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Back to English with Evie

Social & Small Talk

I'm moving to Canada

Follow Evie as she explains why she has moved from the UK to Canada, what led to the decision, and what she expects to find challenging. Listen for natural language for sharing a major life update, explaining reasons, and talking about uncertainty and making friends.

Read the full lesson summary

In this episode, Evie shares a major personal update: she has left Cornwall in the United Kingdom and moved to Canada for a planned two-year stay. She explains that the move grew out of a longer pattern of seeking new experiences. After leaving home for university in London, she studied abroad in California, spent time in Sweden, and realized she could build a life in a new place. Her story is useful for learners who want to understand how people describe relocation, changing plans, work flexibility, and the emotional side of starting over.

The conversation moves between practical reasons and personal feelings. Evie talks about becoming an English teacher partly because it made travel possible, then turning online teaching and YouTube into work she can do remotely. She uses everyday expressions to explain why the timing felt right, including “make a living off it,” “blew up,” and “nothing tying me down.” These are useful ways to discuss career changes and personal freedom, but they are conversational; in a formal application or business report, more precise wording may be better. She also uses “for now” to describe plans that are current without claiming they are permanent.

The episode also covers what relocation can make difficult. Evie describes leaving behind friends, adapting to a large time difference with students, reorganizing her teaching schedule, and worrying about how to make friends. Her phrase “support network” names the people who provide practical or emotional help, while “overthink it” captures a familiar tendency to analyze social decisions too much. Learners can reuse these expressions when talking about moving, changing jobs, or adjusting to a new community.

A lighter section answers questions about her dog Wilson and whether he could travel by plane. This introduces “in the hold,” a travel term for the aircraft’s cargo area, alongside a reminder that airline rules differ. Near the end, Evie talks about missing familiar food and supermarkets, then uses the emphatic opener “Tell me why” to introduce a humorous complaint. That framing is informal and can sound challenging if the listener misses the playful tone.

Listen for how Evie shifts from explanation to uncertainty and humor. Useful takeaways include “study abroad” for education in another country, “stick around” when inviting someone to stay for what comes next, and “fair enough” when acknowledging another person’s reasonable point. The lesson offers natural British English in a long, relaxed personal story rather than a scripted dialogue, making it useful for learners who want to follow spontaneous speech about life changes and relationships.

S2.1
English with EvieBritish English23:27

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Opening the catch-up and explaining the move

Where am I? Right now. I can tell you where I'm not. I'm not in England. I'm not in England. I'm not in England anymore. Hi guys. Welcome to another episode of the English podcast. This is a podcast for English learners to practice their listening comprehension with me, Evie, an English teacher from the UK. But we're not in the UK anymore and that is what we are going to be chatting about today. Before we get started though with the podcast, I have a little drink. This is a San Pellegrino.

Try it: Notice how Evie talks naturally about opening the catch-up and explaining the move.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

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

19 phrases

Showing 19 of 19 phrases

big question

Opening the catch-up and explaining the move · expression

The main issue people most want to hear about.

Tone and use: Conversational signposting. Introduce the central point before giving background.

May not fit: In formal writing, state the issue directly.

Example“Before the details, let’s address the big question: who is leading the project?”

long-term move

Announcing the move and its time frame · collocation

A relocation intended to last a substantial period, not just a short stay.

Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Describe a major move that is not necessarily permanent.

May not fit: If there is no expected end date, “permanent move” may be more accurate.

Example“Taking the role in Vancouver would be a long-term move for my family.”

study abroad

Leaving home for university and California · collocation

Study in another country, usually for a limited period.

Tone and use: Neutral and widely used. Talk about a school or university experience overseas.

May not fit: For travel without study, say “live abroad” or “travel overseas.”

Example“She studied abroad in Madrid during her third year.”

make a life for myself

Leaving home for university and California · expression

Build an independent, satisfying life in a new place.

Tone and use: Personal and aspirational. Describe creating a home, routines, and relationships after a change.

May not fit: In formal writing, “establish a life” may sound more measured.

Example“After moving to Montreal, he slowly made a life for himself there.”

see the world

Travel, new experiences, and Sweden · expression

Travel to different places and experience other countries or cultures.

Tone and use: Warm and conversational. Talk about a broad wish to travel and explore.

May not fit: For a specific trip, name the destination.

Example“She saved money after graduation to see the world.”

make a living off it

Travel, new experiences, and Sweden · expression

Earn enough money from an activity to support yourself.

Tone and use: Informal and conversational. Talk about turning work or a hobby into income.

May not fit: In formal writing, use “earn a living from it.”

Example“He hopes to make a living off his photography one day.”

blew up

Becoming an English teacher · phrasal verb

Became very popular or successful very quickly.

Tone and use: Informal, especially for online popularity. Describe a channel, post, or trend that suddenly attracts attention.

May not fit: In formal reporting, say “grew rapidly” or “became widely popular.”

Example“Her language-learning video blew up over the weekend.”

work from anywhere

Returning home and describing what connects her to the UK · expression

Do your job remotely from different locations.

Tone and use: Neutral and contemporary. Discuss genuine remote-work flexibility.

May not fit: Only use it when the role and employer allow location flexibility.

Example“My job lets me work from anywhere with a secure connection.”

nothing tying me down

Returning home and describing what connects her to the UK · idiom

No major commitment is keeping someone in one place or limiting a choice.

Tone and use: Informal and personal. Explain why someone feels free to relocate or make a change.

May not fit: It can sound dismissive of relationships; be more specific when sensitivity matters.

Example“With my lease ending, I had nothing tying me down.”

stick around

Filming the move and teasing the next vlog · phrasal verb

Stay somewhere or keep watching, listening, or participating.

Tone and use: Friendly and casual. Invite someone to remain for what comes next.

May not fit: For formal instructions, use “remain” or “stay.”

Example“Stick around after the presentation if you have questions.”

in the hold

Explaining why Wilson cannot travel with her · expression

In the cargo area of an aircraft, separate from the passenger cabin.

Tone and use: Neutral travel term, common in British English. Discuss where luggage or approved animal transport is placed.

May not fit: Airline policies vary; do not assume every animal or item can travel there.

Example“The airline said the large crate would travel in the hold.”

for now

Making the decision not to fly Wilson in the hold · expression

At present, while leaving open the possibility of change.

Tone and use: Neutral and flexible. Describe a current plan that may not be final.

May not fit: If a decision is permanent, say so directly.

Example“For now, we’ll keep the office hours the same.”

it sucks

Managing teaching work across time zones · expression

It is unpleasant, disappointing, or frustrating.

Tone and use: Very informal and blunt. React casually to a frustrating situation with friends.

May not fit: Avoid formal or sensitive settings; “that’s frustrating” is more tactful.

Example“It sucks that the train was cancelled, but there is another one soon.”

white-collar professionals

Managing teaching work across time zones · collocation

People whose work is mainly office-based or professional.

Tone and use: Often neutral, but can sound broad or dated. Describe a target audience or job group.

May not fit: Name the occupations or industries when precision matters.

Example“The course is designed for early-career white-collar professionals.”

fair enough

Managing teaching work across time zones · expression

Acknowledge that someone’s reason or decision is understandable.

Tone and use: Casual; can sound conciliatory or resigned. Accept a reasonable explanation without arguing further.

May not fit: In formal exchanges, “I understand” may be warmer and clearer.

Example“You’re on call this weekend? Fair enough—let’s meet another time.”

support network

Adjusting the teaching schedule · collocation

People someone can rely on for practical or emotional help.

Tone and use: Neutral and common in personal and health contexts. Talk about friends, family, colleagues, or community who offer help.

May not fit: If you mean one person, name that relationship.

Example“A support network helped her settle into the new city.”

overthink it

Worrying about making friends and finding community · expression

Analyze a choice so much that it becomes harder to act.

Tone and use: Informal and reassuring, though it can minimize concerns. Encourage a simple decision when the stakes are low.

May not fit: Do not use it to dismiss distress or a high-stakes decision.

Example“They’re both fine; don’t overthink it—choose the closer café.”

miss the most

Sharing fears about being away from friends · expression

Feel the strongest longing for something or someone while away.

Tone and use: Personal and natural. Compare what you expect to miss after leaving a place.

May not fit: For a neutral inventory, say “the thing I’ll notice most.”

Example“What I’ll miss the most is Sunday breakfast with my neighbors.”

Tell me why

Missing familiar food and supermarkets · expression

An informal opener that emphasizes surprise or frustration, not always a literal request.

Tone and use: Emphatic; often playful but can sound confrontational. Set up a humorous complaint with people who understand your tone.

May not fit: Use a direct question if you genuinely need an explanation.

Example“Tell me why the café is closed on my one free afternoon.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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What it means · “long-term move”

Evie calls a two-year relocation a “long-term move.” What does that imply?