When I moved to the U.S. at seventeen, I thought I spoke English. But what I quickly learned was that real world English is very different from what you learn in school.
One day, I entered a store with my host family in North Carolina, and the shop assistant greeted us with, “How y’all doin’ today?”
I just froze. Were they talking to me? All of us? Who exactly was “y’all”? What were we doing? And what was I supposed to say back?
That was one of the first moments I realised: English isn’t just one language. It changes depending on where you are — and who you’re talking to.
Since then, I’ve travelled through and spent time in several English-speaking countries, picking up new expressions, accents, and little cultural surprises along the way. In Sydney, someone casually asked, “How ya goin’?” and I had flashbacks to the American “How y’all doin’” — still confusing. In the UK, people would say they were “chuffed to bits” (which, surprisingly, is a good thing). And in Dublin, I was told someone was “grand,” though they didn’t look especially tall.
One thing I quickly learned is that real world English isn’t found in grammar books.
What Makes Real World English Different?
As an English teacher, I see a huge difference between what students learn in traditional courses and the kind of English they actually hear in real life.
It’s one thing to learn the past perfect.
It’s another thing entirely to know what to say when a colleague asks “Fancy a cuppa?” or when someone messages “Can’t make it, soz!”
At Verba Peregrina — which means “wandering words” — I try to bridge that gap. I help learners move beyond just understanding grammar rules and start feeling confident using English in everyday situations, across cultures and contexts.
Why It Matters
Language isn’t just about words — it’s about people, tone, intention, and connection.
And the truth is, English changes depending on:
- Where you are (UK? US? Australia? South Africa? India?)
- Who you’re talking to (your boss, your friend, a customs officer…)
- What you’re doing (emailing, chatting, giving a presentation…)
In my classes, I help students learn to navigate real world English with confidence — whether you’re preparing for a Cambridge exam, improving your Business English, or simply learning how to sound natural and clear.
From “Correct” to Confident
The goal isn’t to sound perfect. It’s to sound like yourself — in English.
You don’t need to speak like a native speaker.
You need to speak like you, with confidence, clarity, and curiosity.
So if you’ve ever felt confused by all the different kinds of English out there — or frustrated that what you learned in class doesn’t match what you hear on Netflix — you’re not alone.
And you’re exactly the kind of learner Verba Peregrina was created for.
Oh… and as I tell all my students: READ!
Want to improve your real world English? Read widely and travel when you can.
By reading books written by Australian, American, British, South African, Indian (and many other!) authors, you’ll start picking up these differences naturally.
Because do you know what a ute is?
Let me know your answer in the comments below 😄