Speak English in 30 Minutes: Advanced English Lesson

Introduction

Hi, I’m Vanessa from SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com. In this lesson, over the next 30 minutes, you will immerse yourself in clear English so that you can speak clearly and confidently in your English conversations. As always, I have created a free PDF worksheet containing all of today's important English tips, vocabulary, and sample sentences. At the bottom of the worksheet, you can answer Vanessa’s challenge question to reinforce your learning. You can download the free PDF worksheet by clicking the link in the description. Let's get started!

Five Common English Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Boring vs. Bored

It is common to confuse the words “boring” and “bored.” The word boring describes something or someone that is not interesting (e.g., “That movie was boring.”). In contrast, bored refers to the feeling you have when you experience something boring (e.g., “I feel so bored.”).

Sample Sentences:

• “This documentary about sand is boring. I feel so bored; can we please watch something else?”
• “I was so bored during that lecture; to me, physics is just boring.”

Mistake #2: Well vs. Good

Many people mistakenly say, “I don’t feel good,” instead of the correct phrase, “I don’t feel well.” Well is an adverb and describes how you feel (e.g., “I don’t feel well; I have a headache.”), while good is an adjective describing a noun (e.g., “This is a really good lesson.”).

Quiz: Fill in the blank: “I need to do _____ on that test because I need a grade.”

• Answer: “I need to do well on that test.”

Mistake #3: Job vs. Work

Job is a noun referring to your career, while work can be both a verb (e.g., “I work”) and a noun (e.g., “My work is as a teacher”). You would say, “I love my job,” to express liking what you do, whereas “I love my work” implies a deeper significance to your job (e.g., helping others).

Quiz: Fill in the blank: “For my _____, I need to work late hours.”

• Answer: “For my job, I need to work late hours.”

Mistake #4: In vs. At

When discussing time, use at for specific times (e.g., “at midnight,” “at noon”) and in for general durations (e.g., “in the morning,” “in 3 days”).

Quiz: Fill in the blank: “_____ 3 days when my vacation starts, I won’t need to wake up at 6:00 a.m. anymore.”

• Answer: “In 3 days when my vacation starts, I won’t need to wake up at 6:00 a.m. anymore.”

Mistake #5: Talk With vs. Talk To

Both phrases, “talk with” and “talk to,” are acceptable in spoken English. However, when using “talk to,” it may imply a sense of authority over the other person. In everyday conversation, both can be used interchangeably.

Five Key Secrets of American English Pronunciation

1. Colored R Sound: In phrases like “the early bird catches the worm,” focus on the strong R sound in “bird” and “worm.”

2. Linking Sounds: In the phrase “your guess is as good as mine,” the S and vowel link creates a Z sound, leading to a smoother flow.

3. Stopped T: In the phrase “don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” notice how the T sounds at the end of “don’t” and “that” aren't pronounced with a puff of air.

4. Changing T to D: In “get out of hand,” the Ts between vowels shift to a D sound, smoothing the pronunciation.

5. Hard R: Pronunciation of words like “birds” and “together” highlights the strong R sound, ensuring clarity.

Expanding Your Vocabulary with Phrasal Verbs

In a practical application of language learning, think about how to describe a picture frame using various phrasal verbs:

• Sort through picture frames.
• Look through pictures.
• Brush off the frame to remove dust.
• Clean off fingerprints.
• Open up the back of the frame.
• Set down the picture frame on a table.

By utilizing these expressions, you can communicate more effectively and naturally.

Thank You for Learning!

Congratulations on completing this lesson! Don't forget to download the free PDF worksheet that includes the five mistakes to avoid, five pronunciation tips, sample sentences, and phrasal verbs for use in conversation. You can click on the link in the description to download this free PDF.

Keywords

• Common mistakes
• English pronunciation
• Phrasal verbs
• Clear English
• Confidence in conversation

FAQ

1. What are some common English mistakes to avoid?

   • Common mistakes include confusing "boring" and "bored," using "well" instead of "good," and misusing "job" versus "work."

2. How can I improve my English pronunciation?

   • Focus on linking sounds, the stopped T sound, and the colored R sound in American English.

3. What resources are available for learning English?

   • You can download a free PDF worksheet that contains lessons, vocabulary, and practice exercises linked in the description.

4. How can phrasal verbs enhance my English skills?

   • Phrasal verbs provide a more natural and nuanced way of expressing ideas in English, making your speech sound more fluent.

5. Is it important to practice speaking English?

   • Yes, practicing speaking helps improve confidence and fluency in conversation.