🗣Are you ready to speak like a true Californian? Have you ever wondered what words like "legit" or "stoked" really mean? Maybe you've heard them in movies or on social media but aren’t sure how to use them? It's ok because we'll help you practice your listening comprehension and expand your vocabulary with an epic slang episode!

🏄On this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we’re helping you uncover the slang phrases that will make you sound like a true Californian. Many people think Californians talk like surfers—especially because of how we’re shown in movies. While that may be true for a small group, most of us don’t speak like that. Still, surfing and skateboarding culture has had a big influence on the slang we use here. It's all pretty gnarly.

🎧Today we'll discuss popular slang words and explain how they change depending on context. You’ll learn the difference between terms like “Cali,” “SoCal,” and “NorCal” and how to use words like “legit,” “sick,” and “gnarly” in different situations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel confident using these California expressions and understanding them in casual conversations or on your favorite TV shows. So tune in and get ready to expand your vocabulary in a fun, natural way!

🔔 Practice your listening comprehension skills and learn English while learning about this aspect of American history! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) Cali: Shortened version of California

2) Cadence: The rhythm or flow of sounds, particularly in speech.

3) Legit: Authentic, real, credible (can also mean very good or very bad)

4) Sick: Can mean ill, but also used to describe something very good or impressive, or something gross.

5) Epic: Grand or monumental, often describing an experience or event.

6) Broke: Slang for having no money.

7) Gnarly: Extremely good or bad, challenging, dangerous

8) Stoked/Amped: Very excited, enthusiastic

9) Conman: A person who deceives others for money.

10) Crossover: When something from one area (like culture or language) is adopted into another.

⏳Are you stuck in your English learning journey? Have you been studying for years, but still struggle when speaking? Do you feel like you've stopped making progress and don't know what else to do?

📚You're not alone! Many language learners encounter this frustrating phase where progress seems to have stalled. On today's episode of the Learn English Podcast, we'll delve into the reasons behind this plateau and discuss effective strategies to overcome it. By using these strategies and selecting appropriate materials, you'll continue to grow and expand your English skills.

🎧Discover the importance of consistent practice, finding engaging content, and setting realistic goals. We'll also explore the benefits of seeking feedback from native speakers and utilizing technology to enhance your learning experience. Whether you're struggling with grammar, vocabulary, or speaking fluency, we'll equip you with the tools and strategies to break through this hurdle and achieve your language learning objectives. If you’ve been studying for a while and feel like your progress has stalled, this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll feel more confident about navigating the intermediate plateau and pushing yourself closer to fluency.

🔔 Practice your listening comprehension skills and learn English! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc

Affiliate link for italki: https://tinyurl.com/LearnEnglishPod

📜 SOURCES

Steve Kaufmann: https://www.youtube.com/@Thelinguist

Stephen Krashen: https://www.sdkrashen.com/

Olly Richards: https://www.youtube.com/@storylearning

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) plateau: a period of little or no progress or improvement

2) intensive study: studying something with great effort and concentration

3) input hypothesis: the theory that language acquisition occurs through exposure to comprehensible input

4) polyglot: a person who knows and is able to speak several languages

5) opinion pieces: articles that express a person's thoughts and feelings on a particular topic

6) colloquial phrases: informal expressions used in everyday speech

7) metaphors: a figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another thing

8) analogies: a comparison between two things that are not obviously similar

9) young adult literature: books written for young adults

10) AI: artificial intelligence

🎬Today, we're taking a closer look at one of the most iconic aspects of American life: schools. You've probably seen American high schools shown on TV shows and movies. But is that what American schools are really like? Are those portrayals accurate or just fiction? Are there really school cliques and awkward daily announcements?

🏫In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we’re diving deep into the culture of U.S. schools and uncovering how accurate those Hollywood depictions are. From yellow school buses to high school football, we'll discuss all the things that you'll see (and won't see) on school campuses across the country.

🎧Whether you’ve always been curious about American school culture or just want to improve your English by learning in context, this episode is packed with useful vocabulary and cultural insights. Tune in to hear about what makes American schools unique and get a better understanding of how they compare to what you’ve seen on TV. With real-life stories and examples, this episode is a perfect way to boost your English skills while learning something new about U.S. culture.

🔔 Practice your listening comprehension skills and learn English while learning about this aspect of American history! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) Depicted: shown or represented in a picture or description

2) Adolescence: the period of time when a young person is developing from a child into an adult

3) Pickup and drop-off zone: a place where people can pick up or drop off passengers

4) School district: a geographical area that is responsible for providing public education

5) K-9 /canine unit: a group of police dogs and their handlers

6) Cliques: small groups of people who spend time together

7) Marching band: a group of musicians who play instruments while marching

8) Cheerleaders: people who lead cheers and dances at sporting events

9) Pep rally: a meeting of students and teachers to encourage a sports team

10) Intercom / PA system: a system for communicating between different parts of a building

11) Bulletin: a notice or announcement

🌅Are you curious to learn more about the state of California? Do you know why it's called the Golden State? Wonder what to do when you visit it? On today's episode, we help you practice your listening comprehension by celebrating the 174th anniversary of California becoming state.

🎬In this special episode, we journey through the history, geography, and culture of the state. From the famous Gold Rush of 1849 that led to California's statehood, to the stunning natural landscapes ranging from sunny coastlines to towering redwood forests, you'll discover what makes this state truly unique.

🎧You'll learn about how California became the most populated state in the U.S. and how its economy became one of the biggest in the world. Hear how California's booming economy, centered around powerhouses like Hollywood and Silicon Valley, as well as its rich agricultural heritage as the "world's salad bowl.".

🔔 Practice your listening comprehension skills and learn English while learning about this aspect of American history! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) Nickname - A familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name.

2) Slogan - A short and memorable phrase used in advertising or associated with a particular group or product.

3) Gold rush - A period when many people moved to a place where gold had been discovered in hopes of becoming rich.

4) Influx - An arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things.

5) Statehood - The status of being a recognized independent state.

6) 49ers: people who migrated to California in 1849 during the gold rush

7) Cost of living - The amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of living, including basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare.

8) Super bloom - An event where an unusually high number of wildflowers bloom at the same time, often after a lot of rain.

9) California Poppy - the state flower of California

10) Wildflower - A flower that grows in natural places without being deliberately cultivated.

11) Giant Sequoias/Redwoods - large, ancient trees found in California

12) Extinction - The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct.

🎧This week's episode of the Learn English Podcast! We're marking our one-year anniversary, and I couldn't be more excited to share this milestone with all of you! I'll be sharing both my successes and challenges while trying to learn a language. I know how challenging it can be to learn a new language, and I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way. But I've also discovered some great tips and tools that can help you avoid the same pitfalls. I’ll be sharing practical tips and insights that you can apply to your own English learning journey.

🗣️We'll talk about some of the most popular language-learning apps, like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and LingQ, and I’ll be giving you my honest opinion on what worked and what didn’t. From traditional classroom settings to interactive apps, I’ve tried it all over the years. I’ll share the pros and cons of each method and provide some insights on how to use these tools effectively. If you're curious about which app could help you reach your language goals, you won’t want to miss this!

🔔 Practice your listening comprehension skills and learn English! Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell to join us for more language-learning!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc

📜 SOURCES

Steve Kaufmann: @Thelinguist

Stephen Krashen: https://www.sdkrashen.com/

Olly Richards: https://storylearning.com/

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) Obstacles: Things that block one's way or prevent progress.

2) Straight A student: A student who achieves the highest possible grades in all their subjects.

3) In context: within a specific situation or environment.

4) Cavalier: Showing a lack of proper concern; being dismissive.

5) Input hypothesis: the theory that language learning occurs through exposure to comprehensible input.

6) Visual flashcard: a card with a picture and a word.

7) To beat ourselves up: to criticize or blame ourselves.

8) To compare ourselves to other people: to judge ourselves based on the achievements of others.

9) To be grateful for: to feel thankful for.

🤔 Do you get nervous when speaking English? What to improve your pronunciation? Ready to tackle some of the most challenging words to pronounce in English? In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, we'll guide you through ten tricky words that often confuse learners!

🗣️We're diving into one of the trickiest aspects of mastering English: pronunciation. If you’ve ever struggled with words that don’t sound like they’re spelled, you’re not alone. English is infamous for its challenging pronunciations, and today, we’re tackling 10 words that often trip up even advanced learners. Throughout the episode, we will focus on the American accent, particularly a neutral Southern Californian one. You'll learn not only how to pronounce these words but also get tips on how different accents might approach them.

🎧From understanding why we say "Wednesday" instead of "Wed-nes-day" to mastering the subtlety of "subtle," this episode is packed with practical tips to help you pronounce these words with confidence. Don’t miss out on this essential episode, especially if you want to sound more natural when speaking English. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to handle these difficult words and more. Make sure to check out the episode description for additional resources, including definitions of new vocabulary. Tune in, practice along, and take your English pronunciation skills to the next level!

🔔Don't forget to hit that like button, subscribe, and share this podcast with fellow English learners. Your support fuels our growth and helps us reach an even wider audience. Thank you for being part of our language-learning journey!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) infamous: famous for a bad reason

2) silent letter: a letter in a word that is not pronounced

3) mortgage: a loan secured by property

4) receipt: a written acknowledgment of payment

5) pneumonia: a serious disease that affects the lungs

6) subtle: not easily noticed or understood

7) knife: a cutting instrument

8) rural: in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town.

9) squirrel: a small rodent with a bushy tail, commonly found in trees.

10) tricky: requiring careful or skillful handling.

11) syllables: units of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants.

12) Schwa - (noun) the mid-central vowel sound in English, often represented as /ə/ in phonetic notation.

📚 Summer is over, school is back in session, and the Learn English Podcast is back as well! Because students across America have returned to the classroom, we decided to spend this episode focusing on the world of school-inspired vocabulary. Have you ever heard someone called a "teacher's pet" or talked about "acing" something? These phrases aren't just used in school—they're part of everyday conversations too. Whether you're a student or just curious, this episode will help you add some great vocabulary to your English.

🗣️In this episode, we’ll talk about different types of students you might know from school. For example, the "straight A student" who always gets the best grades or the "class clown" who loves to make everyone laugh. These expressions are common in school, but you can also use them in other situations. We’ll explain how, so you can use these phrases confidently in your own conversations.

🎧Don't miss this chance to improve your English with phrases that are both practical and fun. Plus, we’ve included a vocabulary list in the episode description to help you remember the new words. So, hit play, and let’s learn some English together!

🔔Don't forget to hit that like button, subscribe, and share this podcast with fellow English learners. Your support fuels our growth and helps us reach an even wider audience. Thank you for being part of our language-learning journey!

Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) high school: a school for teenagers between the ages of approximately 14 and 18

2) teacher's pet: a student who is a teacher's favorite

3) class clown: a student who tries to be funny and often disrupts the class

4) straight A student: a student who consistently gets the highest grades

5) head of the class/top of the class: the best student in a class

6) ace it - To do very well on something, like a test or task.

7) cut class: to skip a class without permission

8) saved by the bell - To be saved from something unpleasant at the last possible moment, often by a bell signaling the end of a school class.

9) cracking the books/hitting the books: studying

10) procrastinate: to delay or postpone something

11) crunch time: a period of intense activity and pressure

12) cramming: studying intensively in a short period of time

13) pull an all-nighter: to stay awake all night to study or work

14) stereotype: a widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a person or group

📽️Need some movie recommendations to increase your English input and improve your speaking ability? We got you covered! Watching movies in English is a great way to get exposure to the language and help improve your listening skills, vocabulary and pronunciation. Not only do you get to listen to native speakers, but you can also be exposed to the written language if you watch with subtitles.

✨ Summer is the perfect time for travel, and even if you're not jet-setting around the globe, you can still experience the thrill of new places through the magic of movies. In this episode, we give you five compelling films to watch and use on your English journey. But these aren't just any films; we're diving into five travel-inspired films that will enrich your vocabulary and listening comprehension.

🍿From the heart-pounding adventures of "Into the Wild" to the quirky humor of "In Bruges," we've got something for every taste. We also explore the transformative power of travel with "Eat, Pray, Love," journey through grief and healing on the Camino de Santiago in "The Way," and experience a the landscapes of Iceland with "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Plus, we'll break down some of the more challenging vocabulary and phrases to help you expand your English vocabulary.

🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:

Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/

Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod

Streaming guide: https://www.justwatch.com/ and https://watchany.stream/

📚 Vocabulary List:

1) Proponent - A person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action.

2) Crucial - Extremely important or necessary.

3) Biopic - A film that tells the story of a real person's life.

4) Well-to-do - wealthy, affluent

5) Materialism - focus on material possessions

6) Rural - Relating to the countryside rather than the town.

7) Daydream - A series of pleasant thoughts that distract one's attention from the present.

8) Aloof - Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.

9) Epitomize - Be a perfect example of.

10) Transformational - Relating to or involving a marked change in someone or something.

11) Devastated - Extremely upset and shocked.

12) Pilgrimage - religious journey