Interview – English with Amy

Recently we have released a couple of podcast episodes with Amy (https://englishwithamyonline.com/) and our latest one is an extract from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, a popular classic. We read an extract, speak about some of the more difficult words and talk about it.

You can access the episode here (Spotify and Apple podcasts) and you can download the transcript here.

We thought it would be nice to interview (English with) Amy so you can get to know her a little better.

Do you think it’s a good idea for English learners to read and in particular some of the classics?

I always recommending my English learners to read between lessons as much as possible. Not only is it a great way to catch new vocabulary, but also to see various grammatical structures and see how the words flow. In terms of the classics, it’s up to them! They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and some learners might find some of the archaic language lack value. However, for the more advanced learners, the classics can be a great insight into British literature.

Do you have any recommendations about how an English learner can read in English to make it more enjoyable?

My best tip for English learners who struggle with reading is to focus on shorter articles: blog posts, short stories and magazine articles. I think that the length of novels and dense texts can stress learners out so it’s much more enjoyable to start with shorter ones.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve just finished Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons In Chemistry which I couldn’t recommend enough, (suitable for advanced learners). I’ve recently moved on to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale but I’m only on the second chapter so it’s too early to comment on. I feel like it’s going to be a heavy one!

Do you enjoy doing lessons that focus on reading skills?

I do! I enjoy seeing the way my students extract language from them. You can really hone in on vocabulary in reading-based lessons and it can also be a great way to practise pronunciation.

Have you ever written a book, short story or poetry? If not, would you like to write something in the future?

I think the last time I wrote a short story and poetry was at secondary school. I do love journalling these days but that’s quite an intimate way of writing. It’s something I’d have to think about for the future!

Thanks for your help with the podcasts, great to hear your views!

Thank you, it was a pleasure 🙂