Better at English Archives

By subject :: By month :: Individual episodes

Archives by Subject:

Admin (5)
contests (1)
Learning resources (12)
- Business English (1)
- Dictionaries (1)
- Presentations (1)
- Quick links (2)
- Your favorite English books (6)
Levels (41)
- Advanced (4)
- Intermediate (22)
- Upper intermediate (15)
Listening (40)
- 2-minute English (13)
- Real English conversations (22)
Teaching resources (1)
Topics (36)
- British vs. American English (6)
- Business English (2)
- General silliness (8)
- Grammar and usage (1)
- Idioms and slang (11)
- Learning tips (1)
- Pets (1)
- Phrasal verbs (5)
- Vocabulary (4)
- Weird stuff (1)
- Writing skills (3)
videocasts (1)

Archives by Month:

Previous posts

July 2, 2008 — Interview with Lori from Better at English
Hi everyone, Despite the embarrassing lack of activity here at Better at English, I'm still very much alive and kicking. In fact, Ana from Inglês Online, a great online resource for Brazilian learners of English, caught up with me ...
(Read more...)
August 31, 2007 — TT01 - Spelling checkers (mp3)
This is the mp3 file of the spell checking video
August 30, 2007 — Tips and tools for EFL and ESL learners: spell checking online (TT-01)
In this videocast, Lori explains how EFL and ESL learners can easily check their spelling (in multiple languages) when writing emails and other online forms of communication. There is simply no excuse for bad spelling anymore!
August 30, 2007 — TT01: spell checking online - transcript PDF
Link to pdf file for iTunes
August 1, 2007 — Better at English writing contest - win an Amazon gift certificate!
A listener recently emailed offering some constructive criticism about my voice in the Better at English podcasts. I'm always grateful for tips on how we can improve our shows, and I am quite sure that she meant to ...
(Read more...)
July 12, 2007 — Real English Conversations: Weird food
In this episode, Michael and Lori talk about weird food combinations -- you won't believe what some Americans like on their hamburgers!
June 29, 2007 — Real English Conversations: 20 questions game
Download English lesson podcast and transcript Hi! Lori here, welcoming you to another episode of Real English Conversations from BetterAtEnglish.com. My English friend Michael and I are back and ready to rock after our long-overdue vacations. In today’s conversation we talk about a fun electronic game that I found out about while on vacation in the States. But before we start with the conversation, I have a really cool tip for you. If you like what we do here at Better at English, you’re sure to enjoy Andrew and Addison’s ESL podcast at China232.com. Just like me, Andrew and Add are tired of the typical boring English learning material and podcasts, and have reacted by creating a fun and free conversational podcast. You can find it at www.china232.com. If you’re keen on improving your English in a fun and entertaining way, you definitely should check it out. OK, let’s get on with today’s conversation. As always, you can find the full transcript and vocabulary notes on our website, www.BetterAtEnglish.com. Here we go! Conversation transcript Lori: OK, you know, every time I go back to the States, it’s usually been a few years since my last visit, and there’s always some new gadget or some new thing that’s come along that I just for some reason hadn’t heard about in Sweden. Michael: Mm hmm. L: And this time it was that 20Q game. M: Oh yeah (laughs), that’s...it’s a great little thing, I think you should tell our listeners a little bit more about that. L: Yeah it’s this unbelievable little game, you just hold it in your hand and it’s computerized and the idea is for you to think of an object and then the...the little game asks you 20 questions, and more often than not, it’s actually able to guess what you’re thinking about.
(Read more...)
June 4, 2007 — Real English Conversations: Itchy palms (superstitions)
Download English lesson podcast and transcript Introduction: Hi! Lori here, welcoming you to another episode of Real English conversations from Better at English dot com. In today's conversation, my English friend Michael and I talk about superstitions. You'll learn about the idiom "to have an itchy palm" as well as what superstition tells us that it means when you really do have an itchy palm. Are you superstitious? We are curious about how many of our listeners believe in superstitions, so we've put a poll up on the website where you can tell us. You can find it at www.betteratenglish.com.
(Read more...)
May 21, 2007 — Real English Conversations: Lori wants a naked cat
Download English lesson podcast and transcript Hi! Lori here, welcoming you to another episode of Real English Conversations from Better at English. I’m currently on vacation in the American southwest, but during a very long car trip I had some time to put this episode together for you. In today’s conversation, my English friend Michael and I talk about whether or not I should get a pet cat. We don’t agree: Michael thinks that the cat I want is ugly, and I think it's adorably cute. To settle our dispute, we have put a poll on the website that will allow you listeners to vote and give me your advice. If you go to www.betteratenglish.com, you can see photos of videos of the kind of cat we talk about in the conversation, and use the poll to tell me whether you think about my choice of cats. Are you ready? Here we go!
(Read more...)
April 26, 2007 — Real English Conversations: What leads to success?
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
April 21, 2007 — Announcement: Technical problems
Hi everyone, Lori here with a quick announcement. Last night I updated the betteratenglish feed so that from now on all of our previous episodes will be accessible through iTunes and other podcatchers. Unfortunately a few of the older ...
(Read more...)
April 17, 2007 — Real English Conversation: junk food (part 3 of 3)
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
April 14, 2007 — Real English Conversation: junk food (part 2 of 3)
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
April 10, 2007 — How to find English idioms that aren’t in the dictionary
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
April 6, 2007 — Real English Conversation: junk food (part 1 of 3)
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
April 1, 2007 — Uncensored English - New English learning podcast
Hi everyone! Lori here with a quick announcement. Even though many of you have told me that you don't mind the occasional swear word or bit of off-color language, I've decided that it's best to keep B@E a relatively ...
(Read more...)
March 24, 2007 — Idioms: to kick oneself
Download English lesson podcast and transcript ...
(Read more...)
March 23, 2007 — Real English Conversations: The pre-Google Dark Ages
In today’s conversation, my English friend Michael and I talk about how much we use and depend on the Internet in our daily lives, particularly Google. In our conversation, which was completely unplanned and spontaneous, we ended up using quite ...
(Read more...)
March 17, 2007 — Real English Conversations: TV adverts, advertisements and commercials
In today's episode, Michael and I exchange some opinions about television, particularly with respect to commercials and advertising. In this conversation we discover some differences between British and American English vocabulary, and use some everyday phrasal verbs. As always, you'll ...
(Read more...)
March 10, 2007 — Real English Conversations: The customer is always right, right?
Hi, Lori here welcoming you to another episode of Real English Conversations at BetterAtEnglish.com. Today my British pal Michael and I compare working in an office with working at home, and talk about how difficult it can be to put ...
(Read more...)
March 1, 2007 — Real English conversations: pumping up in the buff
In the previous episode I had wanted to talk to Michael about about a gym in Holland that offers its clients an unusual way to exercise. But we got sidetracked talking about dogs and chick magnets. Luckily, this time we ...
(Read more...)
February 16, 2007 — Real English Conversations: Chick Magnet (idiom)
Today, my English friend Michael and I talk about the irresistible attraction power of dogs and puppies, and how you can exploit this if you’re in the market for a romantic partner.
January 28, 2007 — Real English Conversations: Cultural Differences (part 3 of 3)
This is the third and final episode of a three part series in which Michael and Lori discuss some of the potentially embarrassing differences between British and American English dialects.
December 27, 2006 — Real English Conversations: Cultural differences (part 2 of 3)
This is the second in a three part series in which Michael and I discuss some of the differences between our British and American English dialects. This edition takes up right where we left off in part one, so if ...
(Read more...)
December 19, 2006 — Real English Conversations: Cultural differences (part 1 of 3)
In today’s conversation, Michael and I discuss how native speakers use fillers such as "umm" and "uh" and "mmm hmm" in conversations, and how these fillers are not always the same in different cultures. This is the first part of ...
(Read more...)
December 3, 2006 — Real English Conversations: What was he thinking?
Michael and Lori discuss a disturbing video that Lori saw on Youtube, in which a teenage boy inserts a firework rocket into his rear end and burns himself. Sensitive listeners may find this podcast offensive, so use caution when listening.
November 29, 2006 — Advanced listening tip for students of Business English
If you are an upper-intermediate to advanced student of business English, you should definitely listen to the Manager Tools podcast over at www.manager-tools.com. This cast is aimed at native speakers of English, so they don't provide transcriptions or ...
(Read more...)
November 24, 2006 — Real English conversations: Do men prefer real or fake?
TranscriptLori here, welcoming you to another edition of Real English Conversations at Better at English dot com, the website that focuses on real English for real people. I will warn you right away: the topic of today’s conversation could ...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Real English Conversations: skill or luck?
Michael and Lori discuss the game (sport?) Rock Paper Scissors, and debate whether it involves skill or luck.
November 19, 2006 — English book recommendations from Better at English readers
Thanks to everyone who's responded to my question about your favorite books in English. Reading books in English about topics that interest you is a wonderful way to improve your English and have fun at the same time. ...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Readers’ recommendations: Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Matteo wrote in to recommend Dracula by Bram Stoker. I guess it's the best book I've read in English. It displays different writing styles in a very unique narrative structure, built ...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Crime novels and detective stories for learning English
B@E listener Christiane enjoys reading detective novels in English, and recommended the following authors: Elisabeth George Colin Dexter Ian Rankin...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Harry Potter - enjoyable and fun reading for learning English
The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling are a favorite with learners of English. For instance, B@E listener Christiane wrote in to say: I have read a lot of books ...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
Alfredo, a listener from Miami Florida, called in to recommend Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx,a short (64-page) romantic story with an unusual twist, set ...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Thrillers and comedy - a nice combination!
Paul wrote in to suggest the following: Thrillers written by Richard North Patterson, Tom Clancy, John Grisham...
(Read more...)
November 19, 2006 — Better at English readers’ book recommendations
Thanks to everyone who's responded to my question about your favorite books in English. Reading books in English about topics that interest you is a wonderful way to improve your knowledge about English vocabulary and grammar and have fun ...
(Read more...)
November 13, 2006 — Making presentations in English: video resources for teachers and advanced learners of English
Many of my students tell me that they want to learn how to make presentations in English. Additionally, many teachers of English are required to teach presentation techniques (or at least require their students to make presentations) during their ...
(Read more...)
November 6, 2006 — Grammar mistakes that make you look like a dork: its vs. it's
Some grammar mistakes are surprisingly frequent even among educated native speakers of English. When it comes to written English, a lot of these mistakes involve words or phrases that sound the same but are spelled differently...One of the most notorious ...
(Read more...)
October 31, 2006 — Real English Conversations: noisy neighbors
Today's conversation is between me and my friend Michael. We discuss my annoying neighbor and his habit of playing a very irritating song at very high volume, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings. I'm pretty sure it's a live version, ...
(Read more...)
October 27, 2006 — Question: What is the best book you’ve ever read in English?
I have a quick question for all B@E readers and listeners out there: What is the best book you've ever read in English, and why did you like it? Note: Original books only, not simplified books or abridged "easy readers." It can ...
(Read more...)
October 22, 2006 — Real English Conversations: Office Pranks
Lori and Michael discuss office pranks.
October 19, 2006 — phrasal verbs: to pay over (wills and testaments)
Hello and welcome to another edition of 2-minute English, here at Better at English dot com. This post is in response to an email question from E.G. (who I think comes from Greece). She writes, "I have a question about a ...
(Read more...)
October 12, 2006 — Announcement: going on a short business trip
Hello everyone, I will be away on business for the next 5 days, so I won't be able to make any new podcasts for you until I get back. While I'm gone, I have a favor to ask you: it would ...
(Read more...)
October 8, 2006 — Real English conversations: Lori scores a year’s supply of toilet paper
Now, I'm really sticking my neck out with today's podcast, because this informal conversation between me and Michael reveals some of my bad speaking habits. The worst offender: when I'm telling a story, I use the word "like" to introduce ...
(Read more...)
October 7, 2006 — Business English vocabulary: bubble sitter
Hello and welcome to 2-minute English. Brought to you by Better At English dot com. Today's word is bubble sitter. It's a fairly new "slang" word in real estate and economy.
October 7, 2006 — Listening resources for advanced learners of English: 6 Oct 2006
When researching new content for Better at English, I come across a lot of great listening material on the net. Unfortunately, a lot of it is impossible to use for podcasts here because of copyright issues. But that ...
(Read more...)
September 30, 2006 — Real English Conversations: annoying coworkers
Lori and Michael discuss annoying coworkers.
September 25, 2006 — English idioms: to wing it (to improvise)
To wing it is an idiom that means to improvise, to do something without proper preparation or time to rehearse. People often talk about winging it when they have to do something difficult that they didn't have time to prepare ...
(Read more...)
September 21, 2006 — Proofread like a pro: how to catch those pesky mistakes your spell checker misses
Why is it that you only see those pesky, embarrassing typos in important pieces of writing AFTER they've gone to press? Like this one from one of my own archives: ...he never fully recovered from the pubic ...
(Read more...)
September 19, 2006 — The best free online English dictionaries
Here is a list of our favorite online dictionaries. To be included on this page, a dictionary has to be up-to-date, have a good user interface, and the website can't be too ad-heavy. We promise to list only ...
(Read more...)
September 13, 2006 — phrasal verbs: spending money unwillingly for boring stuff you don’t want
Transcript Hi and welcome to Better at English! Do you ever have to pay for things that you wish you didn't have to spend money on? For example, if you get a parking ticket, do you enjoy paying ...
(Read more...)
September 8, 2006 — Phrasal Verbs: to ramp (something) up
This edition of 2-minute English is in response to an email question from Mei, a Better At English listener in China. She asked about the meaning of the phrase, to ramp (something) up. Transcript Hello and welcome to 2 minute English, brought ...
(Read more...)
September 4, 2006 — Business English vocabulary: perk
Transcript Welcome to 2-minute English! Today's word is perk. One of the perks of my job as a salesperson is that I get to travel around the world. Perk. Meaning In business contexts, a perk is an ...
(Read more...)
August 31, 2006 — idioms: to deal with (something)
Welcome to 2-minute English, brought to you by Better at English dot com. Today’s phrase is to deal with. The government proposed a treaty designed to deal with the problem of global warming.
August 25, 2006 — idioms: to keep track (of something)
Transcript 2-minute English is brought to you by Better at English dot com. Today’s phrase is to keep track (of something). Most business people use a calendar to keep track of their appointments. If you travel on business, you need to keep ...
(Read more...)
August 21, 2006 — English vocabulary: pointer
Transcript Welcome to 2-minute English — real-life authentic examples that teach you business English vocabulary, slang, idioms, and more! All in just two minutes a day. Today’s word is "pointer." Many of my students ask me for advice and ...
(Read more...)
August 20, 2006 — English idioms: screw up
Welcome to 2 minute English, real-life authentic examples that teach you business English vocabulary, slang, idioms and more—all in just two minutes a day. Brought to you by Better at English dot com. Today we give you a two-for-one deal: the ...
(Read more...)
August 19, 2006 — Video and audio resources for learning English
Criteria for listing a site on this page it has to provide useful content it has to work in Mozilla browsers (e.g. Firefox) it has to load fairly quickly ...
(Read more...)
August 18, 2006 — English idioms - to make a killing
Transcript This is Better at English dot com. Welcome to 2-minute English! Today's phrase is "to make a killing." "Her new business was a fantastic success; she made a killing in its first two months." To make a killing. Meaning To make a killing on ...
(Read more...)

Featured sites
- Advertise on B@E!
- Top ESL Sites
Subscribe
About Better@English

Better at English: Free English lessons to help you learn English vocabulary, idioms, slang, grammar, and more! Our short, fun English podcasts are perfect for busy people who don't have much time to study or who think that traditional English lessons are boring — you just need a few minutes a day to have fun learning conversational English at Better@English. read more »»
Get in touch
- E-mail us
- Record a message