Cafetalk Tutor's Column

5 Valentine's Day Idioms for English Conversation

Hello, everyone! As we approach Valentine's Day, I'd like to share some of my favorite English id...

A Winter of Care, Change, and Quiet Strength

Winter can be a season of beauty, but it can also bring unexpected challenges. This winter has been...

Valentine’s Day and Birthday Celebrations: A Month of Love and Reflection

February is a special month for me, as it holds both my birthday and Valentine’s Day. Growing up, m...

A Little Valentine’s Story + New Easy Japanese Graded Reader (JLPT N5–N4)

Hi everyone! A quick Valentine’s story first: My British husband suddenly remembered yesterday and ...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 4

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

10 Lessons Completed - and This Is Just the Beginning!

I am so excited to share that today, I reached a small milestone that truly means a lot to me: my f...

Quick tips: taking a day off

Did you decide to take a day off? Or maybe it’s a national holiday in your country! Here are a few ...

Getting Ready for Your Online Class

How should you get ready for your online class?  There are many FUN ways to do this.  First, try to...

Phrasal Verbs in Context - How they can Help you

  Learning phrasal verbs in context is essential because it helps learners use English more natural...

Why Spoken English Can Be Hard to Understand (Even When the Words Are Simple)

Why Tour Guides Can Be Hard to Understand (Even When the English Is Simple) I used to live near Win...

“You Can’t Win with a Defeated Mind.”

Your Thoughts Shape Your Performance When a student thinks, “I’m bad at English” or “I’ll never imp...

Chatting with overseas tourists. Relaxing over a coffee at my local cafe.

These overseas tourists often set off from Nachi Station, very near where I live.I often have brunc...

If Not Now, Then When?

How many times have you said, “I’ll start tomorrow”? Tomorrow becomes next week. Next week becomes ...

Beyond ABC: A Professional Secret for Perfect Clarity

Have you ever noticed how pilots or international dispatchers sound so calm and clear, even through...

Master it Step by Step

Many students feel anxious when they don’t understand everything immediately. In my experience as a...

My Simple Pre-Lesson Routine (Online and In-Person)

  No matter if I teach online or face-to-face, I always try to prepare 30–40 minutes before the le...

“Moment Before My Class”

The Quiet Before Growth The few minutes before class are powerful. I breathe. I focus. I prepare to...

How to Prepare for a Successful Online Lesson

A little preparation before class can make a big difference in your progress. Here are four simple ...

The Most Romantic Thing You Can Do This Year Isn’t a Gift — It’s a Decision.

Valentine’s Day Isn’t About Love — It’s About Choosing Love   Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap for b...

Valentine's Day with a difference!

How I spent Valentine's Day:I suppose everyone planned something very romantic with the typical red...

Stop Translating in Your Head. Start Speaking Naturally.

Do you understand English… but freeze when it’s your turn to speak? Do meetings, presentations, or ...

?? Challenge Your Insecurities

Insecurities are silent barriers. They whisper, “You’re not ready.” But growth begins the moment yo...

Daily English Upgrade #026: Exam Speaking Upgrade — Reason + example template

A simple structure that makes your speaking clearer: Template: I think ___ because ___. For example...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 5

Hey all! This is the fifth week of my English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in yo...

Daily English Upgrade #027: Tone Control — Friendly vs professional messages

Same meaning, different tone. Friendly: Hey, could you send me the file when you have a moment? Pro...

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #003

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #003 Housing / Rent vs. Own / Cultural Differences “...

5 Effective Ways to Prepare for Your Online Lessons

I've been teaching online for some years, and I've noticed something interesting. The students who...

The persona of each prophet of God (PBUT) within us

The video explains the importance of believing in the prophets of God. The speaker highlights that ...

Daily English Upgrade #023: Micro-Pattern — “If I had to choose, I’d…”

Great for opinions, decisions, and interviews. Pattern: If I had to choose, I’d ____ because ____. ...

Daily English Upgrade #025: Interview Upgrade — “Tell me about yourself” (30-sec template)

This question is easy to overthink. Use a simple 3-part flow: Now: what you do now Before: one key ...