#BoostYourCareer

Do you know what this idiom means? After years of being disorganized and late for meetings, James decided 'to turn over a new leaf'. What is James actually doing? - check out the quiz for some possible answers - only one is correct.

English Grammar

Can you guess what this idiom means? 🤔 My best friend is visiting this weekend. I haven’t seen them in a year, so I’m going to cook their favourite meals, buy them a little gift, and basically "spoil them rotten"!

The AI Giveaway: What Recruiters and Educators See That You Don’t What do an experienced interviewer, a senior lecturer, and a creative writing tutor have in common? They can spot AI-produced work a mile away. AI can be a great tool, but when you start letting it think for you, it can be obvious to those evaluating your work. AI sounds like...AI. It uses stock phrases and homogenises content. To experienced readers of CVs, essays, reviews, dissertations, research projects etc, it is obvious which have been produced largely/entirely by AI and which are the results of human endeavour. Authenticity shines through and that is what these people value over AI-produced ‘bland perfection’. There are situations in which your very HUMANNESS is the quality that will get you the job, or well-deserved success in your exams, or touch hearts by telling the unique stories that can only have come from you and your lived experience. I understand why some might be tempted to allow AI to think for them. However, the end result may be that they end up losing the elements that make them stand out from the crowd. I’m not saying don’t use AI, just use it wisely. It is an authentic YOU that organisations want to hire, not some pale Grok/Gemini/Claude version of you. It is an authentic YOU that will have to defend your thesis or research project. It is an authentic YOU that will touch people’s hearts and make connections. In a world increasingly filled with digital noise, your unique voice is your most valuable superpower. While AI can do wonderful things with words, only a human being can truly connect with others. A human teacher - me or one of the many great teachers on Italki - can help you find the words you need to keep your humanness and uniqueness at the heart of everything you do and make sure the authentic you stands out from the AI crowd.

English Grammar

English Vocabulary

If learning English really worked, why does it disappear when your career is on the line? Many adult learners use English regularly and feel comfortable in low-pressure situations. They can read, listen, and prepare answers in advance. However, during important moments — such as job interviews, meetings, or conversations with senior colleagues — English may suddenly feel difficult to access. This experience often leads learners to believe they need more vocabulary, more grammar practice, or more courses. While language knowledge is important, high-stakes situations introduce additional factors. Pressure, responsibility, and fear of making mistakes can affect how people think and respond. As a result, familiar words may not come out as expected. This does not mean that learners lack ability or effort. It highlights the difference between knowing a language and using it confidently under pressure. Recognizing this gap can help learners better understand their experience and reflect on why progress sometimes feels inconsistent, even after many years of study. Written by Anatoly Glazkov

If learning English really worked, why does it disappear when your career is on the line? This short podcast explores a common experience among adult English learners who use the language at work. Many people can understand English well, prepare carefully, and perform confidently in low-pressure situations. However, during interviews, meetings, or important conversations, their English may suddenly feel unavailable. Instead of focusing on grammar, vocabulary, or learning speed, this episode looks at what happens when pressure appears and why language access can change in high-stakes moments. It invites listeners to reflect on the difference between knowing English and being able to use it when professional consequences are involved. The goal of this episode is not to offer quick solutions, but to help learners recognize a pattern that often goes unnoticed and to better understand why progress can feel inconsistent, even after years of study. Written by Anatoly Glazkov

Why Learning English Can Still Feel Difficult After Years of Study? Many adult learners have studied English for a long time. They learn vocabulary, practice grammar, use apps, and attend classes. Yet in important moments — such as interviews, meetings, or conversations with native speakers — they may still feel nervous, stuck, or unable to express themselves. When this happens, the usual conclusion is simple: “I need to learn more.” However, this experience suggests that language knowledge alone is not always the issue. In real situations, speaking is influenced not only by what a learner knows, but also by how they feel and how they see themselves while speaking. Under pressure, confidence can drop, thoughts can slow down, and familiar words may feel inaccessible. This is why some learners say they know English “in theory,” but struggle to use it when it matters. Recognizing this gap can help learners better understand their experience and reflect on why progress sometimes feels slow or frustrating. Written by Anatoly Glazkov

If learning English really worked, why do you still panic? This short episode explores a question many adult learners quietly struggle with: why English feels “there” in class, but disappears in interviews, meetings, or conversations with native speakers. Based on patterns observed in years of working with adult learners in professional contexts, the episode looks at why vocabulary, grammar, apps, and repeated courses often don’t lead to confidence when pressure appears. Instead of focusing on “learning more,” this episode invites listeners to reflect on what happens inside them in high-stakes moments — and why the problem may not be language knowledge at all. The goal is not to offer quick fixes, but to help learners recognize a hidden gap that keeps English feeling endless, frustrating, and unreliable, even after years of study. Written and recorded to encourage clarity, self-observation, and a new way of thinking about progress. Written by Anatoly Glazkov