Loading...

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

23:03

329. Treasure Island (chapter 18) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/09/30

These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today:You can find the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-329.htm1. RefuseDefinition: To say that you will not do or accept something.Examples:Some people refuse to recycle because they think it takes too much time.If we refuse to change our bad habits, there will be more plastic in the sea. 2. Throw awayDefinition: To put something in the rubbish bin because you do not need it any more.Examples:My neighbour throws away all his

en-gb

29:44

328. Jeeves and the hard-boiled egg (B2 level story)

Practising English ·

2026/09/23

Here are the B2 phrases we'll be talking about today:See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-328.htm1. stand up forDefinition: To defend or support someone or an idea when other people are against them.She always stands up for her younger brother when other kids are mean to him.You should stand up for your rights at work.2. in favour ofDefinition: To support or agree with a plan, idea, or person.Most people voted in favour of the new company rule.Are you in favour of

en-gb

26:27

327. Treasure Island (chapter 17) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/09/16

Here are the phrases we will study in this B1 story:To see the full transcript with the B1 words: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-327.htmhand something overdefinition: To give something to someone, usually by putting it in their hand. 1. The police officer asked me for my passport, so I handed it over. 2. She handed over the keys to the new owner. 3. Please hand the documents over to the person at the desk.step forward/backwards/inside etc.definition: To move one or more steps in

en-gb

30:30

326. Dracula (extract 2) B2 story

Practising English ·

2026/09/07

The B2 phrases we'll be studying are:Transcript available at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-326.htm1. Bizarre situationDefinition: A very strange or unusual situation that is difficult to understand or explain. When I arrived at work, everyone was wearing costumes, and I had no idea what was happening. It was a bizarre situation. We were having dinner when a man suddenly walked into the restaurant with a chicken under his arm. It was a bizarre situation. I lost my phone on the

en-gb

26:58

325. Treasure Island (chapter 16) B1 Story

Practising English ·

2026/09/01

I'm back from my holiday. It's a new season! My sixth year with Practising English Podcasts. There'll be new things this season, which I'll let you know about soon. Firstly, here is the continuation of Treasure Island with interesting B1 language for you. To sea the transcript with B1 words highlighted, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-325.htm 1) remain calmDefinition: To stay relaxed and not become worried, angry, or frightened in a difficult situation. Example

en-gb

25:54

324. Drawing Conclusions (B2 story) summer repeat

Practising English ·

2026/08/25

Drawing Conclusions is a mystery story about a woman who witnesses some strange things happening at the house next door.The B2 phrases analysed before the story can be found at the show notes of your podcast app and at Practising English dot com, podcast 184.See phrases at my website: Practising English...B2 phrases:- drawing conclusions- Mrs Robinson had neither seen nor heard Lorna since- take great pride in sth- to go into more detail- he couldn’t look her in the eye- was very absorbed in

en-gb

22:07

323. Coming Home (complete version) B1 - B2 Story

Practising English ·

2026/08/18

This story is the complete version of the B1, B2-level, Coming Home, first published here in 2024. Now you can enjoy the full story with vocabulary exercises below and at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-323.htm Words to explain: to strengthen = to make stronger a property = a house (usually for sale) keep clear = stay away, do not come near B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly 2, obliged to = you have to 3...

en-gb

33:57

322. The Harmonica Players (full version) B2 story

Practising English ·

2026/08/11

This is the complete version of the B2-level story, The Harmonica Players. I include here for you a B2 vocabulary list of words and expressions to listen for in the story:Practising English podcast 322...B2 Words and expressions in the story1. couldn't faceStory sentence to listen for: Somehow, he couldn’t face starting his day without a hot shower. Definition: To feel unable or unwilling to do something because you do not want to deal with it. 2. All of a suddenStory sentence to listen for:

en-gb

28:31

321. The Visitors (full version) B2 story (summer...

Practising English ·

2026/08/04

Comprension questions and vocabulary tasksAt my website, you can also find B1 and B2 vocabulary tasks to do for this story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-321.htmComprehension questions1) 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 alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?Answers:1) Who

en-gb

25:01

320. Bully! (B1 short story)

Practising English ·

2026/07/28

Hello, and welcome to Practising English! Mike Bilbrough is on his summer holiday, so we'd like to offer a B1 story recorded way back in 2022. It's called Bully, and it's taken from Mike Bilbrough's book for preparing for the Cambridge Preliminary exam: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder". This week we're going to offer you the complete transcript of the story with B1 words highlighted. Enjoy!https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-320.htmContact Mike Bilbrough with

en-gb

15:32

The Hole (complete story) B2 level

Practising English ·

2026/07/21

Mike Bilbrough is taking his summer holiday at the moment. Meanwhile, we'd like to offer you a story recorded last year in two parts as one complete story for you to listen to, learn from and enjoy. You can follow the story transcript and see the B2 language in bold type at Mike's website at www.practisingenglish.com podcast-319.htm. Enjoy! Here is the transcript with B2 vocabulary shown in biold type: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-319.htmContact Mike Bilbrough with a question

en-gb

30:40

318. Treasure Island (chapter 13) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/07/15

These are the B1 phrases we'll study today:https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-318.htm1. AttemptDefinition: To try to do something, especially something difficult. (Can be used as a verb or a noun).Example 1: She will attempt to pass her driving test for the second time tomorrow.2. WelcomeDefinition (Noun): The way you greet someone when they arrive.Definition (Verb): To greet someone in a polite and friendly way when they arrive.Example 1 (Noun): The hotel staff gave us a very warm

en-gb

34:01

317. Dracula (extract 1) B2 story

Practising English ·

2026/07/08

The B2 phrases we'll be studying are:Full story transcipt: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-317.htmon behalf ofDefinition: Instead of someone else, or representing another person or group.Example 1: I am writing this email on behalf of my manager who is on vacation.Example 2: On behalf of the whole team, I want to say thank you for your help.come to this conclusionDefinition: To decide that something is true after thinking carefully about all the facts.Example 1: After reviewing all

en-gb

31:10

316. Treasure Island (chapter 14) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/06/30

Here are the words and expressions we''l study today:https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-316.htm1) to handleDefinition: To deal with a situation, a person, or a problem successfully. Examples: Don't worry about the cooking tonight, I can handle it. Our manager is very calm and knows exactly how to handle angry customers.2) sound likeDefinition: To seem true or interesting after hearing or reading about it, or to make a noise similar to something else. Examples: Going to the

en-gb

31:00

315. The Importance of Being Earnest 2 (B2 level)

Practising English ·

2026/06/23

Here are the B2 phrases we'll be studying today:1) far too many/much/few etc.There are far too many games in this new 48-team tournament, and our players look absolutely exhausted.The manager chose far too few midfielders in the starting line-up, which is why we completely lost control of the ball.2) in any caseI don't think the referee should have given that penalty, but in any case, we played poorly and didn't deserve to win.It is going to be incredibly hot in Miami for the next

en-gb

25:16

Treasure Island (chapter 13) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/06/16

These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today!See full story audioscript here with B1 words highlighted: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-314.htm1. Take care of. Definition: To look after someone or something and make sure they have what they need. I need to take care of my little brother while my parents are at work.Please take care of your new books and do not lose them.2. Alive. Definition: Living and not dead. We found a small bird in the garden, and it was still alive.My

en-gb

33:16

313. The Importance of Being Earnest (B2 story)

Practising English ·

2026/06/09

These are the B2 phrases I'll be studying today:(See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-313.htmas far as sth is concernedDefinition: When talking about a particular subject or issue. Example: As far as money is concerned, we need to be careful. a misunderstandingDefinition: A situation in which people do not understand each other correctly. Example:The argument started because of a misunderstanding.what on earth...! / why on earth...!Definition: Used to show strong

en-gb

29:25

Treasure Island (chapter 12) B1 Story

Practising English ·

2026/06/02

These are the B1 phrases we're going to study today:https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-312.htm 1. after a whileDefinition: after some time has passed Example: We talked for a while , and after a while we went home. 2. on purposeDefinition: intentionally; not by accident Example: John broke his mobile phone on purpose so his parents would buy him a new one. 3. put out (a fire) Definition: to stop a fire from burning Example: There was a fire in our kitchen. Fortunately, the fire brigade

en-gb

26:09

311. The Adventure of the Western Star (part 2) B2 story

Practising English ·

2026/05/27

These are the B2 phrasal verbs we're studying today:For full stiry transcript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-311.htm1. Turn up (Meaning: To arrive or appear)"We wrapped up the meeting early because the client didn't turn up on time."2. Get away (Meaning: To escape or evade capture)"The thieves managed to get away before the security guards could lock the building down."3. Deal with (Meaning: To handle or take action on a problem)"Don't worry about

en-gb

24:21

310. Treasure Island (chapter 11) B1 story

Practising English ·

2026/05/19

These are the B1 expressions we'll study today: For full story audio script: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-310.htm 1) just in case Definition: to be prepared if something happens. Take an umbrella just in case it rains. 2) get ready Definition: to prepare for something. We need to get ready for school. 3) come to an agreement Definition: to decide something together after talking. After two hours, they came to an agreement. 4) I must admit Definition: I say something honestly, ...

en-gb

329 results

Similar Podcasts

Edutainment Learning

Ralph Krauss

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Education Futures

Svenia Busson & Laurent Jolie

Out In The Hall

NHSA