Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English without grammar.

Have you ever seen a huge mountain with presidents’ faces? Today, we learn about Mount Rushmore. What’s special about it? Let’s find out! Hi! I’m Georgiana, and I’m back with a new episode. I’m here to help you speak English fluently. If you want to help me, SHARE the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. On my website, you can find the 5 Secrets to Speaking English and my premium courses. Before we start, get the transcript. Visit: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast It’s completely free! Ok, let’s start! Mount Rushmore is a giant and famous place in the United States. It’s located in South Dakota, inside the Black Hills. On this big mountain are huge carvings of the faces of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These presidents are very important because they did great things for America. The carvings of Mount Rushmore are huge. Each president’s face is as large as a tall building! People made this long ago, starting in 1927 and finishing in 1941. So, it took 14 years to complete. They did not have modern machines, so it was very tough work. Mount Rushmore is special for a few reasons: George Washington was the first president to help start the country. Thomas Jefferson made America bigger by buying a large area of land from France, known as the Louisiana Purchase. Theodore Roosevelt protected nature and made sure businesses treated people fairly. Abraham Lincoln kept the country together during the Civil War, which was a very difficult time. Mount Rushmore is also meaningful because of its location. Before it became a monument, Native American tribes, saw the Black Hills as a sacred place. The story of Mount Rushmore includes these tribes and their connection to the land. When people visit Mount Rushmore, they can explore the Avenue of Flags. This path has flags from all 50 states in the USA. It makes people feel connected to everyone in the country. It is a reminder that, even though we are different, we are all part of one big nation. Mount Rushmore is not only beautiful because of the nature around it. It also makes us think about the leaders who shaped America, and reflect on how we can all help make the country better. Making Mount Rushmore changed the mountain forever. It turned a natural place into a symbol of America’s history. This means different things to different people. Some see it as a celebration of freedom and great leaders. Others remember the land and the first people who lived there. Great! I hope you’re enjoying this episode! And now, let’s continue with a mini-story!

Transcript: Hi! I’m Georgiana, and I’m back with a new episode. I’m here to help you speak English fluently. And what do you need to speak fluently? You need to LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, and LISTEN. 🙂 If you want to help me, SHARE the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. On my website you can get the 5 Secrets to speak English, and also my premium courses. Before we start, get the transcript at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast It’s completely free! Ok, let’s start! Learning English is exciting because we get to know how people actually speak. Today, we will look at a common phrase in the US: “Good for you!” It’s a friendly way to talk, but there’s more to learn about it. What Does “Good for you!” Mean? When people say “Good for you!” they show they are glad for someone else. Imagine giving a friend a thumbs-up. For example, if your friend tells you they did well on a test, saying “Good for you!” is like saying, “I’m happy for you!” When You Are Really Glad: Imagine your friend telling you, “I got first place!” You can respond with a smile, “Good for you!” to show your happiness for their success. How You Say It Is Key: Your tone of voice can change the meaning. Use a cheerful tone to make sure your friend feels your sincerity. When to Say “Good for you!” This phrase fits well in many situations. Here are some moments to use it: Celebrating Achievements: When someone achieves something from hard work, like scoring high on a test, “Good for you!” is a great response. Sharing in Good News: Hearing about a friend’s good news, like getting a new pet, and saying “Good for you!” shows you share their happiness. Let’s Practice: Imagine a time when someone shared something joyful with you. How would you reply? Simple, “Good for you!” Just remember, saying it with a smile and warmth in your voice can really make a difference. The Different Meanings of “Good for you!” Sometimes, “Good for you!” is not only about being happy for someone. It can also be used for jokes or in not-so-nice ways, known as sarcasm. When It’s Just a Joke: Friends might use it playfully when someone says something funny or not so-important. It’s their way of being friendly. When It Might Not Be Kind: However, if someone’s tone sounds unhappy or their expression appears unfriendly, they might not be saying it kindly. For example, if you say, “I can tie my shoes,” and someone responds with, “Good for you!” without a friendly tone, they might not be being nice. They could be mocking you because tying shoes is something most people can do. Understanding the Difference: Listen to their voice: Is it light, happy, or flat and unkind? Look at their expression: Is there a real smile, or do they seem insincere? Consider what you said: Was it something impressive or ordinary? This helps you figure out if they’re joking or not. Some Examples: Happy: You: “I aced my test!” Friend: “Good for you!” (They’re genuinely pleased.) Joking: You: “I spent the whole day watching TV.” Friend: “Good for you!” (They’re playfully teasing because it’s not a big deal.) Not Nice: You: “I cleaned up my room today.” Friend: “Well, good for you.” (If their tone is sarcastic, they may not think it’s important.) That’s why, it’s crucial to pay attention to how people say things, not just the words. This helps you know if they’re truly happy for you, making a joke, or being unkind. Let’s continue with a surprising point-of-view story:

Today, we will learn how Easter is celebrated in the United States and Australia. We will hear Tom and Sarah's conversation about their plans for Easter this year. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing boring rules. Hi! Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. I'm Georgiana and my mission is to help you improve your fluency. If you want to support me, please share the podcast with your friends and family. It would mean a great deal to me. Thank you! Remember that you can get the text of this episode on my website SpeakEnglishPodcast.com Okay! Let’s start! Tom, from the United States, and Sarah, from Australia, were catching up on a video call before the Easter holiday. As they started chatting, they quickly realized they had different traditions and plans for celebrating the holiday. Let's listen to their conversation: Tom: Hey, Sarah! Happy Easter! Sarah: Happy Easter to you too, Tom! I hope you're doing well. Tom: Yes, I'm doing great. So, what are your plans for Easter this year? Sarah: I plan to attend church and celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have a big Easter dinner and spend time together. Tom: That sounds lovely. I'm also planning to celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have an Easter egg hunt and decorate Easter eggs. Sarah: Oh, that's a great tradition. We also decorate Easter eggs but don't have an egg hunt. Tom: That's interesting. Every family has their own traditions. Sarah: Definitely. What other traditions do you have for Easter? Tom: We usually go to church and have a big Easter brunch. We also exchange Easter baskets filled with candy and small gifts. Sarah: That sounds like so much fun. We don't exchange Easter baskets but give each other Easter cards. Tom: That's sweet. Do you have any special Easter foods that you eat? Sarah: Yes, we usually have ham, deviled eggs, and hot cross buns. Tom: That sounds delicious. My family has roasted lamb, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Sarah: That sounds amazing. It's interesting to see how different cultures celebrate the same holiday. Tom: Yes, I agree. Speaking of cultures, I heard Easter is celebrated differently in Australia. Can you tell me more about that? Sarah: Sure! In Australia, Easter is also a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, since it's celebrated in the fall season there, it's more of a harvest festival. We also have a lot of outdoor activities like camping and hiking. Tom: That's so cool. I didn't know Easter was celebrated as a harvest festival in Australia. Do you have any special Easter foods that you eat? Sarah: Yes, we have hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, just like in the US. But we also have meat pies, seafood, and others. Tom: That sounds amazing. I'll have to try them sometime. Sarah: Definitely. Maybe we can exchange some Easter foods and try each other's traditions. Tom: That's a great idea, Sarah! Sarah: Ok! I'll see you later. Happy Easter! Tom: Happy Easter!

Hi! I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode. I'm here to help you speak English fluently. And what do you need to speak fluently? You need to LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, and LISTEN. :) If you want to help me, SHARE the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks. Get the transcript here: speakenglishpodcast.com/291-what-is-minimalism/ In our previous episode, we talked about Diogenes syndrome. It's when people collect too many things. Today, I will talk about practically the opposite: minimalism. A few years ago, this lifestyle became popular. The concept of minimalism is about removing unnecessary things and focusing on what's important. Seems logical, right? Well... Sometimes, attempting to live a minimalist lifestyle can actually be more stressful than just accepting a little bit of clutter. Finally, it's about finding a balance that works for you. Here are some principles of minimalism: - Simplicity: Enjoy the simple and the necessary. - Utility: Have only things you use that are useful to you. - Quality: Prefer fewer things, but of better quality. - Consciousness: Think and choose what really matters. - Order: A clean, organized space helps you think and live better. - Peace: Seek tranquility in your environment. - Autonomy: Live with the essentials and take care of your resources. - Experiences: You value moments and friendships more than material possessions. Marie Kondo is famous in the world of keeping things tidy. She's from Japan and has taught many of us to ask if our belongings make us happy. She's had a big influence, and for some time, we all followed her advice on folding clothes neatly and getting rid of things we don't need. But now, she mentioned that after having three kids she can't be as strict anymore. If Marie Kondo has found a balance, we don't have to be perfect either. A while ago, I was inspired by ideas of living simply, so I tried to make my life more minimalist. I planned it well in my mind, but it was hard to do. To be honest, it lasted only two weeks. :) Now, I try to be sensible. I keep only what I need, and I don't worry if things are a bit messy. So, I believe it's not about keeping your space perfectly clean and tidy all the time. It's more about creating a home where you feel cozy and calm. Sometimes, things are a little messy, like the shoes not being in the right place. But it’s okay! I hope you found this episode interesting, and that it helped you practice your English a bit too. What do you think about minimalism? Is it just a fad, or... Does it have value?   Get the transcript here: speakenglishpodcast.com/291-what-is-minimalism/

Transcript: This week is a bit special because it is Spring Offer, and all my premium courses have a 60% discount. I've received several messages with questions about the courses. I will try to answer some frequently asked questions in this short episode. By the way, you can get the offer at: speakenglishpodcast.com/courses Hurry up because the offer is only available until this Sunday at midnight. Let's start with the most frequently asked question: 1) What is the difference between the podcast and the premium courses? That's a great question! In the podcast, I talk about very diverse topics to improve your vocabulary. It's a great listening practice.  I also give a small example of a lesson in each podcast episode. It can be a mini-story of questions and answers or a point of view. Because of time limitations, I can barely develop these lessons, yet they allow you to test the method that I use in my premium courses in an easy and fun way. Instead, the premium courses are complete programs designed to improve your spoken English dramatically. These are conversation courses. You start speaking from DAY ONE with the conversation simulator. They are audio lessons that "simulate" conversations. I call them Q&A mini-stories. Unlike the podcast, the premium courses contain hours and hours of questions and answers. Imagine for a moment a podcast episode multiplied by 100. Also, the courses allow you to work much better on grammar aspects such as the plural, singular, all kinds of verb tenses, and certain common expressions of English. All of this unfolds in an interactive way, following one or more stories that provide a rich and entertaining context. For example, the Fluency Course (level II) contains more than 8 hours of audio, thousands of questions and answers (mini-stories), and almost 200 pages of transcription text. Of course, there are also many point-of-view lessons that allow you to work very intensely on aspects of grammar. One rule I always follow is to create lessons with complex characters and funny stories with unexpected endings. That way, you'll never forget what you learn best and, of course, it's a lot more fun. Another question: 2) Can I use the premium courses on the iPhone, iPad, Android, and so on? Yes, of course. You can use them without problems. It is important to keep in mind that the courses are not apps. That is, you don't install them. It's much more flexible. The courses consist of mp3 audio and text (PDF). This is much simpler and prevents technical problems. Transferring the content to any device is quite easy. However, when you buy one of the courses, I send you detailed steps to know what to do. In any case, you can contact me by e-mail with any questions. 3) Is there a monthly payment for the premium courses? No, there is no such thing. They are yours for personal use and forever when you buy the courses. 4) How many premium courses are there, and what is the difference? There are currently four courses. I will describe them briefly: 1) 30-Day Crash Course (level 1): This course is for beginners with no knowledge of English. It is a course that works very well, and I am happy with the result because it helps a lot to start with English. In your case, I don't recommend it because if you are a follower of this podcast, you are no longer a beginner. 2) The Fluency Course (level 2):  The level of this course is a bit easier than this podcast, but there is almost no difference. This program will help you automate the most common structures when speaking. It consists of 20 units with 20 unique and fun stories. I recommend this course if you're trying to stop mentally translating when you speak English, even with relatively easy expressions.   3) The Magic Course (level 3): This course is very ambitious because it goes one step beyond the Fluency Course. The aim is to practice all the verb tenses in the context of a long and well-developed story. There is plenty of vocabulary, and grammar points are very useful. When you finish this course, you will have an advanced level of English. 4) The Business Course (Job Interview Course) With this course, you will master the 30 most common questions asked at a job interview, learn specific vocabulary, and when to use it. You will get examples of how to answer the questions. And the exclusive mini-stories will help you speak English more confidently at a job interview. 5) Georgiana, what if I don't like them, or I don't adapt to the courses? That's all right. If, during the first 30 days, you are not convinced by the program, you can request a refund without any problem. 6) Are there any free samples of the courses? Yes, of course. You can get some samples at: SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/samples Very well, I think I have answered the most frequently asked questions. I hope you found this helpful. Remember that you can benefit from the Spring offer promotion at: speakenglishpodcast.com/courses If your goal is to improve your fluency, my courses can really help you. I repeat for the last time: speakenglishpodcast.com/courses Only until this Sunday at midnight. All right. That's all for today. I will see you next week! Bye! Bye!