Learn English in 30 Minutes - ALL the English Basics You Need

Summary

EnglishClass101.com's 'English in Three Minutes' series offers a quick and enjoyable way to master common English phrases. Host Alicia teaches variations of 'how are you,' 'what's your job,' 'what do you do for fun,' and other everyday questions. She advises on polite conversation starters, such as asking about someone's region or college, and provides tips for remembering names and continuing dialogue. The series is designed to enhance communication skills with practical English, suitable for learners of all levels.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video series 'English in Three Minutes' by Alicia on Englishclass101.com aims to teach common English phrases in a fast and fun way.
• 🗣️ 'How are you?' is a common question, but responses like 'I'm fine', 'Pretty good', and 'Not bad' are more natural in casual American English.
• 🤔 When asked 'How's it going?', it's important to answer with 'Good', 'Pretty good', or 'Not bad' instead of 'I'm fine' to sound natural.
• 🙁 If you're not feeling well, you can respond with 'Not so good', 'Not great', or 'Not so well', but be prepared to explain why if asked.
• 👋 'What's up?' is a casual greeting that can be answered with 'Not much' or 'Nothing much', indicating availability for conversation.
• 💼 When asking about someone's job, use 'What do you do?' instead of 'What is your job?' for a more natural and less direct approach.
• 🏢 If someone asks 'What do you do?', respond with 'I am/an [job title]' or 'I work at [place]', and consider adding a location for context.
• 🏡 When discussing where you live, provide details like 'Do you know [area]?', 'Near [landmark]', or 'On the [train line]' to give context.
• 🏫 Asking 'Where did you go to college?' or 'Where did you go to school?' can be a good conversation starter, but be sensitive to the possibility that the person may not have attended college.
• 👫 Asking about someone's family, such as 'Do you have any brothers or sisters?', is a common first-time conversation topic among native speakers.
• 📱 For modern communication, 'Could I get your number?' or 'Could I get your email address?' are more appropriate than just asking for a phone number, and consider social media or other platforms like Skype.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'English in Three Minutes' series on englishclass101.com?

The purpose of the 'English in Three Minutes' series is to teach learners easy and practical ways to ask and answer common questions in English in a short amount of time.

How can you respond to the question 'How are you?' in a more casual and common way in English?

You can respond with phrases like 'Pretty good', 'Not bad', or 'I'm fine', depending on how you feel. It's important to match the response to the context of the question.

What is an alternative way to ask someone how they are doing, and how should you respond to it?

You can ask someone 'Hey, how's it going?' and respond with 'Good', 'Pretty good', or 'Not bad', avoiding the phrase 'I'm fine' as it can sound strange in this context.

How should you react if someone asks 'What's up?' and you're not feeling well?

If you're not feeling well, you can say 'Not so good', 'Not great', or 'Not so well'. Be prepared for the other person to ask 'Why? What's wrong?' and be polite in explaining.

What is the polite way to ask someone about their job in natural English?

Instead of asking 'What is your job?', which can sound too direct, you should ask 'What do you do?' which is a more natural and common way to inquire about someone's occupation.

How can you ask someone about their hobbies without using the word 'hobbies'?

You can ask 'What do you do for fun?' or 'What do you do in your free time?' to learn about someone's hobbies in a more natural way.

What is a common mistake people make when asking about someone's current activity versus their job?

People often confuse 'What are you doing?' which asks about the current activity, with 'What do you do?' which inquires about someone's job. The key difference is the absence of 'ing' in the latter.

How can you politely ask someone for their contact information after meeting them?

You can politely ask for someone's contact information by saying 'Could I get your number?' or 'Could I get your email address?' which sounds less direct than asking for their phone number or email outright.

What is a good way to ask someone where they live without sounding too direct?

You can ask 'So, where do you live?' which is a common and polite way to continue a conversation after learning someone's name and background.

How should you respond if you meet someone who didn't go to college when asking about their educational background?

If someone says they didn't go to college, it's polite to respond positively, such as 'Oh, really?' or 'Did you go straight into a job?' to keep the conversation going without appearing rude.

What is a common way to ask someone where they are originally from in the United States?

A common way to ask someone where they are from in the United States is by simply asking 'Where are you from?' or in a more casual context, 'Where you from?'