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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

19:50

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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15:41

231. B1 Do for emphasis (with dialogue)

Practising English ·

2025/03/09

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Emphasis is used with lots of auxiliary verbs:- I MUST get to the shop before it closes.- You SHOULD try and finish the painting today. I'm fed up with smelling paint all over the house.- I do like your new tie. It's so colourful!- I do want to go and see that new film Anora. You know, the film that won all those oscars.- Well, I saw it. I don't think it's suitable for you, if your favourite film is the Sound of Music.-

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28:29

230. B2 story The Visitors (complete version)

Practising English ·

2025/03/02

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. The Visitors This is the full version of my story The Visitors recorded in October of last year. The level is B2, but my B1 students are also invited, of course! ;-) These are the comprehension questions: (the answers are further down - but don't look at those yet!! 1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why? 2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there? 3) Where was the ...

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00:21:27

229. B1 adjectives with hyphens (with dialogue)

Practising English ·

2025/02/23

Adjectives with hyphen at B1 levelgood-looking (only with hyphen) - attractive (for people, often men)well-known - a lot of people have heard of it and know it/him/herold-fashioned (only with hyphen) - (often criticising something) not new, not in fashionwell-dressed - dressed in attractive clothes, smart, elegantup-to-date - (usually technology) the newest in software, hardware, computers etc.middle-aged - around 50 years oldface-to-face (only with hyphen) (also adv. came face-to-face with the

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00:11:27

228. The Medical check-up (expressions for emphasis)

Practising English ·

2025/02/16

Words and expressions for emphasis- The reason is I like working with people, I have experience of looking after elderly people and I enjoy volunteering work. - The problem is I’m a little lazy, I am often late for work because I sleep in. - The fact (of the matter is) is that the planet is warming and many species are dying. - The fact is we need computers to function better in business. - It is true that a lot of accidents are caused by motorbikes. But the point is that the car if far more

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00:12:40

227. Talking about the Future (with dialogue)

Practising English ·

2025/02/09

Future Forms in EnglishI'm not going to talk about future tense and predictions, but other uses of future tense.Going to and present continuous for futureGoing to – plans and intentions that we have;I'm going to pay Mum a visit later today. She's not feeling well.Strong intentions.I'm going to learn German next year. It's something I've always wanted to do.Present continuous – something that had been planned earlier – some sort of planning has taken place. You have a plan now. That's why we often

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00:17:52

226. Get and verbs of movement B1, B2 and story

Practising English ·

2025/02/02

Now it's interesting that we use get as a verb of motion. Often, when it's difficult to actually move. Have you noticed that we say,Would you like to get into my car. Now, you go into your house, you open the door and you walk in. You don't usually get into your house, but you get into a car. Why? Because you have to bend down usually to get in. So you get into a car. Perhaps you're up a ladder, you know, a ladder, which takes you upwards. If you're painting a wall, for example. And you don't like

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00:18:25

225. Verbs of Movement with story (B1, B2)

Practising English ·

2025/01/26

Why my students say 'enter the classroom'Where there is movement, there's a preposition, and a preposition is used in the same way we use preposition of place (where things are) He ran across the street. The dog ran after the cat. Go / run / walk / swim etc. along this street until you get to the crossroads and then turn right. I walked among the all the people. They travelled all around / round the country. The little girl walked between her mother and father. He ran down the stairs. She got into

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00:19:06

224. The Londoner (B1 B2 level story)

Practising English ·

2025/01/19

In today's story, I'll be looking at some B2-level phrasal verbs.I explain 5 of the phrasal verbs below in the podcast: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10. You can listen to all ten of these phrasal verbs. They are in the order you'll hear them. 1) figure something out - try to find the answer to a problem 2) get on with something - continue an activity you were doing earlier 3) get round to something - do one of the jobs that needs doing but you don't find time for it 4) go down with something - to get ill 5) get

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00:18:41

223. The Cambridge exam B1 story writing

Practising English ·

2025/01/12

To write a successful story for the Cambridge PET exam (Preliminary English Test)Here is some of the help and advice I talk about in the podcast. I will also read you a model story. You are always given a first sentence, which you must use. 'When Jasmin looked down at the soft ground, she could see quite clearly that the tiger had recently come this way.' Use of 'when' here. 'When ' is a good word to use in your story as it means you create a complex, 2-part sentence. Setting the scene - where the

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302 results

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