Listening practice for learners of B1 and B2 levels of English (intermediate and upper-intermediate). Learn English listening to stories. Original stories written for learners of English. Cambridge: PET (Preliminary) and FCE. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes grammar explanations, examples of vocabulary use, Phrasal verbs and collocations help, pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start improving your English li ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 204 Winds of Bolonia (full story)
29:45
29:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:45
Send me a text. The Winds of Bolonia (B1 Story with new comprehension questions) I wanted to publish this story together with the Para-olympics in Paris. I was watching it on television. It shows how positive attitudes, strength, determination are not qualities limited to those athletes in the Olympics we saw earlier this summer, but that persons w…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 203 Never Go Back (Complete B1 Story)
29:54
29:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:54
Send me a text. Comprehension questions and answers for the complete story. 1) Why did Benjamin decide to go back to the hotel? 2) How did Jessica know Benjamin was staying in the Borromeo Hotel? 3) Where did Benjamin move to when fe left school? 4) What did Benjamin think the old woman was doing on the stairs? 5) What did Benjamin plan to do with …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 202 Who was Sidney Peabody (complete B1 story)
40:30
40:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:30
Send me a text. Comprehension questions to read before listening to the complete B1-level story: Who was Sidney Peabody? 1) What was unusual about the way Sidney Peabody looked? 2) According to Simon Fotheringay, the journalist and reporter, why did Sidney Peabody perform the miracle in Benalmadena? 3) What did people do in Madrid just before Sidne…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 201 The Spaceman (complete B1 story)
27:54
27:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:54
Send me a text. This is the complete B1-level story of The Spaceman (first published in 2022) Comprehension questions for story 1) Why was Max Headroom angry at the beginning of the story? 2) What were the space-time doors? 3) Who was the old man in Max's bedroom? 4) Why did Max and his wife, Sheena, separate? 5) Do you think Max and Sheena got bac…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 200 Tsunami (full version B1 level)
36:05
36:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:05
Send me a text. Today I'm giving you the full version of my B1-level story (with some B2 English) Tsunami! Here are 4 comprehension questions for part TWO of the story, which starts after the written transcript has finished. 1) What did Yannick think Melville's name was? Mr Tsunami 2) Which was the last accident that stopped Melville and the French…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 199 Stories from our listeners (B1 level)
14:41
14:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:41
Send me a text. These are the two stories I chose for the story task I gave you at podcast 197. Story 1 Mrs Jones was 82. Her husband had died many years ago, so she lived alone with her cat. She had a large vegetable garden, and she kept fit by working there every day. But she was often unhappy, because she remembered she had lost her wedding ring…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. There are 4 questions for you to answer while you listen to the story: The questions are: 1) What did uncle Tom make so he didn't have to get up early? 2) When they were on the boat, where did Stephen Liddel put the box of beer? 3) What did William's Dad do wrong that made him lose the fish? 4) Why did Uncle Tom fall into the sea? A…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 197 Story telling from my listeners (B1, B2)
24:23
24:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:23
Send me a text. Here are the rules for the story-writing activity. - The story must include at least one of the phrases 1 to 8 shown below. - The subject of the story can be anything you like. - The story should not be longer than 80 words. - The story can only be sent from the link on mobile phones "send me a text" at the top of this page in your …
…
continue reading
Send me a text. Today I have joined the two halves of The Quiet Man together so you can enjoy this story in one complete story. I briefly discuss intonation and give you a task to listen to while enjoying the story. For more podcasts on intonation at Practising English, go to podcasts: 126, 109, 43, 103. See the podcast numbers at my website... htt…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 195 Uses of SO and REALLY (B1 level)
21:04
21:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:04
Send me a text. Extracts from my stories with examples of SO and REALLY Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers. Extract 1: 'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.' 'The fishmonger was REALLY big and fat,' added J…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 194 PET exam writing the article B1
23:52
23:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:52
Send me a text. Writing the B1 article. (If you are interested in my podcast about writing the B1 story... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-128.htm ) These are some general, very important words I recommend you learn for writing in any part of the PET exam. You won't be able to use all of them, but try to use some at least: unless, availab…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. Expressions to memorize 1) There is a decline in the numbers of lynxes. (usually negative) The decline in the number of tourists. 2) It is extremely important that we finish this project on time. It is crucial that we finish this project on time. 3) Tigers are an endangered species. Tigers are a threatened species. Bees are becoming…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 192 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 2) B1 story
31:32
31:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:32
Send me a text. Introduction to part 2 of The Breath of the Mosquito Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University sat back in his leather chair and studied the colourful feather, he was holding in his hand, through his thick glasses. ‘Incredible!’ he said. ‘You say it comes from an extinct* type of bird, d…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 191 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 1) B1 story
26:19
26:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:19
Send me a text. This is a B1-level short story in two parts. Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull. Tests are done and the results are extremely surprising... Technical vocabulary in the story Prehistory / A prehistoric scene paleontology fossils The Jurassi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 190 The Harmonica Players (Part 3) B1, B2 story
28:48
28:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:48
Send me a text. This is the third and final part of the story 'The Harmonica Players'. Here are the B2 phrases I discuss in the podcast. 1) This was not the familiar peaceful atmosphere of Oxted. 2) He found London rather threatening. 3) An awful lot of unfamiliar people who packed the streets. 4) You were swept along by dense, hostile crowds of to…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 189 The Harmonica Players (Part 2) B1, B2 story
22:41
22:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:41
Send me a text. In Part 2 of my story, The Harmonica Players, I’ll be talking about racial prejudice. That means the irrational distrust and dislike of people from other countries. My motive for bringing up this topic and creating Jeffrey, a man who is very prejudiced against foreigners, has been from the unfortunate policy by the current Conservat…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 188 The Harmonica Players (Part 1) B1, B2 story
24:58
24:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:58
Send me a text. The Harmonica Players. The story of two people who are very different from each other, yet there is something that unites them. Words and expressions discussed in the podcast: bedsit - accommodation, which is very basic, and is usually just one room. meter - a machine you put money into which controls the amount of electricity is co…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. This is a B1 and B2 level podcast with a new story about the ages of Man. (See link to audioscript of story below.) B1 words discussed: sunrise landscape valleys scenery waterfall cave the cool shade setting sun (sunset) B2 words discussed youth bounced along life was a gift, which he would grab for himself make the most of the line…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 186 Cambridge Preliminary Speaking Test B1 (part 3)
23:54
23:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:54
Send me a text. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. This is a B1-level story. Below, are the phrases I explain from the story. Vocabulary expressions for the story Today's story is B1 level. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. The point of this podcast is to explain that the language you use in your speaking exam…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. In Telmah's life, very little happens. His garden is really the only thing he seems to care about. But one day, a neighbour loses her dog, and Telmah's life suddenly becomes much more complicated than he would like. These are the B1 expressions I explain from the story: be just about to do sth believe it or not feel sorry for a sens…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 184 Drawing Conclusions (B2 Story)
26:41
26:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:41
Send me a text. This is a B2 story in the genre of mystery or thriller. It's called Drawing Conclusions, which is one of the expressions I explain before I start the story. 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 - wa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 183 Doghouse Reilly Part 2 (B1 B2 Story)
23:46
23:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:46
Send me a text. These are the dog expressions I mention today: Dog Eat Dog Raining cats and dogs Teach an old dog new tricks And these are the B1 and B2 expressions I explain, and that you will hear in the story: B1 It didn’t look like they were expecting me. They were definitely up to something. He walked in and I went after him. I glanced around.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 182 Doghouse Reilly Part 1 (B1 B2 Story)
22:06
22:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:06
Send me a text. Today's story is B1 level with lots of B2 phrases added. This let's you improve little by little without getting lost because the text is too difficult to understand. I'm listing below the phrases I explain in the audio. I also talk about ellipsis, which is where you omit words from a sentence in an "economy of words". We still unde…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 181 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Complete Story)
30:40
30:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:40
Send me a text. This is a special edition podcast. Today I’m publishing The Octopus’s Garden as one complete story. If you have listened to this story in the two parts I published two weeks ago (podcasts 179 and 180), you’ll remember that I have dedicated this story firstly, to the children of Gaza, who are suffering so terribly during this horrifi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 180 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Part 2)
25:07
25:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:07
Send me a text. Hello, dear listeners! This is part 2 of my story, The Octopus's Garden, which I'm dedicating to the children of Gaza and my brother's HandsUp Project team that has been working with Palestinian children to help them have a voice in the world by producing plays in English online. You can find out more about the HandsUp Project here.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 179 The Octopus's Garden B1 B2 (Part 1)
24:02
24:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:02
Send me a text. Dunya Yousef Hussan AL-BARGHOUTI sat on the white sand and looked out across the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Somehow, at last, she had found comfort here... This is a B1 to B2-level English podcast about my story dedicated to the children of Gaza. I will introduce a lot of new B2 words for you to listen for during the story.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 178 Lunch of the Boat Party (B1 English)
22:57
22:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:57
Send me a text. A painting by Renoir inspired today's story. The painting is famous, and is called "The Luncheon of the Boat Party" (I have used the simpler word "Lunch"). These are the adjectives to talk about people's personality that I mention at the beginning: miserable lively keen lonely exhausted embarrassed easygoing reliable charming sensib…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 177 Never Go Back (Part 2) B1 level
23:36
23:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:36
Send me a text. Part 2 of my short story for B1 learners of English - Never Go Back. I'll look at the vocabulary I used, related to suspense. Here are the words I explain for you to listen for: Benjamin looked up, shocked at this unexpected and rude behaviour. Why all this unfriendly behaviour, when this morning the hotel staff he had met had been …
…
continue reading
Send me a text. In this podcast I thank my listeners for all the times you have downloaded Practising English Podcasts in 2023. I'll talk a little about an English Christmas and read my B1 version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. You can read the entire transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-176.htm At https://w…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 175 Never Go Back (Part 1) B1 level
22:19
22:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:19
Send me a text. Today is part 1 of my new story Never Go Back. It's in the thiller, suspense or even horror genre. I mention some useful B1 adjectives and other B2-level words and one swear word in English. I will release Part 2 of this story at the beginning of January. Here we go... At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of interm…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 174 Somebody for Jenny (B1 story)
16:16
16:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:16
Send me a text. Jenny is looking for a relationship. Will she ever find somebody suitable? Today's B1 story comes with a test. The story contains around 60 B1 words, which are useful for B1-level English study, and some of them are not easy to learn as they are not very intuitive (false friends). I include below a list of thes B1 words in the order…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. The second part of Tsunami (See Podcast 172 for Part 1). Story for B1 and B2 learners of English. The words and expressions I describe today are: frightening strike fear into human hearts the heart beats faster mysterious giant horse screaming with/in fear, happiness be in shock a totally hopeless situation The three questions for t…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. B1-level story with questions and a grammar point. For the audioscript, please go to my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-172.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 la…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. I discuss some important language for part 1 of the reading paper of the Cambridge Preliminary B1-level exam and include those words in a story called The Picnic. The formal phrases for you to change to a more informal version are the following: 1) ‘I’ll make the arrangements,’ Marvin had then said. 2) I’m sure I have a few eggs ava…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. Advice for story-writing at B1 and B2 levels for Cambridge exams, and my short story Bigfoot for you to enjoy. You can follow the story this week on the transcript I include here and on at my website. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-170.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level Englis…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 169 Three Hours between Flights Part 2 (B1 short story)
18:07
18:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:07
Send me a text. The second part of my adaptation to B1-level English of the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald "Three Hours between Flights". You can find the transcript of the story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-169.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 168 Three Hours between Flights Part 1 (B1 short story)
17:46
17:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:46
Send me a text. A B1-level version of a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I talk about aeroplane and airport language before starting this romantic story of two people, who haven't seen each other since they were at school, meet again when adults. You can find the transcript of the story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-168.htm At ht…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 167 "Dad" part 2 (B1 short story)
21:46
21:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:46
Send me a text. This is the second part of the story "Dad" by M.A. Bilbrough. A story written for B1-level students of English. 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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 166 "Dad" part 1 (B1 short story)
19:34
19:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:34
Send me a text. 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 exercises and ot…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. I'm still on holiday so I'm away from my recording studio and just making a quick podcast using my mobile phone while people watching. This week, I'm going to talk about the verb 'to turn' and use it in the context of the people I can see in a shopping centre by the sea. Here are examples of the uses of this verb: Turned on the radi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 164 People Watching (B2 level English)
19:23
19:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:23
Send me a text. An atypical podcast! I'm just sitting outside a cafeteria in Seville watching the world go by. I comment on them and talk a little about Spain, its customs, and what people do in summer here. I apologize for all the background noise and this recording was just spoken directly into the mobile phone. At https://www.practisingenglish.c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 163 Actually (meaning and uses) B1, B2 English
22:21
22:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:21
Send me a text. The word 'actually' is not an easy word to use in English for learners. In this podcast, I explain its meanings and uses and give lots of examples from my podcast stories. There's a full transcript with this episode, which you can read at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-163.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 162. Who's afraid of present perfect? (B1 English)
22:30
22:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:30
Send me a text. In today's podcast, I'm going to show you how to use present perfect, and that if you avoid present perfect, you may lose points in your Cambridge exam, especially at B1 level and above. I'm going to play some extracts from my stories here on Practising English as examples of present perfect use. I include the transcript so you can …
…
continue reading
Send me a text. In this final part of the story (see part 1 at Podcast 160), Simon prepares for his part in the play, and life seems to be getting better for him - but will everything happen the way Simon imagined? Lots of B1 adjectives to listen for about personality: alike, uninterested, embarrassed, ashamed, uncomfortable, charmimg, shy, stresse…
…
continue reading
Send me a text. Part 1 of this B1-level short story with vocabulary about the theatre. In this first part, Simon Willoughby is a very shy man but is attracted towards Phillipa, but Phillipa is also a member of the local amateur dramatics group... At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 159 The Fool on the Hill (B1 short story)
26:32
26:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:32
Send me a text. Short story called The Fool on the Hill for B1 learners of English. Useful personality adjectives and other vocabulary at B1 level. 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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 158 Who was Sidney Peabody? (B1 short story - part 2)
26:17
26:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:17
Send me a text. The second and final part of the short story "Who was Sidney Peabody?". Listen for the adverbs I use in this story. The language is for B1-level students studying for Cambridge PET exam or similar. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-158.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 157 Who was Sidney Peabody? (B1 short story - part 1)
30:44
30:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:44
Send me a text. Part 1 of this story about someone who performed a miracle - or did he? B1 English study. Words for calculating: plus, minus, divide by, multiply by. Part 2 of this story on Sunday May 7th. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-157.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar …
…
continue reading
Send me a text. Vocabulary about climate change for B1-level students. The Great Dying refers to a time millions of years ago when the Earth warmed so much that most animal and plant life could no longer exist. I include a short story about the next Great Dying. Let's work together so this will never happen. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcas…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Podcast 155 Marie Claire (B1 short story)
28:52
28:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:52
Send me a text. Use of adjectives and adverbs in your B1 stories. A short story about a an English boy and a French girl and what happened when they met. 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 nove…
…
continue reading