Go Natural English Podcast | How To Speak Fluent English

Before undertaking any task or project, it is best to lay out your plan of attack. If you are building something out of wood, a popular saying is “measure twice and cut once.” Why? Because it is best to err on the side of caution and make sure the plan and measurements are right before actually cutting any materials.   Learning a language is no different. In this first step to American English fluency Gabby talks about planning and determining what your goal is. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn English, be sure that you study the proper way. This means focusing your attention on the type of English you want to use. Different trades require different vocabularies, some very technical and scientific or medical.   Go Natural English is a great place to learn and practice your English skills. Gabby teaches you how to speak conversationally and smoothly so that you are well understood. Go Natural English also provides a great forum for finding other learners with similar skill levels to your own.   https:

Listen up! I want to tell you about an exciting offer that Gabby is making for the Go Natural English community to help build confidence and English fluency. In the coming weeks there will be a series of YouTube videos released regarding steps to fluency in listening and speaking.   You will not want to miss this if you are serious about improving your American English language skills. Go natural English is dedicated to teaching you how American English is actually spoken, not just the rules of grammar that so many courses teach.   Be sure to visit gonaturalenglish.com to find out about all of the resources and support available to you regarding the learning of American English. This is a great opportunity to share your adventures with other English language learners. Stop by and leave a comment, or ask a question. Just remember, there are many people out there in the same boat as you who want to be able to communicate in English to improve their fluency. Don’t be afraid to make contact with them.   https://w

Learning English is not easy, but can be both fun and challenging. You must have heard people talk of their own experiences and struggles trying to become fluent in English. There are so many little words and phrases that can either make you sound more natural, or less natural, depending on how you use them. Everybody wants to sound like a native speaker and that takes effort and perseverance.   In these American English language tips Gabby provides hints and suggestions on how to sound less stiff and more native-like. If you want to achieve success at American English fluency, you have to listen to as much American English as you can, whether it be music, radio, or television programs. You should also take advantage of all the resources that Gabby makes available to you.   Make sure you visit gonaturalenglish.com and get a free eBook guide and don’t be afraid to join some of the many English language conversations that are going on. Almost everybody there has been nervous at one time or another about being e

Are you being faithful and persistent in your English-learning journey? Have you been pushing yourself to listen and hear as much spoken English as you possibly can? Learning English is hard enough but mastering it takes an extra effort. The good news is you can do it. Don’t give up!   It takes a bit of work to understand tenses in English because English is such a descriptive language. In Gabby’s English tips such as this one, she explains how to have a better understanding of the grammar and usage of all the parts of speech in American English. We have been working hard to provide excellent materials and support to assist you on your quest to learn English.   To have a full understanding of English you should read and listen to native English speakers. This will allow you to better grasp sentence structure and the flow of the words. Remember also, the premium Go Natural English course provides many more resources to help you. Get involved in the conversations and practice speaking English as often as you ca

When was the last time you did a good deed for someone, or maybe somebody performed a good deed for you? Can you remember what it was? Do you recall where it was? Well, it just might be time that you try again. In this episode Gabby brings up the idea of doing a good deed for someone using English language skills.   As travelers in foreign lands we could all use help once in a while, whether it’s about the signs that are not in English, or the restaurants where the menus are not in English. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were in a strange city, and somebody noticed that you looked lost, and then offered to help you find your way again – in English?   Tips like this are useful and can be found at gonaturalenglish.com, along with other resources materials and support. Be sure to take advantage of all that Gabby and the Go Natural English community have to offer.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGGc2UjTEZU   Episode transcript below:   Hey there! How’s it going? Welcome to Go Natural English. Are you ready to get

Have you ever had to put off doing something you really wanted to do because of circumstances beyond your control? That seems to happen all the time when your life becomes very busy from everything going on around you.   In this episode, Gabby provides a great tip about three ways that the phrasal verb “To Put Off” can be used in American English. This is one of those phrasal verbs that is versatile enough to be be used in different ways depending on the circumstances. You should try to make use of this in your English conversations. It will make you sound more conversational and fluent in English, and will be readily understood by native English speakers.   Go Natural English is a wonderful site for learning useful and colorful English tips such as this one. Visit gonaturalenglish.com often to learn new phrases that will increase your fluency and enable you to express yourself more naturally in conversational English.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTxU_27SJG0   Episode transcript below:   Hey, what’s up?

If you would rather improve your English language fluency the easy way rather than fight a continuous battle learning grammar, then Go Natural English is the place for you. At gonaturalenglish.com, your American English teacher, Gabby, provides great tips and advice like this on how to learn English better and faster.   Even though the words THEN and THAN can sometimes sound similar, they are very different in meaning and you must learn to use them appropriately if you want to be understood when you speak English. Usually you would use the word THEN when you have one event following another in time. For example, you might say, “I get off work at 5:00 PM and then go bowling with my friends at 6:00 PM.” On the other hand, THAN is used for comparison. For example, “I would much rather eat pizza than tacos.”   English is a fun language to learn and use but you must constantly put yourself in situations where you are forced to use it. Read, write, and speak as much, and as often as you can. You will be surprised a

Have you ever had a teacher say to you, “Put the book down and listen to me?” While books are good and necessary for learning, there comes a time when exposure to the conversational tone of the language is absolutely necessary. Even though English is spoken in countries around the world, different countries and even different regions within countries tend to have a variety of accents and phrases that may not always make sense outside of their respective communities.   Traditionally we have been taught that learning rigid grammar rules (along with their exceptions) is the proper way to learn a language. In this episode Gabby explains that maybe a better way to learn is to actually listen to people speak, and pay attention to how they use certain words and phrases. Once you hear the spoken word, it might be easier to study the grammatical structures behind the words and their meanings.   If you want to learn English faster and better while improving your conversational skills, visit gonaturalenglish.com and use

Are you fortunate enough to be able to pick up foreign languages? Not everybody is, so, consider yourself lucky if you are. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is to try and provide a literal word-for-word translation. If you’ve ever watched a foreign film with English subtitles, you have probably had a good laugh at some of the translations. In fact, I’d bet on it.   When it comes to learning a new language, it takes time, but you have to get to the point where you are not translating in your head from one language to another. You get to that point where you simply understand what is being said without the intermediate translation. This is what you should be striving for in your quest for mastery of the English language.   In this English tip, Gabby explains that process and the reason why it is so important. Don’t get frustrated and give up. Push yourself to improve your English comprehension. Visit gonaturalenglish.com for more tips and support.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9TyrwW3-Qc   Epis

Have you ever had to interview for a job where you were asked to talk about yourself? Many people find this awkward because they are uncomfortable boasting about themselves. The key is to be able to speak confidently about your abilities and how you can contribute value to the new company, without making claims that are not quite true.   You don’t want to exaggerate your skills but you do want to explain them strongly and accurately. Most people undersell themselves because they feel that their accomplishments are not that impressive. If you really want the new job, you have to be able to impress your new boss with the projects and contributions that you can successfully complete, thereby adding value to the new company.   In this English language tip Gabby discusses that very issue and provides useful advice on how to handle those types of situations. For further advice and support, be sure to visit gonaturalenglish.com and think about subscribing to the premium course to improve your English language fluenc

Guess what? This is your lucky day. In this English tip Gabby explains how to handle a conversation when somebody says, “Guess what?” This is one of those English sayings that can be either an exclamation or a question.   When you hear “Guess what?” what is your first thought? Do you wonder what you’re supposed to say because you really have no idea what the context is, and so your answers could be many and varied. Some people might just throw out random answers like “42” or “the sky is falling.” Of course, the person saying “Guess what” is eager for you to respond with “What?” because they can’t wait to tell you the news they have. Often the conversation goes something like “Guess what?” “What?” I passed the driving test and got my license.”   English tips like this will help you to understand native English speakers when they use phrases that should not be taken literally. When people say “Guess what?” they are not really expecting you to guess anything – just to ask “what?” Be sure to visit gonaturalenglis

When I read a book, or watch podcasts on my computer, I want to be cozy.  What I mean by that is I want to be snugly warm and comfortable. Most of the time when you hear the word “cozy”, it will have a positive, encouraging meaning.   There are times when you should be just a little bit cautious when you hear that word. In this English tip, Gabby offers advice on what is really being said when the word “cozy” is used. A great example is when you are hunting for an apartment of condominium. The description might read, “Cozy studio apartment that is move-in ready.” Specifically when searching for apartments, houses, or condos, the word “cozy” can mean that the place is warm and inviting, but it can be small.   This is just one area where a positive word can have a slightly less-than-positive meaning. Grasping the idioms and slang usage of English words and phrases can greatly enhance your ability to deal with situations in English-speaking countries. Do not be afraid of idiomatic language usage – embrace it, an

What is the hardest thing about making new friends? Is it the culture? Is it the language barrier? Is it the fear of making a mistake and appearing foolish? The hardest thing is often that first step and taking a chance. In my experience traveling around the world, most people are feeling the same as you. They want to meet you, and speak with you, because they want to learn about other cultures and countries and they also want to practice their language skills.   The next time you have the opportunity to meet a new individual, and a potential new friend, don’t be afraid to make the first move and say, “Hello, my name is _______, how are you today?” You might be surprised at how ready people are to engage in conversation and meet new people as well.   While on your English language journey, be sure to visit gonaturalenglish.com and grab your free eBook, introduce yourself to your American English teacher, Gabby, and strike up a conversation.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7E1VqhSkxg   Episode transcript be

Speaking on the telephone or on Skype in a foreign language has to be one of the most terrifying things you can do. Speaking to someone who keeps quiet and does not say anything makes you feel even unsure of yourself. You begin to wonder if you’ve said something wrong, or are not being understood.   If a non-native English speaker is speaking with you in English, try to make them feel at ease. Give them positive feedback as they speak (without interrupting them). You should use comments such as “yes, I see” or “I know what you mean”, or even just “uh huh” to let them know that you are listening and understanding what they are saying to you. It makes the conversation flow better, and makes both of you feel better.   Tips like this one can be found at gonaturalenglish.com where you can also learn how to improve your English language grammar and spelling skills as well as speaking and listening. Gabby Wallace is there to support you along your English language journey.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwcPOSHuD

As you have probably discovered, unlike many languages where the letters or sounds are pronounced as they are written, English is not like that. So often, English letters, sounds, and words are not pronounced as you would think they would be. In this tip, Gabby explains how the “T” sound can be made in different ways, especially in American English. Sometimes it is pronounced as a “D” as in the word “city” but in other examples it is pronounced as a “ch” sound. We see this in words like “nature” and Adventure.” It is extremely important in English to learn how these words are pronounced because if you merely read them as they appear, it might not be understandable to a native English speaker. Go Natural English is a really great tool for learning to speak and understand American English in a natural way. Unlike the way languages are taught in textbooks, most people speak using a lot of idioms and phrases that cannot be translated literally. They just will not make sense. Immerse yourself in the English langua

Have you ever wondered what somebody meant when they said to you, “I must be losing my mind?” You probably thought that is impossible because while a brain is a real thing, a mind is not. This is one of those rich idioms that adds flavor and color to the English language.   As Gabby and Rob explain in this English episode, the expression is normally used after someone seems to have forgotten something they had just done or seen. Most commonly it is heard when someone can’t find their keys, as they’re trying to run out the door. They will say, “I must be losing my mind, I was just holding my keys and only put them down for a second. Where did I put them?” Gabby and Rob explain that it is a similar phrase to “I must be going crazy.”   If you want to sound more native-like and fluent in English, be sure to add colorful phrases like this to your conversation, but make sure you are using them correctly. More tips and advice like this can be found at gonaturalenglish.com where your American English teacher, Gabby W

If you know of Go Natural English, then you are undoubtedly familiar with your American English teacher, Gabby Wallace. Knowing of something or somebody means that you are familiar with a certain place, object, or person.   You could hear phrases like, “I know of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt although I’ve never personally been there, but I have ready many books about it.”  You might also hear someone say, “I know of your theories, but I’ve never actually put them into practice.”   English is a great language to use when communicating because it is rich with expressive idioms and phrases. Don’t forget to take every opportunity to visit gonaturalenglish.com for helpful tips and ideas on how to improve your English conversational skills. Be sure to check out the premium course for more advanced support and practice with English.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNKox_1r5fs   Episode transcript below:   Hey there! What’s up? How are you doing, lovely English learner? I want to share an awesome English tip wi

How did you get to know about Go Natural English? No matter how you learned of it, it is a great place to improve your English language fluency. “Got to know” is one of those phrases that does not necessarily translate word-for-word but is often used to express how someone learned of something or somebody.   You will often hear people say, “I got to know about the American sport of baseball when I was living in the United States.” You could hear phrases such as, “I got to know Kenji very well while living and studying in Osaka, Japan.” “Got to know” is such a versatile phrase and one that you should try to use in conversational English.   Tips like this can be found at gonaturalenglish.com where Gabby Wallace provides many opportunities to learn English tips and improve your language fluency. Visit gonaturalenglish.com and pick up your free eBook just for visiting the site.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJxZNOHRfl4   Episode transcript below:   Hey! What’s up? Welcome to Go Natural English. I have a quick

As you probably already realize, English can be a difficult language to spell and pronounce sometimes. Don’t worry! Even native American English speakers sometimes have trouble understanding other Americans from different parts of the United States.   In this English tip Gabby provides a few helpful hints to remember when you are trying to understand what people are saying, and also so that you will be able to pronounce them correctly so that you can be easily understood. There are few things as frustrating as asking somebody to repeat what they said, over and over again. It’s the same is somebody has to keep asking you to repeat what you said until they can understand you.   Remember! Try to speak and listen to as much English as you can. This will sharpen your English language skills and make you a better speaker. Don’t forget to visit gonaturalenglish.com for more tips, and also to get a copy of Gabby’s free eBook. You will be so happy that you visited the website.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEbgQh

Have you already mastered the plural “s” sound in the English language? If not, you will want to watch this English tip from Gabby at Go Natural English. If you have had trouble understanding this concept, don’t worry, you are not alone. There are a number of English learners that had experienced trouble with the plural “s.”   Gabby explains that sometimes you can tell immediately from the context of the conversation that you need a plural “s.” Sometimes you just have to listen and train your hears to hear the sounds. She also mentioned that the plural “s” can sometimes sound like a “z” and sometimes like an “s”. As you listen to more and more English conversations, you will be able to distinguish the difference sounds.   Gabby’s tips are designed to help you, the non-native English learner, improve your fluency and comprehension. For more tips and support, visit gonaturalenglish.com and pick up a free eBook just for visiting. While there, be sure to check out the premium Go Natural English course for more co