Why Can’t You Understand Native Speakers? | 5 Useful English Phrases for Real Conversations

Do you know the English words—but still can’t understand them when native speakers talk? 🎧 You’re not alone. In real conversations, native speakers often link words together, drop sounds, and speak much faster than the English you hear in textbooks. In this A2–B1 English podcast, Lily and Sam explain why familiar words can suddenly sound completely different in real life—and teach you 5 polite phrases you can use when you don’t hear something clearly. In this episode, you’ll learn: I didn’t catch that. Could you speak a bit slower? What was that last word? Did you say…? Could you write that down? You’ll also hear realistic English role-plays at a coffee shop and train station, so you can practice handling fast English in everyday situations. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Ask someone to repeat politely ✅ Ask someone to slow down ✅ Confirm important information ✅ Ask about one word you missed ✅ Ask someone to write something down ✅ Understand connected speech more easily ✅ Feel more confident in real English conversations There’s also a shadowing and speaking practice section to help these phrases come out naturally when you need them. 💬 Question for you: Imagine you are at a restaurant. The waiter speaks very fast, and you’re not sure whether your food comes with rice or potatoes. What would you say? Start with: “Excuse me, did you say…?” Write your answer in the comments in English! 👍 If this episode helps you, remember to like, subscribe, and share with another English learner. Perfect for A2–B1 learners who want to improve English listening, connected speech, speaking confidence, and real-life conversation skills. #learnenglish #englishpodcast #englishlistening #englishspeaking #a2english #b1english #nativeenglish #englishconversation #listeningpractice #spokenenglish