Practising English

https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-279.htm This is a B2 recording today with a story for you to enjoy... Christmas cheer I’m standing in a peaceful, wealthy suburb a few miles from Bristol city centre. Without doubt, It’s going to be a white Christmas, or rather it is already a white Christmas thanks to a generous amount of snow that has fallen on this Christmas Eve. The quiet, snowy road has a number of luxury cars parked on either side, and on my right and left stand those sort of ho...

https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-278.htm This is the story text I'll be using with the B1 words in bold: White Christmas Steve Matlock worked in a car factory in Bristol. Every day at lunch, he sat in the canteen with his colleagues. They had discussions about their families, their aims, and their dreams. It was Christmas Eve, and the canteen felt warm and cheerful. “What are you doing for Christmas, Steve?” one colleague asked. Steve smiled politely. “I intend to spend Christmas wit...

This is the formal conversation studied today: “Beginning morning food consuming cycle,” said the father as he entered the kitchen. “Please gather at the table for an efficient distribution of resources.” Mother replied, “Indeed, I have organised a balancedcombination of carbohydrates and proteins, which should provide ideal operating for the day.” The ten-year-old entered next. “Parents, I request information regarding today’s academic schedule. My timetable indicates elementary programming,...

Here is the text we are studying today. The Best Way to Learn a New Language If you want to build confidence in English language speaking, rather than silent study, choose conversation activities instead. And try writing short messages instead of only memorising vocabulary lists. Practice speaking whenever you find someone willing to talk, and use new words wherever you go. It does not matter whether the conversations are long or short; every moment helps. Keep studying, unless you are feelin...

B2 conjunctions City Life Compared to Country Life Many people wonder whether they would be happier living in the city or in the countryside. City life offers a fast rhythm and many opportunities, and it can be exciting, though it often feels crowded and noisy. Some people imagine that they would enjoy the peace of rural areas, when, in fact, they admit they enjoy the crowds and the lively lifestyle a city provides. Life in the countryside is usually quieter, whereas cities are full of cultur...

This is part 1 of my TWO podcasts on B1 linkers: The text for today is: Many people want to learn a new language, yet they often wonder what method works best. One helpful idea is to treat the language as you would a musical instrument, practising regularly. Learning can also happen as you travel or do other activities, as practice is important because it keeps the language fresh in your mind. In addition, using a mix of reading, listening, and speaking gives you a balanced approach. In addit...

Here is the text for the B2 story today: Priorities Steve was a talented guitarist who had spent years trying to make it big. When his band finally got an album deal, he felt his dreams were coming true. But his wife, Laura, was tired of being alone with their two children. One night, she told him enough was enough: 'Spend time with us, or you'd better leave. We can't go on like this.' Steve didn’t know what to say. He loved Laura. He had fallen for her at once years ago. He'd come across a l...

Here is the script for today's B1 story: The Sandwich Hero In our town there used to be this chap, Tom. Every day, he sat near the market asking for coins or for a sandwich to eat. His clothes were dirty, and his hair was messy, I noticed he smelled a bit too. People didn’t pay him much attention. I couldn’t say I was fond of him, but I did feel sorry for him. He looked a bit depressed. I wondered if he’d had a difficult life. I used to give him money now and again. I remember one cold winter...

Here is the B2 story for today: A chance of a lifetime (B2) Sophie had always led a busy life. Between her job at the hospital and her evening art classes, she hardly had a moment to relax. One Friday, after a long shift, she received a last-minute call from her boyfriend, Tom. He insisted she came to the old café by the river. When Sophie arrived, the place was quiet, and Tom was waiting with a big smile. ‘You’ll never guess what’s happening,’ he said. Sophie laughed sharply. ‘You’re s...

This is the B1 story I'm going to read to you today and the vocabulary I'll look at: A helpful ghost (B1) Detective Sam Green liked to hang around any place where strange things happened. One autumn morning, he arrived in a small town surrounded by a beautiful landscape of snowy mountain peaks. The people there seemed friendly, but whenever Sam asked about the old castle on a nearby hill, they were silent. At night, lights could be seen in the windows, yet nobody had lived there for hun...

The B1 story today: The Girl in the Painting Sophie had been meaning to visit the old house on the hill for years, and she was surprised to see the door open, as though inviting her to visit. Inside, the air was heavy and quiet. She glanced around the dusty room and saw an old mirror. In the glass, she saw a handsome young man smiling at her. She turned suddenly, however, there was no one there behind her. She turned back to the mirror. There was the same young man dressed in a smart dinner j...

This is a B2 level podcast: The Magic of True Friendship Have you ever stopped to think what really makes a good friend? We all have people we hang out with, but genuine friendship goes beyond just having fun together. A good friend is someone you can count on, no matter what. They listen when you need to talk, cheer you up when you’re feeling down, and tell you the truth — even when it’s hard to hear. Trust and honesty are key. After all, what’s friendship without trust? With good friends, y...

Today, I'm going to read an article, which is similar to the articles you have to write if you're doing the B1 Cambridge PET exam. Many people enjoy playing games in their free time. Some prefer board games like chess or Monopoly, while others like video games such as Minecraft or FIFA. But which type of game is more interesting to play? Board games are great for spending time with family and friends. You can sit together, talk, and have fun face to face. These games often need players to thi...

A B2-level short story for you today... A True Champion Sofia had always dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. She trained every morning, even when she was tired, because she knew success would depend on her hard work. Some people tried to discourage her from doing so much training, saying she was wasting her time, but Sofia refused to listen. Her first big tournament didn’t go well. She suffered a terrible defeat, and her confidence began to decline. Deep down, she felt that mayb...

The Mystery of the Lake Day after day, Lily walked past the old lake near her village. The elderly people of the village said it was dangerously deep, and that in its depths lived an enormous monster. In all her life, Lily had never seen anything, although she often wondered why there were never ducks or swans on the lake. One summer morning, she decided to take her small boat and explore the lake herself. As her tiny boat moved further from the lake’s edge, dark clouds began to form. T...