I've been teaching English for over 20 years in London, Japan and France. I also do an award-winning podcast for learners of English called "Luke's English Podcast". In my free time I'm a stand-up comedian who regularly performs shows in English in Paris and sometimes London.
Learn English with a short story on LEP. In this episode I am reading “The Man Who Could Work Miracles” by HG Wells (adapted into modern English). First you can listen to the story, then I summarise it again in my own words, discuss my interpretations of its meaning, explain how you can use stories like this to improve your English, and teach some vocabulary which came up.
Here is the second part of this double episode all about great things to see and do while in London 🇬🇧. Listen to my friends and family talking about the city 🏙️, learn some fascinating bits of history 🔥, get inside tips 🗺️ and learn some vocabulary in the process.
4. 📘 Vocabulary from “Favourite Things to Do in London” (Part 2)
bustling (adj.) Definition: full of activity and energy Example: He says it’s bustling with activity.
cantilevered (adj.) Definition: supported at only one end, allowing for extension Example: Tower Bridge with its cantilevered road.
derelict (adj.) Definition: in very poor condition Example: The bridge… got derelict and had to be replaced.
auction (noun) Definition: a public sale where items are sold to the highest bidder Example: He bought it in an auction for two and a half million dollars.
spire (noun) Definition: a pointed structure on top of a building, especially a church Example: The Shard with its great tall spire.
sneakily (adv.) Definition: in a secretive or clever way Example: I usually try and do it sneakily by going to the Leicester Square box office.
quirky (adj.) Definition: strange in an interesting or attractive way Example: It was great sitting at tables that are on gravestones. So just it was very quirky.
serendipitous (adj.) Definition: occurring by chance in a happy or beneficial way Example: You can do a bit of serendipitous show watching.
crypt (noun) Definition: an underground room beneath a church Example: They have a cafe in the crypt.
to get your bearings (phrase) Definition: to figure out where you are Example: You just don’t get your bearings.
fry-up (noun) Definition: a traditional English cooked breakfast Example: Maybe go for a cup of tea and a fry up somewhere.
to dig through (phrasal verb) Definition: to search through a pile or collection of items Example: Dig through some of the vinyl boxes there.
mooch about (phrasal verb) Definition: to wander about in a relaxed way Example: Have a mooch about, maybe go for a cup of tea.
to rifle through (phrasal verb) Definition: to search quickly through something Example: There are always interesting places to go and rifle through.
formative years (noun phrase) Definition: the years that shape one’s development Example: Something from your past, your formative teenage years.
venue (noun) Definition: a place where events are held Example: A small venue on Denmark Street.
cosy (adj.) Definition: warm, comfortable and inviting Example: They’re just cosy, you know, when it’s dark and rainy.
bland (adj.) Definition: lacking strong flavour or character Example: Maybe they’re a bit bland compared to what you can get.
nailed (verb, informal) Definition: done very well Example: We’ve got restaurants in London absolutely nailed.
foodie (noun, informal) Definition: a person who loves food Example: I’m a big foodie and I miss it a lot.
hard pushed (phrase) Definition: finding something difficult to do Example: You’d be hard pushed to find a place that had a better selection of food.
little one (noun, informal) Definition: a young child Example: When I can take the little one out with me…
walk of life (noun phrase) Definition: a person’s background or occupation Example: You will see every form and walk of life.
stop off (phrasal verb) Definition: to stop somewhere briefly during a journey Example: You can always stop off for a drink on the way.
invigorated (adj.) Definition: filled with energy Example: I felt really invigorated by the energy there.
popping up (phrasal verb) Definition: appearing or opening suddenly Example: There are always new ones popping up on the outskirts of London.
one of a kind (phrase) Definition: unique Example: The experience is one of a kind.
pub (noun) Definition: a traditional British bar serving drinks and often food Example: I just love the atmosphere of pubs in the UK.
Changing of the Guard (noun phrase) Definition: a traditional ceremony where the guards at Buckingham Palace are changed Example: You’ve got the Changing of the Guards, which is a sort of ceremony.
black pudding (noun) Definition: a type of blood sausage often part of a traditional English breakfast Example: Black pudding is from blood, a blood sausage.
builder’s tea (noun) Definition: a strong, traditional British tea with milk and sugar Example: A nice strong cup of builder’s tea.
to promote (verb) Definition: to make something more publicly visible or known Example: I did move one of her books out so that the cover was showing just to try and promote Anna’s work.
record shop (noun) Definition: a store that sells vinyl records and sometimes CDs or cassettes Example: I love spending an afternoon with friends, going around various record shops.
gig (noun) Definition: a live music performance Example: I love going to gigs in London.
venue (noun) Definition: a place where an event or performance happens Example: A small venue on Denmark Street.
dive bar (noun) Definition: a small, unpretentious, and often slightly run-down bar Example: It was probably a dive bar or pub that also puts on live music.
redeveloped (adj./verb) Definition: renovated or rebuilt for modern use Example: They kind of got rid of a lot of the authentic music shops as the place has been redeveloped.
emotional value (noun phrase) Definition: personal significance due to memories or associations Example: It also has some emotional value.
cosy atmosphere (noun phrase) Definition: a warm, comfortable and pleasant environment Example: I just love the cosy atmosphere of pubs.
backstabbing (noun) Definition: betrayal, especially from someone you trust Example: Stopping at rejection, disappointment, backstabbing central.
shattered dreams (noun phrase) Definition: hopes or goals that have been destroyed or failed Example: Stopping at rejection, disappointment… and shattered dreams parkway.
skeleton with headphones (humorous phrase) Definition: someone who has been waiting or listening for a very long time (an inside joke for LEPster) Example: You haven’t turned into a skeleton with a pair of headphones on.
Here is part 1 of a double episode about London 🇬🇧 and great things you can see and do there 🎡. Listen to my friends and family describing their favourite things to do in the city 🍻, get some travel tips 🏙️, get a mini history lesson 🏛️, and learn some vocabulary in the process.
Shoreditch Art Hotel – stylish family hotel with a splash-friendly indoor pool
🎭 James Simpson
Walk from Waterloo Station to South Bank – scenic and vibrant
National Theatre – top venue for live drama
Royal Festival Hall – great for classical concerts
Waterloo Bridge – beautiful panoramic views (Big Ben, St. Paul’s, London Eye)
Trafalgar Square – central landmark
Covent Garden – high-level street performers (buskers)
Pubs – especially for fish & chips and live music/comedy
🎨 Aaron
Tate Britain (Pimlico) – traditional British art
Clore Gallery – features works by J.M.W. Turner
Rowing on the Serpentine (Hyde Park) – romantic and relaxing
Boat trip on the Thames – great views, fun for parties or sightseeing
🍺 Moz (Murder Mile Podcast)
Coach & Horses Pub (Soho) – authentic old boozer with sticky floors and history
London Pubs in General – each one unique, steeped in character and tradition
Pub Navigation Tip – “navigate by pubs” instead of street names!
🚣 Luke – Canal & Hidden London Recommendations
Little Venice – peaceful canal basin with narrowboats and cafes
Regent’s Canal (via Regent’s Park) – walk/cycle past the zoo and elegant homes
Camden Lock / Camden Market – food, shops, live music, and bustling atmosphere
Granary Square (King’s Cross) – modern redevelopment, fountains, restaurants
🎭 Luke’s Mum
National Portrait Gallery – just reopened after refurbishment
National Theatre – excellent productions
Royal Court Theatre (Sloane Square) – cutting-edge theatre
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – historical open-air venue, great experience
4. 📚 Vocabulary from “Our Favourite Things to Do in London (Part 1)”
Here is a selection of vocabulary which I explained during the episode.
pop (in / next door / to) Definition: To go somewhere briefly or quickly. Example: Amber – “I couldn’t resist popping next door to the National Gallery.”
take the pressure off Definition: To reduce the feeling of obligation or stress. Example: Martin – “It takes the pressure off thinking you have to spend a decent amount of time if you’ve paid for a ticket.”
tucked away Definition: Located in a quiet or hidden place. Example: Martin – “The Seven Stars pub is tucked away down a little street.”
narrow Definition: Not wide. Example: Martin – “An extremely narrow, rickety mediaeval staircase.”
rickety Definition: Poorly made and likely to collapse. Example: Martin – “An extremely narrow, rickety mediaeval staircase.”
nooks and crannies Definition: Small, hidden or remote parts or corners. Example: Martin – “Lots of dark wood, little nooks and crannies.”
cellar Definition: A room below ground level, often used for storage. Example: Martin – “Two floors of cellar where the beer barrels used to be kept.”
busker Definition: A person who performs music or other entertainment in the street for money. Example: James Simpson – “See some buskers, like a live show that’s free.”
busking Definition: Performing in public places for money. Example: Luke – “Busking is the act of performing in the street.”
mushy peas Definition: Cooked peas that are mashed into a soft consistency. Example: Luke – “A plate of fish and chips with a little bowl of mushy peas.”
rowing boat Definition: A small boat propelled with oars. Example: Aaron – “We went on a rowing boat on the Serpentine.”
barely Definition: Only just; almost not. Example: Moz – “Tiny doors that you can barely get through.”
sticky Definition: Having a surface that things stick to. Example: Moz – “The floor is sticky because it’s had like hundreds of years of beer on it.”
tar Definition: A thick, dark substance found in cigarette smoke. Example: Moz – “The ceiling is thick with tar from 300 years of smoking.”
boozer Definition: (British slang) A pub. Example: Moz – “They sit in their regular seat. It’s their boozer.”
brewery Definition: A place where beer is made. Example: Luke – “Fuller’s, one of the big brewing brands.”
take over Definition: To assume control of something. Example: Luke – “Fuller’s had taken over the pub.”
gutted Definition: Very disappointed. Example: Moz – “We were absolutely gutted.”
incensed Definition: Very angry. Example: Moz – “We were incensed.”
gastropub Definition: A pub that serves high-quality food. Example: Moz – “They’ll turn it into a gastropub.”
poncy Definition: Pretentious or affected. Example: Moz – “Full of poncy, pretentious food.
cash register / till Definition: A machine for recording sales and holding money. Example: Moz – “They’d put in a proper cash register.”
cubicle Definition: A small enclosed space, typically for a toilet. Example: Luke – “Cubicles which are the little places with doors.”
urinal Definition: A toilet fixture used by men to urinate. Example: Luke – “Urinals, things on the wall… you can stand at.”
refurbished Definition: Renovated and redecorated. Example: Mum – “They recently reopened after a refurbishment.”
particularly Definition: Especially. Example: Mum – “Having particularly enjoyed productions at the National Theatre.”thatched roof Definition: A roof made with straw or reeds. Example: Luke – “The thatched roof caught fire.”
A return to Luke’s Film Club with a conversation about one of the funniest and most controversial films of all time, also voted one of the UK’s favourite films. Antony and I discuss the film’s writing, production, story, famous scenes, deeper meanings and acting by the various members of the Monty Python team. Transcript available.
It’s my birthday 🥳 so join me for a relaxed and light-hearted ramble, first with some comments about recent episodes and other podcast housekeeping, and then a series of talking points with the Spinning Wheel of Random Questions ☸️ including bits about how being an English teacher affects my social interactions 💬, the infamous ice-cream wars of Ice-Cream Island 🏝️, leading an army of English learners into battle on the back of an Elephant 🐘, the title of my (hypothetical) autobiography 📖, and my age revealed at the end of the episode. Full transcript available 📄.
In this episode, I’m joined by Alastair Budge from Leonardo English to explore how you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to boost your English, especially when combined with podcasts. We go through specific, practical ways to actively engage with podcast content using AI — improving your listening, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and even speaking. Alastair shares a set of very useful prompts and techniques you can try out straight away, and we discuss the pros and cons of using AI for language learning. There’s also a bit of fun as I try chatting with an AI version of myself. Download the free PDF in the show notes for all the prompts and ideas we mentioned, plus a full transcript.
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.
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.
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.
In this episode I talk to my parents about the topic of William Shakespeare. Enjoy a conversation about this important figure in English language and culture, with two other important figures – my mum and dad!
We discuss the enduring appeal and significance of William Shakespeare’s work, biographical details of his life, the key themes in Shakespeare’s 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.
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.
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