Espresso English Podcast

Let’s begin our study of collocations by learning some common expressions about the family. Your parents and siblings (brothers and sisters) are your immediate family – and your extended family includes all your relatives – uncles, cousins, great-aunts, etc.You can use a family tree to diagram the relationships among your family members. A person who is related to you by a long series of connections can be called a distant relative.Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/32-english-collocations-for-talking-about-your-family/

These slang words are common in spoken American English, but you probably won’t find them in English textbooks.Why not? Well, some of them are slightly offensive and others are just extremely informal. But they are part of the English language, so here are examples and definitions to help you understand!Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-slang-expressions-your-english-textbook-wont-teach-you/

#1 - get out of hand (v.) = To get out of control.My uncle’s drinking problem got out of hand, and eventually he became an alcoholic.#2 - experience something first-hand (v.) = To experience something yourself.I didn’t realize how hard it was to be a parent until I experienced it first-hand.Click here to learn 16 more expressions! http://www.espressoenglish.net/18-idiomatic-expressions-with-hand/

One of the biggest challenges when learning to speak English is simply knowing how to start your sentences.And if you think too much about it, there will be awkward pauses... or the conversation will just move on without you!That's why it's good to learn "sentence starters" - easy phrases that native speakers use frequently.In today's lesson, you'll learn 36 sentence starters that you can use in everyday spoken English.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-sentence-starters-for-everyday-speaking/

A lot of students get mixed up when it comes to using short answers of agreement, like "So do I" and "Neither do I." In today's lesson, I'll teach you exactly how to use these phrases - both the simple way, and the more complex way in all the verb tenses.Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/so-neither-too-how-to-agree-in-english/

Learn the differences between... - take over / overtake - come over / overcome - look over / overlook - think over / overthink - do over / overdoClick here for the episode text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-confusing-english-words-with-over/

If you work in an English-speaking environment, you might hear these common phrasal verbs used in business situations! draw up get ahead burn out not measure up zero in on lay off pencil in close down run by/past sign off on Click here for the lesson text.

The English word "goal" has a meaning both within and outside sports. In today's lesson, you'll learn 20 common English collocations (combinations of words) with the word GOAL.Click here for the lesson text

"Go" is one of the most common verbs in the English language, and it is also used in plenty of idiomatic expressions in English. You'll learn 10 of them in today's lesson.Click here for the lesson text

In the northern hemisphere, summer is starting - and the weather will be hot. It has inspired me to teach you 15 English words and expressions with "hot." - hotbed, hotshot, and hot spot - full of hot air - a hot-button issue - have the hots for someone...and more!Click here for the lesson text

If you don’t live in an English-speaking country, it can be hard to make progress because you don’t have many opportunities to use English in your regular daily life.What can you do if you’re not surrounded by English?I have some good news:There ARE ways you can make English a regular part of your life, even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country!Here are my top 6 ways to make English part of your everyday life.They don’t require a lot of time, just a few simple changes.Click here for the lesson text