Practising English

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. My B1-level version. Chapter 1 Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and some other gentlemen asked me to write down the whole story of Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end . I must leave out only the exact position of the island, because there is still treasure there... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-290.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

First part of my B2 version of The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe:  For the most strange, yet also ordinary, story that I am about to write, I do not expect belief, nor do I ask for it. To tell the truth, I would be foolish to expect anyone to believe me... Read story transcript with B2 words in bold: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-289.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

This is the audioscript for today's B1-level dialogue: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-287.htm That's Life! Mary: 'Morning, Anna. You don't look very well today. Are you sick? Anna: 'Morning, Mary. Oh, yes. I feel terrible. I'm suffering from this backache and my head hurts. I think it's an illness caused by this awful, cold weather. Mary: Oh dear. I've got problems too. I can't breathe properly, and I have to blow my nose all the time. I know I'm always complaining of my poor health, but it's getting worse - I can tell you! Anna: Did you check your temperature? Mary: Yes, it's a little high. The doctor says it's nothing serious, but I'm not sure I believe him. I've probably got some terrible, tropical disease, but he doesn't want to tell me. You know what doctors are like? Anyway, last week I fell and now I have a bandage on my leg. Just look at it! Anna: Ooer! That looks painful. I think many people of our age suffer from the same illnesses. Our lifestyle is quite unhealthy, my mum is always telling me. Too many hamburgers and no salads. Mary: You're right. We don't exercise enough - too much mobile phone, my dad says. Anna: I hope I recover soon. I want to feel young again. After all, I'm only fifteen. Mary: I'll be sixteen next month. Time waits for nobody! …By the way, Anna. Anna: What's the matter now? Another illness you haven't told me about? Mary: No. I was just going to ask. Is your mum giving you a lift to school tomorrow? Anna: Oh, yes. As always. Mary: Can she take me too? All that walking makes me tired. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www....

This is the audioscript for this B2 story (part 2) of The Hole: The Hole (Part 2) I hurriedly set up the equipment from out of my bags. 'Can I help, señor?' Pedro stepped forwards. 'Please. Undo these two ropes. One has a harness and the other is fixed to this small sack, while I set up the laptop and monitor.' I then had to think fast. After I had the computer equipment ready, I knelt down at the side of the borehole and felt the walls. Cement. 'Pedro. Are the walls cement all the way down to the bottom? I imagine they're not.' 'These holes are dug with a machine and lower down the walls are just earth.' So as the child fell, his body brushed against the sides of the hole bringing the earth down on top of him, I thought to myself. Not good. I turned to Heidi. I had already typed in the programme for her to follow. 'Go, Heidi!' She almost jumped into the hole head first. Even her small body would find it difficult to descend, but she disappeared rapidly into the darkness. Unlike the slow and clumsy articulated robots we usually see, those constructed at my company had the ability to react and move with lively and precise movements. I looked into the borehole, as did Pedro and the father. I could see Heidi's multiple phosphorescent bulbs on her titanium frame had now lit up. The brightness descended as her feet dug expertly but carefully into the walls of the borehole so as not to disturb the soft soil. I then turned to the laptop screen and monitor, and Pedro and the father followed. I examined the screen. There was now a crowd of people behind us, silent but impatient. The camera and microphone on Heidi's tail showed her metal frame moving mechanically down metre after metre. 'There's the bag of sweets,' said Pedro pointing at the screen. 'And there's the earth. The tunnel stops there.' Heidi did not pause. She began digging with great care into the floor. We could hear the sounds over the speakers. I then picked up the rope with the sack and dropped it into the hole, ensuring that for the last few metres they were lowered slowly. Heidi now had two feet fixed firml Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www....

This is the audioscript for today's B2 story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-285.htm The Hole 'We're arriving, señor,' said the helicopter pilot. 'It's down there, by that hill. I'll land as close as I can get. Time is going to be crucial.' The helicopter dropped down vertically and bounced once before finally settling on the grassy slope. There were a number of people gathered about fifty metres further up the hill, and several vehicles: cars, police vehicles, two ambulances and a fire engine. It was otherwise a lonely spot, close to a country road; pleasant with green grass, trees and four or five wooden tables with benches for picnickers. New Year is part of the Christmas holiday season in Spain, and in Andalusia, where the weather is often mild at this time of year, families will often head for the nearest countryside with a picnic basket and spend an afternoon in the fresh, clean outdoors. The helicopter pilot jumped out and pulled open the side exit for me, and I jumped out immediately with my backpack and heavy canvas bag. I was not alone. Sunny, my 4-year-old golden retriever leapt out too, thankful to be out of that strange and noisy craft. However, I had another companion with a more complex name: High Degree of Articulated Freedom Robot. Naturally, you cannot use that name all the time when talking to an AI robot, so I had given her a shorter name - Heidi. At my robotics company in Almeria, she had been my own creation, although a whole team of computer engineers had been responsible for her construction. Although smaller than a golden retriever, she looked like a dog in shape, so much so that Sunny, the golden retriever accepted her company even though a little suspiciously. However, there was little covering the shiny, titanium structure, so she looked something like a yellow and silver dog skeleton. But she had two, bright, green and gold-coloured eyes, and there was a hook-like hand at the end of the tail - so she could hold firmly to any surface. She behaved like a dog too - the perfect companion: all obeying, fast and responsive with a strength far exceeding her canine friend, Su Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www....

This is a B1 and B2 story with phrasal verbs. Here is the audioscripy for the story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-284.htm A Christmas Surprise Christmas didn't turn out very well for Flora. She lived in the north of Scotland, where the weather can be a problem in the winter months. She lived in Keiss, a fishing village at the northern end of Sinclair's Bay on the east coast of Caithness in Scotland's Highland area. She wanted to spend Christmas with her ageing mother who lived in Lairg - not far away but higher up in the mountains. A heavy snowstorm had cut off the town, so travel there was impossible. She had to give up that idea. Feeling disappointed, she decided to stay in and wait for the weather to change. On Christmas Eve, Flora woke up early and put on her warmest coat to check outside. The streets were quiet, and most shops were closed. While she was looking around, she noticed an elderly neighbour, Mr. Armstrong, trying to clear away the snow in front of his house. Flora went over to help him, even though she didn't know him very well. As they worked together, Mr. Armstrong opened up about his life. He told Flora that his family lived far away and that he usually ended up spending Christmas alone. Hearing this, Flora didn't want to walk away and forget about him. Instead, she came up with an idea. Later that day, Flora set up a small Christmas dinner in her apartment. She invited Mr. Armstrong over, and he happily turned up just before sunset. They shared stories, laughed a lot, and slowly got to know each other better. Flora realized that even though her original plans had fallen through, something special had worked out in the end. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www....

This is the story text for the B2 story today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-283.htm The song in today's podcast is an arrangement by Dmitry Taras - check it out at Pixabay. The Christmas Festival 'So, Miss Jenkins,' said the mayor. 'As the town's new Councillor for cultural events, it'll be your turn this year to organise the Christmas town festival.' 'Yes, Mr Mayor. I'm aware of that,' Jenny Jenkins answered. 'Councillor David did a marvellous job last year. A difficult act to follow, Miss Jenkins. I understand you used to direct pantomimes at Christmas. And you would sing yourself in them. You sing well - so I've been told.' 'Well, they were just school pantomimes, Mr Mayor. When I was a teenager. Nothing professional.' Then she added, 'The experience will help, of course.' 'We're all convinced you'll do a splendid job, Miss Jenkins.' 'I'll do my best,' Mr Mayor. However, quite honestly, Jenny Jenkins wasn't sure she could live up to everyone's expectations. Last year's event had been perfect, and people kept reminding her of the fact. Still, she had decided to take on the challenge. Trying to get out of it was useless - it was her job after all. At first, everything went smoothly-until the main singer suddenly dropped out of the programme a week before Christmas. Jenny tried not to panic, but she kept putting off finding a replacement. She hoped someone would magically appear, but Christmas magic seemed to be running late. Two days before the festival, the town mayor pointed out that the schedule still had an empty space where the singer should be. Jenny realised she could no longer ignore the problem. Finally, she caught up with her long list of tasks and started calling local musicians… It was Christmas Eve, the morning of the festival. There had been a heavy fall of snow the night before and everything was looking very Christmassy. Jenny was exhausted but proud. Everything was ready. The mayor had told her he'd found a singer himself, and she'd be the star of the festival. Jenny felt relieved - whoever it might be. Jenny was on the stage in the market square, making final preparations. The mayor walked across the square towards her from the Town Hall. He was wearing a thick coat, a h My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is the audioscript for today's story and the B1 words studied: Scrooge and the Turkey Scrooge ran to the window, opened it, and put his head outside. There was no fog or mist. The air was clear, bright, and cold. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the bells were ringing happily. 'Oh, how absolutely wonderful!' cried Scrooge in a cheerful voice. 'What day is it?' he shouted down to a boy wearing his Sunday clothes, who was standing in the street. 'Eh?' said the boy, very surprised. 'What day is it, my boy?' Scrooge repeated, expecting to be disappointed. 'Why, it's Christmas Day!' replied the boy. 'It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself, delighted. 'I haven't missed it. The Ghosts did everything in one night. They can do anything!' 'Hello, my boy!' Scrooge called. 'Hello!' said the boy. 'Do you know the shop on the corner in the next street where they sell turkeys?' asked Scrooge. 'Of course I do,' said the boy. 'Good boy!' said Scrooge. 'Do you know if they have sold the big prize turkey? Not the small one-the huge one.' 'The one as big as me?' asked the boy. 'Yes!' laughed Scrooge. 'That one.' 'It's still there,' said the boy. 'Good!' said Scrooge. 'Go and buy it.' 'You must be joking!' said the boy amazed. 'Definitely not, my boy,' said Scrooge. 'Go and tell them Ebenezer Scrooge will buy it, and then tell them to bring it here. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. If you don't hang about and come back in less than five minutes, I'll give you two shillings!' The boy ran off as fast as he could go. 'I'll send the turkey to Bob Cratchit,' Scrooge said quietly, laughing to himself. 'He won't know who sent it. It's much bigger than his son, Tiny Tim. I'll wrap it up and send it as a Christmas gift. This will be a wonderful surprise for him!' My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Not able to bring my new B2 podcast today so I'm leaving you with an older Christmas story (repeat). Audioscript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-70.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is the text for the B1 story today: A brief meeting at Christmas It was two days before Christmas, and Lucas, a sixteen-year-old boy, was feeling rather lonely. His parents were busy at work, and his older sister was studying in London. To pass the time, Lucas decided to take a walk through the snowy park. Everything was quiet and peaceful, and the trees were covered in white. As he walked, he noticed a small brown glove lying on a bench. It looked new, so Lucas picked it up. ‘Maybe someone lost it,’ he thought. It was made of leather with a small silver chain on the back, and looked valuable. He looked around and saw a girl about his age standing under some pine trees. She was well-dressed, her clothes seemed a little old-fashioned. She seemed worried, so Lucas went up to her. ‘Hi, is this your glove?’ he asked. The girl’s face suddenly shone. ‘Yes! Thank you. I thought it was gone forever.’ When he looked at her face, he noticed she had a beauty that was unforgettable. They started talking, and soon they were laughing. They made a snowman together, which was the handsomest one Lucas had ever made. Before leaving, the girl said, ‘Come to the Christmas market tomorrow. I’ll be at the hot chocolate stall. I run it with my mother.’ Lucas agreed and went home – a smile on his face. The next day, he arrived early at the market. He looked for the girl, but she wasn’t there. There wasn’t a chocolate stall either. When he asked an elderly woman about her who sold woolly cardigans, the woman looked surprised. ‘There hasn’t been a hot chocolate stall here for years,’ she said. ‘There used to be one, I remember. But I was a child then. It was set up by a lady and her daughter every Christmas. Pretty girl, the daughter. She died of typhus, poor thing, at just about Christmas time if I remember correctly.’ My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is a B2 recording today with a story for you to enjoy... Christmas cheer I’m standing in a peaceful, wealthy suburb a few miles from Bristol city centre. Without doubt, It’s going to be a white Christmas, or rather it is already a white Christmas thanks to a generous amount of snow that has fallen on this Christmas Eve. The quiet, snowy road has a number of luxury cars parked on either side, and on my right and left stand those sort of houses, or should I call them mansions, the whole world would love to own: large, spacious, attractive stone, sloping grey roofs, leafy gardens - front, back and sides, and a broad driveway to park an expensive SUV. If I take a glance through the windows, I can just make out flashing lights from Christmas trees and decorations. A car pulls up outside a house. A couple get out. They open the boot and in the soft illumination of the street lamps I can see they take out some colourful boxes - Christmas presents. The front door of the house is pushed open. Three children dash out into the snow in their slippers laughing excitedly. They’re hugged by the two adults. The parents appear at the door shouting warm greetings. Everybody is laughing and chatting. They all disappear inside the house. A silence falls over the houses again as the front door shuts. I hear voices to my right over the soft snow. To the best of my knowledge, they’re a group of carol singers making their way to a house on the other side of the road. Some are still singing. They’re wrapped up warm in thick coats, furry boots and woollen scarves. Some are holding sticks with candles burning still. I hear a girl make a comment: something about how hungry she is - the others agree enthusiastically. Another door is opened by a man in an apron, and they all make their way up the steps singing and shouting “Merry Christmas”. Again, the door shuts and all that happiness and laughter is shut in – as though something exclusive to a privileged few, Who am I? And what am I doing out in the snow on such a special night? I should be with family, friends, and loved ones. It would be a sad Christmas Eve indeed if I were alone here, outside in the cold, no food, unloved, forgotten, probably even rejected by most who saw me. How many like me are out in the cold when it seems the whole world around is w My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is the story text I'll be using with the B1 words in bold: White Christmas Steve Matlock worked in a car factory in Bristol. Every day at lunch, he sat in the canteen with his colleagues. They had discussions about their families, their aims, and their dreams. It was Christmas Eve, and the canteen felt warm and cheerful. “What are you doing for Christmas, Steve?” one colleague asked. Steve smiled politely. “I intend to spend Christmas with my brothers and sisters in Bath,” he said. “It will be lively and fun. The kids play games all day long.” His colleagues smiled, happy for him. But when the day ended and everyone went home, Steve walked slowly back to his small flat. Nobody was expecting him. He had no brothers, no sisters—no family at all. He would spend Christmas on his own, as usual. When Steve got up on Christmas morning, he felt the silence in the flat. He looked out of the window and stopped. There was thick snow covering the whole city, shining white as the morning sun came out. For a moment, he forgot about being lonely. He put on his thick coat and gloves and stepped outside. The snow sounded under his boots. Children were laughing - throwing snowballs and making snowmen, people were greeting neighbours, and the city was shiny and bright. “As long as I can enjoy moments like this,” he thought to himself, “maybe things aren’t so bad after all.” The greatest gift is friendship and the company of those we love, yet a close second is knowing how to be happy when we are alone. My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is the formal conversation studied today: “Beginning morning food consuming cycle,” said the father as he entered the kitchen. “Please gather at the table for an efficient distribution of resources.” Mother replied, “Indeed, I have organised a balancedcombination of carbohydrates and proteins, which should provide ideal operating for the day.” The ten-year-old entered next. “Parents, I request information regarding today’s academic schedule. My timetable indicates elementary programming, and logical calculation.” The fifteen-year-old followed. “You have not interpreted the data inaccurately. I, however, will participate in advanced algorithmic reasoning, and the completion of two complex projects.” Father asked, “Do you require additional data input before departure?” “Negative,” said the younger child. “The information previously provided is sufficient for maximum efficiency.” Mother directed her attention towards the older child. “Have you reviewed the regulations for your institution’s examinations?” “Affirmative. I have memorised all content. There is no prediction of error.” Father sat at the table. “The tasks at my place of occupation will involve machine precision processes.” Mother added, “And I will contribute to the coordination of instructional software. My schedule is densely arranged but entirely manageable.” A distant mechanical sound approached the house. Father spoke again, “The transport vehicle has arrived. Prepare for collection.” The kitchen door opened, and a lorry stopped outside. A human driver stepped inside the house.  “Right, time to load you all up. Headquarters wants you there early.” His colleague entered behind him. “Kids too. Their programming school starts in an hour.” The father, mother, and children stood simultaneously. “Affirmative,” they said together. They walked outside one behind the other, and the humans guided the android family onto the waiting lorry. See on https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-277.htm Support the show My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

B2 conjunctions City Life Compared to Country Life Many people wonder whether they would be happier living in the city or in the countryside. City life offers a fast rhythm and many opportunities, and it can be exciting, though it often feels crowded and noisy. Some people imagine that they would enjoy the peace of rural areas, when, in fact, they admit they enjoy the crowds and the lively lifestyle a city provides. Life in the countryside is usually quieter, whereas cities are full of cultural events, restaurants and shops. You can find something to do at almost any hour in a big city, while the countryside may seem limited in activities for some people. Still, country life gives you space to breathe, or at least more contact with nature than you would normally have in a city. Moving from one place to the other can completely change your routine. Now that many people can work remotely, living outside the city has become easier. You may enjoy a healthier lifestyle provided that you don’t mind longer distances to services and entertainment. Some people say they would choose the countryside if they had grown up in a big city. Others prefer the city once they have tried living in a small village, discovering they miss the energy and convenience that urban life provides. The best choice depends on the stage where you are in your life and what you value most. Support the show My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is part 1 of my TWO podcasts on B1 linkers: The text for today is: Many people want to learn a new language, yet they often wonder what method works best. One helpful idea is to treat the language as you would a musical instrument, practising regularly. Learning can also happen as you travel or do other activities, as practice is important because it keeps the language fresh in your mind. In addition, using a mix of reading, listening, and speaking gives you a balanced approach. In addition to lessons in a classroom or online, try watching films or listening to music in the target language. These activities help you hear natural expressions, although they can sometimes feel difficult, though you may not understand every word at first. Despite these challenges, progress is possible in spite of busy schedules or limited resources. Try speaking with native speakers. You can do this in person or online. Support the show My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here is the text for the B2 story today: Priorities Steve was a talented guitarist who had spent years trying to make it big. When his band finally got an album deal, he felt his dreams were coming true. But his wife, Laura, was tired of being alone with their two children. One night, she told him enough was enough: 'Spend time with us, or you'd better leave. We can't go on like this.' Steve didn’t know what to say. He loved Laura. He had fallen for her at once years ago. He'd come across a little night club where they played jazz, and she was sitting at the bar, and it was love at first sight. But music was Steve's life. He promised he’d cut down on late-night rehearsals and tours, yet every time he tried, the band had a new music project to follow up. Laura tried to clear up their communication problems, but Steve kept thinking he could get away with spending just a little more time away. Eventually, she stopped believing his excuses. One night, sitting alone in his studio, Jake realised he couldn’t do without his family. He packed his guitar and went home, ready to get down to what really mattered—being a husband and a father. The world might forget his music, but at least he wouldn’t lose the people who had inspired it in the first place. Support the show My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here is the script for today's B1 story: The Sandwich Hero In our town there used to be this chap, Tom. Every day, he sat near the market asking for coins or for a sandwich to eat. His clothes were dirty, and his hair was messy, I noticed he smelled a bit too. People didn’t pay him much attention. I couldn’t say I was fond of him, but I did feel sorry for him. He looked a bit depressed. I wondered if he’d had a difficult life. I used to give him money now and again. I remember one cold winter morning, smoke began to rise from the baker’s in the High street. Soon, the fire filled the building. People just stood there watching. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do either. Where the baker was – I don’t know. Somebody called the fire brigade, but that was it. We all heard this crying sound from inside – a child crying. Then Tom appeared, and without delay, he ran into the burning building. A few minutes later, Tom came out, coughing, with a small girl in his arms. The crowd clapped. The baker’s daughter was safe, thanks to him. Then the fire brigade arrived. Fortunately, they didn’t need to save anybody. I think people felt ashamed of how they had felt about Tom. Now he was a hero.  The baker, who had left the baker’s for change when the fire started, gave him a new coat and a place to stay. From that day on, people greeted Tom with smiles instead of cold looks. He no longer asked for money in the street as the baker gave him a job in the shop selling sandwiches. My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here is the B2 story for today: A chance of a lifetime (B2) Sophie had always led a busy life. Between her job at the hospital and her evening art classes, she hardly had a moment to relax. One Friday, after a long shift, she received a last-minute call from her boyfriend, Tom. He insisted she came to the old café by the river. When Sophie arrived, the place was quiet, and Tom was waiting with a big smile. ‘You’ll never guess what’s happening,’ he said.  Sophie laughed sharply. ‘You’re such a liar, Tom. You said you’d gone to Italy on business for a few days!’ Tom nodded his head. ‘I did go. That was part of the surprise. I was planning something for you.’  He handed her an envelope. Inside was a plane ticket to Italy and a letter inviting her to an international art exhibition — her paintings had been chosen to be displayed. For a moment, Sophie couldn’t speak. She had always lived for her art, but never believed it would lead anywhere. ‘I can’t accept this,’ she whispered.  ‘Just enjoy it,’ Tom replied gently. ‘Don’t worry about work. You can’t live on stress forever.’ That evening, Sophie realised this was the chance of a lifetime — and she wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. Last but not least, she now knew that Tom was a guy worth holding on to. My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

This is the B1 story I'm going to read to you today and the vocabulary I'll look at: A helpful ghost (B1) Detective Sam Green liked to hang around any place where strange things happened. One autumn morning, he arrived in a small town surrounded by a beautiful landscape of snowy mountain peaks.  The people there seemed friendly, but whenever Sam asked about the old castle on a nearby hill, they were silent. At night, lights could be seen in the windows, yet nobody had lived there for hundreds of years. Sam had some knowledge of what people were like in this area, and knew the villagers were hiding something.  ‘It’s better to keep this secret,’ one old woman admitted to him. ‘We don’t want the tourists to get frightened and leave. We need them.’ However, Sam kept on thinking about this mystery, watching from a distance and taking notes. One foggy evening, he saw a soft light in the window. Quietly, he climbed the hill and broke in through the locked door. In an upstairs room, a simple lightbulb was attached to a battery and a clock. Sam smiled. ‘Well, would you believe it?’ he said. ‘There’s nothing like a ghost to attract the tourists. If you don’t have one, you’ve got to invent one. Mystery solved!’ My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Norman Newbury has never won anything in his life, and then when a swimming competition comes up, Norman thinks he could, at last, win the trophy. B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1) talk things over with 2) kept in good shape 3) push himself 4) (feel) over the moon 5) took a deep breath 6) taken it for granted The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold. B1-level 1) achvmnt n. (something difficult you managed to de) 2) dscssn n. (talking among people) 3) rd v. (opposite of polite) 4) rcgnsd (saw somebody and knew who they were) 5) cmpttr n. (somebody in a competition) B2-level 6) otstnding adj. (exceptional, very good) 7) trgc adj. (very sad) 8) prftbl adj. (a way that earns you money) 9) gggls n. (worn over the eyes when swimming) 10) astnshd adj. (very surprised) To see the answers: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-205.htm Here is a link to a Pdf extract from my new book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder" so you can see how it works and how it can help you reach a B1 English level. https://www.practisingenglish.com/pdf/Inchcape-rock-sample.pdf My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practisingenglish.com/ Be back soon with another podcast! Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and...