Cafetalk Tutor's Column

The difference between -ed and -ing

“-ed” → how you feel (the person’s emotion)“-ing” → what causes the feeling (the thing or situation...

Casual Slang

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two usefu...

Work & Study

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Social Media & Tech

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Shopping and Eating Out

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two use...

Speak Natural English: Apologizes

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Giving Advice

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Asking for Help

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Expressing Opinions

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Making Plans

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Speak Natural English: Everyday Greetings

Hi! I'm Brian-sensei, and I help learners speak natural, everyday English. Here are two useful phra...

Natural English - That makes sense

Instead of “I understand”? Try this natural phrase: “That makes sense” — it’s a friendly and casual...

Natural English - I'm good, thanks

Instead of saying “No, thank you,” Try “I’m good, thanks” — it’s casual, polite, and very natural. ...

Natural English - No worries

Instead of “It’s okay”? Try this natural phrase: “No worries” — it’s casual, friendly, and super co...

Natural English - It's a pleasure meeting you.

Still saying “Nice to meet you”? Try this natural phrase: “It’s a pleasure meeting you” — it sounds...

Natural English - I have no idea

Still saying “I don’t know”? Try this natural phrase: “I have no idea” — it means you really don’t ...

Natural English - Tasty

Still saying “delicious”? Try this natural phrase: “It’s so tasty!” — it’s simple and super common ...

Expressions - Swamped

Still saying “I’m very busy”? Try this natural phrase: “I’m swamped” — it means you have way too mu...

Expressions - Hang on

Still saying “wait”? Try this natural phrase: “Hang on” — it means to wait a moment, usually casual...

Expressions - Cut it out

Always saying “Stop it”? Try this natural phrase: “Cut it out” — it means to stop doing something a...

Expressions - In a good mood

Always saying “I’m happy”? Try this natural phrase: “I’m in a good mood” — it means you're feeling ...

Expressions - Take it easy

Instead of saying “relax”? Try this natural phrase: “Take it easy” — it means to rest or not stress...

Expressions - I could eat a horse

Instead of saying “I’m really hungry”? Try this fun phrase: “I could eat a horse” — it means you’re...

Tone Tips - No

Different Ways to Say “No”! Today’s quick tip is about a simple but important word: “No.” There are...

Tone Tips - I'm Sorry

Here’s a quick tip on different ways to say “I’m sorry.” Try these common options: My bad (casual)S...

Expressions - Head out

Do you always say "I'm going out"? Want to sound more natural? Try this phrase: "head out" It means...

Expressions - Hit the road

Do you always say “I’m leaving now”? Want to sound more natural? Try this phrase: "hit the road" It...

Tone Tips - Yes

Different Ways to Say “Yes”! Today’s quick tip is about a simple but powerful word: “Yes.” There ar...

Tone Tips - Thank you

Different Ways to Say “Thank You”!  Today’s quick tip is about one of the most useful expressions i...

Expressions - Hit the sack

Here’s a natural English phrase: "hit the sack" It means to go to bed or go to sleep. I’m so tired—...