English Across The Pond

Hello again and welcome to Episode 56. This week we’re talking about something close to both of our hearts - animals. We discuss our pets, the common animals that we see in the US and the UK as well as animals that we are not so keen on. Stay tuned until after the conversation as today’s language focus introduces 5 fabulous animal idioms. Enjoy!

Hellooo and welcome to episode … 55! A few weeks ago we asked you to write to us with any questions you may have and lots of you did just that. In this week’s podcast we answer a lot of them and cover topics including how we first met, the different languages we (try to!) speak, British & American accents and travel plans. That’s a lot, right?! We hope you enjoy the episode :)

Hey! Are you good at keeping a secret? This episode is a big secret so don’t tell anyone about it, okay?! :) Just kidding, the episode itself is not a secret, of course, but it is our topic for the this week. Find out about some of Jennifer and Dan’s secrets and whether or not they are good at keeping them. The language focus features lots of useful idioms and phrases connected to this week’s topic, so make sure you keep listening after the chat. Enjoy!

Welcome to episode 53! This week we are talking all about manners - saying please and thank you, for example. You’ll find out what are some important do’s and don’ts in the UK and the USA - perfect if you’re planning to visit either of our 2 English speaking countries :) After the chat, the language focus is a series of comprehension questions so make sure you pay attention throughout. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to us! This is our 52nd episode and so we are celebrating our first birthday this week - yay! We’re chatting about memories; some of our own personal ones as well as looking back at English Across The Pond over the past 12 months. The language focus is all about gerunds and infinitives so make sure you keep listening right until the end. Enjoy!

Our first ever special bonus mid-week episode! Wow! In this brief podcast you will find out about how you, our dear Ponders, can become a part of our show by asking us (your hosts Dan & Jennifer) any questions you may have. Listen to find out more. Enjoy!

This week we are chatting about the wonderful world of … sleep. Find out whether your hosts Jennifer & Dan are getting enough sleep, whether or not they like to have a lie in and even what they dream about! This episode is packed full of useful idioms and expressions related to sleep and they are explained by Dan after the chat. So make sure you stay tuned until the end of the show. Enjoy!

Say hello to episode 50! This week’s topic is something that we all do, just about every day - small talk! You’ll be finding out exactly what small talk is all about as well as learning a couple of techniques you can use to improve your informal chatting skills. In the language focus your hosts run through some examples to help you master the art of this super important area of social interaction. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Hello & welcome to episode 49 which is all about … humour! We are delighted to have a guest with us this week, Luke from Luke’s English podcast, and the 3 of us chat away happily about what makes us laugh. Find out all about stand up comedy and discover our comedy heroes. The language focus this week consists of comprehension questions based on the chat so make sure you pay attention! Happy Listening!

Hello dear English Across The Pond People (Ponders!) and welcome to Episode 48 which is all about … how to study! Not only is this episode extremely useful for your language learning but we also have a guest on our show today; Jaime Miller from English Success Academy. So there are 3 native speakers chatting about their own experiences of studying as well as providing you with their very own language learning tips. We thought it was a really great podcast and we hope you like it toooo!

This week we are chatting all about … art! Find out about the kinds of art we like (not just paintings and pictures) and whether or not we consider ourselves good at it. We’re also asking you to send in your artistic masterpieces so get creative dear listeners! The language focus this week is all about one of the more challenging tenses in English - the present perfect. We’re going to discuss different ways you can think about this tense to help you understand it more clearly so make sure you keep listening right until the end of the podcast. We hope you enjoy the episode :)

This week we’re talking about everybody’s favourite 2 days - the weekend! Find out what Dan & Jennifer get up to on their days off and learn some useful phrases that you can use when you’re chatting about the weekend. The language focus is all about the future - grammar time! We hope you enjoy listening :)

The focus of this week's podcast is … money! Find out what your 2 native speaker hosts, Jennifer & Dan, would do if they were rich and listen to 2 stories; Jen talks about when she had some cash stolen and Dan remembers a time when he won over £300. The language focus spotlight this week is on idioms that are related to our topic - cold, hard cash. Enjoy!

This week is all about food glorious food from around the world - delicious! You’ll discover the strangest things your hosts Jennifer & Dan have ever eaten as well as some of the different dishes they have tasted from around the world. The language focus this week is a listening comprehension so you might want to take a few notes as you listen :) Enjoy!

Are you working too much? Not enough free time? This week we are discussing one of the 21st century’s hot topics - your work-life balance. Find out about how well Dan & Jennifer manage their own day to day routines and a learn a tip for improving your own work-life balance. The language focus this week is a classic - the present simple. Enjoy!

This week is all about stereotypes! First of all, you’ll find out exactly what a stereotype is, why they can be both useful and potentially a little dangerous as well as hearing about some of the main American and English ones. In addition the language focus this week is all about some of the language differences between British and American English. Enjoy!

Are you a shopaholic (someone who loves shopping)?! If so, you’re in for a treat because this week we are talking about our shopping habits, things we both love and hate to shop for and shopping online. Our chat is packed full of the everyday expressions and collocations you need to take your language to the next level. It’s followed by our language focus which focuses on a very natural way to agree with both positive and negative statements. Enjoy!

This week Jennifer and Dan are chatting about TV. They discuss what kinds of TV shows they watch and make some British and American television recommendations, just for you dear listener! As well as the usual abundance of up to date phrases and everyday expressions the language focus this week is all about modal verbs. A blockbuster episode!!

This week we’re talking about a subject close to our hearts - technology! We’re discussing what we love about tech being a big part of our lives as well as some of the disadvantages. Our language focus this week is all about ‘conversation fillers’ - useful phrases you can use when you’re not sure what to say in English. As always, the podcast is packed full of the English you need to take you language skills to the next level. We’re sure you’re going to love it!

Have you ever been stuck on ways to practice speaking? If you need to improve your speaking skills in English, then this is the episode for you! This week Dan and Jennifer answer one of the most common questions they receive from English students, “How can I improve my speaking?” We’ll also give some question examples you can use with a conversation partner, sample answers, and give you the opportunity to connect with other English Across the Pond….Ponders!