Cafetalk Tutor's Column

How to feel more confident in online classes?

Totally get this—online classes can mess with your confidence in sneaky ways. You’re not alone, and...

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...

How Do You Like Your Coffee? The Ethics of Coffee.

Does coffee help you get to the other end of the day? I must admit, that when I am really busy, it ...

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002

Speak Better English: Embarrassing Stories #002 Work / Meetings / Appreciation “You must be tir...

You Don’t Need Confidence - Just Willingness

Under-confident people tend to have an exaggerated view of what 'confidence' looks like. I mean who...

Gaining Confidence Online

Online classes can be intimidating if you are used to an in-person experience.  Prior to the pandem...

Why your imperfect English/French is actually your greatest strength.

I have traveled across many borders, but the most beautiful thing I have ever discovered isn't a mo...

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...

Recipes and Cooking Shows. Practical English!

Do you want to improve your language skills, but find it difficult to find the time?I have a sugges...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 3

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

Confidence: Make Mistakes Like a Pro!

Speak Better English: Make Mistakes Like a Pro! Study mindset • Practical habits • Simple phras...

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...

Feeling nervous in online classe

How to stop feeling nervous in our online classes:1️⃣ Don’t be perfect You don’t need perfect Engli...

Get to know about me short English introduction.

I’m writing this to let serious English conversational learners know that I have just created a fre...

Where In the World Should I Go?

Are you planning a holiday? Or just dreaming of one?Language study can be of practical assistance f...

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

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

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 ...

The flow of the emotions… what originates from the innate, and what originates from the acquired

We strip away the artificial layers of modern conditioning to recover the Fitra, that primordial co...

What I Learned From Listening

Most people think tutoring is about having the right answers. That is part of it, of course. Gramma...

How to Feel Confident in Online English Lessons

Feeling nervous in online English lessons is very common — and you are not alone. Many learn...

Kawaii Japan Journey — JLPT N3 Reading Beyond Textbooks (Kanto & Kansai)

There’s a special kind of motivation that comes from reading Japanese that doesn’t feel like studyi...

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...

The teacher matters!

  ??‍?? Why Does the Teacher Matter?     1️⃣ The teacher makes learning easy A good teacher explain...