Happy English Podcast

Michael Digiacomo Happy English
  • 4.7 (189)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is an American English Podcast with your host Michael DiGiacomo from Happy English in New York City. You will learn real American English speaking and pronunciation with Michael, who has been teaching English since 1994. This is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) podcast that brings you fun, practical, and useful English lessons which are ideal for intermediate and advanced level English learners everywhere. This podcast is perfect for university students, business professionals, homemakers, retirees and anyone who is interested in learning and improving their English skills. Every week, you are going to learn American English idioms, conversational expressions and phrasal verbs. As your American English teacher, I will help you learn real and natural American English  pronunciation and conversational style. You will get the chance to improve your vocabulary and have a clear understanding of practical English grammar. I also help you have a deeper understanding of  American Culture through language learning. Join my podcast learner's study group to practice these lessons with me each week on zoom. Get Happy, Get English. Happy English!

  1. 995 - That Figures – English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    7H AGO

    995 - That Figures – English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. Before we get to today’s English point, I need your help.  Episode 1000 of the Happy English Podcast drops on February 28, and I’d really love to include you in it. If you’ve been listening for a while and this podcast has helped you in any way, please send me a short message — about 20 to 40 seconds. Just tell me your first name, where you’re listening from, how long you’ve been listening, and how the podcast has helped you. You can record it on your phone in a quiet room and email the audio file to me at michael@myhappyenglish.com . If you’d rather write a message instead, that’s totally fine too. Some of your messages will be featured in Episode 1000. Please send them by February 27. I can’t wait to hear from you. Today, let’s look at another really natural conversational phrase — “that figures.” We use that figures when something happens that we expected, especially when it’s typical or slightly annoying. It often has a little bit of sarcasm in it. Like if the train is late. You might say:  “The train’s late again? That figures.”Or maybe your friend always forgets things.  “Jack forgot his wallet? That figures.” So that figures basically means, “Yep… I’m not surprised.” Usually in a slightly frustrated or sarcastic way. Just remember, your tone matters. If you say it lightly, it sounds funny. If you say it strongly, it can sound more annoyed. So next time something predictable happens, try saying “that figures.” It’s short, natural, and very conversational. Lemme know in the comments if you’ve ever said “that figures,” and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    3 min
  2. 994 - Turn In - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    1D AGO

    994 - Turn In - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is turn in. Turn in means to go to bed to sleep. During the week, I usually turn in at around 10:30.Jen is a night owl, so she doesn't usually turn in until 1 or 2a,I was exhausted last night so I turned in at nine! So how about you? What time do you usually turn in? What time did you turn in last night? Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    1 min
  3. 993 - How To Show Surprise or Disbelief Naturally

    3D AGO

    993 - How To Show Surprise or Disbelief Naturally

    Have you ever heard people say things like this? Really? Get outta here! Seriously? No way! When something surprising happens in an English conversation, we have a number of different ways we can express our surprise or disbelief. And n English, reacting naturally when you feel surprise or disbelief is not just about vocabulary. It’s about tone. It’s about intonation. And sometimes it’s even about your relationship with the other person. And that’s what this podcast English lesson is all about. Today, we’re going to look at 4 very natural reaction phrases that native speakers use all the time - and we’re also going to practice the pronunciation and intonation that make them sound real. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    9 min
  4. 992 -How to End a Conversation Naturally

    5D AGO

    992 -How to End a Conversation Naturally

    Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and thought, “Okay… I need to leave now… but how do I say that?” Maybe you’re at a party. Maybe you’re on the phone. Maybe you’re chatting with a coworker and you actually have work to do. Well, we usually end a conversation with soft, natural phrases to signal that the conversation is ending. We ease out of it. And that’s what this podcast English lesson is all about. Today, we’re going to look at some very natural phrases native speakers use to wrap up a conversation smoothly, politely, and without awkwardness.  Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    9 min
  5. 991 - CAN vs. CAN'T - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English

    6D AGO

    991 - CAN vs. CAN'T - Speak Naturally in a Minute | Happy English

    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to Speak Naturally in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point lesson to help you improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. Today, let’s look at a two words that are often hard to hear: can and can’t First is can. Can is unstressed and the sound is more like kin. And the stress is on  the verb after can:  I kin TAKE it  She kin DO it  We kin GO there tomorrow. On the other hand, can't is stressed  I CAN’T take it  She CAN’T do it  We CAN’T go there tomorrow. Listen again. I can go. She can’t go.  Can is unstressed, can’t is stressed. I can do it. She can’t do it. Remember, pronunciation is half listening and half doing, so practice every day! Hey, thanks for listening! And remember to follow and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Sunday’s Speak Naturally in a Minute.  Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    2 min
  6. 990 - I’m Into - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    FEB 14

    990 - I’m Into - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

    Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. Today, let’s look at another,  common conversational phrase - “I’m into…” We use I’m into to mean I really like or I’m interested in something. And here’s the cool thing - we use it for both romantic situations and everyday interests. For example, in a romantic way, you might say: “I think I’m really into her.” Or, “He’s into girls who love to travel.” But we also use it for hobbies and interests. Like: “I’m really into photography these days.” Or, “I’m not into horror movies.” So I’m into just means you have a strong interest in something - or someone. It’s casual, natural, and you’ll hear it all the time in everyday conversation. So remember, the next time you want to say you really like something - or someone - try using “I’m into…” Lemme know in the comments what you’re into these days, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    2 min
  7. 989 - Chisel Away At - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    FEB 13

    989 - Chisel Away At - Phrasal Verbs in a Minute | Happy English

    Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to Phrasal Verbs in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Friday with a quick one-point lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is chisel away at. A chisel is a tool used to shape wood, a little at a time. When you chisel away at a task, it means you work on it little by little over time.  Like my friend Alex has been chiseling away at writing his novel for the past year. He only writes a few pages a week, but it’s adding up.And my neighbor has been chiseling away at renovating his house - one room at a time.These days, I’m chiseling away at improving my Japanese reading and writing. A little practice every day really makes a difference. So how about you? What’s something you’ve been chiseling away at recently? Let me know in the comments, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verbs in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    2 min
  8. 988 - Talking About Schedules and Availability in English

    FEB 12

    988 - Talking About Schedules and Availability in English

    Sometimes you need to tell someone whether you’re free or not. And when I say free, I’m talking about time, not cost. Maybe a coworker wants to set up a meeting. Maybe a friend wants to grab dinner. Maybe someone asks, “Are you available tomorrow?” In situations like these, you don’t need to say yes or no. In everyday English, we have a few short, natural phrases that clearly show whether we are available - or not. And that’s what this podcast English lesson is all about. Happy English Podcast – Speak English Naturally I’m Michael from Happy English, and I help people speak English more naturally, confidently, and clearly. 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses: https://www.myhappyenglish.com

    8 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
189 Ratings

About

This is an American English Podcast with your host Michael DiGiacomo from Happy English in New York City. You will learn real American English speaking and pronunciation with Michael, who has been teaching English since 1994. This is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) podcast that brings you fun, practical, and useful English lessons which are ideal for intermediate and advanced level English learners everywhere. This podcast is perfect for university students, business professionals, homemakers, retirees and anyone who is interested in learning and improving their English skills. Every week, you are going to learn American English idioms, conversational expressions and phrasal verbs. As your American English teacher, I will help you learn real and natural American English  pronunciation and conversational style. You will get the chance to improve your vocabulary and have a clear understanding of practical English grammar. I also help you have a deeper understanding of  American Culture through language learning. Join my podcast learner's study group to practice these lessons with me each week on zoom. Get Happy, Get English. Happy English!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Digiacomo Happy English
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    995
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2014 -2026 Michael DiGiacomo, Happy English Language Services Co.
  • Show Website
    Happy English Podcast

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