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Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson
869. Working at UNESCO ποΈ English in International Diplomacy
In international diplomacy, "communication is everything". This is the main point of this conversation, in which I talk to my friend who works for the UK delegation at UNESCO in Paris. We discuss the work that UNESCO does, and the various communication challenges involved in working together with representatives from countries all around the world, including the collaborative writing of official documents where the use of a single comma can be debated for hours, and the meetings and conversations in which cultural sensitivity and good-will are essential elements for success.
Also includes some communication idioms and guitar playing near the end of the episode.
π Episode page with introduction transcript https://teacherluke.co.uk/2024/02/19/869-working-at-unesco-english-in-international-diplomacy/
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935. Terrible Traffic Jams & Self-Driving Cars π (Topic & Vocabulary)
01:42:22|This episode is all about the exciting topic of driving, getting stuck in traffic jams, the future of our roads and how self-driving cars might be the solution. What is so annoying about traffic jams? Why do they even happen in the first place? Have you seen your first self-driving car yet? Will they solve our driving problems, or not? The episode is full of anecdotes, analysis, opinions and plenty of vocabulary. PDF available with notes, vocabulary list & vocabulary quiz.π Get the PDF π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/935.-Terrible-Traffic-Jams-Self-Driving-Cars-Topic-Vocabulary.pdfπ Episode page on my website π https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/05/12/935-terrible-traffic-jams-self-driving-cars-topic-vocabulary/π LEP Premium π https//www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium934. Sign Language is Fascinating π with Siobhan Dodd
01:24:47|Have you ever wondered about sign language, how it works and if it is similar to other languages like English? In this conversation I speak to Siobhan Dodd who is a sign language interpreter between English and BSL (British Sign Language). Siobhan is an enthusiastic and entertaining guest and we have a great chat about the nature of sign language, the challenges & opportunities faced by the deaf community today, and some of Siobhan's memorable interpreting experiences, such as working at the Glastonbury music festival.π PDF Transcript π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/934.-Sign-Language-is-Fascinating-with-Siobhan-Dodd.pdfπ Episode page π https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/05/06/934-sign-language-is-fascinating-with-siobhan-doddπ LEP Premium π https://lep.supercast.comπΈ Siobhan on Instagram π https://www.instagram.com/unclesiobhan/π§ Siobhan's Podcast (The Following Through Podcast) π https://pod.link/1797539101933. The Best Expressions in English are from Shakespeare βοΈ Learn English Vocabulary
01:29:48|Hello! In this episode I focus on English expressions and idioms that originated in the works of William Shakespeare and are still used in modern everyday language. Notice the expressions in various contexts, fully understand their meanings and use, explore their origins in Shakespeare's work, and gain valuable lessons about how to learn new vocabulary with real world examples. Also, learn about my short-lived career as a goalkeeper for the legendary football team "Chadwick FC". Includes a PDF worksheet and transcript.π Get the PDF here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/933.-The-Best-English-Expressions-are-from-Shakespeare-_-Learn-English-Vocabulary.pdfπ Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/04/29/933-the-best-english-expressions-are-from-shakespeare-learn-english-vocabulary/π LEP PREMIUM https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premiumβοΈ LEP MERCH https://www.redbubble.com/people/lepluke/shop932. What is so great about Shakespeare? π (with Mum & Dad)
01:30:06|In this episode I talk to my parents about the topic of William Shakespeare. We discuss the enduring appeal and significance of William Shakespeare's work, biographical details of his life, the key themes in Shakespeareβs plays, and the impact of his language on modern English. We try to explain the qualities that make Shakespeare great, using examples from plays like Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Macbeth. We also consider the challenges of understanding Shakespeare and suggest ways for newcomers to engage with his plays, such as watching film adaptations.Enjoy a conversation about this important figure in English language and culture, with two other important figures - my mum and dad!PDF available with transcript, vocabulary list and vocabulary quiz. Premium listeners - watch out for a language review of this episode coming soon, in P68 "Learn English with Shakespeare" parts 1 & 2.π Get the PDF here π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/932.-What-is-so-great-about-Shakespeare-with-Mum-Dad.pdfπ Episode page on my website π https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/04/21/what-is-so-great-about-shakespeare-with-mum-dad/P67 (Part 6) Pronunciation Practice / Shadowing / Listen & Repeat
53:12|This final part of the P67 series is a chance for you to practise your pronunciation by repeating some sentences after me, keeping in mind the features of natural, fluent and clear speech: word stress, sentence stress, connected speech, weak forms, vowel sounds, consonant clusters and intonation. PDF available with every sentence clearly written.π Get the PDF in normal text size π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-6-Pronunciation-Practice-_-Shadowing-_-Listen-Repeat.pdfπ Get the PDF in large text size (for your phone) π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-6-Pronunciation-Practice-_-Shadowing-_-Listen-Repeat-Phone-Version.pdfπ¬ Video version π https://youtu.be/LJ3lOtYotis931. Overcoming Fears π° with Zdenek
01:40:23|This episode features a conversation with Zdenek about fears and anxieties experienced in everyday life. We explore common fears such as driving, flying, culture shock, language learning and public speaking, plus vocabulary we use to talk about the subject. Listen for stories of Luke's fear of Paris cafes, airport anxiety, Luke's dramatic scooter ride in Nha Trang, Zdenek's fears of Vietnamese roads and driving, Luke's recent cycling accident in Paris, Zdenek's encounter with a London police officer, nerves about teaching, and more.The accompanying PDF worksheet offers a vocabulary list from the conversation, with definitions, examples, and quizzes and a full transcript to help you boost your English with the episode.π Get the PDF here (lucky you - it's very expensive but you can have it completely free) π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/931.-Overcoming-Fears-with-Zdenek.pdfπ Episode page on my website π https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/04/14/931-overcoming-fears-with-zdenek/β½οΈ The Footglish Podcast (Learn English with Football) π https://pod.link/1751816033π¬ Zdenek's Discord server "The Achiever's Chamber" π https://teacherzdenek.com/?page_id=2816P67 (Part 5) Idioms & Expressions with THROUGH (10-19)
01:19:27|P67 continues in part 5 with more natural expressions and idioms with through. Learn how LEP has risen through the ranks over the years, how I feel about my younger days, a story about my sleepy housemate from university days, my dramatic battle with my washing machine (I won through in the end), a possibly worrying phase my son is going through, and how I once disappointed my girlfriend with a bowl of pasta - and learn more useful English in the process! The PDF contains notes, memory test, vocabulary quiz and discussion questions. π Get the PDF in normal text size π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-5-Idioms-Expressions-with-THROUGH-10-19.pdfπ Get the PDF in large text size (for your phone) π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-5-Idioms-Expressions-with-THROUGH-10-19-Phone-Version.pdfπΌ Video version π https://youtu.be/O_YteVTHQMc930. Can I eat my cat? πΏ Weird Google Questions, Answered (Topics + Vocabulary)
01:36:45|This episode is about the bizarre and funny questions that people input into Google. I explore and answer some of these questions, explaining some vocabulary. The result is an engaging and intellectually light-hearted discussion involving the usual mix of rambling, and English teaching. The episode covers a range of topics, from personal health, sex and relationships to broader existential and practical issues, with some diverse and absurd moments. The language style is a mix of informal slang and neutral high-frequency vocabulary related to personal matters and common problems. I hope you enjoy it! PDF available with a full transcript and vocabulary list.π Get the episode PDF (transcript, vocabulary list) π https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/930.-Can-I-eat-my-cat-other-weird-Google-questions-answered.pdfπ Episode page on my website π https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/04/07/930-can-i-eat-my-cat-weird-google-questions-answered-topics-vocabulary/π LEP PREMIUM π https://teacherluke.co.uk/premiumP67 (Part 4) Idioms & Expressions with THROUGH (1-9)
59:14|Premium series 67 continues! Sorry about the delay! I was ill with a bad throat and I couldn't record episodes. But I am better now, so here is part 4 of this series. Continuing the theme of vocabulary linked to the word "through", this one covers idioms and expressions which all include this word. Learn about what happens when your plans fall through, why it's never a good idea just to go through the motions, the irritation of having to jump through hoops to get anything done, how some people fall through the cracks, lying through your teeth, being put through your paces in a job interview and when things just slip through your fingers. Includes the usual PDF worksheet with notes, quiz, memory exercise and discussion questions.β‘οΈπ Get the PDF in normal text size https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-4-Idioms-Expressions-with-THROUGH.pdfβ‘οΈπ Get the PDF in large text size (for your phone) https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P67-Part-4-Idioms-Expressions-with-THROUGH-Phone-Version.pdfπΌ Video version https://youtu.be/8TRXd1p7ywY