Category Archives: Story

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

[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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943. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of SILVER BLAZE (Learn English with a Short Story)

Time for another Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast, because: Why not? I have adapted the text into modern English this time. A champion racehorse 🐎 has gone missing, and its trainer violently murdered. Only Sherlock Holmes can find the solution 🕵️. Listen to the events, follow my summaries and simply enjoy another story on Luke’s English Podcast. PDF available 📄.

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941. The Man Who Could Work Miracles (Learn English with a Short Story)

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.

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Get the episode PDF with story text here 👇


📖 Read the original (unadapted) story text here 👉 https://revistaliterariakatharsis.org/manmiracles.pdf

932. What is so great about Shakespeare? (with Mum & Dad)

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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https://youtu.be/cGid3C2AfuY?si=aQwG_5wG3q1erdZU

Get the PDF with full transcript, vocabulary list & vocabulary quiz 👇

Coming soon to LEP Premium 👇

A new series of episodes – “Learn English with Shakespeare”, including:

  • A vocabulary review for LEP 932 with my parents
  • The best idioms and expressions from Shakespeare’s work
  • Learn English with Sonnets & Verses + pronunciation practice

Sign up to LEP Premium here and access 200+ episodes about vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, and all new premium episodes which arrive every month.

928. The Abduction (Learn English with a Short Story)

Learn English with another short story on Luke’s English Podcast. This one is about a learner of English who has an extraordinary experience. Listen to me tell the story, and summarise it, then explain plenty of natural, commonly occurring, up-to-date English vocabulary.

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📄 Get the PDF with story script and vocabulary notes 👇

918. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of The Blue Carbuncle (Learn English with a Short Story)

It’s time for another classic Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast. This time it is The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle – a case of a stolen gemstone! 💎 My aim here is to help you to understand and enjoy the story. I’ll read the original text to you, and will explain and summarise what is happening regularly. Just relax, listen carefully and try to enjoy this classic story. PDF available.

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https://youtu.be/-vYicUiCTnw?si=OAo68Fqthm-CCf45

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914. A Midwinter Ramble ❅ Luke’s English Podcast

An end-of-year rambling episode with some seasonal good wishes 🎄, comments on recent episodes 🎧, an update about upcoming content 📲, anecdotes about seeing Paul McCartney live in concert 🎸, playing music at the British Ambassador’s residence 🇬🇧 and visiting the British Library in London 📚, lots of library jokes (explained) 😂 and a vocabulary review at the end 🙇‍♂️. PDF available.

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913. The Snowman (Learn English with a Short Story)

Listen to a short story and learn some useful English vocabulary in the process. This one is called The Snowman – a mysterious winter tale about a creepy snowman which appears outside a cabin in a remote forest. Follow the story, and learn plenty of descriptive vocabulary.

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Get the PDF (story script, vocabulary notes, vocabulary list, vocabulary quiz) 👇

Animated Horror Flicks on YouTube 👇

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@AnimatedHorrorFlicks

906. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe (Learn English with a Short Story)

In this episode for Halloween I read out a classic work of gothic horror fiction by Edgar Allan Poe, then go through each line and explain vocabulary and discuss the themes and meanings of the story.

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https://youtu.be/Qv6VwQbBJJk?si=RVg7s9Dnmo_Fu5iA

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903. Reading from my Japanese hospital diaries (Sept 2002)

By popular demand I have chosen to publish this episode! In 2002 I ended up stuck in a Japanese hospital feeling very ill and confused. I ended up staying there for about two weeks. During my stay I wrote a diary nearly every day. In this episode I read from my diaries, share my personal experience with you and explain a few bits of vocabulary.

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https://youtu.be/IrYBDau9Fws?si=1zGP2aZGyCak-lIL