Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation @engvidGill

Learn English with Gill · engVid Would you like to sound more like a native English speaker? Well, this vowel sound, known as SCHWA, is worth getting to know! It occurs very frequently in spoken English, about once in every three vowel sounds, in words such as “the”, the first syllable of “about”, and the second syllable of “sofa”. One of the most difficult aspects of the schwa sound is that in order to pronounce it correctly, you have to almost ignore the normal sound of the vowel you are looking at and make the schwa sound instead. In this lesson I’ll give examples of words containing the schwa, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. So you can benefit in two ways, both in terms of English pronunciation and English vocabulary! engvid.com/speak-english-naturally-schwa-pronunciation

More English pronunciation lessons:
Say it correctly in English! -TION, -SION, -CIAN, -CION youtu.be/Vsc03jsFLL0
Easy English: How to pronounce the long vowel sound in words ending in "e" youtu.be/XglgzPt-RaA

In this lesson:
0:00 What is the "schwa" sound?
3:50 "schwa" sound examples

updated 1 year ago

Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-10-15 | Would you like to sound more like a native English speaker? Well, this vowel sound, known as SCHWA, is worth getting to know! It occurs very frequently in spoken English, about once in every three vowel sounds, in words such as “the”, the first syllable of “about”, and the second syllable of “sofa”. One of the most difficult aspects of the schwa sound is that in order to pronounce it correctly, you have to almost ignore the normal sound of the vowel you are looking at and make the schwa sound instead. In this lesson I’ll give examples of words containing the schwa, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. So you can benefit in two ways, both in terms of English pronunciation and English vocabulary! engvid.com/speak-english-naturally-schwa-pronunciation

More English pronunciation lessons:
Say it correctly in English! -TION, -SION, -CIAN, -CION youtu.be/Vsc03jsFLL0
Easy English: How to pronounce the long vowel sound in words ending in "e" youtu.be/XglgzPt-RaA

In this lesson:
0:00 What is the "schwa" sound?
3:50 "schwa" sound examples

Gill Stoker, 1954⁠–⁠2024

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-08-16 | Gill passed away in February, 2024. Learn about her remarkable life, including her interests, achievements, education, and career.

- Please send donations in memory of Gill to St Christopher’s Hospice here: justgiving.com/page/gill-stoker
- Poems and Pictures: maryevans.com/poetry.php
- Obituary for Gill in The Guardian: theguardian.com/education/2024/apr/16/gill-stoker-obituary
- Obituary for Gill from Mary Evans Picture Library: maryevans.com/gill.php
- The Richard Stoker Trust, established by Gill: richardstokertrust.org
- Obituary for Gill’s husband, Richard Stoker, in The Guardian: theguardian.com/music/2021/may/14/richard-stoker-obituary
- Gill’s thesis on Sir John Tenniel: kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/studentTheses/sir-john-tenniel-a-study-of-his-development-as-an-artist-with-par

This video was co-written and produced by Josh from EngVid. Thank you to the two fellow EngVid teachers who worked on this video: Rebecca Ezekiel @engvidRebecca for writing and making the announcement at the beginning of the video, and Benjamin @engvidBenjamin of Hone Your English for his very helpful edits and for narrating Gill’s life story. Thank you also to the friends and family in Gill’s support group who provided feedback and pictures, especially Frances, Sarah, Lucia, and Irena. Very special thanks to Mark, who provided guidance, many pictures, and help along the way, and whose obituaries for Gill were drawn from extensively in writing this video.

“Fire and Rain” was originally written and performed by James Taylor.

Gill wrote and recorded many videos for EngVid before her illness. She wished that these lessons would be seen, and so they will be published as normal on her channel over the course of the coming year.

Please note that this video is not monetized by EngVid. Any advertising appearing with the video is not under our control. Donations received by EngVid on behalf of Gill’s channel will be passed on to St Christopher’s Hospice.

Goodbye, Gill.

In this video:
0:00 Gill Stoker, 1954–2024
1:47 Gill's early life and education
2:26 Gill moves to London
3:00 Gill meets Richard Stoker
3:36 Gill's community involvement
3:49 Gill's career
4:25 Gill's acting
5:02 Gill teaches English
5:26 Gill joins EngVid
5:56 Gill's passion for poetry
6:28 Richard Stoker passes away
6:44 What was Gill like?
7:16 Give to charity in Gill's memory
7:50 Gill & Richard Stoker perform "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor

TRANSCRIPT:
I'm here today to share some very sad news. Our dearest colleague, your teacher Gill, passed away in London, England in February 2024. The year before that, Gill had received a diagnosis of brain cancer. She handled the news with strength, with courage, and with peace of mind. She even continued to plan lessons and organize poetry events in her area. In the past year, Gill was supported by friends and family, and in the final stages was provided excellent care by St. Christopher's Hospice. For those of you who may be interested in giving a donation, Gill had advised that this donation could go to St. Christopher's Hospice. We will provide details in the video description below.

Gill was not only a teacher; she was also a musician, an actor, and a champion of the arts in her community. For those of you who have followed Gill's lessons over the past nine years, we have created for you a video, not only in honor of her memory, but also so that you can get a sense of her rich life, her many talents, and her unique contributions in so many different fields.

My name is Rebecca, and I'm another teacher here at EngVid. On behalf of the entire EngVid family, which includes all of you, I'd just like to say with all my heart, thank you, Gill. We'll miss you. May you rest in peace.

A few words about my colleague Gill. Gill was born in 1954 in Derby, an industrial town in the middle of England. She was studious from a young age and had a desire to learn and to broaden her horizons. She loved classical as well as pop music and sang her entire life. But her parents did not approve of pop music at home, and they weren't supportive of her applying to university. They pushed her to secretarial college, but even there she managed to add supplementary courses in French and took singing classes as well.

At the age of 20, Gill moved on her own to London to audition for the Royal College of Music. Though she was not admitted, she stayed in the city and joined several choirs, supporting herself with jobs at a software company and at the Royal Opera House. Through the 1980s, while working full-time, Gill earned degrees in English and art history, completing a PhD with a thesis on Sir John Tenniel, who is known most famously for his Alice in Wonderland illustrations. […]

Say it correctly in English! -TION, -SION, -CIAN, -TIAN, -CION Pronunciation

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-07-18 | A lot of words in English end with “-TION”, “-SION”, “-TIAN”, etc. In this video I’ll give lots of examples of these words, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. If your native language is Latin-based, you’re probably quite familiar with the vocabulary, but you may be less sure about the pronunciation. I hope this class will help you avoid any confuSION in the future! engvid.com/tion-sion-cian-tian-cion-pronunciation

More of my English pronunciation videos:
Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM
Basic English: How to pronounce -NGTH words youtu.be/U0u_I_1XRdk

In this lesson:
0:00 -tion, -sion, -cian, -cion, -tian: first sound
2:58 second sound
4:29 third sound

British English & American English: SPELLING DIFFERENCES

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-07-05 | Should it be HUMOR or HUMOUR? ORGANISE or ORGANIZE? Spelling can be difficult enough, but in English we have the added complication of differences in spelling between American and UK English. In this lesson I’ll cover the main categories of words which are spelt differently in British English and American English. And what about Canadian English? Basically, it’s not something to worry about, just something to be aware of, so that you can RECOGNISE it (or even RECOGNIZE it!) when you see it. engvid.com/british-english-american-english-spelling-differences

Learn more about the differences between British and American English in my video about vocabulary: youtu.be/i9c37vMbxGg

In this lesson:
0:00 British English & American English: Spelling Differences
0:58 -our & -or
2:18 -ence & -ense
4:43 LL & L
6:41 -yse & -yze
7:14 ae/oe & e
9:19 -ogue & -og
10:24 'zed' & 'zee'

“LEND” or “BORROW”? What’s the difference?

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-05-30 | When do you use the word “lend”, and when do you use “borrow”? It’s easy to get these two words mixed up. In this English vocabulary lesson I’ll explain the difference between them, with some simple example sentences, followed by a test towards the end of the video which we can work through together. Finally, you can test out your knowledge in the quiz. engvid.com/lend-or-borrow

More beginner vocabulary videos:
"THAN" or "THEN"? youtu.be/NrzCFPWQZao
Improve Your Vocabulary Easily with "-NESS" youtu.be/ibCmBg5WTKs

In this lesson:
0:00 "lend" or "borrow"?
3:24 Practice: "lend" or "borrow"?
5:02 "lend" & "borrow" in the past tense

English for Beginners: Learn all the CONSONANT SOUNDS

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-05-06 | Do you know how to say all the consonant sounds in English naturally and correctly? In this class, I’ll demonstrate for you all the different consonant sounds in English, together with sample words and phonetic symbols from the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). You might like to test yourself, to see if you’re pronouncing each one correctly! engvid.com/english-for-beginners-all-consonant-sounds

More of my English pronunciation lessons:
SCHWA Pronunciation (ə) youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM
How to pronounce "R" in British English youtu.be/zcQ1xcSljQo

In this lesson:
0:00 Learn the consonant sounds in English
1:58 p & b
3:05 t & d
3:49 t̠ʃ & d̠ʒ
4:51 f & v
5:51 θ & ð
6:43 ʃ & ʒ
7:16 k & ɡ
7:53 s & z
8:16 h
8:50 l
9:04 m
9:17 n
9:46 ŋ
10:06 r
11:02 w
11:17 j

Learn 10 English Idioms with ‘BOOK’

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-04-12 | Do you like to do things by the book? Can your friends read you like a book? I hope you don’t ever cook the books! What does it all mean? In this lesson, I’ll introduce you to some English idioms which include the word ‘book’. They can be useful sayings in day to day life, so they’re well worth knowing about. Remember to test your knowledge afterwards in the quiz. engvid.com/learn-10-english-idioms-with-book

Next, learn even more English idioms and expressions:
Learn 7 "TIME" Expressions in English youtu.be/KMcqjhsVYEI
14 English idioms & sayings from food & drink youtu.be/AoNB1cJ-tDU

In this lesson:
0:00 English Idioms using 'book'
0:29 a closed book
1:23 an open book
1:47 I can read you like a book.
2:35 the oldest trick in the book
4:58 doing it by the book
5:47 take a leaf out of your book
7:07 you can't judge a book by its cover
9:19 cooking the books

Formal, Neutral, Informal: Use the correct register in English!

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-03-20 | The English language has such a large vocabulary, and you’ll often find several different words with the same meaning. But each word has a different effect, because it can be either formal, informal, or somewhere in between. Another name for these different types of word is ‘register’. In this class, you’ll see examples of words to choose from in different contexts – for example, if you like a film, would you call it splendid, good, or cool? engvid.com/formal-neutral-informal-use-the-correct-register-in-english

More vocabulary lessons:
Advanced English Vocabulary: Puns & Double Meanings youtu.be/4e9pSFN795U
British English & American English: 11 Vocabulary Differences youtu.be/i9c37vMbxGg

In this lesson:
0:00 Vocabulary for Different Registers: formal, neutral, informal
2:21 Food Vocabulary: formal, neutral, informal
4:59 Words for 'look': formal, neutral, informal
6:39 Words for 'good': formal, neutral, informal
7:37 Words for 'bad': formal, neutral, informal
9:04 Words for money: formal, neutral, informal

Syllable Stress in Long English Words

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-02-23 | Do you ever wonder which syllable to stress when an English word has several syllables? Have you noticed that as words get longer, the stressed syllable often moves further to the right? There isn’t exactly a rule for this, but in this lesson you will see some examples of words where this happens. Even though there isn’t a rule, with practice you will develop an instinct for where the strong syllable should be. This class will also help you expand your vocabulary! engvid.com/syllable-stress-in-long-english-words

Watch all of my videos about English pronunciation here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUeo8MifSBdvIF6eWa1efPdr

In this lesson:
0:00 Which syllable should you stress?
1:10 Listen to the correct pronunciation
13:06 Review

PRONUNCIATION: The 2 ways to say ‘TH’ in English

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-02-06 | Do you know the two main pronunciations of ‘TH’ in English? These sounds don’t exist in many languages, which makes them even more challenging for English learners. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to pronounce both types of ‘TH’ sound, and I’ll go though some example words for you to practise on. This is an opportunity to learn some vocabulary, too! engvid.com/pronunciation-2-ways-to-say-th

More of my pronunciation videos:
SCHWA pronunciation youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM
Pronunciation Practice: SH & SHR youtu.be/bYvvUr9yT2M

00:00 'TH' Pronunciation: Voiced & Unvoiced
02:38 Unvoiced 'TH' Examples
04:06 Voiced 'TH' Examples
05:10 Review of 'TH' words in natural speech

Improve Your Vocabulary Easily: Add “-NESS”!

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2024-01-16 | How to achieve happiness: Here is a quick and easy way to increase your vocabulary – just add “-ness” to the end of an adjective to turn it into a noun! It works with a lot of adjectives, including visual descriptions and feelings. In this English vocabulary lesson, I’ll give you a few examples, and I’ll explain how you can use them in a sentence. Goodness me, what a useful lesson! engvid.com/improve-your-vocabulary-easily-add-ness

Learn more easy English vocabulary:
Shapes & Patterns youtu.be/kDffRF0ueYo
"How are you feeling?" youtu.be/J6iuefm-2no

In this lesson:
0:00 Improve Your Vocabulary with "-NESS"
2:04 goodness
2:53 richness
3:18 sickness
3:36 heaviness
4:07 lightness
4:20 dizziness
4:56 likeness
6:18 laziness
6:45 shyness
7:17 happiness

Famous Quotations from Charles Dickens

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-12-23 | I’m going to share with you some quotations from the famous English novelist, Charles Dickens (1812–1870). I hope you find the quotations thought-provoking, and perhaps you’ll feel inspired to read one of his novels, or watch one of the many film versions of his stories. I will read and discuss quotations from _Great Expectations,_ _The Old Curiosity Shop,_ _Hard Times,_ _David Copperfield,_ and _Barnaby Rudge._ engvid.com/famous-quotations-from-charles-dickens

Next, learn more about old (and new) British currency in my video: youtu.be/OcKqzB9pxQw
Or watch my lesson about 6 famous quotations from Shakespeare! youtu.be/vlpq241xQTw

In this lesson:
0:00 Who was Charles Dickens?
2:12 Quote from "Great Expectations"
3:35 Quote from "The Old Curiosity Shop"
6:50 Quote from "Hard Times"
8:19 Quote from "David Copperfield"
14:16 Quote from "Barnaby Rudge"

Basic English Grammar: When & how to add ‘s’

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-11-25 | Are you confused about whether to add an ‘s’ at the end of a word? It’s not just for plural nouns, but also for verb endings, and there’s also a pronunciation issue in some cases. Then, there’s the added question of whether to add an apostrophe—even native English speakers get mixed up about that one! This lesson on when to add the ‘s’, and how exactly to add it, is designed to clarify all of this for you. Make sure to practice with the quiz after watching. engvid.com/basic-english-grammar-when-how-to-add-s

More of my basic English lessons to watch:
Basic English Grammar: All forms of the verb TO BE youtu.be/T3cPixQjH2M
Basic English: How to pronounce contractions in English youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ

In this lesson:
0:00 When to add an 's' in English
0:53 Plural nouns with 's'
3:29 3rd person singular present tense verbs with 's'
5:46 Apostrophes with 's'?

Basic English: The 8 Parts of Speech

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-09-23 | Noun? Verb? Adjective? Adverb? Conjunction? Article? Pronoun? Preposition? Learn the 8 basic parts of speech in English. Once you learn the parts of speech, it will be much easier for you to understand other grammar lessons as you progress in your English studies. In this class, I explain what each part of speech is, and will give you examples of each as well. After watching this lesson, you will be able to look at a sentence and identify all the different parts of speech. engvid.com/basic-english-the-8-parts-of-speech

Now that you've learned the basics, watch these English grammar videos:
Basic English Grammar: "To be" youtu.be/T3cPixQjH2M
5-Minute English: Who, Whom, Whose, Who's youtu.be/bash3DXnyWU

In this video:
0:00 Learn the 8 main parts of speech in English
0:56 What is a noun?
2:04 What is a verb?
2:58 What is an adjective?
4:04 What is an adverb?
4:56 What is a conjunction?
5:24 What is an article?
6:43 What is a pronoun?
7:51 What is a preposition?

Learn English Grammar: DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH (REPORTED SPEECH)

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-09-05 | What’s the difference between DIRECT and INDIRECT/REPORTED speech? In this grammar lesson, you will learn how these types of sentences are constructed, with lots of examples to illustrate. I’ll also show how there is usually a difference of verb tense between the two. Both forms are used in everyday life, in speaking and in writing, so it’s well worth getting to know how they work. And after watching the video, you can double-check your understanding by trying the quiz over on engvid.com/learn-english-grammar-direct-indirect-reported-speech

Watch more of my English grammar lessons:
The 4 Conditionals youtu.be/veTo6eWJQrM
Active & Passive - What's the difference? youtu.be/fDnXWxXZekw

In this lesson:
0:00 What is indirect/reported speech?
1:18 Reported Speech: Examples
10:06 Reported Speech: Tense Changes
12:45 Reported Speech: Modal Changes

Basic English: How to pronounce -NGTH words

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-08-08 | Do you know any words in English containing the letters NGTH? If so, you might find them difficult to pronounce. In fact, even some native English speakers struggle with them! In this lesson I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce words such as “length” and “strength”, and I’ll give you some words and sentences to practise with. engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-ngth-words

More of my pronunciation lessons:
English Pronunciation Practice: SH & SHR youtu.be/bYvvUr9yT2M
Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions in English youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q

In this video:
0:00 How to pronounce "-ngth" in English
1:57 "-ngth" pronuncitation practice

Learn about Poetry & Literature: PARODY

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-07-12 | Have you heard of the type of poetry and literature known as “parody”? Not sure what it is exactly? In this class, I’ll explain what parody is by showing you an example of a poem that is a parody. This is where one writer takes an earlier, well-known piece of literature, and imitates it in a humorous way. So basically, it’s a literary joke! My example comes from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by the famous Victorian writer, Lewis Carroll. I hope you enjoy it! If you do, make sure to watch more of my poetry & literature series of classes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUec55HG7h2EKV6k3rkYFFIi

In this lesson:
00:00 What is a parody?
01:32 A serious poem
06:18 A parody of the serious poem!
13:11 Conclusion

British English & American English: 11 Vocabulary Differences

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-06-13 | Would you like a biscuit or a cookie? One area of difference between British English and American English is vocabulary, and in this lesson I’ll be covering a few examples. So if you’re not sure whether to buy a new pair of trousers or a new pair of pants, or if you don’t know whether a biscuit is going to taste the same as a cookie, this class will help! After the video, take the quiz here: engvid.com/british-english-american-english-11-vocabulary-differences

Learn more about British English vs. American English in my NEW video about spelling differences: youtu.be/vZH-yFgizY4

In this lesson:
00:00 British & American Vocabulary Differences
02:01 trousers & pants
03:18 dustbin & trash can
04:06 rubbish & garbage
04:43 boot & trunk
06:53 full stop & period
07:34 flat & apartment
08:29 holiday & vacation
09:26 biscuit & cookie
10:48 shop & store
12:13 university & college
13:22 chips & fries

Learn 20 ‘-ISM’ Words in English: VOCABULARY & PRONUNCIATION

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-05-13 | How many words do you know that end in -ISM? You might be surprised how many there are, from optimism, to symbolism, to journalism, and lots more! In this vocabulary and pronunciation lesson I’ll introduce you to some useful -ISM words, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. I hope you’ll find it a useful way to expand your vocabulary. engvid.com/learn-20-ism-words-in-english

More of my videos about vocabulary and pronunciation:
Test Your English Vocabulary: Shapes & Patterns youtu.be/kDffRF0ueYo
Basic English: How to pronounce contractions youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ

In this lesson:
00:00 How to pronounce "-ism" words in English
02:17 "-ism" Pronunciation Practice
10:11 "-ism" Review

RHYME in English poetry and speech

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-04-25 | What are the different types of rhyme? How important is rhyming in poetry? Why do we even rhyme at all? If you’ve watched any of my videos on poetry, you’ll already have seen how important rhyming can be in English. In this lesson I’ll explain what the requirements are to create a rhyme, and the different types of rhyme, from full rhyme, to half rhyme, to eye rhyme. Rhyming is easy when you know how, and it can happen in everyday conversation too, often by accident, which makes people laugh. This video will also help you with pronunciation, because rhyme is all about what the words sound like! Test your rhyme skills with the quiz: engvid.com/rhyme-in-english-poetry-and-speech

Watch all of my poetry lessons here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUec55HG7h2EKV6k3rkYFFIi

In this lesson:
00:00 What is a rhyme?
01:38 How to make a rhyme
02:49 Rhyme in poetry
03:46 What is a half rhyme?
04:25 What is a visual rhyme?
06:33 Rhyme is not enough to make a poem!

Test Your English Vocabulary: SHAPES & PATTERNS

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-04-04 | Are you able to describe shapes and patterns in English? It’s a very useful thing to be able to do! In this vocabulary lesson for beginners, I’ll teach you many visual description words, from geometrical ones to zigzags, swirls, and wavy lines. With this vocabulary you’ll have fun describing a painting you’ve recently seen, or your friend’s latest colourful patterned shirt! http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-shapes-patterns

More of my vocabulary lessons:
How are you feeling? Vocabulary & expressions to answer this common question! youtu.be/J6iuefm-2no
English Vocabulary Builder: 15 slang & informal words youtu.be/Um3l2BECKrc

In this lesson:
00:00 Shape Vocabulary in English
00:27 square & rectangle
02:02 triangle
02:45 circle & round
03:38 oval
04:15 Pattern Vocabulary: dots, spots, checks, stripes, spirals, zigzag, floral, wavy...

6 Famous Quotations from Shakespeare

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-03-11 | I’ll share with you some of the most famous short quotations from Shakespeare’s plays, with a little bit of background information to the quotation, and something about the character who is speaking. We will cover quotations from Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and Richard III. However much, or however little you already know about Shakespeare, I hope I can encourage you to explore further, by reading one or more of his plays, watching one of the many film versions, or even doing some performing! engvid.com/6-famous-quotations-from-shakespeare

Next, learn more about Shakespeare's influence on English: youtu.be/alInQ7nzKrI
Or watch my new video about famous quotations from Charles Dickens: youtu.be/m-C4Lss5sD4

In this lesson:
00:00 Introduction to Shakespeare
01:37 "That one may smile and smile and be a villain" — Hamlet
04:58 "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania" — A Midsummer Night's Dream
07:38 "When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools." — King Lear
10:45 "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose." — The Merchant of Venice
12:52 "When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." — Much Ado About Nothing
15:29 "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" — Richard III

English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 15 Slang & Informal Words

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-02-20 | Wicked! Blimey!! Brilliant!!! Do you know how and when to use these words? Would you like to improve your understanding of informal English? In this lesson I’ll introduce you to a few examples of colloquial expressions, and I’ll explain the kinds of situations where you would use them. You might like to listen out for them in films and series, to hear how they are used. Remember to test your knowledge in the quiz – Cheers! engvid.com/english-vocabulary-builder-15-slang-informal-words

If you liked this lesson, watch these next:
English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 9 Buzzwords youtu.be/pMYtwX1gPiQ
Learn about the Cockney English accent and dialect youtu.be/CCeeBP-ePLs

In this video:
00:00 – 15 Slang & Informal Words in English –
00:51 wicked
02:04 cool
03:40 brilliant
05:01 dead funny
06:01 cheers
08:01 dodgy
09:34 gutted
11:48 peckish
12:43 knackered
14:47 chill (out)
16:09 kip & 40 winks
17:19 blimey
18:58 skint
20:10 Fancy that!

Gender Pronouns: Using ‘THEY’, ‘THEIR’, and ‘THEM’ for a single person in English

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-01-31 | Do you notice people sometimes use the plural pronouns THEY, THEM, and THEIR when talking about one person? In this lesson I’ll explain why this is done to avoid specifying male or female gender. I’ll give some example sentences to show how it works, and I’ll include a test that we can do together towards the end of the video. And there’s also a quiz over on www.engvid.com for you to test your understanding: engvid.com/gender-pronouns-singular-they-their-them-english

More of my lessons about pronouns in English:
Learn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINE youtu.be/DH1ADfs0_xY
5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO'S youtu.be/bash3DXnyWU

In this lesson:
00:00 The normal usage of they/them/their for plurals
01:42 How to use they/them/their for male/female singular
05:31 Preferred pronouns
08:12 Practice: they/them/their for avoiding gender-specific language

English Pronunciation Practice: SH & SHR

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2023-01-07 | Listen and repeat: SH & SHR sounds. These sounds can be tricky to say correctly, even for some native English speakers. In this class, I’ll demonstrate how to shape your mouth to pronounce each of these sounds. You can listen to me pronounce words with ‘sh’ and ‘shr’ in them, and then practice on your own. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-sh-shr

More of my pronunciation lessons:
Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q
English Pronunciation Practice: V & W youtu.be/bQnCXVwm2rE

In this lesson:
00:00 How to pronounce "sh" & "shr" in English
01:37 "sh" pronunciation
02:29 "shr" pronunciation
09:55 "sh" & "shr" pronunciation review

Let’s Read and Understand a Poem: “In An Artist’s Studio” by Christina Rossetti

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-12-23 | Today we will look at a sonnet by the 19th century poet, Christina Rossetti. It’s called ‘In an Artist’s Studio’, and has a connection with the visual arts and painting. I’ll go through the poem in detail, explaining the meaning and looking at some technical aspects such as rhyme, structure, form, and alliteration. I hope you find it interesting. I’ll also give you some background information on Christina Rossetti, her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his wife Elizabeth Siddal. For more information, and to see some of the paintings, go to: editions.covecollective.org/content/dante-gabriel-rossetti-christina-rossetti-and-elizabeth-siddal

Take the quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/lets-read-and-understand-a-poem-christina-rossetti
More of my videos about poems:
Learn English with a Poem: "The Owl and the Pussycat" youtu.be/hVidL1o28gw
Learn English with a Poem: "The New Colossus" youtu.be/mFvqn00AkxA

In this lesson:
00:00 "In An Artist's Studio" by Christina Rossetti
02:43 1. First Quatrain
06:47 2. Second Quatrain
11:01 3. Sestet
20:54 Background information
24:19 "In An Artist's Studio" by Christina Rossetti: Full Poetry Reading

Stop using the glottal stop!

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-11-23 | Would you like to be a smooth speaker of English? This video is all about the pronunciation of the consonant “t”, which some people, including native speakers, tend to completely avoid nowadays, leading to a rather broken-up style of speaking. The technical name for this is the “glottal stop”. In this lesson, I’ll give you a few examples of what I mean, and I’ll demonstrate how to put the “t” back into your pronunciation and achieve a smoother way of speaking. engvid.com/stop-using-the-glottal-stop

More of my pronunciation lessons:
Learn English Pronunciation: TH & THR youtu.be/sPIOxYtguhk
Learn British accents and dialects youtu.be/nDdRHWHzwR4

In this lesson:
00:00 Stop using the glottal stop!
03:07 glottal stop before words starting with a vowel
05:12 glottal stop in the middle of a word
06:29 glottal stop in words ending with -ed
07:50 Stop using the glottal stop: Practice

Learn 9 ways to use ‘JUST’ in English

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-10-29 | Have you noticed how that little word ‘just’ seems to mean different things in different sentences? Well, this vocabulary lesson is JUST what you need to get a clearer picture of the different ways the word can be used. You’ll be JUST amazed at the number of different meanings! And to test out your knowledge after you’ve watched the video, JUST head over to www.engvid.com and take the quiz. JUST the ticket! engvid.com/learn-9-ways-to-use-just-in-english

Are you ready for more English vocabulary? Try these lessons next!
10 ways to use the verb KEEP in English youtu.be/blM5T5y5o2c
5 ways to use SHOULD in English youtu.be/FdPSF0_n0uI

In this lesson:
00:00 – The Many Uses of "JUST" in English –
00:46 just = recently
01:29 just = immediately
02:07 just = close to the time
02:53 just = only
03:27 just = exactly
04:02 just = honest
04:26 unjust
05:22 just in time
05:41 just the ticket
06:11 just what the doctor ordered
07:17 – Conclusion –

Easy English: How to pronounce the long vowel sound in words ending with ‘e’

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-10-10 | Have you noticed there’s a difference between the pronunciation of NOT and NOTE, or SIT and SITE? In this lesson I’ll introduce you to this interesting rule, where adding an E at the end of a word changes the previous vowel from short to long. If this sounds strange, don’t worry, I have lots of example words to illustrate it - so don’t QUIT before you’ve started, it’s actually QUITE easy! You’ll also get to learn some new vocabulary along the way. engvid.com/basic-english-pronounce-long-vowels-e

Next, watch more of my pronunciation lessons:
Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM
English Pronunciation: How to say words beginning with W+vowel youtu.be/21kxEb5dyjY

In this lesson:
00:00 The Long "e" Vowel Sound in English
01:12 bit – bite
01:42 fat – fate
01:57 gap – gape
02:28 hop – hope
03:04 not – note
03:14 plan – plane
03:28 quit – quite
04:12 rip – ripe
05:00 sit – site
05:09 strip – stripe
05:55 tap – tape
06:46 trip – tripe
07:33 – Review –

Queen Elizabeth II – My Thoughts and Memories

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-09-29 | In this video I’m sharing a few of my own personal thoughts and memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died in early September 2022 after a long, 70-year reign. I also discuss some of the different ways in which the Queen and the monarchy have been viewed in the UK over the last several decades. engvid.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-thoughts-memories

During the video, I mention two videos which show the Queen’s sense of humour. Here are the links to those:
James Bond Olympics Sketch, 2012 youtu.be/1AS-dCdYZbo
Paddington Bear Sketch, Platinum Jubilee, 2022 youtu.be/7UfiCa244XEI

My previous videos about royalty and UK history:
The Ages & Periods of English History youtu.be/jTabtn7K2i8
The British Royal Family: Everything you need to know youtu.be/jSDoxNzFMZw

5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO’S

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-09-22 | Do you ever wonder whether to use WHOM instead of WHO? And what about WHOSE and WHO’S, which sound the same, but have different meanings? In this short lesson I’ll explain the grammar behind these four words, and show how they can be used in a sentence. And then you can test out your knowledge in the quiz. engvid.com/5-minute-english-who-whom-whose-whos

Next, watch these English grammar videos!
Gender Pronouns: Using "THEY", "THEIR", and "THEM" for a single person in English youtu.be/0eoKIA5IFro
Learn English Grammar: "Use", "Used", and "Used To" youtu.be/I9CZ-nj9joM

In this lesson:
00:00 – Who, Whom, Whose, Who's –
00:17 who
00:47 whom
02:54 whose
03:21 who's
04:41 – Conclusion –

Make your English stronger with INTENSIFIERS: very, really, so, do, definitely, absolutely…

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-09-03 | What are intensifiers? They are little words that have a big impact on the meaning and feeling of your sentence. In this simple lesson, I’ll introduce you to a few examples, and I’ll show you how they can be used in sentences to strengthen them. We will cover the intensifiers very, do, so, really, absolutely, definitely, and extremely. I do hope you find it useful! Test your understanding of this video with the quiz: engvid.com/make-your-english-stronger-with-intensifiers

More of my lessons for improving your everyday English:
Using SIMILES to improve your everyday English youtu.be/rzcbmr7ol6E
Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q

In this lesson:
00:00 7 Intensifiers in English
00:38 very
01:46 do
02:27 so
02:48 really
03:44 absolutely
04:49 definitely
05:44 extremely

‘Shall’ in English: Everything you need to know

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-08-09 | You might sometimes wonder whether to use ‘will’ or ‘shall’ in English. Do you even need to use ‘shall’ at all these days? In this lesson I’ll explain exactly how and when ‘shall’ is used. I’ll also show you which personal pronouns it belongs with, and I’ll give some example sentences to show how it works in practice. Shall we proceed...? engvid.com/shall-in-english

Next, watch more English grammar lessons!
8 ways to use WOULD youtu.be/Imfmh66zlX8
Basic English Grammar: All forms of the verb "TO BE" youtu.be/T3cPixQjH2M

In this lesson:
00:00 "Shall" in English: Everything you need to know
00:52 When is "shall" used in English?
03:25 The negative form of "shall": "shall not" & "shan't"
05:44 "Shall" for suggestions and questions
07:11 "Shall" for commands
08:30 Review & Conclusion

The Ages & Periods of English History: Victorian, Tudor, Edwardian, Elizabethan...

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-07-12 | Do you know the difference between "Elizabethan" and "Victorian"? Have you noticed how many English or British kings were called Edward, or George, or Henry? In this lesson I’ll give a summary of hundreds of years of English and British history. We’ll talk about some of the labels used for the different periods, and some of the kings and queens – including a short period when we didn’t have a monarch at all! If you’ve heard names like Tudor, Edwardian, Restoration, Victorian, and Elizabethan, but not been quite sure exactly what they mean, this lesson is for you. These names are useful to know if you’re studying anything historical, including literature, architecture, works of art, and music. After the lesson, test your knowledge with the quiz! engvid.com/the-ages-periods-of-english-history-victorian-tudor-edwardian-elizabethan

Learn more history and culture with these videos!
Discover the History of English youtu.be/aEH2GkuRIHs
How the UK Is Divided: Countries, Cities, Counties... youtu.be/7nt-Kn6bi9U

In this lesson:
00:00 What are the periods of English history?
02:23 Periods in English History: Overview
03:58 Medieval (The Middle Ages)
05:48 The Tudor Period
08:33 The Stuart Period
09:17 The English Civil War
10:08 The Commonwealth Period
10:45 The Restoration
13:36 The Hanoverian/Georgian Era
14:55 The Victorian Era
16:07 The Edwardian Period
18:05 The Second Elizabethan Age

“What should I read?” – My Book Recommendations

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-06-16 | What book should you read? People ask me this all the time, so in today’s video, I will give you my recommendations of English books you can read. These books are from different decades. I have quoted from the beginning of each book, to give an idea of its style and subject. I hope you find something here to follow up on and read in full! For a discussion about books and reading with other readers, watch this video next: youtu.be/a0de-Ueg5mE

In this lesson:
00:00 6 books I recommend
01:06 Moby Dick by Herman Melville
04:22 1984 by George Orwell
06:43 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
11:00 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
12:57 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
15:05 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
16:54 Which book should I read?

Learn 14 Musical Expressions in English

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-05-21 | I’m back to teach you English idioms and metaphors that come from music. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, or blow my own trumpet, but if you say nice things in the comments about this video it will be music to my ears! engvid.com/learn-14-musical-expressions-in-english

More of my videos about English expressions and idioms:
14 English idioms & sayings from food & drink youtu.be/AoNB1cJ-tDU
13 English idioms from the theatre youtu.be/CTwnQt-PS7c

In this lesson:
00:00 – Introduction –
00:31 on the fiddle
02:16 harmonious relationship
03:24 drumming up support
04:35 change the record
06:07 sound like a broken record
08:17 rings a bell
08:41 going for a song
09:50 blow your own trumpet
10:41 call the tune
11:36 blow the whistle on & whistleblower
13:47 clean as a whistle
14:46 change your tune
15:42 face the music
17:09 music to my ears
17:49 – Conclusion –

How the UK is Divided: Countries, Cities, Counties, Councils, Wards

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-04-27 | It’s called the United Kingdom, but it’s divided up into four countries! I’ll be focusing on England in particular, and showing how the country where I live is divided up into cities and towns, villages and countryside. I’ll be talking about counties, councils, and wards, and giving a few examples of place names. If you’re planning on moving to the UK, this is essential knowledge. engvid.com/how-the-uk-is-divided

To learn how to pronounce UK place names, watch these lessons:
How to say the names of British cities, by @engvidJade : youtu.be/IXkFM3TC108
How to pronounce UK place names, by @engvidBenjamin : youtu.be/MHCb2D3IMNM
And for more about Scotland, see my interview with a Scottish poet here: youtu.be/UKZ5p2lKCkw

In this video:
00:00 How the UK is divided
00:16 Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
02:04 Big Cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester...
03:22 Suburbs
04:06 Countryside
05:22 Counties: Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Somerset, Kent, Devon, Cornwall, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk...
05:43 How to pronounce "-shire" names
08:14 Councils
09:09 Wards

English Vocabulary: CLIMATE CHANGE

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-04-04 | Climate change is a major issue all around the world. In this English vocabulary lesson you will learn the main vocabulary connected with global warming, from fossil fuels and greenhouse gases to rising sea levels and extreme weather. Learning these words will help you be able to read and to listen to the news in English, and to discuss these important issues with English speakers. After watching, test yourself with the quiz. engvid.com/english-vocabulary-climate-change

More videos that will help you understand current events and news:
Learn about the UK political system & elections youtu.be/f98HtyjcWxE
English Vocabulary Builder: 9 buzzwords youtu.be/pMYtwX1gPiQ

In this video:
00:00 What is climate change?
00:31 global warming
00:53 fossil fuels
01:44 greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide
02:43 threat to human life
03:01 loss of species: plants, animals, coral reefs
03:36 extreme weather: heatwaves, drought, storms, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, volcanic eruptions
07:53 rising sea levels
08:20 melting ice
08:54 food shortage
09:52 What can we do?

“THAN” or “THEN”?

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-03-11 | THAN and THEN, THEN and THAN: Which one is which? Just one little letter, but it completely changes the meaning. One relates to time and sequence and the other is used to compare. Autocorrect on your phone won’t help you get this right – in fact it might trick you into making a mistake, so it’s up to you to know the correct word to use. In this lesson I’ll clarify the difference between these two important words, and give you a short test to help you practise using them. And of course there’s a quiz too, over on www.engvid.com , so do give it a try and test out your knowledge! engvid.com/than-or-then

Keep going with more of my basic English lessons!
"LEND" or "BORROW"? What's the difference? youtu.be/iItVdrJ1sIY
MAY or MIGHT? youtu.be/YND9m8q3TJ8

In this lesson:
00:00 THAN or THEN? What's the difference?
00:33 THAN & THEN: Difference in sound
01:09 When to use 'than'
02:04 When to use 'then'
03:26 Test Yourself: "than" or "then"?
06:28 Conclusion

English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 9 BUZZWORDS

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-02-20 | A buzzword is a word or phrase that is currently popular or fashionable. Some people criticise them for being used too much, but they exist for a reason – they’re useful! In this vocabulary lesson, I’ll introduce you to nine buzzwords and phrases which are currently in regular use. We’ll talk about: the new normal, synergy, unprecedented, unpack, think outside the box, reach out, courtesy call, go viral, and unmute. After you’ve taken the lesson, do try the quiz to test your understanding. http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-builder-learn-9-buzzwords

More of my vocabulary lessons:
English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 15 Slang & Informal Words youtu.be/Um3l2BECKrc
Improve Your Vocabulary: 23 words for being happy/sad in English youtu.be/67Q2N11-Ruw

In this lesson:
00:00 What are buzzwords?
02:19 the new normal
03:57 synergy
06:26 unprecedented
08:38 unpack
10:33 think outside the box
12:00 reach out
13:07 courtesy call
15:23 go viral
16:56 unmute
17:54 – Conclusion –

Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2022-01-24 | Learn how to pronounce negative contractions like ISN’T, AREN’T, WON’T, HAVEN’T, and SHOULDN’T in English. In this basic lesson, I’ll explain how negative contractions are constructed, and how to pronounce them.
Make sure you also watch my lesson on how to pronounce the positive contractions here: youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ
Take the quiz to make sure you’ve understood the lesson: http://www.engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-negative-contractions

In this lesson:
00:00 How to pronounce negative contractions in English
03:23 Pronunciation of negative BE contractions: isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, won't
04:05 Pronunciation of negative HAVE contractions: hasn't, haven't, hadn't
04:11 Pronunciation of negative DO contractions: don't, doesn't, didn't
04:33 Pronunciation of "won't"
05:30 Negative MODAL Contractions: wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't
05:52 SLANG Negative Contraction: ain't
07:07 Conclusion

Advanced English Vocabulary: PUNS & DOUBLE MEANINGS

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-12-28 | Can you understand English jokes? Understanding humour in English is a sign that you’ve reached a new level! In this video, I’ll introduce you to a few examples of verbal humour. I’ll explain how these examples work and what makes them funny. Puns are used in everyday speech and also in newspaper headlines, so this lesson is relevant to spoken and written English. Many puns follow similar patterns, so once you understand how some of them work, you will be able to understand new ones you encounter on your own. http://www.engvid.com/advanced-english-vocabulary-puns-double-meanings

You can find the "Alice in Wonderland" lesson by @engvidAlex here: youtu.be/x5XEfqAp1eo

And if you liked this lesson, try these next!
Metaphors in English youtu.be/tEGWeQ1FK8E
Learn English with a poem youtu.be/hVidL1o28gw

In this video:
00:00 What are puns?
00:55 Wordplay examples
08:52 Puns in News Headlines

Basic English: How to pronounce contractions

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-11-30 | Learn how to pronounce contractions like I’M, IT’D, YOU’LL, and THEY’RE in English. I’ll explain which verbs are being contracted, and how to say the contractions correctly and easily. Don’t forget to test your knowledge with the quiz, once you’ve watched the video! engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-contractions

Next, watch my video on how to pronounce negative contractions! youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q

In this video:
00:00 How to pronounce contractions in English
02:37 IS & HAS Contractions: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're
05:10 HAVE Contractions: I've, you've, we've, they've
06:07 HAD & WOULD Contractions: I'd, you'd, he'd, she'd, it'd, we'd, they'd
07:37 WILL Contractions: I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, it'll, we'll, they'll

Learn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINE

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-11-04 | What is thy bidding, my master? Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? You’ve probably noticed these old forms – THY, THEE, THOU, THINE – appearing in English literature, especially poetry. Even modern works that are set in the past or that are trying to be very formal use these words sometimes. But it’s important to understand what they mean exactly and how the words differ from each other. It’s also important to know about the verb endings that go with them, so here is my explanation. After watching the video, do test your knowledge in the quiz – thou knowest it makes sense! engvid.com/learn-english-thou-thee-thy-thine

Learn more about the history of the English language with these lessons:
Discover the history of English youtu.be/aEH2GkuRIHs
How did the days of the week get their names? youtu.be/4aEsu3EU88k
English expressions from Shakespeare youtu.be/alInQ7nzKrI

In this lesson:
00:00 Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
01:52 What does 'thou' mean?
03:28 What does 'thee' mean?
03:44 What does 'thy' mean?
04:06 What does 'thine' mean?
04:42 What does 'thyself' mean?
05:16 How 'thou', 'thee', 'thy', and 'thine' are used in English
07:10 Quotations using 'thou', 'thee', 'thy', 'thine', 'thyself'
17:13 Verb Endings: 'art', 'hast', 'dost', 'didst'
21:27 Modern usage of 'thy', 'thou', 'thee'...

English Pronunciation Practice: CH & SH

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-10-14 | Do you know how to pronounce CH & SH correctly in English? It’s important to get them right, otherwise it can cause confusion and misunderstandings! In this lesson, I’ll explain how to make the two sounds, and we’ll look at some pairs of words which sound the same, apart from the CH or SH—you can repeat them after me. Finally, we’ll practise with some sentences containing the word pairs. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-ch-sh

More pronunciation practice!
English Pronunciation Practice: V & W youtu.be/bQnCXVwm2rE
English Pronunciation: Should you make an S or Z sound? youtu.be/hLRqC8v6lNU

0:00 How to make the SH & CH sounds in English
6:30 SH & CH: Word Practice
21:07 SH & CH: Sentence Practice
27:07 Review & Conclusion

Learn English with an article from The Guardian

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-09-17 | Today we’ll work on our vocabulary by reading an article from an online UK newspaper, The Guardian: theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/26/world-first-fruit-picking-robot-set-to-work-artificial-intelligence-farming . This article was written by Julia Kollewe and Rob Davies, and it’s about robots being used to pick raspberries. You will probably encounter some new English vocabulary and expressions. We’ll learn words such as: “quivering”, “shift”, “tweak”, “punnet”, and expressions such as “let loose”. I recommend reading this and other articles aloud, to help you with pronunciation and fluent speaking.

Take a quiz on this lesson: engvid.com/learn-english-with-a-guardian-news-article
Next, watch my other lessons about learning English with the news!
Learn English with a BBC News Article youtu.be/JyZnolQsd04
Improve your vocabulary with an article youtu.be/ePdkKz-drAU

English Pronunciation Practice: V & W

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-08-17 | Do you know how to pronounce V & W correctly in English? I’ve noticed that some people pronounce them both the same way, but in fact they are very different! In this lesson, I’ll demonstrate how to shape your mouth in order to pronounce each of these consonants correctly. Then we’ll look at some example words containing each one -- you can repeat them after me. Finally, we’ll practice with sentences where you have to switch between V & W multiple times. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-v-w

Watch all of my pronunciation lessons here: youtube.com/watch?v=7lc7pucsco4&list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUeo8MifSBdvIF6eWa1efPdr

Learn about Scotland with a Scottish poet

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-07-06 | Scottish poet Hugh McMillan will read us one of his poems today. We’ll talk about the Scots language as well as aspects of life in Scotland: language, arts, culture, history, geography, politics, and more. You’ll learn about how Scots is a sister language to English, with its own vocabulary, and how even apostrophes can be an issue to be debated. You can find much more about Hugh McMillan and his work at his website: hughmcmillanwriter.co.uk . Also visit his YouTube channel, where you can hear many, many other poets reading their work: youtube.com/channel/UC0m1zEKwPe-aY6Lj6CoJmYw . If you would like to learn more about Scotland, Hugh suggests these sites: electricscotland.com hiddenscotland.co asls.arts.gla.ac.uk . Finally, the poem read at the end of the video is by Josephine (Josie) Neill. You can find more of her work here: wigtownbookfestival.com/library/me-and-katie-morrison-the-watergaw & bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p00bktcv (available only in the UK).

Learn about English and UK culture with poetry! More of my poetry videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUec55HG7h2EKV6k3rkYFFIi

Improve your English Vocabulary by reading an article with me

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-06-13 | Today we’ll read an article that uses some advanced English vocabulary and expressions. This article by Jon Excell (bbc.com/future/article/20151027-the-ticking-time-bomb-of-the-thames) is about some World War II bombs that are in the water very close to the shore of the UK. Even though the bombs are now very old, they are still a serious threat. This article uses a lot of advanced words and phrases, so it’s perfect if you are trying to take your English to the next level. Read this article with me, and then I suggest you read more articles on your own at the BBC Future website. Test your understanding of this lesson by taking the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/improve-your-english-vocabulary-reading-article

Let's read some more!
Learn English with a BBC News article - Nike trainers on beaches youtu.be/JyZnolQsd04
Learn English with a poem! youtu.be/hVidL1o28gw

Learn English with a BBC News article

Learn English with Gill · engVid 2021-04-12 | Improve your English with a news article! Together we will go through an article on the BBC News website. I will explain vocabulary and expressions, as well as give you cultural context about the article. Follow along here: bbc.com/news/uk-48464664 . I encourage you to read the BBC News website and other English language news sites regularly on your own to develop your independent study skills and improve your English. http://www.engvid.com/learn-english-with-a-bbc-news-article

Next, watch more of my lessons on READING ENGLISH:
Improve your English Vocabulary by reading an article with me youtube.com/watch?v=ePdkKz-drAU
Learn English with a poem! youtu.be/hVidL1o28gw