Forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom
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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 21, 2026 is: scrutinize SKROO-tuh-nyze verb To scrutinize something is to examine it carefully especially in a critical way. // I closely scrutinized my opponent's moves before making my own. See the entry > Examples: "The governor proposes a balanced budget, and the General Assembly scrutinizes every line." — J.B. Jennings, The Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026 Did you know? Scrutinize the history of scrutinize far back enough and you wind up sifting through trash: the word comes from Latin scrutari, which means "to search, to examine," and scrutari likely comes from scruta, meaning "trash." The etymology evokes one who searches through trash for anything of value. The noun scrutiny preceded scrutinize in English, and in its earliest 15th century use referred to a formal vote, and later to an official examination of votes. Scrutinize was established in the 17th century with its familiar "to examine closely" meaning, but retained reference to voting with the specific meaning "to examine votes" at least into the 18th century. (Votes are still commonly said to be scrutinized in the general sense of the word.) And while the term scrutineer can be a general term referring to someone who examines something, it is also sometimes used in British English specifically as a term for someone who takes or counts votes.
37: Chapter 37. The Thunder Builds Up Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher This is the second of the thunder chapters and has a lot of back and forth setting changes, which keep the reader well informed and stimulate the building tension. The pre-chapter quote is from Uncle Remus. It is spoken in Joel Chandler Harris's portrayal of African-American Vernacular English. The proverb, in standard American and British English, says "You can hide the fire, but what are you going to do with the smoke?" The quote is a clear reference to the secretive activities of Bigwig, the does, and eventually Blackavar who are also in the know. Chapter 36 ends with Woundwort interrupting Bigwig just as the escape is about to begin. Bigwig controls his emotions as he is asked many questions. The nature of these tell us that information is being brought to Woundwort. Woundwort is starting to add things up. Bigwig was the rabbit who, albeit accidentally, got Mallow killed by a fox. He was recognised by Groundsel. The fact that Bigwig didn't mention this is clearly suspicious to Woundwort. Woundwort shares that he is aware of a band of rabbits on the far side of the Iron Road. He directly asks if Bigwig was with this group, forcing Bigwig to deny it. Then he is quizzed about the 'white bird' he was seen near, who was Kehaar, and simply says he's never been harmed by one of them before. As a parting shot, Woundwort asks about his meeting with Hyzenthlay ask him to keep an eye on her. It is intriguing to wonder if there is any chance that Woundwort might have put them all these pieces together eventually to guess their plan. Given the way he is fooled in the next chapter, it is easy to think not. This, for Bigwig, is a very dangerous moment but, overall, Bigwig gets through yet another social encounter in Efrafa. At this point, he must feel somewhat emboldened. But the escape is over for now. He checks on Blackavar and deliberately knocks into one of the guards and even verbally dresses him down. The scene now moves to the little patrol-base like location where the rest of our heroes are, near the river, and opens with Hazel. Kehaar flies in and Hazel questions him about some important details that he's apparently repeated before. Hazel is nervous. What is certain is that the escape attempt is off for now and that their escape plan location at the railway arch, which is far nearer Efrafa, needs to change back to the river right away. We now cut back to Bigwig who is with Hyzenthlay. The signs of the stress he's been carrying is really starting to show and he's shaking. Hyzenthlay makes Bigwig even more nervous when she asks if it's possible to get away that evening. She then relates that it's even possible that there could be a doe spy amongst the group she's spoken to. If he lost his nerve and made a quick escape with just the ringleaders he would be seen as having failed, no matter what he had been through. It is now the next morning and Bigwig's own common sense keeps him from panicking when he finds that Hyzenthlay is not there. It's quiet right now due to the building weather system overhead. He hears Blackavar being brought up the run, who looks more pitiful than before if that's possible. Chervil arrives and even he, as the mark's captain, seems subdued. Nelthilta makes an unwise comment to him about a possible "surprise" coming up and that rabbits might be able to fly away. Soon after they're outside, Bigwig plays a trick that El-ahrairah would really approve of. Bigwig cleverly fools Chervil with a fake charm, consisting of a dance and a poem, while simultaneously giving Kehaar vital information about returning that night. Some time later, Bigwig chances upon Blackavar. He uses this private moment to tell Blackavar the plan. This chapter reminds us just how intelligent and brave Bigwig can be under pressure. He goes to his burrow and sleeps.
Practise listening to British English conversation and enjoy some complaining, ranting and funny anecdotes in this episode based on the concept of a popular BBC TV chat show. My guest is Charlie Baxter from The British English Podcast. Charlie has chosen 3 things which he wants to be locked inside the mythical "Room 101"
Have you ever noticed someone wearing a little gadget on their arm and wondered what it was for? That small piece of technology is part of a fascinating shift in how we understand our own health.In today's podcast, we'll explore the world of personal health 'devices' like CGMs. We'll learn (https://adeptenglish.com/company/learning-system/) useful English vocabulary, including the words 'nutrition' and 'microbiome', and discuss how this science gives us personalised information about our bodies.Upgrade your listening experience. No ads, just pure British English learning. Get 8 exclusive premium episodes every month delivered straight to your phone.✨ Learn more (https://adeptenglish.com/faq/subscription-faq/)We'll look at why this new approach is exciting and also answer why some people in the medical world are questioning it. You'll hear about surprising discoveries that change standard health advice.And Don't forget to follow and subscribe to our FREE English language podcast, wherever you listen (https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/) or watch your podcasts.
On this month's Quick Hits we're talking about how Lina and Mr. Dune take their tea, and how to put yourself out there at kinky parties, when you're a little tender, and most especially when you're grieving. You don't have to be perfect to be loved, but you MOST CERTAINLY may NOT put the milk in before the tea is steeped!! Twin Cities Rent Relief: https://gofund.me/442fc6781 The Great Milk Debate | Gianmarco Soresi at Edinburgh Fringe Become a Patreon member to gain access to all the Ask A Sub benefits including our discord server, archive of premium audio and written posts, as well as our new podcast within a podcast, OTK with Lina and Mr. Dune. Submit questions for this podcast by going to memo.fm/askasub and recording a voice memo. Subscribe to the subby substack here. See the paid post archive here. Get 20% off your order at http://www.momotaroapotheca.com with code LINADUNE Twitter | @Lina.Dune | @askasub2.0 CREDITS Created, Hosted, Produced and Edited by Lina Dune With Additional Support from Mr. Dune Artwork by Kayleigh Denner Music by Dan Molad
David and Dan David Ramey, founder of Ramey Wine Cellars, joins Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell on California Wine Country. He has been on CWC before, but it was a while ago, on this episode in 2018 and again here in 2019. The weather today is unseasonably warm, but it doesn't affect Dan's work. People tell him it seems he has the greatest job in the world. They think he just has to drink wine and write about it. But Dan actually drinks very little, when tasting and evaluating wine. The better the wine, the less of it you need to drink to appreciate high quality. “It’s not about volume, it’s about character,” says Dan. “Wine is food. It's fermented grape juice and it goes with food. You might get a little relaxed but you you don't drink wine to get drunk,” declares David. Dan reminds everyone, “Life’s too short to drink bad wine.” Dan Berger declares that Chardonnay today is better than it has ever been, and he thinks David Ramey can explain why. David thinks that the Chardonnay producers went down the wrong path, when rich, hedonistic wines, fruit bombs, were popular. Robert Parker was an influential wine critic and he liked that style. David Ramey’s Chardonnays represent a reversal of that trend and an appeal to wine lovers who know that Chardonnay can do much more than those big buttery fruit bombs that don’t age well. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Sip the difference! MS in Enology David Ramey describes his pathway into the profession of winemaking. He grew up in Sunnyvale, a schoolmate of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. He attended UC Santa Cruz from 1969-1973, when the campus was brand new. He worked as a waiter where he also had the chance to taste wine. He thought he would go and teach English in Colombia, but he never made it there. He was driving from Mexicali to Hermosillo and one day he describes a coup de foudre, French for a lightning strike, when he realized he should make wine. It’s something that people like, it’s not bad for the environment, it’s an aesthetic statement, lot to like about it. So he applied to UC Davis in enology. He had to take all his college level math and science courses at San Jose State before he could start the major. He graduated with a Master of Science in Enology. Several of his fellow students became famous winemakers. They are tasting one of David’s Chardonnays, which is not chilled. “Chardonnay is the red wine of whites.” Both whites he brought are 2015s and the reds are both 2013s. Both combine richness, strong acidity and good structure. Claret David went to France after he graduated. “I’m a classicist,” he says. He wanted to go where people have been making wine for a very long time, to learn how to do it. He ended up working in Bordeaux. Then he worked a harvest in Australia. They processed 37,000 tons of grapes that time. Next they taste the Claret. That name is protected now but David says they can still use it, they are grandfathered in. It is a generic British English term for a Bordeaux wine. The French claimed it, despite the fact that there is no place named Claret. It’s just a generic word, but it was ceded to the EU in trade negotiations. Ramey also treademarked two varietal blend names for themselves. Their Left Bank Blend is a Cabernet based blend. Template is another name, modeled on the Right Bank, so it is Merlot based. This is all with Sonoma County grapes. Dan adds that the name Ramey on the label indicates a higher level of quality, by itself.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 26, 2026 is: knackered NAK-erd adjective Knackered is an adjective mostly used informally in British English to mean “very tired or exhausted.” // Unfortunately, I was too knackered after work to join them for dinner. See the entry > Examples: “‘How are you doing?' ‘Yeah, good thanks... just tired.' I don't know about you, but it feels like I'm having a version of this exchange at least once a day. It seems that everyone I know is genuinely and profoundly knackered. My friends say it. My postman says it. My teenage son says it. Even my partner, who usually has the energy levels of a Duracell-powered soft toy, grudgingly admits his batteries are drained.” — Sara Robinson, The Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), 22 Nov. 2025 Did you know? An apt synonym for knackered might be the phrase “dead tired” for more than one reason. Knackered is a 20th century coinage that comes from the past participle of knacker, a slang term meaning “to kill,” as well as “to tire, exhaust, or wear out.” This verb knacker likely comes from an older noun knacker, which first referred to a harness-maker or saddlemaker, and later to a buyer of animals no longer able to do farmwork (or their carcasses). Knackered is used on both sides of the Atlantic but is more common among British speakers.
In this advanced English conversation, César and Oliver reflect on how birthdays change as we get older - from childhood parties and British birthday traditions to adult expectations, gifts and family gatherings. The discussion explores ageing, social pressure and cultural differences in a natural, unscripted dialogue designed for advanced learners.Improve your listening with real British English, authentic storytelling and reflective conversation.
In this cozy winter episode, Shana is snowed in with her daughters on the East Coast after a big snowstorm. While it looks like a magical winter wonderland outside, things feel a little chaotic inside the house. Then Julia, who's seven, decides she wants to be a guest on the podcast. Julia chooses a fun and unexpected topic: hair and hairstyles. Together, they talk about different types of hair, popular hairstyles, and even facial hair vocabulary — all in a relaxed, natural conversation. ⭐ Sign up to the Academy to Learn English with Pictures Useful Vocabulary To be snowed in – when so much snow falls that you can't leave your homeStraight hair – hair with no curl or waveCurly hair – hair that forms curlsWavy hair – hair that forms loose wavesSilky smooth – very soft and smoothBangs – short hair cut to fall over the foreheadFringe – the British English word for bangsPonytail – hair tied back in one sectionPigtails – two ponytails, one on each sideBraid – three sections of hair crossed over each otherFrench braid – a braid that begins at the top of the head and continues downwardBun – hair twisted and tied into a round shapeMohawk – short on the sides, long in the middleMullet – short in the front, long in the backAfro – a full, rounded hairstyle worn with natural curly or coily hairHair down – wearing your hair looseLice – tiny insects that live in hair and cause itchingHair tie / elastic band – used to hold hair backSalon – a place where people get their hair cut or styledHighlights – lighter streaks added to hairLowlights – darker streaks added to hairDye – to change the color of your hairPeach fuzz – very soft, light facial hairMustache – hair above the upper lipBeard – hair on the chin and jawGoatee – hair on the chin onlyCowlick – a section of hair that grows in a different direction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Have you ever wondered why the humble crisp can spark such strong opinions, depending on where in the world you live? We all have our go-to flavours, but what makes certain tastes so popular in one country and not another? It's a tasty insight into our cultures and preferences.In today's podcast, we'll explore the world of crisps, those tasty potato snacks we love in the UK, and how their flavours change from one country to another. You'll practise English with words like "flavour", F-L-A-V-O-U-R, which means the taste of food; "seasoning", S-E-A-S-O-N-I-N-G, the spices or powders added to make things tasty; and "staple", S-T-A-P-L-E, something essential or very common in everyday life. These words will help you talk about food and habits more easily.Get the free transcript of this lesson: https://adeptenglish.com/lessons/english-listening-practice-global-crisp-tastes/We'll discover why certain crisps are favourites in the UK, like those with cheese or salt, and learn about surprising choices in places like Thailand or Japan, where flavours might include pasta or seaweed.Take your British English to the next level. You have two ways to learn: subscribe for 8 monthly ad-free episodes, or try our specialized courses. We have everything you need to become fluent.- Subscription Info https://adeptenglish.com/faq/subscription-faq/- Browse Our Courses https://adeptenglish.com/language-courses/Listening https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/ to stories like this builds your English naturally, through real topics that stick in your mind. You'll gain confidence in using everyday words about culture and snacks. Press play and let's start.#LearnEnglish, #BritishEnglish, #CrispsFlavours, #FoodVocabulary, #ESLPodcast, #GlobalSnacks, #AdeptEnglish
What do we really owe our families - and where do we draw the line?In this advanced-level English podcast episode, we explore family conflict, obligation, loyalty and boundaries. Using clear, natural British English, we discuss cultural differences, falling out with relatives, and when family expectations become a burden. Ideal for advanced learners who want thoughtful content and real-world vocabulary.
A Sweet Tooth and a Social Mission: The Story of CadburyDid you know that one of the biggest chocolate companies in the world was created to stop people drinking alcohol?In this episode, we explore the surprising history of Cadbury and how chocolate, religion, and social values shaped one of Britain's most iconic brands. You'll learn about Quakers, temperance, work–life balance, and the famous “glass and a half” slogan — all while practising real British English. Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ymjkA_l7forCp1AW1K8QyE7rT9-AhvJZ/view?usp=sharing Study with me:
This is a short, daily podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories and real-life usage.In today's episode, Gabriel tackles the familiar travel challenge of packing for his upcoming trip to the UK and learns how to maximise his suitcase space.You'll hear authentic British English phrases for packing for a trip, along with helpful packing tips from Sophie.
This is a short, daily podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories and real-life usage.In today's episode, Gabriel turns his attention to practical matters — booking accommodation in Liverpool — and he discovers just how useful certain phrases can be when talking to a chatbot. Gabriel's useful dialogue with the chatbot becomes a lesson in authentic British English questions and answers when planning a trip.
This is a short, daily podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build natural British English vocabulary through story.In this first episode, we meet Gabriel, a young French graduate on the brink of a big adventure. Sitting in his childhood bedroom at his parents' home in France, he reflects on his plans, his doubts, and a long-held dream of travelling to the UK.As the story unfolds, you'll hear authentic British English used naturally, that you can use when talking about new experiences, first impressions, and stepping into the unknown.This episode sets the scene for the journey ahead and introduces the story-led learning style that runs throughout the series.
Bonus Episodes & Full Transcript PDFs, Vocabulary Flipcards Every Week on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/englishwitholiverMy Phrasal Verb Book and more: https://stan.store/easyenglishpodcastEasy English Merchandise & Donations: Mugs, Hoodies, & Donate to the Show - Click here."Two nations divided by a common language." In this lesson, we unpack the cultural and historical reasons behind the split between US and UK English. We explore how standardization efforts by Noah Webster changed American spelling and why certain colloquialisms evolved differently over time. Perfect for B2 and C1 learners looking to add nuance and consistency to their speaking!In this English lesson, you will learn:The History: Why Noah Webster changed American spelling (color vs. colour).The "Why": How geographic isolation led to linguistic divergence.Practical Vocab: Differences in car parts, food, and household items.False Friends: How the word "quite" or "table" changes meaning across the Atlantic.Consistency: Tips on which version to use in 2026.
Aprende ingles con inglespodcast de La Mansión del Inglés-Learn English Free
In this episode, we're exploring everyday British English words that you'll often hear in real conversations across the UK. From informal phrases like "cheers" and "knackered" to classic expressions such as "take the mickey", we'll look at what they really mean and how to use them naturally. Show notes and more podcasts to improve your English at: http://www.inglespodcast.com/ Las notas del episodio y más podcasts para mejorar tu ingles están en: http://www.inglespodcast.com/
Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson
[970] Part 1 of 2. An English podcast about simple habits you can introduce in your life, to be in top condition for learning English all year long. This is all backed up by scientific research into how our brains work, how we learn language, and how little changes in our behaviour can help us perform better and achieve more in the time we are given. Includes top advice for preparing yourself to be a great learner of English in 2026. Part 2 will be available next week.Get the episode PDF
In our Easy English Updates, we announce our 'Kick-Off 2026 Challenge' on Monday to improve your English, every day for 14 days. Isi and Mitch then give you 10 everyday word pronunciations that reveal if you're speaking either American or British English, but for we answer a question from Hanan and then Mitch tells a very British joke. Interactive Transcript Support Easy English and get interactive transcripts and bonus content for all our episodes: easyenglish.fm/membership Transcript Intro Isi: [0:22] Hello. Mitch: [0:23] Hi, welcome to the Easy English Podcast. The winter version. Winter has come. We're currently in your parents' basement and it's freezing cold. Isi: [0:35] Hence the jackets. It's cold down here. Mitch: [0:37] Yeah. So, today we're going to show you some of the differences between the British English and American English pronunciation. We're giving you 10 words which you'll be using every day, that you'll need every day. Depending on how you pronounce these, we can sort of figure out, whether you are, or whether you are speaking with American English pronunciation or British English pronunciation. - Oh dear. - Yeah. But, before we get into that, we have quite a nice surprise, that we've already revealed a bit about in some videos and earlier podcasts, don't we Isi? We have a kickstart to our 2026 Easy English year. Easy English Updates Isi: [1:23] Yeah, we have, well, you said it already, the 'Kick-Off 2026 Challenge', which means we give you challenges to improve your English, every day, for a continuous 14 days. So every morning, get a challenge. You have to write something. Maybe make an audio message if you can. You don't need to. You can also write everything, share something, maybe write a letter to your boss, complain about something, apply for a job. It will be like personal, reflective things, but also business English to have you, basically, every day improve your English. We know from past experiences, that if you do those challenges, really every day, that this really boosts your language learning experience. So we are excited. 5th of January, we start for 14 days, come join us. If you become a member, on easyenglish.video/membership you can join us with any membership you're in, it all happens on our Discord server. What else do we need to say Mitch: [2:25] That's it you did explain it very well. It's an intensive, every day, for 14 days, English challenge to level up and improve your English. Get going where you left off and yeah, like Isi said, join any one of our membership levels, we have three different types and all of those gets you access to our Discord server, where Isi and I will be posting each and every day, the challenges for you. Let's go to our Topic of the Week. Support Easy English and get interactive transcripts and bonus content for all our episodes: easyenglish.fm/membership
Download the transcript for this episode: https://www.britspeak.co/transcriptsIn this episode of the Proper British English Podcast, I talk about:What this podcast is all aboutWho I am and my teaching journeyWhat you can expect from meWant more episodes? https://www.britspeak.co/proper-british-english-podWelcome to the Proper British English Podcast. The podcast designed to help you understand British life, British culture, and of course, British English. My name is Dan from BritSpeak and I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher with over 10 years experience. I'm originally from Sheffield, UK, but I moved to Japan in 2016. I help people learn British English so they can build better connections and do more cool stuff in their lives, such as:Live and work in the UKAdvance their careersFeel more confident in everyday conversationsMore from BritSpeak:BritSpeakPod - https://www.britspeak.co/britspeakpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@brit-speakArticles - https://www.britspeak.co/blogInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/britspeakWork with me:Lessons: https://www.britspeak.co/storeCourses: https://www.britspeak.co/courses
Download the transcript for this episode: https://www.britspeak.co/transcriptsIn this episode of the Proper British English Podcast, I talk about:The different accents in the UKThe most common techniques they useHow to identify different UK accentsWant more episodes? https://www.britspeak.co/proper-british-english-podWelcome to the Proper British English Podcast. The podcast designed to help you understand British life, British culture, and of course, British English. My name is Dan from BritSpeak and I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher with over 10 years experience. I'm originally from Sheffield, UK, but I moved to Japan in 2016. I help people learn British English so they can build better connections and do more cool stuff in their lives, such as:Live and work in the UKAdvance their careersFeel more confident in everyday conversationsMore from BritSpeak:BritSpeakPod - https://www.britspeak.co/britspeakpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@brit-speakArticles - https://www.britspeak.co/blogInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/britspeakWork with me:Lessons: https://www.britspeak.co/storeCourses: https://www.britspeak.co/courses
Download the transcript for this episode: https://www.britspeak.co/transcriptsIn this episode of the Proper British English Podcast, I talk about:TV shows that will help you improve your EnglishUK shows from different genresA big mistake people make with TV shows for learningWant more episodes? https://www.britspeak.co/proper-british-english-podWelcome to the Proper British English Podcast. The podcast designed to help you understand British life, British culture, and of course, British English. My name is Dan from BritSpeak and I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher with over 10 years experience. I'm originally from Sheffield, UK, but I moved to Japan in 2016. I help people learn British English so they can build better connections and do more cool stuff in their lives, such as:Live and work in the UKAdvance their careersFeel more confident in everyday conversationsMore from BritSpeak:BritSpeakPod - https://www.britspeak.co/britspeakpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@brit-speakArticles - https://www.britspeak.co/blogInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/britspeakWork with me:Lessons: https://www.britspeak.co/storeCourses: https://www.britspeak.co/courses
Enhance your English fluency with some great (and odd!) UK news: pink fog, online habits, reindeer carrots, and Tree of Kindness. These are just a few of the heartwarming and intriguing stories we're exploring today. Listen, build your vocabulary and get some great English listening practice today! Free Transcript: https://adeptenglish.com/lessons/learn-english-language-pink-fog-reindeer-carrots-kindness-stories/As you listen https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/ to a native speaker discuss these topics, you'll absorb authentic English https://adeptenglish.com/language-courses/ language naturally, which is the secret to fluency! We'll wander through the enchanting phenomenon of pink fog, carrots, trees and how much time people in the UK spend online.Each story is brimming with advanced vocabulary and natural expressions, perfect for B2 and C1 learners. Immersing yourself in real English conversations like this helps you remember words without effort.Subscribing is easy! Just visit our FAQ page, choose Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and start listening to 8 new, ad-free episodes every month.- FAQ: https://adeptenglish.com/faq/subscription-faq/- Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adeptenglish/subscribe - Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/learn-english-through-listening/id1134891957 So press play and let's uncover these fascinating stories together, all while boosting your English fluency.#LearnEnglish #ESL #EnglishFluency #B2English #C1English #UKNews #AdvancedVocabulary #PodcastForEnglish
EPISODE 651 - Mark J Wilson - Full of Beans - A dead professor. A missing student, And a time-traveling detective.Mark is a scientist who works in gene therapy and very foolishly decided he had to write a novel about a time-traveling detective in his spare time.I live in Washington, DC with my wife, Carrie, but I was born and brought up in Reading, England. My favourite place in the world is in the Cotswolds, just down the road from Oxford (where most of Full of Beans is set).I went to college in Canterbury where I studied biochemistry and got a PhD. I have worked in biopharmaceuticals for the last 35 years or so.I'm currently working in gene therapy, helping to develop a much-needed cure for Rett Syndrome.I worked in Nottingham and Cambridge before moving back to Reading (so it can't be all bad, right?). Then I came to America in 2009. It does seem like a drastic move just to get out of Reading again. I lived in North Carolina for 7 years before moving to the DC area.Growing up in Reading gave me a fascination with trains and planes, being as how there wasn't much else there to interest a kid. I loved hanging around at the west end of Platform 5, and when Concorde would fly over. And there was a Model Shop. I loved the Model Shop. And Eames' model train shop.My dad gave me lifelong passions for astronomy, physics, chess, cooking, and model-making. And I love model trains. Over the years, in my spare time, I've also been a watercolor artist and a music producer. I love electronic dance music.Full of Beans is my first published novel and it is dedicated to Carrie and her coffee machine, which would constantly instruct us to “Fill Beans,” whether the hopper was full or empty. Without either of them this book might never have been written. It took over two years to write, on the weekends and holidays, and I learned a lot about writing.I heard they are bringing back Clippy... ‘I see you're writing a novel. Do you need help with that?' I did need help, but instead I have relied on some actually talented hooman-beans for that.The book was an editor's nightmare to work on. We chose British English spellings (like ‘colour') and phrases (such as ‘bugger off') to go with most of the settings and characters. However, we also chose to go with the Chicago Manual of Style for other stuff like punctuation, rather than the Oxford Guide to Style. Sorry Oxford. Please check the CMOS before levelling criticism at the editing; it was a heroic effort. Thanks Kevin and Avery.Feel free, however, to debate the choice to liberally use the Oxford comma. And to jolly-well split some infinitives. And start sentences with conjunctions.If strict British grammar is your passion, rather than a fun read, then hard cheese. It isn't meant to be bloody Shakespeare. I'm sure there'll be a new Booker Prize nominee along any minute now.The artwork was accomplished with help from artlist.io, using its Comic Noir algorithm and many, many attempts, amalgamations, and many hours of editing images to get what I wanted. The book cover was a team effort with Joe and Michelle. https://markjwilson.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca
Grab this episode's FREE PDF Worksheet with intermediate+ expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today's vocabulary 3x faster!
Why do so many celebrities follow the same tragic script - early success, impossible pressure, public decline, and a carefully managed collapse? And has anything really changed in the age of influencers, TikTok fame and constant online visibility?In today's Advanced level episode of English and Beyond, Oliver and César explore the darker side of fame: the industry built on illusion, the toxic incentives behind talent management, and the strange role we, the audience, play in keeping the system alive. From Judy Garland to Britney Spears, from classic paparazzi culture to the self-inflicted exposure of social media, we unpack why the machine keeps producing the same stories - and why we keep consuming them.You'll hear a 4-minute monologue followed by a natural, unscripted conversation in British English - ideal for advanced learners wanting rich vocabulary and nuanced reflections.
In this cross-post episode, Lewis and Michael go through some fun conversation questions that involve a lot of British English idioms and slang.While hearing our funny stories, you'll improve your knowledge of spoken English and train your listening.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast350Get access to coaching, group classes, and 100s of bonus lessons and episodes on Level Up English.➡️ Become a Member Today: https://www.levelupenglish.school/join/➡️ Join the Free Mini Course - https://www.levelupenglish.school/mini⭐️ Join Level Up English - https://www.levelupenglish.school Become a member and get: Podcast Transcripts Private Podcast Group Classes Private Coaching And over 500 online lessons!
Hello! Welcome to this lesson https://adeptenglish.com/lessons/ on sounding truly fluent https://adeptenglish.com/english/fluency/ in British English. I'm Hilary, and today we're diving into something that could transform your speaking straight away. Struggling to sound fluent and natural in English, even when you know loads of vocabulary? It's frustrating, isn't it? Well, groundbreaking research has revealed a fascinating secret: the key to native-like fluency isn't buried in complex words at all. No, it's about learning those common, everyday phrases that British speakers use automatically, without even thinking.Gosh, imagine that! In just a bit, we'll get into the science behind this, and I'll share some key tactics to help you boost your "perceived fluency" right away. You'll sound more confident and competent in any conversation—whether it's a casual chat or something more formal. So, what are we covering exactly? Let's break it down: first, learning essential "multi-word sequences", or MWS for short, that's chunks of language that native speakers rattle off effortlessly. Then, we'll look at high-frequency British phrases perfect for work and social interactions. And finally, how to weave these language chunks into your speech so you talk more quickly, with fewer pauses and hesitations.Free Transcript: https://adeptenglish.com/lessons/english-speaking-practice-british-multi-word-sequences/Upgrade your English learning with our premium subscription. 8 new, ad-free episodes every month for less than a coffee. Subscribe now: Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adeptenglish/subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/learn-english-through-listening/id1134891957More info: https://adeptenglish.com/faq/subscription-faq/This approach? It's an absolute game-changer, especially for your IELTS Speaking test, where fluency and natural language use are everything if you're aiming for that high band score. But it's not just for exams, think about your real-world English too. Daily interactions will feel smoother, more authentic, and, well, just easier. Why overcomplicate your learning with rare words when you can focus on the English people actually use every day?Quick check: does that make sense so far? Brilliant! Now, if you're ready to stop struggling and start speaking with real confidence, stick with me through this lesson. And don't forget—follow and subscribe to our podcast and channel for more English listening lessons, IELTS listening practice, and spoken English training. We're all in this journey to fluency together, and I can't wait to hear how it goes for you!Follow and subscribe to our FREE English language podcast, wherever you listen or watch your podcasts.#B2Listening #C3Listening #BritishEnglishPhrases #EnglishFluency #IELTSspeaking #LearnEnglish #NativeSpeakerEnglish #IELTSlistening #EnglishListeningPractice
Charlie and Nikki May (This Motherless Land) discuss her childhood in Lagos and moving to England, various ways Nikki's story changed over time (quite a lot!), the Nigerian women's relay team of 1992, and the upcoming TV adaptations of both This Motherless Land and Wahala. Please note that there is some swearing in this episode. General references: About the Nigerian Women's Relay team win at the 1992 Olympics Rocks (2019) Nikki made the shortlist of the Nigerian Prize for Literature Books mentioned by name or extensively: Enid Blyton: The Famous Five (series) Jane Austen: Pride And Prejudice Jane Austen: Emma Jane Austen: Mansfield Park Nikki May: Wahala Nikki May: This Motherless Land Release details: recorded 29th July 2025; published 27th October 2025 Where to find Nikki online: Website || Instagram Where to find Charlie online: Website || Instagram || TikTok Discussions 01:50 Being inspired by Jane Austen and Mansfield Park and introducing the way that the book is inspired by Nikki's own life 05:27 Expanding on how this book is inspired by Nikki's childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, and later move to England 08:52 About Nikki's brother, to whom This Motherless Land is dedicated 09:56 Talking about the Ikoyi club in Nigeria Nikki's family was a part of 11:03 The story changed so much during the writing! We discuss a few different areas - Liv, romance, JoJo 16:10 Somewhat like Funke, Nikki changed her name when she moved to England. We also discuss switching between Nigerian English and British English 20:33 Funke's father's grief 23:42 Brief discussion on how Jane Austen's sister couldn't attend her funeral 24:53 Easter eggs - carnation milk, and differences with food between the nations in this context 27:39 Could Liv have been believed about Kate? 29:27 The story beyond the pages and brief info about both This Mother Land's and Wahala's TV adaptations 33:40 Making each book different 35:30 What Nikki is writing at the moment; discussing ageism and the difference between men and women in that context 39:53 About Billy the parrot 41:06 Nikki's dogs and doing a combined dog and plot walk
English, please is a podcast designed to help improve your English by listening to clear, intermediate English about many different topics like history, culture, art, music, travel, and language.Episode 47: The Origins of "American" EnglishDiscover how American English began and how it grew apart from British English over time. Learn about some of the people, places, and events that helped shape the language spoken in the United States today. As with all episodes, this one is just the right length for practicing your listening skills in one sitting. This means you can improve your English without needing a lot of time.Episode vocabularyAccess vocabulary words using a podcast player that supports chapters, like Apple Podcasts, Player FM, Overcast. Episode transcriptPodcast website Buy me a coffee to support the showSubscribe to the newsletter for episode updates and occasional English-language content to help you practice! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
主播:Flora(中国)+ Erin(美国) 音乐:Breathe我们收到一位粉丝投稿,表示在生活中经常见到奇怪的直白机翻标语,比如“Pay attention to safety”,实际上应该翻译为“Stay Safe”或者“Safety First”,意思是“注意安全”。今天我们就一起来学习六大类地道英文标语,看看生活中那些奇奇怪怪的英文标语到底错在哪儿?为常见“翻车”标语翻译纠错!01. 禁止类标语:No+名词/动词-ing表示禁止做某事,结构为“No”后直接加名词或动词-ing。“No” should be directly followed by a noun or gerund (动名词,就是动词-ing) - don't add “is” or “do” after it!No smoking 禁止吸烟 No parking 禁止停车No photography 禁止拍照02. 警告类标语:Do not+动词“Do not”比“No”稍正式。It is directly followed by an action verb to express a specific behavior (某个具体动作) that should not be done.Do not touch 请勿触摸 Do not climb 请勿攀爬Do not lean 请勿倚靠03. 危险警示类标语:Caution: / Warning:Caution: / Warning:+潜在危险,常见于公共场所或商场。Caution: Wet floor 小心地滑 Caution: Watch your step 小心台阶Caution: Hot surface 高温危险与”Warning“相比,”Caution“比较温和,”Warning“语气更强烈、更紧急。Warning sounds like a police gave you an official notice (官方通知). 所以见到”warning“这样的标志一定要小心了(you'd better be careful)。04. 提醒类标语:Be+形容词提示状态,常见于通知栏。用于温和提醒、告知注意事项的时候。 Be careful / Mind your head 小心碰头 Be patient 请耐心等候Be quiet 保持安静“Be+形容词”结构,用来描述应该保持什么状态,类似于我们提到的“stay safe”。那么“be happy”就是“保持开心”。05. 限制类标语:... Only用于限制特定人群或用途。闲人免进:No enter other people 只有授权人员可以进,就是闲人免进。Authorized Personnel Only 非工作人员禁止入内:No entry for others 非工作人员禁止入内,就是仅限工作人员。Staff Only 仅限出口:Only out ”出“可不是用“out”,而是用“exit”出口这个词。Exit Only 06. 注意类标语:Mind+需要注意的事Mind your head 小心碰头Mind the step 小心台阶Mind the gap 小心站台空隙 “Mind”在这里不是“想”,而是“注意”。This is super common in British English.你可能会在地铁中听到播报:“Mind the gap”,这在其他很多地方也会用到,especially where there's a space between the train and the platform (站台)。07. 标语改错 小心滑倒:Slip Carefully 这个标语的翻译是在说要小心地滑倒、优雅地滑倒(fall with grace)。正确的翻译应该是:Wet Floor / Be careful: Slippery floor 出口:Just get out, don't get in. This one sounds so rude, like get out, don't come back!正确的翻译应该是:Exit Only 你猜对了吗?08. 其他常用易错标语Occupied:(厕所)有人/使用中 You'll see this on restroom doors (厕所的门上) when someone is inside (当有人在里面). 表示厕所被占用了。Out of Order: 暂停使用/故障中This goes on broken equipment (已经损坏的设备) or unavailable facilities (已经无法使用的设施上). 但是这里不是违反规则,而是暂停使用或者故障中。Please Keep off the Grass: 请勿踩踏草坪“Keep off”是避开;“Keep off the grass”就是请勿踩踏草坪。It's common in parks.No Soliciting: 请勿推销或上门宣传“No Soliciting”是一个文化色彩比较浓厚的标语。“Solicit”是“索取、拉客”的意思,“No Soliciting”听上去像是禁止拉客或者禁止乞讨。That's what it seems like but it actually means don't approach a property (物业) to sell goods (进行推销), offer services (提供服务), or request donations (要求捐款).尤其是在美国,人们比较注重privacy(个人隐私),所以在居民区、办公室楼、商铺门口,放一个“No Soliciting”的标语是为了防止陌生人上门打扰。It's basically saying “We don't want door-to-door salespeople here”. 在美国看到这个标志,就相当于说“推销勿扰”。欢迎留言告诉我们:你还见过哪些奇奇怪怪的标语翻译?What are the weird sign translations you've seen?
1122. This week, we look at two subtle but persistent differences between American and British English: why Americans say "math" and Brits say "maths," and why Americans are "in the hospital" while Brits are "in hospital." Then, we look at the historical meaning of the word "spendthrift" and introduce some wonderfully obsolete insults like "dingthrift" and "scrapethrift."The "maths" segment was written by Samantha Enslen, who runs Dragonfly Editorial. You can find her at dragonflyeditorial.com.The "spendthrift" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a career writer and editor. These days, she designs websites for solo business owners who care about both words and visuals. Find her at chanterellemarketingstudio.com.
Are we becoming obsessed with optimisation?From Greek philosophy to Apple Watches, the idea of “the good life” has shifted from balance and virtue to data, tracking, and biohacking.In this episode of English and Beyond (Advanced), Oliver and César explore the culture of self-optimisation - from sleep divorces to clean eating, from supplements to billionaire blood transfusions.You'll hear natural British English conversation on:Where “healthy living” becomes obsessive control;Why sleep tracking, diets, and fitness apps can be both useful and harmful; andWhether we're chasing perfection or just trying to survive adulthood.
Do you ever feel frustrated by modern technology and wish things were simpler? You're not alone, and this common feeling is your key to unlocking advanced English (https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/) skills! In this lesson, you will train your ear to understand authentic, natural-speed English by exploring why both older and younger generations find modern life challenging. We'll explain specific vocabulary like 'built-in obsolescence', 'chatbot', and 'digital content', analyze common complaint phrases used by British English speakers, and discuss the cultural concept of a 'Boomer'. Learning this real-world language is not just interesting, it directly improves your IELTS listening score by familiarizing you with diverse accents and complex topics, while the phrases you learn (https://adeptenglish.com/company/learning-system/) will make your spoken English sound more natural and fluent in any conversation. Watch now and turn your daily frustrations into a powerful English learning opportunity.Improve your English listening skills with 8 new premium episodes every month. All for less than your daily coffee. Subscribe now: Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adeptenglish/subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/learn-english-through-listening/id1134891957Find out more: https://adeptenglish.com/faq/subscription-faq/Follow and subscribe to our podcast and channel for more English listening lessons, IELTS listening practice, and spoken English training to support your journey to fluency.#LearnEnglish #EnglishListening #IELTSListening #EnglishVocabulary #EnglishFluency #Boomer #ModernTechnology
Send us a textSPECIAL NOTE: SEASON 15 OF THE GOOD, THE POD AND THE UGLY CELEBRATES THE USE OF THE PRACTICAL AND DIGITAL EFFECT KNOWN AS THE SQUIB. IRL GUN VIOLENCE IS INTOLERABLE AND RENOUNCED BUT... CINEMATIC VIOLENCE WILL BE CELEBRATED IN A WAY THAT MAY DISTURB SOME LISTENERS. Squib Games Season (S15) continues with an 80's cable classic and special effects extravaganza, the eponymous F/X (1986). Director Robert Mandel best known for his 1992 drama School Ties had no major studio film to his credit when he was hired to direct the two top tiered Bryans: Aussie sexpot Bryan Brown as the Hollywood special effects guru Roland “Rollie” Tyler, an immigrant framed by crooked law enforcement in an intricate double-fake out murder leaving him a marked man, and Brian Dennehy (returning to the action genre, see First Blood from earlier this season) as Detective Leo McCarthy who plays by his own rulebook and likely soon up for retirement who suspects Rollie might be innocent. Pod favs Diane Venora (Bird, Heat, The Insider) has a minor role as the aspiring actress love interest and Tom Noonan (Manhunter this same year) plays a tall goon. Surprisingly for an action-intrigue movie set in the 1980s, there are a pleasant number of professional women getting the job done, although those who pop most on screen are Rollie's and Det. McCarthy's respective sidekicks. Mixing reveals on how effects are done in real life with FX in the reality of the movie's world provides a great primer for this season's gun play as well as lets the movie's hero exact lethal revenge without having to hold a gun. Such a fun concept, the premise spawned a sequel five years later starring the two Bryans and five years after that a forty-episode, two-season Canadian TV series starring neither Bry/i/an. The hosts this ep spitball alternate castings for turning F/X from a action-thriller into a b-movie gorefest; Ken's feels safe to share his big glasses frame fetish; Ryan's presents a theory on why straight women wore out copies of their VHS's; and Thomas gets the opportunity to mention both The Rage: Carrie 2 and Psycho III in nearly the same breath. Jack, this season's visiting guest host and inspiration for Squib Season, is off again this week on some continental op but will return for next episode with the book report for Miller's Crossing. Fun final fact: F/X is the first movie since TGTPTU Season 4's Cage/Uncaged to have a forward slash (or a “stroke” for our speakers of British English) in its title. That prior movie, of course, was our first John Woo film covered. THEME SONG BY: WEIRD A.I.Email: thegoodthepodandtheugly@gmail.comFacebook: https://m.facebook.com/TGTPTUInstagram: https://instagram.com/thegoodthepodandtheugly?igshid=um92md09kjg0Bluesky: @goodpodugly.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6mI2plrgJu-TB95bbJCW-gLetterboxd (follow us!):Podcast: goodpoduglyKen: Ken KoralRyan: Ryan Tobias
Ballpark figure, shift, chur, keener, a double-double, lekker, togs, thongs, jonesin & craic... do you know these English slang words from outside the UK? Interactive Transcript Support Easy English and get interactive transcripts and bonus content for all our episodes: easyenglish.fm/membership Transcript Intro Mitch: [0:25] I'm nervous. Isi: [0:26] Really? Mitch: [0:28] Nervously excited. Isi: [0:30] Mitch is confused, because he doesn't know what's coming up today. Mitch: [0:33] Yeah, I feel like I'm in the hot seat for the first time in a long time. Isi: [0:38] So, yeah, I prepared this topic. Mitch doesn't even know it yet. What I thought, actually, it has a little background story. At the moment we play this game, whenever we are somewhere where people are, where I guess if someone has a different accent to our southern British surroundings, I guess where the people are from. Because I would love to master this, and to bring my English to the next level and know when someone is from Australia, the US, Ireland, or Liverpool. Mitch: [1:18] You're getting really good at it though. You're quite quick. Isi: [1:21] Why did you say though? Wasn't it expected? Actually yesterday, good example, no? Mitch: [1:28] Yeah, I just quizzed you... there was someone behind you and I just quizzed you quickly; do you know where they're from? You're just, like a flash, "Ireland." What part of Ireland? "Republic". Isi: [1:40] I love Ireland. Yeah, so what I thought is, I would like to, a bit, quiz you, if you know slang words from other British English speaking countries or regions, actually countries, I think, only. Yeah, other countries. Would you like to go for that? Support Easy English and get interactive transcripts and bonus content for all our episodes: easyenglish.fm/membership
As you may know, politeness in English - especially in British English - is a very important thing. Learners often struggle to keep up with the confusing grammar and long sentences, so in this episode, I break down a few key phrases that you can start using today to make your questions and requests sound more polite.I go through each phrase one by one and explain how we use it, give an example anecdote from my own life where I could use it, and also end each section with a question to get you thinking.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast341--------------------Level 3 is now open and ready to join!
Voice Actor Rates - with Louisa GummerJoin us as we dive deep into one of the most confusing aspects of the voiceover industry with the brilliant Louisa Gummer - voiceover rates! If you've ever scratched your head wondering why VO pricing seems so complicated, or if you've struggled to work out what to charge for a job, this episode is absolutelyessential listening.Louisa brings over twenty years of professional voiceover experience to our conversation, along with her unique background combining trained acting skills, a mathematics degree, and business expertise. You might recognise her warm,authoritative voice from thousands of commercials, corporates, and documentaries - or perhaps you've heard her telling Northern Line passengers where to get off on the London Underground!What We CoverGetting Started We kick off by learning about Louisa's unusualcombination of being a trained actor, with a mathematics degree and a background in business.The Rate Revelation Ever wondered why voiceover rates seem so impossibly complicated? Louisa breaks down the history and reasoning behind our industry's pricing structure, explaining why that £200-for-an-hour's-workmentality is completely missing the point when it comes to broadcast commercials.Working Out What to Charge Louisa shares her top practical tips for calculating rates, helping you understand the factors that should influence your pricing decisions beyond just the time spent in the booth.Negotiation Know-How We tackle that dreaded phrase: "We don't have the budget." Louisa offers invaluable advice on how to handle rate negotiations whilst maintaining your professional worth.Global Perspective How do UK voiceover rates stack up against other international markets? We explore the differences and what that means for British voice talent.Resources and Guidance Finally, we point you towards the best places to get reliable rate guidance so you can price your work confidently. About Louisa GummerLouisa is an award-winning voiceover artist with over two decades in the industry. Her work spans commercials, corporates, documentaries, video games, animation,museum guides, audio dramas, audiobooks, and even announcements from MRI scanners and airplane cockpits! Born in Essex and raised across England and Wales, her neutral British English accent and warm, intelligent delivery havemade her a sought-after voice in the industry.Connect with Louisa· Louisa's website - https://louisagummer.com/· Louisa's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/LouisaGummer/· Louisa's Instagram - https://louisagummer.com/The Voiceover Social is hosted by Helen Bee and Rob Bee, bringing you insights, tips, and honest conversations about the voiceover industry. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and join our community of voice professionals.For more information about The Voiceover Social visit:The VO Social WebsiteJoin the VO Social Email ListVO Social EventsVO Social local groupsVO Social InstagramVO Social FacebookVO Social LinkedIn About B Double E:Rob Bee and Helen Bee run B Double E - together we help voiceovers to be seen and heard.B Double E websiteB Double E email listB Double E eventsB Double E blogB Double E servicesPodcast sponsored by B Double E.Theme tune by Rob Bee.All audio production by Rob Bee.
FREE PDF Lesson Pack – https://bit.ly/BonusEp82_FREE_PDF_Lesson Join my next group lesson on Zoom (The Academy) – https://thebritishenglishpodcast.com/academy Check out Rob's podcast - The Business English Podcast ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Highlights 00:37 Intro 1:40 5 Awkward Scenarios in Business 3:30 FREE Vocabulary PDF 4:41 5 Awkward Scenarios in Business 21:19 Reminder of FREE Vocabulary PDF I'll be honest—before I started teaching English, I didn't realise how many odd little phrases we use in British English that just don't appear in textbooks. Words like “dunnit” or “the Watford Gap” sound totally normal to us… but leave learners totally confused! So in this lesson, I'm sharing 10 brilliant British phrases that every B1-level learner should know. These expressions are the real deal—stuff you'll hear in the pub, on TV, or when you're out with British friends.
This one starts with a dodgy lane choice, a Starbucks coffee, and a misjudged underpass. As always. I'm back in the Land Rover — which might be its final podcast outing before it finds a new home — and today's episode is a rambling, reflective road trip through customer service, creative resilience, and the rapidly growing presence of AI in our industry. The day started badly. Cold shower (thanks British Gas), broken editing software, and a head full of terabytes. But it ended with a reminder of why kindness, craftsmanship, and conversation still matter. A haircut from someone I've known for 18 years. A deep chat with the owner of Michel Engineering while he lovingly took apart my ancient-but-beautiful record deck — the very same design featured in A Clockwork Orange and owned by Steve Jobs, no less. And then... a disappointing interaction with a distracted barista and a headset-wearing drive-thru operator. Same building, worlds apart. Customer service, it turns out, is alive and well — just not always where you'd expect it. But the main theme of this episode is AI. Not the doom-and-gloom kind, but the real stuff: the tools I'm already using, how they're reshaping our workflows, and how they might be reshaping entire economies. It's not AI that's coming for your job — it's the photographer who learns to harness it. We talk about: AI tools I already use (like EVOTO, Imagine AI, ChatGPT, and XCi) Using AI as a teaching assistant, sub-editor, and productivity coach The real-world implications of AI-generated ads, coding layoffs, and what it means for creatives Plans for a new AI section on masteringportraitphotography.com And if you hang in there until the end, I'll tell you about a girl named Dory, a gutsy 12-year-old contortionist, and the new edition of Mastering Portrait Photography — complete with fresh images, a decade of stories, and a very special launch offer. So pop on your headphones, admire the wheat fields if you've got them, and come along for the ride. Spoiler: there's C3PO's eye in here too. Yes, really.
Click here for the FREE PDF Lesson Pack In this episode, Charlie helps you improve your British English and boost your IELTS Speaking score by focusing on Part 3 of the speaking exam using the topic of education. You'll hear three model answers — Band 5, Band 7, and Band 9 — to the same question, followed by a breakdown of what makes each one different and how you can level up your own speaking skills. Expect practical tips, natural British expressions, and insights into how examiners really assess fluency, grammar, and vocabulary.
In this English listening‑practice lesson we're focusing on how to invite someone, make plans, and set dates — from a quick coffee to a full night out. You'll master natural phrases for casual and formal invitations, learn how to suggest activities without sounding pushy, and discover polite ways to check someone's availability. By the end, you'll have new vocabulary, better listening skills, and the confidence to set up plans like a native speaker!
In this episode of Carioca Connection, Alexia and Foster take us on a journey through their recent vacation to the English countryside. They share stories of reconnecting with childhood friends, exploring the picturesque landscapes near Oxford, and embracing the charming quirks of British culture. Tune in as they discuss the joys and challenges of traveling, the beauty of nature in England, and the nostalgic feeling of revisiting a beloved country. As always, this episode is packed with real-life Brazilian Portuguese expressions and cultural insights that you won't find in textbooks. Enjoy!E agora em português…
Did you know that over 3,000 iconic red telephone boxes in the UK no longer have phones inside? They are being converted into mini libraries, cake shops, even storing life-saving defibrillators!Welcome to Adept English, the podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7ixeOS7ezPTZSaISIx2TTw where you learn real British English through fascinating cultural stories. Today we're exploring how these symbols of the UK, those bright red telephone boxes—have been given surprising new purposes. You'll pick up essential vocabulary, like 'stained glass' or 'honesty box', while discovering quirky, uplifting tales from villages across Britain."Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way." Tom FrestonIf you like this podcast then you will love Course One Activate Your Listening, which includes 5 hours of 'Listen & Learn' material. It's like the podcasts but more in depth. Find out more here: https://adeptenglish.com/language-courses/course-one-activate-your-listening/This English https://adeptenglish.com/language-courses/ lesson is perfect if you're at an intermediate (B1+) level and want to improve your English listening https://adeptenglish.com/english/listening/ skills with clear, natural speech.
Confused by tricky British English like silent letters, idioms & slang? Adept English Rule 6 (The Helping Hand) simplifies difficult grammar & pronunciation. Understand English better & speak with confidence!➡️ Get the FREE transcript & MP3 audio download for this lesson: https://adeptenglish.com/7rules/rule-6/Read along, review key vocabulary, and listen offline!#BritishEnglish #EnglishIdioms #TrickyEnglish #AdeptEnglish #Rule6 #LearnEnglish
We are hard-wired and sweating profusely this week YFT fam. Wells is in Costa Rica bartending for the stars while also worrying about unstable internet and the lack of streaming options. How do you say Game of Thrones en espanol?? So…your hosts take the extra time this week to dive deeper into the goss from the last week on planet earth. Brandi joins post-wedding and post-hangover, having crushed an unprepared Maid of Honor speech—proof you never let the truth get in the way of a good story. They dive into Ozempic rumors, horse genetics, whether we need another pope (can we get a millennial one?), and debate the worthiness of a genie wish—$50 trillion vs. a good sandwich. British English is bollocks, Ozzy Osborne is retiring (and apparently still alive), and Wells' Spanish just might just be improving… adios, amigos! Favorite things mentioned: Walton Goggins Freaks Out Mobland Game of Thrones (but in Spanish!) Under the Sea by Wells Adams Thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting this episode! Mood: Get 20% off your first order at Mood.com/YFT with promo code YFT. Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/yft and use code yft. Happy Mammoth: For a limited time get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com and use the code YFT. Prolon: Visit ProlonLife.com/YFT to claim your 15% discount sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Quince: Treat your closet to a little summer glow-up with Quince. Go to Quince.com/yft for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Visit Article.com/yft and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Skims: Shop the SKIMS Ultimate Bra Collection and more at SKIMS.com. Apostrophe: Apostrophe: Get your first visit for only $5 at Apostrophe.com/YFT when you use our code: YFT. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow Your Favorite Podcast! Plus, keep up with us between episodes on our Instagram pages, @yftpodcast @wellsadams and @brandicyrus and be sure to leave us a voicemail with your fave things at 858-630-1856! This podcast is brought to you by Podcast Nation.
We are hard-wired and sweating profusely this week YFT fam. Wells is in Costa Rica bartending for the stars while also worrying about unstable internet and the lack of streaming options. How do you say Game of Thrones en espanol?? So…your hosts take the extra time this week to dive deeper into the goss from the last week on planet earth. Brandi joins post-wedding and post-hangover, having crushed an unprepared Maid of Honor speech—proof you never let the truth get in the way of a good story. They dive into Ozempic rumors, horse genetics, whether we need another pope (can we get a millennial one?), and debate the worthiness of a genie wish—$50 trillion vs. a good sandwich. British English is bollocks, Ozzy Osborne is retiring (and apparently still alive), and Wells' Spanish just might just be improving… adios, amigos! Favorite things mentioned: Walton Goggins Freaks Out Mobland Game of Thrones (but in Spanish!) Under the Sea by Wells Adams Thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting this episode! Mood: Get 20% off your first order at Mood.com/YFT with promo code YFT. Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/yft and use code yft. Happy Mammoth: For a limited time get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com and use the code YFT. Prolon: Visit ProlonLife.com/YFT to claim your 15% discount sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Quince: Treat your closet to a little summer glow-up with Quince. Go to Quince.com/yft for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Visit Article.com/yft and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Skims: Shop the SKIMS Ultimate Bra Collection and more at SKIMS.com. Apostrophe: Apostrophe: Get your first visit for only $5 at Apostrophe.com/YFT when you use our code: YFT. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow Your Favorite Podcast! Plus, keep up with us between episodes on our Instagram pages, @yftpodcast @wellsadams and @brandicyrus and be sure to leave us a voicemail with your fave things at 858-630-1856! This podcast is brought to you by Podcast Nation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Protesters across the US have taken to the streets in a show of defiance against Donald Trump's policies. Also: what's so compelling about jazz, and is British English slang being adopted across the Atlantic?