Actually English is the podcast for intermediate and advanced learners who want to sound like a native speaker — not just pass a test. Every episode, we take real English from real places: Reddit threads, videos, blogs, and everyday conversation. Then we break it all down — the slang, the idioms, the tone, and everything your textbook never taught you.
Publisher
Jenna Gordon, certified in teaching English as a second language
EP21 | Spanish Speakers NEED to Hear This | 5 "False Friends" in English
Many Spanish speakers assume that because a word looks like a word in their native language, it must have the same meaning. These are called "false friends" (or false cognates), and they are one of the biggest hurdles for advanced students!
In this episode of Actually English, I’m breaking down the most common traps you’ll encounter in business and education settings. We’re going to clear up the confusion once and for all so you can sound more natural and avoid awkward misunderstandings.
In this episode, we tackle:
Actually vs. Actualmente: Why you're probably using this one wrong.
Career vs. Carrera: Understanding the difference between your studies and your field of work.
College vs. Colegio: Where do you actually go to get a degree?
Educated vs. Educado: Are you talking about schooling or manners?
Introduce vs. Introducir: The correct way to present yourself in a professional setting.
Whether you're prepping for a job interview or just leveling up your conversation skills, this episode is packed with the practical, real-life English you need.
Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to follow the show, leave a thumbs-up in the comments to let me know you made it to the end, and share this with one person who is currently learning English!
Stay safe, keep learning, and I'll see you in the next one!
1 Jul 2026
EP20 | Mastering Past Modals: Could Have, Should Have, Would Have | Real-Life English
Struggling with past modals in English? In today's episode of Actually English, we take a deep dive into Could Have, Should Have, and Would Have so you can finally use them with confidence.
Using funny and real-life Google Reviews (from airport complaints to massive dessert portions). Today I explain how native speakers use these structures to express past regrets, possibilities, and missed opportunities. You'll also learn the essential grammar rules behind them, including past participles, and the common slang expression "coulda, shoulda, woulda."
Test your skills with the interactive mini-quiz at the end of the episode!
Subscribe/Follow so you never miss a Wednesday episode, and leave a review if this helped you make sense of real-life English!
17 Jun 2026
English Modals Made Easy: Could, Should, Would Through Real Reviews
Are you confused about when to use could, should, and would in English? In this episode of Actually English, you'll learn these essential modal verbs through real Google reviews—some serious, some hilarious, and all packed with natural English.
You'll discover:
✅ How to use could for possibility and suggestions
✅ How to use should for advice and recommendations
✅ How to use would for preferences, recommendations, and hypothetical situations
✅ Common pronunciation shortcuts like couldn't, shouldn't, and wouldn't
✅ A quick quiz to test your understanding
Instead of studying grammar from a textbook, you'll hear how native speakers actually use these modal verbs in real-life reviews about hotels, restaurants, museums, and more.
Perfect for intermediate English learners (B1-B2) who want to improve their grammar, listening skills, and vocabulary with authentic English.
🎧 Listen now and master could, should, and would naturally.
📚 Want more English lessons through real-life content? Follow Actually English and join us next episode as we explore could have, should have, and would have through even more funny Google reviews.
#LearnEnglish #EnglishPodcast #EnglishGrammar #ModalVerbs #CouldShouldWould #B1English #B2English #ESL #EnglishListening #ActuallyEnglishPodcast #SpeakEnglishNaturally #EnglishForAdults
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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