The Just Start Talking Podcast

When People Around You are Speaking English Way Too Fast!

Today, we are talking about something every English learner has faced at least once. Maybe you face it every day. People talk fast. Too fast. So fast that your brain feels like it is on fire. You want to understand, you want to join the conversation, but it feels like you are two steps behind.
If this is you, you are not alone. Today, I will help you understand how to respond when people around you are speaking too quickly in English. I will give you three clear phrases you can use when you do not understand. We will look at one helpful grammar point. You will also learn three new vocabulary words that fit this topic. And as always, I will wrap up with a review.
So take a breath, relax, and let us get into it. Let's speak in a clear and natural way when we are asking people to slow down in English!

Phrases to Use When Shopping for Food in English

Today we’re going to talk about something most of us do every week… or maybe every day if you’re like me and you forget things on your list.
Yes — we’re going shopping for food in a big American supermarket!
If you’ve ever been in an American grocery store and felt overwhelmed, confused, or unsure what to say, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to break everything down so you can feel comfortable, confident, and ready to talk your way through the aisles using natural American-style English.
So grab your shopping cart — or your “grocery cart” as many Americans call it — and let’s get started.

How to Politely Ask for Help in English

Today’s episode is about something we all have to do, especially when we travel. We have to ask for help. And let’s be honest, asking for help can feel a little awkward, even in your first language. In another language, it can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops.
So today, I want to make this simple, clear, and actually kind of fun. We’re heading to a big European train station.  People everywhere, suitcase wheels clicking on the floor, trains arriving, trains leaving, signs in German and English that look friendly but also a little mysterious. And you are standing there thinking, “Where is platform nine?”
This episode will teach you exactly what to say so you can ask for help politely without sounding too direct or too stressed. You’ll learn five phrases, five vocabulary words, and one short grammar tip to keep you sounding friendly and natural.

Switch the Language on Your Phone to English!

Today, we’re exploring one small change that can have a huge impact on your English learning journey.
Have you ever thought about switching the language on your phone to English?  It might sound simple, but this tiny change can completely transform how you learn — helping you build vocabulary, confidence, and real-world fluency without even opening a textbook.
In this episode, we’ll talk about how changing your phone settings to English helps you practice every time you swipe, tap, or text. You’ll learn useful vocabulary like settings, notifications, update, autocorrect, and interface — and discover easy, natural phrases like “Let’s give it a try!” and “Don’t panic—it’s just English.”
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to make English a part of your everyday life — this is it. Let’s turn your phone into your personal English teacher and start learning naturally, one tap at a time.

Ordering in a Café: Making Requests

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Just Start Talking Podcast — the show that helps you build confidence and fluency in real-world English conversations. I’m your host, Jody, and in today’s episode — “Ordering in a Café: Making Requests” — we’re diving into one of the most useful everyday English skills: how to order politely and naturally in a café.
Whether you’re traveling abroad, studying English in Europe, or just want to sound more confident when ordering your favorite drink, this episode will help you master the language of café culture. You’ll pick up five practical phrases, five key vocabulary words, and a quick grammar tip on how to make polite requests — so you can sound friendly and fluent when you order.
Grab your coffee, settle in, and get ready to practice the kind of authentic English you can actually use in daily life. Let’s start talking!