The English Breakfast ☕
Hi there,
Welcome back to The English Breakfast — the newsletter for Italian professionals who want to feel more confident in English at work.
Let’s get started with a quick quiz. Do you know all 6 of these essential phrasal verbs to talk about productivity at work? Give it a go!
🔧 Quick Fix
In this week’s Quick Fix we’re looking at one simple word that has two different pronunciations.
Listen closely to the examples and see if you can hear the difference!
Want to keep improving your pronunciation? Try the first part of my online course for free. You’ll improve your listening skills too!
What’s on the box? 📺
(Fun British slang: "the box" means the TV!)
Watching TV shows and movies in English is one of the best ways to improve your listening skills.
You can use subtitles in English or Italian—both options have pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages). However, I challenge you to turn them off completely! Try it for just 5 or 10 minutes to test your understanding. If you need to, you can always go back and watch that part again with subtitles.
So, what should you watch?
My students often ask me for recommendations, but my advice is simple: choose something you actually enjoy. When you like the programme, watching it in English feels less like homework and more like a normal part of your day.
Here is a list of the best new TV series coming out this month to give you some inspiration.
Before you read the list, check out these 4 useful expressions—they will help you talk about everything from dark comedy to workplace drama!
1. Mordant humour
Meaning: Sharp, dark, sarcastic, or biting humour that treats serious topics with razor-sharp wit.
In Context: "As Jackie tries to outsmart her enemies, the action is infused with some mordant humour."
When to use it: Use this to describe a joke or comedy style that is clever and dark rather than silly or lighthearted.
2. Overbearing
Meaning: Bossy, domineering, or overly controlling; forcing your presence or authority on someone else.
In Context: "She plays an overbearing mother whose strict home-schooling left her daughter completely unprepared for the real world."
When to use it: Use this to describe parents, bosses, or colleagues who smother others by insisting on total control.
3. A shambles of a man (or a complete shambles)
Meaning: Someone whose personal, emotional, or physical life is entirely chaotic, disorganized, or falling apart.
In Context: "Michael is a shambles of a man after his partner mysteriously disappeared seven years ago."
When to use it: While "a shambles" usually describes a messy room or situation, calling a person a shambles paints a vivid picture of someone running on empty.
4. A lopsided power dynamic
Meaning: A situation where influence, wealth, or power is unevenly distributed, giving one side a massive unfair advantage.
In Context: "They started a law firm representing everyday workers against tech giants, fighting despite the lopsided power dynamic."
When to use it: Perfect for professional contexts, contract negotiations, or "David vs. Goliath" scenarios where the playing field isn't equal.
Now check out the list below and hit reply to let me know if you find anything interesting! 😀
🏆 Your challenge - The next time you’re watching an episode of something, try this activity to really give your listening skills a boost.
Want to train your English muscle? Spots are open again! 🏋️♂️
I’m happy to share that I have a few new spaces available in The English Fluency Club!
If you want to speak more naturally without fear of making mistakes, this is for you. In our small group sessions, we practice real-life topics, learn fresh vocabulary in context, and work on pronunciation and grammar with structured feedback.
Not sure if your level is right for the Club? Don't worry—I have groups for different levels so you'll always feel comfortable!
Simply take this quick English level test. I'll look at your result and send you an email with details on the best group and schedule options for you. No pressure, no obligation—just a quick check to see if it's a good fit!
OK, that’s all for this week’s edition.
Let me know if you enjoyed it, and I’ll see you next time.
Have a great week. 😎
All the best,
Dan
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