Hi, I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode.
I'm here to help you speak English fluently.
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Before we start, Get the transcript.
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Okay, let's start.
Let me ask you something.
What's the easiest way to start a conversation in English?
If you said the weather, you're absolutely right.
It doesn't matter where you are.
London, New York, or Paris.
At some point, people will always talk about the weather.
And it makes sense, right?
The weather touches everyone's life.
If it's sunny, people feel cheerful.
If it rains, people complain.
If it snows, kids celebrate, while adults worry about traffic.
It's a safe, easy way to connect with others.
And fall is perfect for talking about the weather, because it keeps changing.
One morning, the air is crisp, and you think, a sweater will be enough today.
By afternoon you're too warm in that sweater, and then by evening the temperature drops and you suddenly wish you had a big coat and a scarf.
Another reason weather is so popular is because it's neutral.
You don't have to know the person well.
You can be in an elevator, at a bus stop, or saying hi to a new neighbor.
You just say...
Beautiful day, isn't it?
Or, Looks like rain today.
And just like that, you've started a conversation.
No stress, no awkward silence.
Great!
Let's practice some simple phrases people use all the time in autumn.
It's chilly today.
You step outside without a jacket.
A cold breeze hits you and you say, Brr, it's chilly today.
The days are getting shorter.
You notice it's already dark at 6 p.m.
And you tell your friend, Wow, these days are getting shorter.
Looks like rain.
You're waiting for the bus.
The sky turns gray and you say, Hmm, looks like rain.
Another expression.
The weather changes so fast.
In the morning, it was sunny.
By afternoon, it's pouring again.
You shake your head and say, The weather changes so fast.
These are not complicated sentences, but they are powerful because people really use them every day.
If you practice them, you'll feel more natural and confident.
Now let's make this fun.
Sometimes British and American English use different words for the exact same weather.
In the U.S., people will say...
It's chilly today.
But in the UK, someone might say, It's a bit nippy this morning, isn't it?
In New York, you'll hear, I love the fall colors.
But in London, they'd say, The colors of autumn are beautiful, aren't they?
In Chicago, someone might look out the window and say, Wow, it's raining cats and dogs out there.
But in London, people usually say, It's pouring down today.
An American mom might say, Don't forget your rain boots.
But a British mom will probably shout, Don't forget your wellies.
In the U.S., you'll hear, The sky is cloudy.
Looks like rain.
But in the UK, it's more common to say, the sky's overcast, looks like rain.
When it suddenly turns cold, in the US they'll say, a cold front is moving in tomorrow.
But in the UK, people say, we're having a cold snap this week.
And now, let's practice your speaking with a mini-story.
I'll tell you a short story.
Then, I'll ask you questions.
After each question, you'll answer out loud.
Then, I'll confirm the correct answer.
This helps you think in English and improve your speaking.
Want my step-by-step guide to speak English fluently?
Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses and get my premium courses.
Ready?
Let's go!
An American student was visiting London in the autumn.
A season when it can be sunny, rainy, windy, and freezing all in the same hour.
Who was visiting London?
An American student.
He was visiting London in the autumn.
Before leaving the house, his British friend warned him very seriously.
Don't forget your wellies.
It's going to be wet today.
Who gave him this serious warning?
His British friend.
His friend warned him.
What did the friend say?
Don't forget your wellies.
It's going to be wet today.
But the American student had never heard of the word wellies in his life.
He didn't understand it at all.
What did he think wellies were?
Shoes?
No, he didn't think they were shoes.
He thought maybe wellies were some kind of delicious British snack, maybe cookies with chocolate.
He had no idea.
Instead of asking, he just smiled politely and said, Oh yes, of course, my wellies, sure.
He had no clue.
Did he ask his friend what wellies were?
No, he didn't ask.
He pretended to know.
Big mistake.
So what did he wear?
Sneakers or rain boots?
He wore sneakers, because he didn't realize wellies meant rain boots.
A few hours later, the British weather showed its true power.
Suddenly, it didn't drizzle a little.
It poured.
It poured like the sky had a personal problem with him.
Did it drizzle just a little?
No, not at all.
It poured like crazy.
Real London rain.
The streets, filled with puddles so big, they looked like swimming pools for ducks.
His sneakers were instantly soaked.
What happened with his sneakers?
Were they dry or soaked?
Soaked, completely soaked, like two sponges.
When he finally arrived, his friend saw him dripping wet and laughed out loud.
Did the friend cry or laugh?
He laughed.
The British friend laughed a lot.
What did the friend say?
He said, I told you, you needed your wellies.
At that moment, the American student discovered the truth.
Wellies were not cookies.
They were rain boots.
What are wellies?
Rain boots.
Wellies are rain boots in British English.
The best part is that now, whenever it rains in the U.S., his friends always tease him.
They shout, Hey, don't forget your wellies!
And everyone laughs.
Do his friends ignore him or tease him?
They tease him.
They say, don't forget your wellies.
That's the end of today's mini story.
Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses and get my premium courses.
If you want to help me, share the podcast with your friends and family.
That would mean a lot.
Thanks.
I'll be back next week with a brand new episode.
Bye-bye.
