How friendly are you with your neighbors?

Listen to how I answer this particular question, and get some short English explanations about some vocabulary and expressions I use in my answer.  Try to answer the questions in the vocabulary examples using the new vocabulary and expressions.

Speak English With Muki

Episode 5: Your Neighbors

NATASHA: What time is it? We’re going to be late!
TONY: It’s a quarter after seven. We’re on time. Don’t panic.
NATASHA: But I thought we had to be at the restaurant by 7:30 for 
the surprise party. We’ll never make it there with all this 
evening traffic.
TONY: Sure we will. Rush hour is almost over. Anyway, the party 
starts at 8:00. But I do need help with directions. Can you 
call the restaurant and ask them where we park our car?




LANGUAGE NOTES
• It’s a quarter after seven. This phrase is one of the most common ways of stating 
this time. It means: “It’s 15 minutes past 7:00.” Another possibility here is to simply 
say: “It’s seven fifteen.” In general you can say: “It’s a quarter past the hour.” How do 
we know the time of day? Look for context clues: “evening traffic.”
• In the dialog, Natasha and Tony are going to a surprise party. They need to be on time. 
Therefore there is an element of stress and urgency. When someone is stressed for 
time you can use expressions like: Don’t worry. / Don’t stress. / We’re fine. / We will 
be on time.
• Natasha thinks the surprise party begins at 7:30. There are two different ways to 
express this time. You may say simply “seven thirty” or “half past seven.”
• Rush hour is the time of day—usually in the morning and evening—when traffic is 
heavy because of people commuting to and from their workplace by bus, by car, by 
subway, on foot, etc.

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 5: Ask about the time

Welcome to the first episode of the English Fluency Podcast with Business Coach James. This introductory episode will help you improve your speaking, grow your vocabulary, and build confidence in real situations at work and in everyday life.

In this podcast, you will learn practical Business English, natural conversation skills, clear pronunciation techniques, and useful communication strategies for global professional settings. Each episode includes easy examples, helpful vocabulary, and simple tips you can use immediately.

New episodes are published every Tuesday. Follow this channel on italki to receive updates and continue your English learning journey. To practice more, visit my profile to explore one-on-one lessons and group classes.

English Fluency Podcast with Business Coach James

Welcome to the English Fluency Podcast – Improve Speaking, Vocabulary, and Business English

There are few things you can do to 'start' impressing the interviewer.

Check the short recording and utilite it in your next interview!

if you want my 1:1 mentorship in preparing you for your next job interview - send me your request.



Job Interview Preparation for Women Executives | Build CEO-Level Presence Under Pressure

How to impress the interviewer?

The IELTS speaking test is a crucial part of the exam, as it assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English. To prepare for this test, there are several key strategies you can use to improve your performance.

IELTS Speaking Practice

How to prepare for your IELTS speaking test

【结语】
我们为什么要出走，有时是想逃逸，有时是想恋爱，有时是怀念诗意。
无论如何，总有一个理由让我们想要暂时离开熟悉的人和环境，去让自己放一下空。
那么，放下当前的平凡，试着投入和体验另一种平凡。
平凡处，亦是闪光处。

【今日话题】
在生活中，你是否经常去旅行，或者想要去旅行呢，又是什么驱使你想要踏上旅程呢？

Ruby's  Reading club of  Chinese

优雅是种力量（八）平凡，才是人生唯一的答案

In this episode, let’s explore how to express “sort of” and “kind of” in Chinese! You’ll learn how native speakers use phrases like “有点儿”, “算是” in everyday conversations to express uncertainty, hesitation, or just a bit of something......These small words can make your Chinese sound much more natural — kind of like a native!

Learn Chinese and Have Fun!

How to Say “Sort of” or “Kind of” in Chinese?

Psychological Training for Language Learners (IELTS, Job Interviews, Confidence Building).

I started this recording with IELTS learners; however, it's something that ALL language learners CAN benefit from NOW.

It is something that isn't talked about by English teachers (very few teachers do), the psychological aspects of success behind IELTS speaking, job interview successes, and confident communication in English or other languages.

It is something about your head—how you think, feel, see, and hear; therefore, how you interpret reality—that is the key, the essential ingredient for a language learner's success and life overall.

Please allow me to guide you along the process of softening towards your goals (sometimes people are too strict and too intense about it).

My voice is gentle and deep, which will help you relax and feel at ease.

Enjoy the journey and have fun.

If you'll resonate with some of my ideas and you'll feel compelled to book my class, do so; no hesitation is needed; you are in safe hands with me.

Be well and feeeeel good now...

IELTS-SPEAKING 8-9 BAND IS POSSIBLE. DAILY SPEAKING PRACTICE PART 1,2 & 3. Listen daily.

Psychological Training For Language Learners (IELTS, Job Interviews, Confidence Building).

こんばんは！Atsushiです。
みなさん、元気ですか？

今日は、札幌の紅葉について話します。
Podcast#110でも話しましたが、今回は11/8に実際に行って見てきましたので、その話をします。

昨日は札幌の北海道大学のイチョウ並木を見に行きました。
別にポプラ並木もあるみたいです。
これは、1903年に行われた小規模な植林が始まりです。
結構前からあるんですね。もう100年以上前です。
そして、2004年の台風では、半数近くのポプラが倒れたようです。それでも、たくさんの方の支援を受けたそうです。

イチョウ並木の方に話を戻します。
道の両側に真っ黄色のイチョウが立ち並び、
鮮やかに彩っていました。
とてもきれいでした。
写真を撮っている人がいたり、イチョウをながめながら歩く人もいたり。もちろん、大学生が帰っていたり。
大学の中にありますが、一般の人でも入ることができます。

まっすぐな道沿いに大きなイチョウが70本ほどあるので、いつの時期に行っても、楽しめると思います。

ということで、今回は北海道大学のイチョウ並木について話しました。

最後まで聞いていただき、ありがとうございます！
ではまた！
