Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson

My brother James joins me again on the podcast for a rambling chat about diverse topics such as: trousers 👖 sandwiches 🥪 gangster films 🍿 the work of Edgar Allan Poe 📖 vinyl and cassettes 🎵 memories of living together 🎮 annoying behaviour 😤 and English words and grammar that irritate people 😠 plus James has a new vinyl EP out now on Ooz records. Transcript available 📄.🎧 Get OOZ004 - James' new vinyl EP 👉 https://oozrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ooz004📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thompson-Originals-A-Chat-with-My-Brother-956-TRANSCRIPT.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/10/06/thompson-originals-a-chat-with-my-brother-956/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium for extra episodes about vocab, grammar, pronunciation 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 949 I did an online test which claimed to be for C1 level, but let's be honest - it was more like an intermediate level, the questions were rubbish and it was ultimately a useless scam. This time I'm taking a proper C1 English test - the Use of English section from a Cambridge CAE exam. Let's see what is required to pass this, and what bits of English you can learn from it.📄 Get the PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Lets-take-a-REAL-C1-English-Test-CAE-Use-of-English-955.pdf🔗 Website page for this episode 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/09/29/lets-take-a-real-c1-english-test-cae-use-of-english-955/🏆 LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium🎧 Listen to my podcast in an app on your phone 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/linksWhat is the pass mark for this CAE test?I forgot to add that the pass mark is 60% for this test, which means you must get a minimum of about 22/36 in the Use of English section (that's 14 lost points). Could you do it? Bear in mind that this is only a part of the whole test, and you'd need to get at least 60% across all 4 sections (also including listening, writing and speaking). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pod-Pals are back on the podcast for another catching up session! Recorded just after the summer holidays, there is talk of Paul's hatred of the beach 🏖️, the English tradition of building epic sandcastles 🏰, other famous people with our names (including an "evil" teacherluke 👿) and what AI gets completely wrong about us 🤦. PDF transcript available. (a.k.a Catching Up with Amber & Paul #15)📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Transcript-Holiday-Hell-Serious-Sandcastles-AI-Inbreeding-with-Amber-Paul-954-2.pdf🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/09/22/holiday-hell-serious-sandcastles-ai-inbreeding-with-amber-paul-954/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My 7-year-old daughter joins me again as co-host in this fun episode. We play "Would you rather?", a conversation game in which we ask each other ridiculous questions about various hypothetical situations. Enjoy listening to another cute and funny chat with my daughter, which covers topics such as food, world peace, wealth, fame, success and Inspector Gadget.📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-game-of-Would-You-Rather_-with-my-daughter-953-TRANSCRIPT-1.pdf🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/09/15/a-game-of-would-you-rather-with-my-daughter-953/🏆 LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A description of my recent family holiday to Norway 🇳🇴 including rambling about how I can't stand beach holidays 🏖️, chasing my son around different international airports 🏃, visiting Oslo ⛴️, Bergen 🏠, fjords 🚤 and mountains 🏔️. Edward Munch's The Scream 😱, staying in a cabin with no hot water, shower or washing machine, swimming in a freezing lake 🥶, catching a trout 🎣 and driving an electric Jaguar 🐆(that's a car). Includes a PDF with vocabulary in context, definitions, full transcript, and vocabulary quiz.📄 Get the PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Trip-to-Norway-_-Learn-Vocabulary-in-Context-952.pdf🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/09/08/the-trip-to-norway-learn-vocabulary-in-context-952/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dealing with some questions from listeners about pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, namely how to know when 'd is had or would (in writing and pronunciation), the curious origins of the word podcast and a vocabulary lesson about the word cast including various collocations and phrases which include this morpheme (that means a part of a word, not some kind of shape-shifting alien). More groundbreaking and genre-defying content to grace your earphones, and not boring grammar stuff at all, not even a little bit, no, no way, not here. Get the PDF here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Questions-of-English-Listener-Comments-Bits-Bobs-4.pdfWebsite page https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/09/01/questions-of-english-listener-comments-bits-bobs-4-951/Subscribe to LEP Premium for more of this kind of thing https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter, my old flatmate from Japan, is back on the podcast after his previous appearance 11 years ago! We chat about travelling experiences, teaching English in Malaysia and Japan, dealing with jet lag and culture shock, doing stand-up comedy abroad, and some of the funny, strange, and even weird experiences we’ve had while travelling. A relaxed, wide-ranging conversation full of stories, laughs, and cultural insights.Get the full PDF transcript here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-Flatmate-from-Japan-Returns-Travelling-Tales-More-950-TRANSCRIPT-.pdfEpisode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/08/25/the-flatmate-from-japan-returns-travelling-tales-more-950/LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I take a typical multiple choice grammar test that you can find online, explain the answer to each question and give mini grammar lessons along the way. I also discuss what makes a good test of your English, and what good and bad level tests do. Learn more about grammar, and about how to check your language level.📄 Get the episode PDF https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lets-take-a-C1-English-Grammar-Test-and-critique-it.pdf🔗 Episode page https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/08/18/lets-take-a-c1-grammar-test-and-critique-it-949/🏆 LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this fun and practical episode I dive into realistic workplace English through improvised role-play conversations. Designed to help you boost your vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence in professional settings, this episode features six humorous and educational role-play scenarios in workplaces like a factory, office, supermarket, and a shop. Listen to me improvising with ChatGPT and see if it can keep up with some ridiculous ideas, and learn some useful practical English in the process.📄 Get the episode PDF https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Workplace-Role-Plays-_-Scenarios-for-Practical-English-948.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/08/11/workplace-role-plays-scenarios-for-practical-english-948/🏆 LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives, and the vocabulary of technology today. This episode focuses on issues such as information quality & fact checking, digital sustainability, AI and automation, security, surveillance and privacy, tech company ethics, & tech and well-being. All important topics which you should be able to talk about in English! PDF available. Part 2 of 2.📄 Get the episode PDF https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Technology-in-Everyday-Life-Part-2-The-Choices-We-Make-_-Topic-Discussion-Vocabulary-947.pdf🔗 Episode page https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/08/04/technology-in-everyday-life-part-2-the-choices-we-make-topic-discussion-vocabulary-947/🏆 LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives. I'll be discussing contemporary tech-related issues such as privacy vs. convenience, data sharing, digital, detox, online behaviour, digital legacy, tech addiction, tech for children. It includes loads of vocabulary and will give you the chance not only to listen to me talking, but also to practise your speaking on this subject too. PDF available. Part 1 of 2.📄 Get the episode PDF https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Technology-in-Everyday-Life-Part-1-The-Choices-We-Make-_-Topic-Discussion-Vocabulary-946.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/07/28/technology-in-everyday-life-part-1-the-choices-we-make-topic-discussion-vocabulary-946/🏆 LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it is fine to laugh at the mistakes that we make in English (I do it in French) and so in this episode let's look at some English errors that are unintentionally hilarious. I will correct the errors, explain what is funny, and there is a lot of vocabulary to learn in the process. PDF available with vocabulary list and memory questions.📄 Get the episode PDF with vocabulary list and memory questions https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Funny-English-Errors-Corrected-945.pdf🔗 Episode page https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/07/21/funny-english-errors-corrected-945/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I take you on a big rambling journey through all sorts of English-learning goodness (and nonsense). We start by pondering what makes a good podcast title — is it clever, clickbait, or just clear? I reveal a monumental tectonic shift in the way I am titling my episodes. Then it’s into the Grammar Zone, with an in-depth look at English narrative tenses. Then I reveal LukeGlish.com, a custom search tool that lets you explore my entire podcast content by words and phrases. And, there’s the Comedy Corner, where I break down some English jokes and wordplay, dissecting the frog.📄 Get the PDF transcript here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Listen-Learn-English-with-Luke-This-is-SOMETHING-944-TRANSCRIPT.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/07/14/listen-learn-english-with-luke-this-is-something-944/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium here https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium👉 Subscribe for more episodes about learning English, grammar, vocabulary and British culture.👉 Leave a comment with your favourite part of the episode or a question for me to answer next time.🎧 Listen, relax and improve your English naturally with Luke’s English Podcast.✨ Explore my podcast archive at https://teacherluke.co.uk/episodes🕵️‍♂️ Try out LukeGlish to search all my podcast content by words and phrases: https://LukeGlish.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time for another Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast, because: Why not? I have adapted the text into modern English this time. A champion racehorse 🐎 has gone missing, and its trainer violently murdered. Only Sherlock Holmes can find the solution 🕵️. Listen to the events, follow my summaries and simply enjoy another story on Luke's English Podcast. PDF available 📄.Episode page with PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/07/07/943-sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-silver-blaze-learn-english-with-a-short-story/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Improve your English and reduce stress with this unique ASMR-style episode ☁️ 🧘. Join me for a relaxing, meditative journey featuring calm background music, softly spoken English, vocabulary for peace and tranquillity, some grammar practice, and gentle humour. Designed to help you learn English naturally while calming your mind, this episode is ideal for listening in bed, during quiet study, or or on a peaceful walk. Includes ambient music by my brother Jim Thompson. ASMR English, learn English while relaxing, calming English podcast, mindfulness, ESL listening practice with humour. Episode transcript available. 📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/942.-The-ASMR-Zen-School-of-English-TRANSCRIPT.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/06/30/942-the-asmr-zen-school-of-english-learn-english-and-relax/🎧 "Ambient Anthology" by Jim Thompson 👉 https://jimthompson.bandcamp.com/album/ambient-anthology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn English with a short story on LEP. In this episode I am reading "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" by HG Wells (adapted into modern English). First you can listen to the story, then I summarise it again in my own words, discuss my interpretations of its meaning, explain how you can use stories like this to improve your English, and teach some vocabulary which came up.📄 Get the PDF with story text, notes and vocabulary list here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/941.-The-Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Learn-English-with-a-Short-Story-PDF.pdf🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium to get all vocabulary explanations for this story in premium series P69 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/06/23/941-the-man-who-could-work-miracles-learn-english-with-a-short-story/📖 Read the original (unadapted) story text here 👉 https://revistaliterariakatharsis.org/manmiracles.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is the second part of this double episode all about great things to see and do while in London 🇬🇧. Listen to my friends and family talking about the city 🏙️, learn some fascinating bits of history 🔥, get inside tips 🗺️ and learn some vocabulary in the process. 📄 Get the episode PDF with transcript, recommendation summaries & vocabulary list 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/940.-Our-favourite-things-to-do-in-London-Part-2-Transcript.pdf📺 Watch "Walk & Talk: London 🇬🇧" on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/Rd8Auzn-KfI🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/06/09/940-our-favourite-things-to-do-in-london-part-2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is part 1 of a double episode about London 🇬🇧 and great things you can see and do there 🎡. Listen to my friends and family describing their favourite things to do in the city 🍻, get some travel tips 🏙️, get a mini history lesson 🏛️, and learn some vocabulary in the process. 📄 Get the episode PDF with transcript, recommendation summaries & vocabulary list 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/939.-Our-favourite-things-to-do-in-London-Part-1-Transcript.pdf📺 Watch "Walk & Talk: London 🇬🇧" on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/Rd8Auzn-KfI🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/06/09/939-our-favourite-things-to-do-in-london-part-1/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A return to Luke's Film Club with a conversation about one of the funniest and most controversial films of all time, also voted one of the UK's favourite films. Antony and I discuss the film's writing, production, story, famous scenes, deeper meanings and acting by the various members of the Monty Python team. Transcript available.📄 Get the PDF transcript here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/938.-Film-Club_-Monty-Pythons-Life-of-Brian-with-Antony-Rotunno.pdf🔗 Website page with links to previous Monty Python episodes 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/06/03/938-film-club-monty-pythons-life-of-brian-with-antony-rotunno/Links for Antony’s Podcasts 👇Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://pod.link/1473867166 (A deep dive into the life and complex psychology of John Lennon)Film Gold https://pod.link/1544641271 (Discussions about favourite films)Life & Life Only https://pod.link/1549021296 (All about the search for inner and outer truth) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's my birthday 🥳 so join me for a relaxed and light-hearted ramble, first with some comments about recent episodes and other podcast housekeeping, and then a series of talking points with the Spinning Wheel of Random Questions ☸️ including bits about how being an English teacher affects my social interactions 💬, the infamous ice-cream wars of Ice-Cream Island 🏝️, leading an army of English learners into battle on the back of an Elephant 🐘, the title of my (hypothetical) autobiography 📖, and my age revealed at the end of the episode. Full transcript available 📄.📄 Get the PDF with transcript and questions 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/937.-A-Birthday-Ramble-_-The-Spinning-Wheel-of-Random-Questions-PDF-.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/05/27/937-a-birthday-ramble-the-spinning-wheel-of-random-questions🏆 Sign up for LEP Premium 👉 https://lep.supercast.com 👕 LEP Merch 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/merch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.