Learn British English as well as British culture, history, news and current affairs, and much more with weekly episodes from your host Charlie on The British English Podcast! Visit the website for learning resources:thebritishenglishpodcast.com
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📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Who pays for the next drink? In this episode, Chaz, Charlie and Charles reveal the unwritten rules of the British round system, complete with pub banter, suspicious toilet breaks and accusations of being tight. Learn natural phrases like “my shout,” “get them in” and “it all evens out” before your n...
FREE PDF Episode Lesson Pack Click here to join my academy and become my next student! After a long break, Harry and Charlie finally catch up—and the conversation goes everywhere. From missed career paths and Camino adventures to moving in with a partner, family holidays, travel frustrations, and a surprisingly dramatic saga involving gas meters, parking fines, and a near-empty fuel tank, this episode is packed with the kind of meandering, laugh-out-loud chat that feels like sitting i...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Leaving a conversation in British English is rarely as simple as saying “goodbye.” In this episode, Charlie breaks down the wonderfully awkward social dance Brits use to escape chats politely, from “Right…” to “I’d better crack on.” You’ll learn a simple three-step formula for sounding natural, not ro...
This episode explores various aspects of British home life through a candid conversation between Charlie and Harry. They delve into personal daily routines, the impact of mobile phones, and the debate surrounding screen time at family dinners, highlighting differing generational perspectives. The chat also covers humorous anecdotes, such as a misunderstanding during a dog walk, and breaks down several useful British English idioms.
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Join my IELTS Speaking Course 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me In this IELTS Speaking Part 3 episode, Charlie breaks down how to talk about technology and social media naturally, without sounding robotic or over-rehearsed. You’ll hear Band 5, ...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Three Brits, three accents, one packed pub—and a crash course in how to actually order a drink. As Chaz, Charlie, and Charles navigate the chaos at the bar, you’ll pick up the unspoken rules, quick-fire phrases, and subtle social cues that locals take for granted. It’s less about the beer, more about ...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Is a pilot’s life as glamorous as it once was? Either way, it's fascinating... at least for Charlie. Mark shares how he went from one career to the next and was flying in a matter of months. He also discusses what REALLY happens mid-air, and why humans still beat autopilot. Plus, one very awkward Mick...
Dive into the world of British pub English with this introductory episode, setting the stage for a six-part series. Listen as three friends with distinct accents and social classes navigate making post-work pub plans, revealing subtle social cues and common phrases. The host then breaks down essential vocabulary from their conversation, preparing listeners to confidently order a pint in any British pub.
The podcast delves into the historical shift of global power, beginning with the Suez Crisis and Britain's economic decline, and the subsequent rise of the US dollar backed by oil. It examines the pattern of US military involvement in oil-rich regions to protect the petrodollar system, culminating in an analysis of the recent Iran conflict and its strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting how leverage is now being paid for in Chinese currency. This historical and geopolitical thread aims to provide logic behind current global tensions.
This episode features a conversation with Chris Broad from 'Abroad in Japan' discussing his experiences living in Japan since 2012. He shares insights into the cultural differences between the UK and Japan, focusing on technological contrasts, communication styles, and the unique Japanese concept of 'chinmoku' (silence). The discussion provides a British perspective on Japan's blend of modern and traditional aspects.
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Charlie puts Connor from Listening Time in the hot seat, asking him to reveal five “brilliant things” he loves—and reacting every step of the way. From hearty breakfasts to clever life hacks, each pick sparks humour, culture clashes, and unexpected insight. It’s a playful, cross-Atlantic chat that slo...
📥 Grab the FREE PDF with 20+ advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences , to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster. Plus, get the script from today's story included! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons In this episode, a simple hotel stay turns into a quietly chaotic, very British experience. In this short story, you’ll pick up natural vocabulary, sharpen your listening, and get a feel for the kind of humour that defines British culture. It...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Luke joins Charlie for a funny Room 101-style chat about small things that annoy him, like mosquitoes, plastic film, and horoscopes. It’s light, silly, and very easy to enjoy. You may even hear your own pet hates in it. Click here to listen to the episode I did on Luke's English Podcast that we mentio...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me What happens when an online friendship turns into a real-life visit? In this episode, I finally meet Bree (from the podcast Into the Story ) in person after knowing her through podcasting, and Stacey and I go to stay w...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons In this one you get an insight into what it's like to spend a weekend in the UK like a local. Charlie gives you a typical weekend in his life when living in the UK for you to compare to yours and you can see how similar or different it is to wherever you are in the world. Useful Links below... 💬 Want to finally speak English wit...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me In this episode, I share the real reason I decided to pack up my life (yes, even my piano), load up the car with my sausage dog, and drive out of the UK in search of something different. 💬 Want to finally speak Englis...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! Join my IELTS Speaking Course 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me Feel confident speaking for two full minutes in IELTS Part 2. In this episode, we break down the question “Describe a place in a city where you enjoy spending time” with Band 5, 7 and 9 ...
This episode delves into British humour through the cult New Zealand sitcom, Flight of the Concords. The host analyzes a specific song, highlighting themes like deadpan delivery, understatement, awkward social behavior, and self-deprecation. It also explores cultural differences in comedy styles between British/Kiwi and American audiences, offering insights into why Brits find bleak realism hilarious.
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me In this bonus episode, Matt Calver returns with his five brilliant things —from the joy of international flights to the quiet satisfaction of sharp kitchen knives, clutter-free living, perfect bedding, and, of course, ...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons Learn British English & about British culture in this bitesized episode where Charlie, your host, gives you an insight into what it's like to spend a weekend in the UK like a local. Charlie gives you a typical weekend in his life when living in the UK for you to compare to yours and you can see how similar or different it is ...
The podcast clearly defines socialism and capitalism, using an everyday bakery analogy and dispelling common myths about each. It then delves into practical examples of socialist-leaning, capitalist-leaning, and hybrid economies worldwide, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and the nuanced reality that quality of life depends more on governance than a strict label. Finally, the episode explores the deep-seated fears, historical contexts, and moral identities that fuel intense arguments surrounding these systems.
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me In this episode, I sit down with my mate Al to talk about one of the strangest things he’s ever done: pretending to be a member of ABBA on stage in front of thousands of people in Tahiti . Al had never sung on stage be...
Charlie Baxter guides B2 English learners on transitioning from passive understanding to active fluency. He outlines six key strategies: collecting phrases, adjusting tone for context, prioritizing rhythm over accent, utilizing structured output with AI feedback, reusing content deeply, and building a consistent weekly learning routine. This approach emphasizes deliberate practice and system over fleeting motivation to achieve lasting progress.
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me From smoky “spit and sawdust” locals to bright gastropubs with babies in tow, Charlie and longtime friend Jim unpack what a British pub really is: a social rulebook, a safe haven, and a memory machine. Along the way: Guinne...
🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me 💬 Want to finally speak English with confidence, flow, and personality? Join Charlie's academy and leave behind hesitation, awkward pauses, and textbook English. Each week you’ll: 🎧 Get premium podcast episodes with full learning resources 📚 Master vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation 💻 Join 2–3 live Zoom sessions and Q&As 📝 Receive personalised feedback 🗣 Practise speaking naturally with other learners...
Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me I swore I’d never go back to an office… but here we are. In this episode, I unpack the highs and lows of working from home vs office life — from beach-side smugness to shared microwaves and soggy commutes. You’ll also pick up ...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join The Academy to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me In this one, I read you a wonderfully charming short story about Reginald , a fox with more ambition than most Londoners on a Monday morning. While his family is perfectly content foraging in Richmond Park, Reginald has his sig...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons Learn British English & about British culture in this episode where Charlie, your host, gets Harry back on to discuss what it was like growing up in the UK in the 90s & 00s. Charlie & Harry give you an informal, lighthearted conversation ...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons A gang tunnels through the sewers of Nice to pull off one of France’s most audacious bank heists—complete with tinned ravioli, red wine and a welded-shut vault door. Charlie and guest Alastair from English Learning for Curious Minds unpack how a seemingl...
📥 Grab this episode's FREE PDF with 25 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster ! 🎓 Join my weekly online group lessons England sails into global power in this spirited exploration of the Elizabethan Age. Charlie and Ben unpack how exploration, capitalism, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada shaped a new world order—while art, Shakespeare, and the Renaissance sparked a cultural awakening at...
