You might be thinking... why make a video about <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/how-we-pronounce-can-cant-when-speaking-fast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://espressoenglish.acemlna.com/lt.php?notrack%3D1%26s%3Dc2hheW5hLm1jaHVnaEBnbWFpbC5jb20%3D%26i%3D196A201A1A2164&source=gmail&ust=1595514154523000&usg=AFQjCNFHSeTmMcBeIKqQZerZ6dX8wrDYhA">pronouncing CAN and CAN'T</a> - that's so easy and obvious! But there are some pronunciation changes when native English speakers say these words fast. This lesson will help you understand can/can't better when you HEAR them, and it will also help you SAY these words more naturally in sentences. These pronunciation differences between can and can't are small but important... and native English pronunciation is FULL of these little details! If you want to improve your pronunciation so that you sound more like a native English speaker, come check out my <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/american-english-pronunciation-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://espressoenglish.acemlna.com/lt.php?notrack%3D1%26s%3Dc2hheW5hLm1jaHVnaEBnbWFpbC5jb20%3D%26i%3D196A201A1A2165&source=gmail&ust=1595514154523000&usg=AFQjCNFXTq8bqSVAlitHypi3dPD6aKf42Q">American English Pronunciation Course</a>. I'll take you through all the sounds of the language, and you can listen and repeat lots of words and sentences in order to help you speak more clearly and confidently.

Espresso English Podcast

How we pronounce CAN & CAN'T when speaking fast

Do you know what it means to have a "free spirit" or "free rein"? Is being a "freeloader" a good thing or a bad thing? Today you'll learn the answers to these questions and much more - I'll teach you <a class="" href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/english-expressions-with-the-word-free/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ac-default-color= "1">10 interesting expressions with the word "free."</a> Expressions like "get off scot-free" and "give someone free rein" are examples of idioms - short phrases that can't be explained or translated literally. What's the best way to learn idioms, if you can't translate them literally? The best way is to learn them in context - by seeing real examples of when native English speakers would use each expression. I made a course that will teach you <a class="" href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/english-idioms-course" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" data-ac-default-color="1">300+ idioms in 30 days!</a> Each lesson has 4 steps: <ol class=""> <li class="">You'll try to GUESS the meaning of each idiom from an example sentence</li> <li class="">You'll LEARN the correct meaning of each expression from my teaching</li> <li class="">You'll REVIEW the idioms by taking a quiz</li> <li class="">You'll PRACTICE using the idioms by answering questions</li> </ol> <div class=""> <a class="" href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/english-idioms-course-lesson-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ac-default-color= "1">You can take lesson 1 for free...</a> ...and <a class="" href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/english-idioms-course" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" data-ac-default-color="1">join the course to get all 30 lessons.</a></div>

20 expressions with the word FREE

In soccer, we don't say "make a goal," we say "score a goal." Outside of sports, we don't say "follow a goal," but we do say "pursue a goal" or "work towards a goal." <div><a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/20-english-collocations-with-the-word-goal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn 20 collocations with the word "goal"!</a></div> <div> </div> <div>"Collocations" are the common combinations of words that are frequently used by native speakers. These typical combinations of words can be hard to learn because often there are no rules that can help you know which words to use together - these expressions simply exist because people commonly use them in that way! However, you can learn collocations quickly and with the audio e-book <a href= "http://www.espressoenglish.net/1000-english-collocations-in-10-minutes-a-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1000 English Collocations in 10 Minutes a Day.</a> Each lesson presents common collocations on a specific topic, and includes a practice exercise.</div>

20 collocations with the word "goal"

A lot of students ask me about phrases and idioms they've heard in conversations and TV shows. In today's lesson, I'm going to share the answers with you, explaining each expression with a few examples. <a href= "http://www.espressoenglish.net/learn-english-idioms-answers-to-your-questions-about-idiomatic-expressions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quick answers to your questions about idioms</a> There are a lot of idioms in English... and sometimes even native English speakers come across expressions we don't know! So how do we figure them out? We interpret them from the context. Based on the situation in which the idiom is said, we make our best guess as to what the expression means. My <a href="http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-idioms-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300+ English Idioms Course</a> helps you do this, too! Instead of just telling you what the idioms mean, I have you use your head... each lesson starts with a quiz where you try to interpret the idioms in context. Then I explain them to clear up any doubts. Try it yourself with this <a href= "http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-idioms-course-lesson-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free sample lesson</a>   :-)

Quick answers to your questions about idioms

When you're worried, it's even harder to express yourself in English - but this lesson will help: <a href= "http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-practical-english-phrases-for-worries-and-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 Practical English Phrases for Talking about Worries & Relief.</a> These can help expand your vocabulary by going beyond the basic "I'm worried" and "I'm relieved." To learn more, join my Everyday English Speaking Course: <a href="https://www.espressoenglish.net/everyday-english-speaking-course"> https://www.espressoenglish.net/everyday-english-speaking-course</a>

10 practical phrases for worries and relief

Did you know that these words all have DIFFERENT ways to pronounce the "u" in the beginning? <ul> <li>ultimate</li> <li>union</li> <li>urgent</li> <li>urine</li> </ul> In today's lesson, you'll <a href= "http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18&id=fbb41e3f01&e=714db5117d" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18%26id%3Dfbb41e3f01%26e%3D714db5117d&source=gmail&ust=1591122496981000&usg=AFQjCNE2pXC6fCueV1jBIAnqbxsaE7onhQ">practice pronouncing English words starting with U</a>. Listen and repeat to improve your pronunciation! Just like when you do exercise in the gym to improve your physical condition, doing pronunciation exercises improves your ability to speak English correctly! That's why my <a href= "http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18&id=2980953d1b&e=714db5117d" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18%26id%3D2980953d1b%26e%3D714db5117d&source=gmail&ust=1591122496981000&usg=AFQjCNHlXGmwfttNB_tLkdTwJhUy8v_PIg">American English Pronunciation Course</a> is full of practice. Whatever sounds you find difficult in English, this course will help you improve. By listening and repeating the words and sentences aloud, you'll train your mouth to say them clearly. If you're not able to join the Pronunciation Course, you can always use my <a href= "http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18&id=c16c4964cb&e=714db5117d" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=http://espressoenglish.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D280ab49b7536a997b0d741c18%26id%3Dc16c4964cb%26e%3D714db5117d&source=gmail&ust=1591122496981000&usg=AFQjCNFRkRQExSe98kTpr-fh8P0WXELtWQ">YouTube videos</a> to practice listening and repeating what I say.

4 different ways to pronounce words starting with "U"

<div>Prepositions like in, of, at, from, and to are used very frequently in English. However, there are some cases in which you SHOULDN'T use one – and in today's lesson, you'll learn <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/5-times-you-should-not-use-a-preposition-in-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espressoenglish.net/5-times-you-should-not-use-a-preposition-in-english&source=gmail&ust=1591121621472000&usg=AFQjCNGhr9s5UNqdCKB6B6LTQgWJ9U-hSw">5 times you should not use a preposition.</a> <div> <div> <div> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>This is one of my top grammar lessons on Espresso English. I hope you enjoy it!</div> <div> </div> <div>English grammar can certainly be complicated... but I'll make it clear to you when you join my <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/advanced-english-grammar-course/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espressoenglish.net/advanced-english-grammar-course/&source=gmail&ust=1591121621472000&usg=AFQjCNGbDaTlesRwuprywAY4aOP_x2E1yQ">Advanced Grammar Course!</a> The 45 lessons in this course will teach you all the verb tenses as well as adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, sentence structure, and other more complex topics. You also have the option to practice your writing, and send your texts for feedback and correction by a teacher on the Espresso English team. What if you're not yet advanced enough for that course? Then I'd recommend joining <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/200-common-errors-in-english-course/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espressoenglish.net/200-common-errors-in-english-course/&source=gmail&ust=1591121621472000&usg=AFQjCNGxr1JcQAQQ_6WSuOYd9thdR-i43Q">200 Common Errors in English.</a> You'll learn how to avoid the most common mistakes in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling, and learning strategy.</div>

DON'T use a preposition in these 5 situations!

These two words are pronounced the same, but they are spelled differently and have different meanings! Lesson text: <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/difference-between-compliment-and-complement/"> https://www.espressoenglish.net/difference-between-compliment-and-complement/</a> This is a free sample from the e-book 600+ Confusing English Words Explained. It will help clear up your doubts about how to use English words correctly, so that you can speak and write more confidently. <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/600-confusing-english-words-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here for more information.</a>

Compliment vs. Complement vs. Complimentary vs. Complementary

Today I'm sending you a special class all about compound words! Compound words are when two or more words are put together to form a new word with a new meaning - like notebook, mother-in-law, and post office. Sometimes compound words are easy to understand: a bookstore is a store that sells books; a dishwasher is a machine that washes dishes. But others might not be so obvious, for example: <ul> <li>brainstorm – an intense process where you think of many different ideas</li> <li>scapegoat – someone who bears the blame for others</li> </ul> In this lesson, you'll learn the meanings of <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/improve-your-english-vocabulary-with-compound-words/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://espressoenglish.acemlnc.com/lt.php?notrack%3D1%26s%3Dc2hheW5hLm1jaHVnaEBnbWFpbC5jb20%3D%26i%3D29A29A1A336&source=gmail&ust=1591112477324000&usg=AFQjCNFhQYJfLJfpcF0gZJOyEX3t1vZgRA"> 36 compound words in English.</a> <div>If you’d like to continue improving your vocabulary, you’ll really enjoy the <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/vocabulary-builder-course" target= "_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://espressoenglish.acemlnc.com/lt.php?notrack%3D1%26s%3Dc2hheW5hLm1jaHVnaEBnbWFpbC5jb20%3D%26i%3D29A29A1A337&source=gmail&ust=1591112477325000&usg=AFQjCNF_mFX0kgVaThTzOSgdvZRZlkG9MA">Vocabulary Builder Courses</a> at Espresso English.</div> <div> Level 1 of the course focuses on essential everyday words for things in daily life, work, study, travel, describing people, describing the world, etc.</div> <div> </div> <div>Level 2 of the course goes deeper into these subjects and also has lessons on more advanced topics like binomials, metaphors, word roots, and prefixes and suffixes.</div> <div> </div> <div>You'll learn more than 1,000 words in each level of the Vocabulary Builder!</div>

Learn 36 compound words to expand your vocabulary

My recent videos were all about <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZGMUu5higw&list=PLZYDF7k52kJdoNSQp3ZqKmwcwpOs086QW&mc_cid=1c711409d5&mc_eid=[UNIQID]" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DyZGMUu5higw%26list%3DPLZYDF7k52kJdoNSQp3ZqKmwcwpOs086QW%26mc_cid%3D1c711409d5%26mc_eid%3D%5BUNIQID%5D&source=gmail&ust=1591112286095000&usg=AFQjCNF0ExkDR8zuqsEqOGFBEhWd6rpBrw">staying motivated when learning English</a>... ...but what's MY secret to staying motivated when teaching English? There are some days when I feel sad, lazy, and discouraged. Sometimes I don't have the energy to prepare new lessons, and I don't want to turn on my video camera. Yes... even your English teacher lacks motivation sometimes! But here's how I get motivated again: I visit a page on the Espresso English website that you might not know about... it's called <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/student-stories/?mc_cid=1c711409d5&mc_eid=[UNIQID]" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espressoenglish.net/student-stories/?mc_cid%3D1c711409d5%26mc_eid%3D%5BUNIQID%5D&source=gmail&ust=1591112286095000&usg=AFQjCNHvJrNzzat6EYSb4WEvnBgoyOM9ow">"Student Stories."</a> Read student stories - and add yours - by clicking here! - <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/student-stories/">https://www.espressoenglish.net/student-stories/</a> It has SO MANY wonderful comments from students like you - all talking about how my lessons have helped them and changed their lives. When I read these student stories, it always makes me happy - and then I feel motivated and EXCITED to create more lessons and help more students! What's amazing about these stories is that there are students from lots of different countries... students of all different ages... students in a variety of jobs and life situations. All have learned and improved with Espresso English, and this is so encouraging to me as a teacher. So my secret to staying motivated is... hearing from YOU when you've enjoyed my lessons! Thank you so much to everyone who has sent me nice comments. Whether you're one of my long-time students who has followed my lessons for years... or whether you're one of my newer students who recently joined... I always love hearing from you. By the way, if you want to add your story to the "student stories" page, you can <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/send-your-story/?mc_cid=1c711409d5&mc_eid=[UNIQID]" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espressoenglish.net/send-your-story/?mc_cid%3D1c711409d5%26mc_eid%3D%5BUNIQID%5D&source=gmail&ust=1591112286095000&usg=AFQjCNHwNsHd6cyLPyBjlgfFjt9CuQzArQ">click here to send it!</a> I hope you're having a great week. I'll send you more English lessons soon :-)

My secret for staying motivated with Espresso English

I’m sharing my tenth and final tip for how to stay motivated to learn English. This one is really interesting and fun, and it can really help you keep up your motivation and desire to make more progress in your English. Tip #10 is <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/challenge-and-reward-yourself-when-learning-english"> Challenge Yourself, Then Reward Yourself When You Reach Goals</a> Sometimes when you’re studying English by yourself, it can be discouraging because there’s nobody to say “Nice work!” or celebrate your successes. But if you give yourself challenges and rewards, it can give you the motivation to keep going and not quit.

273 - Stay motivated tip #10 - Challenge and reward yourself

Today’s tip for staying motivated is <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/find-an-english-learning-partner-or-join-a-community"> Find A Partner Or Join A Community</a> Scientists have discovered that one of the most effective motivators is “peer pressure” – that’s encouragement or expectation from people who are similar to you.

272 - Stay motivated tip #9 - Find a learning partner

today’s tip for how to stay motivated to learn English is very important. It’s so simple, but it will make a big difference in your English learning experience. <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/make-learning-english-fun"> Make Learning Enjoyable</a> You don’t have to study the exact same way every time! Try to have some variation, to keep things interesting. Here’s another tip for making English more fun – find material in areas of your interest. Finally, learn from a teacher who you like!

271: Stay motivated tip #8 - Make learning English fun

Hi there! Today I’ll share my seventh tip for how to stay motivated to learn English, and that is: <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/plan-for-breaks-but-also-plan-to-come-back-to-studying-english"> Plan For Breaks, But Also Plan To Come Back</a> If you have a very busy day, it’s OK to skip your studying – just make sure to come back to it the next day. If you’re going on vacation for a week, it’s OK not to look at English. Relax and enjoy your vacation, then resume your studies afterwards. The key is always to come back to English – don’t let yourself get so busy that you forget to study for weeks and months.

270: Stay motivated tip #7 - Plan to come back after a break

Hello students! I’m back with another tip for how to stay motivated to learn English. This tip is for you on those days when you really have low motivation and you feel lazy, and you just aren’t very interested in studying English. <a href= "https://www.espressoenglish.net/when-you-feel-lazy-just-take-a-baby-step-to-study-english"> When You Feel Lazy, Just Take A Baby Step</a> A “baby step” is a very small action.

269: Stay motivated tip #6 - What to do when you feel lazy

On the Espresso English podcast, you'll learn English grammar, vocabulary, phrases, idioms, and more. Espresso English lessons are clear and practical, making it easy to learn the language quickly and effectively. Visit http://www.espressoenglish.net to get English courses and e-books that will help you learn faster!

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Espresso English Podcast

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