Language Learning

Tips for Writing E-mails

Tips for Writing E-mails

In this podcast we give some tips on how to start and round off your emails. Many people are unsure about the correct (and polite) form of saying “hello” and “goodbye” in their emails. This form of communication has become a cultural minefield as we wonder if we are too informal or overly polite. We also give effective tips on how to manage emails and to reduce the number of emails you receive on a daily basis.

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Planning a Holiday Getaway

Planning a Holiday Getaway

In this podcast, Chris helps Sue book a holiday aboard in real time, you’ll hear clicks, and some mis-clicks, as they decide where to go. Sue has a budget, but not much of an idea, whereas Chris loves to surf the web to find lots of options. As a language learner, you can practice understanding flight times, dates, times, costs and destinations.

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A Few Days in New York

A Few Days in New York

In this podcast, we are on holiday in New York! Listen as Sue chats to Laura about their holiday in The Big Apple. Not only will you hear about some of the top places to visit but also you’ll hear great grammar; the Present Perfect, the Present Continuous used to describe future plans as well as current situations…. in short everything you need to talk about your trips wherever you go.

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Very Superstitious! Just how superstitious are you?

Very Superstitious! Just how superstitious are you?

In this podcast, we dive into superstitions. Do you believe in them or not? Why do we believe in something we rationally know not to be true? Are superstitions dangerous, or just a harmless cultural traditional? In this podcast you can hear Chris put the case for superstitions and Sue who debunks the whole idea of superstition, and you’ll learn lots of vocabulary along the way.

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UK Election night Lingo Bingo

UK Election night Lingo Bingo

On the 4th July 2024 the UK will hold a general election. It’s always an exciting night and we will certainly be watching all night. But whatever your political  views it’s always interesting to watch and you’ll probably hear the usual bunch of expressions that typically come out of the mouths of TV journalists and politicians. So, first listen to the podcast to understand what these expression mean, and then on election night have fun with this Lingo Bingo card and tick off the expressions when you hear them.

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Ozzie slang

Ozzie slang

As part of the Australian series, this podcast takes you into the world of real Ozzie slang…. in other words, Australian informal language.
Do you know what an ambo is ? Or what about “sunnies”…. you shouldn’t leave home in Australia without them !
Listen as Laura tests Sue on her knowledge (or rather lack of knowledge !) about Ozzie slang.

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5 minute Grammar: Present Perfect Simple

5 minute Grammar: Present Perfect Simple

Take 5 minutes to brush up your English grammar. This verbal explanation and quiz will help you to understand the Present Perfect Simple tense better. Most learners find the concept of the Present Perfect difficult to grasp. It is a particularly of the English language which takes a bit of time to get used to. So start now…

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The New York Skyline Quiz

The New York Skyline Quiz

The New York Skyline Quiz We have all seen the New York skyline in movies or even in real life. But do you know anything about the buildings, bridges and iconic constructions in that skyline? New York City is famous for many things, but primarily it is known as the...

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Numbers in Sport

Numbers in Sport

Numbers in Sport. Numbers can be a difficult part of learning a new language. New learners often confuse "hundreds" and "thousands", "fifteen" and "fifty", "half past six" with "six and a half hours" etc etc etc. The only way to improve your number skills is with...

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How well do you know English accents?

How well do you know English accents?

How well do you know English accents? Do you know some of these 25 English accents? Test How well do you know English accents? Can you which accent comes from which country or region - this is a challenge in 25 accents - How well do you know English accents?...

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Explaining a process

Explaining a process

  When giving a series of instructions to make or produce something there are some common, useful and simple language features, used for clarity and simplicity. In this podcast we use the example of explaining a process for how to make something following a set...

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Mystery Shopping trip

Mystery Shopping trip

  Mystery shopping trip In this podcast Sue and Chris go to a shopping mall to pick up some items. In this podcast they describe some of the items that they buy. Can you work out what they bought? If you need a little extra help, check out the Animated Podcast...

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Know your nouns, verbs and adjectives

Know your nouns, verbs and adjectives

Knowing your nouns, verbs and adjectives is a key part to learning a new language and especially when taking a timed exam. Practice your skills with this quick quiz.  Whenever you learn a new word check out if it has an association noun, verb or adjective. For...

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Know your adjectives (i)

Know your adjectives (i)

What do you know about adjectives ? Firstly, in English the adjective is often placed before the noun (It is a serious problem, I have brown eyes etc), but it is placed after the verb to be (The food is terrible here). Secondly, there are many different endings; -...

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New words added to the dictionary in 2016

New words added to the dictionary in 2016

New words added to the dictionary in 2016 New words added to the dictionary in 2016 - The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is updated four times a year, every March, June, September, and December. The material added to the dictionary includes revised versions of...

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Changing Education Paradigms

Changing Education Paradigms

Changing Education Paradigms In this talk from RSA Animate, Sir Ken Robinson lays out the link between 3 troubling trends: rising drop-out rates, schools' dwindling stake in the arts, and ADHD. Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our...

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Aviation Vocabulary Crossword

Aviation Vocabulary Crossword

Aviation Vocabulary Crossword Try this quick and simple crossword to test you aviation vocabulary in English. Click on the image link below - then click on the numbered boxes to show the clues and fill in the answers. English is the universal language of communication...

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Winter words

Winter words

Winter words Ok, we are not quite into winter yet, it's still autumn until 21 December. There is a winter word hidden in the following sentences - can you find them? For example: It's now I need to go, not tomorrow. Answer, The word Snow. Now you try. We went to the...

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Eddie Izzard – Learning French

Eddie Izzard – Learning French

Eddie Izzard - Learning French Eddie Izzard in his own inimitable way recounts how he used French in France - a couple of naughty words have crept in, but that's Eddie for you. Eddie says: I describe my language ability in percentages of fluency. I'm about 65% fluent...

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Some accents are very strong

Some accents are very strong

Some accents are very strong Funny Clip From Burnsitown,  The lift Clip - The 2 Guys Cant Get The Voice Recognition device In The lift To Work... Some accents are very strong! [video width="1280" height="720"...

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Functions in a language

Functions in a language

Functions in a language Most of us will agree that a language is used to perform a variety of different things - these things are called functions. It is used to make statements, ask questions, express emotions, direct people, etc. It is clear that language is used to...

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Communication is hearing what isn’t heard

Communication is hearing what isn’t heard

Peter Drucker once said that, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”

Furthermore, one of the pre-suppositions of NLP states that ‘you cannot, not communicate – everything you say and most of what you do will communicate something, so the idea of radio silence, can have the effect of turning the sound right up.

People often, mistakingly, imagine, that by doing nothing, they can avoid personal responsibility in communication, but, I am sorry to say, this just isn’t true, non-action is not an option, as it will be interpreted in some way by the listener(s).

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Learning a Language – Frederique

Learning a Language – Frederique

Frédérique talks about learning English and especially the stresses of speaking English in a professional context. She recognises that being a perfectionist can actually hamper language learning and subsequent language production. She also talks about her achievements...

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5 ways to listen better

5 ways to listen better

5 ways to listen better In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, "We are losing our listening." In this short, fascinating talk, Julian Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening -- to other people and the world...

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New Words of 2017

New Words of 2017

The English language is constantly changing, growing and expanding with over 1,000 new words added to dictionaries this year. The English language is alive and well !  All on-line dictionaries monitor the number of times words are looked up and they also respond to...

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The origins of Boxing Day

The origins of Boxing Day

The origins of Boxing Day Boxing Day is widely celebrated in countries that are part of the British Commonwealth. It's origins are obscure, but they date back centuries. In the UK it is a day where families get together and also a huge day for sporting activities such...

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My Learning Crush Adventures

My Learning Crush Adventures

If you want to effectively learn English, then you need to get really motivated and what better way to get motivated than to go on an adventure? Another way to get motivated to use the language is to travel... We have put these elements together in an innovative way...

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Why Do American Accents Sound That Way?

Why Do American Accents Sound That Way?

Why Do American Accents Sound That Way? Why Do American Accents Sound That Way? Have you ever wondered why accents sound as they do? Some think that there is such a thing as an American accents, however there are very divers accents all across North American that...

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English Podcasts

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