In this episode I tell you everything you need to know to have a proper uncerstanding of the context of this US holiday. We unpack Thanksgiving: history, traditions, and perspectives often left out. I discuss the common Thanksgiving origin story that you might have been told or seen on TV. I trace the real historical origins to modern celebrations, including Friendsgiving, the turkey pardon, Black Friday’s origin, and Indigenous perspectives that challenge popular myths.
Further reading & sources• History.com — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-thanksgiving• Encyclopaedia Britannica — “Thanksgiving Day”https://www.britannica.com/topic/Thanksgiving-Day• Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian — “Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving”https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving• Delish — “The Dark Truth Behind the Origins of Thanksgiving”https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/a33984895/native-american-thanksgiving-holiday/• Boston University — “History of Thanksgiving”https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/history-of-thanksgivingVideos & episodes to watch / listen• One Mic History — How Black Americans Made Thanksgiving Our Own (YouTube)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZr87VyUTaY&t=1s• Podcast — Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies? (Spotify)https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ejgX3JZnaJTNZmxKQ1T7y?si=f19f7e39fc584133

Group classes at www.charmenglish.cl

In this episode, we talk about how water shapes our daily lives, from water consumption habits to global challenges like droughts and floods.. We talk about potable water and contaminated water.

Most of the class focuses on common English idioms related to water, like to be a fish out of water or "sink or swim".

Key Takeaways

• A reminder that “water” is an uncountable noun in English—and why that matters

• How water-related idioms enrich English communication

• Essential water terminology for clearer, more accurate discussions

• Cultural differences in attitudes toward water availability and quality

Sign up for classes here: charmenglish.cl

In this episode, we dive into how to use the prepositions at, in, and on inside common English idioms. I walk you through practical examples, song references, and clear explanations so you can understand these expressions and use them confidently in real conversations. Perfect for learners who want to sound more natural and fluent.

You'll learn:

• How at / in / on function inside idiomatic expressions

• Idioms for timing, like in the long run and at the 11th hour

• • Idioms for emotional states, like on cloud nine and at your wits’ end
  • Idioms for risk and uncertainty, like in hot water and at risk

• Key phrases:

• • In the long run → future outcomes

  • At the 11th hour → last minute

  • In no time → very quickly

  • In the blink of an eye → extremely fast

  • On cloud nine → very happy

  • At your wits’ end → very frustrated

  • On fire → performing extremely well

  • On edge → anxious or tense

  • In hot water → in trouble

  • At risk → possible danger

In this episode, I announce the winners of our Spooky Story Contest and read the top three horror stories written by English learners! Each story brings something special — suspense, emotion, and creativity — and we explore what makes them so engaging.In this episode I read: the runner-up “The Mystery Story" by Akko, the chilling second-place entry, "My first night by myself at home" by Joao, and the haunting winner “Always Here For You” by Almir. After each reading we break down what we liked about the stories: language choices, pacing, and ways to build fear and emotional impact.

✨ Takeaways:

• Creativity and originality make stories memorable.

• Listening helps you learn vocabulary in context.

• Analyzing stories deepens your understanding of how language works.

  
  

Keywords: spooky stories, storytelling, creative writing, writing contest, horror stories, English listening practice, story analysis, narrative techniques, vocabulary in context, engaging stories.

charmenglish.cl

In this episode we unpack how phrasal verbs turn into compound nouns. You will hear clear examples like takeover, breakdown, check-in, follow-up, and meetup, plus easy spelling tips and simple pronunciation rules to help your English sound more natural. Whether you use English at work, in social situations, or when making decisions, these words are everywhere. Listen for practice ideas you can try right away to lock this grammar into your speaking and writing.

What you will learn• How compound nouns form from phrasal verbs• Verb versus noun use, with easy examples• Spelling patterns and why some words change from two words to one word• Pronunciation and stress tips for natural sound• Plenty of examples to practice and remember these forms

In this live Q&A I answer student questions about casual speaking, speaking and learning tips, verb tenses (past perfect and the past participle,) causative verbs, pronunciation difficulties, and small language nuances like the difference between “shade” and “shadow.” I give many examples, correction tips, and practice suggestions you can use right away. Suitable for B1–B2 learners who want practical speaking practice and clearer grammar use.Some takeaways:-Use adverbs at the start of sentences to sound more natural.-Phrasal verbs are essential for conversational fluency.-Use past perfect to show event order/background.-Causative verbs (make/have/get) show actions done by others.-Cultural context improves comprehension and use.-Practice vowel sounds with rhymes and minimal pairs.-Balance communicative speaking with targeted grammar practice.-Solo speaking practice also builds fluency and confidence.

Remember you can watch on youtube at @charmenglishmaggie and you can sign up for a class at www.charmenglish.cl