Category Archives: Reading

9 True Ghost Stories & Unexplained Mysteries from Listeners 👀🕯️ LEPster Writing Competition [1006]

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Listen to a selection of 9 fascinating stories written by listeners, one of which will win the competition which I launched earlier this year. Finally, the wait is over and the creepy story competition episode is here. I had to work very hard to narrow down the entries from 74 to only 9. Anna Brooke and I chose our favourite, as you will hear.

These are extremely mysterious and extraordinary stories sent in by my listeners. They describe very bizarre and spooky experiences, often involving the sad loss of a family member, spirits from the past searching for peace, or just disturbing coincidences that are hard to reconcile.

All 74 stories are available to read on the episode PDF, and there are plenty of very interesting entries there too. Thank you to everyone who sent a story, and congratulations to the winner, who will win a copy of Anna Brooke’s “Death by Chocolate”.

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https://youtu.be/SEfFJqt7QXM?si=BMSoATcnwuEG-3h0

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True Ghost Stories & Unexplained Mysteries from Listeners – LEPster Writing Competition [1006]Download

Death by Chocolate – Available Now from Chicken House Books 👇

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Neuroscience & Learning English 🧠 11 Surprising Facts [1002]

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This episode is full of fascinating science-backed insights into how the brain processes language. I read an article, and then explain various conclusions about the best way to learn English, with a lot of practical tips for speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary. What does neuroscience tell us about the best way to learn a language?

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https://youtu.be/5skWbChJy-8?si=tJNMrbJc8LusFp7C

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Neuroscience & Learning English – 11 Surprising Facts [1002]Download


Sherlock Holmes & The Adventure of the Man with the Twisted Lip 🕵 [999]

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Back by popular demand, here is another Sherlock Holmes mystery for episode 999. How will Watson deal with his mini-mission to an opium den, before joining Holmes on one of his most singular cases so far, attempting to solve the disappearance of a gentleman and the suspicious involvement of the man with the twisted lip? Listen to the story and then keep listening as I break it down paragraph by paragraph.

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https://youtu.be/NeaeHcwl1rQ

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Sherlock Holmes & The Adventure of the Man with the Twisted Lip [999]Download


Is the glass half empty, or half full? (Vocabulary & Discussion) [981]

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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.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVUXSK5Wamw

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Is the glass half empty, or half full_ (Vocabulary & Discussion) [891]Download


Haiku in English [974]

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[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.

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https://youtu.be/ChBppeQcLdY?si=udXCJ_a–0TpnEsO

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Haiku in English [974]Download


Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (Learn English with a Short Story) [973]

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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, summaries and vocabulary list available on the episode PDF.

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https://youtu.be/9mZ21UAPG9c?si=Do9BQg4KaRShcIjf

Get the episode PDF with story text, summaries, vocabulary list and vocabulary quiz 👇

Sherlock Holmes_ The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (Learn English with a Short Story) [973]Download


The Kit-Bag (Learn English with a Short Story) [965]

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[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.

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The Kit-Bag (Learn English with a Short Story) [965]Download

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The Door in the Wall (Learn English with a Short Story) [962]

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[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.

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The Door in the Wall (Learn English with a Short Story) [962]Download


How to learn English with my podcast [959]

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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.

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How to learn English with my podcast [959]Download


More Questions of English & Listener Comments / Bits & Bobs 5 [957]

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How many words are there in English? How many do you really need to know? And how many words have I spoken on this podcast? 🧐 Also, what is shadowing, and how should you do it? Can you do episodes about different English accents? What are your top 10 countries for this podcast? In this episode of Luke’s English Podcast, I answer listener questions about vocabulary size, English accents, the shadowing technique and more bits & bobs. PDF available with transcript and vocabulary list.

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https://youtu.be/aG5E7Ld-1a4?si=uwEkTRepd6fqJFdS

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More Questions of English & Listener Comments _ Bits & Bobs 5 [957]Download