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 groundroar - sound like a lion makesthunder - sound like large animals running pastscream - high pitched sound that sounds angry or scaredhop - to jump (in humans - on one leg)poke your head out - look out briefly from somewheretwitching - quick movements like a rabbits nose or earscrouch - when somebody or an animal moves their body down, or down flat to the groundbeast - an animalwhine - high pitched sound like a car engine when going fast, a dog 'crying'.slip back in - move quickly into a placehum - sound similar to that the bees makeB2 words:beyond - further away thangeneration - referring to people or animals, the sons, then sons of sons etc.mutter - talk quietlyunfamiliar - something you have not seen beforetremble - shake, often with fearwhistle - sound made with lips, often with a tuneuneasy - a little frightenedgiggle - a laugh like a little girl'sglance - look quicklyto fade - sound getting quieterTo read the Transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-248.htmAt 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/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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19:29
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19:29
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+ingI'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 paradiseI'll be seeing you soon, then. Yes. Holidays finish next week.Not about making decisions but sth decided anywayShall I take you into town?Don't botherNo bother. I'll be going to the shops anyway.Polite - not to influence people's decision about plansWill you be staying the weekend?Yes, if that's OK with you.Of course, we'd be delighted to have you stay with us.Compare;Are you going to stay the weekend?(Come on! Tell me! I want to know now!)Note often with non-ing verbs like want.Will you be wanting breakfast tomorrow?Yes, please!Say what people are doing now.Don't call now. They'll be having lunch at this time.Well, the managers will be deciding who leaves and who doesn't.I'm just hoping I won't lose my job.For transcript of story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-247.htmFor more help on Future Continuous, also listen to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-25.htmAt 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/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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20:06
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20:06
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 some you might often meet while reading or listening to native English speakers.There is, there are, there was, there were, there has been, there had been, there will be, there won’t be, there can be, there can’t be, there may be, there could be, there might be, there must be, there would be, there should be…Read the transcript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-246.htmAt 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/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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13:51
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13:51
245. B1 Linking Words with a story
B1 Linking WordsLinking words join two sentences together. Here are the ones I mention during the podcast:A Rainy AdventureTom wanted to go hiking. The sky looked grey but he didn’t mind – no problemWith 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 looked bad.With linker: Anna wasn’t sure whether they should go or not because of the weather.It was raining. So what? They decided to try. They wore boots and jackets. They didn’t wear their normal clothes.With linker: Despite the rain, they decided to try. They wore boots and jackets instead of their usual clothes.The rain was heavy. The trail was wet and muddy. If they walked slowly it would be safe. If they walked fast they might risk falling.. They chose to go slow.With linker: Due to the heavy rain, the trail was wet and muddy. They could either walk slowly and be safe, or go fast and risk falling. They chose to go slow.They reached the top. The rain stopped. The view was beautiful! They took photos and ate lunch.With linker: Once they reached the top, the rain stopped. The view was beautiful! They took photos and ate lunch.They were tired. They sat down and rested. They hoped the weather didn’t get worse. They wanted to stay longer.With linker: Since they were tired, they sat down to rest. Unless the weather got worse, they planned to stay longer.In the end, they were happy they went, the rain at the start wasn’t a problem. It was a fun day full of adventure.With linker: In the end, they were happy they went, despite the rain at the start. It was a fun day full of adventure.See the full transcript of the second story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-245.htmAt 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/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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17:27
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17:27
244. The Breath of the Mosquito (complete version) B1 Story
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 time in the present. Things would not be the same when he or she returned. It would take just a moment, the tiniest movement in the past would have the effect like a stone thrown into a pond. The circles of effect would move out, growing and growing for ever and changing the world as they go.''But, Emil,' interrupted his friend. 'I was only there for a minute or so.''Mathew, a minute is a long, long time. Listen to me, even the breath of a mosquito 33 million years ago would change the world and events in history as we know them today. Just one breath of a mosquito. Imagine how incredibly small that would be.'Has time changed in the present? If so, in what ways?Enjoy the story!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/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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 pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today!
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