Hot English Language & Culture How-Tos « English Language & Culture

How To: Introduce yourself formally in Social English

Check out this instructional video to learn how to introduce yourself in English in a business situation. "Social English" is a series of four short videos that deal with common face-to-face English situations at Fujikin. This is the first video in the series and will show you how to introduce yourself to an English speaker.

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: Describe a famous person in English

In this English tutorial we look at fame and words connected with it. There are many words to describe a person who is famous or a "star." This ESL video lesson teaches you how to talk about well known people in the English language.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Speak with a Liverpudlian 'scouse' accent

Can you speak like the Beatles? Not bloody likely! Well, you CAN learn to speak with a Liverpudlian accent IF you check out this video and wrap your head and tongue around the words. This accent is a wonderful one and recognized around the world as the dialect spoken by the Fab 4. It almost sounds Scottish, but it's 100% working class England. John Lennon had the best example out of the Beatles of this accent, with George Harrison coming second. Paul and Ringo did not have particularly good L...

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.

How to Speak English: "Wh-" questions (what, where, when...)

A video that is essentially a part of series of videos, that deal with teaching indirect speech basics to intermediate and above level English language learners.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Pronounce the English word "endeavor"

Today's word is "endeavor". This is a noun as well as a verb. As a noun, it means an effort or attempt to accomplish something. As a verb, it means to strive or attempt.

How To: Pronounce the word "narcissistic" in English

MORE FREE VIDEOS http://www.sozoexchange.com Today's word is "narcissistic". This is an adjective which means having too much love or admiration of oneself.

How To: Pronounce the English word "hyperbole"

Today's word is "hyperbole". This is a noun which means an exaggerated statement.

How To: Swear properly in English

A lot of the English you hear in the real world isn't taught in the classroom. Swearing is important to know about if you're going to speak English. In this ESL how to video, you'll learn about the difference between 'bitch' and 'slut' which many ESL speakers confuse. If you look in many dictionaries, 'bitch' is defined as a female dog, so many ESL speakers think when you refer to a female woman as a 'bitch' that she has sex with any male, but this is totally wrong. Watch this how to video an...

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: 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: Pronounce the word "rendezvous" in English

Today's word is "rendezvous". This is a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means to come together or meet by arrangement.

How To: Use the modal verb and continuous form in English

Some modal verbs can be put in front of the continuous form to express some present action that is or isn't happening. To make the past tense for each, use "have been" instead of "be."

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: 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: Understand English phrasal verbs & compound words

The presenter, Ms. Jennifer explains how compound words are formed from phrasal verbs. With examples she explains how the meaning and pronunciation differs when compound words are formed from phrasal verbs. She explains the difference between 'show' and 'show off' by showing her collection of fans, and showing off with one of her beautiful fan from Japan. Then she explains the difference between 'show off' and 'show-off', giving examples and makes the listeners clear about compound nouns also...

How To: Use "(be) able to + main verb" in English

An English teacher shows how to use "be" able to" with modal verbs. Remember that "(be) able to" is almost the same as the modal verb "can."

How To: Use reference words in reported speech in English

In this video, we learn how to speak English: Reported Speech/Reference Words. Reported speech is reporting another person's words or telling what someone else said. Indirect speech doesn't use the use the exact words that we use. Examples of reference words are: her, she, herself, him, and himself. Types of references can be pronouns or possessive adjectives. Listen to who the speaker is so you can change the reference words so that the statement is logical. Use this example as a reference: ...

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: Use the slash punctuation mark

Here is a useful guide to using the slash punctuation mark. Make sure you know where to appropriately place this punctuation mark, and use your slashes properly in your English writing. Use the slash punctuation mark.

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: 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).