SLANG--SHOULD I USE IT? One of the things that makes learning another language fun and such a rewarding adventure is the connections you make with people. Human beings are social creatures, and the quickest way to build a connection with people is to REALLY learn their language. Regional speech is a part of that experience. The other day, one of my students called me "Bro." I'm not sure where he picked that up, but I liked it because it showed me that he's not just learning English as an academic exercise, but because he wants to be able to connect- he wants to be a part of our world. But here's the caveat: There are certain subtleties that go along with slang expressions--there is often a fine line between being funny and "one of the guys" and being crass or offensive. If a same-age friend of yours makes a dumb mistake and is laughing at himself, saying something like, "That's some elite goofballing, right there!" will come off as laughing with him, whereas saying "you goofball!" is probably going to be offensive. It takes time to develop sensitivity to those nuances. Also, some expressions may be associated with a certain part of the speech community that you don't want to be associated with. You may think you're being trendy and "native sounding" when you're using expressions associated with drug culture, prison slang, etc. So what's the verdict? ASK! When you get to the level where this is becoming a consideration, that's the perfect time to ask your tutor, "Can I use this expression--and if so, when it is appropriate?" Any native speaker of English should be able to answer that question, so you can safely enjoy your ability to use regional English while avoiding being offensive or creating a wrong impression.

Are both sentences OK? (something to eat or drink) Can I have one more of the same, please? Can I have another one of the same, please?

I was stressed out because of my job. Some students got bad marks but I couldn't figure out the reasons. I lost self confidence for a while and douted my own ability. At last today, I felt more comfortable with the situaton even though I haven't found the thorough solution yet. I just found some keys to solve it temporarily first and I believe I can do it well somehow. Thank myself for not giving up easily.

I recently had a very special experience because I attended my Coming of Age Ceremony, which is an important event in Japan that celebrates turning twenty years old. On that day, I wore a beautiful furisode, which is a traditional Japanese kimono with long sleeves. It was colorful, elegant, and very meaningful, because wearing a furisode symbolizes that a person has become an adult. Many people told me that I looked wonderful, and hearing so many kind words made me feel extremely happy and grateful. I realized how much support and encouragement I receive from others, and that made the day even more memorable. During the ceremony, I felt proud and excited to be entering a new stage of life. It was not only about celebrating age, but also about recognizing responsibility, independence, and dreams for the future. After the ceremony ended, I went to a reunion with my old classmates from junior high school. We had not all been together for a long time, so it was amazing to see familiar faces again. We ate delicious food, talked about our memories, and played bingo together. Everyone was laughing, and the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Later in the evening, we continued talking for hours, even until late at night. We shared stories about our lives, our goals, and how much we have changed since middle school. Even though time has passed, the friendships still felt strong. I was reminded of how important these connections are. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am very thankful that I was able to create such precious memories.

English students try this!

Every weekends, I have part time job at family restaurant. Sometimes customers speaking English or other languages come. Most of them try to ask me in English, and I can understand what they say. But answering is so difficult for me because of my English serving skill. So, I'd be happy if you teach me expressions and phrases I can use in my part time job! Examples... 🧁I want to take back plates finished eating. 🧁Before drinking, I want to confirm about driving. 🧁I want to alert a hot plate. 🧁When I have mistake Other expressions, greetings, vocabularies...pleas teach me!

What they say vs. What they mean: "Back Burner" 🍳

Being able to talk on a wide variety of topics is really helpful for getting a higher mark on the IELTS test. In this podcast I will help you to form opinions and ideas for Speaking Part 3 and Writing Part 2. You can also book a private lesson with me on my profile. Hope to see you in a lesson soon!