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Practising English

M. A. Bilbrough

253 episodes

2 days ago

I am still on holiday during August, so today I bring you a favourite of many listeners - the B1 story of Tsunami! (Part 1). Part 2 next week. Enjoy it and enjoy your summer! Mike Bilbrough 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 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/...

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Language Learning

All content for Practising English is the property of M. A. Bilbrough and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

I am still on holiday during August, so today I bring you a favourite of many listeners - the B1 story of Tsunami! (Part 1). Part 2 next week. Enjoy it and enjoy your summer! Mike Bilbrough 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 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/...

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Language Learning

Episodes (20/253)

Practising English

253. Tsunami (summer repeat) B1 level story (part 1)

I am still on holiday during August, so today I bring you a favourite of many listeners - the B1 story of Tsunami! (Part 1). Part 2 next week. Enjoy it and enjoy your summer! Mike Bilbrough 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 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/...

1 week ago

20 minutes

Practising English

252. Dad (summer repeat) B1 level story (part 2)

While I'm on my summer holiday, here is a repeat of a lovely B1 story - Part 2 of "Dad". I published Part 1 last Wednesday. The verbs we are studying today are: realize drop call out weigh admire encourage dive appear breathe hug 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/ At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English,...

2 weeks ago

21 minutes

Practising English

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

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, grammar help and exercise...

2 weeks ago

19 minutes

Practising English

250. Victims of Nature B2 (repeat)

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 ...

3 weeks ago

27 minutes

Practising English

249. The Mushroom Murders (B2 English)

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 exams. Liste...

1 month ago

20 minutes

Practising English

248. The Unexpected Visit (animal vocabulary) B2 Story

This is a B2-level recording and story with vocabulary about animal sounds and movement: Animal words: warren - where rabbits live together in the ground roar - sound like a lion makes thunder - sound like large animals running past scream - high pitched sound that sounds angry or scared hop - to jump (in humans - on one leg) poke your head out - look out briefly from somewhere twitching - quick movements like a rabbits nose or ears crouch - when somebody or an animal moves their body down, o...

1 month ago

19 minutes

Practising English

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

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+ing I'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 paradise I'll be seeing you soon, then. Yes. Holidays finish next week. Not about making decisions but sth decided anyway Shall I take you into town? Don't bother No bother. I'll be going to the shops anyway....

1 month ago

20 minutes

Practising English

246. There is / are and extended family

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 som...

1 month ago

13 minutes

Practising English

245. B1 Linking Words with a story

B1 Linking Words Linking words join two sentences together. Here are the ones I mention during the podcast: A Rainy Adventure Tom wanted to go hiking. The sky looked grey but he didn’t mind – no problem With 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 lo...

2 months ago

17 minutes

Practising English

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

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 tim...

2 months ago

37 minutes

Practising English

243. B1 adjectives (short story)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Here are the B1 words we're studying today: acceptable accurate amusing annoyed convenient embarrassed forbidden grateful hopeless miserable To see the transcript of the story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-243.htm 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...

2 months ago

20 minutes

Practising English

242. FCE Story 2 (B2)

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 him doubting every shot gazing out of the window an old woman wiped her eyes. the crowd clapped enthusiastically as he nervously walked up his anxiety forgotten To read an annotated version of the full story audioscript go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-242...

2 months ago

19 minutes

Practising English

241. FCE Story (B2 )

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.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. https://www.practis...

3 months ago

23 minutes

Practising English

240. Tudor Conspiracy revisited B1, B2

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 lear...

3 months ago

16 minutes

Practising English

239. The Letter (B1, B2)

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. Moreover In addition, Besides What is more, Furthermore, Yet To begin with, In the same way, Similarly, Consequently, Audioscript to be uploaded on Monday. At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages. http...

3 months ago

18 minutes

Practising English

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

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 anything about me? ...

3 months ago

14 minutes

Practising English

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

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 podcast For complete transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-237.htm...

4 months ago

28 minutes

Practising English

236. Complex sentences B1, B2 (4 funny jokes)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Structure Summary Would like / want / ask I would like you to come to a party on Saturday Object Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on Saturday Subject + 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 th...

4 months ago

15 minutes

Practising English

235. Future Perfect B2 (short story)

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...

4 months ago

18 minutes

Practising English

234. B2 Time Adverbs

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...

4 months ago

19 minutes