Ariannita takes learners on a road trip through Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Follow practical language for visiting landmarks, asking about local transport and prices, and describing what makes a stop worthwhile, while noticing Texas references such as the Alamo, Buc-ee’s, and “once in a blue moon.”

Read the full lesson summary

Teaching English in Texas is a guided travel & getting around lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.

What the lesson covers

The lesson moves through Introducing the Texas road trip; Distinguishing the capital city from the capitol building; Reaching a scenic viewpoint; Exploring downtown Austin and local wildlife; Finding a sunset view and learning a local tradition; Exploring the San Antonio Riverwalk; Getting around and hearing local history; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.

Language to take away

check it out — Go see, explore, or examine something that seems interesting. Informal and enthusiastic; very common in conversation.Use it when: Recommend visiting a landmark or taking a look at something during a trip.When it may not fit: For formal travel writing, visit or explore may sound more polished.Example: “We have an hour before dinner—let’s check out the old town.”
state capitol building — The building where a U.S. state legislature meets and makes laws. Specific U.S. civic term; capitol is spelled with an o for the building.Use it when: Refer to the legislature’s building, such as the Texas State Capitol in Austin.When it may not fit: Use capital with an a when you mean the city that governs a region.Example: “We toured the state capitol building during our visit.”
capital of Texas — The city where a state government is located; Austin is the capital city of Texas. Neutral geographic and civic vocabulary.Use it when: Identify the seat of government for a country, state, or region.When it may not fit: Do not confuse capital, the city, with capitol, the government building.Example: “Austin is the capital of Texas.”

A way to use this lesson

Try using “check it out” in a sentence about introducing the texas road trip. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.

Ariannita la GringaAmerican English17:04

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing the Texas road trip

Howdy, y'all! My name is Ariannita la Gringa and here I'm in Austin, Texas. Do you like my cowboy hat? I just did a country accent. Did you guys like it? In today's video, I will teach you guys English here in Texas and we will be visiting different cities like Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. And right now I'm in the middle of the street on Congress Avenue and behind me is the state capital building in Austin, Texas. Let's go ! You can't visit Austin without seeing the Texas . Now the words capital and capitol might be confusing, so let's clarify.

Try it: Try using “check it out” in a sentence about introducing the texas road trip.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

23 phrases

Showing 23 of 23 phrases

check it out

Introducing the Texas road trip · phrasal verb

Go see, explore, or examine something that seems interesting.

Tone and use: Informal and enthusiastic; very common in conversation. Recommend visiting a landmark or taking a look at something during a trip.

May not fit: For formal travel writing, visit or explore may sound more polished.

Example“We have an hour before dinner—let’s check out the old town.”

state capitol building

Introducing the Texas road trip · cultural reference

The building where a U.S. state legislature meets and makes laws.

Tone and use: Specific U.S. civic term; capitol is spelled with an o for the building. Refer to the legislature’s building, such as the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

May not fit: Use capital with an a when you mean the city that governs a region.

Example“We toured the state capitol building during our visit.”

capital of Texas

Distinguishing the capital city from the capitol building · cultural reference

The city where a state government is located; Austin is the capital city of Texas.

Tone and use: Neutral geographic and civic vocabulary. Identify the seat of government for a country, state, or region.

May not fit: Do not confuse capital, the city, with capitol, the government building.

Example“Austin is the capital of Texas.”

you don’t have to pay a fee

Distinguishing the capital city from the capitol building · expression

There is no required charge for entry or access.

Tone and use: Neutral and helpful when sharing travel costs. Explain that a place or activity is free to enter.

May not fit: Check whether optional tours, parking, or special exhibits still cost extra.

Example“You don’t have to pay a fee to enter the garden.”

worth it

Reaching a scenic viewpoint · expression

Says an experience or result is good enough to justify the time, effort, or cost.

Tone and use: Conversational; often used when weighing a trade-off. Ask if a detour, ticket, wait, or climb is worthwhile.

May not fit: For a direct factual question, ask about the price, time, or distance instead.

Example“The hike is steep—is the view worth it?”

head back to downtown

Reaching a scenic viewpoint · phrasal verb

Begin returning toward the downtown area.

Tone and use: Natural travel language; head means go or move in a direction. Explain that you are returning to a place you have already visited.

May not fit: If you have not been there before, say head to rather than head back to.

Example“Let’s head back to downtown before the restaurants close.”

is home to

Exploring downtown Austin and local wildlife · expression

Says that a place is where a particular group, feature, or population is found.

Tone and use: Neutral and common in travel descriptions and informative writing. Describe a notable animal colony, cultural group, institution, or attraction associated with a place.

May not fit: It is figurative for cities and regions; use live in for an individual’s residence.

Example“The island is home to a large colony of seabirds.”

on a cliff

Finding a sunset view and learning a local tradition · expression

Describes something located on or at the edge of a steep rock face.

Tone and use: Neutral descriptive geography. Explain where a viewpoint, building, or path sits in the landscape.

May not fit: If the location is only near a cliff, say near the cliff rather than on it.

Example“The hotel stands on a cliff above the coast.”

stroll along the river

Exploring the San Antonio Riverwalk · expression

Walk slowly and casually beside or following the course of a river.

Tone and use: Relaxed and descriptive; stroll is more leisurely than walk. Describe an unhurried walk on a riverfront path.

May not fit: For a brisk walk, commute, or route with urgency, simply say walk.

Example“We strolled along the river before sunset.”

what comes to mind

Getting around and hearing local history · expression

Asks what idea, memory, or association someone has when they hear or see something.

Tone and use: Natural conversation prompt; invites a personal response. Start a discussion by asking for someone’s first association.

May not fit: For a factual quiz with one expected answer, ask the question directly.

Example“What comes to mind when you think of New Orleans?”

known as Space City

Getting around and hearing local history · expression

Says that a place is recognized by a nickname or alternate name.

Tone and use: Neutral descriptive language; “known as” introduces a familiar label. Explain a city’s nickname or reputation.

May not fit: Do not imply the nickname is official unless it is.

Example“Houston is known as Space City because of its connection to NASA.”

once in a blue moon

Visiting Houston and its Space Center · idiom

Very rarely; much less often than usual.

Tone and use: Informal and widely understood; often used for light emphasis. Say that you do an activity only occasionally.

May not fit: For a precise schedule or statistic, give the actual frequency instead.

Example“I only eat at that restaurant once in a blue moon.”

hop on a tram tour

Understanding a frequency idiom and touring NASA · expression

Get onto a tram for a guided or sightseeing trip; hop on makes boarding sound casual and easy.

Tone and use: Informal travel phrasing. Suggest taking a tram or similar sightseeing service.

May not fit: For accessibility or schedule details, say board the tram and give the relevant information.

Example“We hopped on a tram tour to see the historic district.”

grab something to eat

Stopping for food and shopping · expression

Get a quick or casual meal, often without making the meal itself a formal event.

Tone and use: Informal and common when traveling or making plans. Suggest finding food during a busy day or outing.

May not fit: For a formal dinner or special occasion, say have dinner or dine instead.

Example“Let’s grab something to eat near the station.”

popped in to the Astros team store

Stopping for food and shopping · phrasal verb

Made a brief, casual visit to the team store.

Tone and use: Informal; pop in emphasizes a short stop. Mention a quick unplanned visit to a shop or nearby place.

May not fit: For an appointment or extended visit, use visit or go to.

Example“We popped into the visitors’ center to pick up a map.”

take the metro or the bus

Traveling to Dallas and exploring downtown · expression

Use public transportation to travel from one place to another.

Tone and use: Neutral everyday travel language. Discuss possible ways to get across a city.

May not fit: Name the specific transit system when a city has several services or “metro” could be ambiguous.

Example“We can take the metro or the bus to the museum.”

behind the wheel

Visiting a memorial and describing highways · idiom

Driving a vehicle; figuratively, it can also refer to being in control.

Tone and use: Common idiom; in a literal travel context it means driving. Talk about spending time driving or taking a turn as the driver.

May not fit: For an official report, simply say driving or operating the vehicle.

Example“I spent three hours behind the wheel getting to the coast.”

in the driver’s seat

Talking about driving and taking charge · idiom

In control of a situation or responsible for deciding what happens next.

Tone and use: Informal and widely used; related to the literal driver’s seat in a vehicle. Describe having authority or control over a decision or process.

May not fit: If someone only happens to be driving, use the literal meaning rather than implying control over a broader situation.

Example“With the new role, she’s in the driver’s seat for the project.”

get some gas

Talking about driving and taking charge · expression

Buy fuel for a vehicle; gas means gasoline in American English.

Tone and use: Everyday American English; other varieties may say petrol. Say you need to refuel at a gas station.

May not fit: In an international audience, clarify fuel if the regional term may be unfamiliar.

Example“We should get some gas before driving into the desert.”

hit the road

Refueling and stopping at Buc-ee’s · idiom

Leave and begin or continue a journey.

Tone and use: Informal and energetic; often used when it is time to depart. Suggest setting off on a drive or trip.

May not fit: For a formal itinerary, say depart or leave.

Example“It’s getting late—we should hit the road.”

about a 30 minute drive

Refueling and stopping at Buc-ee’s · expression

An approximate trip duration of thirty minutes by car; in edited text, hyphenate the compound modifier before drive: “30-minute drive.”

Tone and use: Standard travel description. Estimate road travel time between places.

May not fit: Traffic and route conditions can change the estimate, so present it as approximate when needed.

Example“The airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.”

feels like I’m in a western movie

Arriving in Fort Worth and learning its ranching history · expression

A figurative comparison saying the place strongly resembles the setting or atmosphere of a Western film.

Tone and use: Vivid, informal description; Western refers to a genre about the American frontier. Describe a place with a strikingly old-Western or cowboy atmosphere.

May not fit: If the comparison is not obvious, give a concrete detail about the setting as well.

Example“The wooden storefronts and dusty street make it feel like we’re in a Western movie.”

pick a hat that fits right

Talking about cowboy clothing · expression

Choose a hat whose size and shape fit comfortably and correctly.

Tone and use: Practical retail and clothing language; right here means properly or well. Ask for help choosing clothing or accessories that fit.

May not fit: For a specific measurement, name the size or ask to be measured.

Example“The shop assistant helped me pick a hat that fits right.”

Knowledge check

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What it means · “worth it”

Teaching English in Texas