Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Daily English Upgrade #030: Say It Better — “Thank you” (natural, strong versions)

“Thank you” is great. These upgrades sound warmer and more natural. Simple upgrades: Thanks, I appr...

Daily English Upgrade #029: Business Skill — Summarize + confirm action items

This makes you sound professional (and prevents mistakes). Useful phrases: Just to summarize, … So ...

Daily English Upgrade #028: Mini-Conversation — Fixing misunderstandings (“Sorry, I meant…”)

Misunderstandings happen. These phrases keep you calm and clear. Fix it smoothly: Sorry, I meant… L...

Daily English Upgrade #027: Tone Control — Friendly vs professional messages

Same meaning, different tone. Friendly: Hey, could you send me the file when you have a moment? Pro...

Daily English Upgrade #026: Exam Speaking Upgrade — Reason + example template

A simple structure that makes your speaking clearer: Template: I think ___ because ___. For example...

Daily English Upgrade #025: Interview Upgrade — “Tell me about yourself” (30-sec template)

This question is easy to overthink. Use a simple 3-part flow: Now: what you do now Before: one key ...

Daily English Upgrade #024: JP Trap Fix — Plurals that matter (-s)

That small “-s” changes meaning more than people expect. Quick rule: singular = general concept / o...

Daily English Upgrade #023: Micro-Pattern — “If I had to choose, I’d…”

Great for opinions, decisions, and interviews. Pattern: If I had to choose, I’d ____ because ____. ...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 4

Hey all! This is the forth weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your n...

Daily English Upgrade #022: Say It Better — “I don’t know” (confident stallers)

Not knowing is normal. The upgrade is sounding calm. Better options: Good question. Let me think fo...

Daily English Upgrade #021: Pronunciation — TH made easy (think/this)

You don’t need “perfect TH.” Just aim for a clearer difference. Quick practice pairs (slow → normal...

Daily English Upgrade #020: News Bite — One headline, 3 useful phrases

Pick one “headline” you noticed today (work / tech / society / daily life). You can discuss it natu...

Daily English Upgrade #019: Business Skill — Deadlines + polite pushback

Saying “not possible” politely is a real skill. Polite pushback: That might be difficult by Friday....

Daily English Upgrade #018: Better Questions — “What makes you say that?”

This question makes conversations deeper (and it sounds natural). Try: What makes you say that? (cu...

Daily English Upgrade #017: JP Trap Fix — A vs The (one simple rule)

Simple rule: a / an = first time / one of many the = specific / already known Examples: I bought a ...

Daily English Upgrade #016: Micro-Pattern — “From my perspective…”

A calm, professional way to share an opinion. Pattern: From my perspective, + (opinion). Examples: ...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

Hey all! This is the third weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your n...

Daily English Upgrade #015: Say It Better — “Interesting” (more specific reactions)

“Interesting” is fine — but adding one detail makes you sound more natural. Upgrades: That’s intere...

Daily English Upgrade #014: Pronunciation — L/R quick wins (light/right, glass/grass)

If L/R is difficult, don’t aim for “perfect.” Aim for clear difference. Practice pairs (slow → norm...

Daily English Upgrade #013: Mini-Conversation — Asking for recommendations

A natural flow: ask + follow up. Ask: Do you have any recommendations? What would you recommend? Fo...

Daily English Upgrade #012: Tone Control — Polite disagreement (“I see your point, but…”)

Disagreeing politely is a real skill. Soft disagreement: I see your point, but… That makes sense, b...

Daily English Upgrade #011: Business Skill — Clarifying in meetings (“So you mean…?”)

In meetings, clarity beats “perfect English.” Clarify: So you mean (that)…? Do you mean (that)…? Co...

フランスでよく使われる「エコロ」って、なに？

最近フランスでよく耳にする言葉「エコロ」。みなさんは聞いたことありますか？ Écologique（エコロジック）、つまり「環境に配慮した」という意味の省略語です。日本語でイメージするような “節約”...

【A1/A2】過去形：passé composé（とてもやさしい説明） - 「〜した」を表す基本の過去

【A1/A2】過去形：passé composé（とてもやさしい説明） 「〜した」を表す基本の過去 レッスンの目的 フランス語の基本の過去形 passé composé を、 日本語話者にも分かり...

Daily English Upgrade #010: JP Trap Fix — “Discuss about” → “Discuss”

Quick fix: √ discuss + topicX discuss about + topic Correct examples: Let’s discuss the plan. We di...

【A1/A2】再帰動詞（verbes pronominaux）- s’appeler / se lever などの「se」がつく動詞

【A1/A2】再帰動詞（verbes pronominaux） s’appeler / se lever などの「se」がつく動詞 レッスンの目的 フランス語の 再帰動詞（verbes pronom...

Daily English Upgrade #009: Micro-Pattern — “What I mean is…”

Great when you want to clarify (and sound calm). Pattern: What I mean is + (clarification). Example...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 2

Hey all! This is the second weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your ...

【A1/A2】疑問文：est-ce que の作り方 - シンプルで使いやすい質問の形

【A1/A2】疑問文：est-ce que の作り方 シンプルで使いやすい質問の形 レッスンの目的 フランス語の疑問文の中で、いちばん簡単で使いやすい est-ce que の作り方を学びます。 ...

Daily English Upgrade #008: Say It Better — “Maybe” (natural softening phrases)

“Maybe” is fine — but these give you better control. Soft “maybe”: Maybe. It depends. More natural:...