Learn English with Jo

This website is a space for curious, thoughtful learners who want to speak British English more fluently and confidently, especially in real-life situations.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Information about 1:1 Conversation Classes where you can practise speaking with me in a relaxed, personalised setting, perfect for intermediate to advanced learners who want to improve real-life English.

  • Blog Posts on everyday British English, self-development topics and cultural conversations written in a warm, accessible style to help you feel seen and supported as you learn.

  • Free Learning Resources like conversation prompts, vocabulary guides, and practice tools to build your fluency, confidence, and expressive range. Plus links to My YouTube Channel where I post weekly content exploring language tips, useful expressions, idioms, British culture, and real-life British English for topics like emotions, confidence, boundaries, and everyday communication.

Learn English With Jo Asker

On the blog

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28 Everyday British English Slang Expressions
28 Everyday British English Slang Expressions

British people love slang. We use it constantly; in conversations with friends, at work, online, and even with complete strangers. The tricky thing is, a lot of it isn’t taught in English classes or textbooks. That’s why many learners feel confused when they hear phrases like “I had a wobble” or “That meeting did my head in.”

In this post, I’ve collected 28 slang expressions you’ll hear all the time in 2025.

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Phrasal Verbs with 'Cut' You Need to Know
Phrasal Verbs with 'Cut' You Need to Know

When you think of the verb 'cut', you might picture scissors, knives or haircuts. But in English, 'cut' takes on a whole new life when combined with little words like 'off', 'out' or 'back'. These combinations are called phrasal verbs, and they are some of the trickiest parts of English to master.

In this post we will look at some of the most common phrasal verbs with 'cut' and see how they are used in everyday situations.

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Top 10 British English Passive Aggressive Phrases
Top 10 British English Passive Aggressive Phrases

Polite British English isn’t always as polite as it sounds. Sometimes our pleasant words are doing a very different job – softening a refusal, hiding disagreement, or gently shutting down a conversation without actually saying so.

Today, I’m going to share my top 10 passive aggressive British English phrases – the ones you’ll hear in everyday life that might not mean what you think. We’ll look at what they sound like, what they actually mean, and how to spot the warning signs.

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