Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Daily English Upgrade #011: Business Skill — Clarifying in meetings (“So you mean…?”)

In meetings, clarity beats “perfect English.” Clarify: So you mean (that)…? Do you mean (that)…? Co...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

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

Why Reading News Articles Helps You Learn English

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

Why your imperfect English/French is actually your greatest strength.

I have traveled across many borders, but the most beautiful thing I have ever discovered isn't a mo...

Daily English Upgrade #010: JP Trap Fix — “Discuss about” → “Discuss”

Quick fix: √ discuss + topicX discuss about + topic Correct examples: Let’s discuss the plan. We di...

Where In the World Should I Go?

Are you planning a holiday? Or just dreaming of one?Language study can be of practical assistance f...

Confidence: Make Mistakes Like a Pro!

Speak Better English: Make Mistakes Like a Pro! Study mindset • Practical habits • Simple phras...

Gaining Confidence Online

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

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...

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...

You Don’t Need Confidence - Just Willingness

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

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...

Pet names (terms of endearment) in English

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, I thought I’d share some comm...

Two Heartwarming Dog Movies on Netflix: Togo and The Art of Racing in the Rain

Recently, I watched two wonderful movies on Netflix: Togo and The Art of Racing in the Rain. Both m...

Feeling nervous in online classe

How to stop feeling nervous in our online classes:1️⃣ Don’t be perfect You don’t need perfect Engli...

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...

Use IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, GMAT, GRE or SAT as a passport.

It is that simple!If you do yourself justice in one of these standardised tests, than they can act ...

Valentine's Day Date...is Battleship??

Have you ever played Battleship? Growing up, my older brother & I had a Battleship set that we ...

A Fast Changing World

I've always been interested in what's happening in the world, and keeping up with the news. It's be...

Daily English Upgrade #017: JP Trap Fix — A vs The (one simple rule)

Simple rule: a / an = first time / one of many the = specific / already known Examples: I bought a ...

The mystery of the ablution

PrologueWe confront the sensory overload of a godless world, proving how specific water contact res...

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 #016: Micro-Pattern — “From my perspective…”

A calm, professional way to share an opinion. Pattern: From my perspective, + (opinion). Examples: ...

Get to know about me short English introduction.

I’m writing this to let serious English conversational learners know that I have just created a fre...

The flow of the emotions… what originates from the innate, and what originates from the acquired

We strip away the artificial layers of modern conditioning to recover the Fitra, that primordial co...

Do You Have Any Plans for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is not just about flowers and chocolates ,it’s also a great chance to practice real...

How to Feel Confident in Online English Lessons

Feeling nervous in online English lessons is very common — and you are not alone. Many learn...

Kawaii Japan Journey — JLPT N3 Reading Beyond Textbooks (Kanto & Kansai)

There’s a special kind of motivation that comes from reading Japanese that doesn’t feel like studyi...

Start and don't be afraid

Fear often stops us from starting. We worry about making mistakes or not being good enough, so we ...

Real Easy English - a BBC podcast for beginner English learners

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english A great way to improve you...