3 Easy Ways to Connect with a Local Canadian in English

Will you be-visiting Ottawa someday?
Today, meet Kathleen from Canada, and get-3 phrases to connect with locals in the capital city, Ottawa!
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Canada is a multicultural and diverse country, and-Ottawa is a micro version of that.-It-s a city of one million inhabitants and numerous languages.-It is also a city in touch with nature.-With four distinct seasons, Ottawa has something for everyone.
Though Canada and the United States have some similarities, they also have many differences.-Among these are-some subtle-differences-in using-the English language. This includes pronunciation and some commonly used phrases.
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Here are Kathleen-s top Canadian phrases to help you blend in when you-re in Ottawa!

I-m sorry:-Canadians are known for being very polite.-In fact, the culture can be so polite it becomes apologetic.-Sometimes Canadians will begin a sentence, -I-m sorry,- even if they did nothing wrong and aren-t apologizing for anything.

Out and About: This means to go exploring or to check something out. A Canadian might say -Let-s go out and about,- or -I was out and about.-

Eh?: Often, this word is used the way an American might use the words -right?- or -huh?--It shows agreement or clarification with other people.-You might hear someone say, -That was a great show, eh?-

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Are you going to Ottawa, or Canada?
Have you ever been there?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Kathleen-is a native English speaker from Ottawa, Canada.-She has-been teaching and tutoring students in-English-and beginner French for over three years in Asia, Latin America and Canada.-She also speaks French and Spanish,-and so-understands the challenges and joys of learning a new language. In her experience, conversation is the best way to improve language skills.
Kathleen has worked and continues to work in the areas of community development, and is-currently completing-her Bachelor of Education.-This summer she-will be teaching in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.-She-loves meeting people from different cultures and learning new languages.
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Spark the Conversation! 4 Topics to Use on a First Date in English

Are you dating in English?
Today, we welcome back dating-expert Jessica Coyle to give you four easy topics for conversation when dating!
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Conversation can be tricky on a first date.-You might be nervous, and it can be-hard to know what-s safe to talk about.-Jessica has a great acronym to help you with simple, safe discussion topics.-It-s FORD, and it-stands for:

Friends: If you have mutual friends, ask how your date met them.-Or, if you don-t have mutual friends, ask if your date knows anybody in the area where you-re meeting.

Occupation: Asking about-another person-s-job is usually a good conversation starter.-You might say, -What do you do with your time?--That way, if-your date-happens to be unemployed, they are still able to give an answer.

Recreation: Ask about what somebody likes to do for fun. You might follow up by asking, -How often do you get to do that?-

Dreams: This is good for asking hypothetical questions. You could ask-things like--Where do you see yourself in ten years?- or -What would you do if you had a billion dollars?-

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People love talking about themselves, so-being interested in others is what might make you more interesting to them.-When starting a conversation, don-t just ask a list disconnected questions.-Follow-up with the other person-s answers to show that you are listening to what they are saying.
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Are you dating in English?
What are your experiences?
Tell us how it-s going in the comments section below!
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Jessica Coyle has been teaching English since 2007. She received her Master-s in TESOL in 2013, finishing with a professional project researching the use of improvisational comedy teaching techniques to teach English as a second language. She has studied and performed improv comedy all over Korea, China, Canada and the United States.
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How to find Jessica Online:
Her dating blog: https://hopefuldisasters.wordpress.com/
Her comedy podcast: NY Pacific
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BE in English to Develop Bulletproof Confidence with Mo Riddiford

Are you looking for an authentic English conversation?
In Part-3 of today-s episode, Mo will show you three ways to develop authentic, bulletproof confidence when you speak English with his unique method!
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In Part 1 and 2 of this episode, Lindsay and Mo had an authentic English-conversation and analyzed what worked, and what didn-t.--Now, in Part 3, Mo discusses Be in English, his method for-learning how to have-the best conversations possible in-English.
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Here are the main principles of the Be in English system:
1. If you know enough English to listen to this podcast, you can discuss anything in English!-By using creativity, you are capable of joining a conversation and having a voice.
2. Be aware of your self-consciousness and shame about not speaking perfect English.-Accept it, realize that your English will never be -perfect,- but don-t get too-close to the idea.
3. Work with -naked listening.--That is, listen closely to a recording of English.-Listen several times if necessary until you can distinguish every sound.-Practicing this will change your orientation to listening.
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You can find and work with Mo Riddiford-and his Be in English system on italki.
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What do you think about the Be in English system?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Listen to a Real, Spontaneous First-time Meeting in English

Are you looking for an authentic English conversation?
Today, listen to Part 1 of a real, authentic-example of two people using English to get to know each other!-
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In Part 1 of this episode, Lindsay meets Mo.--Mo-is from New Zealand but has lived all over the world.-He currently lives in Germany and teaches English.-The two of them talk about this, and about learning a language and living in a different culture.
Some of the discussion points in Part 1:

Why do people want to learn English?

How can they be relaxed enough to learn it?

Is it okay to accept that you-ll never be a native speaker?

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What did you get out of this conversation?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Learn How to Meet Someone New in English in a Confident and Easy Way

Are you looking for an authentic English conversation?
In Part-2 of today-s episode, Lindsay and Mo break down their unrehearsed, first time meeting from Part 1, and talk about what it means to you learning English!
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In Part 1 of this episode, Lindsay met Mo.--They hadn-t met before and didn-t know what was going to come up in their spontaneous conversation.-Now, in Part 2, the two of them discuss what worked, and what didn-t.
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Some of the discussion points in Part 2:

How can you feel confident in English conversations?

How can you be respectful about gender and other differences when meeting someone new?

How can you allow your-true curiosity about the other person come out even though your English isn-t perfect?

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What did you get out of this conversation?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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3 Strategies to Remember Someone's Name in English with Alan Headbloom

How can you remember other people-s names?
Today, learn three-tactics to remember names in English, and why it-s important to do so!
A name is a person-s most basic possession and part of their identity.-It-s the sweetest sound to their ears.-For this reason, Alan Headbloom believes it-s important to get a person-s name right, and to show an interest in it.-But it-s not always easy to do that, especially with names you are unfamiliar with.
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Here are Alan-s tips for remembering new names:

If a name is unfamiliar, ask them-to repeat it.-This helps you learn their name-and also shows a respectful commitment to learning it.-Simply say, -Your name is a little difficult for me, but I-d really like to get it right. Could you say it again?-

Ask for their business card.-This works best in a business context, though students may also have business cards.-Reading the name might make it easier to remember.

Make up a pneumonic, or memory aid.-Think of what the unfamiliar name sounds like in your native language and use that to help you remember.-This is a way to bridge your language and English.

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Alan suggests you also learn common names in the English-speaking world, and that you try asking others if their names have any special meanings or significances.
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How do you deal with learning new names?
Share your experiences in the comments section below!
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Alan Headbloom-is an intercultural trainer, a professional English teacher and a talk show host. He frequently appears as a speaker on topics such as cultural diversity and workplace inclusion. He lives in Michigan, USA where he and his wife produce the show Feel Like You Belong, a show about immigrants creating a new life in the United States.
Visit Alan-s Website: Feel Like You Belong and Alan Headbloom- Cross Cultural Communication
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3 Tips to Read Your Way to Advanced English

Do you use reading to advance your English?
Today, learn 3 ways to do it with italki teacher Arianne!
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Come back to our site for more.
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How to Naturally Interrupt Someone in English

Do-you know how to-interrupt others in English?
Today,-learn how interruption is a part of American speaking culture, and how you can participate!
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Americans often interrupt each other.-It can-appear rude, and can cause frustration, but it happens.-Don-t take it personally.-Instead, learn how it works so-you can take part in this aspect of spoken American English culture.
There are many-phrases you can use-when being interrupted, or when interrupting others.-Some of them include:

Sorry or Oops: These might be said not only by the person doing the interrupting, but also by the person who is interrupted.

Go -head (ahead) and No, you go: These phrases-permit the other person to interrupt you.

No problem: This indicates that you are okay with the interruption that just occurred.

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Other common interruption phrases include:

What was that?

Uh huh.

Oh?

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What other ways have-you heard Lindsay and Michelle interrupt each other on past episodes of All Ears English?
Tell us in the comments section below!
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