Series 01 Episode 01

Podcast - While you listen

Below is an exercise to help you when you listen to the podcast for the first time.

• Get ready to listen to the podcast on your computer.
• Click on the link below and read through the questions. This will give you an idea of the programme you are going to listen to.
• Read the questions and instructions carefully. Sometimes you must listen for the 'right' answers. But in some of these questions, you must choose the one answer that is not possible, or wrong.

Practice materials

Listen to the whole podcast and try to answer the questions while you listen

Check your answers when you have finished. How many did you get right? Remember this, because if you listen to the podcast again later (say next month), you can do the exercise again, and see if you have improved!

Section 1 - Conversations in English

“Susan, this is Paul” – introducing your friends

Section 1 is based on the Introduction. This section looks at things we often say and do in friendly conversations.

Suggestion: One way to do this section is: 

• Download the Support Pack and Transcript (below).
• Read the transcript.
• Look at the support pack, where you can read Tom the Teacher's tips and also find some useful words and phrases for this section.
• Do the exercises below to help you to learn the common phrases.
• If possible, practise these common phrases with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English.

Practice materials: Exercise 1

Introducing people - gapfilling activity

Practice materials: Exercise 2

There are more practice materials in the support pack (download below)

Section 2 - I'd like to meet...

Section 2 is based on someone talking about somebody or something they like. It helps you to practise speaking for a little bit longer – for example, when you're explaining something, or telling people something about yourself.

Suggestion: The best way to practise is with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English. However, if you can't find someone, you can send us a paragraph in English.

You listened to Zara from Bristol talking about why she would like to meet Angelina Jolie.

Is there a famous film actress that you’d like to meet?

If you can think of someone, make some notes to answer the questions that you can find in the support pack. Now put your notes together to write a paragraph about that person and add it as a comment below.

Section 3 - Quiz

Section 3 is based on the Quiz. This helps you to learn the meaning of new words and how to remember them.

Suggestion: You can write your answers in our Support Pack.

You might want to use a notebook or part of your folder to make your own word lists and maps.

In the quiz, Daniel and Alice tried to think of things you can find in a kitchen. Playing this game is a good way to revise and learn new vocabulary.

Practice materials: Exercise 1

Choose if you find things in a bedroom or a kitchen

Section 4 - Our Person in...

Section 4 is based on 'Our Person in...'. It helps you to listen to other people speaking for a little longer than they speak in a conversation, like a radio or television news report. When people prepare written reports, they are often a little more formal, and use more complex words and structures.

You listened to Mike talking about Central Park in New York.
Think about a place in your city that you want to tell people about. It might be a park or a famous square – somewhere you like or somewhere people go to relax.

Suggestion: Download the support pack (below) and read the notes to help you to think of things to say, and the best order to say them. Make your own notes and then join these together to make a paragraph in the comments section below.

Section 5 - Your turn

Section 5 is based on 'Your Turn'. It helps you to listen and understand people giving their opinions.

In Your Turn you heard 5 people answer this question: ‘Is it a good idea for celebrities to do work for charity?’
What do you think?

Suggestion: Download the support pack (below) and look at the phrases that the people use. Sometimes they don't use complete sentences. Write down notes and then say what you think.

Which ones do you agree with? Write down your opinion – Is it a good idea for celebrities to do work for charity? You can send us your text if you want. Do this in the comments section below.

Section 6 - Carolina

Section 6 follows Carolina – a girl who has come to the United Kingdom (UK) to live, study, and to have fun exploring a different country and culture. Listening to this can help you if you find yourself in a similar situation. You will see that there is often more than one way of saying the same thing in English.

Suggestion: listen to Carolina's conversations in the airport and do the first exercise as you listen. Then try the other exercises.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Put the phrases in the correct places in the conversation

Practice materials - Exercise 2

Choose different phrases that you could use in the same situations

Practice materials - Exercise 3

Please download the support pack (below) for more practice materials.

Section 7 - Joke

Section 7 is a joke. A joke is normally a funny story you hear and tell someone else. But you can also describe funny things that happen to you. The most important thing is to watch your friends to see if they are enjoying the story or not – then you can make it longer or shorter.

Suggestion: We suggest you do this:

• Listen to the joke on your computer/mp3 player.
• Do Exercise 1, in which you put the lines in the right order.
• Do Exercise 2, in which you tell the joke.
• Think of a funny story that you know. Write down the most important words in English (use a dictionary?). Then try telling the joke.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Read sentences and put them in the right order to tell the joke

Practice materials - Exercise 2

Download the support pack (below). Look at the notes and tell the story without looking at the script.

Section 8 - Tom the Teacher

Section 8 is Tom the Teacher. These are more traditional exercises. They look at being accurate in English, and often use the type of exercises you may find in English tests and exams.

Practice materials - Exercise 1

Put the words in sentences in the correct order

Practice materials - Exercise 2

Rewrite sentences using different words

Practice materials - Exercise 3

Choose if you should say ‘Goodnight’ or ‘Good evening’