922 - Office Speak- What Do These Phrases Really Mean?
Let’s table this. That’s what the boss said. And then someone else said, we need to pivot. So then I suggested we take it off line, but the boss said, Let’s not reinvent the wheel. Ah, the language of business.have you ever been in a meeting or on a Zoom call and someone says something like, “Let’s circle back on that” or “We need to pivot”… and you’re just sitting there thinking, “Wait, what did that mean?” Today, let’s take a closer look at what these buzzwords really mean in plain English - and how native speakers use them in everyday business conversations. Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
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921 - Business English Idioms for Everyday Work Life
I know that I promised to keep you in the loop, so I’m touching base with you in this podcast English lesson to let you know I’ve been thinking outside the box and everything you need to improve your English is here in the pipeline. Today, we're going to look at six of the most common idioms you’ll hear in American offices, and help you sound more natural and confident at work - or at least understand what your coworkers are saying.Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
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920 Sunday Speak - The Schwa Sound- The Secret to Natural Speech
One of the biggest secrets to sounding natural in English is something called the schwa sound. It’s the most common sound in American English, and it’s a huge reason why native speakers sound so smooth and relaxed when they talk.The schwa sounds like uh - not strong or clear, just soft and lazy: uh. We use it in many unstressed syllables and small words: Like the vowel sounds in umbrella, the a in what [whut], the i in anima [AN-uh-muhl] and the a in Sofa [SO-fuh]. Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
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919 - 6-7 Is The Hottest Slang From GEN-Z
In today’s Saturday Short, Michael talks about one of the newest slang expressions to hit the English language — “6-7.”You’ll learn where this Gen Z phrase came from, how people use it online, and why it’s more about vibe than grammar.It’s short, fun, and a perfect look at how English keeps evolving.So, what does “6-7” really mean? Let’s find out together!Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/
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918 - Phrasal Verb Friday - Zone Out
Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak.Today’s phrasal verb is zone out. When you zone out, it means your mind starts to wander and you stop paying attention - especially when you’re tired, bored, or distracted. Basically, your body’s there, but your brain takes a little break.Like the other day, I was in a long meeting, and about halfway through, I totally zoned out.Or my friend Olivia said she was watching a movie, but she zoned out and missed the ending.And when I ride the train home at night, sometimes I just zone out and stare out the window. It’s kind of relaxing, actually.Here’s a pronunciation tip: zone out - zohn-out. The N connects smoothly with out, like zoh-nout.So how about you? When do you usually zone out - at work, in class, or maybe when someone’s talking too long? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday.Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/My AI English Tutor is HERE
Learn American English with your host Michael DiGiacomo from Happy English in New York City. Michael has been teaching English since 1994. This is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) podcast that brings you fun, practical, and useful English lessons which are ideal for intermediate and advanced level English learners everywhere. This podcast is perfect for university students, business professionals, homemakers, retirees and anyone who is interested in learning and improving their English skills. Every week, you are going to learn American English idioms, conversational expressions and phrasal verbs. As your American English teacher, I will help you learn real and natural American English pronunciation and conversational style. You will get the chance to improve your vocabulary and have a clear understanding of practical English grammar. I also help you have a deeper understanding of American Culture through language learning. Join my podcast learner's study group to practice these lessons with me each week on zoom. Get Happy, Get English. Happy English!
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