I was talking to my colleague Maria about a movie I had watched I said I really didn't the movie The Plot was confusing and I didn't understand the ending Maria laughed and said I totally agree I thought it was going to be better but it just didn't make sense talking about likes and dislikes is

a great way to practice forming opinions and expressing them clearly you can say I like this song because it's relaxing or I don't like this restaurant because the food is too salty when you express your likes and dislikes you can also explain why you feel that way for instance I told my friend Kelly I don't like running but I love swimming because it's easier on my joints explaining your preferences is a great way to practice using reasons in your speech and writing it also helps you engage in deeper conversations with others a few weeks ago

I was talking to my brother about different types of music he said I really like rock music especially classic bands like the Beatles and queen I told him I prefer Jazz especially smooth jazz it's much much more relaxing for me it's interesting to hear different opinions and expressing likes and dislikes helps you connect with others over common ground or differences another key aspect of communication is offering help or advice a while ago my friend Tina was struggling with a project at work she asked me do you have any tips for writing a great report I'm

stuck and don't know where to start I replied sure first make an outline of your main points and then add details try to keep your sentences is short and clear and don't forget to proofread before you submit it offering help or advice is a great way to use polite language and it allows you to practice giving clear instructions you might say if you want to improve your speaking I recommend practicing every day or I think you should try a different approach when you offer advice it's important to be kind and considerate you can say you

might want to try this or I suggest you try these phrases show that your offer your opinion not forcing it onto others a couple of months ago I helped my cousin James with his English homework he was struggling with some grammar rules and I said if you practice these rules every day you'll get better at it don't worry if you make mistakes it's part of the learning process offering advice in a supportive way encourages people to keep trying and to believe in their ability to improve another skill that's important in speaking and writing is discussing

personal goals goals and dreams last year I talked to my friend Sophie about her future plans she said I've always wanted to travel the world and experience different cultures that's my biggest dream I told her that sounds amazing I think you should start planning your trips maybe visit Europe first talking about your dreams and goals is a great way to practice using future tenses and expressing your hopes for the future you might say my dream is to become a teacher one day or I want to learn to play the guitar this year when you talk

about your goals be sure to explain why they are important to you for example I told my friend Max I want to write a book someday because I love telling stories and I think it would be a great way to inspire others talking about your dreams not only helps you practice English but also allows you to connect with people who share similar aspirations I also spoke to my co-worker Allan about his goal of running a marathon he said I've been training for two months now my goal is to run a marathon next year I was

so inspired by his dedication and told him that's incredible I'm sure you'll achieve it keep pushing yourself expressing your personal goals and dreams helps others get to know you better it's a powerful way to build connections and Inspire others to pursue their own dreams as well so far we've discussed how to describe experiences Express likes and dislikes offer help and advice and talk about personal goals these are all practical skills that will help you communicate effectively in English the more you practice these areas the better you'll become at understanding others and expressing yourself clearly keep

listening keep practicing and you'll see Improvement in your speaking and writing skills let's talk now about another important aspect of communication making small talk Small Talk might seem simple but it's an essential part of building relationships and making connections with people a few weeks ago was in a coffee shop and I started chatting with the Barista while waiting for my order I said it's been such a busy morning today how's your day going she smiled and replied it's been pretty busy too but I love working here I get to meet new people every day that

small conversation helped break the ice and we had a pleasant exchange that made my day better making small talk can also help you practice using questions and answers you can ask someone how was your weekend or have you been to this place before these simple questions are a great way to start a conversation and keep it going a few months ago I met a new neighbor named Lily I asked her how long have you been living here she responded just a few weeks it's such a nice neighborhood we chatted about where we were from what

we liked about the area and soon enough we had built a connection small talk doesn't have to be complicated it's all about asking open-ended questions and being genuinely interested in the other person's answers a key part of small talk is also sharing little details about yourself when I met Lily I shared a bit about my favorite places to visit in the neighborhood I said there's a great Park just down the street I go there every weekend to read books and enjoy the outdoors this personal information makes the conversation feel more natural and helps the other

person connect with you you don't have to share anything too private even simple things like your hobbies or favorite local spots are great ways to keep the conversation flowing along with small talk let's talk about how to give compliments complimenting others is a fantastic way to make people feel good and build rapport a few days ago my colleague Rachel was wearing a beautiful necklace and I told her I really like your necklace it's so unique she smiled and said thank you I got it as a gift from my sister compliments can be about someone's appearance

their work or even their personality you could say your shoes are really nice or you have a great sense of humor giving compliments shows kindness and appreciation which can help create positive connections with people I also remember the time when my friend John was giving a presentation at work I told him afterward you did such a great job your presentation was clear and engaging he was so happy to hear that and it motivated him to keep improving compliments especially when they are sincere can boost someone's confidence and encourage them to keep doing their best when

giving comp compliments it's important to be genuine people can tell if you're being sincere or just saying something to be polite a while ago I complimented my friend Amanda on her new haircut I said wow your new haircut looks amazing it really suits you she appreciated the compliment and told me she had been thinking about the change for a long time complimenting someone can help open doors to deeper conversations and build stronger relationships let's move on to discussing everyday topics like the weather talking about the weather is something that comes up in almost every conversation

it's a great way to start a chat with someone you don't know well for instance just yesterday I met a person at the grocery store and said it's such a nice day today isn't it they smiled and replied yes it's perfect for a walk in the park from there we continue talking about the weather and what we like to do on sunny days simple conversations like this can help you practice asking questions making observations and sharing thoughts last month I was organizing a surprise party for my sister and we had to make several Arrangements I

called my friend Ben and said can you pick up the cake at 300 p.m. I'll handle the decorations he confirmed got it I'll pick it up and bring it to the venue by making plans and talking about Arrangements you practice using time expressions like at 300 p.m. next weekend or on Friday these are important tools for making sure everything runs smoothly so as you can see there are many different ways to practice speaking and writing English in everyday situations whether you're talking about the weather giving compliments or making plans the key is to practice regularly

and use real life situations to improve your skills don't be afraid to make mistakes the more you practice the better you'll get keep listening keep speaking and keep learning you're doing great let's shift gears a bit and talk about how to ask for help in English asking for help is a crucial part of everyday life whether you're looking for directions trying to understand something or need assistance with a task knowing how to ask for help politely is important I remember once when I was traveling in Paris I needed help finding my hotel I approached a

local woman and asked excuse me could you please help me I'm trying to find this hotel she smiled and replied of course it's just down the street take a left at the corner it was such a relief to get clear directions and I made sure to thank her for her kindness asking for help in a friendly and respectful manner not only makes the situation easier but also helps you connect with people another situation where asking for help is essential is when you're learning something new a few months ago I was learning to cook a new

recipe and I wasn't sure if I was doing it right I called my friend Laura who's an amazing cook and asked her am I supposed to add the garlic now or later she patiently guided me through the steps and thanks to her advice the dish turned out great don't hesitate to ask for help when you're uncertain it's a great way to learn and improve your skills now let's talk about offering help to others when someone asks for help it's a chance to practice being kind and supportive a few weeks ago I was at the library

studying when I noticed a young man who was struggling to find a book he looked a bit frustrated so I offered can I help you find something I know this Library well he smiled and said that would be great I was able to help him find the book he was looking for and we ended up chatting for a bit about our favorite authors offering help doesn't just make the other person feel good it can also help you practice speaking English in a more natural way when you offer help be sure to be polite and clear

with your words you can say things like let me help you with that or would you like me to give you a hand these simple phrases can make a big difference last month I was helping a neighbor mom carry some heavy boxes up to his apartment as we reached his door I said there we go all done that wasn't too bad right he laughed and replied thanks so much I really appreciate it offering help is not just about the words you say but also about showing kindness through your actions one of the key aspects of

learning any language is expanding your vocabulary you can learn a lot from real life experiences by paying attention to the words and phrases people use in different situations I remember last year when I was meeting a group of new colleagues one of them Sarah was talking about her favorite hobbies and she said I love hiking and taking photos of nature it's so peaceful and refreshing I took note of the word refreshing and how she used it in context the next time I was talking to a friend about our weekend plans I used the word refreshing

to describe a walk in the park it was such a refreshing walk this morning the weather was perfect another time I learned a new phrase while chatting with a friend from the UK we were talking about a movie we both watched and she said I thought the film was a bit overrated to be honest I had never heard the word overrated used that way so I asked her to explain she told me it means that people talk about it as if it's much better than it really is I was grateful to learn that new expression

and now I use it whenever I discuss movies or books with friends as you can see real life experiences are full of opportunities to learn new words expressions and phrases listening carefully to how people speak and asking questions when you don't understand something can help you build a strong vocabulary the more words you know the more confident you'll feel when speaking English and you'll be able to express yourself more clearly let's also talk about the importance of practicing English in different environments it's one thing to learn vocabulary in a classroom or from a textbook but

it's another thing entirely to practice in real world situations a a few months ago I attended a business conference where I had to speak in English for the entire day I had been practicing my vocabulary and phrases related to my field but when I got there I realized I needed to be more flexible I had to listen to presentations ask questions and even network with other professionals it was challenging but it also taught me how to adapt quickly and use the language I had learned in different contexts during lunch I was talking to a colleague

David who was from another country and he shared his experience of living abroad he said when I first moved here I had a hard time understanding the local accent but over time I got used to it I admired his determination and perseverance and it made me realize that language learning isn't always easy it takes time practice and patience I also had the chance to ask him for advice on improving my accent and he gave me a few useful tips one of the best ways to practice English is to expose yourself to different types of conversations

you can practice by listening to podcasts watching movies or TV shows reading books and even having conversations with native speakers this will help you get used to different accents vocabulary and speaking Styles I've also found that talking with people from different countries is a great way to learn about different cultures and perspectives a few weeks ago I had a conversation with a traveler from Brazil who was visiting my city we discussed everything from food to music and I learned a lot about Brazilian culture as you continue learning English try to put yourself in real life

situations where you can practice speaking and listening it's important to remember that language learning is a journey not a race each time you practice you're getting better and more confident so keep listening keep practicing and don't be afraid to make mistakes that's how you learn let's now talk about making small talk in English it's one of those essential skills that can make social situations much easier and more enjoyable small talk is something we all do whether we're chatting with a colleague at work meeting new people at a party or waiting in line at the grocery

store it's about finding common ground and starting a conversation in a relaxed way I remember one time when I was at a coffee shop in my neighborhood and I noticed a man standing next to me in line we were both waiting for our coffee and I decided to break the ice I said this place makes the best coffee don't you think he smiled and nodded that simple comment led to a conversation about our favorite coffee Blends and the best places in the city to get a good cup of coffee what started as a simple compliment

turned into a pleasant chat and I ended up making a new acquaintance small talk doesn't have to be complicated it's about starting a conversation and seeing where it leads another example was when I was on a flight to New York I was sitting next to a woman and we started talking about travel she mentioned how she loves visiting new cities and exploring hidden spots I shared my experience of traveling to London and how I spent the day at a little cafe in Covent Garden it was a great conversation and by the end of the flight

we had exchanged travel tips and recommendations this type of casual conversation is perfect for practicing your listening and speaking skills you don't need to know a lot of vocabulary just ask simple questions like what do you like to do in your free time or have you been to any interesting place lately small talk is also a great way to practice your listening skills when you're having a conversation it's important to listen carefully to what the other person is saying a few months ago I was at a family gathering and my cousin Emily was telling me

about her new job she was explaining her daily routine and how she loves working with her team I asked her a follow-up question what's the most exciting part of your job she smiled and said definitely the teamwork we collaborate on projects every day and it's amazing to see how we all contribute to the big picture listening carefully to her response not only helped me understand her better but it also gave me an opportunity to ask more questions and keep the conversation going listening carefully in conversations will improve your speaking skills as well it's a two-way

street the more you listen the better you'll be at responding and engaging in meaningful conversations for example last week I had a meeting with a colleague named Mark we were discussing a project where we working on and I was listening closely to his ideas after he explained his thoughts I said I love your idea how do you think we can implement it in the next phase of the project this helped keep the conversation flowing and allowed us to explore the topic in more detail when you're listening and engaging in a conversation you learn new Expressions

ways of structuring sentences and vocabulary it's also important to be patient when practicing your English sometimes it's easy to feel frustrated if you're not understanding everything or if you're struggling to express yourself I remember when I first started learning Spanish I had a conversation with a local shopkeeper while I was on vacation in Spain I couldn't remember the word for bread and I felt embarrassed but the shopkeeper smiled and said no worries just say pan it's the same in Spanish that moment taught me an important lesson it's okay to make mistakes people are generally patient

and understanding especially when they see you're trying to learn and communicate another way to practice your English is by listening to podcasts watching movies or reading books in English the more you expose yourself to the language the more comfortable you'll feel when speaking a few months ago I watched a documentary about the environment and I learned some new phrases related to climate change and sustainability afterward I had a conversation with a friend about what I had learned and I used some of the new vocabulary in our discussion it felt great to use the words and

phrases I had picked up up in a real life conversation when you're listening to English try to pick up on new Expressions pronunciation and sentence structures even if you don't understand everything right away don't get discouraged keep practicing and over time your listening and speaking skills will improve one of my favorite things to do is listen to English language songs I pay attention to the lyrics and try to understand the meaning behind them sometimes I even write down the lyrics and look up words I don't know this is a fun way to practice your listening

skills and learn new vocabulary in a relaxed setting it's also helpful to use language learning apps and online resources that offer real life scenarios and conversations I've used a language learning app to practice my English listening skills and it has been incredibly useful the app gives you short conversations on different topics and then it asks you questions to test your understanding after listening to the conversation you can practice answering the questions aloud it's like having a mini conversation in English and it helps me become more confident in my speaking and listening abilities lastly let's talk

about using English in your daily life the more you incorporate English into your routine the better you'll become at understanding and speaking it whether it's writing in a journal reading the news in English or even thinking in English every little bit helps I started a habit of writing a few sentences in English every day about what I did or how I was feeling it's a simple practice but it really helped me improve my writing and thinking in English over time I noticed that my thoughts began to flow more easily in English and I could express

myself more naturally let's talk about another useful way to improve your English skills making mistakes and learning from them it's completely normal to make mistakes when you're learning a new language and the key is not to get discouraged in fact every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new I remember one time when I was at a conference in another city I had to give a presentation in English and I was really nervous during the presentation I accidentally said the wrong word when talking about a concept I could feel my face turning red but instead

of stopping I took a deep breath laughed a little and corrected myself afterward someone in the audience came up to me and said I admire how you handled that mistake it actually made Thea presentation more relatable that moment taught me that mistakes aren't failures they're just part of the learning process this is something I tell my students all the time don't be afraid to speak up even if you're unsure of the grammar or vocabulary people will appreciate your effort to communicate and they'll be more forgiving of small mistakes I've had several conversations with people from

different countries and we often have to pause and explain things to each other because we're both speaking in a second language for example when I visited Italy last year I met a shopkeeper named Roberto his English wasn't perfect and my Italian was even worse but we had a great conversation about his store and we both learned a little bit from each other it was a memorable experience and it reminded me that communication is about understanding not Perfection this is especially true when you're learning a language in a social setting Sometimes the best way to learn

is by having real life conversations last week I went to a local park where I usually walk in the mornings as I was sitting on a bench I overheard a group of people talk about a new movie that had just been released I joined the conversation and asked them what they thought about the movie even though my speaking skills weren't perfect they were happy to answer and engage with me one of the people Maria mentioned that she had watched the movie with her friends and they discussed the characters in detail this gave me a great

chance to practice using words and phrases related to movies and characters and I even learned a few new Expressions that I didn't know before this kind of interaction is invaluable for improving both your listening and speaking skills as you keep practicing your English it's important to be patient with yourself language learning is a journey and it takes time when I first started learning English I was afraid of speaking in front of others because I thought I might make a mistake but over the years I've learned that the more I speak the better I become I've

also realized that my mistakes are not a reflection of my ability they're just part of the process every conversation I have whether it's with a friend a colleague or even a stranger is a chance to improve another way to practice your English is by listening to podcasts and watching TV shows or movies in English I often do this in my free time for example I recently watched an English series called the crown on Netflix it's based on the history of the British royal family and I love how the characters speak so clearly I try to

repeat some of their lines to practice my pronunciation there's one scene where the queen says I am the queen and I do not respond to threats I love the way she emphasizes the words do not in this sentence it's a great example of how intonation and stress can change the meaning of a sentence after watching that scene I practice saying the line with the same emphasis it was a fun way to learn new words and improve my speaking skills sometimes you can also practice English by talking to yourself this might sound strange but it's actually

a great technique I've done this many times especially when I'm at home or walking alone I'll talk about my plans for the day or describe what I see around me for example if I'm walking through the park I might say to myself the weather is beautiful today there are so many people walking their dogs I wonder if any of them are planning to go for a run later by practicing speaking aloud you can improve your fluency and become more comfortable with expressing yourself even if you don't have someone to talk to you can still practice

by writing in English I've kept a a journal for years and I write in it almost every day at first I wrote only short sentences but over time I started writing longer paragraphs writing helped me to think in English and express my ideas more clearly I also kept a vocabulary notebook where I wrote down new words and phrases I learned this helped me remember and use them in conversations it's important to make English a part of your daily routine even if it's just for a few minutes each day every little bit of practice counts remember

it's okay to take things slow start by having short conversations with people you know and gradually challenge yourself to speak with strangers each time you do this you'll build more confidence and improve your English skills I've had several moments where I was unsure of myself but looking back I realized those moments helped me grow as a language learner another useful strategy is surrounding yourself with English as much as possible this could mean changing your phone settings to English following social media accounts that post in English or even labeling items around your house with their English

names when I first moved to a new city for work I wanted to improve my English quickly I decided to set a challenge for myself I would only speak in English at home for one month at first it was difficult I would get frustrated when I couldn't find the right words and sometimes I felt like I wasn't saying things correctly but over time I noticed that it became easier to express myself and I didn't have to think as hard before speaking it was like my brain started processing English naturally without needing to translate from my

native language first the same principle applies when learning new vocabulary try to learn words in context rather than just memorizing them for example when I was learning words related to food I didn't just memorize lists of words like apple banana or carrot instead I would learn how those words were used in sentences for instance I bought a bunch of bananas from the market today or I love making fresh carrot juice in the morning this helped me understand how to use the words in real life situations now when I go grocery shopping I easily identify and

say the names of items in English because I've practiced them in context you can also improve your English by listening to native speakers in various settings I always enjoy listening to people from different countries especially when they talk about their experiences and opinions I had an interesting conversation with a friend named Tom who is from Australia he told me that Australians use the word arvo instead of of afternoon he said I'm meeting my mates this arvo for a barbecue at first I didn't understand what he meant but then he explained it this is a great

example of how language can vary depending on the country and how learning these small details can make you sound more natural and confident when speaking with native speakers another way to practice is through role playing this is something I often do when I'm teaching English I encourage my students to practice everyday situations by acting them out in pairs for example one student might pretend to be a customer at a restaurant and the other student could play the role of the waiter they would practice asking for the menu ordering food and making small talk I remember

once when I was roleplaying a job interview with a student named Sarah we practiced her answers to common questions like why do you want this job and what are your strengths Sarah was nervous at first but as we continued practicing her answers became more confident and fluent after the roleplay she said I feel much better about the interview now when you practice speaking you might also find that your pronunciation improves one time I was at a cafe with my friend Lisa who was from Spain she was practicing her English and she asked me how to

pronounce the word comfortable she had been saying it wrong for a while and I gently corrected her after practicing a few times she started saying it correctly and she was so happy it made me realize how much pronunciation affects the way we sound when we speak English it's important to focus on pronunciation because it can make a big difference in how easily people understand you a tip I always give to my students is to listen carefully to how native speakers pronounce words and try to imitate their intonation and Rhythm the more you listen and practice

the more natural your pronunciation will become something I also recommend is watching videos that explain pronunciation tips and tricks there are many resources available online including YouTube channels dedicated to teaching English pronunciation for example I found a video where a teacher explained how to pronounce the they sound which can be tricky for many Learners I tried the exercises myself and over time I noticed a big Improvement in my pronunciation these kinds of resources are great because they allow you to learn at your own pace and practice whenever you have some free time sometimes learning English

can feel overwhelming especially when you think about how much there is to learn but remember that it's not about perfection it's about progress just take it one step at a time and be patient with yourself I remember when I first started learning English I was constantly worried that I wasn't making enough progress but looking back I can see how far I've come and I realize that all the small efforts I made over time added up to Big improvements one of my favorite quotes is by the famous writer JK rling it is our choices that show

what we truly are far more than our abilities this quote has always inspired me because it reminds me that our progress in learning a language isn't just about how well we can speak or write it's about the choices we make like choosing to practice every day choosing to speak even when we're nervous and choosing to keep going even when we make mistakes these small choices are what lead to success in the long run so let's summarize practice speaking listening and writing every day don't be afraid to make mistakes because they're part of the learning process

surround yourself with English use real life situations to practice and stay patient with your progress keep learning and over time you'll see your skills improve another great way to practice English is by joining language exchange programs I remember when I was traveling in London I joined a local language exchange group where people from all over the world would meet to practice speaking English one of my new friends Maria who was from Italy told me about how nervous she felt when she first started practicing her English but over time she gained confidence and could have longer

conversations it was incredible to see her improve just by practicing with others what's great about these exchanges is that you can help others practice your native language as well it's a mutually rewarding experience that boosts both your confidence and your language skills for me one of the most memorable experiences was when I went to a coffee shop in New York City I ordered a coffee and the Barista asked me about my day at that moment I had to recall all the vocabulary I had learned like describing how my day had gone and what I had

been doing even though I made a few mistakes it felt like a huge accomplishment because I was able to communicate in English in a real world situation and the best part the Barista appreciated my efforts and gave me some helpful feedback on my pronunciation this small interaction showed me that learning English is about more than just studying grammar rules or memorizing words it's about connecting with people and experiencing the world through language I've also found that watching TV shows in English is an excellent way to improve your listening skills one show that really helped me

was friends the characters speak clearly and the humor is simple yet effective I remember watching an ey SES episode where Ross says we were on a break and I laughed out loud the more I watched the more familiar I became with the Rhythm and tone of everyday conversations I started noticing words and phrases I hadn't picked up before for example when Joey says how you doing it became one of my favorite expressions and I'd practice it in front of the mirror little things like this help you feel more comfortable using English in casual conversations I

also recommend listening to podcasts especially if you're on the go I started listening to a podcast called the English we speak while commuting to work it taught me everyday expressions and slang which were super useful when I started speaking with native English speakers one episode discussed the expression hit the nail on the head and I found myself using it the next day in a meeting at work I told my colleague that's exactly what I was thinking you hit the nail on the head he smiled and said you sound just like a native speaker that made

me feel really proud of how much I had learned and don't forget about writing practice I find that writing helps me organize my thoughts and improve my grammar When I Was preparing for my ielt exam exam I practiced writing essays about various topics one day I wrote an essay about Technology's impact on society I wasn't sure if I had used the right vocabulary or followed the right structure so I asked my friend Ben to read it for me he gave me some great tips on how to improve my sentences and make them sound more natural

that feedback helped me revise my writing and made me feel more confident when it came time to take the exam as I continued to practice I noticed a huge Improvement in both my speaking and writing I could express myself more clearly and my vocabulary expanded but what really stood out to me was how much my confidence grew the more I used English in everyday situations the more comfortable I became with making mistakes and learning from them I started speaking without fear and that made a big difference in my progress one time I was traveling to

a conference in Paris I didn't know the city very well and I had to ask for directions in English I was a little nervous but I approached a local shopkeeper and asked excuse me can you tell me how to get to the Eiffel Tower she smiled and gave me clear directions I was so relieved to understand everything she said that simple conversation reminded me how important it is to practice English in real life situations not just in the classroom so if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to improve your English try to focus on

daily habits that involve the language whether it's listening to a podcast watching TV shows joining language exchange groups or even asking for directions on your travels all of these experiences contribute to your growth keep challenging yourself and pushing past your comfort zone with each step you'll get closer to fluency and before you know it you'll be communicating in English just as naturally as you do in your native language to wrap things up remember that learning a new language especially English is a journey that takes time and practice the key is consistency and finding ways to

make the language part of your everyday life whether it's speaking with friends listening to podcasts or watching your favorite shows each small step counts you'll make mistakes along the way and that's perfectly okay mistakes are part of the learning process and only help you get better keep challenging yourself keep practicing and most importantly enjoy the process learning English isn't just about memorizing words it's about connecting with the world around you building relationships and opening up new opportunities so keep going and soon enough you'll look back and realize how far you've come thank you so much

for listening to today's episode I hope you found it helpful and inspiring if you enjoyed it don't forget to subscribe leave a review and share it with friends who are also on their English learning Journey until next time take care and keep practicing