As from end of January 2023, listening podcasts will be uploaded three times a month. Here, you can read about what is in each podcast: the language level or whether it's about grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation or a story. When you click on a link, you'll be taken to a page where you can listen to and read the podcast episode. At the bottom of each page you'll also find links to other English language study pages.
Do you use SO (very) too much? Possibly. Listen to this podcast, and learn how to use SO properly. I include four extracts from my stories as examples.
Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, helps Mathew solve the mystery of the Homo sapiens skull - but can Emil save Mathew?
Podcast 191 - B1 The Breath of the Mosquito (part 1) (May 26th, 2024)
Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull.
In Telmah's life, very little happens. His garden is really the only thing he seems to care about. But one day, somebody needs Telmah. What will he do?
I'm going to read three model stories to you. I'll explain the verb forms, structure and essential vocabulary you'll need to make your story a winner for the exam.
In this podcast, I'm going to offer you a model version of Part 4 of the B2 First speaking exam showing the importance of making the expressions you use sound very natural.
In this podcast, I'm going to offer you a model version of Part 3 of the B2 First speaking exam (the collaborative task) which will emphasize the correct intonation.
The use of 'long' can be a bit confusing but it's a word which expresses quite simple things and everyday language. So, listen on to learn how to use this word correctly!
If you are aware of some basic tactics to adopt during the test, you'll find it much less stressful because you'll feel confident you know exactly what you have to do.
'Please' and 'thank you' are words you learnt very early in your English studies. But do you know how to use them properly in English? There are also a lot of interesting expressions with these words.
Exclusive podcast of the Seville April Fair for B2 level students. I'll be exploring six interesting phrasal verbs and some useful adverbs to use in your Cambridge speaking exams or writing part of the exam, e.g. the article.
Today I'm going to talk about the definite article 'the' and mostly about when it should be omitted or left out before certain nouns. There is also a love story which follows this.
I'm continuing with the theme of polite language in English and the importance of intonation. This time we'll hear typical phrases in the restaurant used by the waiter and the responses from the customers when ordering their food.
I'm going to talk about more advanced uses of auxiliaries in English such as 'do' and 'did'. They're not only used for making questions and negatives but have several other important uses too.
This podcast talks about Easter in the UK and Seville, Spain (where I live) and makes a brief comparison between the two - lots of useful Easter vocabulary and expressions.
You'll hear examples of conversations using polite language in English. Most of this language depends on the modal auxiliaries like: would, could, can, may, and lots of please and thank yous.
This podcast is about the words too and enough and how they are
used in sentences and the syntax depending on whether they are used with nouns, verbs or adjectives. The podcast also comes with a short funny story, which gives examples in context of the words 'too' and 'enough'.
In today's podcast, I'm going to talk about how to make deductions in English in different ways but especially with the use of the modal auxiliaries: can't, may, could, might and must. I'll give you a little audio quiz and you must deduce (or guess) what the sounds are.
Listen to and repeat model answers to the Cambridge speaking exam. I'll also help you to understand what the criteria are that the Cambridge examiners are assessing you on.
Today, I'm going to talk about linking words: also, as well as, too, despite, in spite of, although, though and however. I'll explain how we use them and what they mean and their position in the sentence.
Today I'm continuing with the subject of intonation in English. This is an important area for students because correct intonation can transform the impression we give of our oral competence level.
I will include lots of words and expressions to describe a city. In this case, Seville, which is the city where I live, there will be lots of useful expressions here for you to learn.
A vocabulary study of the expressions we use to talk about the different types of housework with also a discussion about the roles of men and women and housework.
This is a follow-up of Podcast 40, where I gave an introduction to the passive. In this B2 level description of the passive, I'll go into the use of the passive in a little more detail. Followed by a story using the passive.
Talking about the mobile phone and telephones in general. Words and expressions about the phone and a few expressions we use when we make or receive a telephone call.
Today I'm talking about the use of 'will' and 'going to' when they are used for predictions. I'll talk a little about how these words have other meanings and therefore the meanings can become changed and ambiguous.
From saving money, getting an allowance from our parents (when we're at school) and words about having a bank account, loans, ATM's and buying things in the sales.
The words that we use to express obligation are: must, have to and then similar words, not necessarily obligation, but strong advice: should and ought to.
This is a follow-up of Podcast 23 about holidays. It has lots of holiday vocabulary and expressions B2 students of English must learn for passing exams at this level.
I will discuss why sometimes choosing the wrong preposition could change the meaning of what you want to say. There is also a short story which illustrates the use of these prepositions.
This Chrismas story seems somehow sad but relevant as a story about searching but not finding. It contains useful vocabulary to talk about keeping warm inside when it's cold outside.
Today for the interest of B1 or B2 level students - talking about being by the river and the vocabulary we use to describe the activities we can do there.
Today I'm going to look at intensifiers or modifiers: not exactly, fairly, quite, pretty, really, extremely. These help us to give opinions about things more precisely.
In this chapter, Isabel and Philip go back to Stratford to meet the Master, and Philip talks to Isabel about what he knows about the secret sect, Anglia Nostra.
Today I'm going to talk to you about how we celebrate Christmas in England, or rather, these are memories of Christmases with my own family when I was younger. Lots of useful Christmas vocabulary and expressions.
This story is rather an ironic story about the Christmas lottery. In fact, we could perhaps put it in the genre of a horror story. It's not really a Christmas story, is it? I prefer not to call it a Christmas story. I prefer to call it the Fat One!
In this chapter, Philip explains what he knows about the secret society Anglia Nostra. To do so he must explain about the events surrounding the times of the Tudor kings and queens.
This will be very useful for analysing B1 level vocabulary. And it will be vocabulary in different categories. And the category today is English for making friends - adjectives describing personality.
Talking about the imperatives and lots of examples I translate from Spanish. I also talk about parts of the car and related verbs we use when driving a car.
In this episode, I'm going to talk about some and any and how we use them and the rather confusing cases of when they're used in negatives, questions or affirmative statements.
Today I'm continuing with my description of the verb 'to get' with the meanings: get your car fixed, get talking to someone, get to do something, get into, get the top off, get the phone and it gets my goat!
Isabel and Philip are hiding out in a guest house close to Stratford-upon-Avon. Then Isabel discovers there is something very sinister about the room next to hers...
Today I'm continuing with my description of the verb 'to get' with the meanings: find, fetch, arrive, reach, illnesses and taking a boat down the river.
I'll talk about one of the most common verbs in the English language - the verb to get. This is the first of three podcasts on the most common meanings of this verb.
In this week's episode we learn how Isabel and Philip escape being killed by the strange woman with a gun, Jane. They find shelter in a guest house but for how long can they stay out of danger...?
Today I'm talking about the language we use when we're playing cards. I'll talk a little about the history, where cards came from and the language we need to talk about playing cards with friends or family.
In this chapter, Isabel and Philip Isabel and Philip, who now believe the quarto to be a fake, visit the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was christened. They don't know, however, they are being followed.
Here, I explain in simple language and with examples the past perfect (she had already left). I explain its structure and why we use past perfect and compare it to past simple.
In this chapter, Isabel and Philip visit David Buddle's laboratory, where they find out some surprising and worrying news about the newly discovered play by Shakespeare.
Part of a series of B1 level talks on the grammar, structure and use of the conditionals in English. This is the third conditional. Learn what the phrases 'spilt milk' and 'water under the bridge' mean.
I'm continuing with the series of conditional studies. The last one was episode 22 on the zero and first conditionals and today we're looking briefly at the main points of the second conditional - If I were a rich man...
Isabel and Philip drive on to Stratford-upon-Avon. When they arrive, they decide to have lunch before going to see David Buddle, but an unexpected visitor turns up at the restaurant, and Isabel and Philip have to react quickly.
Talking about modifiers we use with comparatives: so, such, slightly, a good deal etc. Comes with a fun story, which gives examples of use of these words.
I talk about the different genres of books and give some examples I have on my bookshelves. I explore the language associated with books: the different types of book, the parts of a book, what we do with a book and the language of commercialization of books.
This is the continuing story of the Tudor Conspiracy - a reader for B1 students studying for B2. In this chapter, Isabel and Philip decide to head for Stratford-upon-Avon while some people in the shadows of the Bodleian Library are making sinister plans.
B2 level podcast story listening - talking about ability in the past and useful vocabulary explained before the story begins. Verbs like manage to, be able to, which we use for certain single events in the past instead of the auxiliary could.
Help with IELTS, Cambridge B2, C1 speaking exams, phrases and expressions talking about the question of how sport influences our lives. I bring in lots of useful language for students to copy and learn in preparation for their speaking exams.
This is the continuing story of the Tudor Conspiracy - a reader for B1 students studying for B2. In this chapter, Isabel and Philip set out for Oxford and the Bodleian library. They meet the librarians there but one, in particular, reacts in a strange way when she hears what Isabel and Philip are looking for.
A look at how to write the story for Cambridge Preliminary writing exam practice part 2 and in this case the story-writing option. I look at the use relative pronouns and how to use them in the story so as to make your text more interesting and impress the examiners, who will give you more marks. I'll finish the episode with another story of Nasreddin and I'll use relative clauses for you to identify.
English is a language we call a stress-timed language - only key, meaning words receive stress. There are some important tips here about improving intonation. I'll also be reading the poem - The Inchcape Rock.
In this chapter Isabel and Philip go for a coffee and talk about the mysterious missing play. Philip explains to Isabel the history of the first copies of Shakespeare's plays.
This is a podcast on tips for approaching the part 1 sections of both the IELTS and the B2 First speaking exams. It's about the brief questions you will be asked and how to answers them: the vocabulary, grammar and linking words to make your answers coherent.
I'm going to talk about an aspect or use of going to, which is to talk about predictions in the future. There's also a short story with examples of 'going to' to listen out for.
There is a structure that we use when we talk about other people doing things for us and that is 'have something done'. If you go to the hairdresser's, well, you don't cut your own hair, do you? You ask somebody else to do it for you. And that person is the hairdresser.
In this chapter we learn about Isabel's job in Arthur's Antique Bookshop. One day, Mr Fanshawe asks Isabel to set out on a mysterious mission to search for a very special book.
Hello, and today I'm going to talk to you about subject and object questions. Questions with and without inversion and auxiliaries: do, does or did. I will also tell you a very old Nasreddin story called The Dinner Party with some examples of these questions types.
The Tudor Conspiracy (first chapter) a book for students progressing from B1 to B2 English, which can be listened to with the book available on all Amazon platforms. This week we learn about Isabel, the university student from Seville and how she found her job in the strange little antique bookshop in London.
This is about the recent events in La Palma island where a volcano has erupted and destroyed much property and land. This podcast for practising English will use examples of the passive voice.
Formal and informal English is the third in this series and follows episode 13 and episode 26. In this episode I talk about the formal language of complaints and how we need formal language to express strong opinions.
This is the final episode of H.G. Wells short story. Today Mr Fotheringay's miracles go catastrophically wrong. Find out the terrible things that happen in this last part of the story - find out how all of Mankind is destroyed...
Discussing the names of common tools we have at home, hammer, screws, nails, saw and drill etc. and looking at the idiomatic and metaphorical use of these words in English.
Not just words from the bathroom like, soap, towel and toothbrush but also useful idioms and collocations about what we do in the bathroom. Listen to me giving you a tour around my bathroom and learn expressions like "have a nice soak in the bath" and "scrub your back".
The third episode of H.G. Wells' The Man who could Work Miracles (part 3). The language of this short story has been adapted a little for learners of English at B2 and C1 levels. This week Mr Fotheringay demonstrates the miracles he is able to do but Mr Maydig is already thinking that he could do a lot more than turn a vase of flowers into a bowl of fish...
And this is the second episode about formal and informal English - how to identify the formal and informal words and how to use them and when we use them. This is a follow-up of podcast 13 on formal and informal English. I'll talk about word and sentence length and why these structures may sound more formal.
Today I'm going to talk to you about future continuous and future perfect. And what I would like to do is to try to put them into context for you with tenses and aspects of tenses that you already know such as present perfect and present continuous etc.
The second episode of H.G. Wells' The Man who could Work Miracles (part 2). The language of this short story has been adapted a little for learners of English at B2 and C1 levels. This week Mr Fotheringay gets into trouble with working miracles so he goes to ask for advice from the local priest.
I'm going to talk about walking holidays and make a comparison with the popular beach holiday. This is useful practice for the long-turn monologue of IELTS speaking test or the discussion part with your partner in the Cambridge exam.
Zero and first conditionals, the structure, how to use them and real-life examples of the conditional usage for listening practice and with audio script.
Short story in English by H.G. Wells in four parts with updated language so to be useful for learners of English. Part 1 - Mr Fotheringay finds out he has a special gift - he can work miracles.
A funny story using vocabulary connected with a doctor's surgery and also some basic tools we use at home and the grammar point about present perfect continuous for actions that begin in the past and are still continuing.
Today I'm going to talk about two verbs: go and come. Now, they're very common and very simple verbs to use, aren't they? Well, they do have complications in their use for learners of English. Let's talk about them.
I'll tell you about the parts of a bike and expressions and language we use connected with the passtime of cycling. I say this is B2 level just because the language is probably not needed for B1 - still it should be interesting for everyone.
Today I'm going to talk about the difference between formal and informal English. This is the first in a series of three podcasts on formal English, which I'll publish later.
And today I'm going to tell you a story. And I'm going to bring in a little bit of interesting vocabulary for you and a grammar point as well - past continuous.
What we're doing is we're repeating something that somebody said earlier. And that's what reported speech is - we're reporting what we can call direct speech. Today, I'll discuss using questions, adverbs and imperatives with reported speech.
...And the church is called Santa María, or St. Mary's. Now, when we were there, somebody told us that the bells of the church clock were run by this little old lady from the first hour in the morning, until the evening. Now, what was also a little bit of strange, we thought, was that apparently, she was deaf...
Words like can, could, may, might, would, shall, etc. are defective. What does that mean? Well, they're not like other verbs. They don't have an infinitive, or they don't have a past participle form. Now, that means that if we're talking about can, what are we going to do if we want to use can as an infinitive, or as a past participle?
Today I'm doing another session on A2/B1 English for Cambridge exam or similar and useful vocabulary. And the vocabulary category today is likes and dislikes
I'm going to tell you another wonderful story called Tom and the Gorilla! And the level is about B2 - C1, and some interesting language here for you, and also an issue as well about the importance of intonation.
I'm going to talk about the B1 Cambridge exam, and more specifically about the speaking exam and part two of the speaking exam, which is talking about or describing a picture or photo.
