Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of&nbsp;. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.&nbsp; - Do you know how to&nbsp;express probability in English? Probably, but just in case, let's practice with some basic expressions. In the second part, we will practice fluency with a short mini-story of questions and answers. You can get the transcript of this episode and more at Speakenglishpodcast.com. Very good. When we talk, we usually say things that are true, or at least we believe them to be true. For example, "it's cold today," but we can also say things that we don't know one hundred percent if they are true. In today's episode, we will learn some&nbsp;phrases and words used to express probability. I'm sure you already know some of these expressions, and seeing them with some examples will help you consolidate them. The key is to hear them in context and over time, repeating them several times. Don't try to learn them all in one day. Since these expressions are used a lot, it will be easy to remember and use them. Imagine the following situation: Someone doesn't know where the keys are.&nbsp; &nbsp; Example: - Where are the keys? I have to go out, and I can't find them.   They&nbsp;might&nbsp;be&nbsp;in the room. They&nbsp;may&nbsp;be in the room. They&nbsp;could&nbsp;be in the room.  See? "They&nbsp;might/may/could&nbsp;be in the room" indicates an assumption, a certain probability. You think they are, with some probability, in the room when you say, "they&nbsp;might/may/could&nbsp;be&nbsp;in the room." &nbsp; Get the transcript at:

#193 How to express Probability in English?

Transcript Do you like paradoxes? Today I will talk about the&nbsp;paradox&nbsp;of the magic bill, which has gone viral on social media.&nbsp; Ok, let’s start! A paradox is a fact, expression, or story that seems contrary to logic. I invite you to listen to this paradox and then assume the solution. Pay attention! A tourist arrives at a hotel. He is very picky about the rooms, so he asks the receptionist if he can see them first. The receptionist agrees but asks the tourist to leave $100 at the front desk. The tourist leaves a $100 bill and goes upstairs to look at the vacant rooms to see if he likes any of them. The hotel manager then takes this bill and goes to the butcher shop to pay a $100 debt to the butcher. The butcher goes to the bakery to pay the $100 debt he owes the baker and does so with the same $100 bill. The baker, in turn, takes the bill and pays his debt to his doctor with the same bill. Finally, the doctor returns to the hotel and pays a $100 debt he owes to the hotel manager. At that point, the tourist returns and tells the desk clerk that he does not want to stay at the hotel. He takes his $100 bill and leaves. The apparent paradox is that before the tourist arrived, the manager, the butcher, the baker, and the doctor owed $100. When the tourist recovers the $100 bill, the tourist, the manager, the butcher, the baker, and the doctor no longer owe anything. No one owes anything to anyone. No one has worked or produced anything, and no one has lost a single dollar. Get the full transcript here:

#240 Paradox in English and Speaking Practice

Do you get nervous when you need to speak English over Zoom? Don't worry because in this episode you'll discover how to engage in a business meeting over Zoom. In the second part of this episode, you’ll learn grammar in context with a point-of-view story. Okay! Let’s start! I'm not sure if you're good with technology, but as you know, over the past few years, many companies have adopted Zoom for work purposes. Therefore, you're probably already familiar with this app. And you may have noticed that whenever we connect to Zoom, technical problems tend to arise. Sometimes it's you, and other times a team member. However, today, let's focus on some useful phrases that can make our work-related Zoom conversations more effective. To help you feel more confident and prepared, I have put together an example conversation on Zoom. Participants: John (the host), Mary, Sarah, and Mark. John: Good morning, everyone. Can you hear and see me okay? Mary: Yes, John, we can hear and see you clearly. John: Great! Then let's get started. So, the first point on our agenda is the new marketing campaign. Sarah, would you like to start? Sarah:&nbsp;Sure, John.&nbsp;I want to add something before we begin, though. We should also discuss our target audience and their preferences. John: That's a good point, Sarah. Let's add that to our discussion. Mary: Sorry, Sarah, I didn't catch that. Could you repeat what you just said? Sarah: Of course, Mary. I mentioned that we should also discuss our target audience and their preferences. Mary: Thanks, Sarah. John:&nbsp;Alright,&nbsp;let's move on to the next point. Mark, please update us on the sales figures. Mark: Sure, John. Our sales figures have been improving steadily, but we need to focus on our marketing strategies to reach our targets. John: That's clear, Mark. Thanks for the update. Let's discuss the next point on our agenda. Mary, please summarize the progress on the new project. Mary: Sure, John. To sum up, we have completed the initial design phase and are now moving onto the development stage. John: Great work, Mary. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments before we wrap up? (Everyone remains silent.) John: Okay, I’ll see you next week then! Bye! Bye! Mary: Thank you, John. See you next week! Mark: See you soon! Sarah: Bye! Bye! (Zoom call ends) &nbsp; Get the full transcript on my website:

#249 Zoom Business Meetings in English

Today we will talk about one of my favorite movies: "Gone with the Wind." It's a romantic drama set during the American Civil War and its aftermath. The movie takes place in the southern United States, during the Civil War. The South is known for its elegance and charm, and the attention to detail in the movie is amazing. You'll see beautiful dresses, sprawling plantations, and stunning landscapes. But also the dark side of war and destruction, as the Civil War brings devastation and loss to the region. The main characters in the movie are Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Scarlett is a young woman who is used to getting her way. That means she always got what she wanted in spite of opposition. She's in love with Ashley Wilkes, who is engaged to her cousin, Melanie Hamilton. Scarlett is determined to win Ashley's heart, but her world is turned upside down when the war breaks out. The other main character, named Rhett, is a charming man who acts carelessly and recklessly. But he becomes enamored with Scarlett's fiery personality and tries to win her over throughout the movie. The conflict in the movie is emotional and intense. We see the devastation of war and its impact on Scarlett and those around her. Scarlett struggles to adapt to the new reality, and she's forced to do whatever it takes to survive. Although Rhett tries to win her over, she's is still in love with Ashley, and can't let go of her obsession with him. Scarlett's journey throughout the movie is incredible. She goes from being a spoiled young woman to a strong and resourceful survivor, doing whatever it takes to protect herself and her family. And although she faces incredible challenges and tragedies, Scarlett never gives up hope.&nbsp; Rhett's journey is also fascinating. He starts off as a carefree and reckless man, but as he falls in love with Scarlett, he shows a more tender side. He's not perfect and makes mistakes, but he's a complex and interesting character. One of the movie's main themes is the resilience of the human spirit. We see the characters face incredible challenges and tragedies, but they find ways to adapt and survive, even when it seems impossible. Another theme is the impact of war on society and relationships. The Civil War serves as a backdrop for the story, highlighting how it changed the South forever.&nbsp; The movie can be a good starting point to learn more about the Civil War period.&nbsp; However, it's important to remember that the movie is a work of fiction, not a completely accurate depiction of history. Overall, "Gone with the Wind" is a fantastic movie I highly recommend. After you watch the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. &nbsp; Get the transcript on my website:

#250 Learn English by Watching Classic Movies: 'Gone with the Wind'

Today, we will keep exploring and learning more about expressing&nbsp;larger amounts. When we want to talk about more significant quantities, we can use different words and expressions. These terms can indicate having more of something or a significant amount. When referring to small amounts, we use words like: "a little" or "a few." And when it comes to large quantities we can use words like "a lot," "many," or "plenty." Let's practice with a few examples. For example, instead of saying, "I have&nbsp;a few&nbsp;books," you can say:&nbsp; I have&nbsp;a lot&nbsp;of books. I have&nbsp;many&nbsp;books. Let's imagine we want to express&nbsp;a large quantity without specifying an exact number.&nbsp; Here, we can use words like "numerous," "countless," or "a great number of." These terms indicate a large quantity, even if an exact number is not specified. For example, instead of saying, "There are&nbsp;a few&nbsp;birds in the sky," you can say: There are&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;birds in the sky.&nbsp; There are&nbsp;countless&nbsp;birds in the sky. There are&nbsp;a great number of&nbsp;birds in the sky. Great! Let's continue! "If you have&nbsp;a lot of something, you might use the word 'multiple.' For example, if you're discussing an online shopping order, you might say:&nbsp; I ordered multiple items on Amazon, but they all arrived separately. (It's like having a relationship with a delivery driver who just can't commit.) If you're sharing a funny story about a doctor's visit, you could say:&nbsp; According to my doctor, I have multiple personalities. Now, I can finally put the blame on someone else for my mistakes! Ok! Let's continue!&nbsp; When we want to highlight a very large amount, we can use phrases like "a huge amount of," "a significant number of," or "a vast quantity of."&nbsp; So, you can say:&nbsp; The company invested&nbsp;a huge amount of&nbsp;money in research and development to create a groundbreaking new product. According to a recent survey, a significant number of students prefer learning through the internet. The library had a vast quantity of books, with rows upon rows of shelves filled from top to bottom. If you have more than you need of something, you could use words like 'plenty,' 'lavish,' 'overflowing,' 'teeming,' 'replete,' 'brimming,' 'packed,' or 'jam-packed.' 'Plenty' means more than enough. For example:&nbsp; There was&nbsp;plenty of food at the picnic. There were sandwiches, fruits, cookies, and more. Read the transcript on my website:

#253 Words and Phrases to Describe Large Quantities in English

Georgiana: Today, we will discuss the meaning of the phrase "butter up"... Student: "How interesting, Georgiana! You know I am on a diet, but this morning I had some toast with butter, and let me tell you, it was delicious..." Georgiana: Sorry to interrupt, but the expression "butter up" has nothing to do with food. :) Let me explain it to you. Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the podcast. I'm Georgiana, your English teacher, and my mission is to help you speak English fluently.&nbsp; And if you want to help me,&nbsp;share the podcast. That would mean a lot. Thanks. Before you start listening to the episode, make sure to get the transcript on my website:&nbsp; It's free! Great! Let's start! Let's take a closer look at the expression "butter up" and how it is commonly used. When someone tries hard to please others to gain their favor or personal benefits in the workplace, it's known as 'buttering up.'"&nbsp; This behavior can be observed in various professional settings such as offices, schools, and even politics, where individuals go to great lengths to please their superiors or influential colleagues. A classic example of 'buttering up' is an employee who frequently praises their boss, hoping to gain favor or secure a promotion. Another example is a student who compliments their teacher, aiming to receive better grades or special privileges. So, how is "buttering up" viewed in Western society? Opinions can differ. On one hand, some people consider it a negative behavior, often associated with insincerity or manipulation. On the other hand, in certain situations like the business world, some people see it as a useful social skill. They believe that being good at giving compliments and networking can help you progress in your career or create new opportunities. Whether "buttering up" is accepted or not depends on the particular workplace culture and what individuals think. Here are some other expressions that are similar to "buttering up": #1&nbsp;Sucking up to someone:&nbsp;Excessively praising or pleasing someone, especially someone in authority, to gain favor. #2&nbsp;Kissing up&nbsp;or&nbsp;Kissing someone's boots:&nbsp;Acting overly flattering toward someone in authority. #3&nbsp;Playing up to someone: Behaving in a way intended to please or show respect to someone. #4&nbsp;Apple-polishing:&nbsp;Currying favor through flattery or servile behavior. #5&nbsp;Flattering: Complimenting someone excessively to win their favor or approval. #6&nbsp;Brown-nosing: Similar to "sucking up," it involves ingratiating oneself to gain favor, often through excessive praise or flattery. &nbsp;#7&nbsp;Playing the game:&nbsp;Engaging in strategic behavior or actions to gain advantages or achieve success, often involving flattery or pleasing others. #8&nbsp;Bending over backward:&nbsp;Going to great lengths or making excessive efforts to please or accommodate someone. Now, what are your thoughts? Do you believe "buttering up" can be useful? Are you comfortable engaging in such behavior or receiving it from others? I'm not a big fan of it, but I won't deny that receiving a compliment can feel good from time to time. :) Get the transcript on my website:

255 Phrasal Verb - To Butter Up

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(AJ Hoge) The Key To Excellent Speaking - Effortless English

Transcript: I'd like to include some food and cooking vocabulary in this episode. Get the transcript on my website:&nbsp;  And with a mini-story, you will improve your English fluency. You’ll see, it’s like having a conversation with another person. You know, when I enter the kitchen, my first thought is… Why am I here? Yeah. I'm hungry. That's why. Now I remember. :) I open the refrigerator and start scanning for some delicious food. Since I don't buy ready-made food, I usually stare at the fridge for some minutes until it starts beeping. Then I close it and open it again to continue scanning. And I'm not saying my refrigerator isn't well organized; it's just that I'm looking for something I can prepare in 1 minute, preferably even less. Many times, I end up making a green smoothie. That's a fast and easy way of getting all the needed nutrients. And plus, smoothies are delicious. By the way, a smoothie is a thick drink that you can make using fruits, vegetables, greens, seeds, milk, ice, etc. As I said earlier, I typically end up making a green smoothie. Don't panic. It's green but really yummy. I add some water or milk, one avocado, 1/2 cup of pineapple, 1/2 frozen banana, 2 cups of spinach, and 1/2 cup of ice cubes. I put it at speed 10 for 45 seconds, and the smoothie is ready. Delicious! In case you were wondering, I use a Vitamix blender to prepare my smoothies. And I don't use it only for that.&nbsp; I also make frozen desserts with it, soups, I can make flours with it, almond milk, batters, dough, nut butter, juices, dips, etc. It's very versatile. [END OF THE EXTRACT] Get the transcript on my website:&nbsp;  &nbsp;

#262 Food vocabulary - How to Prepare a Smoothie?

BBC Learning English - The English We Speak   Stab In The Back

Welcome to this pilot (test) episode of the TF Podcast. In this episode, my wife and I talk about Thanksgiving.

Watch on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp--TdCU9GI

This gives you a great way to listen to a real conversation in both British and American English.

*** LESSON NOTES ***

☆ We're hoping she's going to be quiet - notice that I use 'hope' in the continuous? Learn more about 'hope' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azx3kbTAI4M

☆ Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Learn more about this here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy%27s_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade

☆ That's what it boils down to - this is a great phrase to mean "the main reason for something."

☆ Put on a parade - to organize a parade (phrasal verb)

☆ It's a pretty big milestone - a significant event

☆ I did not grow up eating that - learn about grow up here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEkUHx5qVP8

☆ Potluck - a party where everyone brings a dish. For Thanksgiving, people are assigned a certain dish

☆ To go back for seconds - to get another plate of food after eating your first

☆ It has a special place in everyone's heart - This means that's it's emotionally important. Learn more here: http://www.phrasemix.com/phrases/something-holds-a-special-place-in-ones-heart

☆ Black Friday has become a huge thing now - this means that Black Friday is important and widespread

☆ I'm a person who leaves it to the last minute - I wait until near the deadline to do something. I use this phrase here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYNHJHzSNA

☆ I didn't take those days off - I worked those days

☆ It's going to be very difficult to travel with two children - I'm sure you know what this means!

----------

What did you think about this podcast? I hope you enjoyed it. If so, we'll make more episodes soon!

Learn English Podcast - Episode 0 (Pilot) - A Conversation About Thanksgiving

Speak English Now Podcast

#025 Stay Motivated when learning English - Maintain a Positive Attitude

Hi, I am Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. And I've been helping you speak English since 2011. 

My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

I help people develop their fluency in English using effective and proven techniques, such as mini-story and point-of-view techniques. I am also the creator of several programs used by thousands of students and host The Speak English Podcast, with millions of downloads worldwide.

Why is this podcast so different from any other programs?

With the Speak English Now Podcast:
- you'll master English by listening and speaking without memorizing grammar rules. 

- You will acquire knowledge about the English culture and the language itself. 

- And most importantly, you'll discover valuable tips and tricks on how to speak English fluently.

If there's something you can't understand, don't worry about it! Listen to each episode as many times as you need. You can read the TEXT at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com 

Take advantage of all of my Speak English Now Podcast episodes. Every week there's a new episode.

Start practicing your English listening and speaking skills with the Speak English Now podcast.

#250 Learn English by Watching Classic Movies: 'Gone with the Wind'

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