Real English from games, films and podcasts, explained by me, Alex.
I’m sitting the EduSynch CEFR test myself, and I’m aiming for C1. So I decided to prepare for it live,
What’s the EduSynch CEFR Test Like? Structure, Scoring and Tips to Reach C1 Read More »
Some English expressions look almost the same but mean different things, and that’s exactly where C1 learners get caught out.
“In the Pipeline” vs “Lined Up” vs “Set in Stone”: C1 Idioms Explained Read More »
One magical sentence from the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone PC game: the British /ɑː/ in starry, two kinds of THAT, unreleased T, mysterious, three ways to say TO and future in the past. Shadow it line by line.
Speak English Like a British Wizard: Harry Potter Shadowing Lesson Read More »
Keep your eyes peeled, I’m on it, I don’t fancy his chances, spare me the velvet gloves… Learn the spy phrases and office English from the opening missions of 007 First Light.
Quick test before we start. Is this sentence right or wrong? He is away on a business journey this week.
Trip, Journey, Travel or Voyage? Fix Your Travel English (B2–C1) Read More »
Shadow the opening of Parson’s Pleasure by Roald Dahl, read by Luke Thompson: glottal stops, the linking R, -ED endings, /ðə/ vs /ðiː/, assimilation in MIGHT BE, and the vowels of CAR, BIRD and SEE.
Shadowing Luke Thompson: Roald Dahl’s “Parson’s Pleasure” (Pronunciation Guide) Read More »
Part 1 of my live shadowing session on The Doppelgänger, a 100-word story read by Luke Thompson: linking /j/, dropped T, contrastive stress, /ðiː/ vs /ðə/, catenation, dentalisation, the linking R and the weak form of HAVE.
The Doppelgänger: Master British Connected Speech with a 100-Word Story Read More »
Shadow “The Birthday Party” by Katherine Brush with me: self-satisfied, fadingly pretty, conspicuous, beamed with pride, a pattering of applause, the past perfect and British English like let’s crack on and spot on.
