Get our free IELTS video training now Do you think it’s important to obsess over something to become successful at it? Another way to say it is ” to have tunnel vision.” Another word for obsession could be “focus” but it has more of a positive connotation. When we get really focused we have to be careful of burnout. We could get exhausted. When it comes to learning English you should chunk down the learning into bite-sized pieces and be sure that you are learning in a way that is fun for you. Come back to our site to leave a comment and have a conversation with us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you know how to leave a great voicemail in English? Today you’ll get the 5 steps that you need to follow to leave a great voicemail. Listen to the sample role plays in today’s episode to hear what your message should sound like. Here are the steps: 1) Greeting: “Hi it’s Lindsay” or “Hey it’s Michelle” 2) Why are you calling: “I just wanted to talk with you about tomorrow’s meeting” or “I’m calling to catch up.” 3) What they should do next: “Would you get back to me when you can” or “Give me a call whenever you’re free” 4) Your phone number: “My number is 359-284-9856″ or “You can reach me at 617-593-0952 5) Say goodbye: “Hope you’re having a good day” or “Take care” or “Have a great one” Here are a few other tips: 1) Make sure they know how to get back to you 2) Don't ramble, don't go on and on, don't leave a long message, make it concise and tight and to the point 3) Do leave a message- don't call and hang up, it's better to leave a message with some grammar mistakes than it is to not leave a message and not connect with the person Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Get our free IELTS video training! Do you know how to naturally talk about what you want in English? Native speakers use the verb “to want” in the past tense when we are making a request in the present tense. For example, you might call a colleague and say ” I wanted to confirm our lunch appointment for today.” This makes the message a bit more polite and more indirect. We think it’s also used more commonly for women. Come back to our site for more information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING NOW What makes you come alive? To “come alive” means to become energized and excited about something. Here is the question: “Each day wake up and ask yourself, what will make you feel most alive that day.” What makes you feel happier? What makes you feel smaller or less alive? We all owe it to ourselves to think about this every day. Come back to our website for more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING NOW Are you living in the US? Have you avoided setting up your voicemail in English because you aren’t sure what to say? Today we’ll show you exactly how to set it up and what to say. If you don’t have your voicemail set up and you get a business call, most likely the person will not try to call back again so you will miss an opportunity. Come back to our website to get a summary of the steps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING When someone has a bad idea and you don’t agree or you don’t want to accept the invitation, how can you say it in English without offending the person? Today you will find out exactly how to do it. Here are some nice ways to reject someone’s idea without being rude (how to validate someone’s idea): * “That’s a great idea but what do you think about….(another suggestion)” * “Hmm good thought. I think… (another suggestion)” Come back to our site to get 2 more ways to validate someone's idea in English. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING Do you struggle when it comes to dating in English? It can be quite a challenge to try to find the “love of your life”! In today’s episode, our dating consultant, Jessica Coyle will show you how to deal with it when you become discouraged or disappointed. Come back to our site to read more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taking the IELTS exam? Get our free IELTS video training course Do you have a 5-year plan? Do you think it’s important to have one? Today we’ll talk about why sometimes it’s good to let your plans go and relax into life a bit. Today we talked about a great quote: “It is always wise to look ahead but difficult to look further than you can see.” -Winston Churchill You can make as many plans as you want in life but you never know what’s going to happen. Here is another great quote: “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” -John Lennon What do you think? Should you have a 5-year plan? Do you plan for the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING English acronyms are fun and easy when it comes text messaging and emailing but you need to know what impression you give the person when you use them! Today we’ll show you some common English acronyms and what impression they create. We’ll also give you some alternatives. Here are some common acronyms in English when we send text messages: * LOL (“Laughing out loud”)- A lot of people get annoyed by this one. This could be used in a text message. A good alternative is “haha” * TTYL (“Talk to you later”)- This one also sounds really young. A more mature alternative is “talk soon” or “talk to you soon” or actually writing out “talk to you later” * SMH (“Shaking My Head”)- This is a newer acronym. You can use this when you disapprove of something that someone has done. * OMG: (“Oh my gosh”)- This can also be annoying. Other options are: “Oh wow” or “I can’t believe it.” Which acronyms have you used? Let us know in the comments below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our FREE IELTS VIDEO TRAINING Spring is finally here! It was long, cold, and tough winter and now we want to talk about spring! Do you know how to talk about spring in English? This is a great way to start English conversations these days. In today’s episode you’ll get a bunch of ways to talk about it with a native speaker. Here are some expressions from today’s episode: * To spring into action: To get going, to move into action, to act quickly, to get started quickly * To have a spring in your step: To have energy, to move easily and quickly, to be light on your feet * Spring cleaning: To clean out your home or space after the winter, to get rid of things that you don’t need anymore * To spring up: To come up, to arise spontaneously * To spring ahead: To advance * To spring something on someone: To surprise someone about something, to put someone under pressure with a surprise * To spring for something: To buy something that is slightly out of your budget Do you love springtime? What do you like to do in the spring? Let us know in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get our IELTS Free Video Training Do you know what to say to someone after a good or a bad date in English? Today you will find out from our favorite dating consultant, Jessica Coyle. You’ll also get some new English dating vocabulary and terms that you can use in the real world! What should we do if we have just had a good date: (1) Send a text message that evening and say: * “I had a really nice time.” * “Had a great time tonight. (I) Would like to see you again.” * “It was really nice meeting you, let’s hit up (go to) the MOMA.” * “Thanks so much for a great time.” * “I enjoyed meeting you.” (2) Jessica likes to research the person online after a good first date to find out more about the person. If you had a bad date you can say: * “I didn’t feel any chemistry but best of luck.” * “I got more of a friend vibe.” Key vocab from today: * To ghost someone: To disappear and stop communicating after you have been on a date * To do the fade-away: Similar to ghosting (see above) * A vibe: A general feeling or impression * To go Dutch: To split the bill Jessica’s Bio: Jessica Coyle has been teaching English since 2007. She received her Master’s in TESOL in 2013, finishing with a professional project researching the use of improvisational comedy teaching techniques to teach English as a second language. She has studied and performed improv comedy all over Korea, China, Canada and the United States. She writes a dating blog called Hopeful Disasters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices