Understanding English for Amateurs

Watch Understanding English for Amateurs

  • TV-PG
  • 2017
  • 1 Season

Maynard, as host and educator, explains to the audience the subtleties of acting, sounding, and understanding what it is to be an American.

Filter by Source
No sources available
Seasons
How to Address Large Groups of People
11. How to Address Large Groups of People
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains how Americans deal with addressing large groups of people. It is not as obvious as one would hope. Before I figured out this one simple trick, I was address people, individually by name. This was both time consuming and likely inaccurate as I would forget people's names frequently. I would say things like "Candice, Stephanie, Michael, Cameron...
How to Convince Friends and Influence Americans
10. How to Convince Friends and Influence Americans
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the top ways to convince someone to help you with something. It has many applications, from changing a lightbulb to disposing of an unwanted coworker.
Understanding Geopolitics for use in Casual Conversation
9. Understanding Geopolitics for use in Casual Conversation
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the top ways to shoehorn politics into every single conversation. Americans are currently obsessed with politics, especially those that pertain to Donald Trump and Russia. I don't know why, but I know how to talk about it without substance. Next stop, political commentator!
Backhanded Compliment
8. Backhanded Compliment
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the meaning of a "backhanded compliment" and how best to apply it to your own conversations. This is directly related to "knowing something like the back of your hand" and is useful in showing off your knowledge.
American Small Talk
7. American Small Talk
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the top ways fake it through small talk, which is the opposite of large talk. It is meaningless but a necessary evil to not only pass yourself off, but to make it through having a career. People like to hear themselves talk but not listen, this makes it much easier. In fact, I bet you already forgot what I walk talking about. You already understand, this is good.
Phrases that start with
6. Phrases that start with "To hit the."
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the meaning of sayings that start with "hit the" as there are many, they are varied in meaning, application, and outcome. It has taken me many years to compile this list and I am giving it to you for free, provided you watch and learn.
Common Phone Call Etiquette
5. Common Phone Call Etiquette
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the best way to deal with Americans over the telephone. Their phone call methodology differs greatly from anywhere else in the world, and I will give a crash course in sounding like an American over the phone.
My Dogs are Barking
4. My Dogs are Barking
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the meaning of "my dogs are barking" - it is not the most obvious answer that you own a number of dogs and they are currently concurrently barking. Or does it? Watch to understand more.
Don't Quit Your Day Job
3. Don't Quit Your Day Job
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains the meaning of "don't quit your day job" - I have been told this many times in the weeks since starting my channel and I appreciate the encouragement. Allow me to explain how this is encouraging, and how you, too, can use this phrase for success!
Words Rich Americans Use to Sound More Rich
2. Words Rich Americans Use to Sound More Rich
August 11, 2017
Maynard explains how to sound rich to other Americans, or, if you are already rich, how to sound more rich. If you aren't rich, you can sound rich as well, imagine that! It involves careful turns of a phrase, also known as lies. Watch and learn!
There is More than One Way to Skin a Cat
1. There is More than One Way to Skin a Cat
June 19, 2017
Maynard explains the meaning of the American phrase "there's more than one way to skin a cat" - it is not the most obvious meaning. Cats are important creatures and must be handled with care. Please, watch, learn, and understand. Cats. Meow. Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    June 19, 2017