Episode 4
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Hi, everybody! I’m Georgiana from SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. Welcome to a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast!
Have you ever met someone who knows a lot about English grammar?
Maybe they can explain verb tenses.
They know the difference between the present perfect and the past simple.
They know many grammar rules.
But then, when they try to speak English, something strange happens.
They hesitate.
They translate.
They search for words.
It’s almost like their grammar knowledge disappears.
Why does this happen?
Today, we’re going to talk about why studying grammar is not enough to speak English.
And I’ll introduce a technique I use in my lessons called Point of View, which helps you learn grammar through context.
Okay. Let’s get started!
First, I want to clarify something.
Grammar is not bad.
Grammar can be useful.
It can help you understand how English works.
It can help you notice patterns.
It can help you organize what you know.
For example, if you want to understand why we use a certain expression, a grammar explanation can be very helpful.
But there is a difference between knowing about English and being able to use English.
Imagine you want to learn how to drive a car.
So you buy a driving manual.
Not a small manual.
A huge manual.
A very serious manual.
You read it from beginning to end.
You learn every traffic sign.
You learn what every button does.
You learn how the engine works.
You even learn the correct tire pressure.
After months of studying, you know a lot about cars.
You are basically an expert… at reading a book.
But then you sit in the driver’s seat.
Someone says:
“Okay. Drive.”
And you say:
“Wait a minute. I need to review chapter seven.”
Of course, the manual is useful.
But reading a manual is not the same as driving.
You need practice.
You need experience.
You need to use the car.
Learning English is similar.
Grammar rules can help you understand English.
But knowing rules is not the same as using English naturally.
Many learners spend years studying grammar, but they don’t spend enough time listening to and using English.
They know the rules, but the rules are not yet easy to use when they need them.
This is why learning English in context is so important.
Your brain needs examples.
It needs to see how English is used in real situations.
This is why I use Point of View lessons.
The idea is simple.
You hear the same story from different points of view.
The story stays almost the same, but the language changes.
Because you already understand the situation, you can focus on the changes in English.
You don’t need to memorize a long grammar explanation.
You can simply notice the patterns.
Now, let’s practice with a Point of View lesson.
Remember: I’ll tell you the same story in a different way. Listen carefully and notice how the English changes.
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT
Point of View: Grammar in Context
Listen to the same story in two tenses and notice how the English changes naturally.
| 01 |
FIRST VERSION Present Tense |
Professor Grammar-9000 is the most advanced English-learning robot in the world.
The robot knows thousands of grammar rules.
It knows every tense, every exception, and every grammar explanation.
Students love Professor Grammar-9000 because it can explain any grammar question.
If someone asks:
“What is the difference between these two sentences?”
The robot answers immediately.
It is an amazing grammar expert.
But there is one small problem.
Professor Grammar-9000 cannot have a normal conversation.
When someone asks:
“How are you today?”
The robot becomes confused.
It searches its database.
It analyzes the question.
It checks the grammar rules.
And after several minutes, it says:
“I am experiencing a positive emotional condition.”
The person smiles and says:
“Okay… but I just asked how you are.”
The robot knows a lot about English grammar, but it needs more practice using English.
| 02 |
SECOND VERSION Future Tense |
Professor Grammar-9000 will be the most advanced English-learning robot in the world.
The robot will know thousands of grammar rules.
It will know every tense, every exception, and every grammar explanation.
Students will love Professor Grammar-9000 because it will be able to explain any grammar question.
If someone asks:
“What is the difference between these two sentences?”
The robot will answer immediately.
It will be an amazing grammar expert.
But there will be one small problem.
Professor Grammar-9000 will not be able to have a normal conversation.
When someone asks:
“How are you today?”
The robot will become confused.
It will search its database.
It will analyze the question.
It will check the grammar rules.
And after several minutes, it will say:
“I am experiencing a positive emotional condition.”
The person will smile and say:
“Okay… but I just asked how you are.”
The robot will know a lot about English grammar, but it will need more practice using English.
Excellent!
This is the idea behind Point of View lessons.
You don’t study grammar rules separately.
You hear English used in a meaningful situation, and your brain starts to notice how the language changes.
Grammar is a tool.
It can help you.
But if your goal is fluency, you need more than explanations.
You need to spend time with understandable English.
You need to listen.
You need to respond.
You need to practice.
And little by little, English becomes more natural.
You can get the transcript for this episode at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast.
And if you want more structured listening and speaking practice, you can check out my premium courses at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/courses.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode!
Bye-bye!
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
clarify
to make something easier to understand.
useful
helpful or practical.
experience
knowledge gained by doing something.
context
the situation that helps you understand meaning.
technique
a particular way of doing something.
pattern
a repeated way something happens.
structure
the way something is organized.
meaningful
having importance or purpose.
fluent
able to speak smoothly and naturally.
explanation
information that makes something clearer.
practice
repeated activity to improve a skill.
automatic
happening naturally without much thought.
Continue practicing with my complete English courses. Choose the course that fits your level and goals, and learn to speak more naturally and confidently.
Great
Hi Georgiana.There s only a few days i discovered your podcasts.I m areally astonished.
It s exactly what i search.
Your english speaking is quite captivating.I ll definitely listen more than 3 times everyday the same audio.now i m in number#004…
I m so lucky and i thank you a lot.
You re awesome.
Thank you! Enjoy!
Thanks for your precious time dear teacher your class is so awesome
I love you teacher Georgiana
thank you georgiana for all.
i like very much your quiet speaking
Thanks!
Your potcasts are always effective, informative and at the same time very enjoyable and…
“Toasmasters practice” is such a good idea!
Thank you, Geaorgiana!
Greetings!
I recommend you to go to Toastmasters.com and check out where’s the nearest Toastmasters club.
Excelent ways
For help
Hi Amboise! Thanks for the comment! I’m happy that you liked my lesson!
Es de lo mejor para aprender inglés. Tus métodos realmente funcionan
Gracias Jaziel!!
it’s awesome mam! i can’t express how i’m feeling. this podcast really fantastic.
Thanks Chandan!!!
Hello Georgiana, you are awesome the way you teach is very unique and easy to understand. I have one question according to this video Toastmaster is nice technique to improve our spoken English so shall i go with Toastmaster or with your videos.
That’s a great idea Rohit! I’ve been going to a Toastmasters club some years ago and it was a wonderful experience.
Hello teacher , your lessons it very ful help i like you teacher and god bless you in your ways in your work .in your familly ect..
Hello Georgiana, thank you for your mission. I am writting from Turkey to you.
Hi, Boras! Have a nice day!
Great lessons Ms Giorgian! you’re a very dedicated teacher and thanks for all the help you have been giving us English learners a great bear hug of your student Vitor from Brasil.
Hi, Victor!! I’m so happy that you’re enjoying my English lessons. I wish you a great day!
I like the content of your website, You made me interested in going to attend a Toastmasters session in my city(Cairo), Thanks.
Hi Georgiana.
Thanks a lot for your attention to people and nice podcasts for learn English
Hello Gorgiana.thank you for your useful podcasts.i enjoy of reading them ,your podcasts very help me to learn english fluently.thank you for your efforts
I think Toastmasters is a good idea. It’s a good initiative. I am going to think about this.
Hi Georgiana,
I would like to say thank you for your effort to teach English, differently
I’m in love with your podcast, it’s amazing content I can’t stop to listen and learn.
Kisses from Brazil.
Thanks for your precious time dear teacher your class is so awesome
Ciao Giorgiana. Your podcast are very, very useful. Moreover, I follow your “Magic Course” and I must admit that I’m getting amazing improvements. Thanks & bye
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m thrilled to hear that you find my podcasts useful and that you’re benefiting from my “Magic Course.” It’s wonderful to know that you’re experiencing amazing improvements. Keep up the great work! If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. Thanks again, and have a fantastic day!
Hi Georgiana,
Thank your for this poadcasts , I really appreciate your method .
Mohamed from France.
Hi Georgiana,
I ordered the course fluency II, I hope that I can improve my english.
Kind Regards
That’s awesome! Happy learning!