Podcast and listening skills for B2-level students. Today I'm talking about intonation again. This is a follow-up of my previous podcasts on this subject. In this session, I will be discussing and giving examples of how meaning in a sentence can change if the intonation changes. You can read this podcats (recommended so you can see the examples properly) at Practising English, podcast 103... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https...
Mar 30, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 103
In today's podcast, I'm going to talk about how to make deductions in English in different ways but especially with the use of the modal auxiliaries: can't, may, could, might and must . I'll give you a little audio quiz and you must deduce (or guess) what the sounds are. We'll use those modals to talk about the possibilities. To see the audio script of the podcast, come over to Practising English... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcast...
Mar 25, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 102
A description of the order of adjectives in English. Adjectives usually go before the noun, and if there are several of them, then they go in a certain order. In this podcast for learners of B1 level English, I explain what the adjective categories are. I will also talk about the language we use to describe holiday accommodation in English. You can find the audio script to this episode if you go to Practising English... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Pract...
Mar 23, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Hello, and today I'm particularly happy! This is podcast number one hundred! So that's one hundred free listening podcasts I've published at Practising English since July last year. Not only that, B1 and B2 learners of English have downloaded nearly thirty thousand podcasts from Practising English in just nine months! So today I'm celebrating and I would like to say thank you all for subscribing to Practising English on your favourite podcast app or listening to them here at the Practising Engli...
Mar 18, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Poscasts for B1 level learners of English with listening skills practice. Listen to and repeat model answers to the Cambridge speaking exam Part One (for adults and for schools) . I'll also help you to understand what the criteria are that the Cambridge examiners are assessing you on. Come over to Practising English to read the transcript and do more grammar exercises to help you with English grammar and vocabulary. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practisin...
Mar 16, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 99
B1 English level help for Cambridge English exam students, Today, I'm going to talk about linking words: also, as well as, too, despite, in spite of, although, though and however. I'll explain how we use them and what they mean. I'll also explain their position in the sentence. There is a Nasreddin story which follows with examples of these linking phrases for you to identify. Come over to Practising English so you can read the audio script and do the listening task. Contact Mike Bilbrough with ...
Mar 11, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Podcast listenings for B2 level learners of English. Today I'm continuing with the subject of intonation in English. This is an important area for students because correct intonation can transform the impression we give of our oral competence level. Good intonation provides the listener with an English which is clearly understood. Furthermore, it may often convince language examiners that our language level is, in fact, higher than it really is. Come over to Practising English to see the audio s...
Mar 09, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 97
In this podcast, I'll talk about the words and expressions we need to go shopping for clothes. How to talk about sizes, and if clothes suit you etc. This is essential language for B1 level students of English studying for Cambridge exams or similar. To see the audioscript, please go to Practising English... 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 ...
Mar 04, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 96
We're living in difficult times at the moment - very sad times. I'm referring to, of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I'm going to talk about that today. There aren't many words from the Common European Framework of languages (CEFR) about war. But I'm going to bring some words in. The podcast, in general, is at a B2 level. So I'm going to talk about the situation in Ukraine to the present day, which is the 1st of March. And I'll also make a little personal comment at the end. So if you c...
Mar 02, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Today I'm going to talk about towns and cities. This is a B1 session. And this vocabulary is particularly useful for people studying for B1. I will include lots of words and expressions to describe a city. In this case, Seville, which is the city where I live, there will be lots of useful expressions here for you to learn. For the transcript, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-94.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Po...
Feb 25, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Podcast listening for B2 level students of English. Today, a vocabulary study of the expressions we use to talk about the different types of housework with also a discussion about the roles of men and women and household chores. For a transcript of this podcast, please visit https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-93.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 Voc...
Feb 23, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Podcast listening on the auxiliary verb used to for B1 level students of English. I'll talk about its structure and how and why we use used to . I'll give you lots of examples by talking about things I used to do when I was a child. To read the audio script on this podcast, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-92.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: " B...
Feb 18, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Poscasts for learners of B2 level English. This is a follow-up of Podcast 40, where I gave an introduction to the passive. In this B2 level description of the passive, I'll go into the use of the passive in a little more detail. I'll talk about the important phrases we use to discuss what people say, think and believe - It is said that... etc. There is a story with examples of the passive to listen out for. This listening podcast with full transcript and questions on the text can be found at: ht...
Feb 16, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Essential B1 and B2 language for learnees of English - talking about the mobile phone and telephones in general. Words and expressions about the phone and a few expressions we use when we make or receive a telephone call. You can also find a link to a complete page on useful telephone phrases for receptionists. There is also a short story afterwards about a funny telephone conversation. For audio script, please visit: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-90.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a...
Feb 11, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 90
B2 level English for students at this level wishing to take exams or who just want to improve their general English. Today I'm talking about the use of 'will' and 'going to' when they are used for predictions. I'll talk a little about how these words have other meanings and therefore the meanings can become changed and ambiguous. We mustn't think of 'will' as just a word to talk about future - it has various meanings... To read the audio script, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/po...
Feb 09, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 89
This session teaches students studying for B2 level English most of the words and expressions you'll need to talk about money matters. From saving money, getting an allowance from our parents (when we're at school) and words about having a bank account, loans, ATM's and buying things in the sales. For the audio script, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-88.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisinge...
Feb 04, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 88
The words that we use to express obligation are: must, have to and then similar words, not necessarily obligation, but strong advice: should and ought to . I'll talk about how we use those words and what they really mean and also when not to use them and how we can make our orders sound softer and less direct. See audio script at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-87.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practi...
Feb 02, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Today I'm doing a B1 level podcast about infinitives. Now, the problem with infinitives in English is that there are three of them. So, I will just briefly talk about the three types of infinitive. And the practice I'm going to do today is just on two types, and there's a shorter story afterwards to illustrate the infinitives I'm using. For the audio script, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-86.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Pract...
Jan 28, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 86
This is a follow-up of Podcast 23 about holidays. It has lots of vocabulary and expressions B2 students of English must learn for passing exams at this level. This time I'm including a Hangman game for you to practise the holiday expressions. You can find the link at the end of the audio script page at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-85.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm ...
Jan 26, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 85
B2 level reader novel The Tudor Conspiracy listening with book version to read. In the last chapter of the book, Isabel and Philip are now in the police station, where a few surpises are waiting for them. To see the questions and activities for this chapter go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-83.htm To buy the book to read with this podcast: The Tudor Conspiracy... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practis...
Jan 21, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 84
This listening text talks about common prepositions following adjectives and verbs used at B2 English level. I will discuss why sometimes choosing the wrong preposition could change the meaning of what you want to say. There is also a short story which illustrates the use of these prepositions . 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 S...
Jan 19, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Listening to phrasal verbs. B1 level English for students of English. Here are seven important phrasal verbs you must know for B1 level English exams. Listen to an explanation of the phrasal verbs and then a short funny story where they are used in context. See audio script to this podcast at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-82.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW boo...
Jan 17, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Graded reader for students studying for B2 level exams. The Tudor Condpiracy. In this chaper Isabel and Philip are taken to the police station for questioning and Isabel reveals some interesting news. For answers to the vocabulary and question, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-81.htm To purchase the book to read and listen at the same time, go to: The Tudor Conspiracy on Amazon... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: ...
Jan 14, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this episode I will tell you some essential colloquial B2 phrases to use to describe things . I will be describing my favourite town in Spain. This podcast for intermediate students of English can be used with podcast episode 50, which used more formal modifiers to describe and compare things . The sort of language I'll be using is somewhere around, an awful lot, masses of, great big, a handful of and other similar colloquial expressions. Find the audio script to this podcast at https://www.p...
Jan 12, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Stories for students at a B2 level of English. This is a late, Christmas story called Babouscka. I was told this story when I was a very small child but I still remember it today as it seems somehow sad but relevant as a story about searching but not finding. It contains useful vocabulary to talk about keeping warm inside when it's cold outside. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW...
Jan 10, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Graded reader for B1-level students who are working towards B2 level (and above) in English. My novel called the Tudor Conspiracy that you can also read while you are listening by buying the book at https://mabilbrough.com In the last chapter, Isabel was about to be shot by the fanatic Jane from the Anglia Nostra sect but something happens to change the situation... You can find comprehension questions at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-78.htm Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or ...
Jan 07, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 78
This is a help podcast for the B1 Cambridge Preliminary exam listening Part 4 with advice on how to do the test and you can also listen to a full test for practice. To read the questions and answers go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-77.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 ...
Jan 05, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 77
The word mind refers to the part of us that thinks - in other words, our brains. But there are a lot of expressions using mind that have a wide range of different meanings. Learn about those meanings with my podcast today. For transcripts of this podcast, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-76.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 Vocabular...
Jan 03, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 76
B2 reader for learners of English called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can buy the book and listen to each chapter in my weekly podast episodes. In this chapter, Isabel and Philip arrive at Shakespeare's birthplace, where they find Jane and the Master. However, things do not go to plan. You can find the answers to the comprehension questions in the podcast at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-75.htm You can buy the book at https://mabilbrough.com Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enq...
Dec 31, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Vocabulary and expressions for intermeditae level students of English. Today for the interest of B1 or B2 level students - talking about being by te river and the vocabulary we use to describe the activities we can do there. 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 E...
Dec 29, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 74
