Everybody ESL

Episode 115 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: bad apple. What does it mean to call someone a “bad apple,” and why? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 114 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting phrase: to butter someone up. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 113 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about being bored, a simple lesson about using place names, a list of common greetings, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 113 rundown: Vocabulary (words about boredom): 1:25, Grammar (place names and “the”): 6:40, Small talk (greetings): 10:55, The Joke of the Week: 14:40, Listening quiz: 16:45

Episode 112 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another common and useful expression: to end up. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 111 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a common and useful phrase: all of a sudden. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 110 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary to describe busy people, a simple lesson about inverted sentences, simple ways to get someone’s attention, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 110 rundown: Vocabulary (words to describe busy people): 1:25, Grammar (using inverted sentences with certain adverbs): 6:50, Small talk (getting people’s attention): 13:00, The Joke of the Week: 16:15, Listening quiz: 18:20

Episode 109 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an unusual but useful idiom: Knock yourself out! What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 108 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a good idiom: out of the woods. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 107 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a mysterious idiom: keep your nose clean. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 106 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about hard-to-describe sounds, Part 4 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a lesson about talking with strangers who come to your door, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 106 rundown: Vocabulary (words for hard-to-describe sounds): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 4): 7:00, Small talk (when people come to your door): 12:40, The Joke of the Week: 14:50, Listening quiz: 16:30

Episode 105 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another interesting word: iffy. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 104 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another interesting expression: creature of habit. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 103 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about small things, Part 3 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a lesson about needing more time at the grocery store check-out, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 103 rundown: Vocabulary (words for small things): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 3): 6:30, Small talk (checking out at the grocery store): 12:30, The Joke of the Week: 15:05, Listening quiz: 17:45

Episode 102 of the Everybody ESL podcast reveals another... Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about a surprising way to use the suffix -ish that your textbooks probably never taught you. (Find other Secrets of Native Speakers in episodes 66, 69, and 81.) Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 101 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: “Welcome to the club.” What does it mean, and when can you use it? Find out here. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 100 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about big things, Part 2 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a discussion about asking someone to watch your stuff, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 100 rundown: Vocabulary (words for big things): 3:00, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 2): 6:40, Small talk (asking someone to watch your stuff): 13:20, The Joke of the Week: 15:50, Listening quiz: 18:00

Episode 99 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: “second wind.” What does it mean, and why? Find out here. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 98 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting and unexpected use of the common word “fly.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 97 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about different ways of talking, Part 1 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a discussion about what to say if someone asks you for help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! (I’m sorry this episode is so noisy. Airplanes were flying over my house every few minutes. You might be able to hear them in the background!) Episode 97 rundown: Vocabulary (different ways of talking): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 1): 6:10, Small talk (when someone asks you for help): 11:30, The Joke of the Week: 13:30, Listening quiz: 15:40

Episode 96 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “in a nutshell.” You will learn what this phrase means—and why—and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 95 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 94 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about teeth and dentists, a quick lesson about the “let” construction, a discussion about polite ways to ask for help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 94 rundown: Vocabulary (dentists and teeth): 1:20, Grammar (the “let” construction): 6:10, Small talk (asking for help): 9:30, The Joke of the Week: 13:00, Listening quiz: 14:10

Episode 93 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “Play it by ear.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 92 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the informal expression “You’re telling me.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 91 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about school, a grammar lesson about “that” and some places where we often omit it, a discussion about using a drive-through, the Joke of the Week, a homework assignment, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]!

Episode 90 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the informal expression “What gives?” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 89 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “a dime a dozen.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 88 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary for referring to people when you don’t know their names, a grammar lesson about the “had better” construction, a discussion about a very common small talk topic, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 88 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (words for when you don’t know someone’s name): 1:30, Grammar (the “had better” construction): 7:15, Small talk (“What do you do?”): 11:10, The Joke of the Week: 15:30, Listening quiz: 18:25

Episode 87 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “May-December romance.” You will learn what this phrase means... and why. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 86 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “squared away.” You will learn how to use this phrase to describe yourself or your situation. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 85 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about doctor’s appointments, a grammar lesson about using singular nouns with numbers, advice about handling a common social situation, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 85 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (seeing a doctor): 1:15 Grammar (using singular nouns with numbers): 7:45, Small talk (when you realize someone has been talking to you): 11:45, The Joke of the Week: 14:15, Listening quiz: 16:50

Episode 84 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “for my money.” You will learn how to use this phrase to introduce an opinion. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 83 of the Everybody ESL podcast discusses a very common way that some sounds in English words change when a certain other sound is around them. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 82 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a useful grammar lesson about “even if” and “even though,” some music vocabulary, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 82 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (music words): 1:20 Grammar (the difference between “even if” and “even though”): 6:45, Small talk (a subject that's always okay to talk about): 10:45, The Joke of the Week: 13:50, Listening quiz: 16:15

Episode 81 of the Everybody ESL podcast reveals another... Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about native English speakers and a strange construction that your textbooks probably never taught you. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 80 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a fun English expression: “sour grapes.” What does it mean... and why? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for the podcast to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 79 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a quick lesson about an interesting construction, a tip about one-word answers, fireworks vocabulary, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 79 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (fireworks): 1:15 Small talk (avoiding one-word answers): 6:20, Grammar (the “have someone do something” construction): 9:00, The Joke of the Week: 11:30, Listening quiz: 15:00

Episode 78 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a useful English expression: “the last straw.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for the podcast to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 77 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a mysterious English expression: “on the outs.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for the podcast to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 76 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a lesson about contractions, a vocabulary list that’s perfect for the summer, tips on receiving compliments, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 76 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (summertime): 1:25 Small talk (how to receive a compliment): 7:15, Grammar (a simple rule about contractions): 10:20, The Joke of the Week: 14:45, Listening quiz: 17:30

Episode 75 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another useful English expression: “to flesh out.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for the podcast to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 74 of the Everybody ESL podcast presents another useful English expression: “pep talk.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 73 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a lesson about the two “used to” constructions, a list of words you can use when you can’t remember what something is called, responding to “Have a nice day,” the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 73 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (words for when you can’t remember what something is called): 1:25 Grammar (the two “used to” constructions): 5:40, Small talk (responding to “Have a nice day”): 11:00, The Joke of the Week: 13:10, Listening quiz: 15:45

Episode 72 of the Everybody ESL podcast presents another colorful English expression: “to jump through hoops.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 71 of the Everybody ESL podcast presents another mysterious American English expression: “Cry uncle.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 70 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a quick lesson about “few” and “a few” (two very similar terms with an important difference), a list of cooking vocabulary, how to ask someone to save your seat, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 70 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (words about cooking): 1:25 Small talk (asking someone to save your seat): 6:30, Grammar (“few” vs. “a few”): 8:45, The Joke of the Week: 12:40, Listening quiz: 14:45

Episode 69 of the Everybody ESL podcast is another... Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about native English speakers and “can” and “can’t.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 68 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode about the interesting English expression “doormat.” What does it mean, and why? Find out in this episode. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 67 of the Everybody ESL podcast has a quick lesson about the tricky modal “should,” a list of story vocabulary, what to do when someone asks if you need help (but you don’t), the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 67 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (words about stories): 1:25, Small talk (when someone asks if you need help, but you don't): 7:30, Grammar (the modal “should”): 9:35, The Joke of the Week: 13:35, Listening quiz: 15:40

Episode 66 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode about a... Secret of Native Speakers, something you probably never knew about native English speakers and how they use English. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)