Hey there! This is TOP episode 305. 5 English Expressions You’ll Use Every Single Day
You read English. You understand English. You’ve been learning for years, but when it’s time to speak—your mind just freezes, and the words don’t come out. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been exactly where you are. I’m Ola Mierniczak, and this is the Teacher Ola Podcast. I’m here to help you finally speak out loud—the words, the ideas, the English that have been stuck in your head for too long. This isn’t about perfect grammar or fancy vocabulary. This is about your voice. Your words. Your real English.
Hey everyone. Today we’re talking about something every English learner wants: sounding natural in everyday conversations. I’ll share five essential expressions that many people actually use every day. You’ll learn how to say them with the right tone, gestures, and timing, so your English feels alive.
And if you’ve ever wanted a safe, supportive space to actually use these expressions, connect with others, and finally get your words out of your head, my 12-week Say It Out Loud program is designed exactly for that. A new edition starts on 11 September, and you can sign up now at teacherola.com/kurs.
And now, let’s begin. 5 English Expressions You’ll Use Every Single Day.
ONE. The first expression is something that I use a few times a day, anytime I start a lesson with my individual students. So that’s a phrase you can use with a friend, a colleague, or a family member. It’s very friendly, and it opens up a nice conversation. The phrase is: how are things? Put the accent on ‘things’. How are things?
How’s it going?
How are things?
TWO. You know when something doesn’t go the way you planned, but it’s not the end of the world? That’s where “oh well” comes in. Oh well. Oh well. It’s not negative, it’s actually positive in my view. You can wave your hand saying it, you can shrug your shoulder. Imagine you bought ice cream, left it out too long, and now it’s melted. You look at it, and say, “Oh well, I’ll just drink it like a milkshake.” It’s stoic. Accepting the situation. And honestly, when you say it with that half-smile and a tiny shrug, people instantly get the vibe: it’s fine, life goes on. Oh well.
We missed the bus. Oh well, let’s grab a coffee while we wait.
I forgot my umbrella. Oh well, I don’t mind a little rain.
THREE. This one’s like the older cousin of “oh well.”I use it when something can’t be changed and again, I’m accepting the reality. Picture this: you’ve booked a holiday, and the weather forecast shows rain every single day. You can complain, sure, but what’s the point? That’s when you say, “Well, it is what it is. Let’s pack umbrellas and make the best of it.” It carries this sense of calm acceptance. Just like Oh well. You can use it to move forward instead of complaining.
The flight’s delayed. It is what it is.
He’s always late… it is what it is.
FOUR.
I throw this one out when something leaves me totally shocked or even a bit annoyed. “I’m speechless.” I’m not literally without words forever, it’s just that in that moment, words don’t do justice to how surprised or overwhelmed I feel. Sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s the “I can’t believe you just did that” kind of reaction. I’m speechless.
You decorated the whole house for me? I’m speechless.
She just quit her job without a plan. I’m speechless.
FIVE. This one’s perfect when I hear something that sounds unbelievable. Imagine your colleague casually says they’re running a marathon this weekend… without any training. You’d look at them and ask, “Are you being serious?” And your tone matters. You can sound impressed, shocked, disgusted, angry.
You won the lottery? Are you being serious?
Wait, you’ve never seen Harry Potter? Are you being serious?
Now it’s your turn to practice. Listen carefully and repeat out loud. But remember, that unfortunately is not enough, especially if we practice conversational expressions, which is the only thing we really do here. The real change in your speaking skill will happen when you expose yourself to a conversation with a real person. You can do it inside my SIOL programm, it starts on Thursday 11 September. You’ve got Speaking Club, voice messages, Extra Class, all kinds of exposure. When you take a brave step and actually use these phrases with other people that’s when a real shift will happen. It’s a guarantee. Go to teacherola.com/kurs and save your spot. Ok, let’s go! Listen and repeat.
How’s it going?
How are things?
We missed the bus. Oh well, let’s grab a coffee while we wait.
I forgot my umbrella. Oh well, I don’t mind a little rain.
The flight’s delayed. It is what it is.
He’s always late… it is what it is.
You decorated the whole house for me? I’m speechless.
She just quit her job without a plan. I’m speechless.
You won the lottery? Are you being serious?”
Wait, you’ve never seen Harry Potter? Are you being serious?
Here you have it! Today, we practised expressions that make your English sound natural in everyday life: phrases like “how are things?”, “oh well,” “it is what it is,” “I’m speechless,” and “are you being serious?” These are the words people actually use, every day, but most learners never get to use them outside of their head.
You might understand them, you might repeat them, but if you don’t use them with real people, they stay stuck in your brain. And that’s the problem, your English doesn’t move, it doesn’t breathe, it doesn’t become yours.
The solution? That’s where I come in. Inside my Say It Out Loud program, you get a safe, supportive space to actually use these phrases in real conversations, with real people, guided by me. You’ll practice, you’ll play with English, and you’ll finally bridge the gap between knowing and speaking. Nobody else gives you this kind of exposure, this kind of connection, and this kind of guidance.
Go to teacherola.com/kurs and apply today. The course starts on 11 September 2025. Teacherola.com/kurs.
And don’t forget your free worksheet for this episode, download it at teacherola.com/305. That’s it for today. I believe in you. I know, and you know, that you can speak English. All you need is exposure, practice and real connection.
Stay fearless, take care, and say it out loud. I’m your Teacher Ola, and this was the Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now!