Happy English Podcast

In today’s Saturday Short, Michael talks about one of the newest slang expressions to hit the English language — “6-7.” You’ll learn where this Gen Z phrase came from, how people use it online, and why it’s more about vibe than grammar. It’s short, fun, and a perfect look at how English keeps evolving. So, what does “6-7” really mean? Let’s find out together! Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is zone out. When you zone out, it means your mind starts to wander and you stop paying attention - especially when you’re tired, bored, or distracted. Basically, your body’s there, but your brain takes a little break. Here’s a pronunciation tip: zone out - zohn-out. The N connects smoothly with out, like zoh-nout. So how about you? When do you usually zone out - at work, in class, or maybe when someone’s talking too long? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Boo! Did I scare you? I hope not. Halloween is literally right around the corner, and depending on where you live that may or may not have any particular meaning for you. But in the USA? Well, let’s go trick or treating... Thanks for tuning in. And hey, Happy Halloween! 🎃👻 If you’re listening to this on October 31st - or even a day or two later - I hope you’re feeling the spooky season vibes. Two weeks ago, we kicked off our Halloween series with some scary vocabulary. And today, we’re keeping the Halloween spirit alive with something a little different - a look at how Halloween is really celebrated here in the USA. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

“Are we there yet?” That’s a question you’ve probably heard - or maybe even asked - especially if you’ve ever taken a road trip with kids: “Are we there yet?” “Not just yet!” Yet is just a three-letter word, but it’s packed with meaning. It helps you talk about time, expectations, contrast, and even emphasis. And once you learn how to use yet naturally, your English is going to sound a whole lot more fluent. So today, let’s look at four of the most common ways we use yet - and I’ll show you how this tiny word makes a big impact in everyday conversation. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Let me ask you something - have you ever noticed how often people say get in English? I mean seriously - we get tired, we get pizza, we get better, we get going, we get caught in the rain, and we get used to the cold. Well, some of us. Get is one of the most flexible and common verbs in English - and native speakers use it all the time in conversation. So today, let’s get into it… and take a look at five of the most useful ways we use get in natural, everyday English. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Sunday Speak. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally. Now, In spoken American English, we often connect words together, and when we do, the sounds change. That’s called connected speech. You’ll hear it all the time in words and phrases like ya, didja, and whaddaya. This kind of connected speech makes English sound smoother and faster — the way people really talk. So next time you listen to native speakers, try to catch those little sound changes. Ya hear ’em? That’s connected speech! Thanks for listening. And remember to like, follow, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Sunday Speak. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here, and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better. Today, let’s look at two really common and super natural phrases you’ll hear in everyday English: “You know what?” and “Guess what?” We use both of these when we want to grab someone’s attention - usually before we share some news, an idea, or an opinion. They make your speech sound lively and conversational and they’re kind of like how we say, “Hey, listen to this!” Like: “You know what? I think I’m finally getting used to this cool weather.” Or: “You know what? I’ve decided to start going to the gym again.” And guess what? is even more playful. We use it when we’re excited to share news or something surprising. Like: “Guess what? I passed my driving test!” Or: “Guess what? My favorite band is coming to Japan!” When you use you know what or guess what, your tone matters. Both phrases sound best with energy and a rising intonation - it builds a little excitement before you say your news. So remember...you know what and guess what, are great for starting a story, sharing good news, or giving an opinion in a fun, natural way. And you know what? I think you’re gonna sound even more fluent when you start using these in your conversations! Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is buckle down. When you buckle down, it means you start working seriously and with focus — especially after being a bit lazy or distracted. You stop wasting time and get things done. And we tend to say, buckle down and DO somerthing. So how about you? Is there something you need to buckle down and do — maybe work, study, or a personal goal? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

I suggest you listen carefully to this podcast. And if you’re with a friend right now, I suggest he listen carefully as well. Or she listen carefully. I mean, if I were you, I’d definitely stick around for this one. Today we’re diving into a part of English grammar that doesn’t follow the usual rules - but native speakers use it all the time without thinking twice. Especially in American English. It’s called the subjunctive mood - and while that might sound technical or tricky, it’s actually pretty simple once you know how it works. So today, I’ll walk you through four common ways we use the subjunctive - all with real-life, everyday examples. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey, let me ask you a question - have you ever made a decision… and then later thought, “Oh man, I shouldn’t have done that”? Or maybe you’ve thought, “If only I had done it differently.” Yeah. That, my friend, is regret - and we all feel it sometimes. Regret is one of those universal emotions - something everyone experiences. And in English, we’ve got a few really natural and emotional ways to talk about it. So today, I’ll show you how to use phrases like “I should have,” “I wish I had,” and “If only I had” - plus some everyday expressions people use when they mess up. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to another Happy English Sunday Speak. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally. Now, in American English, there’s a special sound we make with the letter T. It’s called the flap T, and it sounds kind of like a soft D sound. You’ll hear it in words like better, water, and pretty. So instead of saying “BET-ter,” “WAH-ter,” and “PRIT-ty,” Americans usually say “BEH-der,” “WAH-der,” and “PRI-dee.” This sound happens when the T comes between two vowel sounds — like the a and e in water, or the i and y in city. Let me give you some sentences to practice this: This flap T sound makes your English smoother and more natural — just like how most Americans really speak. Thanks for listening. And remember to like, follow, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Sunday Speak. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better. Today, let’s look at a super common phrase you’ll hear in everyday English: “You know what I mean?” We use you know what I mean? to seek agreement or to check if the other person understands us. It’s kind of like soft tag questions, like isn’t it? that keeps the conversation friendly and connected. Like, in the office, you might say: “There’s something strange about the new marketing manager, you know what I mean?” OR “That meeting felt way too long, you know what I mean?” And on a rainy Monday, “Man, this weather makes me so sleepy, you know what I mean?” Again, when you say you know what I mean, you’re not really asking for information. You’re just trying to connect what you’re thinking with the other person. It makes your English sound more relaxed, natural, and conversational. And here’s a quick pronunciation tip - in real life, we often say it like this: “Y’know what I mean?” Go ahead, try saying that out loud. So remember, you know what I mean? is a great way to show understanding, invite agreement, and sound more like a native speaker. You know what I mean? Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday with a quick, one-poi nt English lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is flake out. When you flake out, it means you agree to do something - like meet up, help out, or join an event - but then you don’t show up or don’t follow through. Basically, you cancel or disappear at the last minute. And here’s a little pronunciation tip: flake out - flay-kout. The K sound at the end of flake connects right into out. Fla......kout. flay-kout! So how about you? Has a friend ever flaked out on you? Or maybe you’ve flaked out on someone before? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Thanks for listening - and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE https://chatgpt.com/g/g-687344c0706c819184e8bda28d7582d9-ask-michael-your-english-teacher

Welcome - and by the way - thanks for stopping by today! I’ve been thinking… by is one of those little words that shows up everywhere in English. It’s just two letters, but it does a lot of work. Today we’re gonna take a close look at by - and I think you’ll be surprised at how many different ways we use it. You’ve probably seen BY in phrases like “by the time I got there,” or “a book by Hemingway,” or even “I’ll finish it by Friday.” Yeah - by is short, but powerful. Time, location, who did something, how something happens… yep, by does it all. So, let’s break it down - nice and easy. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

With Halloween right around the corner, I thought it’d be fun to do a little Halloween-themed English. So for the next three weeks, we’re going to dive into some spooky vocabulary, creepy idioms, and even take a look at how Halloween is celebrated in the U.S. Let’s kick it off today with something super useful - Halloween vocabulary! Now, you might be thinking, “Michael, I’m not a fan of horror movies.” That’s totally fine! But you know what? These words aren’t just for Halloween. Native speakers use them in everyday conversation - often in a humorous or exaggerated way. So let’s jump in before something…jumps out. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Did you know? Eating healthy foods can make you healthy, but I heard that drinking certain wines with cheeses can make you happy. Foods? Wines? Cheeses? You know, English is a strange language sometimes. Like, words that are usually uncountable suddenly show up with an “s” on the end. Like…foods, cheeses, and wines? Wait a minute — aren’t those uncountable nouns? Well… yes! But also… no. Let me show you how it works — and why it actually makes a lot of sense once you understand the pattern. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Sunday Speak. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally. Now, one of the most common phrases in English is “I don’t know.” But in everyday conversation, most native speakers don’t pronounce each word clearly like that. Instead, we usually say “I dunno.” (“EYE-duh-NO”) That’s right — I don’t know becomes I dunno. It’s just a natural sound change that happens when we speak quickly. The meaning doesn’t change — it’s just faster, smoother, and more natural. So next time you want to say I don’t know, try saying I dunno. It’ll make your English sound more relaxed and more natural. Thanks for listening. And remember to like, follow, and subscribe so you won’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Sunday Speak. Until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey there! It’s Michael here and welcome back to another Happy English Saturday Short, your quick tip for speaking English better. Today, let’s look at a really common and powerful phrase: “Let me tell you something.” We use let me tell you something when we want to share our feelings, give an opinion, or emphasize what we’re about to say. It helps grab the listener’s attention and makes your speech sound more natural — and more emotional. Let’s say your friend just ask you about a new restaurant in town. You could say: “Oh, let me tell you something - their pasta is incredible!” Or maybe you saw a movie, and a friend says she heard it’s boring. You can say: “Let me tell you something, that movie is one of the best I’ve seen this year.” We also use it when we feel strongly about something: “Let me tell you something — learning English takes time, but it’s totally worth it.” So remember, let me tell you something is a great way to add emotion, confidence, or strong opinion to what you say. It’s natural, it’s friendly, and it really makes your English sound alive. And let me tell you something - if you keep practicing with these Saturday Shorts, your English is only going to get better and better! Oh, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Saturday Short. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

~~~~~~~~ 901 - Phrasal Verb Frida - Crank Out Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English, Phrasal Verb Friday. I’m here every Friday with a quick, one-point English lesson to help you learn a new phrasal verb and sound more natural when you speak. Today’s phrasal verb is crank out. When you crank something out, it means you produce it quickly, often in large amounts. This phrase is often used for things like writing, work, or manufacturing — anything that can be produced at a fast pace, sometimes with a focus on quantity over quality. And hey, here’s a little pronunciation tip: crank out… crank-out. The K at the end of crank links smoothly into the O of out. Crank-out. So how about you? What’s something you’ve cranked out lately — work, content, projects, maybe a bunch of emails? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next week’s Phrasal Verb Friday. Thanks for listening — and until next time, keep learning and keep it cool. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE

Hey, can you believe it? This is Episode 900 of the Happy English Podcast. Nine. Hundred. Episodes. I can hardly believe it myself. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way! I just want to take a moment today to say how grateful I am to YOU. Whether this is your first time listening, your 50th time, or you’ve been here since Episode 1, thank you. The fact that you listen, learn, and grow with me is what keeps me showing up here week after week. So today, I want to share a little bit of my story, what I’ve learned from doing 900 episodes, and some advice for you on your English journey. Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsg Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/ My AI English Tutor is HERE