Mind Growth Podcast

"I want to speak English like an expert" - this video can be a great start 

Many people do exceptionally well when it comes to writing emails, chats and essays even. They sound witty, smart, emotional, articulative. But when it comes to speaking, they fall short Thing is that they are different activities. Writing gives one more time to think and articulate. It even lets one edit, erase and rewrite. Whereas speaking gives you no time. You can’t THINK and speak. Good thing is though when you gradually start speaking, you will already have strong hand with grammar and vocabulary. If you write well, that means two things: 1 You think well. 2. Your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary is good Three tips for reducing gap between writing and speaking skills: 1. Acknowledge the gap and acknowledge that writing and speaking are different activities 2. Increase the volume of speaking practice 3. Take initiative and speak when situations arise

“Books are gems, somehow being sold for the price of peanuts” Read Book Summaries. There are apps which have taken a lot of pain and summarised thousands of books for you. They have compressed 10 hour books into 10 minute summaries. You will get key takeaways or biggest ideas from popular nonfiction books. Within 10 minutes you will have the gist of the book and if you wish to go deeper, buy the full book and read that. So it’s a good way to explore and land on a book you really like. Even if you don’t read the full book, reading a summary is still better than not reading the book at all, right? It's not a substitute of reading. But it is still immensely valuable for discovering books and for ingesting big picture ideas in very little time. I am sharing with you names of the apps and websites which provide these books’ summaries. I have used a couple of them myself and they are fantastic.

Most people struggle when they are asked to introduce themselves. And especially when they are expected to answer in a language that’s not their mother tongue, like English. Self introduction is required in a lot of settings in life like formal setting, in casual meeting, with strangers, with interviewers, or in a party/group. So one should know how to best do it. I’ll give you some quick tips for that followed by an example of how I would do a self introduction in English in simple words. I cover following points in the video: 1. Your introduction can’t be too long. Don’t be boring. Make it useful and interesting. Aim is not to speak out an essay about yourself, aim is to fulfil the requirements of the situation. What‘s the context? What is the other person intending? 2. What I do vs What I like to do 3. Curiosity and open doors 4. Write and rehearse The video also has my own attempt at introducing myself. So don't forget to miss that. Here are the channels of the 2 incredible girls I got to talk to:

For those who don’t know chatGPT, it’s an Artificial Intelligence tool launched by OpenAI. You can use it for free to ask all sorts of questions and it will use the knowledge of the whole internet to create an answer for you in its own words. It’s impressive. It’s magical. So why don’t we use it to learn English? Let’s do just that. Think of it like a free personal English tutor who can guide you, correct you. Anytime. Anyday. Whenever you want it, it’s there. For free. Here are 10 ways you can use chatGPT for learning English: 1. Conversations Example prompt: "Create a casual conversation between two friends in English" ChatGPT will create a conversation for you and then you can then recite it and practise 2. Quizzes Example prompt: "Create an English grammar quiz for me" 3. Correct mistakes Example prompt: "Check the following text for English grammar mistakes. “I have went to the marketl”" 4. Beautify/simplify the text Example prompt: "Please beautify this English paragraph: “Ram went to the market. He bought a few fruits. He likes to eat mangoes.”" 5. Learn concepts Example prompt: "What is active vs passive voice in the English language? Please illustrate with examples." Example prompt: "Teach me a few grammar rules of English" 6. Vocabulary Example prompt: "Teach me some English vocabulary words" Example prompt: "Give me synonyms for the word beautiful" 7. Advice and Tips Example prompt: "How should I learn to speak English?" Example prompt: "Create a study plan for me to learn English" 8. Lists Example prompt: "Create a list of English vocabulary words starting from letter V" Example prompt: "Create a list of daily use English idioms" 9. Translation Example prompt: "Translate “I have eaten mangoes” to Hindi" Or you can also do a Hindi to English translation. 10. Interview preparation Example prompt: "Create a list of Interview questions for me and write best strategies to answer them" Example prompt: "You are an interviewer, please take my interview" Caution: ChatGPT is pretty smart but it's still new and a work in progress. So it could still make errors. Use it like a helpful tool/assistant, not as an authority figure or a master.

Life can be so boring sometimes. Some people feel it more than others, and in some phases we feel it more than in other phases. We feel like doing nothing, nothing entertains… everything is just a big Zzzzz…… I give you three pronged approach to attack this problem from three directions From one direction we find interesting things so we’ll be less bored. The world is soo big. No dearth of interesting things. From other direction we train our mind to be less addicted of constant stimulation so we’ll be less bored. Reduce social media usage. Proactively go into depth of things. Chew food well. From third direction we train ourselves to be more acceptable of being bored. To some extent making peace with boredom.

Correct your posture: The Slouch - it's sooo widespread. It looks so unattractive, and it's bad for spine too. Try and consciously correct it. It will feel uncomfortable/effortful at first. And you might even feel a disbelief that it can be corrected at all. But with conscious effort it will become easier gradually, and then automatic eventually. Then you won't have to make any effort or think about it. You’ll feel taller too :D Thank me later

"My mom wants to learn English" - Help your parents learn English with my tips 

Have you seen shark tank? It’s where people present their ideas and investors sitting in front of them make investments. I thought let’s create our own little shark tank right here on the channel. I want to invest in your idea, your startup, your business. I want to help you, invest in you, even promote you on this channel. I have such a large platform right here. People have ideas, they don't have money, resources, and guidance. They don’t know how to build something from scratch.

120 Sentences for day to day English speaking - In under 4 Mins [Start speaking English today] 

I get stuck a lot when I speak English, how can I improve this? A lot of time we don’t realise how we are speaking. We speak way too fast most of the times. So why do this stupidity? Talking fast is not equivalent to fluency or good communication skills. You also get stuck because of low confidence and fear of making mistakes. In this video I address this and advise you with some tips to solve the problem.

This is a fast list of 75 Internet acronyms. New English words for online chatting - Add style to your Vocabulary. How many of these did you know?...tell me your score out of 75

Too much pressure of getting married? Follow this simple advice. 

How to ask questions in English Personal Information: What is your favourite hobby? How many siblings do you have? Where were you born? What do you do in your free time? Which is your favourite book? Career: What inspired you to choose this career? How long have you been working here? What are your career goals? Can you describe your typical workday? Do you have any mentors in your field? Education: What did you major in at university? Can you recommend any good books on this subject? Which school did you attend? What was your favourite subject in school? Are you considering further studies? Travel: What's the most beautiful place you've visited? How often do you travel? Do you prefer beach vacations or mountain getaways? What's your favourite country that you've visited? Can you suggest a good place for a family trip? Food and Drink: What's your favourite cuisine? Do you enjoy cooking? Can you recommend any good restaurants here? Do you have any dietary restrictions? What's your favourite dessert? Hobbies and Interests: Do you play any musical instruments? What type of movies do you like? Are you interested in sports? Do you enjoy reading? What hobbies do you have? Current Events: What's your take on the current political situation? Have you heard about the recent news on...? What are your thoughts about the latest technological advancements? Do you follow any particular news sources? How do you feel about the recent changes in climate policy? Future Plans: Where do you see yourself in five years? Are you planning to move in the near future? Do you have any travel plans for the next holiday? Are you considering adopting any new hobbies? What's your next big goal? Family: How often do you visit your family? What's your favourite family tradition? Do you have a big or small family? How many children do you wish to have? Does your family live nearby? Health and Wellness: What do you do to stay fit? How often do you exercise? Do you follow any specific diet? Have you tried meditation or yoga? What's your secret for stress relief? Personal Beliefs: What's your spiritual belief? Do you believe in destiny or fate? What values are most important to you? How do you define success? What's your perspective on happiness? Preferences: Do you prefer coffee or tea? Would you rather read a book or watch a movie? Do you prefer a bustling city or quiet countryside? Do you enjoy winter or summer more? Would you prefer working from home or in an office? Memories: What's your most cherished childhood memory? Can you recall a memorable travel experience? What's the best gift you've ever received? Do you remember the first book you read? What's your most treasured memory with your family? Daily Life: What does your morning routine look like? How do you typically spend your weekends? What's your favourite part of the day? How do you commute to work? What do you usually have for breakfast? Goals and Ambitions: What are your goals for this year? Is there a dream you're working towards? Do you have any fitness goals? What personal skills do you want to improve? Are you planning to learn a new language? Social Media: What's your favourite social media platform? Do you follow any influencers or bloggers? Have you ever done a digital detox? How do you feel about sharing personal information online? What kind of content do you usually post? Cultural Questions: Can you share an interesting fact about your culture? What festivals or traditions do you celebrate? Is there a cultural dish from your country that you would recommend? What languages do you speak at home? Can you recommend any movies or music from your culture? Technology: Are you into any particular tech gadgets? Do you think technology makes life easier? What's your opinion on artificial intelligence? Do you play video games or VR? How do you feel about the impact of social media on society? Entertainment: What type of music do you enjoy? Do you watch any TV series currently? Who's your favourite actor or actress? What was the last movie you watched? Can you recommend a good book? Personal Growth: Is there a skill you've always wanted to learn? What's one thing you want to change about yourself? How do you handle criticism? How do you maintain work-life balance? What motivates you the most in life?

How to Use ChatGPT to succeed in Job Interviews 1) Get Help with Your Resume and Cover Letter: ChatGPT can check your resume and cover letter and suggest improvements before your interview. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, take a look at my resume and tell me how to make it look better." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, read my cover letter and suggest ways to make it more interesting and strong." 2) Generate questions to Ask Your Interviewer: ChatGPT can help you come up with interesting questions to ask during your interview. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, give me some good questions to ask during an interview for a human resources job." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, help me think of some clever questions to ask the hiring manager for a business development interview. I want to show my strategic thinking and match my goals with the company's vision." 3) Practice Interviews with ChatGPT: Have a mock interview with ChatGPT where it acts like your interviewer. This can help you improve your answers and presentation. Try these: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, pretend to interview me for a marketing manager job, and give me feedback to improve my answers Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, do a practice interview with me for a customer service role and tell me how to make my answers better." 4) Get Feedback on Your Interview Answers: Have ChatGPT review your proposed interview answers and suggest improvements. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, check my answer to 'Tell me about a time when you faced a tough situation at work'." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, review my answer to a technical question to help me give a better response." 5) Create Your Elevator Pitch: ChatGPT can help you make a short, powerful elevator pitch to introduce yourself confidently. Try these: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, help me make an elevator pitch for a sales job that quickly highlights my skills and experience." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, help me make an elevator pitch for a product management role that showcases my strategic thinking and customer-focused approach." 6) Practice for Surprise/Unexpected Questions: Interviews sometimes have surprise or tricky questions. Practicing such questions with ChatGPT can boost your confidence. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, give me examples of surprise questions for a marketing interview and help me practice my answers." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, suggest some tricky questions for a finance interview to help me get ready for surprises." 7) Prepare Answers to Behavioral Questions: Behavioral questions need examples from your past experiences. ChatGPT can help you craft stories that show off your skills and achievements. Try these: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, help me create a story that shows how good I am at resolving conflicts." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, help me put together my answer to a question about leading a difficult project." 8) Make a Follow-up Plan: Crafting a good follow-up after an interview is important. ChatGPT can guide you in creating a follow-up plan for the specific company and interviewer. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, help me make a personalized follow-up plan after an interview with a software development company." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, give me tips for a persuasive follow-up email after a project management job interview." 9) Learn More About the Company with ChatGPT: Ask ChatGPT for information and updates about the company you're interviewing for. This can help you tailor your answers. Try these: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, give me information and recent success stories about XYZ Company because I have an interview with them soon." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, tell me about ABC Corporation's recent growth plans so I can include this information in my interview answers." 10) Understand Technical Concepts: For technical interviews, let ChatGPT explain complicated concepts or give you examples from the field. For example: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, explain gradient boosting in data science and give me an example of how it's used in machine learning." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, show me how object-oriented programming works with a practical example." 11) Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Talk to ChatGPT about your industry or job to learn about the latest trends. This can show your interest and knowledge during the interview. Try these: Prompt 1: "ChatGPT, tell me about the latest trends in finance for my upcoming finance interview." Prompt 2: "ChatGPT, talk about the newest developments in artificial intelligence related to software development."

Self Introduction in English - Simple and effective ways to introduce yourself in English  

“I compare myself with others too much” - My advice on how to overcome this 

BITE YOUR TONGUE - as a way of effective communication! 

Speak English Fluently in 100 Days - This simple technique will make you fluent and confident 

How to develop a Sexy and Dominant Voice  

"My financial debt has taken away my peace of mind" - Follow this simple advice to come out of it 

Speak to Anybody with Ease and Confidence - How to Start and End conversations with new people 

Is Grammar necessary to speak English? 

Test your English Level - I took the Duolingo English Practice Test (DET) - Sharing my own results 

"I am Afraid of Making Mistakes While Speaking English" - Overcome this Fear Now! 

Learn Modal Verbs in 5 minutes - English Modal Verbs with usage and examples 

How To Be Confident in Yourself - basic errors we make and how to change them 

Unlimited Free Calls for English Speaking Practice - No more spending on calling apps

1 Master Exercise to make you Speak English Confidently. It Will Work - My Guarantee

Different Resolutions for 2024 - Anyone can do but are meaningful and powerful

Fluent English बोलना सीखिए in 100 Days - Simple technique will make you a confident fluent speaker

This Video Will Solve All Your Grammar Mistakes in English - No more running around here and there Let AI correct your grammar mistakes.

Learn English Sentence Construction By Translating Hindi phrases to English phrases

The ONLY VIDEO you need for English Tenses - MY PROMISE

Why You Can't Speak English - 9 Reasons STOPPING YOU From Becoming Fluent and WHAT TO DO about them 

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE to learning English Tenses - Made Easy within 5 Mins

"I understand English but I am unable to speak it". This problem is so common, millions of people face it. There’s a frustrating gap that one feels (between being able understand English vs not being able to speak English). But don’t think that it’s a problem. I want you to change your attitude towards it. Just think like on the scale from 0 to 10, you’re currently somewhere on 3-4-5. So you just have to increase your standing on that scale. Think about other languages you don’t even understand. Do you understand Russian? German?. That means you have a great headstart with English. Most of the work has been done already. Understanding a language is no small feat. And it’s the second language we are learning after our mother tongue after all. Speaking is a separate activity for which you have to train yourself separately. Since you already understand English it will not be too difficult. What’s missing are 2 things: 1. Proactive practice Don’t wait for situations and depend on them for your practice. Proactively make time and effort and practise English. To start with, try practising daily for 15 minutes. 2. Courage In addition to practising, you have to show courage when situations come which require you to speak in English. Don’t run away. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Show some courage. You’ll soon realise you were making a bigger deal out of it than it really is.

Why you CAN’T understand TV shows and Movies without SUBTITLES (and 3 TECHNIQUES to fix that)  

I improved my English because it became a crucial goal in my life. Moving to a better school exposed my language shortcomings, lowering my confidence and making communication difficult. This shift made mastering English not just a necessity but a purpose. I concentrated on overcoming my lack of confidence and hesitation rather than fretting over grammar details. By focusing on speaking, I learned the language's structure organically. Speaking English, even with limited knowledge, helped me gradually improve. To enhance my skills, I engaged in proactive practice, like speaking to myself in front of a mirror, creating stories, and getting accustomed to the language. This approach made actual conversations less daunting. Lastly, I focused on not just fluency but also the style of speaking, incorporating pauses and avoiding filler words to make my communication clear and enjoyable. This approach, combined with the respectful and articulate manner inherited from my upbringing in Lucknow, significantly enhanced my language skills. Today, I share my journey and strategies through social media and courses, helping others improve their English. This story demonstrates that with targeted effort and smart strategies, anyone can master a new language.

Link to my English course: aleenarais.com Link to the story covered in the video (for your repeat-after exercise): aleenarais.com/story.pdf Here's the story for a quick look: A Lesson in Language and Resilience It was my first journey abroad as an adult, I was traveling to Malaysia with my friends. Our arrival was marked by the buzz of anticipation, a flurry of activity as we navigated through the bustling airport. In the midst of this confusion, a simple mistake unfolded—one that would test my courage in ways I hadn't anticipated. I was probably day dreaming looking at the beautiful skyscrapers of the city of Kuala Lumpur, and something I had never expected of myself, happened. I left my entire luggage on the bus that ferried us from the airport. The realization struck like a bolt, I could see the bus moving away with my luggage and me standing on the roadside, sweating at my predicament. I was desperately miserable. The language was also a barrier.. My familiarity with English was of little comfort in a land where most people spoke their native language, Malay. Yet, necessity breeds invention. With determination, I managed to find the number of the bus service, my heart racing as I dialed the numbers. Communicating my issue was a challenge. Each word was a step toward understanding and being understood. Carefully choosing my words I explained what had happened. In the evening, as I was standing on the road to begin my small trip to the bus station, a kind Malay lady offered a lift. I quickly hopped in thinking it would be easier for her to locate the address. The journey to the bus station was quiet, a silent reflection on the kindness of strangers and the unexpected turns of life. When I finally reclaimed my luggage, a big relief, a heavy burden was lifted. Returning to my room, the weight of embarrassment settled in. To admit my mistake, to share this tale of forgetfulness with my friends was something I wasn't ready to face. And so, I remained silent, my little adventure a secret chapter of my journey. Rest of the trip went the way it was planned, no more surprises. A part of me believes this incident added to the flavor of the overall experience. It is still fun to think about it. As we navigate the complexities of new languages and cultures, let us remember that every misstep is an opportunity for growth, and every challenge, a chance to discover the kindness that transcends language barriers. This story encapsulates not only a personal anecdote but also serves as a metaphor for the journey of language learning, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and the human connection.

How to learn a language FAST and NEVER FORGET it  

Learn English Articles (A, An, The) in 10 minutes - Definite Indefinite Articles With Examples & PDF

I Hide and Smoke a lot, feels like I have no control over myself" - What you don't know YET 

English sentences and phrases using modal verbs A quick intro to modal verbs and mention of the old video in card: Can Could Will Would Shall Should May Might Must Have-to Ought-to Need-to. Used for expressing possibility, necessity, ability, permission, request, obligation, or advice. 1. Offering Help: Can I assist you with anything else? May I help you with your luggage? Could I offer some advice on this matter? Shall I hold the door for you? Might I suggest a different approach? 2. Giving Advice: You should consider revising your resume. You ought to apply for that scholarship. You could try using a different method. You might want to check the weather before leaving. You must remember to take your medicine. 3. Expressing Ability: I can swim quite well. She could play the piano beautifully. They can speak multiple languages. He could lift heavy weights easily. We can solve complex problems. 4. Making Requests: Can you please pass the salt? Could you help me with my homework? Will you please turn down the music? May I borrow your pen? Would you mind if I join you? 5. Asking for Permission: May I leave the room? Can we use the car tonight? Could I have some more tea? Might I take a day off next week? Is it possible that I bring a friend? 6. Making Predictions: It might rain later. They should arrive by noon. We could win the match. He must be stuck in traffic. You will find this book interesting. 7. Expressing Possibility: This might be the last bus to the city. It could be a difficult task. There may be a better solution. That must be the reason for the delay. This can be a potential market. 8. Giving Prohibitions: You mustn’t smoke here. You can’t park your car here. You shouldn’t use your phone while driving. Students may not leave early. They mustn’t enter the restricted area. 9. Expressing Necessity: You must wear a helmet when riding a bike. We have to submit the assignment by Monday. They need to renew their passports. She has to attend the meeting. He needs to apologize. 10. Making Suggestions: We could go to the beach this weekend. You might find this app useful. They should try the new restaurant. She could join a study group. We might enjoy a movie night. 11. Expressing Obligation: You must complete your homework. I have to return this book today. They ought to pay their bills. We are supposed to meet at 5 PM. She has to finish the project. 12. Expressing Lack of Necessity: You don’t have to wear a tie. They needn’t bring any food. We don’t need to book in advance. She doesn’t have to explain herself. He needn’t apologize. 13. Making Offers: I can make you some coffee. We could give you a lift. They can lend you the book. She might help you with that. He could show you around. 14. Expressing Regret: I should have studied harder. They ought to have apologized. He must have forgotten the date. We might have missed the opportunity. She could have called earlier. 15. Asking for Advice: Should I take this job offer? What do you think I must do? Could I ask for your opinion? What should be my next step? Can you advise me on this? 16. Making Assumptions: They must be stuck in traffic. He could be the next CEO. This must be a very expensive car. They might not be interested. She should be at home by now. 17. Giving Instructions: You must press this button to start. You should enter your password here. They have to follow the guidelines. We need to fill out this form. He has to wear safety gear. 18. Expressing Preferences: I would rather have tea than coffee. They would prefer to travel by train. We would like to order now. She would rather stay home tonight. I’d prefer a window seat, please. 19. Expressing Deduction: This must be the place. They can’t be serious. She might not know the truth. He can’t have forgotten about it. It could be the right answer. 20. Making Invitations: Would you like to join us for dinner? Can you come to the party? Would you be interested in a game of chess? Could you attend the meeting? Shall we go for a walk?

30 life lessons and learnings I wish I knew in my twenties. In this video, I share 30 important life lessons I’ve learned, especially the ones I wish I knew in my twenties. From personal growth to relationships and career tips, these are honest insights to help you navigate life with clarity and purpose. Let’s grow and learn together!

My PODCAST Announcement - Honest Answers to all your tensions

Have you ever said “I’m so boring” when you really meant “I’m bored”? You’re not alone! In this video, I’ll show you an easy way to understand and use -ed and -ing adjectives correctly. Learn the difference between words like bored and boring, tired and tiring, and more with simple examples and a short quiz at the end. Watch till the end to sound clearer and more confident in English!

If the following sentence sounds difficult and interesting to you, watch the whole video :) Though the tough man hiccoughed loudly as he walked through the bough he had bought, he thought his rough cough was enough to warn others.

In this simple English lesson, you will learn useful phrasal verbs with LOOK, like look after, look for, look into, look up, look up to and look down on, with clear meanings and easy examples. Stay till the end, then download the free PDF and quiz from link below. Comment your answers and score, and subscribe for more short, practical English videos to watch today.

Did you know the most common sound in the English language does not even have its own letter? It is called the schwa. In this video we explore how this hidden sound works and why it is crucial for sounding natural. You will learn to identify it in everyday words like computer and banana. Mastering this simple sound is the secret sauce to speaking like a native and improving your listening skills instantly.