A) basket-case:
A person who is very nervous, and/or crazy.
Example: That man is a basket case.

(To) be a in one’s element:
To be happy doing something you enjoy.
Example: Jonny is in his element playing basketball.

(To) be up to no good:
To be planning something bad and naughty.
Example: I think Sharon his up to no good.

(To) beat around the bush:
Not getting to the point of a situation.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and get to the point!

(To) beg to differ:
A polite way of saying “to disagree”
Example: I beg to differ on what you said.

Behind (someone)
In the past.
Example: My love for Annie is behind me now.

(To have a) big mouth:
Not being able to keep a secret.
Example: Sarah has such a big mouth, she told mum everything.

(A) Bimbo:
A girl that is foolish or acts stupid.
Example: Wendy is being a real bimbo today.

(To) bite the hand that feeds you:
To hurt or do harm to someone who helps you.
Example: Paul bit the hand that feeds him when he stole from his dad.

(A) Blast:

To have a great time.

Example: We had such a blast at our English class yesterday.

The consonant [v] as in very, over and save
Upper teeth: Touching the lower lip.
Airstream: Continuous, without interruption.

Vocal chords: Vibrating.
The sound /v/ will be easy for you to make if you concentrate on
placing your upper teeth over your bottom lip.
Look in the mirror as you practice the consonant [v],
and remember to make your vocal chords vibrate.

Now try practicing the [V] sound at the beginning, middle and end of words.

At the beginning of words
vine very valley
vase voice vowel
vote visit vacuum

In the middle of words
cover even movie
river over clever
every heavy eleven

At the end of words
move of leave
drive love carve
stove live brave

Offering
Would you like to know some phrases that you can use to offer  help? Try these phrases out!

Phrases to offer

Can I help you?

Would you like some tea or coffee?

How about a hamburger?

Here. Have a/some . . .

Would you like one of these?

Would you like some of these?

Can I get you something to eat or drink??

What can I get for you?

Do you need anything?

Would you care for some desert?

If you want to hear how these phrases should be said, go to www.esllearningpod.com
and download the pod cast called “phrases for offering in English”.

Like I have said before, the best way to improve your English is to find opportunities to use it, and do so!  It is always good to study, but you must try and use English in real ways so that your mind makes English a real thing for you.  So please take a look at some of the tips below and have fun!

Speak without Fear
The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear.  They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all.  Don’t do this.  The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right.  Like anything, learning English requires practice.  Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.

Use all of your Resources
Even if you study English at a language school it doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class.  Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster.  There are many different ways you can improve your English, so don’t limit yourself to only one or two.  The internet is a fantastic resource for virtually anything, but for the language learner it’s perfect.

Surround Yourself with English
The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it.  Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English language radio broadcasts, watch English news, movies and television.  Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely it is that you will begin “thinking in English.” .

Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible
There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it.  However, there are several  reasons why many of the best schools prefer to hire native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate.  The closer ESL / EFL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become.

Watch English Films and Television
This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective.  By watching English films (especially those with English subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors.  If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.

Listen to English Music
Music can be a very effective method of learning English.  In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension.  The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings.  There are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time.  And if you like to sing, fine.

Study As Often As Possible!
Only by studying things like grammar and vocabulary and doing exercises, can you really improve your knowledge of any language.

Do Exercises and Take Tests
Many people think that exercises and tests aren’t much fun.  However, by completing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English. One of the best reasons for doing lots of exercises and tests is that they give you a benchmark to compare your future results with.  Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took a month or six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned.  If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing. Start now by doing some of the many exercises and tests on this site, and return in a few days to see what you’ve learned. Keep doing this and you really will make some progress with English.

Record Yourself
Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time.  You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.

Listen to English
By this, we mean, speak on the phone or listen to radio broadcasts, audiobooks or CDs in English. This is different than watching the television or films because you can’t see the person that is speaking to you.  Many learners of English say that speaking on the phone is one of the most difficult things that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.

OK, with all of these activities, you can be sure that your English will get better and better and that you will be having lots of fun!

Tom

The following phrases are polite ways to make requests. Try them out!

Would you . . .
Example: “Would you take me to work?”

Could you . . .
Example: “Could you take me to the shops?”

Could you help me…?
Example: “Could you help me put the bags in the car?”

Would you please . . .
Example: “Would you please show me the way to the fishing park?”

Could you possibly . . .
Example: “Could you possibly lend me 10 dollars?”

Would you mind . . .
Example: “Would you mind if I come with you?”

Could you do me a favor?
You do not need to add anything to this sentence.

Check out our tips for preparing a meeting. Before you go into a meeting go through this checklist of questions to make sure that you have not left anything out.

Preparation

* Have the participants been informed of: date, place, time agenda, objectives, specific preparation and documentation?

Purpose

* Does everyone in the meeting understand the purpose of the meeting?
* Are the objectives of the meeting clear?
* Does everyone understand the scope of the meeting?

Procedure

* Has the procedure been decided?
* Has the agenda been agreed and understood?
* Are the time limits clear?

Roles
* Does everyone understand the role in the meeting?
* Is there a chairperson?
* Is there a minute taker?

Communication

* Does everyone in the meeting get a chance to speak?
* Is there a clear direction to the meeting?
* Do the participants understand each other?
* Is the meeting positive?

There will be a pod cast on this subject coming soon. Please remember to check out all of our podcasts at www.esllearningpod.com

Opening a meeting:

-    Let’s start.
-    Let’s begin.

Welcoming

-    We’re very pleased to welcome…
-    I’d like to start by welcoming ….

Stating the objective

-    Our aim today is …
-    The purpose of our meeting today is…

First item

-    …(name of person in the group), would you like to start.
-    First we need to discuss ……….

Giving your opinion

-    I think….
-    In my opinion …
-    I believe …

Agreeing

-    Yes, I agree…
-    Yes, I think you are right.
-    I’m 100% behind you.
-    I entirely agree with you.

Limited agreement
-    I agree but …
-    Yes I think it is a good idea but….

Disagreeing

-    I’m sorry I disagree with that…
-    No, I don’t think we should do that.
-    No, I don’t agree with you on that.

Respond neutrally

-    OK.
-    All right.
-    I see your point.
-    I understand.

Moving on

-    OK, so let’s go on to the next point
-    OK, so let’s move on.
-    I think it is time to move on to the next point on the agenda.

Completing the agenda

-    I think that is about everything covered
-    Is there any other business
-    Is there anything more to discuss

Summarizing

-    Before we close, let’s summarize the main points.
-    Shall I go over the main points

Clarifying

-    Could you explain that a little more?
-    Could you clarify …?

Closing the meeting

-    Ok, let’s stop there.
-    I’m afraid we have to finish there.
-    Let’s call it a day.

These are phrases you can use to introduce yourself or a work colleague (A work colleague is somebody you work with).

Basic Introduction
-    Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
-     May I introduce myself?
-    I’m Paul Marks / My name is Paul Marks
-    I am an English teacher
-    I work for ESL PODLEARNING
-    This is my business card

-  How do you do?
- (shake hands)
-  Nice to meet you.

Introducing a colleague

-    Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
-     May I introduce my work colleague?
-    This is Sam Watson
-    He/She is a Sales manager
-    She works for Corporate English Consulting

-  How do you do?
- (shake hands)
-  Nice to meet you.

Noun: A noun is a person, place, thing, quality, or act.
Examples: table, lady, mall, sadness

Pronoun: A pronoun replaces a noun or noun phrase that is understood from context.
Examples: he, it, they

Verb: Verbs are action or existence words that tell what nouns do.
Examples: to swim, to read, to be, to play, to drink

Verbs can change in form depending on the tense that they are uses.

For example:

I go swimming.
I am going swimming.
I went swimming.
I have been swimming.

A regular verb is a verb that only needs ed added on the end to become it’s past tense form.

For example: looked, watched, washed

If a word ends in a consonant and a ‘Y’ you must change the ‘Y’ to an ‘I’ and add ED

For example: study  =  studied

An irregular verb is a verb that changes its form completely when used in different tenses.

For example: go, went, been
eat, ate

Adjective: An adjective describes a noun.

Examples: fat , beautiful, hot

Adverb: An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or adverb. It often ends in “ly”.
Examples: slowly, easily, quickly

Interjection: An outcry or sudden utterance. Usually starts a sentence.
Examples: Wow, Gosh, Darn

Preposition: A preposition describes the relationship between a noun and another noun (or verb or adverb).
Examples: in, under, for, at, by, on, from

Conjunction: A conjunction joins together words, phrases, or clauses.
Examples: and, or, but

A seasoned Speech Coach in Silicon Valley, CA shares insights to help non-native speakers of American English improve their ability to speak clearly and effectively in as little as 10 minutes a day. Learn to direct air flow to improve delivery, use vibration and exaggerated mouth movements, and apply the “rubberband technique” to hold content words longer than function words.