Speak English Now Podcast: Learn English | Speak English without grammar‪.‬ Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com

Today we will learn how Easter is celebrated in the United States and Australia. We will hear Tom and Sarah's conversation about their plans for Easter this year. And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing boring rules.
Hi! Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. I'm Georgiana, and my mission is to help you improve your fluency.
If you want to support me, please share the podcast with your friends and family. It would mean a great deal to me. Thank you!
Okay! Let’s start!
Tom, from the United States, and Sarah, from Australia, were catching up on a video call before the Easter holiday. As they started chatting, they quickly realized they had different traditions and plans for celebrating the holiday.
Let's listen to their conversation:
Tom: Hey, Sarah! Happy Easter!
Sarah: Happy Easter to you too, Tom! I hope you're doing well.
Tom: Yes, I'm doing great. So, what are your plans for Easter this year?
Sarah: I plan to attend church and celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have a big Easter dinner and spend time together.
Tom: That sounds lovely. I'm also planning to celebrate Easter with my family. We usually have an Easter egg hunt and decorate Easter eggs.
Sarah: Oh, that's a great tradition. We also decorate Easter eggs but don't have an egg hunt.
Tom: That's interesting. Every family has their own traditions.
Sarah: Definitely. What other traditions do you have for Easter?
Tom: We usually go to church and have a big Easter brunch. We also exchange Easter baskets filled with candy and small gifts.
Sarah: That sounds like so much fun. We don't exchange Easter baskets but give each other Easter cards.
Tom: That's sweet. Do you have any special Easter foods that you eat?
Sarah: Yes, we usually have ham, deviled eggs, and hot cross buns.
Tom: That sounds delicious. My family has roasted lamb, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.
Sarah: That sounds amazing. It's interesting to see how different cultures celebrate the same holiday.
 
Get the full transcript here: speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/

Today, let's keep talking about words related to trials. And to help you improve your English fluency, I have created a fun mini-story. As usual, I will ask you many simple questions you must answer quickly. It's just like having a conversation with someone in real life.
Okay! Let's start!
#1 Expert witness
An expert witness is someone who, in a trial, gives their professional and impartial opinion on a specific topic related to the trial. Sometimes they may prepare a report or testify.
Example:
The expert witness gave his professional opinion on the box. It was indeed an empty box of chocolate chip cookies.
#2 Witness
A witness is someone who has direct knowledge of the facts on trial. Witnesses are essential because they can help determine a defendant's guilt.
For example, a witness can provide key information about the crime's circumstances and help confirm whether the defendant was present at the crime scene.
Example:
The witness testified with horror that he saw the defendant eating and tasting the last chocolate chip cookie in the box.
#3 Cross-examination
In trials, an attorney asks the defendant and others questions to find out more about what happened.
For example, imagine this cross-examination between the prosecutor and the defendant:
- So, why did you lick your fingers?
- Because they were covered in chocolate.
- There are no further questions, Your Honor.
#4 Judge
The judge is the most influential person in the courtroom. They preside over the trial and pass sentences. 'Your Honor' is a respectful form to address a judge.
Example:
The judge ruled that the defendant was guilty of eating the last cookie without sharing it with his friends.
 
Get the transcript on my website:  https://SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast

Transcript: This week is a bit special because it is Spring Offer, and all my premium courses have a 60% discount.
I've received several messages with questions about the courses. I will try to answer some frequently asked questions in this short episode.
By the way, you can get the offer at:
speakenglishpodcast.com/courses
Hurry up because the offer is only available until this Sunday at midnight.
Let's start with the most frequently asked question:
1) What is the difference between the podcast and the premium courses?
That's a great question! In the podcast, I talk about very diverse topics to improve your vocabulary. It's a great listening practice. 
I also give a small example of a lesson in each podcast episode. It can be a mini-story of questions and answers or a point of view. Because of time limitations, I can barely develop these lessons, yet they allow you to test the method that I use in my premium courses in an easy and fun way.
Instead, the premium courses are complete programs designed to improve your spoken English dramatically. These are conversation courses.
You start speaking from DAY ONE with the conversation simulator.
They are audio lessons that "simulate" conversations. I call them Q&A mini-stories.
Unlike the podcast, the premium courses contain hours and hours of questions and answers. Imagine for a moment a podcast episode multiplied by 100.
Also, the courses allow you to work much better on grammar aspects such as the plural, singular, all kinds of verb tenses, and certain common expressions of English. All of this unfolds in an interactive way, following one or more stories that provide a rich and entertaining context.
For example, the Fluency Course (level II) contains more than 8 hours of audio, thousands of questions and answers (mini-stories), and almost 200 pages of transcription text.
Of course, there are also many point-of-view lessons that allow you to work very intensely on aspects of grammar.
One rule I always follow is to create lessons with complex characters and funny stories with unexpected endings. That way, you'll never forget what you learn best and, of course, it's a lot more fun.
Another question:
2) Can I use the premium courses on the iPhone, iPad, Android, and so on?
Yes, of course. You can use them without problems. It is important to keep in mind that the courses are not apps. That is, you don't install them. It's much more flexible. The courses consist of mp3 audio and text (PDF). This is much simpler and prevents technical problems.
Transferring the content to any device is quite easy. However, when you buy one of the courses, I send you detailed steps to know what to do. In any case, you can contact me by e-mail with any questions.
3) Is there a monthly payment for the premium courses?
No, there is no such thing. They are yours for personal use and forever when you buy the courses.
4) How many premium courses are there, and what is the difference?
There are currently four courses. I will describe them briefly:
1) 30-Day Crash Course (level 1): This course is for beginners with no knowledge of English. It is a course that works very well, and I am happy with the result because it helps a lot to start with English. In your case, I don't recommend it because if you are a follower of this podcast, you are no longer a beginner.
2) The Fluency Course (level 2):  The level of this course is a bit easier than this podcast, but there is almost no difference. This program will help you automate the most common structures when speaking. It consists of 20 units with 20 unique and fun stories. I recommend this course if you're trying to stop mentally translating when you speak English, even with relatively easy expressions.  
3) The Magic Course (level 3): This course is very ambitious because it goes one step beyond the Fluency Course. The aim is to practice all the verb tenses in the context of a long and well-develope

"Now that I’m all by myself, I’m going to indulge in this last cookie. I don’t think anyone will notice!”
Today I’ll explain some words related to trials. While I’m hoping you’ll never have to use these words in real life, becoming familiar with this language will help you better grasp the subject and engage in conversation on the topic.
Come on, let’s start!
#1 The Accused or Defendant
The person who is accused of breaking the law is called the accused or defendant. They have the right to tell their side of the story and present evidence to the judge. 
For example:
The police arrested the defendant. He is accused of having eaten the last cookie in the box.
#2 Courtroom
A courtroom is a place where legal cases are heard and decided. People go there when they are accused of doing something illegal or have a disagreement that needs to be settled by a judge or jury.
Example:
The trial of the defendant will take place in the courtroom.
Okay, next word:
#3 Crime
A crime is an act or omission against the law punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. For example, stealing is a crime. 
Example:
– I just committed a crime!
– What crime did you commit? 
– I ate the last cookie without sharing – that’s an unforgivable crime!
In this case, legally, it would not be a crime, but it is unforgivable to eat the last cookie without sharing it!
#4 Accomplice
An accomplice is a person who helps another to commit a crime or offense. There could be more than one person helping with the crime.
Example:
– I can’t believe we did this.
– Me neither. But no one saw how we ate the cookie. Now we are accomplices.
#5 Lawyer or attorney
What’s the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
What is a lawyer?
A lawyer is someone who has been educated in the law and has completed law school. They can provide legal advice, but cannot represent clients in court because they still need to pass the bar exam.
What is an attorney?
An attorney has graduated from law school and passed the bar exam in their state of practice; therefore, they can represent clients in court.
Let me tell you a joke about lawyers:
– Good morning, How much do you charge for a quick consultation?
– 500 dollars for three questions.
-Wow, isn’t that a bit expensive?
– Yes. And what is your third question?
#6 Presumption of innocence
This is important. The presumption of innocence means we should consider the defendant innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
One example:
The judge reminded the audience that the presumption of innocence must always be maintained. It hasn’t been determined if the accused ate the last cookie in the box.
 
Get the transcript on my website: http://speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/

Are you planning a trip to the U.S.? In that case, this episode is for you because I will talk about how to get a visa to enter the United States of America.
And with a point-of-view story, you will learn grammar in context without memorizing any boring rules.
Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast.
If you want to help, please share the podcast on social media. That would mean a lot. Thanks!
Before we start, visit my website: Speakenglishpodcast.com, and subscribe to my FREE mini-course. Over the next five days, you will discover the 5 secrets to speaking English fluently.
Okay, let's start!
If you’re planning to visit the U. S., you must first obtain a visa. And even if the process can be complicated and time-consuming, you still need a visa to enter the U.S. Therefore, it is essential to understand the different types of visas and the information you need to provide. 
For today's episode, I have put together some general tips about getting a visa to enter the U.S.
First, you must determine which type of visa you require. Depending on your purpose for visiting, you may need a business or a tourist visa. Once you have determined the type of visa you need, you will gather the necessary documents. These may include proof of identity, evidence of financial stability, and a letter of invitation from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
After all the necessary documents, you must fill out the visa application form and submit it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
This form requires personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, and additional information related to your trip.
After applying, you'll schedule an in-person interview with a consular officer. You will likely need to provide additional information about your trip and answer questions about your eligibility for a visa.
Once your visa application is approved, you will receive the document with an expiration date.
It is vital to keep track of the expiration date of your visa, as staying within the timeline of your visa is essential. Otherwise, you may be required to apply for a new one.
Read the TEXT on my website: speakenglishpodcast.com/podcast/

Healthcare insurance in the U.S. has a long history. However, the earliest forms of healthcare insurance in the U.S. were largely private plans that covered hospital and medical care for individuals or employers. 
Today, most Americans obtain health insurance through their employers or government plans such as Medicare and Medicaid.
In today's episode, I will start by talking about the private healthcare system.
Private care in the U.S. allows individuals to purchase health insurance coverage from private companies instead of relying on public insurance sources like Medicaid or Medicare. 
Most private health insurance plans are offered through employers and are known as employer-sponsored health insurance.
 
Private health insurance usually covers a wide range of healthcare services, such as doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health care, hospitalization, and emergency care. Depending on the plan, private health insurance might include coverage for vision and dental care, alternative medicine, and other services.
These plans can vary significantly in cost and coverage, from basic plans that cover essential services like doctor visits and prescription drugs to more comprehensive plans that can cover costly treatments like surgery. 
 
Other options
In addition to health insurance, there are several other options for accessing healthcare. You can access healthcare through community health centers or free or low-cost clinics if 
uninsured. 
 
Health Marketplace
For instance, the Health Marketplace is a resource where people can shop for and purchase health insurance coverage. It provides access to various health insurance plans, including private and Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It also provides information about subsidies and tax credits that can help reduce the cost of premiums.
 
Get the transcript on my website:SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast