The Clark and Miller English Podcast
The Clark and Miller English Podcast is a fun and innovative way to learn English. Host Gabriel offers English "hot takes" to help listeners feel the language naturally and comfortably. The show also features interviews with some of the world's best teachers. It encourages listener involvement and community building while making learning enjoyable.
Episodes
Episode 46 - Create "A-ha" Moments in your Classroom with Simple Drawings
In this episode I look at how you can use images effectively in the classroom and give your students more of those "a-ha" moments.
Through a job posting in a small Russian village, via a polyglot war hero, past split brain experiments and behaviourist studies, into Atkinson's Keyword Method (a vocab-learning approach) and out into the magic formula for "a-ha" moments, we look at what makes a perf
Episode 45 - The Wizard of Oz, Ingroups and Outgroups, and How Language Reveals What We Really Think
Have you ever really thought about how some words you use to describe others are a bit ... rude?
Have you ever noticed the words you use to describe groups of people you don't like?
Have you ever noticed that the word for Germany in your language is different from the word Germans use?
Have you ever seen the Wizard of Oz?
And what's up with Chavs?
In this episode I explore the world of exonym
Episode 44 - The Quest for the Holy Grail of English Grammar | An Interview with Christopher Walker
In this interview, I talk to Chris Walker, a long-serving teacher at International House and author of English is a Simple Language.
Join us on our quest to “get to the bottom of it all,” examining and uncovering the underlying structures of English, following in the footsteps of Michael Lewis.
During this engaging conversation, we ask:
“Can we get to the heart of the meaning of modal verbs?”
Episode 43 - Some, Any, Metal Bands and Why You’re Not Talking To Someone’s Leg
They lied!
They all lied to you!
Well, some of them did.
What am I talking about?
I’m talking about the people who told you that “We use ‘some’ for positive sentences and ‘any’ for negative and question sentences.”
Sure. We do.
But what about: “Would you like some tea?” and “It’s just some kid.”?
Find out how “some” and “any” really work...
Episode 42 - When is a Mistake a Mistake? Errors, Innovations And Angloversals
Have you ever corrected your student for making a "mistake" that you make yourself?
In that case, is it a mistake?
Are they mistakes when the same features are used by speakers of English in Kachru's outer and even expanding circles of English?
In this episode, I check out a fascinating paper by Elina Ranta on student mistakes, innovations and Angloversals.
Whatever they are...
Episode 41 - ’90s Slang vs ’40s Slang | A Chat With My Dad in the Garden
In this episode, I talk to my dad, Peter, about slang.
We also play a game where I try to guess the meaning of slang terms from the ’40s (his generation), and he tries to guess the meaning of slang terms from the ’90s (my generation).
The game was fun, but we also end up talking about all sorts of other things like the Hindi, Arabic and Turkish origins of some English words, how words changed ov
Episode 40 - 2 English teachers, 10 phrasal verbs. English with Rob Interview
A very phrasal verby chat with Rob from English with Rob.
We talk about:
- the best way to learn phrasal verbs;
- our favourite bands and whether auto-tune is evil or a really good idea;
- the dreaded pandemic and how we adapted to it (and how we're still adapting to it);
- reality TV (and why we don't get it);
- how "get" and "be" are cousins;
- what stability and certainty in 2022;
- capitalis
Episode 39 - The Cat and the Cornflakes - 5 English Pronunciation Hacks
Free eBook "Learn New Words 5 Times Faster": https://www.clarkandmiller.com/learn-english-fast/
______
Improve your pronunciation AND your listening skills with these 5 English pronunciation tips.
Learn about:
1. Jump to the potato! (stress-timed vs. syllable-timed languages)
Is your first language stress-timed or syllable-timed? What does that mean for your English pronunciation? How does it
Episode 38 - Tithead! Swearing with Emma from the Procrastination Podcast
In this episode, I talk to the super-thoughtful Emma from The Procrastination Podcast and Pronunciation with Emma.
And, yes! We talk about swearing in English.
Lots of f***ing swearing!
Join us in this fascinating conversation and ...
- learn some really useful English swearing,
- find out which swear words are strong and which ones are weaker,
- see how swearing can work as a painkiller,
- ex
Episode 37 - Three Hot Takes About English (And Why We Use "Some")
Today, I share three of my "hot takes" about English.
- Do we ever use "will" with "if" (e.g. “If I will be at the party …”)? When? And when can't we use it? Why?
- Why do we use “some” in sentences like “I got some bread”? Do we need it? Can’t we just say “I got bread”? What’s going on with this word? Are there other words like this? Are they really meaningless? And if they are meaningless, why
Episode 36 - 10 English Proverbs
In this episode, I take a dive into 10 common English proverbs.
Wait! What’s a proverb?
A proverb is basically an idiom you use to give advice or even share some wisdom.
Examples?
Well, today we’re looking at:
Two’s company, three’s a crowd.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
When in Rome, do as the Romans.
When it rains, it pours.
If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.
Where there’s a will, there’s
Episode 35 - A chat with Zdenek from Zdenek's English Podcast | DELTA, Native Speakerism & Dogme
Should we use L1 in the English classroom?
Is there a problem with discrimination against non-native English teachers?
Is taking the Cambridge DELTA a good idea?
Why is Zdenek's cat so weird ... and it's not even his cat?
As an ESL teacher, I'm sure you've asked yourself these questions before. (OK, maybe not the cat one.)
In this chat with English teacher Zdenek, we discuss all these things and
Episode 34 - Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and Pattern Grammar
It's always the same:
The same mistakes.
Again and again.
Mistakes like:
“We’ve got more five tickets left.”
“We work four days in a week in August.”
“I want that my kids go to a public school.”
“Thank you that you helped me.”
“His parents made him to do extra classes at the weekend.”
“It’s not so big than my city.”
But who can help us stop making these small but common mistakes?
Amy Winehous
Episode 33 - Reported Speech, True Love and Why Lawyers Speak Trashy English
Have you ever walked away from an English lesson saying, “What?! How?! Why does this language have to be so complicated?!”
If you’ve felt like this, you’ve either just walked out of a lesson on reported speech, or you were in the Arabic class by mistake. (Don’t do that again.)
But if you're getting frustrated with reported speech and all its stupid rules, there's some good news:
It doesn't have
Episode 32 - Schrödinger’s Adjective and Three Other Pieces of Grammar Philosophy
Why is the past tense not the past tense?
Why are "done," "swum" and "gone" just adjectives dressing up as verbs so they can get into a "verbs only" party?
How do you hide yourself in a sentence that isn't about you?
And did you know that the future doesn't exist in English, and we have no way of expressing the future?
Let's take a look at the world of philosophical grammar and discover impost
Episode 31 - Cooking Verbs in English
If you're anything like me, then you love cooking.
Also, if you're anything like me, you have a weird fear of frogs and a passion for experimental music.
But let's talk about cooking!
How often do you find yourself sharing recipes with friends and talking about your latest success in the kitchen?
Cooking, like many subjects, comes with its own little collection of vocabulary.
In this podcast
Episode 30 - Do You Need Grammar to Understand What People Are Saying?
Here's a question for you: Do you need grammar to understand what people are saying?
Really?
What about this sign I saw in a posh restaurant?
"No shirt. No tie. No service."
No grammar, right? But we totally understand what's going on here.
Interesting, right? Well, there's more.
Join me on this deep dive into how we really understand language. (Clue: it's not all about the grammar.)
We'll a
Episode 29 - I'll have a beer and a wife, please.
A mad, mad story about a live sex show, uncomfortable bars and an elephant walking down the street.
In this podcast episode, I talk to Martin from Rock 'n' Roll English about that time he went to Thailand without doing ANY research about the place.
Listen to Martin's story and answer the True or False questions.
Then listen to us talking about the interesting vocabulary from the story.
Vocabul
Episode 28 - Talking about Comedy with Luke from Luke’s English Podcast
I talk to Luke from Luke’s English Podcast – one of the longest-running ESL podcasts – about one of our favourite topics: comedy.
We discuss our favourite British sitcoms and comedians.
We also look at how you can improve your communication skills by “keeping things light” and even being weird and surreal.
And you also get to hear at least three pirate jokes (and two cheese jokes, too).
List
Episode 27 - Why Pragmatics Gives You Superpowers - An Interview with Andreas Grundtvig
In this interview, I discuss pragmatics and pragmatic competence with Andreas Grundtvig, author of "English is Context," a new book for teachers and learners about English pragmatics.
This is a big one! And we talk about a lot of amazing topics, including:
- how gamers now, the gay community in the early twentieth century and London Cockneys evolved their own language ... and why;
- why they rap
Episode 26 - The Beatles and Your English Learning Journey
Here's why your English learning journey is just like the Beatles' career.
Except without the millions of dollars.
Sorry about that! :)
In this episode, we look at how the Beatles changed during their ten-year career, how those changes are just like the changes you experience when learning English, and what you need to do to sound mature and wise in English.
Mature and wise ... just like "Hey J
Episode 25 - Actionable English Mindset Advice with Krisia Justesen
An interview with the awesome Krisia Justesen from Lightning English on how you can change your learning mindset.
OK, OK ... I know that sounds like abstract advice.
But here's the thing: Krisia will talk you through the steps you need to take to start thinking in a way that'll get you learning English more comfortably and more naturally.
In this episode, you'll also get the chance to join a fr
Episode 24 - International Communication in English with Chia Suan Chong
Have you ever had problems communicating with people from different cultures?
Have you ever felt that your English is good, but you're still not getting your message across?
Speaking a language isn't just about getting the words right – especially when you're dealing with people from all over the world.
In this episode, I interview the awesome Chia Suan Chong, an expert in international communi
Episode 23 - Why You’re Not Free in English (and How This Can Help You)
We are not free!
And that's a good thing!
When we speak English, we're not completely free to choose what we say. However, this lack of freedom can actually make it easier to communicate.
In this podcast, you'll find out:
- why communicating with people can be like going through airport security ... or being in a Borat film;
- how to collect language "passcards" to make your communication more
Episode 22 - Grammar, Perception and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Have you ever seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
Remember that part when Charlie and Grandpa drink some magic soda and start floating towards a giant fan?
Remember how they got out of that tricky situation?
That's just like grammar!
Well ... kind of.
Today I talk about:
- how we don't use grammar so much for marking time but to give our personal perspectives on how we see the world;
- ho
Episode 21 - Watch Movies and Improve Your Listening in English - An Interview with Cara Leopold
Want to improve your listening skills AND enjoy movies?
Want to join a community of other English learners who love films and TV series?
Then Cara's your go-to!
In this episode, I talk to Cara Leopold, an expert on listening skills and using movies and TV series to improve listening skills, share ideas in English and make sense of the world.
We talk about:
- how to improve your listening skill
Episode 20 - What Should I Read in English?
Let me ask you two questions:
How many books have you started to read in English?
And how many books have you finished in English?
I bet the answers to these questions aren't the same.
So why do we give up on books so easily?
Well, it's usually for one of these reasons:
1. You've chosen a book that's too difficult.
2. You’ve chosen a book that’s not very interesting to you.
3. You’re a stron
Episode 19 - The Back of 2020: A New Year's Ramble
A New Year's ramble and 10 natural English expressions.
This episode is in two parts:
In part one, I talk naturally and without a script.
This is your chance to listen to ungraded, natural English (and my weird innermost thoughts).
In part two, I talk you through 10 of the most interesting natural English phrases, idioms, pronunciation strategies and communication strategies I used in part on
Episode 18 - Grammar for a Full Life - A Wonderful Interview with Professor Lawrence Weinstein
A conversation with former Harvard professor Lawrence Weinstein about how the future can limit our power, how using the active can empower us, how the past tense can make us stronger, a man being strangled by a giant paragraph and much, much more.
About a month ago, I was lucky enough to receive a forward copy of Lawrence's book, "Grammar for a Full Life: How the Way We Shape a Sentence Can Limit
Episode 17 - Don't Destroy the Universe! Word Order in English
Here's something you might be doing without realising it:
You might be putting too many flashing lights and flags in your English sentences.
But how?
With word order!
The order that we choose to put words in a sentence in English can subtly (and not so subtly) change the meaning by emphasising certain words.
Check out this Clark and Miller English podcast episode to find out how you might be
Episode 16 - Does Business English really exist? - An interview with Shanthi Cumaraswamy Streat
What is the point of Business English?
What is Business English?
Does it even exist?
In this fascinating chat with Shanthi Cumaraswamy Streat, you can find out ...
- why "removing the language" can make you better at communicating in a business setting,
- how a quick pause can make you a stronger communicator,
- how to deal with small talk (especially if you're an introvert),
- why learning a la
Episode 15 - English Articles and the Stock Market Dance
Why are "a" and "the" like a stock market dance?
What are "the cat rules"?
Join me on my "hot take" on English articles and how we use them to invite people into our world and build relationships.
In this episode I talk about:
- how the grammar we use depends on what the other person knows, and why this is like a "stock market dance";
- what "the cat rules" are, and why they show us more than just
Episode 14 - Teaching English Through Storytelling - An Interview with Ariel Goodbody
A fascinating conversation with the wonderfully engaging and enthusiastic Ariel Goodbody, teaching expert and presenter of the Easy Stories in English podcast.
In this interview, we talk about:
- how Ariel started Easy Stories in English;
- Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS)
- how to teach phrases rather than grammar;
- how TPRS has a lot in common with Dogme and lexic
Episode 13 - Tips From A Polyglot - Interview with Lindsay From Lindsay Does Languages
An interview with the amazing polyglot Lindsay from Lindsay Does Languages.
I talk to Lindsay about:
- How she got into learning languages;
How food (and specifically bread) is a great motivator for learning languages;
- 3 tips for overcoming the dreaded "intermediate plateau";
- 3 tips for learning a new language.
Join us and pick up some great strategies for learning English.
Episode 12 - How Not to Die in an English Conversation
Conversations can be hard sometimes – even in your first language.
In this episode, I take a look at strategies to start, finish and keep alive a conversation in English.
You'll never need to die of "awkward silence" again.
Episode 11 - Three Things That Surprised Me About The UK
Sometimes your own culture can surprise you.
After a couple of years away from the UK, I got some serious culture shock when I came back to visit.
Pick up some advanced English phrases from the story of my trip.
This is a full English listening lesson with phrases to download (from www.clarkandmiller.com/english-podcast), descriptions of the phrases and the opportunity to listen to the story tw
Episode 10 - Interview - Christian from Canguro English - The Paint is Still Wet
In this episode, I chat with Christian Saunders from Canguro English about language teaching methods, including:
- Some obscure methods from the 19th century,
- Superstitious pigeons (no, really),
- The problem with testing and why we should burn the exams,
- Whether Dogme is a problem without a solution,
- What we can learn from the ancient Greeks,
... and much, much more.
I really enjoyed this
Episode 9 - Enjoy Studying Again with the Self-Study Menu
Remember when studying was fun?
When things were new and interesting?
Well, you CAN enjoy studying again.
The trick is NOT to make a study plan.
Make a study menu instead.
In this podcast episode, I give you some basic first steps to create your own self-study menu and get you enjoying it all again.
Episode 8 - Grice's Maxims
Sure, it's important to tell the truth and to make yourself clear, right?
But what about comedy and sarcasm?
What about using language to form closer relationships?
In this episode, I chat with a French teacher and PhD student in musicology, about how we "break the communication rules" in order to communicate better.
Learn how, by "flouting Grice's maxims," we use language in so many more ways
Episode 7 - How to Sound Smart (and Witty) in English
In this episode we explore the world of auxiliary verbs and how high-level English speakers use them all the time.
Sometimes they make the language more efficient.
But it gets better!
You can use them to sound witty, to put people down, to bond with people and to play with words.
Check out how auxiliary verbs work in each of these different situations.
Episode 6 - The English Verb
Quick – answer this question:
Why do we use the past simple tense?
Did you say, “Er … to talk about the past, obviously”?
Then how do you explain sentences like:
“I wish I knew.”
or
“What was your name again?”
But … but … these sentences aren’t about the past! What’s going on?
You know what this means?
It’s time to look at English verbs in a different way.
Episode 5 - Cambridge Cambridge Cambridge
Some places can definitely surprise you.
And Cambridge was no exception for me.
In this podcast I describe my experience going to Cambridge for the first time and why it was such a strange place.
You get the chance to hear 25 advanced, everyday English phrases in their natural context.
Episode 4 - Interview: Hugh Dellar - "One phrase at a time"
In this episode I have a very involved chat with Hugh Dellar, coursebook writer, teacher trainer, teacher and all-round nice guy.
We cover a lot of ground ranging from dealing with racism and homophobia in the classroom to 3 useful tips to help you learn English
Episode 3 - What on Earth Is an Ergative Verb?
What on Earth is an ergative verb?
How can I recognize one?
Do I need them?
There are some verbs in English that don't work in way you might think.
In this podcast, we'll take a dive into the weird, but useful, world of ergative verbs in English.
These verbs are very handy if in these situations:
1. When the subject isn't important (but the passive sounds wrong)
2. When things do things to t
Episode 2 - Buffalo Buffalo
Impress your friends at parties with these WEIRD but totally grammatically correct sentences.
Even better, learn how they work and get a better insight into advanced English grammar and vocabulary.
Can you understand these sentences:
"Put a bigger space between giraffe and and and and and avocado"?
"Peter, where Paul had had had, had had had had, 'had had' had pleased the teacher more."?
"Bu
Episode 1 - Say vs Tell ... What's the difference?
"Say" and "Tell" are not all they seem to be!
Join Gabriel with an interesting look at the very different personalities behind these two simple, everyday words.
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