Learn real British language & culture.
Online courses teaching the English we actually use.
What is colloquial English?
It's the informal language British people use every day with friends, colleagues and strangers. It's warmer, more charming and more playful than the English in textbooks. It has many different parts:
But vocabulary is only part of it. Colloquial English is also built on everyday habits like these:
In the lessons, we go into much more detail: full language and culture explanations, lots of speaking practice, and personal feedback as you improve.
There are more free conversations like this on our Instagram channel.
And what about British culture?
Learning the language is not the whole journey. British people often don't say exactly what they mean, so it's important to understand how we think. When you understand what we are really saying, conversations become much easier and more enjoyable.
In your lessons, you decide how much culture we cover, from quick explanations to detailed discussions about British life.
Three courses, from A2 to C1
Every course uses our own textbook and materials, and we adjust the course to your needs. Some students want pure colloquial English, others want more British culture, and some need extra help with grammar or pronunciation. We plan the right balance with you at the start. If you don't know your level, don't worry because we can discuss it in your free consultation.
One weekend in London, told in sixteen chapters.
All three courses follow the same story: Alex, a French lawyer, spends one weekend in London, makes real friends with British people, and even starts a new business relationship.
Every chapter begins with a natural conversation. Then we study it in detail: a glossary of the colloquial words and phrases, clear language explanations, a table comparing colloquial and textbook English, a Cultural Subtext page explaining British behaviour, and a Further Reading section on British life.
Language and culture are taught together in every chapter, so you learn not only what we say but why we say it. By the end, you will feel that you really belong, with British friends or colleagues (or both).
The course is also one of the best ways to start and grow business relationships in Britain. Good networking does not use slang; it uses the warm, sophisticated colloquial English taught in every chapter. Three of the sixteen chapters focus directly on business.
Stage 1 · Chapters 1 to 4
Arriving in London
See what you will learn ▾
I canopen a conversation with a stranger, understand British understatement, make fun of myself a little instead of trying to impress, and be a good guest in a British home.
I’ll understandwhy we love talking about the weather, why we often say less than we mean, and why laughing at yourself is a way of being liked.
Stage 2 · Chapters 5 to 7
A Work Event and New Friends
See what you will learn ▾
I canmake friendly small talk at a work event, join a table of British strangers, and use a small joke when a moment becomes serious.
I’ll understandwhy a quiet welcome can be a very warm one, and why we do business gently.
Stage 3 · Chapters 8 to 10
Nights Out and Stories
See what you will learn ▾
I canorder as part of a group and still get what I want, tell the story of a bad day and make people laugh, and joke with British friends the way they joke with me.
I’ll understandwhy being easy to please is a form of politeness in Britain, why friendly teasing means you are accepted, and why we love a story about a terrible day.
Stage 4 · Chapters 11 to 13
Food, Work and Feelings
See what you will learn ▾
I canoffer, accept and refuse food the British way, talk about work at the right moment and in the right tone, and support a friend through a difficult moment.
I’ll understandhow we offer and refuse politely, and the quiet way friends show they care.
Stage 5 · Chapters 14 to 16
Becoming One of the Group
See what you will learn ▾
I canchange my mind politely, accept kind words naturally, and make a relaxed plan that really happens.
I’ll understandwhy a British ‘yes’ rarely comes straight away, and how we joke even in our most heartfelt moments.
By the end, life in Britain feels different: you can talk with a stranger the way we do, feel at home at a table of British friends, and turn small talk into a business relationship.
The three courses follow the same weekend and the same characters, adapted to your level. In all of them, you learn every word and phrase through natural conversation. Each chapter ends with exercises and a short self-check, so you review as you go. Each course has its own detailed printable roadmap.
For learners taking their first steps in real British English. Forty-eight lessons across the same sixteen chapters, written in simple everyday English. We recommend two lessons a week, and at that pace you finish the course in about six months. A grammar and vocabulary companion comes with the textbook, and it teaches all the grammar from A2 to B1, so this is a complete course and not just a book of colloquial English.
View the detailed roadmapFor learners who are comfortable in everyday situations. Sixteen chapters teaching the same colloquial language as the advanced course, but with simpler English around it. Each chapter is taught over two lessons. The first covers the conversation and its language, and the second is for the exercises and the cultural pages. We recommend two lessons a week, and at that pace you finish the course in about four months, but every learner has their own pace.
View the detailed roadmapFor strong speakers who still miss the jokes and the hidden meanings. This is the full textbook, and nothing is made simpler. You meet colloquial English exactly as British people speak it, with more than four hundred and fifty colloquial words and phrases in all. Each chapter is taught over two lessons, and at two lessons a week the course takes about four months. For the most advanced students, there are also supporting documents with extra vocabulary.
View the detailed roadmapLessons & prices
A full one-hour lesson, online or in person, to try the course and materials before you decide anything.
Book a trial →Every lesson is taught by a native British teacher, using our own textbooks. We plan the lessons around your level, how fast you want to go, and how much culture you want with the language.
Book a lesson →Book in person →Commit to the course and save £50.
Book the block →Book in person →Groups enrol together for ten one-hour lessons: £300 per student in a group of 2, £250 per student in a group of 3 to 4. If you don't have a group, we can match you with other students at your level.
Enquire →Learn directly with Luc, the author of the My Cup of Tea English textbooks. Limited availability.
Enquire →"The textbook is special because it also teaches about the British culture. Now I have the language skills and cultural skills to really talk with British people."
"After taking the course, my English coworkers chat with me more. When I use some colloquial English words, they really like it. Before I was more outside the group."
Book a free consultation. We will talk about your level and goals, and find the right course together.
How to book
Book a ten-minute call, and we shall talk about your level and goals, and which course suits you. Prefer writing to talking? WhatsApp or email work just as well.
We then sort out dates and times that work for you. A busy or changing schedule is fine, we will find a solution.
Once payment is received, you get your Google Meet link for all your lessons.
Common questions
What level do I need? +
Our courses are for A2 to C1 learners. If you are not sure of your level, book a free consultation and we will find the right course together.
How are lessons taught? +
Most lessons are online and use Google Meet. Once your lessons are booked, you will receive one link, and you use the same link for every lesson. In-person lessons are also available in London, at a place we agree together. Trial lessons can be online or in person.
How long is a course? +
All three courses have sixteen chapters. In the B1 to B2 and B2+ courses, each chapter takes around two lessons. In the A2 to B1 course, each chapter takes around three, because there is also a companion book. How long the whole course takes depends on how many lessons you have each week; most students choose one or two.
Do I need to buy the textbook? +
Everything you need is provided as part of your course, so there is nothing extra to buy. The full textbook will go on sale soon, and you are welcome to buy your own copy then if you would like one.
What is the difference between 1-to-1 and group lessons? +
In both, each chapter takes around two lessons. In 1-to-1 lessons, everything is built around you: more speaking time, more personal feedback, and extra My Cup of Tea English materials if there is time to spare. Group lessons cost less, and progress is usually a little slower.
What if I miss a lesson or need to cancel? +
If you need to move a lesson, please tell us at least 48 hours before. We will then offer you a choice of new times. If you tell us less than 48 hours before, or you do not attend, the lesson is counted as used. If there is a real emergency, we will of course be understanding.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes. If you stop a package early, we refund the lessons you have not taken. The lessons you have taken are charged at the normal single-lesson price, so you only lose the package discount.
My English is already strong. Is the course too easy for me? +
The B2+ course teaches the colloquial English that even C1 students rarely know, and there are supporting documents with extra vocabulary for highly advanced students. In a 1-to-1 course, the pace also rises to match you.
How do I pay? +
After your consultation, we will send you a payment request, and you can pay by bank transfer or card. You can also book and pay directly on this page, in the Lessons & prices section.
A textbook that doesn't teach 'textbook English'.
Traditional textbooks teach formal, academic English, and they do it well. However, they say very little about how British people actually speak and behave. They don't teach phrases like "in for a penny, in for a pound", or why we might say "sorry" if someone bumps into us.
Those textbooks leave students able to pass exams but unable to connect naturally with native speakers. This is why we decided to create the My Cup of Tea English series: textbooks that teach colloquial English through natural conversations, and British culture through the way the characters behave.
There are three versions of the textbook, one for each level: A2 to B1, B1 to B2, and B2+. All three tell the same story, with scenes from networking events to pubs, and every conversation is written in the colloquial English British people actually use.
The B2+ textbook is currently being published.
It's not yet available to buy, but every student enrolled in our courses gets full access to the materials for their level.
See how the textbook works. We will send the right chapter for your level.
Hello, I'm Luc.
I created My Cup of Tea English to help people connect naturally with British people.
As a tutor, I always heard the same request from students who already had good formal English:
I need to improve my English to connect better with British people.
What they were missing was colloquial English and cultural knowledge, so I created a course that taught both together.
A lover of languages
Born and raised in London, I studied English Language and Literature at the University of London, then qualified as a TESOL teacher.
Three years in Taiwan, by the end speaking entirely in Mandarin with my girlfriend and friends. Colloquial Mandarin helped me a lot to build relationships.
As founder of My Cup of Tea English, I teach colloquial English and British culture to people of all nationalities.
Using ‘suppose’ to disagree the British way.
The free chapter mentioned at the end: get it here.
"The proof is in the pudding"
= you can only know if something is good by trying it.
Here's what some of our students say:
"After taking the course, my English coworkers chat with me more. When I use some colloquial English words, they really like it. Before I was more outside the group."
"Learning colloquial English with Luc has been a great experience. He explains not only what native speakers say, but also when and why they use certain expressions."
"I can relate more to my colleagues at work now, which means a lot to me."
"Every lesson with Luc is enjoyable. He's a patient, humorous, and professional teacher. He has helped me build confidence in speaking English to native speakers. He also gives praise when you're doing well, even if you don't always realise it, which is so important for English learners.
"By the way, don't worry about your accent. But if you want to learn a British accent, Luc is the best choice for you. I speak with an American accent, and he makes me want to switch it to a British one, haha!"
"The textbook is special because it also teaches about the British culture. Now I have the language skills and cultural skills to really talk with British people. Before I didn't really understand why British people were polite."
"I can use many new casual phrases now!"
"Luc is a great teacher. The explanations are always clear."
Get in touch.
We're happy to answer any questions about the courses, the textbook, or anything else. Our aim is to make your learning experience "smooth sailing" (easy and without problems).
The quickest way to reach us.
Send a message →For longer messages.
Write an email →We'll talk about your level and goals.
You can also find us on Instagram.
Privacy policy +
Last updated: 25 December 2025. This Privacy Policy explains how My Cup of Tea English collects, uses and protects your personal information when you use our website at https://mycupofteaenglish.co.uk/ or sign up to our emails and free materials, wherever you sign up from.
Who we are. My Cup of Tea English (email: luc@mycupofteaenglish.com). For the purposes of UK data protection law, My Cup of Tea English is the "data controller" of your personal information.
What information we collect. We may collect your name and contact information such as email addresses and telephone numbers.
How we collect your information. Through information you give us when you contact us through the website, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, telephone, email, or any other means, and when you sign up to our emails or request our free materials, whether through this website or a sign-up form linked from our advertisements and social media.
How we use your information. We use your personal information to provide you with our English teaching services, share your contact details with our tutors so they can arrange lessons with you, send you the emails and free materials you signed up for (you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email), and improve our website content and navigation. Our emails are sent using MailerLite, which stores your email address on our behalf. We process your data based on our legitimate business interests in providing our services. If you object to this, please see "Your rights" below.
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Your rights. Under UK data protection law you have the right to access, correct, erase, restrict, move and object to our use of your personal data. You can request copies of the personal information we hold about you, or ask us to modify, update or delete it; we won't charge you for this unless your request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. To exercise any of these rights, please email us at luc@mycupofteaenglish.com. If you're not satisfied with how we handle a complaint, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/. Please keep us informed if your personal information changes so we can keep our records accurate.
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Changes to this Privacy Policy. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as necessary or as required by law. Any changes will be posted on this page. By continuing to use our website after changes are posted, you accept the updated Privacy Policy.
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