Practice these specific sensory adjectives to get better at describing your holiday celebrations in English! Words in this episode:Savoryhaving a salty or rich taste, not sweetcheesepizzasoupFestivefun and happy, like a celebration or holidayChristmas lightsballoonsparty decorationsRusticsimple and natural, often from the countrysidea wooden tablea small country houseclay platesVelvetyvery soft and smootha velvet dresschocolate cake with smooth icinga soft pillowTangya strong, slightly sour tastelemon juiceyogurtorange sauceCrunchyhard and making noise when you eat itpotato chipsapplestoastButterytasting rich and smooth like buttercroissantsmashed potatoes with butterbutter cookiesChewysoft but hard to bite through quicklycaramelsgummy candybagelsWarma little hot or giving comforta cup of teaa sweatersunshineCreamythick, smooth, and softice creamcreamy soupyogurtSpicyhaving a hot or strong tastechili saucecurryspicy noodlesAromatichaving a strong, nice smellcoffeefresh breadherbsLivelyfull of energy and activitya busy marketa partya classroom gameEarthysmelling or tasting like nature or the groundmushroomspotatoessoil after rainTendersoft and easy to cut or bitecooked chickensteak cooked wellsoft breadNostalgicmaking you think about happy times in the pastold photoschildhood songstoys from when you were youngCozywarm, comfortable, and relaxinga blanketa small caféa sofa
This is a meditation from Alan Watts' 1969 album, "Why Not Now: Dhyana, The Art of Meditation"
I answer your questions about how to order a coffee, how to get better at speaking and listening to fast speech, and how to form mixed conditionals.
In this class we talk about when things going wrong can turn into opportunities!
The class includes plenty of phrases like "look on the bright side", "rejection can be redirection" and "hindsight is 20/20".
We also have a lot of practice with the connectors of concession, despite/ although/ even though.
You can check out my website at charmenglish.cl
In this episode I tell you everything you need to know to have a proper uncerstanding of the context of this US holiday. We unpack Thanksgiving: history, traditions, and perspectives often left out. I discuss the common Thanksgiving origin story that you might have been told or seen on TV. I trace the real historical origins to modern celebrations, including Friendsgiving, the turkey pardon, Black Friday’s origin, and Indigenous perspectives that challenge popular myths.
Further reading & sources• History.com — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-thanksgiving• Encyclopaedia Britannica — “Thanksgiving Day”https://www.britannica.com/topic/Thanksgiving-Day• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian — “Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving”https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving• Delish — “The Dark Truth Behind the Origins of Thanksgiving”https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/a33984895/native-american-thanksgiving-holiday/• Boston University — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/history-of-thanksgivingVideos & episodes to watch / listen• One Mic History — How Black Americans Made Thanksgiving Our Own (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZr87VyUTaY&t=1s• Podcast — Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies? (Spotify)https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ejgX3JZnaJTNZmxKQ1T7y?si=f19f7e39fc584133
Group classes at www.charmenglish.cl
In this episode, we talk about how water shapes our daily lives, from water consumption habits to global challenges like droughts and floods.. We talk about potable water and contaminated water.
Most of the class focuses on common English idioms related to water, like to be a fish out of water or "sink or swim".
Key Takeaways
A reminder that “water” is an uncountable noun in English—and why that matters
How water-related idioms enrich English communication
Essential water terminology for clearer, more accurate discussions
Cultural differences in attitudes toward water availability and quality
Sign up for classes here: charmenglish.cl
In this episode, we dive into how to use the prepositions at, in, and on inside common English idioms. I walk you through practical examples, song references, and clear explanations so you can understand these expressions and use them confidently in real conversations. Perfect for learners who want to sound more natural and fluent.
You'll learn:
How at / in / on function inside idiomatic expressions
Idioms for timing, like in the long run and at the 11th hour
Key phrases:
In the long run → future outcomes
At the 11th hour → last minute
In no time → very quickly
In the blink of an eye → extremely fast
On cloud nine → very happy
At your wits’ end → very frustrated
On fire → performing extremely well
On edge → anxious or tense
In hot water → in trouble
At risk → possible danger
In this episode, I announce the winners of our Spooky Story Contest and read the top three horror stories written by English learners! Each story brings something special — suspense, emotion, and creativity — and we explore what makes them so engaging.In this episode I read: the runner-up “The Mystery Story" by Akko, the chilling second-place entry, "My first night by myself at home" by Joao, and the haunting winner “Always Here For You” by Almir. After each reading we break down what we liked about the stories: language choices, pacing, and ways to build fear and emotional impact.
✨ Takeaways:
Creativity and originality make stories memorable.
Listening helps you learn vocabulary in context.
Analyzing stories deepens your understanding of how language works.
Keywords: spooky stories, storytelling, creative writing, writing contest, horror stories, English listening practice, story analysis, narrative techniques, vocabulary in context, engaging stories.
In this episode we unpack how phrasal verbs turn into compound nouns. You will hear clear examples like takeover, breakdown, check-in, follow-up, and meetup, plus easy spelling tips and simple pronunciation rules to help your English sound more natural. Whether you use English at work, in social situations, or when making decisions, these words are everywhere. Listen for practice ideas you can try right away to lock this grammar into your speaking and writing.
What you will learn• How compound nouns form from phrasal verbs• Verb versus noun use, with easy examples• Spelling patterns and why some words change from two words to one word• Pronunciation and stress tips for natural sound• Plenty of examples to practice and remember these forms
Sign up for a class at charmenglish.cl
In this episode I break down one of the trickiest parts of English grammar: verbs that take gerunds vs infinitives. We cover common patterns, mental-process verbs (think, imagine, recall), verbs of intention (intend, plan), and verbs that accept both forms with little change in meaning. Expect real-life examples, practical chunks you can use in conversation, and teaching tips for ESL learners (B2–C1). Whether you’re preparing for interviews, improving fluency, or teaching English, this episode gives bite-sized rules and plenty of practice ideas to make gerunds and infinitives stick.
Key takeaways
Some verbs require gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid) — often for likes/dislikes or ongoing actions.
Some verbs require infinitives (e.g., intend, decide) — often for intentions/decisions.
A small group of verbs can take both gerund and infinitive with little or no change in meaning (e.g., start, begin, continue).
Context and meaning decide which form to use — practise with categorised lists and speaking drills.
Use real-life examples and mixing activities to make the forms feel natural.
Practice suggestions
Make a 2-minute recording using 5 gerund phrases (I enjoy…, I’m used to…, I avoid…).
Role-play intentions: use infinitives for decisions (I intend to…, I plan to…, I decided to…).
Sorting activity: create two columns (gerund / infinitive) and sort verbs from the episode.
Conversation prompt: “What’s something you pretend to do? What’s something you intend to start?”
To watch on YouTube go to: https://youtu.be/TnxcbEHsdos
I chat with my sister Stacey about what it is really like to work in animal control. Stacey shares field stories, the kinds of calls she gets, and the choices officers make when balancing animal welfare and community needs. Along the way we focus on language that learners can use in real life. You will hear natural vocabulary and phrases, pronunciation practice of animal names, and clear explanations of animal behavior that help with safety and pet care. This is a great fast-paced conversation to learn plenty of vocabulary because we don't just use technical words, we also use a lot of conversational phrases and phrasal verbs (clutter up, on the books, etc.)
What learners will get from this episodePractice listening to everyday conversation about animals and jobsVocabulary and pronunciation examples for animal names and common phrasesStories about animals and animal controlPractical pet tips like microchipping and reading body language
In this live Q&A I answer student questions about casual speaking, speaking and learning tips, verb tenses (past perfect and the past participle,) causative verbs, pronunciation difficulties, and small language nuances like the difference between “shade” and “shadow.” I give many examples, correction tips, and practice suggestions you can use right away. Suitable for B1–B2 learners who want practical speaking practice and clearer grammar use.Some takeaways:-Use adverbs at the start of sentences to sound more natural.-Phrasal verbs are essential for conversational fluency.-Use past perfect to show event order/background.-Causative verbs (make/have/get) show actions done by others.-Cultural context improves comprehension and use.-Practice vowel sounds with rhymes and minimal pairs.-Balance communicative speaking with targeted grammar practice.-Solo speaking practice also builds fluency and confidence.
Remember you can watch on youtube at @charmenglishmaggie and you can sign up for a class at www.charmenglish.cl
In this episode, I explore sayings and life mottos that we live by. We dig into procrastination, motivation, and how social media shapes our views of other people’s lives. Along the way I share language tips for learners, cultural expressions you can use today, and simple mindset shifts that make action easier.
What you’ll get from this episode
Life mottos that can guide you and your lifestyle
Idioms that express motivation, acceptance and resilience.
Reflections on beating procrastination and not comparing yourself to others on social media
Language learning + communication tips for speaking English
Chapters (highlights) — jump in at the time that fits you
00:00 Intro • 02:14 Personal life mottos • 16:15 Honesty & communication • 23:06 No pain, no gain • 25:14 Social media comparisons • 27:07 Idioms & cultural expressions • 31:28 Language tips for interviews • 36:58 Final reflections
Love the episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share a life motto that guides you
In this episode, I break down how to use modals of possibility like may, might, and could in real-life English conversations. We also talk about phrasal verbs and idioms that help you sound more fluent and express uncertainty naturally — phrases like turn out, end up, and up in the air.
If you’re trying to speak English with more confidence, this lesson will help you understand how to talk about odds, likelihood, and future possibilities in a clear and natural way. It’s a great mix of grammar, pronunciation, and conversation practice, so you can use what you learn right away.
What you’ll learn:• How to use may, might, and could to express uncertainty• Common idioms and phrasal verbs for talking about results• Ways to describe odds and possibilities in everyday English• Tips to improve fluency and communication skills
Perfect for learners who want to build stronger English communication skills and sound more natural when they speak.
Sign up for English classes at charmenglish.cl
We talk about so much everyday health vocabulary, from sneezing and tissues and Kleenex, to symptoms, to phrasal verbs like pass out versus pass away.
This is a great episode for anyone wanting to work on their listening skills and useful vocabulary!
In this episode I sit down with Emily, my sister!
We talk about different varieties and dialects of English like AAVE, Scottish vs US English, and Polari. She also shares her experiences moving to Scotland and studying a Master's in teaching English. We talk about her experiences learning several languages and what's worked for her. This is a fast-paced episode with so much great info!
If you'd like to have an English class with Emily, you can sign up at www.charmenglish.cl
Dialects and varieties of English that we mention:
AAVE (African American Vernacular English) is a variety of English traditionally spoken by many African Americans. It has its own consistent grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, and is recognized as a legitimate dialect of English rather than “incorrect” English. To learn more, check out https://www.thoughtco.com/african-american-vernacular-english-aave-1689045 and the YouTube channel What's Good English https://youtu.be/Hw25n4Ehs4o?si=eqnYPAskO1aaqmnF and the work of linguists like Dr. Lisa Green
Polari is a secretive, informal language or slang historically used in Britain, especially by gay men, actors, and sailors, to communicate discreetly. It mixes elements from Italian, English, Romani, Yiddish, and slang. Read more in the work of Paul Baker https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/polari-and-hidden-history-of-gay-seafarers
Scots is a West Germanic language variety that developed from Early Middle English and is spoken in Scotland. It’s closely related to English but has its own distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Scottish Gaelic (or Gaelic) is a Celtic language spoken in parts of Scotland. It has its own grammar and vocabulary, distinct from English and Scots, and is part of the same language family as Irish and Manx.
In this episode, we take a closer look at the word “as” and all the different ways it’s used in everyday English. You’ll hear common phrases like as soon as possible, as opposed to, as for, as far as, and more. We’ll also go over how “as” works in equative comparisons (I’m as tall as him), to show reason (As it was raining, we stayed inside), and as a time marker (I was looking outside as the bird flew by).
We’ll go over plenty of examples you can use right away in conversation—like as long as you finish your work first, as much as I’d love to go, or as if that were true. By the end, you’ll see just how versatile this small word can be and feel more confident using it in different contexts.
Looking for conversational English classes? There are spots in my B1 and B2 group classes online at www.charmenglish.cl :)
In this class we have so many tongue twisters and other tips and tricks for you to practice your pronunciation!
I show different vibrating sounds like S versus Z, TH, and B versus V.
We also talk about the flap T, which is when a T between two vowels sounds more like a D, and the US English R sound.
Listen and say the tongue twisters along with me!
This episode is all about spicing up your English with some kitchen and cooking vocab. We’re talking all the action words you need—slice, chop, mince, blend—so you can be more specific when telling people about foods from your country. Plus, we’ll hit the cooking methods: grill it, boil it, roast it, you name it.
Then we’ll put it all into practice, walking through how to make dishes step-by-step so you can actually use the words instead of just… knowing them.
If you’re a foodie, a home chef, or just someone who wants to talk about food without awkward pauses, this episode’s gonna give you the vocab to make your English chef’s kiss
In this very special interview episode, I sit down with Will, a fellow ESL teacher and online content creator from Venezuela, living in Colombia.
We talk about his own journey learning English and eventually becoming a teacher, and he shares what worked for him.
Along the way, we also dive into the challenges of mastering English, hear about his hobbies, and even sing a little bit, as to be expected at this point on Charm English Pod, heheh ;)
Whether you’re learning English or teaching it, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and insight in this conversation with Will!
Follow Will on instagram https://www.instagram.com/english_with.will/
and on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@english.with.will
And follow me on instagram
https://www.instagram.com/charmenglishcl/
and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@charmenglishmaggie