All Ears English Podcast

Are you prepared for the IELTS Writing Task 2? Today, Lindsay and Jessica give you 3 strategies to help you take charge! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know there are differences between British and American English? Today, Lindsay talks with teacher and author Douglas Amrine about three key differences, and why these matter for you in a job interview! Douglas has spent half his life in the United States and half in the United Kingdom, so his accent is somewhere in the middle of the two. His experience has given him clarity about the differences in how Americans and British speak, and how speech is perceived in each country. Come back to our site for more info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling anxious about the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica talk about four tactics for overcoming fear and finding calm before test day! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever thought of going to Austin, Texas? Today, Lindsay talks with Tyler Lockett from Austin about why that city is unique and “weird,” and how you can connect with locals using three phrases! Come back to our site for a summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you need resources to prepare for the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica talk about three creative practice recommendations, and three textbooks to help you prepare for the IELTS exam! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does your English sound natural? Or do you sound like a textbook when you speak? Today, get 7 tricks to update your English and sound more natural by using real talk instead of textbook talk! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Speaking natural-sounding English can be difficult when you only work with textbooks. While what your textbook says may be technically correct, some of the phrases might sound outdated or odd to native ears. Can’t find native speakers to practice English with you? Can’t get your English corrected by your native-speaking friends? Get a professional, native English teacher in seconds at italki. For a limited time, italki is offering 10 USD in free English lessons. Click here to get your 10USD in italki credits before this offer runs out! Here are 7 ways your textbook might tell you how to say something, as well as the ways a native English speaker would really say it. Textbook: Hello. Real: Hi!, Hey!, or What’s up? Textbook: Are you having a good day? Real: Having a good day? Textbook: How are you?, How do you do? Real: How’s it going?, How you doin’?, or How’ve you been? Textbook: I’m fine, thanks. Real: Doin’ well., or Not bad. Textbook: What are your hobbies? Real: What do you like to do?, What are you into?, or What do you do for fun? Textbook: I wish to (do something). Real: I wanna (do something), or I’d like to (do something). Textbook: See you. Real: See ya., Take care., or Bye. Do you speak textbook English? Do you know any other differences between what your textbook says and how native English-speakers speak? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know how important it is to show charisma in American English? Today, Lindsay and Michelle talk about why it’s important, and give you three ways to be charismatic in English! Come back to our site for more information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you making an impact? Today, get two quotes by two famous entrepreneurs, and learn how to talk about the impact you want to make on the world in 2015! Come back to our site for more info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you raise a bilingual child? Today, Lindsay chats with Marianna Du Bosq, a bilingual educator who has three ways to help you raise your child to speak more than one language! The benefits of raising a bilingual child are many. Not only will knowing more than one language open career opportunities for the child when they grow up, research is also finding significant positive cognitive advantages to having a bilingual brain. Marianna believes bilingualism (and even tri-lingualism) is definitely achievable if parents are focused enough. Here are Marianna’s three main points to focus on: Expose your children to quality language input. Read books, or even use audio books. This way, your child is hearing voices other than those of their parents. Create a need to use the language. If the child doesn’t have to use the language to get what they want, they’re naturally going to fall back on using the dominant language. Ask your family members help by only speaking one language or the other. Keep it fun! Children will be far more involved in the language if they are doing the kinds of things they already love to do. Are you a parent interested in raising bilingual children? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below! Marianna Du Bosq is a bilingual mother, former bilingual educator, and lifetime language learner. She is the host of the Bilingual Avenue podcast and blog where she interviews parents and experts raising and teaching multilingual children, and provides an excellent collection of tips and strategies for anyone choosing this journey. She is originally from Venezuela, has spent the last twenty years in the United States, and is currently on a one year adventure in the Black Forest in Germany with her husband and two year old daughter. Click here to get “7 Ways to Increase Exposure in the Target Language” a free PDF guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you use the word ‘even’ in English? On today’s Tear-Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle talk about four situations for using the term ‘even’, and how to use your tone of voice to make it work in an English conversation! Get more info here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you declare a New Year’s resolution in English? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss five easy English phrases to use for your intentions in the new year! Come back to our site to see the phrases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you prepare for the Reading Section of the IELTS? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss two strategies to help you answer questions quickly and correctly! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you use your body to learn English? Today, Lindsay chats with Jessica Coyle about some of the ways the art of improvisational technique can help you use your body to improve your English! Come back to our website to learn more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you build a “Brain Box” for the IELTS Listening Exam? Today Lindsay and Jessica talk about two strategies to make the listening part of the IELTS exam easier! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have trouble understanding American speech habits? In today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle discuss 5 weird ways Americans use English, and how to understand what they’re saying! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s so difficult about the IELTS Speaking Part 1? What can you do to prepare? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss some tactics for avoiding the dangers and allowing yourself to stand out! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS includes questions about yourself. You will be asked about three topics, and though it may seem like simple stuff, the danger is that you might become too relaxed and start using one-word answers. You want to do better than that. In fact, ideally your answers will be 2-4 sentences each! How can you do come up with that? Do some brainstorming. Think of the question words. Question words can help you think of better answers. Vocabulary is also important in Speaking Part 1. If you want to achieve a higher score, you will need to use a range of vocabulary, including slang and idioms. The examiner wants to hear that you know more than what’s in your textbook. A good strategy is to have a short list of slang and idioms ready to use. What are some good English slang words or idioms that might be helpful to have for Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS test? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you persist in learning English? Do you expect it to ever get easier? Today, learn how a New York-based painter went from poverty to riches by sticking with it, and how you can achieve success by following his example! Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can movies cause problems in speaking natural English? Today, find out why mimicking phrases from movies can make it difficult to have natural-sounding English conversations! Hollywood is drama. Its stories are fiction. This means that the language used by characters is often unrealistic. Because of the unnatural dialogue, you don’t want to quote from movies unless it’s understood that you are quoting. Native English speakers do it all the time by slightly changing the tone of their voice. Even then, such quotes are usually made in a context that makes it clear that the usage is a little joke. Some popular American movie quotes: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump “May the odds be ever in your favor.” – The Hunger Games “May the force be with you.” – Star Wars “Houston, we have a problem.” – Apollo 13 While it can be fun to directly quote movies, you want to try to sound more like a real English speaker, not a fictional character. Do you have any favorite movie quotes in English? Share the ones you love in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you need a plan for Writing Task 1 on the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica share two clear steps for helping you beat it! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now The IELTS exam’s written section is divided into two tasks. Task 1 requires you to interpret a map or chart in approximately 150 words, while Task 2 is about 250 words on your own thoughts. Even though it is longer, Task 2 is often easier for test-takers. Task 1, because of the vocabulary needed, can be much more difficult. The Task 1 chart is usually some kind of line or graph that shows a change over time. To give yourself the language needed to discuss this chart, a good tactic might be to read the business section of the newspaper and pick up the vocabulary you need – words like that describe change, like increase, decrease, decline and skyrocket. In writing your answer for Task 1, keep it clear and simple. A good plan might be to discuss increases in paragraph one, and decreases in paragraph two. That way, your answer is organized. How are you preparing for the IELTS exam’s Task 1? Share your thoughts in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have trouble using English modals? Today, Lindsay and Michelle give you three crazy role-plays to understand when to use should, could and would! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Correct use of modals like should, could and would can be confusing. All three deal with time and possibility, and all three involve telling or asking someone to do something. Should describes the strong possible likelihood of something. It is also used to give advice. “I should arrive on time.” “You should apply for the job.” Could describes a possibility in the past or the future. It can also be used as a polite request. “She could have eaten dinner already.” “Could you pick me up at the airport?” Would is most commonly used to make a polite request. “Would you like to come with me?” “Would you ask him about the book?” How can you use should, could and would? Give us some examples in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you preparing to take the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss what you need to know to pass with the score you want! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have trouble writing an email in English? Do you worry about what kind of impression you’re making? Today, Lindsay and Michelle share four common email mistakes made by non-native English speakers, and how to correct them! Come back to our site for more info Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever thought about taking the TOEIC? On today’s Test Talk, Lindsay and Jessica talk about using prediction in testing, and how it can help! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now When getting a bank account, cell phone, or internet connection in a foreign country, you need to be able to ask questions and know the right structures of conversation. If you don’t, you might not be told all of the information you need to know. By practicing, especially if you’re able to do so with a partner, you can learn to anticipate what might be said by the other person. Doing this is learning to predict, and see what you’re missing. It might make you a better test-taker. A practice conversation might go like this: “I need to open a bank account.” “Okay, to open an account, please complete this form.” “Where should I take the form?” “Give it to the woman in the office down the hall.” “When can I have my account? Today?” “No, it takes two weeks.” “Do you need my passport?” “Yes, and your birth certificate.” If you would like to learn about this strategy, hear advice on how to strengthen it with resources that are free online, and get a practice guide written by Jessica, purchase the full episode. Are you taking the TOEIC-1? If so, let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s Deep Thoughts Thursday, Lindsay and Michelle consider a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. When he was a child, Teddy Roosevelt was weak, sickly and asthmatic. He had poor eyesight, too. Yet he grew up to be one of America’s greatest symbols of achievement and individual strength. His attitude continues to inspire today, and is summed up in the following quote: Come back to our site to leave a comment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you thinking about testing in English? Today, Lindsay introduces Jessica, the Examiner of Excellence, who’s here to help you excel at your English tests! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Test preparation doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it should be interesting. When you’re studying for an English test, it isn’t the same as studying for a math test. You need to activate your emotions so you can remember more. Reading or watching movies in English can help, but you can also practice writing essays on subjects that are interesting to you, or go out and speak English with native speakers. Think of it as test preparation. As for taking the actual test, Jessica has four essential tips to give you an advantage: Be proactive. Take an active approach that involves your brain. Try to think about and predict answers. Trust yourself. Don’t start doubting yourself when answering questions. Often, your first answer is the correct one. Follow directions. Tests are written by smart people. Don’t start looking ahead and trying to race the clock. If you do, you might miss an important instruction. Don’t rush. Don’t worry about timing. Instead, focus on your English and do what the test asks you to do. Have you done any testing in English? How did it go? Tell us about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you sometimes unsure what to do next in life and with your English learning? Today Lindsay and Michelle talk about how to proceed when life feels overwhelming! Come back to our site for more tips Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have an information addiction? Today, Lindsay and Michelle will have a natural English conversation about how information addiction can affect your life, and what you can do to unplug! Come back to our website for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you nervous about speaking English? Are you looking for a way around it? Today, Lindsay and Michelle share a story about one student who overcame his fear of speaking English by being an expert at something else! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now An English student in an American business course had little confidence in his English abilities. But when the other students in his course discovered that he understood their subject better than any of them, he was asked to be their tutor. Of course, they wanted him to tutor them in English. This turned out much better than expected. As a tutor, he had to be in the moment and focused. He couldn’t worry about his inhibitions or nervousness, or making mistakes. And because of this, he was able to take control. A classroom is a safe place to learn English, but you are expected not to make mistakes, and so you must focus on your own perfection rather than connection. Connecting with others is more natural. Try to get out of the classroom and overcome your inhibitions. How do you practice English outside the classroom? Does it help make you less self-conscious about speaking English? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Need some help talking about your plans in English? On today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle tell you how to talk about the future the way native speakers do! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Usually English textbooks tell you to talk about the future using ‘will’ and ‘going to’. These work, but native English speakers also do it by using the progressive tense. To native ears, this is a more natural and conversational way to talk. Here are some examples of conversation about the future using the progressive tense: “What are you having for dinner?” “Tonight I’m having chicken.” “Are you bringing anything?” “I’m bringing wine.” “What are you doing tomorrow?” “I’m going to see a movie.” Note that all of these conversations are talking about the future, not the immediate moment. What are you doing tomorrow? What are you doing next week? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to get a job in the US? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss what you need to know to excel at an American job interview! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Job interviews everywhere focus on skills and training. But in the US, employers are usually interested in character as well. They want to know whether you’re a team player, what your potential is to be a leader, and how you will grow in your job. As such, they might ask some questions focused more on your behaviors than your skills. It would help to think about these questions ahead of time, so you can be prepared. Some American job interview questions might include: “Tell us about the most difficult/frustrating individual you ever had to work with, and how you managed to work with them.” By asking this, they’re seeing whether you can rise above a problem and keep it from affecting the company. “Give an example of how you’ve broken out of a routine or when you’ve successfully developed a new approach.” Here they’re asking you to show flexibility. “How do you schedule your time/prioritize time when you have a tight turnaround?” With this, you might want to explain how you ask others for help or delegate your work. In answering all of these questions, try to tell a story from conflict to resolution, and keep it under three minutes if possible. Do employers ask questions like these during job interviews in your country? Tell us about it in the comments section below! Brad received his undergraduate degree at New York University in 1984, and spent the next 15 years in the business world focused on sales and marketing. After spending a year testing the English teaching waters in Korea, he returned to the USA and got a Masters degree in TESOL from Seattle University in March 2001. Since then Brad has worked in London for a summer, spent a few years in Ireland writing TEFL materials for the Wall Street Institute and other companies, and has worked in Germany and Austria as an in-house Business English trainer for companies like Siemens, Deutsche Post/DHL and EADS. He has also taught many seminars and workshops for various companies on skills like presentations and business correspondence, as well as a business course for two years at the University of Ulm, Germany. How to Work with Brad on italki: Step 1- Go to italki to get $10 off your second lesson. You must use this link to get the special deal. Step 2- Search for “Brad C” in the teacher search bar after you have registered with the above link for our special promotion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever take a risk when learning English? Or would you rather be ordinary and routine? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss how not being a play-it-safer can help your English grow! Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want some help with the local English in San Francisco? Today, San Francisco native Sarah Honour talks about how you can go local with your English in the City by the Bay! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course San Francisco is one of the most unique and amazing cities in the United States. It’s residents are technology-centric due to their proximity to Silicon Valley, as well as health-centric and nature-centric due to the progressive philosophy that has long been part of the spirit of the city. Sarah believes that these traits are found in some of the language that San Franciscans use, and that knowing this terminology can help you fit in just a little better. Here are Sarah’s three top terms for your visit to San Francisco: “Is there an app for that?”: App is short for application, as in for your phone. Because the Bay Area is near the center of a major technological development region, there are apps for almost everything in the city — from calling a taxi to getting your groceries delivered. Organic, Local, Sustainable and Seasonal: Food quality is really important to San Franciscans. Organic means that no pesticides have been used, local means the food was grown nearby, and sustainable means the environment was not harmed to produce it. Seasonal simply means that it is the natural time of year for the food to grow. “Where’s the wiggle?”: San Francisco is a great city for biking, but it is also a city with lots of hills. The ‘wiggle’ is the route for biking with the least amount of hills to go up. Have you ever been to San Francisco? Would you like to go? Tell us why in the comments section below! Sarah is a 31 year old American who was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, studied Communications in Seattle, Washington, and worked for almost 10 years as a nanny (or babysitter) in San Francisco, California. She now splits her time between San Francisco and Sardinia, Italy where her boyfriend lives. She is an English teacher on italki, and is learning Italian and sampling as much of the amazing food and wine from Italy as she can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you clarify information in English? Have you ever met someone on the phone or the internet before you met them in person? Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss tag questions, and how they can help you confirm what you think you know, but aren’t sure about! Come back our site for more tips A tag question helps you to confirm a piece of information that you think is true, but that you want to clarify. Though they are used as a tool for clarity, they can also be a great way to create conversations. Tag questions tend to begin with the statement to be clarified, and then end with the question. There are many possible combinations. Some common examples of tag questions include: “You’re from Washington, aren’t you?” “You used to live in New York, didn’t you?” “He can play the piano, can’t he?” “Her birthday is in July, right?” Are You Ready to Practice? Get a Private, Native English Teacher Now! Try italki to learn to speak like a native. You’ll get your English mistakes corrected immediately! For a limited time you’ll get 10UD to use towards private English lessons on italki. Visit italki now to claim your 10USD in free English lessons. Do you ever use tag questions? What kinds of things do you need to confirm or clarify in others? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to start a conversation in English? Today, Lindsay introduces and talks about conversations with Michelle Kaplan, the new All Ears English co-host! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you improve your English conversations? Is conversation a science? Find out today as Lindsay talks with Travis Wolven about the poetics of conversation! Come back to our site for more info and tips Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What should be your focus when learning English? How can you make the most of the time you invest in studying? Today Lindsay talks with Nick Vance about the 80/20 principle, and how it can improve your English conversations! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Nick believes that 80% of the positive benefits of something come from 20% of the input. In business, some customers are more valuable than others. With friends, though you may have many, only a few are truly close. In learning English, most of the grammar mistakes a new learner makes are really the same mistake over and over. Correcting these most common 20% of mistakes would eliminate 80% of all grammar mistakes. The best way to identify these is by working with a teacher who can help point out your mistakes. Another way to work with the 80/20 principle is to prepare answers to the most common questions you might get from native English speakers. This will help you comfortably get conversations started — which is probably 80% of the work! You might prepare answers to questions like: Where are you from? How long have you lived here? What do you do for a living? Do you see the 80/20 principle working in your life? How so? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! Nick Vance is originally from Kentucky and has lived in North Carolina, Washington DC, San Diego and Portland. He has been living in Berlin, Germany for 2.5 years. Nick’s degree is in math but he left that field when he realized how much he enjoyed helping others learn English. Nick has been helping people improve their English for 4 years and have been teaching online via Italki for about one year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you get a job in the United States? What do employers want and expect? Today, Lindsay and Kristy talk about 3 things an employer in the U.S. might look for in a job candidate! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to know what your potential employer is looking for. Like any other country, the U.S. has a professional culture which places more value on some individual qualities than others. These qualities may be very different from what employers look for in your home country! Some qualities American employers seek in employees: Proactive attitude: Show that you are autonomous and energetic – the opposite of passive. It means to show up early, confirm the time you will meet, and say thank you. Positive attitude: Americans like smiles. But it’s also important that you get along with others and not be pessimistic. Communication: When you actively communicate it shows you are engaged. A big part of this is simply that you let the boss know what is going on. Be a “Giver”: Show that you believe in the vision of the company and are personally invested in its success. In other words, it’s more than a job to you. Are these the same traits that employers look for in your country? Do you have them? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When should you use the word ‘the’ in English? Today, in #1 of the Top 15 Fixes series, we discuss the most common article in the English language, ‘the’! Come back to our site Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Use if the word ‘the’ can be a confusing. But there are some rules that can help you get it right most of the time. The first requires that you consider whether the focus is on something specific, or something more general. When focused on specific items, use ‘the’. If you’re sitting at a table, talking about the food that is actually in front of you, you might say: “Do you like the turkey?” “Yes, the turkey is great!” “Could you please pass the salt?” When focused on more general terms, you don’t use ‘the’. If you’re discussing food in general, you might say: “Do you like turkey?” “Have you tried pumpkin pie?” “Cranberries are too tart for me.” Geographical terms can also be tricky for ‘the’. In most cases, large, well-known geographic places will have ‘the': the content, the Pacific Ocean, the moon. With specific countries, a country’s formal name might require ‘the,’ while a less formal name might not: the United States, the Russian Federation; America, Russia. Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People Episode 209: How much versus How many Episode 213: Make vs. Do Episode 217: By Yourself vs. On Your Own What have you found difficult about ‘the’? Tell us all about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you free to follow your goals in life? Or are you afraid? Today, learn how freedom comes with fearlessness! Come back to allearsenglish.com/219 for more! Go here to read the full episode summary There are so many things to be afraid of: loneliness, lack of money, professional failure or meaninglessness. Fears can overwhelm you. But what if you have a vision that’s bigger than fear? To accomplish anything, you have to get out of your head and into your body. Action means letting go of your thoughts. But to do that, you need the freedom to be fearless. Freedom to be fearless means: Questioning everything Avoiding “perfectionist paralysis” Having goals, but knowing that goals are not always the most important thing Being able to communicate effectively with others when the stakes are high Are you free and fearless? How does it come out in your life? Tell us your story in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You need to be able to write in English in a concise way. Today meet AEE blogger and writer Jay Bethke and get his top tips to write like a pro in American English. Go here to subscribe to transcripts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you an adult living at home with your parents? Did you know that American culture discourages this? Today, find out why Americans feel compelled to move out of their family home at age 18 – even if they don’t have enough money to do so! Come back to our site for more info Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you surround yourself with doers? Is it important to spend time with others who appreciate your dreams? Today, we talk about why it’s a good idea to hang out with people who can do and dream, and one action you can take to build a supportive social circle! Come back to our site for more tips Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video trainnig course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you dream without fear? Do you link your English studies to your big goals? Today, learn about one All Ears English listener who has an incredible goal and dream for his English – and why it’s making all the difference in his life! Come back to our site for more tips Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Sergin is an All Ears English listener in Turkey. He listens to English conversations 4-8 hours every day! His goal is to become an actor and move to Hollywood. That may sound like an ambitious dream, but it is possible. Dreaming big is the only way to achieve big things. And it’s important to have a goal that you care about. What you’re doing must inspire you and hold your attention. Find what you want to do in life, not just what you should do! Do you have any big dreams or goals connected to learning English? Tell us all about them in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Go here to read the full episode summary What’s the difference between do and make in English? Do you make something, or do you do it? Today, in #3 of our Top 15 Fixes, we talk about the difficulty of distinguishing when to use these two verbs! Many English learners have difficulty using do and make, often because they are directly translating from their own language. But native English speakers make it even more difficult. Even though there are some basic rules for using these verbs, native speakers tend to break them. Make usually means to create something, from the ground up. Some examples include: Making food, a drink, or anything requiring ingredients Making friends (creating friendships) Making the bed or table (putting things together) Making a phone call, or making mistakes Do usually relates more to a responsibility, an action or a job. Some examples include: Doing dinner, coffee or drinks (something you do together, with others) Doing homework, or doing the dishes (doing a job or work) Doing someone a favor Doing your best Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People Episode 209: How much versus How many What do you make? What do you do? Let us know in the comments section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you make friends in New York? What do you need to know? Today, we discuss one little part of making it in the Big Apple! Come back to our site for more! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know how to celebrate Halloween like an American? Today, we discuss how Americans celebrate this strange holiday, and how learning English will allow you to celebrate Halloween all year! Come back to our site for more Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Halloween is a popular traditional American holiday. For many Americans, it is their favorite holiday. Among the many activities Americans engage in, the most important for celebrating Halloween is dressing up in a costume. Adults might dress up for parties, and kids might dress up for trick or treating. This is a chance to be somebody different and to reinvent yourself! Learning a new language can also allow you to take on a new personality. A new culture and language might mix with your unique personality to make you into someone 'different'. Speaking a new language is thus like Halloween all year! Do you celebrate Halloween in your country? What do you do? Tell us all about it in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is learning English up to you? Today, we talk with Steve Kaufmann, founder of English LingQ about how your English learning goals are closer than you think! Come back to our site to learn more Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it correct to ask how much, or how many in English? Today, in #4 of the Top 15 Fixes series, we discuss using the words 'much' and 'many' when discussing quantities! It’s important to think of the meaning of the words much and many, and how each is used differently in counting. If you're counting something as a mass that can be spilled on the table so that it goes everywhere, you would use the word 'much'. Examples include: Grainy or powdery substances like sugar or flour Liquids, semi-liquids or semi-solids like milk, honey or butter Money (when considered abstractly, as in “too much money”) If you are counting individual pieces, use the word 'many'. Examples include: Grains such as sugar counted individually Groups of items, like chocolate chips, marshmallows or berries Countable units, such as cups, teaspoons or bags Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series: Episode 165: Listen or Hear? Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say? Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope Episode 177: Talking About Age in English Episode 181: Future Tense in English Episode 185: Interested or Interesting? Episode 189: Talking About the Past Episode 193: How to Borrow Money Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch? Episode 201: Will vs. Going To Episode 205: Talking about People Do you have any examples for using much and many in your baking or cooking? Share with us in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you speak English like an American? Do you wish you did? Today, learn 3 ways to sound a little more like an American when you speak English! Come back to our site for more tips from Amy Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you plan for your priorities? Do you run your day, or does your day run you? Today we discuss how planning your day can help you accomplish your priorities! If you don’t decide how you’ll manage you time, someone else will. It’s simple to understand but easy to forget. Come back to our site for more expert tips Taking IELTS? Get our free video training course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices