Best M. A. Bilbrough Podcasts (2025)

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246. There is / are and extended family 13:51

Play Pause

4d ago13:51

13:51

Today, I’m going to talk about the family of ‘there is’! At first, that might seem very basic English grammar. Indeed, the phrase ‘there is’ is A1 level. However, at B1 and even B2 level, I must admit there are few students who talk about this family. Why? Because it’s not a structure that has a literal word for word translation in many other langu…

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245. B1 Linking Words with a story 17:27

11d ago17:27

17:27

B1 Linking Words Linking words join two sentences together. Here are the ones I mention during the podcast: A Rainy Adventure Tom wanted to go hiking. The sky looked grey but he didn’t mind – no problem With linker: Tom wanted to go hiking, although the sky looked grey. He packed his bag. He wanted to be ready the moment his friend Anna called. Wit…

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244. The Breath of the Mosquito (complete version) B1 Story 37:18

17d ago37:18

37:18

For health reasons, I'm afraid I cannot share a new podcast with you today. I include instead, one of my favourite stories that I wrote for students studying for B1 English level: The Breath of the Mosquito as a complete version. This extract will help you understand what the story is about... 'If… if something went back in time and existed in the …

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243. B1 adjectives (short story) 20:50

24d ago20:50

20:50

Here are the B1 words we're studying today: acceptable accurate amusing annoyed convenient embarrassed forbidden grateful hopeless miserable To see the transcript of the story: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-243.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other …

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242. FCE Story 2 (B2) 19:50

1M ago19:50

19:50

In today's B2 FCE story, you'll be listening to this B2 vocabulary: heading for Paris his hands were trembling both thrilled and terrified him doubting every shot gazing out of the window an old woman wiped her eyes. the crowd clapped enthusiastically as he nervously walked up his anxiety forgotten To read an annotated version of the full story aud…

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241. FCE Story (B2 ) 23:59

1M ago23:59

23:59

How to write the FCE story (B2 level) for the Cambridge exam. If you're not taking this exam, this episode will be useful for learning how to express yourself at B2 level in written prose. You can see the transcript at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-241.htm At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level Engl…

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240. Tudor Conspiracy revisited B1, B2 16:53

2M ago16:53

16:53

I apologise for not bringing you a new podcast this week. I leave you with chapter 1 of the Tudor Conspiracy (from an audio book and reader I published a few years ago). Hope to be with you next week with a new podcast episode! At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other…

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239. The Letter (B1, B2) 18:51

2M ago18:51

18:51

These are the words I discuss today. They are linking words, essential for your B1 and B2 writing papers in the Cambridge exam. Moreover In addition, Besides What is more, Furthermore, Yet To begin with, In the same way, Similarly, Consequently, See audioscript of story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-239.htm At https://www.practising…

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238. If so, if not, B1 level with dialogue 14:18

2M ago14:18

14:18

How to use 'if so' and 'if not' in dialogue. A conditional clause to refer a previous direct or indirect 'yes-no' question where the answer might be ‘yes’. Do you think we could study more grammar? If so, could you give us more help with tenses? Is it possible to pay by credit card? If so, which card do you accept? Does Mrs Smith like wine? If so, …

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237. Candle Burning - B1 short story (complete version) 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

These are the four comprehension questions to read before you listen to the story. 1) What was the first thing Nigel did when he went into the shower? 2) What did Nigel decide not to have for breakfast that day? 3) Why did Nigel lose his job? 4) What reason did the doctor give for Nigel's death? Answers are given at the end of the podcast For compl…

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236. Complex sentences B1, B2 (4 funny jokes) 15:47

2M ago15:47

15:47

Structure Summary Would like / want / ask I would like you to come to a party on Saturday Object Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on Saturday Subject + verb + [object = (object pronoun + verb + more information)] I / would like / you to come to a party on Saturday. Other examples: I would like you to come to a meeting on Monday to discu…

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235. Future Perfect B2 (short story) 18:31

3M ago18:31

18:31

LOOKING BACK FROM A POINT IN THE FUTURE - FUTURE PERFECT I have studied / I have been studying English for/since... (from the past to the present) Next September, I will have studied / been studying English for ten years (from the past to a moment in the future I will have had this car for fifteen years next month. I will have lived / been living i…

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234. B2 Time Adverbs 19:05

3M ago19:05

19:05

These are the B2 time adverbs you should learn for the speaking and writing of the Cambridge FCE exam. Listen for them in the podcast, and decide which I am referring to in the dialogue section at the end of the podcast. (B1 students also invited!) firstly, etc. lastly, (often at the beginning of a sentence) instantly (often at the end of a sentenc…

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233. Uses of 'rather' (with dialogue) 18:29

3M ago18:29

18:29

'Rather' and its uses FORM/USE: 'RATHER THAN' + PHRASE B1 Use a specialist book rather than the Internet. A book is more reliable. Take the stairs rather than the lift. It’ll keep you fitter. FORM: 'RATHER THAN' + NON-FINITE CLAUSE B2 I’d prefer to go camping rather than stay in a hotel. It’s nice to be out in the fresh air. Rather than sitting aro…

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232. Would and used to with short story 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

Stative verbs Thoughts and opinions believe know understand suppose think (I would sit and think about her every day.) (People used to think that smoking was good for you.) Emotions love I used to love watching children's TV when I was a kid. TV programmes for kids used to be better then than they are now. hate dislike detest appreciate Senses see …

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231. B1 Do for emphasis (with dialogue) 15:41

4M ago15:41

15:41

Emphasis is used with lots of auxiliary verbs: - I MUST get to the shop before it closes. - You SHOULD try and finish the painting today. I'm fed up with smelling paint all over the house. - I do like your new tie. It's so colourful! - I do want to go and see that new film Anora. You know, the film that won all those oscars. - Well, I saw it. I don…

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230. B2 story The Visitors (complete version) 28:29

4M ago28:29

28:29

The Visitors This is the full version of my story The Visitors recorded in October of last year. The level is B2, but my B1 students are also invited, of course! ;-) These are the comprehension questions: (the answers are further down - but don't look at those yet!! 1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why? 2) What is the bridge of a ship, …

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229. B1 adjectives with hyphens (with dialogue) 21:27

4M ago21:27

21:27

Adjectives with hyphen at B1 level good-looking (only with hyphen) - attractive (for people, often men) well-known - a lot of people have heard of it and know it/him/her old-fashioned (only with hyphen) - (often criticising something) not new, not in fashion well-dressed - dressed in attractive clothes, smart, elegant up-to-date - (usually technolo…

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228. The Medical check-up (expressions for emphasis) 11:27

4M ago11:27

11:27

Words and expressions for emphasis - The reason is I like working with people, I have experience of looking after elderly people and I enjoy volunteering work. - The problem is I’m a little lazy, I am often late for work because I sleep in. - The fact (of the matter is) is that the planet is warming and many species are dying. - The fact is we need…

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227. Talking about the Future (with dialogue) 12:40

5M ago12:40

12:40

Future Forms in English I'm not going to talk about future tense and predictions, but other uses of future tense.Going to and present continuous for future Going to – plans and intentions that we have; I'm going to pay Mum a visit later today. She's not feeling well. Strong intentions. I'm going to learn German next year. It's something I've always…

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226. Get and verbs of movement B1, B2 and story 17:52

5M ago17:52

17:52

Now it's interesting that we use get as a verb of motion. Often, when it's difficult to actually move. Have you noticed that we say, Would you like to get into my car. Now, you go into your house, you open the door and you walk in. You don't usually get into your house, but you get into a car. Why? Because you have to bend down usually to get in. S…

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225. Verbs of Movement with story (B1, B2) 18:25

5M ago18:25

18:25

Why my students say 'enter the classroom' Where there is movement, there's a preposition, and a preposition is used in the same way we use preposition of place (where things are) He ran across the street. The dog ran after the cat. Go / run / walk / swim etc. along this street until you get to the crossroads and then turn right. I walked among the …

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224. The Londoner (B1 B2 level story) 19:06

5M ago19:06

19:06

In today's story, I'll be looking at some B2-level phrasal verbs. I explain 5 of the phrasal verbs below in the podcast: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10. You can listen to all ten of these phrasal verbs. They are in the order you'll hear them. 1) figure something out - try to find the answer to a problem 2) get on with something - continue an activity you were d…

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223. Game Over (B1 story) 18:41

6M ago18:41

18:41

To write a successful story for the Cambridge PET exam (Preliminary English Test) Here is some of the help and advice I talk about in the podcast. I will also read you a model story.You are always given a first sentence, which you must use. 'When Jasmin looked down at the soft ground, she could see quite clearly that the tiger had recently come thi…

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222. A Window on Time (complete version) B2 level 31:57

6M ago31:57

31:57

Strong B1 to B2-level story. Today, as I'm still on holiday, I'm offering you the complete version of the very popular story I published in September - A Window on Time. Read and listen to the comprehension questions before you start listening. 1) What was the bad news Geoffrey received at the beginning of the story? 2) What physical changes happen…

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221. Victims of Nature (complete version) B1, B2 27:06

6M ago27:06

27:06

Victims of Nature Complete Version (B1, B2) This is the full version of the two story parts published last September. Comprehension questions 1) What reasons did Alberto's mother give Alberto for leaving the Alpujarra? 2) What did Gustavo mean by the comment "we're just victims of nature"? 3) The story says, "When Alberto saw the pink clouds at daw…

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220. A Christmas Carol - The end of it (Part 2) B2 story 22:43

6M ago22:43

22:43

B1 B2-level story with exra Christmas idioms included. I have re-written this story for my English students. Ebenezer Scrooge visits his nephew for Christmas dinner and surprises Bob Cratchit with some astonishing news. Phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase in the story? You can see the answers after you listen in the audioscrip…

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219. A Christmas Carol - The end of it (Part 1) B2 story 20:46

6M ago20:46

20:46

"Scrooge jumped out of bed and rushed over to the window, opened it, and put his head out. There was no fog, no mist; it was a clear, bright, cheerful day...." This is the last chapter of Charles' Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol adapted to B2 level. B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each word? 1) seasonal - refers to a time of yea…

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218. Coming Home (part 2) B1 B2-level story 21:38

7M ago21:38

21:38

Jonathon goes to the bank to claim his prize, but he comes away with something he didn't expect. B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, get rid of - try to make disappear 2, be taken in - makes you believe something bad 3, live for - be a very important thing in your life 4, fall apart - collapse, disappear so it exists no…

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217. Coming Home (part 1) B1, B2-level story 21:02

7M ago21:02

21:02

English podcast story for B1, B2 levels (intermediate - upper intermediate) - Jonathon Baxter has spent ten years walking around Britain, playing his harmonica to survive. Then he decides to return to his home, but what will he find? B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly 2, obliged to…

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216. Candle Burning (part 2) B1-level story 23:28

7M ago23:28

23:28

B1 words and expressions studied: In this B1-level podcast today, I'll also discuss 6 interesting intermediate B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story. Intermediate-level words and expressions: lack of something - not enough of something get rid of somebody - tell somebody to leave out of work - to have lost you…

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215. Candle Burning (part 1) B1-level story 21:24

7M ago21:24

21:24

In this B1-level podcast today I'll use lots of important vocabulary and expressions to talk about daily actions. I'll also discuss 10 interesting B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story. I'll analyse these intermediate-level words and expressions: no going back - you cannot go to where you were earlier, or if y…

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214. The Second-hand Shop (B2 Story) 22:27

8M ago22:27

22:27

The upper-intermediate phrsal verbs studied in today's episode are: look up to - admire somebody because of their qualities fall apart - to break into pieces, probably because it's old date from - saying how old something is, from what year something is think sth over - consider something carefully take on - offer a contract of work to somebody mis…

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213. Ten minutes and Counting (short B1 story) 23:02

8M ago23:02

23:02

This is another podcast on B1 intermediate phrasal verbs - those a little difficult to learn. The ones I will talk about are: put on - to switch on or activate some device (electrical?) sign up - to join or becme part of a club etc. show up - to arrive somewhere unexpectedly. deal with - to try to resolve a problem take up - to begin a new sport, h…

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212. B1 phrasal verbs (short stories) 24:09

8M ago24:09

24:09

The six B1 phrasal verbs studied are: give up - stop doing some activity e.g. smoking, or a game because you are losing. end up - to finish in a place probably you didn't expect to find yourself in. put off - to do some activity at a later time. set off - to start a journey. run out - to find you have no more of something e.g. petrol in your car, m…

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211. The Visitors (part 2) B1 B2 upper-intermediate level story 25:28

8M ago25:28

25:28

Intermediate (B1) and upper-intermediate (B2) English expressions and vocabulary. Words to explain: binoculars - a device used to see objects far away UFO - unidentified flying object (alien spaceship) What the hell is going on? - What is happening? fin - wing-like structure of a creature that lives in the sea B2 phrases to listen for. What is the …

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210. The Visitors (Part 1) B1 B2 story 27:22

9M ago27:22

27:22

Words to explain: extraterrestrial - from another planet alien - life from another planet life forms - beings which are living electro-magnetic field - this surrounds the Earth and protects us from harmful rays from space orbit - going around the sun etc. meteorite - an object that may crash into the Earth evolve / evolution - life that grows and c…

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209. A Window on Time - Part 2 (B1 B2 Story) 23:21

9M ago23:21

23:21

The second part of my story A Window on Time. Strong B1 and B2-level story. Words to explain: detention - in schools this was (is?) a punishment for children. We had to stay in a classroom during the lunch-break and do extra homework B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? 1) to feel faint 2) Naturally, 3) tremble with excitem…

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208. A Window on Time - Part 1 (B1 B2 Story) 20:45

9M ago20:45

20:45

B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context they are used in during the story. 1) deep in thought 2) Strangely enough, 3) strictly forbidden 4) an exception to the rule 5) the situation had become unbearable 6) the truth of the matter was B1 words from the story: what are they? 1) prvs adj. what happend before 2) shckd n. very surprised in a bad …

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207. Victims of Nature - part 2 (B1 B2 Story) 21:19

9M ago21:19

21:19

Part 2 of my exciting story Victims of Nature for students studying B1 and B2 English. Words to explain: shepherd = somebody who looks after sheep in the countryside raft = a small flat boat flock of sheep = a group of sheep waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase? …

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206. Victims of Nature - part 1 (B1 B2 Story) 21:05

9M ago21:05

21:05

A Strong B1 and B2-level story based on a real event this summer in the Alpujarra mountain region of Southern Spain (Granada). Words to explain: shepherd = spmebody who looks after sheep in the countryside raft = a small flat boat flock of sheep = a group of sheep waterfall = where water falls vertically down from a high rock B2 phrases to listen f…

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205. Every Dog has his Day (B1 B2 Story) 28:05

10M ago28:05

28:05

One way or another, Norman imagined that other people regarded him as an underachiever. He became obsessed by what his colleagues at the supermarket might call him when he was not listening. What about Norman Nobody or Norman Nothing in Particular. Norman was a man who was of the opinion that life had not treated him fairly... This is a strong B1 t…

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204. Winds of Bolonia (complete B1 story) 29:45

10M ago29:45

29:45

The Winds of Bolonia (B1 Story with new comprehension questions) I wanted to publish this story together with the Para-olympics in Paris. I was watching it on television. It shows how positive attitudes, strength, determination are not qualities limited to those athletes in the Olympics we saw earlier this summer, but that persons with disabilities…

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203. Never Go Back (Complete B1 Story) 29:54

10M ago29:54

29:54

Comprehension questions and answers for the complete story. 1) Why did Benjamin decide to go back to the hotel? 2) How did Jessica know Benjamin was staying in the Borromeo Hotel? 3) Where did Benjamin move to when fe left school? 4) What did Benjamin think the old woman was doing on the stairs? 5) What did Benjamin plan to do with Jessica? 6) Why …

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202. Who was Sidney Peabody (complete B1 story) 40:30

10M ago40:30

40:30

Comprehension questions to read before listening to the complete B1-level story: Who was Sidney Peabody? 1) What was unusual about the way Sidney Peabody looked? 2) According to Simon Fotheringay, the journalist and reporter, why did Sidney Peabody perform the miracle in Benalmadena? 3) What did people do in Madrid just before Sidney Peabody said t…

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201. Max Headroom and the Space-time Door (complete B1 story) 27:54

11M ago27:54

27:54

This is the complete B1-level story of The Spaceman (first published in 2022) Comprehension questions for story 1) Why was Max Headroom angry at the beginning of the story? 2) What were the space-time doors? 3) Who was the old man in Max's bedroom? 4) Why did Max and his wife, Sheena, separate? 5) Do you think Max and Sheena got back together again…

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200. Tsunami (complete version B1 level) 36:05

11M ago36:05

36:05

Today I'm giving you the full version of my B1-level story (with some B2 English) Tsunami! Here are 4 comprehension questions for part TWO of the story, which starts after the written transcript has finished. 1) What did Yannick think Melville's name was? Mr Tsunami 2) Which was the last accident that stopped Melville and the French family from esc…

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Podcast 199 Stories from our listeners (B1 level) 14:41

11M ago14:41

14:41

These are the two stories I chose for the story task I gave you at podcast 197. Story 1 Mrs Jones was 82. Her husband had died many years ago, so she lived alone with her cat. She had a large vegetable garden, and she kept fit by working there every day. But she was often unhappy, because she remembered she had lost her wedding ring many, many year…

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Podcast 198 Dad (full version) B1 story 31:12

11M ago31:12

31:12

There are 4 questions for you to answer while you listen to the story: The questions are: 1) What did uncle Tom make so he didn't have to get up early? 2) When they were on the boat, where did Stephen Liddel put the box of beer? 3) What did William's Dad do wrong that made him lose the fish? 4) Why did Uncle Tom fall into the sea? At the end of the…

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Podcast 197 Story telling from my listeners (B1, B2) 24:23

12M ago24:23

24:23

Here are the rules for the story-writing activity. - The story must include at least one of the phrases 1 to 8 shown below. - The subject of the story can be anything you like. - The story should not be longer than 80 words. - The story can only be sent from the link on mobile phones "send me a text" at the top of this page in your podcast app. - P…