Coffee and Conversations

Firstly, I must start this post by saying it will always be a real person on this side of blog posts. I don't envision a time where I will let AI generate a post, run my content, do the talking or the teaching for me. I will do all the things with my own human ingenuity. I was prompted, but it's not even a second thought. I will write. I will create. I will invest and develop myself and do my best to develop you, invest in you, inspire you. I won't outsource the process. I may be delayed. I may miss the mark here and there. I may struggle and that will be part of the hustle of English On The Go. Nonetheless, I make a commitment to keep restarting and keep being as authentic and sincere as possible.

I like to come to coffee shops because I love a good cup of coffee. I enjoy coffee of all types, but when a shop can offer truly artisan options, I will spend quite handsomely for that experience. Handcrafted, carefully curated, and always with a unique passion for the art and science of coffee, there really isn't a price too high for me. But I am also the type of coffee lover that will easily enjoy a basic mocha or a Maxim instant packet. I can be extremely selective and intense about a cup of coffee, and also just enjoy a warm beverage without much fuss. Additionally, I like coffee shops for the ambiance and settings they provide. Throughout the years I find them to be great places for writing, reading, and passing time, particularly when on vacation and there is an abundance of time to donate to watching pass. I like sitting with my mug of hot or iced coffee depending on the season, and dwelling in the atmosphere afforded by the purchase of my beverage. I love how distinct and individualized a coffee shop can be. I have even experienced the slight differentiation of locations of micro-chains. A place like Starbucks has invested a lot to produce a singular experience, and one that I tend to avoid. But much smaller companies like a Seattle area chain called Armistice has three locations, two of which I have frequented. While I get the consistent taste of a fantastically handcrafted pour-over, the two locations I have visited offer slightly different atmospheres and crowds that make them obviously distinct without losing the DNA of excellence and invitation that Armistice exudes.

Coffee shops are a great place for a language learner to hang out and people-watch. At a coffee shop there isn't the same pressure as a restaurant to be eating or give up your table, or dress up and put on a face like a bar. A coffee shop is more down-to-earth, more accessible, and breeds a short of authenticity that isn't easily replicated by other types of businesses. Some patrons rush in with an air of importance to grab their energy boost before work. Others straggle in and nearly beg the workers to resurrect them from fatigue and exhaustion. Still other patrons come ready to sit for hours and power through homework or major catch-up sessions with their dear friends. Coffee shops are truly a space between work and home that offer a unique experience that cannot easily be had elsewhere. That's why as a learner, it's such a great place to engage with whatever target language one might want to acquire. You can easily sit around important business conversations with niche jargon and insider-speak, or you can overhear the easy casual chat between close friends or lovers. I haven't found another environment that can offer up such a diverse array of discussions, topics, and content that would benefit a learner.

Therefore, if in 2026 you are finally hoping to master English or French or whatever other language you want to acquire, spend time at a coffee shop, especially if you are in an area that is home to that target language. I am certain that the reason my Korean ear is so acute and sensitive to Korean as compared to French, which I studied for more than twice as long, is because I spent majority of my free time in the beautiful cafes of South Korea. Had I known of the benefit of coffee shops beyond a great cup of coffee while living in France, I would likely be a more fluent French speaker at this point. My Korean surely has benefited from years of frequenting shops of all types in the motherland. So, if you are near the language you wish to master, then sit in a coffee shop. You will be amazed how quickly your language skills improve. And you get to drink great coffee at the same time! What could be better?