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PODCAST

Practising English

M. A. Bilbrough

Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English

education language learning

All Episodes

19:34

251. Dad (summer repeat) B1 level story (part 1)

Practising English ·

2025/07/30

I'm on holiday so I'm leaving you with a favourite story of mine "Dad" in 2 parts. This is a repeat of a podcast from September 2023. Next Wednesday, I'll publish part 2.This is part 1 of a B1-level story for learners of English, especially Cambridge English. The story is called Dad. It's about a family fishing trip in Spain. Vocabulary about the sea, boats and fishing equipment...At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English,

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27:06

250. Victims of Nature B2 (repeat)

Practising English ·

2025/07/27

Comprehension questions for this B2-level story. (I'm on holiday at the momento so leave you with a repeat episode.) Enjoy! 1) What reasons did Alberto's mother give Alberto for leaving the Alpujarra? 2) What did Gustavo mean by the comment "we're just victims of nature"? 3) The story says, "When Alberto saw the pink clouds at dawn, he knew bad weather was on the way". What was the saying mentioned in the story which told Alberto there was going to be a storm? 4) Why was Alberto worried when ...

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20:21

249. The Mushroom Murders (B2 English)

Practising English ·

2025/07/17

This is about the trial in Australia that finished just last week and is popularly known as "The Mushroom Murders". Today, I'll ask the famous detective, Hércules Poirot (from Agatha Christie's novels) to explain to his exclusive audience of people involved in the crime and to us, the listeners of the podcast, what happened exactly, and who the murderer is.This is a B2-level podcast with focus on the third conditional. e.g.If I had studied more, I would have passed my Cambridge

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19:29

248. The Unexpected Visit (animal vocabulary) B2 Story

Practising English ·

2025/07/08

This is a B2-level recording and story with vocabulary about animal sounds and movement:Animal words:warren - where rabbits live together in the groundroar - sound like a lion makesthunder - sound like large animals running pastscream - high pitched sound that sounds angry or scaredhop - to jump (in humans - on one leg)poke your head out - look out briefly from somewheretwitching - quick movements like a rabbits nose or earscrouch - when somebody or an animal moves their body down, or down flat to

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20:06

247. Future Continuous for B1 (and B2) with story

Practising English ·

2025/07/01

Hello, dear students!Future continuous for fixed events, which are expected to happen. (This is B1 grammar with interest for B2 students too!)will + be + verb+ingI'll be giving a talk at that time, but I could see you afterwards for a coffee.This time next week I'll be flying into paradiseI'll be seeing you soon, then. Yes. Holidays finish next week.Not about making decisions but sth decided anywayShall I take you into town?Don't botherNo bother. I'll be going to the shops

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13:51

246. There is / are and extended family

Practising English ·

2025/06/22

Today, I’m going to talk about the family of ‘there is’! At first, that might seem very basic English grammar. Indeed, the phrase ‘there is’ is A1 level. However, at B1 and even B2 level, I must admit there are few students who talk about this family. Why? Because it’s not a structure that has a literal word for word translation in many other languages. Anyway, let’s meet some of the family first of all. I can’t name all of them because it’s a very extended family tree. But here are some you might

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17:27

245. B1 Linking Words with a story

Practising English ·

2025/06/15

B1 Linking WordsLinking words join two sentences together. Here are the ones I mention during the podcast:A Rainy AdventureTom wanted to go hiking. The sky looked grey but he didn’t mind – no problemWith linker: Tom wanted to go hiking, although the sky looked grey. He packed his bag. He wanted to be ready the moment his friend Anna called.With linker: He packed his bag in order to be ready as soon as his friend Anna called.Anna wasn’t sure if they should go or not. The weather looked bad.With

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37:18

244. The Breath of the Mosquito (complete version) B1...

Practising English ·

2025/06/09

For health reasons, I'm afraid I cannot share a new podcast with you today. I include instead, one of my favourite stories that I wrote for students studying for B1 English level: The Breath of the Mosquito as a complete version.This extract will help you understand what the story is about...'If… if something went back in time and existed in the past, something or somebody who was not there before, he/she/it would change time in the present. Things would not be the same when he or she

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20:50

243. B1 adjectives (short story)

Practising English ·

2025/06/01

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Here are the B1 words we're studying today:acceptableaccurateamusingannoyedconvenientembarrassedforbiddengratefulhopelessmiserableTo see the transcript of the story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-243.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English

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19:50

241. FCE Story 2 (B2)

Practising English ·

2025/05/25

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.In today's B2 FCE story, you'll be listening to this B2 vocabulary:heading for Paris his hands were trembling both thrilled and terrified himdoubting every shotgazing out of the windowan old woman wiped her eyes. the crowd clapped enthusiasticallyas he nervously walked up his anxiety forgottenTo read an annotated version of the full story audioscript go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-242.htmAt

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23:59

241. FCE Story (B2 )

Practising English ·

2025/05/18

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.How to write the FCE story (B2 level) for the Cambridge exam. If you're not taking this exam, this episode will be useful for learning how to express yourself at B2 level in written prose.You can see the transcript at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-241.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning

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16:53

Tudor Conspiracy revisited

Practising English ·

2025/05/11

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.I apologise for not bringing you a new podcast this week. I leave you with chapter 1 of the Tudor Conspiracy (from an audio book and reader I published a few years ago). Hope to be with you next week with a new podcast episode!At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2

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18:51

239. The Letter (B1, B2)

Practising English ·

2025/05/04

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.These are the words I discuss today. They are linking words, essential for your B1 and B2 writing papers in the Cambridge exam.MoreoverIn addition,BesidesWhat is more,Furthermore,YetTo begin with,In the same way,Similarly,Consequently,See audioscript of story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-239.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English

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14:18

238. If so, if not, B1 level with dialogue

Practising English ·

2025/04/27

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.How to use 'if so' and 'if not' in dialogue.A conditional clause to refer a previous direct or indirect 'yes-no' question where the answer might be ‘yes’. Do you think we could study more grammar? If so, could you give us more help with tenses?Is it possible to pay by credit card? If so, which card do you accept?Does Mrs Smith like wine? If so, does she prefer white or red?Could you tell me if she said

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28:49

237. Candle Burning - B1 short story (complete version)

Practising English ·

2025/04/20

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.These are the four comprehension questions to read before you listen to the story.1) What was the first thing Nigel did when he went into the shower?2) What did Nigel decide not to have for breakfast that day?3) Why did Nigel lose his job?4) What reason did the doctor give for Nigel's death?Answers are given at the end of the podcastFor complete transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-237.htmAt

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15:47

Complex sentences B1, B2 (4 funny jokes)

Practising English ·

2025/04/13

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Structure SummaryWould like / want / askI would like you to come to a party on SaturdayObject Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on SaturdaySubject + verb + [object = (object pronoun + verb + more information)]I / would like / you to come to a party on Saturday. Other examples:I would like you to come to a meeting on Monday to discuss the terms of the contract. My parents want me to go on holiday with them this summer. You asked

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18:31

235. Future Perfect B2 (short story)

Practising English ·

2025/04/06

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. LOOKING BACK FROM A POINT IN THE FUTURE - FUTURE PERFECT I have studied / I have been studying English for/since... (from the past to the present) Next September, I will have studied / been studying English for ten years (from the past to a moment in the future I will have had this car for fifteen years next month. I will have lived / been living in Seville for twenty-five years This summer I will have been working for three y...

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19:05

234. B2 Time Adverbs

Practising English ·

2025/03/30

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.These are the B2 time adverbs you should learn for the speaking and writing of the Cambridge FCE exam. Listen for them in the podcast, and decide which I am referring to in the dialogue section at the end of the podcast. (B1 students also invited!)firstly, etc. lastly, (often at the beginning of a sentence)instantly (often at the end of a sentence)temporarily (often at the end of a sentence)currently (often before a verb)sharp (at the end

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18:29

233. Uses of 'rather' (with dialogue)

Practising English ·

2025/03/23

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.'Rather' and its usesFORM/USE: 'RATHER THAN' + PHRASEB1Use a specialist book rather than the Internet. A book is more reliable.Take the stairs rather than the lift. It’ll keep you fitter.FORM: 'RATHER THAN' + NON-FINITE CLAUSEB2I’d prefer to go camping rather than stay in a hotel. It’s nice to be out in the fresh air.Rather than sitting around doing nothing, why don’t you go and do some sport. (instead of)I’d

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26:28

232. Would and used to with short story

Practising English ·

2025/03/16

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Stative verbsThoughts and opinionsbelieveknowunderstandsupposethink(I would sit and think about her every day.)(People used to think that smoking was good for you.) EmotionsloveI used to love watching children's TV when I was a kid. TV programmes for kids used to be better then than they are now.hatedislikedetestappreciateSensessee (I used to see Jane every day as she walked past my house with the dog)(I would go and see my

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271 results

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