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

Haiku poems communicate a lot of ideas, thoughts and feelings into just a few simple words. They can be moving, humourous or meditative, and reading haiku in English allows you to learn vocabulary in a very interesting way. In part 1 I talked about the form and history of haiku, and read out various short poems in English from both Japanese writers and modern English ones. In part 2 here I finish reading my haiku selection, including many written by English-language haiku master John Stevenson. Listen to each one, consider the different meanings and interpretations and also learn specific words and phrases to expand your English vocabulary.Get the episode PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Haiku-in-English-2-982-1.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/03/30/haiku-in-english-2/LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I discuss optimism and pessimism, what forms our outlook on life, which is healthier, how we talk about optimism and pessimism in English and which perspective helps you learn English more effectively. Expect some discussion, science, vocabulary, advice for learning English and a few jokes thrown in for good measure. PDF available.Get the episode PDF (free) 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Is-the-glass-half-empty-or-half-full_-Vocabulary-Discussion-891.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/03/23/is-the-glass-half-empty-or-half-full-vocabulary-discussion-891/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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" 🚪 an imaginary place where all the things you hate in the world are stored forever. What would Charlie like to remove from the world to be kept inside this room? And what is the shocking info about a certain popular British English YouTuber 👩‍🏫 that could break the internet? 🤔Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Room-101-with-Charlie-Baxter-980-Episode-Transcript.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/03/16/room-101-with-charlie-baxter-980-funny-british-english-listening-practice/Listen to Luke's Room 101 choices on The British English Podcast this week 👉 https://pod.link/1533216336Watch Luke on BEP (YouTube version) 👉 https://youtu.be/56jqC8Q88oc?si=Gy2w7udJsRR8yaVhSign up to LEP Premium for a vocab review for this episode 👉 https://lep.supercast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to learn English with another short story on Luke's English Podcast. Listen to the story and my comments, then learn vocabulary as I break down the text line by line and teach you English in context. This time it is a funny little tale written by Saki - the English author and master of the short story. A mischievous lad is punished by his strict aunt, but who ends up having the last laugh? Get the episode PDF with story text 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Lumber-Room-Learn-English-with-a-Short-Story-979.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/03/09/the-lumber-room-learn-english-with-a-short-story-979/LEP Premium for episodes focusing on vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following my chat with my mum last week, now it's my dad's turn! In this episode my plan was to ask my dad lots of questions about his life, and to listen to him talking about the various choices he has made, and experiences he has had, as well as details about his parents. The result is another deep chat about family history, and my dad's life story. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it. Full transcript available.Get the episode transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/My-dad-talks-about-his-life-978-Episode-Transcript.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/03/02/my-dad-talks-about-his-life-978/LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[977] Recently I visited my parents at their home, and while I was there I took the time to record conversations with them both. This first one is with my mum. I asked her questions about her life story, our family history, her memories of growing up and so many other things that I was curious about. The result is this recording. I hope you will find that it is not only good for your English listening practice, but also fascinating and absorbing as a piece of personal history. Full transcript available.Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/My-mum-talks-about-her-life-977-Transcript.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/02/23/my-mum-talks-about-her-life-977/LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's an epic rambling episode in which I talk about learning English with BBC Radio and TV 📻 vocabulary expressions with the word 'thumb' 👍 the story of how I became a taxi driver on the streets of Paris 🚖 the grammar of Yoda 🐸 fantastic haikus written by my listeners ✍️ and getting pecked in the face by a swan 🦢. 3h30min+ of English listening and learning from me to you. #learnenglish #britishenglish #englishlistening👉 Get the episode PDF https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/RAMBLEMANIA-3-Hours-of-English-Listening-Learning-with-Luke-976.pdf👉 Episode page https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/02/16/ramblemania-3-hours-of-english-listening-learning-with-luke-976/👉 Sign up to LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium👉 A Phrasal Verb a Day podcast https://apvad.libsyn.com/📺 The Office UK - Big Keith's Appraisal https://youtu.be/IkYUDQCYGHA?si=T1Hz0VQ9HIrhLOSw📺 Downton Abbey clup - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAnsGZCahlU📺 Monty Python - The voice of God - https://youtu.be/z-iWe4qXUD8?si=za7e_XF3CsGjuDjm#LearnEnglish #BritishEnglish #EnglishListening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What skills are involved in being a good writer? What makes a good piece of writing? How is writing different to speaking? What are the challenges faced by learners of English who want to write well, and what are some solutions to these challenges? How can AI help develop writing skills? And, what does it take to write your own book in English? These are all questions which I talk about in this episode, with the help of professional writer and returning guest Fabio Cerpelloni.Get the PDF transcript & summary of main points 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/How-to-Write-Well-in-English-with-Fabio-Cerpelloni-975-TRANSCRIPT.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/02/09/how-to-write-well-in-english-with-fabio-cerpelloni975/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium🧔🏻 Fabio's website & blog 👉 www.fabiocerpelloni.com📚 Fabio's books 👉 https://fabiocerpelloni.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[974] In this episode I read out lots of haiku poems, explain their meaning, discuss what they make me think and feel, and use them to teach you some vocabulary. The haikus I read include some traditional Japanese ones translated into English, plus more modern ones written in English by writers from around the world. Some of these haikus are meditative, some are sad, some are funny and some find a way to capture feelings that are otherwise difficult to put into words.Get the episode PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Haiku-in-English-974.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/02/02/haiku-in-english-974/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back by popular demand, here is another Sherlock Holmes short story on LEP. This one tells the suspenseful tale of a young engineer 👷 who accepts a well-paid but mysterious job. In classic horror movie style, he ignores so many red flags 🚩 and warnings ⚠️ and ends up paying the price for it! But, can Holmes and Watson make sure that justice is served? I tell the story and explain some details and words along the way. Story text and summaries available on the episode PDF.Get the PDF with story text, vocabulary list and vocabulary quiz here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/26/sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-the-engineers-thumb-learn-english-with-a-short-story-973/Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/26/sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-the-engineers-thumb-learn-english-with-a-short-story-973/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[972] I talk with multilingual actor Ivan Doan about his multicultural background, his learning of languages and his work as an actor. Ivan shares his insights and experiences of learning English, dealing with different accents in film & TV roles, and the importance of mindset and discipline in his life. There are plenty of language learning insights in this episode, which I summarise at the end. Full transcript available.Get the episode PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Identity-Mindset-Accents-Learning-English-with-Multilingual-Actor-Ivan-Doan-972-Transcript.pdfEpisode page with language learning insights 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/19/learning-english-accents-identity-mindset-with-multilingual-actor-ivan-doan/Sign up to LEP Premium (20% off until 31.1.26) 👉 www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[971] Part 2 of 2. Here is the continuation of last week's episode about changes you can make to your lifestyle, mindset and habits in order to become a better learner of English in 2026. Each of these tips is backed up by scientific research from the fields of psychology and psycholinguistics, with insights into human behaviour and thinking processes that result in better learning. Full PDF available.Get the episode PDF here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-Science-based-Life-Hacks-to-Improve-your-English-Learning-Potential-PART-2-971.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/12/9-science-based-life-hacks-to-improve-your-english-learning-potential-part-2-971/20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 (hurry hurry hurry) 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[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 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-Science-based-Life-Hacks-to-Improve-your-English-Learning-Potential-PART-1-970-1.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/05/9-science-based-life-hacks-to-improve-your-english-learning-potential-part-1-970/20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premiumlearn English, English learning tips, English listening practice, English podcast,British English, Luke’s English Podcast, language learning science,learning habits, habit formation, neuroscience of learning,improve your English, English fluency, ESL podcast,1 percent rule, atomic habits, marginal gains,new year habits, motivation for learning,cognitive performance, how to learn English Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[969] It's time for the annual World News Quiz with 20 questions about some of the curious news stories of 2025. Stephen Devincenzi from the SEND7 podcast is the quizmaster. Can you I improve on my poor performance from last year? Can you beat me? Take a trip through some news highlights from this year. Full transcript available as usual.⛑️ Donate to MSF today to help people in need https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WORLD-NEWS-QUIZ-2025-with-Stephen-from-SEND7-Podcast-969-TRANSCRIPT.pdf🔗 Episode page with questions and answers 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/29/world-news-quiz-2025-with-stephen-from-send7-podcast-969/🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 https://lep.supercast.com🎧📰 Listen to SEND7 podcast here 👉 https://pod.link/1505603790 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[968] The Collins Dictionary Words of the Year is a list of 10 words which capture the cultural zeitgeist - the spirit of the times that we are living in now. These are new words, picked by Collins, which reflect big issues that people have been talking about over the last 12 months. In this conversation, Amber, Paul & I discuss the impact of AI, the ways social media is affecting people's behaviour, how people are using technology to control their health, the strange habits of tech leaders, and more. Pick up new words and listen to conversation about big issues in society. Full transcript available.🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/25/the-words-of-the-year-2025-with-amber-paul-968/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transcript-968-The-Words-of-the-Year-with-Amber-Paul-1.pdf🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[967] A conversation in the podcastle with my pals Amber & Paul. In this one we chat about Paul's ambitious international marathon plans (what is he running from exactly?) what Amber knows about the famous robbery of the Louvre this year, and Paul's dramatic "Jason Bourne" situation which he faced in West Africa recently. Listen to some spontaneous conversation between friends in English. Full transcript available.🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/22/robbing-the-louvre-escaping-to-nigeria-with-amber-paul-967-catching-up-16/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transcript-967-Catching-Up-with-Amber-Paul-16.pdf🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[966] Here is a super-long seasonal rambling episode, which you can listen to while wrapping presents, finishing some last-minute gift shopping, or (if you don't celebrate Christmas) just doing whatever you normally do in December. This is a long one, but the more you listen, the more it will help your English! 💪🎅📄 Get the PDF with all my notes here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Ramble-Before-Christmas-966-Episode-PDF.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/15/the-ramble-before-christmas-966-listen-learn-english-with-luke/🏆 20% off LEP Premium in Dec & Jan https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium🎁 Give LEP Premium as a gift (also 20% off in Dec/Jan) https://lep.supercast.com/gifts/newJoin me as I chat to you in English for nearly 3 hours about:- LEPster listening habits in 2025 (Spotify Wrapped) 🎧- Messages and emails with funny stories from LEPsters 📧- Bits of grammar & vocabulary teaching ✍️- ChatGPT's questionable teaching skills 🤖🤔- AI hallucinations 😵‍💫- Dreaming in English 💭- Responses to recent episodes 💬- 12 jokes dissected in the Comedy Corner 😂 🐸- More funny comments from my daughter 👧- Another dramatic Hollywood action movie screenplay 🎥...and finally a vocabulary quiz for the whole episode. ✅All of that in your Christmas stocking 🧦 this week, with cosy log fire background sounds 🔥 as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[965] It is traditional to tell a scary story at Christmas time, so here is one for this year's festive season. The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood is a classic scary tale which will give you a chill, while you stay cosy and warm indoors this winter. Listen and I will explain a lot of vocabulary which comes up in the story.Get the episode PDF with story text and word list 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Kit-Bag-Learn-English-with-a-Short-Story-965.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/08/the-kit-bag-learn-english-with-a-short-story-965/LEP Premium 20% off in Dec and Jan 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this audio-only episode today you can join me at home as I potter around, and take time to relax while recording a rambling episode for you to enjoy. Enjoy the sounds of street noise outside, and my attempts to find the most comfortable spot in my flat where I can ramble about various things, including several robberies in Paris - one of which is the famous heist at the Louvre museum, where burglars broke in and stole precious jewels worth millions, in broad daylight. The other robbery was more painful - our own apartment, which was broken into earlier this year. Join me as I discuss all of these things and more. The video episode this week is a walk & talk in Paris.Get the episode PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/A-Cosy-Rambling-Episode-at-Home-964.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/01/a-cosy-rambling-episode-at-home-964-walk-talk-mission-in-montmartre/Walk & Talk: Mission in Montmartre 📺 https://youtu.be/b0THApJaJTs20% off LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[963] Emma Camara Ortega and I worked together as English teachers years ago, but since then Emma has become a licensed counsellor and therapist - helping people with their mental health. In this episode, Emma talks to me about what is involved in counselling, and we discuss some everyday habits to promote good mental health. This should be full of interesting insights and helpful tips for mental wellbeing, which is so vital for our general lives but also to help us learn as effectively as possible. Full transcript and vocabulary list available.Get the PDF transcript & word list 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Talking-Therapy-Mental-Health-Counselling-with-Emma-Camara-Ortega-963.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/11/24/talking-therapy-mental-health-counselling-with-emma-camara-ortega-963/LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Emma Camara Ortega in the UK Counselling Directory 👉 https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/emma-camara-ortega Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[962] Time for another short story on LEP. This one is about a man who has a wondrous experience as a child, which then haunts him for the rest of his adult life. Listen as I read the story to you, and then ramble about its meaning, interpretations and how it evoked some strong memories and strange feelings in me. Then there is a vocabulary review which will continue in an upcoming premium series.Get the episode PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Door-in-the-Wall-Learn-English-with-a-Short-Story-962.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/11/17/the-door-in-the-wall-learn-english-with-a-short-story-962/LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[961] Emma Jakobi is the host of MmmEnglish on YouTube, and now the online community Hey Lady! In this episode Emma joins me for a chat about living on the remote Western coast of Australia, "blowing up" on YouTube, her decision to step away from MmmEnglish to focus on Hey Lady! Also, her thoughts on the rise of AI, and some fun facts about singing in the shower, her vintage Lexus car and her phobias of public speaking (surprising) and leeches (understandable). Full transcript available.Get the episode transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Emma-from-MmmEnglish-and-Hey-Lady-961-Transcript-1.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/11/10/emma-from-mmmenglish-and-hey-lady-961/Emma's Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mmmenglish_emma/Hey Lady! website 👉 https://www.heylady.io/joinHey Lady! IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/hey_lady_community/Hey Lady! YT 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@heyladyenglishMmmEnglish on YouTube 👉  @mmmEnglish_Emma  LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A particularly useful and interesting episode for you today - a conversation about English words which are very similar, but crucially, not the same. My guest Eli Burnstein is the author of “Dictionary of Fine Distinctions” - a book which aims to bring clarity to English words. Expect a funny discussion about subtle shades of meaning between words like poison & venom, accuracy & precision, envy & jealousy and many others. Eli is Canadian, now living in London and so he also shares some key features of Canadian English. 📄 Get the PDF transcript https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fine-Distinctions-Subtle-Shades-of-Meaning-with-Eli-Burnstein-960.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/11/03/fine-distinctions-subtle-shades-of-meaning-with-eli-burnstein-960/🏆 LEP Premium https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium📗 Get the book in the UK https://www.waterstones.com/book/dictionary-of-fine-distinctions/eli-burnstein/9781805227229📘 Buy the book from Profile Books https://profilebooks.com/work/dictionary-of-fine-distinctions/📙 Also available on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-Fine-Distinctions-Nuances-Niceties/dp/180522722X/🧔‍♂️ https://www.eliburnstein.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People keep asking me in comments, "How can I learn English with your podcast?" so in this episode I am answering that question as simply, directly and efficiently as possible. Expect advice about improving your English across the 4 skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, and the language systems of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and discourse management. PDF available.📄 Get the PDF here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/How-to-learn-English-with-my-podcast-959.pdf🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/10/27/how-to-learn-english-with-my-podcast-959/🏆 Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.