Podcasts

You are what you listen to ...
How to make the perfect cup of coffee

How to make the perfect cup of coffee

In this podcast, we take a look at our phones and discuss the apps we use and why. Could you live without your apps? Are they really that useful? Do you use the same ones as us? Can you describe why you use them and like them? Listen to us as we use everyday vocabulary which you’ll find pretty useful.

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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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Which phone apps do you use?

Which phone apps do you use?

In this podcast, we take a look at our phones and discuss the apps we use and why. Could you live without your apps? Are they really that useful? Do you use the same ones as us? Can you describe why you use them and like them? Listen to us as we use everyday vocabulary which you’ll find pretty useful.

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The story of Northern Soul

The story of Northern Soul

October 25, 2023 Episode 202: The story of Norther Soul In a series, Beat by beat, on the history of music genres, this episode is dedicated to the cultural sensation that is Northern Soul. From the popular dance halls of the north of England in The Wigan Casino and...

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What we did this summer and our exciting plans for your learning experience.

What we did this summer and our exciting plans for your learning experience.

We’re back from our summer trips and rearing to go ! This means that we have lots of new ideas and plans to help improve your English and motivate your learning.
In this podcast we tell you about where we went in the summer and outline our new, exciting plans for the coming months. Join us on this exhilarating journey and allow us to empower you to soar to unprecedented heights in your language learning endeavors!

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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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Is Sydney really the “best city in the world”?

Is Sydney really the “best city in the world”?

Recently a marketing company carried out a survey to find out which city people perceived as being the best in the world….. and Sydney came out on top !
While on holiday there Sue caught up with Laura, who’s been living there for the past three and a half years, to see if the city really does live up to the hype.

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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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Oscar films of 2023

Oscar films of 2023

The Oscars are a lot of Razzle Dazzle, but what about the actual films? Do they live up to all the hype? Were you disappointed by the films or do you think they are really the cream of the crop? Have you seen any of the films up for best picture? If not, click on the...

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a.i, does it enhance or replace your learning  experience ?

a.i, does it enhance or replace your learning experience ?

As an English learner do you think it’s a great tool or just cheating and laziness ? Do you use Google translate to help you with your written English ? Do you enhance your text by putting it through an a.i software?
Listen as we discuss the pros and cons of a.i and see how we think it’ll affect the learning and teaching experience.

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Welcome to Toulouse, our home town. Episode 1

Welcome to Toulouse, our home town. Episode 1

Visit Toulouse, this is a guide book in a quiz. This quiz is full of interesting and off-the-wall facts about the Pink City. You won’t know the answer to some of the questions but don’t worry take it as an opportunity to learn more  about Toulouse if you plan to spend a few days here.

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Food Hell

Food Hell

Food Hell, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever eaten? Why don’t you like it ? Is it the taste, the texture, the smell or just the idea of it? Listen to our choices, do you think they are cultural or universal choices? This podcast is a great way to build vocabulary to express likes and dislikes about food.

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Understanding digital body language

Understanding digital body language

Have you heard of “non-verbal communication”? This is what we refer to in every language as body language, eye contact, nodding, moving your body to say you agree or disagree with the speaker. Have you found that digital meetings have changed the dynamics of the “traditional” face to face meetings and lessons? Take a listen to this podcast in which Chris and Sue discuss their experiences and give tips on how to adapt our body language to suit the new way of communicating. 

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What to do in Santorini in a week

What to do in Santorini in a week

Sue asks Chris about a recent holiday he spent on the Greek island of Santorini. Listen to some recommendations about what to do, where to go, what to eat and where to stay on the island. Chris talks about some of the places that everybody knows on Santorini,...

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Buying and Selling on-line

Buying and Selling on-line

Have you ever sold anything online? In recent years it has become part of our everyday life. The internet is full of sites specializing in selling second-hand items from houses, to cars, to handbags, to children’s toys.
Listen as Sue asks Chris about his experience, about the benefits and the pitfalls.

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Euros 2020: Football and Racism

Euros 2020: Football and Racism

Dave, a West Ham supporter, gives his opinion about England’s performance in the Euros 2020 and the harsh criticism that the players received, and also Victoria who runs an equality blog, Feminists of Reading.

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10 Reasons your Photos are Bad.

10 Reasons your Photos are Bad.

Do you know the expression "a photo is worth a thousand words ? Well, with amateur photography this is not always the case..... Are you sometimes disappointed with your photos ? When we visit great places we want to capture the moment on our phone cameras or with a...

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PHRASAL VERBS: Take

PHRASAL VERBS: Take

Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English, we use them hundreds of times a day but they are not always easy for learners to understand because the addition of the particle changes the meaning of the original verb completely.

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Covid lockdown and stress; how are you coping?

Covid lockdown and stress; how are you coping?

There is no doubt that the successive lockdowns of 2020-21 have dramatically changed our daily lives on so many levels, and figures show that more people have experienced anxiety due to the social, financial and work restrictions that have been placed on us.

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Hey, seen any boring films lately?

Hey, seen any boring films lately?

In Sue and Craig's opinion the Oscars 2021 are a bit of a wet weekend; rather dull, depressing and boring ! Chris is not really up to date with the current batch of films but listen out for what he says about them.  Your language challenge is hearing 3 native speakers...

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Animal Pet Day 11th April

Animal Pet Day 11th April

National Pet Day is April 11, although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion! So hug your hedgehog, bond with your bunny, and cut your kitty some catnip!

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Christmas traditions, where did they come from?

Christmas traditions, where did they come from?

Twas the night before Christmas.... Everyone's getting in the mood for Christmas crackers, Christmas trees and a host of other traditions. But do you know the origins of these traditions? Listen as 2 Christmas "know-alls"  🙂 talk about the history of our current...

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A visit to Brick lane, London

A visit to Brick lane, London

A visit to Brick lane, London Brick Lane is a street in East London, England, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It runs from Swanfield Street in the northern part of Bethnal Green, crosses Bethnal Green Road, passes through Spitalfields and is linked...

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Why podcasts are better than YouTube

Why podcasts are better than YouTube

To celebrate International Podcast Day there is only one thing to do... make a podcast about podcasts !  Listen as we talk about the history of podcasts, the countries where podcasts are the most popular and where people generally listen to podcasts (making them more...

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Rebecca – Living abroad

Rebecca – Living abroad

Have you ever lived in a foreign country?

Have you ever had experiences of living or working in a different culture?

Listen to the Rebecca, an Australian, talking about her experiences of living in several countries and the cultural and linguistic hurdles she had to over come.

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The Boston Shakers from Liverpool

The Boston Shakers from Liverpool

An Podcast interview with two members of the rock band The Boston Shakers, who are in France for their annual holiday, where they talk about living in a foreign country and their life and music in Liverpool, England.

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