Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson

297. Using Humour in the IELTS Speaking Test (with Jessica from All Ears English)

On the podcast today I'm talking to Jessica Beck who has been working in English language teaching for over 10 years. She is an instructor, a teacher trainer and an author of 14 textbooks for learning English. You may also know Jessica from her work on the IELTS Energy Podcast (www.ielts.allearsenglish.com), which is part of the All Ears English. I talked to Gabby and Lindsay from AEE on LEP last year about culture shock, remember that? Well, Jessica is part of the All Ears English team, and is known there as the "Examiner of Excellence". So, she knows a lot about the IELTS test, and he's got some good advice for any of my listeners who plan to take the test, including how you can improve your speaking score if you have a good sense of humour. If you're not planning to take the test, these skills can also be applied to your use of English in general life too. <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-54f">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-54f</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

296. Learning Comedy is like Learning a Language (with Paul Taylor)

This episode features a conversation with my friend Paul Taylor, who you already know from previous episodes of LEP. Paul is back from the Edinburgh fringe, where he was performing for the whole of August in a comedy show, and a couple of days ago he came over to the flat for a cup of tea and a bit of a chat. We started talking about the Edinburgh fringe and how it went for him. It was his first time and I think he found it very challenging because the audiences were hard to please, apparently they had some tough shows where nobody laughed, and he realised that the standard of stand-up comedy in the UK is much higher than he expected, but it was a learning experience. Then we ended up talking about the similarity between learning how to do stand-up comedy and learning a language. During the conversation I quickly decided to record our thoughts so that I could make it into an episode of my podcast. We wrote down a few brief ideas and then went upstairs to start recording. You can now listen to that conversation here in full. Also, listen to the end to hear some funny out-takes from this episode. <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53R">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53R</a>  #language #learning #english #comedy #Edinburgh #fringe<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

295. California Road Trip (Final Part)

Hi and welcome back to LEP. This is episode 295, and it will be the final part of this 8-part series which is inspired by my trip to the west coast of the US recently. I'm going to talk about the final part of our journey from San Francisco, down the coast via Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo and back to LA. I'll also talk some more about customer service and give you some tips on how to make complaints in English and how to talk to strangers in slightly sensitive situations, like when you want a person sitting behind you to stop talking because you can't sleep. You can expect to hear those things and more in this episode. Click here for more information <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53v">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53v</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

294. California Road Trip (Part 7) Earthquakes & Hippies

Hello listeners and welcome back. This is part 7 in this series which is based on my recent trip to California. I didn't expect this to be a 7-part series, but it just keeps going because I've found more and more things to talk to you about! It's like the podcast episode that refuses to die, it keeps coming back for more! It's like <a href= "http://teacherluke.co.uk/2014/03/06/173-the-curse-of-the-lambton-worm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Lambton Worm</a> or something - just when I think I've finished it off, it gets longer! I think this will be the last episode, but who knows. Time seems to shrink when I'm recording episodes of this podcast. An hour seems to disappear in just a few minutes because I get really involved in what I'm saying. I wonder if it's the same experience for you. I hope so. Click here for the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53o">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53o</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

293. California Road Trip (Part 6) San Francisco / AJ Hoge Interview / UK & US English

Welcome to episode 293, which is in fact part 6 in this mini series based around my recent trip to California. There's still a lot to talk about, and in this episode I'll tell you about our time spent in San Francisco and that's going to include these things - my interview with AJ Hoge the well-known online English teacher, more British and American English, earthquakes, a short biography of Robin Williams, a history of the peace & love movement in San Francisco, more descriptions of our trip down the west coast of California, and some more tips about how to talk to waiters and customer service staff. It seems pretty obvious to me that that is too much for one episode, so I think there will probably be a part 7 to this series, and after that we'll return to normal podcasting and English teaching, with perhaps some more UK oriented topics in future episodes, and more episodes featuring authentic unscripted conversations with my friends Amber and Paul. Click here to visit the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53e">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-53e</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

292. California Road Trip (Part 5) Scientology / Meeting a Bear in Yosemite / The Trek Gone Wrong!

Hi listeners, I hope all's well. Here's part 5 in this series which I'm doing about my California road trip. In this episode I'm hoping to talk about these things: TThe Church of Scientology, Yosemite National Park and our slightly dramatic adventure there, more British and American English, and if time I'll talk to you about San Francisco, where among other things I met and interviewed AJ Hoge. So let's get started. [In fact I only managed to talk about Scientology and the Yosemite experience - British & American English, and AJ Hoge will be in the next episode]. Click here for more information and a transcript <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-52G">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-52G</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

291. California Road Trip (Part 4) Stars on Hollywood Blvd / Songs & Movies / UK & US English

Hi everyone, here's part 4 in this road trip mini-series. How are you? Are you keeping up with all these new episodes? I suppose if you're listening to this it means you are keeping up, but don't feel rushed. Take your time, listen to them at your leisure, in your own time and at your own speed. I hope you're finding this series interesting. In this one I'm planning to cover these things: Hollywood Boulevard and celebrity culture, an analysis of the mysterious lyrics to Hotel California by The Eagles, a visit to the extremely wealthy area of Beverley Hills and some more differences between American and British English vocabulary. Click here for the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-52w">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-52w</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

290. California Road Trip (Part 3) Venice Beach / UK vs US English – Cars & Driving

This is part 3 in what could turn out to be quite a long series about my recent trip around California. In this episode I'm hoping to talk about Venice Beach, Baywatch, Segways, the grammar of telling stories and anecdotes in English, some facts about the Hollywood sign, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and British & American English vocabulary related to driving. That's a lot of subjects to cover, so let's get started right away! Click here for the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-520">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-520</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

289. California Road Trip (Part 2) History of California / Life in L.A. / UK & US English

Here's the next part of my description of my recent trip around California. This is a description of my honeymoon, but I'm also going to tell you about the cultural, geographical and historical context of the places we went to, and I'll give you some practical tips and teach you some British and American English too. This is part 2 of the California series. Let's carry on. <a href= "https://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/08/26/289-california-road-trip-part-2/">https://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/08/26/289-california-road-trip-part-2/</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

288. California Road Trip (Part 1)

This is a sort of diary or report of what happened on my honeymoon in California, but it's not just a description of a honeymoon. It's more than that, because not only am I going to tell you a few stories about what happened and what we did, but I'll also explain a bit of cultural and historical information, as well as give you some practical tips, including ways of communicating effectively in various situations. Click here for the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4U7">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4U7</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

287. VOCAB BATTLE!!! WITH AMBER & PAUL (exciting title)

a.k.a "Vocabulary Game with Amber & Paul" or "Fifteen Fixed Expressions" (less exciting titles) Learn more English expressions in this episode by listening to another vocabulary game with Amber Minogue and Paul Taylor. Click here to visit the page for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4VL">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4VL</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

286. The Wedding Episode

Hi everyone, how are you? As you know I got married a couple of weeks ago (applause & congratulations) and in this episode I'm going to tell you about my wedding day, including the preparation, the thoughts, the feelings, the emotions, and what happened on the day itself. I'm planning another episode in the future about the vocabulary of weddings. Click here to visit the page for this episode on my website: <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4Je">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4Je</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

285. Ten More Fixed Expressions (with Paul Taylor)

The next episode of LEP is here at last, after a one month absence. In this episode I'm joined again by Paul Taylor as we play another vocabulary game. Can you beat Paul, a native speaker of English, in this vocabulary guessing game? Listen to find out. Click here to visit the page for this episode: <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4Vd">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4Vd</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

284. Questions from Tea4er.ru (Part 2)

Hi listeners, in this episode I go through some more of the questions sent to me by readers of Tea4er.ru. All the questions and most of my answers are added on the page for this episode, so you can read and listen at the same time if you want to. Access the page here: <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4yU">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4yU</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

283. Ten Fixed Expressions (with Paul Taylor)

Listen to Paul and me play a guessing game involving ten fixed expressions. Can you beat Paul Taylor in this game in which you have to identify the expression being described by Luke? Listen and leave your comments here <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4vS">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4vS</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

282. Questions from Tea4er.ru

You can listen to an article about LEP and some Q&A from readers of Tea4er.ru all read out by Luke in this episode. Click here to read a transcript <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4yP">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4yP</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

281. Misheard Lyrics

Do you ever listen to songs and completely mishear the lyrics? I do it all the time. In fact, everybody does! Let's listen to some song extracts in which the lyrics don't quite sound as the singer intended. Click here for the page for this episode <a href= "http://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/06/17/281-misheard-lyrics/">http://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/06/17/281-misheard-lyrics/</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

280. The UK's Top 13 Superstitions

What are the most common superstitions in the UK? What are the origins of these superstitions? Why do we believe these things? Are there any particular phrases in our language that relate to these superstitions? Listen to the episode to find out more and click here for a transcript: <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-28K">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-28K</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

279. Marcus Keeley / Northern Ireland / Accent (Part 3)

Welcome back to part 3 of this short series. In parts 1 and 2 we got to know my guest a bit, and talked about Northern Ireland. Now in part 3 we are going to have a good listen to Marcus's Northern Irish accent, compare the way he and I speak, and also learn a few common phrases and slang from Northern Ireland. Enjoy! <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4hx">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4hx</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

278. Marcus Keeley / Northern Ireland (Part 2)

In part 1 of this episode we met Marcus Keeley. In part 2 we are going to talk specifically about Northern Ireland, its culture, the atmosphere there and things you can do if you visit as a tourist. There will be a part 3 of this conversation, which will focus on the accents and dialects in Northern Ireland. Click here for more details <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4hk">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4hk</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

277. A Chat with Marcus Keeley from Northern Ireland (Part 1)

This episode is the first part of a conversation I had recently with a friend from Northern Ireland. It's the first time I've had someone from that part of the UK before so it's a chance to get to know him, his country and the accents you find there. In this one we get to know Marcus and give you a chance to hear his accent. There will be two more parts to this episode. Enjoy! <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4df">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-4df</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Survey: What kind of episodes of LEP do you prefer?

Please click here to take my survey. It'll just take you a couple of minutes and I don't need your name or email address. Thanks! Link here: <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-48e">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-48e</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

276. Q&A Session #5

In this episode I'm responding to more questions from my listeners. These are all questions that found their way to me via the discussion forum or as comments or emails.  This one is Q&A Session #5. Click here to read all the questions and some transcripts of my answers <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3XU">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3XU</a>  To download a free audiobook go to <a href= "http://www.audibletrial.com/teacherluke">http://www.audibletrial.com/teacherluke</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

275. The Phrasal Verb Chronicles #2

100 episodes ago I recorded The Phrasal Verb Chronicles #1 - remember that? The point of that episode was to improvise a made-up story as a way of reviewing the first 50 phrasal verbs from my other podcast which is called A Phrasal Verb A Day. I had to just come up with a random story, and add in a load of phrasal verbs. Your task was to try and spot the phrasal verbs as I used them, while also following the story. It's time to do it again because I've done over 100 episodes of A Phrasal Verb A Day. So now, in this episode I'm going to attempt to improvise another story using phrasal verbs #51-100. Click here for the full list of phrasal verbs, with their mini podcast episodes from "A Phrasal Verb a Day" <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3Ue">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3Ue</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

274. Q&A Session #4

In this episode I'm going to respond to questions that my listeners have asked me in the teacherluke.co.uk discussion forum. I'll also deal with some other questions I've received from listeners in different ways, either on Facebook, twitter, email or as comments posted on my website. This is the 4th time I've done a Q&A session on the podcast like this, and I plan to do more! To send me your questions and to read a transcript for this episode, click here <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3oL">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3oL</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

273. The Bad Haircut Situation Part 2: More Role Plays & Improvisations (with Amber & Paul)

(Longest title ever?) In the last episode, Amber, Paul and I talked about giving compliments, sharing bad news, and generally saying negative things in a careful and diplomatic way. We then did a couple of role play improvisations to help you notice specific language. In this episode we continue with the improvisations and some language feedback. You can see some samples of the language used in those improvisations by clicking here <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3uQ">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3uQ</a>  Enjoy!<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

272. The Bad Haircut Situation (with Amber & Paul) How to use English in sensitive situations

In this episode we're going to look at how to deal with sensitive situations in English, and that includes ways of delivering bad news or saying negative things. We're going to consider ways of using language carefully in order to avoid upsetting people or making them angry. You'll hear a discussion on this topic between Amber, Paul and me and then a few role plays in which we have to deal with some sensitive situations. Watch out for the specific language that we use. Click here for all the details on teacherluke.co.uk <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3s9">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3s9</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

271. Catching Up with Amber & Paul

Today I'm joined by my mates Paul Taylor and Amber Minogue, both of whom have been on the podcast before. Let's catch up with them and see what they've been doing. Listen to the episode to hear a completely unscripted and authentic chat between 3 native speakers from England, as we talk about having babies, pedestrian crossings, having ginger hair, the difficulties of being English in the sunshine, and some of our favourite TV shows and films. Click here for more information <a href= "http://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/05/17/catching-up-with-amber-and-paul/"> http://teacherluke.co.uk/2015/05/17/catching-up-with-amber-and-paul/</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

270. UK General Election RESULTS

This is a summary of the results of the UK's general election which took place on May 7. What happened? Who won? What were the main events? What does this mean for the future of the UK over the next 5 years? To read a script and for more information click here to visit the page on the website for this episode <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3P0">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3P0</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

269. UK General Election 2015 (Part 2)

Welcome back to Part 2 of this episode which is all about the UK general election which is taking place in a couple of days on Thursday 7 May 2015. In this part we'll hear statements by 7 leaders from 7 of the main parties in this election, we'll consider exactly what they said, understand some of the vocabulary and key issues, and then look at the possible outcomes and predictions for the result of the election. Click here for a transcript and more information <a href= "http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3GN">http://wp.me/p4IuUx-3GN</a> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>