Happy English Podcast
Learn American English with your host Michael DiGiacomo from Happy English in New York City. Michael has been teaching English since 1994. This is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) podcast that brings you fun, practical, and useful English lessons which are ideal for intermediate and advanced level English learners everywhere. This podcast is perfect for university students, business professionals, homemakers, retirees and anyone who is interested in learning and improving their English skills. Every week, you are going to learn American English idioms, conversational expressions and phrasal verbs. As your American English teacher, I will help you learn real and natural American English pronunciation and conversational style. You will get the chance to improve your vocabulary and have a clear understanding of practical English grammar. I also help you have a deeper understanding of American Culture through language learning. Join my podcast learner's study group to practice these lessons with me each week on zoom. Get Happy, Get English. Happy English!
Episodes
April 23, 2025 • 10 mins
Yesterday, I stopped by a cafe near my house and nearly spent the whole day thinking so hard about this lesson, I hardly drank my coffee! But then I tried it and I was deeply impressed by the deep flavor and rich aroma coming from that cup of joe. And that’s our topic today — adjective and adverb pairs where the meaning changes when you add LY. Let’s look at six of the most common and useful ones.
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April 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Today, we’re gonna talk about one of the biggest goals that English learners have — and that is: building vocabulary. You’ve probably felt this before — like, “Ugh, I want to express myself, but I just don’t have the words!” Or maybe you’re reading something and keep thinking, “I know this word… I’ve seen it before… but what does it mean again?” Well, first of all — that’s totally normal. And second — I’ve got you. In this English ...
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April 18, 2025 • 10 mins
The other day, I got this ball point pen that’s made of Cedar word. Wow! It really gives off a nice smell. And at the store, they were giving away a free notebook with every pen you buy. Nice, right? I won’t give away the name of the shop though, because if they get too many customers, they may give up that promotion!
I love helping you learn phrasal verbs and today, we’re going to look at a bunch of phrasal verbs that use the verb ...
I love helping you learn phrasal verbs and today, we’re going to look at a bunch of phrasal verbs that use the verb ...
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April 16, 2025 • 9 mins
Man, I’d give anything to have a day off. Have you ever felt this way? I know learning another language is not easy, and requires daily practice. I’m pretty sure that since you listen to this podcast, you must give it your best shot when it comes to learning English.
I give you a lot of credit trying to learn this crazy language. Today, we’re going to look at some super useful and natural expressions — all built around the verb “gi...
I give you a lot of credit trying to learn this crazy language. Today, we’re going to look at some super useful and natural expressions — all built around the verb “gi...
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April 13, 2025 • 8 mins
Listen, I’m not trying to butter you up, but I do want to say that I appreciate you listening to this podcast each week. Maybe you can learn something or just crack up from what I’m saying. In any case, buckle up because here comes another podcast English lesson, just for you!
Thanks for joining me for another episode of the Happy English Podcast. I’m your English teacher Michael and i’m so glad you’ve decided to tune in. Today, we’...
Thanks for joining me for another episode of the Happy English Podcast. I’m your English teacher Michael and i’m so glad you’ve decided to tune in. Today, we’...
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April 9, 2025 • 7 mins
I Agree. Sounds simple, right? But depending on what you’re agreeing with, or who you’re agreeing with, or what you’re agreeing to, the grammar can change a bit. So let’s make it easy.
The verb agree is an interesting word because it can be used with a variety of prepositions, each one with its own usage. So for today’s podcast English lesson, let’s have a look at how we use this vocabulary
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The verb agree is an interesting word because it can be used with a variety of prepositions, each one with its own usage. So for today’s podcast English lesson, let’s have a look at how we use this vocabulary
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here:...
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April 3, 2025 • 9 mins
You must check out today’s podcast, it’s an absolute must! And for your own good, you must not skip any part of this episode. You must be wondering why I just said that, so let’s find out!
Today, we’re talking about a small word that carries a lot of weight: must. Just four letters—but it has several meanings depending on how you use it. And yeah, it’s used a lot in both formal and casual English, so it’s a good one to learn well.
Jo...
Today, we’re talking about a small word that carries a lot of weight: must. Just four letters—but it has several meanings depending on how you use it. And yeah, it’s used a lot in both formal and casual English, so it’s a good one to learn well.
Jo...
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April 1, 2025 • 7 mins
What should I do this weekend? Go see the cherry blossoms, or watch a movie? Or maybe I should go to the museum and look at their collection of modern art. There’s so much to see, watch and look at these days, isn’t there?
See, watch, and look are one of those sets of words that can tend to drive English learner’s crazy. All three of these words have to do with using our eyes, but the way we use them is total different. Today, let’s...
See, watch, and look are one of those sets of words that can tend to drive English learner’s crazy. All three of these words have to do with using our eyes, but the way we use them is total different. Today, let’s...
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March 29, 2025 • 7 mins
It’s time for another podcast English lesson. You like it, right? It’s good for you to listen to English, and a podcast like this, well, it’s great for learning new conversational phrases, like, the ones with it.
You can use it as the subject of a sentence in a variety of ways, and that’s gonna be the focus of this lesson. Let's check it out!
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visi...
You can use it as the subject of a sentence in a variety of ways, and that’s gonna be the focus of this lesson. Let's check it out!
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visi...
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March 26, 2025 • 9 mins
Recently, I’ve been working a lot of long days. Yesterday was no exception. I was so tired when I got home last night, I was out like a light. Then this morning one of my buddies asked me if I wanted to do some freelance work for him. I appreciate the offer, but right now, I need more work to do like I need a hole in my head!
The word like helps us compare things, right? And for today’s English lesson, we’re gonna look at some color...
The word like helps us compare things, right? And for today’s English lesson, we’re gonna look at some color...
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March 21, 2025 • 7 mins
In the middle of recording this podcast, I realized that the microphone wasn’t plugged in. Aye yai yai! So I had to go back to the top and start again. That’s what happens with modern technology, sometimes things go smooth and sometimes, well, it’s back to the drawing board.
For today's podcast English lesson, let's look at some idioms and phrases that we use to talk about doing something again from the beginning. We'll start from ...
For today's podcast English lesson, let's look at some idioms and phrases that we use to talk about doing something again from the beginning. We'll start from ...
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March 19, 2025 • 7 mins
I just got the idea that just is just one of those words that has a number of difference uses in everyday English. Just a sec, let me think about that. So, let's check out all of the different ways you can use just, plus set phrases like just about, just as well, just a minute, and just the same.
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lesso...
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lesso...
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March 17, 2025 • 7 mins
Maybe you've been wondering how to start a sentence. Like, is it better to say, eating pizza makes me happy, or to eat pizza makes me happy.
At first glance, these seem to mean the same thing. After all, both "Eating pizza" and "To eat pizza" are subjects, right? But here’s the twist: gerunds and infinitives aren't always interchangeable! Let’s break it down so you can use them confidently.
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At first glance, these seem to mean the same thing. After all, both "Eating pizza" and "To eat pizza" are subjects, right? But here’s the twist: gerunds and infinitives aren't always interchangeable! Let’s break it down so you can use them confidently.
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March 12, 2025 • 7 mins
So how is your memory? Do you have a memory like a sieve or maybe your memory is more like an elephant. Some people have a short memory and some people have a photographic memory.
The word memory in English is interesting because it has a number of meanings and uses. For today's podcast English lesson we're going to take the word memory to the next level, and talk about five idioms and phrases that use the word memory.
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The word memory in English is interesting because it has a number of meanings and uses. For today's podcast English lesson we're going to take the word memory to the next level, and talk about five idioms and phrases that use the word memory.
Join my Podcas...
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March 10, 2025 • 7 mins
Is it , I can do that...or, I’m able to do that. I could do that...or, I was able to do that. And what about, I’ll be able to do that? Today, it’s all about ability and possibility. Can and be able to are similar in meaning, but the way we use them is different. And that’s what we’re gonna run through today.
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free E...
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free E...
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March 7, 2025 • 7 mins
You don’t need to wait around anymore. I know that you were waiting on me to help you figure out if you should use wait for or wait to or wait up and so on. Wait is an interesting verb because it can be used alone or with a variety of prepositions, with each combination having its own unique usage. Let's check it out today!
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for ov...
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for ov...
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February 24, 2025 • 8 mins
I think this is really going to be a helpful lesson for you today. Very and really are two very basic words in English, but I do know that they can be really confusing for a lot of English learners. So if you sometimes use one of them in the wrong situation, you’re going to want to listen to this podcast English lesson till the end.
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my webs...
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my webs...
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February 19, 2025 • 8 mins
Did you know that you can knock back, knock down, knock around, and knock up? You can even knock someone out or tell someone to knock it off. For today’s English lesson podcast, you’re gonna build your vocabulary and sound more natural using knock.
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com
Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/transcript
Visit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com
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February 17, 2025 • 7 mins
Why don’t we go somewhere. A lot of people learn English because they love to travel. How about you? Whether it’s taking trip through the countryside, a voyage across the sea, or an exotic journey to a foreign land, I think most people just like to go somewhere.
Travel, trip, journey and voyage. These four words can take you from your living room to the ends of the earth and beyond. If you’re wondering how you can use this vocabula...
Travel, trip, journey and voyage. These four words can take you from your living room to the ends of the earth and beyond. If you’re wondering how you can use this vocabula...
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February 14, 2025 • 8 mins
Deadlines, we all have them, and so we need to talk about them. Finish your homework by Friday. Work hard until the weekend. And you can’t have any fun unless you’re done doing what you have to do. By, until, and unless.
We use the words by, until and unless to talk about a deadline, but the way we use these words can be a pain in the neck for a lot of English learners. Fear not, my friends. For today’s English lesson podcast, we’re...
We use the words by, until and unless to talk about a deadline, but the way we use these words can be a pain in the neck for a lot of English learners. Fear not, my friends. For today’s English lesson podcast, we’re...
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