Podcasts · Education

Practising English

M. A. Bilbrough

300 episodes

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!

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. B1 grammar practice - present perfect continuous -still, yet, already

    · 12 min

    Practise of Present Perfect Continuous, still, yet, already and for and since. You will hear two short sentences describing an action that started in the past and is still happening now. Last week, we practised the…

  2. B2 grammar practice - passive causative

    · 14 min

    Today's grammar practice for learners of B2 English is about the passive causative e.g. "I had my house painted", and "I got my hair cut". We'll also look at the passive structure, "It is said that..." Here is a help…

  3. 332. The New Accelerator (B2 story)

    · 31 min · S6 E332 · Explicit

    This is a B2 story with B2 vocabulary. Here is what we'll study: You can read the full transcript of the story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-332.htm 1) Have something sorted 2) Try…

  4. B1 grammar practice - present perfect, since, for, ever

    · 13 min

    This is the first of my weekly B1 grammar practice podcasts. Today, you can practise present perfect simple and the use of "for" and "since" and the structure "the most beautiful cathedral they've ever visited". See…

  5. B2 grammar practice - active to passive voice

    · 11 min

    This is the first in my series of weekly B2 grammar practice sessions. Ten minutes of listening and repeating B2-level grammar structures so that you perfect your B2 grammar in spoken British English. Today it's about…

  6. 331. Treasure Island (chapter 19) B1 story

    · 23 min · S6 E331

    Today, for my B1 recording of chapter 19 of Treasure Island, there are three comprehension questions. Read these before you start listening: 1. Why did Doctor Livesey give Long John Silver the map? 2. What had…

  7. 330. The Great Gatsby (B2-level extract)

    · 31 min · S6 E330

    These are the B2 words and phrases I'll be explaining today: You can see the transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-330.htm 1) From time to time Definition: Sometimes, but not regularly or very…

  8. 329. Treasure Island (chapter 18) B1 story

    · 23 min · S6 E329

    These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today: You can find the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-329.htm 1. Refuse Definition: To say that you will not do or accept something. Examples:…

  9. 328. Jeeves and the hard-boiled egg (B2 level story)

    · 30 min · S6 E328

    Here are the B2 phrases we'll be talking about today: See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-328.htm 1. stand up for Definition: To defend or support someone or an idea when other people are…

  10. 327. Treasure Island (chapter 17) B1 story

    · 26 min · S6 E327

    Here are the phrases we will study in this B1 story: To see the full transcript with the B1 words: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-327.htm hand something over definition: To give something to someone,…

  11. 326. Dracula (extract 2) B2 story

    · 31 min · S6 E326

    The B2 phrases we'll be studying are: Transcript available at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-326.htm 1. Bizarre situation Definition: A very strange or unusual situation that is difficult to understand…

  12. 325. Treasure Island (chapter 16) B1 Story

    · 27 min · S6 E325

    I'm back from my holiday. It's a new season! My sixth year with Practising English Podcasts. There'll be new things this season, which I'll let you know about soon. Firstly, here is the continuation of Treasure Island…

  13. 324. Drawing Conclusions (B2 story) summer repeat

    · 26 min · S5 E324

    Drawing Conclusions is a mystery story about a woman who witnesses some strange things happening at the house next door. The B2 phrases analysed before the story can be found at the show notes of your podcast app and…

  14. 323. Coming Home (complete version) B1 - B2 Story

    · 22 min

    This story is the complete version of the B1, B2-level, Coming Home, first published here in 2024. Now you can enjoy the full story with vocabulary exercises below and at my website:…

  15. 322. The Harmonica Players (full version) B2 story

    · 34 min · S5 E322

    This is the complete version of the B2-level story, The Harmonica Players. I include here for you a B2 vocabulary list of words and expressions to listen for in the story: Practising English podcast 322... B2 Words…

  16. 321. The Visitors (full version) B2 story

    · 29 min · S5 E321

    Comprension questions and vocabulary tasks At my website, you can also find B1 and B2 vocabulary tasks to do for this story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-321.htm Comprehension questions 1) Who said he…

  17. 320. Bully! (B1 short story)

    · 25 min · S5 E320

    Hello, and welcome to Practising English! Mike Bilbrough is on his summer holiday, so we'd like to offer a B1 story recorded way back in 2022. It's called Bully, and it's taken from Mike Bilbrough's book for preparing…

  18. 319. The Hole (complete story) B2 level

    · 16 min · S5 E319

    Mike Bilbrough is taking his summer holiday at the moment. Meanwhile, we'd like to offer you a story recorded last year in two parts as one complete story for you to listen to, learn from and enjoy. You can follow the…

  19. 318. Treasure Island (chapter 15) B1 story

    · 31 min · S5 E318

    These are the B1 phrases we'll study today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-318.htm 1. Attempt Definition: To try to do something, especially something difficult. (Can be used as a verb or a noun). Example…

  20. 317. Dracula (extract 1) B2 story

    · 34 min · S5 E317

    The B2 phrases we'll be studying are: Full story transcipt: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-317.htm on behalf of Definition: Instead of someone else, or representing another person or group. Example 1: I am…

  21. 316. Treasure Island (chapter 14) B1 story

    · 31 min · S5 E316

    Here are the words and expressions we''l study today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-316.htm 1) to handle Definition: To deal with a situation, a person, or a problem successfully. Examples: Don't worry…

  22. 315. The Importance of Being Earnest 2 (B2 level)

    · 31 min · S5 E315

    Here are the B2 phrases we'll be studying today: 1) far too many/much/few etc. There are far too many games in this new 48-team tournament, and our players look absolutely exhausted. The manager chose far too few…

  23. 314. Treasure Island (chapter 13) B1 story

    · 25 min · S5 E314

    These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today! See full story audioscript here with B1 words highlighted: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-314.htm 1. Take care of. Definition: To look after someone or…

  24. 313. The Importance of Being Earnest (B2 story)

    · 33 min · S5 E313

    These are the B2 phrases I'll be studying today: (See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-313.htm as far as sth is concerned Definition: When talking about a particular subject or issue.…

  25. 312. Treasure Island (chapter 12) B1 Story

    · 29 min · S5 E312

    These are the B1 phrases we're going to study today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-312.htm 1. after a while Definition: after some time has passed Example: We talked for a while , and after a while we…

  26. 311. The Adventure of the Western Star (part 2) B2 story

    · 26 min · S5 E311

    These are the B2 phrasal verbs we're studying today: For full stiry transcript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-311.htm 1. Turn up (Meaning: To arrive or appear) "We wrapped up the meeting early because the…

  27. 310. Treasure Island (chapter 11) B1 story

    · 24 min · S5 E310

    These are the B1 expressions we'll study today: For full story audio script: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-310.htm 1) just in case Definition: to be prepared if something happens. Take an umbrella just in…

  28. 309. Adventure of the Western Star (B2 story) Part 1

    · 27 min · S5 E309

    These are the B2 phrases we'll be studying today: For audioscript see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-309.htm peculiar Definition: strange or unusual in a way that is interesting or surprising. Examples:…

  29. 308. Treasure Island - chapter 10 (B1 story)

    · 28 min · S5 E308

    These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today: See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-308.htm 1) on one's own Definition: alone, without help from others Example: · She lives on her own in…

  30. 307. Cowboy (B2 story) Part 2

    · 29 min · S5 E307

    These are the B2 expressions we're going to study today. For full transcript of the story, you can go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-307.htm 1) take the blame Definition: to accept that you are…

  31. 306. Treasure Island - chapter 9 (B1 story)

    · 28 min · S5 E306

    These are the B1 phrases we are going to study today. To read the full transcript of the story, please go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-306.htm Non-B1 words from this chapter of Treasure Island:…

  32. 305. Cowboy (B2 story) Part 1

    · 28 min · S5 E305

    Here is the B2 vocabulary I'll be studying today. The link takes you to see the audioscript. https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-305.htm 1) Reckon Definition: To think or believe that something is true or will…

  33. 304. Treasure Island - chapter 8 (B1 story)

    · 27 min · S5 E304

    These are the B1 words and expressions we'll be looking at today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-304.htm 1) Binomial pairs Neat and tidy (meaning: clean, organized) Example: She keeps her bedroom…

  34. 303. The Count of Monte Cristo (extract) B2 Story

    · 26 min · S5 E303

    These are the B2 phrases we are going to study in today's podcast: thinking twice • Definition: Considering a decision carefully or hesitating before doing something. • Example: I saw the cat in the tree and, without…

  35. 302. Treasure Island - chapter 7 (B1 story)

    · 27 min · S5 E302

    Read the audioscript: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-302.htm These are the words studied today: 1) take a good look at Definition: to look at something carefully 2) for sure Definition: definitely;…

  36. 301. Anne of Green Gables (B2 story)

    · 28 min · S5 E301

    These are the B2 words and phrases we will be studying today: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-301.htm 1) scared stiff Meaning: extremely frightened; so scared you cannot move Example: I was scared stiff…

  37. 300. Treasure Island - chapter 6 (B1 story)

    · 26 min · S5 E300

    These are the words we'll be studying in this B1 podcast today. To see the full audioscript of the story, you can go to my website at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-300.htm · Set off – We set off early in…

  38. 299. The man who could work miracles - part 2 (B2 story)

    · 26 min · S5 E299

    These are the B2 words we'll study today. You can also find the story transcript with B2 words highligted at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-299.htm · in amusement She laughed in amusement when she saw the…

  39. 298. Treasure Island - chapter 5 (B1 story)

    · 24 min · S5 E298

    Here is the B1 vocabulary for today's Treasure Island chapter: 1) close up 2) show somebody in 3) have one’s doubts 4) keen on / fond of 5) dislike 6) not be convinced 7) give somebody a hand The Hispaniola was…

  40. 297. The man who could work miracles - part 1 (B2 story)

    · 23 min · S5 E297

    The vocabulary and story transcript to today's B2 story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-297.htm 1. define It is sometimes difficult to define success, because it means different things to different people.…

  41. 296. Treasure Island - chapter 4 (B1 story)

    · 23 min · S5 E296

    These are the words I'll be studying today: Transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-296.htm treasure to sail crew sailor the docks ship telescope crutch pirate the squire All…

  42. 295. The Signalman - part 2 (B2 story)

    · 21 min · S5 E295

    You can read the transcript here at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-295.htm The B2 words I study today are these: · without hesitation She accepted the job offer without hesitation because it…

  43. 294. Treasure Island - chapter 3 (B1 story)

    · 17 min · S5 E294

    These are the questions for the story today. You can see the complete audioscript for the story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-294.htm 1) Why wouldn't the people from the village help Jim…

  44. 293. The Signalman - part 1 (B2 story)

    · 25 min · S5 E293

    These are the 7 B2 words I discuss during the podcast: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-293.htm 1) rolled 2) feared 3) shade 4) dragged 5) unwilling 6) endless 7) uneasy Contact Mike Bilbrough with a…

  45. 292. Treasure Island - chapter 2 (B1 Story)

    · 26 min · S5 E292

    For the full transcript of the story go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-292.htm These are the phrases I study from the B1 story today: get rid of – I want to get rid of these old clothes because I never…

  46. 291. The Black Cat - part 2 (B2 story)

    · 24 min · S5 E291

    The second and final part of my B2-level adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat: The B2 phrases studied are: The Black Cat (B2-Level- Part 2) · fall into hopeless despair After losing his job and the apartment…

  47. 290. Treasure Island - chapter 1 (B1 Story)

    · 25 min · S5 E290

    Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. My B1-level version. Chapter 1 Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and some other gentlemen asked me to write down the whole story of Treasure Island, from the beginning to the…

  48. 289. The Black Cat - part 1 (B2 story)

    · 25 min · S5 E289

    First part of my B2 version of The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe: For the most strange, yet also ordinary, story that I am about to write, I do not expect belief, nor do I ask for it. To tell the truth, I would be…

  49. 288. The Lost Ring (B2 story)

    · 17 min · S5 E288

    You can find the audioscript to the B2 story today just here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-288.htm The Lost Ring Mary Grams, a woman from Alberta, Canada, lost her diamond engagement ring in 2004 while…

  50. 287. That's Life! (B1 dialogue)

    · 20 min · S5 E287

    This is the audioscript for today's B1-level dialogue: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-287.htm That's Life! Mary: 'Morning, Anna. You don't look very well today. Are you sick? Anna: 'Morning, Mary. Oh,…

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