Actually English

Jenna Gordon, certified in teaching English as a second language
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  • LANGUAGE LEARNING

Actually English is the podcast for intermediate and advanced learners who want to sound like a native speaker — not just pass a test. Every episode, we take real English from real places: Reddit threads, videos, blogs, and everyday conversation. Then we break it all down — the slang, the idioms, the tone, and everything your textbook never taught you. 

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Last Message Pt. 2 10 Emotional English Expressions You Need to Know|

    Can you keep it together under pressure? In this episode of Actually English, we follow Elena as she races to find her missing friend Daniel — and you'll learn 10 powerful English expressions for intense emotions along the way. This is Part 2 of "The Last Message." Haven't heard Part 1? Go back to Episode 7! ✅ Expressions covered in this episode: 1. To send a chill down your spine – a feeling that makes you shiver from fear 2. To feel your stomach drop – a sudden feeling of shock or dread 3. To go rigid with tension – your body becomes stiff from stress or fear 4. Heart hammering – your heart beating so fast you can feel and hear it 5. Relief – the feeling when you stop worrying about something 6. Enormous – very big, huge, significant 7. Chest tightening – pressure in your chest from anxiety or strong emotion 8. Admiration – deep respect or looking up to someone 9. Fury – extreme anger, rage 10. Absorbed – so focused on something you lose track of everything else 💬 Discussion question: Have you ever had to keep it together in a stressful situation? What did that feel like? Send me a message on Instagram @actuallyenglishpodcast — I read everything! 🔔 Part 3 is coming next week — will Elena find Daniel? Can she trust Marcus? Actually English is the podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to understand real, natural English from real stories — not textbooks.

    18 min

  2. 8 APR

    EP9 | The Woman Who Changed Running Forever

    Join me in this episode where we unpack the interesting life of Katherine Switer, the first woman to run in the Boston Marathon. We go over phrases and keywords that deal with emotion and perseverance.

    18 min

  3. 1 APR

    EP8 | How the Languages We Speak Shape the Way We Think

    In this episode, we break down a TED Talk from Lera Boroditsky. From how an Aboriginal community from Australia doesn't have the words "left" and "right", to how some languages avoid fault by only using passive voice, we touch on many aspects of how language shapes the way we see the world.

    17 min

  4. 25 MAR

    EP7 The Last Message | Intermediate/advanced English listening | Suspense Story

    Part 1 of the suspense story, The Last Message. Follow us in this story while we listen to Helena after she finds a mysterious message from a coworker that leads to his disappearance. For intermediate to advanced learners.

    20 min

  5. 18 MAR

    EP6 Do vs. Make | The One Rule That Changes Everything

    Do you ever get confused when you have to choose between the verb "do" or "make"? Don't worry, it can be confusing! After this episode, I'm sure you'll be a master. Join us as we dive into this topic and learn the difference between "do" and "make".

    15 min

  6. 11 MAR

    EP5 Did She Kill the Vibe? English Listening Practice

    In this episode of Actually English, we are back on Reddit, where we will learn lots of useful phrases through context, like "kill the vibe" and "it's a whole thing". Listen for yourself and tell us if you think this poster was the a**hole or not!

    14 min

  7. 4 MAR

    EP4 5 Phrasal Verbs You Need to Know | Grammar Bites

    Phrasal verbs don't have to be a list you memorize and forget. In this episode of Actually English Grammar Bites, we learn 5 essential phrasal verbs through two stories — one with explanations, one without. Back out, burst out, call it off, bring up, and turn out. Plus a challenge at the end. Find us on Instagram @actuallyenglishpodcast

    9 min

  8. 27 FEB

    EP1 Your English Lesson is Serving Drama

    In this episode, we read a real-style Reddit post from the subreddit r/AITA (Am I The Asshole) and decode the slang, internet language, and informal expressions that make it almost impossible for most learners to follow. This is one of the most popular corners of the internet in English-speaking countries - understanding it means you're truly reading at a native level.

    15 min

  9. 27 FEB

    EP2 Can I Get a Large Please?

    Ever feel lost the moment you walk up to a coffee shop counter in an English-speaking country? This episode breaks down a real New York City coffee order — and the fast, casual phrases native speakers use every single day that most textbooks completely skip. In this episode, you'll learn five key expressions, including "Can I get...", "Actually, you know what...", and "Whatever she's having" — plus why real English sounds so fast (hint: it's called connected speech, and "can I get a" becomes "cani-gedda"). We also dive into U.S. coffee shop culture — why ordering at Starbucks can feel overwhelming even for native speakers, and exactly what to say when it does. Perfect for intermediate learners (B1–B2) ready to sound like they actually belong there.

    10 min

  10. 27 FEB

    EP3 Is she being pushed away?

    Today's post comes from r/relationship_advice — one of Reddit's most active communities. It's a deeply human story about a long friendship that seems to be fading without explanation. The language in this post is rich with emotional vocabulary, idioms about relationships, and the kind of raw, honest informal English that native speakers use when they're genuinely struggling with something.

    15 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Actually English is the podcast for intermediate and advanced learners who want to sound like a native speaker — not just pass a test. Every episode, we take real English from real places: Reddit threads, videos, blogs, and everyday conversation. Then we break it all down — the slang, the idioms, the tone, and everything your textbook never taught you. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jenna Gordon, certified in teaching English as a second language
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Actually English