Hot English Language & Culture How-Tos
How To: Use "we're" & "were" properly
Learning American English is often difficult when faced with two words of similar spelling or sound. This is certainly true in the case of "we're" and "were".
How To: Pronounce the English word "alumni"
Today's word is "alumni". This is a noun and the plural form of "alumnus" which means a graduate of a specific school.
How To: Pronounce "faux pas"
Today's word is "faux pas". This is a noun of French origin which means a social slip in etiquette or manners.
How To: Describe situations that didn't happen in the past
This video shows us how to describe the situations that are opposite of the future perfect tense. Here it is shown how to describe the situations that did or did not happen in the past using would, have and past participle. He gives us 3 very good examples that are describing such situations. In these examples he describes a situation which happened in the past which is actually a negative and uses a fact that is described in the present tense to give the reason why that situation ended in a ...
How To: Pronounce the English word "inevitable"
Today's word is "inevitable". This is an adjective which means unable to be avoided.
How To: Use past tense regular verb pronunciation
In this ESL lesson, learn how to correctly pronounce past tense regular verbs in English.
How To: Use idioms related to the kitchen in English
In this episode, Jennifer goes over common phrases in the English language related to the kitchen. This is great for all levels of students learning English as a second language (ESL).
How To: Understand present, past and future tenses in English
This tutorial tells us about using helping verbs with the simple form. It also gives us information on the differences between the present, past and future tenses.
How To: Use the word "being" correctly in English
Being is a word that can be hard to master for English as a Second Language speakers. It can be used as a gerund, or in present or past continuous tenses.
How To: Describe the feeling of fear in English
In this English language tutorial we look at fear and being afraid. There are many words to convey the emotion of fear and anxiety. This ESL lesson teaches you how to talk about your fear and the names of some common phobias.
How To: Put on a convincing Irish accent
Accents are not only fun but attractive too, when done properly, at least. Work on your Irish accent, practicing the inflection and sound of consonants and vowels. Impress your friends with your new accent.
How To: Describe problems in English
This video tutorial is in the Language category which will show you how to describe problems in English. When describing problems in English, many people use the word trouble. When you frame a question, you can frame it in the present or the present continuous tense. For example; what do you have trouble with or what are you having trouble with? Similarly, when you answer the question you can use the present or the present continuous tense. Examples of this are; I have trouble with my car or ...
How To: Use the 'stop' verb in the English language
The verb "stop" in the English language can be used with a gerund and an infinitive. The word "stop" has different meanings depending on how it's used. Look at the sentence, "I stopped eating fast food." Stopped is used in the past tense and eating is a gerund, or a word that describes an activity and functions as a noun. Look at the sentence, "I stopped to eat some fast food." In that sentence, there is an infinitive. The first sentence means I no longer eat fast food. The second sentence me...
How To: Write a discussion essay outline
This two part video is a short lesson outlining the basics of writing a discussion essay. It is about 13 minutes long in total.
How To: Use "live" as a verb & adjective in English
Paul, an English teacher, gives a lesson on the difference between the word "live" as a verb and as an adjective. To make to "v" sound when saying the word, the lower lip has to touch the teeth. "Live" as verb is an action, so you say "I live in Minneapolis". The singular form is "live," and the plural form is "lives". Live" as an adjective is a describing word, so you say "Live TV is fun". "Live"" as an adjective describes the subject of a sentence. "Live" as an adjective can mean something ...
How To: Speak English smoothly using the marble technique
Destroy filler words, overcome stuttering, speak smoothly, improve enunciation, and get better at public speaking all around with just marbles and your mouth! This video is best for people learning to reduce stuttering or students learning English as a second language (ESL).
How To: Pronounce the English word "reminisce"
Today's word is "reminisce". This is a verb which means to go over past experiences in one's mind, or to remember.
How To: Pronounce the English word "queue"
Today's word is "queue". This is both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it means a line of people waiting their turn.
How To: Replace possessive nouns and adjectives with pronoun
In this video, we learn how to replace possessive nouns and adjectives with pronouns. Using pronouns to replace possessive nouns and adjectives is simple, an example includes: Joe's car is dirty, would change to, his car is dirty, or it is dirty. Another example of this is "Sara's shoes are outside" would be "her shoes are outside", or "they are outside". "The workers' lunches are in the refrigerator", would be "their lunches are in the refrigerator", or "they are in the refrigerator". Practi...
How To: Pronounce the word "thwart" in English
Today's word is "thwart". This is a verb which means to prevent from accomplishing a purpose or a plan. For example, you can say "The police thwarted three terrorist attacks at LAX last month."
How To: Pronounce the English word "aesthetic"
Today's word is "aesthetic". This is both a noun and an adjective. As an adjective, it means relating to a sense of beauty.
How To: Pronounce similar vowel sounds in English
Watch to learn how to pronounce some English words that have similar vowel sounds but different meanings like stuff - staff, hair - her, cut - caught.
How To: Use the nominal phrase in English Grammar
Yossarian the Grammarian talks about nominal phrases (noun phrases), and shows that phrases can contain clauses. Great English grammar lesson for ESL students.
How To: Pronounce the soft "i" and a hard "e" in English
Many of my students have problems pronouncing the soft i. This ESL how to video explains how your mouth should move for the soft i and the hard e. You'll never say beach when you mean bitch again. Watch this how to video and you'll be speaking proper English in no time.
How To: Make the AH sound in American English
The ah sound. The jaw drops more on this sound than it does on any other vowel sound. Ah, ah. And as you can see, the tongue is laying there on the bottom of the mouth. Ah. So, the jaw drops here, make the sound, ah: pretty basic, simple, and straightforward. Ah. Sample words: father, collar, calm. Sample sentence: The party at the bar was a mob scene.
How To: Use the word 'got' in the English language
In this video it is explained how to use the words "got" "got to" and "gotta'". "Got" is the past tense of the word " get". Sometimes Americans say "have got" in place of "have" or "got" in place of "have". For example there is a sentence "I've got my wallet". Some Americans say "I have my wallet" and some may say "I got my wallet". All of them are correct. "Gotta'" is used in place of "have got to". For example there is a sentence" I have got to go". Some Americans may say
How To: Describe solutions in English
In this video, we practice describing solutions in English. For example, if the problem is that you have stomach problems, the solution is that you should go to the doctor. Should simply means a good idea or a recommendation. You could also say the solution is that you need to go to a doctor. For the next example, if your problem is that your car won't start, this means your car will not start. You could also say that your car does not start, which is a good way to describe the problem. For t...
How To: Ask and reply to questions in English
The world of English is a fun and exciting place to be. Learn English with Mr. Duncan as he provides basic grammar instruction and speaks in basic English phrases. Check out this English language tutorial to learn how to ask and reply to questions in English. This language lesson is perfect for ESL students or anyone looking to improve their English skills. So watch this instructional English language video and practice asking and answering questions using English words.
How To: Make the AA sound in American English
Learn how to pronounce the AA sound in American English with this ESL lesson.
How To: Pronounce the word "ubiquitous" in English
Today's word is "ubiquitous". This is an adjective which means being or appearing to be everywhere at the same time.
How To: Develop a natural rhythm when speaking English
In this two part episode, Jennifer shows you how to develop your awareness of the natural rhythm in English. Learn to pause naturally by grouping your words into thoughts, also called thought groups. This is great for all levels of students learning English as a second language (ESL).
How To: Use "It's + adjective + infinitive" in English
In this video, we learn how to use "It's + adjective + infinitive" in English. To form these sentences, you will use the pattern that is stated above. This is very common in the English language, and you can put whatever you want into the sentence as the infinitive. You can change this from "it's hard to do" to It's not hard to do" to "it's easy to do". You can also make something negative, by giving it the prefix "im", which would change "possible" to "impossible". You can also ad in "un" to...
How To: Structure phrasal verbs in English
In this video, we learn how to speak English by changing the structure of phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive, which means followed or not followed by an object. Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable, which means the object can come between the verb and a particle. With a phrasal verb that is separable, pronouns as direct object must be placed between the verb and its particle. Examples of this include: children put on costumes, children put costu...
How To: Use the passive voice "supposed to" in English
In English, "supposed to" expresses obligation. Someone expects you to do something. It's an unusual form of the passive voice, but it's very important to learn. This ESL tutorial teaches you how to use "supposed to" in English. Watch this grammar how to video and you will be speaking English in no time.
How To: Speak English better by always speaking slower
Instantly improve your American English pronunciation by following these invaluable tips on how to speak more slowly. You'll be amazed at the difference in your speech!
How To: Parse a sentence in English
It's time for another great grammar lesson with the Grammarian, Yossarian! In this tutorial, you'll actually be attempting to test your abilities and have to parse a sentence.
How To: Pronounce the word "jacuzzi"
Today's word is "jacuzzi". This is a noun which means a bath tub with underwater jets.
How To: Practice saying the "t" sound in the middle of words
In words like bottle and mitten, the "t" really isn't a "t" sound; it is more of a "d" sound or a very fast "t" sound. Practice the "t" sound with the words button, carton, brighten, tighten, fatten, eaten, rotten, matter, butter, flutter, water, bottle, settle, and metal. In American English, the "t" sound is very difficult to hear in some words. An example of this is the word butter, where the "t" sounds more like a "d." Remember, the way people speak English in the United States is differe...
How To: Ask for the time in English
In this episode you learn how to ask for the time. This video is great for advanced, intermediate, and beginner learning to speak the English as a second language (ESL).
How To: Pronounce the English word "vertigo"
Today's word is "vertigo". This is a noun which means dizziness.
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