In this episode, I announce the winners of our Spooky Story Contest and read the top three horror stories written by English learners! Each story brings something special — suspense, emotion, and creativity — and we explore what makes them so engaging.In this episode I read: the runner-up “The Mystery Story" by Akko, the chilling second-place entry, "My first night by myself at home" by Joao, and the haunting winner “Always Here For You” by Almir. After each reading we break down what we liked about the stories: language choices, pacing, and ways to build fear and emotional impact.
✨ Takeaways:
Creativity and originality make stories memorable.
Listening helps you learn vocabulary in context.
Analyzing stories deepens your understanding of how language works.
Keywords: spooky stories, storytelling, creative writing, writing contest, horror stories, English listening practice, story analysis, narrative techniques, vocabulary in context, engaging stories.
In this episode we unpack how phrasal verbs turn into compound nouns. You will hear clear examples like takeover, breakdown, check-in, follow-up, and meetup, plus easy spelling tips and simple pronunciation rules to help your English sound more natural. Whether you use English at work, in social situations, or when making decisions, these words are everywhere. Listen for practice ideas you can try right away to lock this grammar into your speaking and writing.
What you will learn• How compound nouns form from phrasal verbs• Verb versus noun use, with easy examples• Spelling patterns and why some words change from two words to one word• Pronunciation and stress tips for natural sound• Plenty of examples to practice and remember these forms
Sign up for a class at charmenglish.cl
In this episode I break down one of the trickiest parts of English grammar: verbs that take gerunds vs infinitives. We cover common patterns, mental-process verbs (think, imagine, recall), verbs of intention (intend, plan), and verbs that accept both forms with little change in meaning. Expect real-life examples, practical chunks you can use in conversation, and teaching tips for ESL learners (B2–C1). Whether you’re preparing for interviews, improving fluency, or teaching English, this episode gives bite-sized rules and plenty of practice ideas to make gerunds and infinitives stick.
Key takeaways
Some verbs require gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid) — often for likes/dislikes or ongoing actions.
Some verbs require infinitives (e.g., intend, decide) — often for intentions/decisions.
A small group of verbs can take both gerund and infinitive with little or no change in meaning (e.g., start, begin, continue).
Context and meaning decide which form to use — practise with categorised lists and speaking drills.
Use real-life examples and mixing activities to make the forms feel natural.
Practice suggestions
Make a 2-minute recording using 5 gerund phrases (I enjoy…, I’m used to…, I avoid…).
Role-play intentions: use infinitives for decisions (I intend to…, I plan to…, I decided to…).
Sorting activity: create two columns (gerund / infinitive) and sort verbs from the episode.
Conversation prompt: “What’s something you pretend to do? What’s something you intend to start?”
To watch on YouTube go to: https://youtu.be/TnxcbEHsdos
I chat with my sister Stacey about what it is really like to work in animal control. Stacey shares field stories, the kinds of calls she gets, and the choices officers make when balancing animal welfare and community needs. Along the way we focus on language that learners can use in real life. You will hear natural vocabulary and phrases, pronunciation practice of animal names, and clear explanations of animal behavior that help with safety and pet care. This is a great fast-paced conversation to learn plenty of vocabulary because we don't just use technical words, we also use a lot of conversational phrases and phrasal verbs (clutter up, on the books, etc.)
What learners will get from this episodePractice listening to everyday conversation about animals and jobsVocabulary and pronunciation examples for animal names and common phrasesStories about animals and animal controlPractical pet tips like microchipping and reading body language
In this live Q&A I answer student questions about casual speaking, speaking and learning tips, verb tenses (past perfect and the past participle,) causative verbs, pronunciation difficulties, and small language nuances like the difference between “shade” and “shadow.” I give many examples, correction tips, and practice suggestions you can use right away. Suitable for B1–B2 learners who want practical speaking practice and clearer grammar use.Some takeaways:-Use adverbs at the start of sentences to sound more natural.-Phrasal verbs are essential for conversational fluency.-Use past perfect to show event order/background.-Causative verbs (make/have/get) show actions done by others.-Cultural context improves comprehension and use.-Practice vowel sounds with rhymes and minimal pairs.-Balance communicative speaking with targeted grammar practice.-Solo speaking practice also builds fluency and confidence.
Remember you can watch on youtube at @charmenglishmaggie and you can sign up for a class at www.charmenglish.cl
In this episode, I explore sayings and life mottos that we live by. We dig into procrastination, motivation, and how social media shapes our views of other people’s lives. Along the way I share language tips for learners, cultural expressions you can use today, and simple mindset shifts that make action easier.
What you’ll get from this episode
Life mottos that can guide you and your lifestyle
Idioms that express motivation, acceptance and resilience.
Reflections on beating procrastination and not comparing yourself to others on social media
Language learning + communication tips for speaking English
Chapters (highlights) — jump in at the time that fits you
00:00 Intro • 02:14 Personal life mottos • 16:15 Honesty & communication • 23:06 No pain, no gain • 25:14 Social media comparisons • 27:07 Idioms & cultural expressions • 31:28 Language tips for interviews • 36:58 Final reflections
Love the episode? Leave a review, subscribe, and share a life motto that guides you
In this episode, I break down how to use modals of possibility like may, might, and could in real-life English conversations. We also talk about phrasal verbs and idioms that help you sound more fluent and express uncertainty naturally — phrases like turn out, end up, and up in the air.
If you’re trying to speak English with more confidence, this lesson will help you understand how to talk about odds, likelihood, and future possibilities in a clear and natural way. It’s a great mix of grammar, pronunciation, and conversation practice, so you can use what you learn right away.
What you’ll learn:• How to use may, might, and could to express uncertainty• Common idioms and phrasal verbs for talking about results• Ways to describe odds and possibilities in everyday English• Tips to improve fluency and communication skills
Perfect for learners who want to build stronger English communication skills and sound more natural when they speak.
Sign up for English classes at charmenglish.cl
We talk about so much everyday health vocabulary, from sneezing and tissues and Kleenex, to symptoms, to phrasal verbs like pass out versus pass away.
This is a great episode for anyone wanting to work on their listening skills and useful vocabulary!
In this episode I sit down with Emily, my sister!
We talk about different varieties and dialects of English like AAVE, Scottish vs US English, and Polari. She also shares her experiences moving to Scotland and studying a Master's in teaching English. We talk about her experiences learning several languages and what's worked for her. This is a fast-paced episode with so much great info!
If you'd like to have an English class with Emily, you can sign up at www.charmenglish.cl
Dialects and varieties of English that we mention:
AAVE (African American Vernacular English) is a variety of English traditionally spoken by many African Americans. It has its own consistent grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, and is recognized as a legitimate dialect of English rather than “incorrect” English. To learn more, check out https://www.thoughtco.com/african-american-vernacular-english-aave-1689045 and the YouTube channel What's Good English https://youtu.be/Hw25n4Ehs4o?si=eqnYPAskO1aaqmnF and the work of linguists like Dr. Lisa Green
Polari is a secretive, informal language or slang historically used in Britain, especially by gay men, actors, and sailors, to communicate discreetly. It mixes elements from Italian, English, Romani, Yiddish, and slang. Read more in the work of Paul Baker https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/polari-and-hidden-history-of-gay-seafarers
Scots is a West Germanic language variety that developed from Early Middle English and is spoken in Scotland. It’s closely related to English but has its own distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Scottish Gaelic (or Gaelic) is a Celtic language spoken in parts of Scotland. It has its own grammar and vocabulary, distinct from English and Scots, and is part of the same language family as Irish and Manx.
In this episode, we take a closer look at the word “as” and all the different ways it’s used in everyday English. You’ll hear common phrases like as soon as possible, as opposed to, as for, as far as, and more. We’ll also go over how “as” works in equative comparisons (I’m as tall as him), to show reason (As it was raining, we stayed inside), and as a time marker (I was looking outside as the bird flew by).
We’ll go over plenty of examples you can use right away in conversation—like as long as you finish your work first, as much as I’d love to go, or as if that were true. By the end, you’ll see just how versatile this small word can be and feel more confident using it in different contexts.
Looking for conversational English classes? There are spots in my B1 and B2 group classes online at www.charmenglish.cl :)
In this class we have so many tongue twisters and other tips and tricks for you to practice your pronunciation!
I show different vibrating sounds like S versus Z, TH, and B versus V.
We also talk about the flap T, which is when a T between two vowels sounds more like a D, and the US English R sound.
Listen and say the tongue twisters along with me!
This episode is all about spicing up your English with some kitchen and cooking vocab. We’re talking all the action words you need—slice, chop, mince, blend—so you can be more specific when telling people about foods from your country. Plus, we’ll hit the cooking methods: grill it, boil it, roast it, you name it.
Then we’ll put it all into practice, walking through how to make dishes step-by-step so you can actually use the words instead of just… knowing them.
If you’re a foodie, a home chef, or just someone who wants to talk about food without awkward pauses, this episode’s gonna give you the vocab to make your English chef’s kiss
In this very special interview episode, I sit down with Will, a fellow ESL teacher and online content creator from Venezuela, living in Colombia.
We talk about his own journey learning English and eventually becoming a teacher, and he shares what worked for him.
Along the way, we also dive into the challenges of mastering English, hear about his hobbies, and even sing a little bit, as to be expected at this point on Charm English Pod, heheh ;)
Whether you’re learning English or teaching it, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and insight in this conversation with Will!
Follow Will on instagram https://www.instagram.com/english_with.will/
and on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@english.with.will
And follow me on instagram
https://www.instagram.com/charmenglishcl/
and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@charmenglishmaggie
In this episode we talk about cats, your thoughts on cats, why we love or don't love them, etc.
Then we practiced using cat-related idioms, in particular ones used in the REAL WORLD (I'm an advocate of teaching students idioms that they might actually see and find useful, since there are so many of them out there, it's good to prioritize.)
And finally we had some hypothetical questions like what would you do if you were a cat. You all also taught me about cats in your cultures and how in some countries cats have seven lives instead of nine which was very surprising to find out!
At the end we have some random questions
Hello! Here are my top tips for job interviews and how to answer several common questions.
We go over how to answer "tell me about yourself" using the past, present, and future.
We practice the STAR method for sharing situations when asked behavioral questions (situation, task, action, result.)
We also talk about tough questions like what is your biggest weakness? and why should we hire you?
I hope you enjoy this episode, and please like and comment if you want more content like this :)
Join small group classes! 👩🏼🏫 www.Charmenglish.cl
Follow me on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/charmenglishcl/
And tiktok
https://www.tiktok.com/@charmenglishcl
And youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@CharmEnglishMaggie
In this episode, we talk about derivational forms —words that are created by adding prefixes or suffixes to a base word (also called a root). These added parts can change the meaning of the word or its grammatical category (like turning a verb into a noun or an adjective into an adverb).
For example:
From the verb teach, we get the noun teacher.
From the adjective happy, we get the noun happiness.
From the noun success, we get the adjective successful.
These are all derivational forms — words that come from the same root but play different roles in a sentence. Knowing how they work can help you build your vocabulary and communicate more precisely.
In this episode, I:
Explain what derivational forms are and we think of several examples
Talk about word roots and the different types we have in English, especially coming from Latin
Look at common negative prefixes like un-, in-, im-, ir-, and mis-
Practice identifying word families and patterns that can help you guess the meaning of new words
This is a topic that will help you on a standardized test or in your everyday life!
In this episode we explore the topic of connected speech. Learning about this will help you so much with your listening, when people speak quickly!
We tend to connect words when a word ends in a consonant and the next word starts in a vowel (Put it - putit).
Also, when one word ends in a vowel and the next word starts in a vowel. In some cases we add a W or Y sound (I agree - iyagree, go out - gowout)
And when a sound is repeated like big game, nice smile. (Nismile)
We also have elision where consonants in clusters are sometimes omitted, for example with interested.
There are so many tips in this live I think this is one to listen to all the way through!
In this class we talk about the present perfect tense and when to use it, practically in conversations! We also compare the simple past to the present perfect and discuss when to use each one. The present perfect is used for unspecified events in the past as well as events that started in the past and continue now.
Here's a strategy that will help you learn phrasal verbs more effectively: learn phrasal verbs that have double meanings, both literal and figurative. It's usually easier for us to remember literal and concrete actions, so by connecting figuritive uses to literal ones, it can serve as a memory trick.
🎙️ Adjective Order in English: Why We Say "Big Beautiful Desk" (Not the Other Way Around!)
Okay, so here’s something kinda weird about English—when we use a bunch of adjectives before a noun, there’s actually a pretty specific order that sounds right… even if we don’t realize it! 😅
Linguists have noticed a pattern, and it goes like this:
Opinion – Size – Age – Shape – Color – Origin – Material – Purpose.
(Yeah, OSASCOMP... but don’t worry, we’ll break it down!)
🪑 So we say:
a beautiful big wooden desk
a cute little red purse
an old round stone table
a nice new French café
BUT—some words, like big, are kind of pushy and often go in front of opinions:
a big exciting trip
a big terrible mess
a big fun party
It’s not about memorizing every detail—it’s more about getting used to what sounds natural over time. You’ll start to feel it the more you hear and use English. Promise! 💬
Try writing a few examples in the comments. I’d love to see your combos!