

English with Thiago
Thiago Alencar
This is a podcast designed to help intermediate and advanced English learners communicate with more confidence, accuracy, clarity and awareness.
Hosted by Thiago Alencar, a Brazilian English Teacher with over 15 years of experience, this podcast deals with topics such as English pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, exam preparation, writing, listening, mindset and everything else related to English learning.
If you feel forever stuck at the intermediate level, this podcast is for you!
Follow the show so you don't miss a single new episode!
Hosted by Thiago Alencar, a Brazilian English Teacher with over 15 years of experience, this podcast deals with topics such as English pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, exam preparation, writing, listening, mindset and everything else related to English learning.
If you feel forever stuck at the intermediate level, this podcast is for you!
Follow the show so you don't miss a single new episode!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 4, 2024 • 29min
Native vs Non-Native English Teachers: Which One is Better? Analyzing Pros and Cons and Tips to Find The Right English Teacher for You
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
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Native vs Non-Native English Teachers: Which one is better?
This episode discusses the pros and cons of having a native English teacher versus a non-native English teacher. The pros of having a native English teacher include authentic pronunciation and intonation, cultural insight, and confidence boost. The cons include assumptions about proficiency level and lack of formal training. The pros of having a non-native English teacher include relatable experience, strong grammar knowledge, and empathy. The cons include accent variation, less exposure to idioms and slang, and learner perception. The key takeaway is to go beyond the native/non-native distinction and consider factors such as the teacher's language learning success, passion for teaching, ability to explain clearly, and whether their English is inspiring to you.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Native vs. Non-Native English Teachers
01:26 Pros of Having a Native English Teacher
03:48 Cultural Insight and Confidence Boost
06:36 Cons of Having a Native English Teacher
12:18 Pros of Having a Non-Native English Teacher
15:10 Grammar Focus and Empathy
18:06 Cons of Having a Non-Native English Teacher
20:31 Looking Beyond the Native/Non-Native Distinction
21:01 Choosing a Teacher Based on Teaching Skills and Personal Fit
25:17 The Importance of Finding an Inspiring English Teacher
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Sep 2, 2024 • 38min
Understanding The IELTS Test (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing), Overview and Tips To Take The Exam
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In this video, I give you an overview of the IELTS test and its four parts: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. I also give you some useful tips for you to practice the different skills when taking the exam. Whether you're planning to take IELTS Academic or IELTS General, this episode is a must-watch for you.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview of IELTS
03:01 IELTS Speaking Test
07:56 A Great Tool To Practice for IELTS Speaking
14:33 IELTS Listening Test
23:36 IELTS Reading Test
29:52 IELTS Writing Test
36:22 Conclusion
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Aug 30, 2024 • 28min
Reacting To Elon Musk's English, The Importance of Reading and Not Having a Zero-Sum Mindset (Elon Musk on Lex Fridman's Podcast)
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
https://www.englishwiththiago.com/spice-up-ebook
Get 50% off of ELSA premium membership for one year: https://www.elsaspeak.com/inf/englishwiththiagopremium
Download ELSA and get 7 days membership for free): https://bit.ly/ENGLISHWITHTHIAGOXELSA
In this video, I react to Elon Musk's English. This is a clip from an interview he gave on Lex Fridman's podcast a couple of years ago. In this clip, Elon Musk talks about the importance of reading books, reading broadly and not having a zero-sum mindset. Time for some listening practice and vocabulary building!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Elon Musk's Advice: Be Useful and Have a Positive Impact
04:46 The Importance of Reading Extensively and Gaining General Knowledge
07:57 Developing a Growth Mindset and Avoiding a Zero-Sum Mindset
08:44 Embracing Pauses and Collecting Thoughts for Effective Communication
19:40 Celebrating Others and Promoting a Culture of Abundance
21:35 Creating More Than You Consume
25:20 Communication Style: Elon Musk's Articulation and Lex Friedman's Calmness
26:44 Conclusion
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Aug 26, 2024 • 29min
How Understanding English Metaphors Can Help You Start to THINK in English
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
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There is ONE THING about the English language that took me FOREVER to figure out. But once I figured it out, it became much easier to understand English. Suddenly, making sense of phrasal verbs, idioms and collocations stopped being so hard. So in this episode I want to share this discovery with you. Keeping this idea in mind will come in handy, trust me.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Sensorial Nature of the English Language
03:50 Visual Metaphors in English
16:14 Other Metaphors in English
26:32 Emotional Metaphors
28:31 Making Better Sense of the Language
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Aug 23, 2024 • 25min
Reacting to Joe Rogan's English, Interview with Adam Sandler and Listening Practice
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
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Summary
In this video, Thiago reacts to Joe Rogan's English. Joe Rogan is an American podcaster, UFC color commentator, comedian, actor, and former television host. He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast in which he discusses current events, comedy, politics, philosophy, science, martial arts, and hobbies with celebrity guests. In this clip, he interviews actor and fellow comedian Adam Sandler. Practice your listening skills in English with this conversation!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Interview (Part 1)
10:50 Interview (Part 2)
21:54 My Thoughts & Conclusion
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Aug 19, 2024 • 34min
What Advanced English is and How To Get To Advanced Levels (C1 & C2)
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
https://www.englishwiththiago.com/spice-up-ebook
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Get 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership or 40% off of ELSA one year membership: https://www.elsaspeak.com/inf/englishwiththiago
Summary
In this episode, Thiago discusses what it means to have advanced English and how to achieve it. He emphasizes the importance of fluency, accuracy, sophistication, and mastery in the language. Thiago provides tips on improving fluency through speaking practice and pronunciation. He also discusses the significance of accuracy and the types of mistakes that are acceptable at advanced levels. Additionally, he highlights the importance of expanding vocabulary and grammar knowledge to enhance sophistication in language use. Thiago concludes by emphasizing the ongoing process of mastering the English language.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:21 Defining Advanced English
03:19 The Importance of Fluency
09:32 Striving for Accuracy
22:24 Enhancing Sophistication in Language Use
28:13 The Ongoing Process of Mastering English
33:32 Conclusion
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Aug 16, 2024 • 13min
5 Reasons To Learn English You Need To Remember From Time To Time And The Importance of Having a strong WHY for Learning English
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
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Learning English can be a long, lonely journey. No matter how motivated you are, you will likely feel discouraged from time to time. Sometimes you might catch yourself saying “What’s the point?”. So in this episode I want to list some benefits that learning English can bring to your life. Because sometimes, all you need is a gentle reminder to keep going.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:40 Learning English Improves Your Brain Health
2:55 Learning English Can Make You More Money
4:21 Learning English Can Give You Access To More Information
6:05 Learning English Allows You To Truly Enjoy Movies, TV Series & Music
8:34 Learning English Allows You To Speak To Anyone
10:09 Do This Exercise
11:53 Outro
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Aug 12, 2024 • 32min
A QUICK Way To IMPROVE VOCABULARY in ENGLISH (Without Having To Learn New Phrasal Verbs, Expressions or Collocations)
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
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Summary
In this episode, Thiago discusses the concept of word formation and how it can help you improve vocabulary in English. Word formation involves using affixes to transform words into different classes, such as nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. Thiago explains the benefits of learning about affixes, including reducing word count, improving spelling, and decoding the meaning of longer words. He provides examples and encourages listeners to explore this topic further. Thiago also offers tips for studying word formation, such as using an English-to-English dictionary, making lists of words and their variations, and practicing with Cambridge exam prep materials.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:44 The Quick Way to Expand Vocabulary
04:39 Benefits of Learning Affixes
08:55 Decoding Meaning and Reducing Word Count
11:15 Exploring Word Variations
17:38 Word Formation in Context
21:33 Using Word Formation for Better Communication
26:56 Examples of Word Formation
29:21 Tips for Studying Word Formation
30:21 Cambridge Exam Prep for Word Formation
31:18 Closing Remarks
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Aug 9, 2024 • 28min
"Movies or Podcasts in English? Which One is Better?" Replying To Comments From YouTube.
Get my pronunciation course on PRE-SALE:
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
https://www.englishwiththiago.com/spice-up-ebook
Download ELSA for free and get 7 days membership for free): https://bit.ly/ENGLISHWITHTHIAGOXELSA
Get 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership or 40% off of ELSA one year membership: https://www.elsaspeak.com/inf/englishwiththiago
In this Q&A video, Thiago answers questions and comments from his viewers. He discusses topics such as learning phrasal verbs and slang at different levels, his son's English level, recommended podcasts for B2-C1 learners, the effectiveness of watching podcasts on YouTube, understanding TV shows and movies, choosing the right prepositions, improving listening skills, and the relationship between pronunciation and listening comprehension.
Chapters
00:00 Learning Phrasal Verbs and Slang
04:46 Understanding TV Shows and Movies
11:26 Choosing the Right Prepositions
14:47 Improving Listening Skills with Podcasts
23:21 Living in an English-Speaking Country
27:36 The Importance of Pronunciation
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Aug 5, 2024 • 16min
How To Speak English at a GOOD Level, What Makes a GOOD English Speaker and Which Level is Enough for GOOD English?
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Join my CONVERSATION CLUB! LIMITED SPOTS:
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50 Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (FREE eBook):
https://www.englishwiththiago.com/spice-up-ebook
Download ELSA for free and get 7 days membership for free): https://bit.ly/ENGLISHWITHTHIAGOXELSA
Get 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership or 40% off of ELSA one year membership: https://www.elsaspeak.com/inf/englishwiththiago
The myth that you have to be a Shakespeare-level expert to speak good English is debunked. B2 level is considered good English, as it allows for understanding complex texts, discussing a wide range of topics, and expressing oneself with good fluency. Good English speakers have clarity, use words and grammar correctly enough for their message to be understood, and have confidence and active listening skills. While B2 level is enough for most everyday situations, reaching higher levels like C1 and C2 brings benefits such as more nuanced expression, career advantages, and personal growth. It is important to keep practicing and aim for higher levels for the right reasons, out of curiosity and passion for the language.
Chapters
00:00 Debunking the Myth: You Don't Need to Be a Shakespeare Expert to Speak Good English
02:24 B2 Level: The Sweet Spot of Good English
03:25 Characteristics of Good English Speakers: Clarity, Confidence, and Active Listening
06:16 The Benefits of Reaching Higher Levels: Nuanced Expression, Career Advantages, and Personal Growth
10:09 Keep Practicing and Aim Higher: The Journey of Continuous Improvement in English
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