Vanessa uses a set of everyday questions to teach natural conversation and explain features of spoken English. The lesson begins with how to ask who someone is speaking with, then explores why English speakers sometimes end a sentence with a preposition. Vanessa shows that this pattern is common in conversation and that learners do not need to force every sentence into a more formal word order when speaking naturally.

The examples move from plans and routines to hobbies, learning by doing, chores, and study habits. Learners hear questions about what someone has planned and what they have going on over the weekend. The video also discusses picking up children from school and preferences around household tasks. These examples show how conversational questions often use contractions or familiar phrasing while remaining clear. Vanessa explains the expression “trial and error” for learning through attempts and adjustments, and she talks about taking notes and organizing a study plan.

A central message is to make progress through manageable practice instead of waiting for a perfect plan. Vanessa cautions against ineffective study habits and recommends taking notes and trying a small step at a time. The phrases connect grammar, routines, and learning: students can ask a natural follow-up, describe what they are practising, or explain how they discovered a better approach. The expressions are grounded in the lesson's examples, and learners can adapt them to their own schedules.

This video is helpful for learners who understand basic conversation but want to sound less textbook-like. For practice, ask a partner what they have going on this weekend, who they are speaking with, or how they learned a new skill. Then answer using a complete sentence and one detail. Notice when a preposition appears at the end of a question and listen to the whole phrase instead of treating that structure as a mistake. The lesson combines everyday grammar awareness with practical speaking prompts for study, family routines, and free-time plans.

S2.1

Speak English With VanessaAmerican English27:09

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing questions and natural spoken grammar

Vanessa: Hey! What have you been up to lately? If I asked you this question, would you go, not much? I don't know what to say? Well, will never fear because in today's lesson over the next 30 minutes, you are going to learn my top tips for having a successful conversation in English so that you can breathe easy and have wonderful conversations in English. Hi, I'm Vanessa from speakenglishwithvanessa.com, and like always, I have created a free PDF worksheet with all of the important information from today's lesson. Every tip, every trick, every sample sentence,

Try it: Notice one useful detail about introducing questions and natural spoken grammar.

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6 phrases

Who am I speaking with?

Introducing questions and natural spoken grammar · expression

A natural question asking for the identity of the person on the other end of a call.

Tone and use: Polite and neutral; the preposition with can naturally come at the end. Ask who has answered an unfamiliar phone call.

May not fit: If the caller’s identity is already clear, there is no need to ask.

Example“Hello, who am I speaking with?”

end a sentence with a preposition

Understanding sentence-final prepositions · expression

Place a preposition such as with, to, or for at the end of a sentence or question.

Tone and use: Grammar terminology; common in teaching. Discuss natural spoken patterns such as “Who are you talking to?”

May not fit: This describes a structure, not a rule that is always required; choose wording that sounds clear and natural.

Example““Which team are you playing for?” ends with a preposition.”

pick up my kids from school

Talking about plans and routines · phrasal verb

Go to the school and collect one’s children to take them elsewhere.

Tone and use: Everyday family and routine language. Explain a schedule or a reason you need to leave at a certain time.

May not fit: For collecting an object, name the object so the listener understands what is being picked up.

Example“I leave work early to pick up my kids from school.”

What you got going on this weekend?

Asking about hobbies and learning by doing · expression

A casual, reduced way to ask what plans or activities someone has this weekend.

Tone and use: Very conversational American English; the full form is “What have you got going on…?” Ask a friend about their weekend plans.

May not fit: Use “What are your plans for the weekend?” in a more formal conversation.

Example“Hey, what you got going on this weekend?”

trial and error

Asking about hobbies and learning by doing · idiom

A way of learning by trying different methods and seeing what works.

Tone and use: Neutral and widely used. Describe gaining experience through repeated attempts and adjustments.

May not fit: For a process that requires precise safety instructions, do not rely on trial and error.

Example“I learned to bake bread through trial and error.”

take notes with

Organizing notes and study plans · expression

Use a tool or object to write down information; the preposition with can come at the end when the object is understood.

Tone and use: Natural in spoken English. Ask which tool someone uses for note-taking, as in “What do you take notes with?”

May not fit: In concise formal writing, you can say “Which tool do you use to take notes?”

Example“Which app do you take notes with during class?”

Knowledge check

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Use it in a sentence · “Who am I speaking with?”

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