Cafetalk Tutor's Column

28 Years in the Sky: Lessons from the Cabin Manager’s Seat

When you spend 28 years traveling the world at 35,000 feet, you see it all. I started my career as ...

New Business English lesson: Making Small Talk and Networking

Great business relationships start with small talk.   If your small talk is smooth and natural, it ...

How to feel more confident in online classes?

Totally get this—online classes can mess with your confidence in sneaky ways. You’re not alone, and...

Why Reading News Articles Helps You Learn English

Reading news articles is a powerful way to improve your English. News uses real, everyday la...

You Don’t Need Confidence - Just Willingness

Under-confident people tend to have an exaggerated view of what 'confidence' looks like. I mean who...

Gaining Confidence Online

Online classes can be intimidating if you are used to an in-person experience.  Prior to the pandem...

How to Feel More Confident in Your Online English Class

  If you feel nervous, shy, or unsure when joining an online English class, you’re not alone. Many ...

Daily English Upgrade #013: Mini-Conversation — Asking for recommendations

A natural flow: ask + follow up. Ask: Do you have any recommendations? What would you recommend? Fo...

How to Feel More Confident in Online Classes

Remember how tricky it was to learn how to ride a bicycle? After a few weeks of unsteady riding , s...

How Do You Like Your Coffee? The Ethics of Coffee.

Does coffee help you get to the other end of the day? I must admit, that when I am really busy, it ...

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002 Work / Meetings / Appreciation “You must be tir...

Recipes and Cooking Shows. Practical English!

Do you want to improve your language skills, but find it difficult to find the time?I have a sugges...

Daily English Upgrade #014: Pronunciation — L/R quick wins (light/right, glass/grass)

If L/R is difficult, don’t aim for “perfect.” Aim for clear difference. Practice pairs (slow → norm...

Daily English Upgrade #015: Say It Better — “Interesting” (more specific reactions)

“Interesting” is fine — but adding one detail makes you sound more natural. Upgrades: That’s intere...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

Hey all! This is the third weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your n...