Practising English

M. A. Bilbrough
  • 5.0 (4)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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! 

  1. 4D AGO

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

    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 puppy trying to catch its own tail.   ·  boast  He likes to boast about his achievements, even when no one asks him about them.   ·  deliberately  She deliberately ignored his message because she was still upset with him.   ·  cross somebody's mind  It never crossed my mind that I might fail the exam.   ·  costly  Buying a new car can be a costly decision if you don’t plan your budget carefully.   ·  take a deep breath  Before speaking in front of the audience, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.   ·  spin  The child watched the coin spin on the table until it slowly fell on its side.  Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    26 min

  2. FEB 25

    298. Treasure Island - chapter 5 (B1 story)

    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 waiting out at sea, not near the land but a little way out. We rowed out in a small boat among many big ships. Their ropes hung down in the water, and sometimes they touched our boat. I had never seen a ship so close up before and was amazed at their size and beauty . At last, we came next to our ship and climbed on board... Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    24 min

  3. FEB 18

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

    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.   2.     an act of will  Finishing the marathon after injuring his ankle was purely an act of will.   3.     upside down  When I turned the map upside down, I finally realized I had been reading it the wrong way.   4.     What on earth happened?  The kitchen was covered in flour and broken plates—what on earth happened while I was out?   5.     something daring  She decided to do something daring and quit her stable job to start her own business.   6.     stare in disbelief  He could only stare in disbelief when he saw his small village on the international news.   7.     Don’t talk nonsense!  Don’t talk nonsense! Of course you can pass the exam if you prepare properly.  Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    23 min

  4. FEB 14

    296. Treasure Island - chapter 4 (B1 story)

    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 hands on board! aye, aye, sir! a schooner Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    23 min

  5. FEB 11

    295. The Signalman - part 2 (B2 story)

    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 matched her skills perfectly.   ·  take pride in something  He takes pride in his work and always tries to do his best, even under pressure.   ·  talk this over  Let’s talk this over tomorrow when we’re both calmer and have more time.   ·  I shivered (with fear)  I shivered with fear when I heard footsteps behind me in the dark street.   ·  from time to time  From time to time, I like to turn off my phone and spend the evening reading.   ·  haunted  She was haunted by the memory of the accident and found it hard to move on.  Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    21 min

  6. FEB 6

    294. Treasure Island - chapter 3 (B1 story)

    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 and his mother? 2) How much money did Jim's mother take from the chest (box)? 3) How did the blind man and his men get into the inn? 4) What was inside the packet that Jim found inside the chest? Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    17 min

  7. FEB 5

    293. The Signalman - part 1 (B2 story)

    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 question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    25 min

  8. JAN 30

    292. Treasure Island - chapter 2 (B1 Story)

    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 wear them.  run (a business) – She runs a small business with her sister.  unpleasant – The weather was cold and unpleasant all day.  set the table – Can you help me set the table before dinner?  unfriendly – The waiter was unfriendly and didn’t smile at all.  annoyed – He felt annoyed when the bus arrived late again.  straight to somewhere – After work, I went straight to the gym.  warning – The teacher gave us a warning about being late.  grab – The thief grabbed my bag and ran off with it.  threaten – The man threatened to call the police if they didn’t stop.  Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English lear...

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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! 

Information

  • Creator
    M. A. Bilbrough
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    299
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 M. A. Bilbrough
  • Show Website
    Practising English

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