Best M. A. Bilbrough Podcasts (2025)

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

3h ago14:18

14:18

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 s…

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

5d ago28:49

28:49

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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'…

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

14d ago15:47

15:47

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 exam…

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

21d ago18:31

18:31

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 f…

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234. B2 Time Adverbs 19:05

28d ago19:05

19:05

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 beg…

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

1M ago18:29

18:29

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. '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.…

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

1M ago26:28

26:28

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

2M ago15:41

15:41

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 kno…

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

2M ago28:29

28:29

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

2M ago21:27

21:27

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 att…

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

2M ago11:27

11:27

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 plane…

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

3M ago12:40

12:40

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

3M ago17:52

17:52

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

3M ago18:25

18:25

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

3M ago19:06

19:06

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 prob…

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223. The Cambridge exam B1 story writing 18:41

4M ago18:41

18:41

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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, sh…

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

4M ago31:57

31:57

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

4M ago27:06

27:06

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

4M ago22:43

22:43

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 sto…

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

4M ago20:46

20:46

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. "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 t…

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

5M ago21:38

21:38

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

5M ago21:02

21:02

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

5M ago23:28

23:28

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 so…

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

5M ago21:24

21:24

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

6M ago22:27

22:27

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 somethin…

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213. B1 Intermediate-level Phrasal Verbs 2 (with story) 23:02

6M ago23:02

23:02

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 -…

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212. B1 Intermediate-level Phrasal Verbs 1 (with story) 24:09

6M ago24:09

24:09

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

6M ago25:28

25:28

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 creatur…

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

7M ago27:22

27:22

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 c…

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

7M ago23:21

23:21

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

7M ago20:45

20:45

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

7M ago21:19

21:19

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

7M ago21:05

21:05

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

8M ago28:05

28:05

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

8M ago29:45

29:45

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 …

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

8M ago29:54

29:54

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

8M ago40:30

40:30

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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) …

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201. The Spaceman (complete B1 story) 27:54

9M ago27:54

27:54

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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, se…

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

9M ago36:05

36:05

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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…

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

9M ago14:41

14:41

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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, becaus…

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

9M ago31:12

31:12

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 f…

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

10M ago24:23

24:23

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. 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 "se…

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Podcast 196 Intonation in a Story 31:49

10M ago31:49

31:49

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Today I have joined the two halves of The Quiet Man together so you can enjoy this story in one complete story. I briefly discuss intonation and give you a task to listen to while enjoying the story. For more podcasts on intonation at Practising English, go to podcasts: 126, 109, 43, 103…

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Podcast 195 Uses of SO and REALLY (B1 level) 21:04

10M ago21:04

21:04

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Extracts from my stories with examples of SO and REALLY Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers. Extract 1: 'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.' 'T…

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Podcast 194 PET exam writing the article B1 23:52

10M ago23:52

23:52

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Writing the B1 article. (If you are interested in my podcast about writing the B1 story... https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-128.htm ) These are some general, very important words I recommend you learn for writing in any part of the PET exam. You won't be able to use all of them,…

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Podcast 193 FCE writing the essay B2 20:49

11M ago20:49

20:49

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Expressions to memorize 1) There is a decline in the numbers of lynxes. (usually negative) The decline in the number of tourists. 2) It is extremely important that we finish this project on time. It is crucial that we finish this project on time. 3) Tigers are an endangered species. Tige…

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Podcast 192 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 2) B1 story 31:32

11M ago31:32

31:32

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. Introduction to part 2 of The Breath of the Mosquito Emil Zimmermann, professor of astrophysics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University sat back in his leather chair and studied the colourful feather, he was holding in his hand, through his thick glasses. ‘Incredible!’ he said. ‘You…

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Podcast 191 The Breath of the Mosquito (Part 1) B1 story 26:19

11M ago26:19

26:19

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. This is a B1-level short story in two parts. Professor Mathew Pearson, a paleontologist and professor at Oxford University, made an incredible discovery when he found a skull. Tests are done and the results are extremely surprising... Technical vocabulary in the story Prehistory / A preh…

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Podcast 190 The Harmonica Players (Part 3) B1, B2 story 28:48

12M ago28:48

28:48

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. This is the third and final part of the story 'The Harmonica Players'. Here are the B2 phrases I discuss in the podcast. 1) This was not the familiar peaceful atmosphere of Oxted. 2) He found London rather threatening. 3) An awful lot of unfamiliar people who packed the streets. 4) You w…

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Podcast 189 The Harmonica Players (Part 2) B1, B2 story 22:41

12M ago22:41

22:41

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion. In Part 2 of my story, The Harmonica Players, I’ll be talking about racial prejudice. That means the irrational distrust and dislike of people from other countries. My motive for bringing up this topic and creating Jeffrey, a man who is very prejudiced against foreigners, has been from t…

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M. A. Bilbrough Podcasts

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