Category Archives: Teaching

Let’s take a REAL C1 English Test (CAE Use of English) [955]

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In episode 949 I did an online test which claimed to be for C1 level, but let’s be honest – it was more like an intermediate level, the questions were rubbish and it was ultimately a useless scam. This time I’m taking a proper C1 English test – the Use of English section from a Cambridge CAE exam. Let’s see what is required to pass this, and what bits of English you can learn from it.

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What is the pass mark for this test?

I forgot to add that the pass mark is 60% for this test, which means you must get a minimum of about 22/36 in the Use of English section (that’s 14 lost points). Could you do it? Bear in mind that this is only a part of the whole test, and you’d need to get at least 60% across all 4 sections (also including listening, writing and speaking).

Get the PDF here 👇

Let’s take a REAL C1 English Test! (CAE Use of English) [955]Download


The Flatmate from Japan Returns – Travelling Tales & More [950]

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Peter, my old flatmate from Japan, is back on the podcast after his previous appearance 11 years ago! We chat about travelling experiences, teaching English in Malaysia and Japan, dealing with jet lag and culture shock, doing stand-up comedy abroad, and some of the funny, strange, and even weird experiences we’ve had while travelling. A relaxed, wide-ranging conversation full of stories, laughs, and cultural insights.

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This is an audio-only episode.

Get the full PDF transcript here 👇

The Flatmate from Japan Returns – Travelling Tales & More [950] TRANSCRIPTDownload

Listen to my first episode with Peter here 👇

203. A Cup of Tea with Peter Sidell (The Flatmate from Japan)

937. A Birthday Ramble / The Spinning Wheel of Random Questions

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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 📄.

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Get the PDF with speaking questions, and full transcript 👇

937. A Birthday Ramble _ The Spinning Wheel of Random Questions PDFDownload

936. How AI Can Boost Your English with LEP (feat. Alastair Budge)

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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.

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Get the PDF with all prompts, and a full episode transcript 👇

936. How AI Can Boost Your English with LEP (feat. Alastair Budge)Download


924. Walaa Mouma Returns (Part 1) PhD Studies in Wales & Teaching English for Refugees

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Walaa Mouma returns to the podcast after 4 years to give us an update about her academic studies and personal story, including getting married and moving to Wales, details of her PhD doctorate, as well as her other studies and volunteer work helping to teach English to refugees and asylum seekers. Walaa’s passion for this work is inspired by her own personal story of learning English, seeking asylum in the UK and studying in the UK’s academic system, which she first talked about in episode 703 of this podcast. Part 1 of a 2-part episode.

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https://youtu.be/G8S29ICPKVM?si=Igq5b8TzQTPWGOpy

Links for English with Walaa

Walaa’s previous appearance on LEP (episode 703) 👇

924. Walaa Mouma Returns (Part 1) PhD Studies in Wales & Teaching English for RefugeesDownload

916. Learning English in 2025 with Luke’s English Podcast 

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A lengthy New Year’s message about how to improve your English through consistent podcast listening. This episode details how regular listening improves comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency, incorporating listener testimonials and tips, with some specific advice about how to push your English with this podcast.

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Get the PDF with transcript, vocabulary list, vocabulary quiz and more 👇

916. Learning English in 2025 with Luke’s English PodcastDownload

Links

912. Bits & Bobs 3: Questions of English (Part 3) More Listener Comments

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Part three of a series featuring collected bits & bobs for the podcast, with mini-lessons on vocabulary and grammar. Topics include listener comments on listening twice, a joke about double negatives & sarcasm, staying safe while listening to LEP in the car, the phrase “don’t be shy, give it a try,” fun facts about Paraguay, and a Quentin Tarantino eggcorn. Learn English with LEP!

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https://youtu.be/PtiRE5HTF6s?si=Y1kKwM_-Q4IX5K0j

Get the PDF 👇 Includes detailed vocabulary list

912. Bits & Bobs 3 Questions of English (Part 3) More Listener CommentsDownload

909. The Existential Threat of AI to Human Civilisation (Topic & Vocabulary)

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This episode explores the important topic of AI and human civilisation, and teaches plenty of vocabulary on the subject. I analyse an interview with an AI expert and explore many words and phrases for talking about this subject. This includes discussion of the potential pros and cons of AI, how it will impact the job market, global security and economics, and what could happen if (and when) AI exceeds human intelligence. Check the episode PDF for a transcript and detailed vocabulary list.

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Episode PDF (with detailed vocabulary list at the bottom)

909. The Existential Threat of AI to Human CivilisationDownload

Vocabulary List (check the PDF for definitions, examples and comments)

  • deeply profound
  • to exceed human intelligence
  • raising concerns
  • potential
  • to pose existential threats
  • autonomous lethal actions
  • significant
  • regulation
  • applications
  • lacking
  • widen
  • the wealth gap
  • plumbing
  • statistical tricks
  • competent
  • neural network
  • massively exceed
  • be in doubt 
  • subservient to 
  • given
  • spectrum
  • legislation
  • clause
  • military applications
  • willing to
  • restrict
  • the thin end of the wedge
  • autonomously
  • the like
  • restrain
  • from
  • well ahead of
  • slightly ahead of
  • distinguish
  • go rogue
  • take over
  • be putting huge resources into
  • mundane
  • productivity
  • wealth
  • equally distributed
  • the gap between rich and poor
  • right-wing populists
  • starving
  • the rent
  • stand back
  • consulted
  • Downing Street
  • Confront
  • To rein something in
  • have no teeth
  • reputation
  • my best bet
  • plumbing
  • physical manipulation
  • hopeless

What do you think? Leave your comments below 👇

908. Bits & Bobs 2 / Questions of English (Part 2) Listener Comments

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Responding to comments from listeners on various episodes in the LEP archives, including how to get a TEFL certificate, linking /r/ sounds, being a fly on the wall, singular “they”, antique vs vintage, and when the verb “see” doesn’t mean “see”. PDF available.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix7xKBk4WQ4&ab_channel=Luke%27sEnglishPodcast

Get the PDF 👇

908. Bits & Bobs _ Questions of English (Part 2) Listener Comments – Episode PDF – teacherluke.co.ukDownload

907. Catching a Cold / Travelling with Children / LEP Premium Sample Episode [P64]

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This is a free sample of LEP Premium. The episode contains clips from my recent premium series: P64, in which I told a couple of anecdotes about catching a cold and travelling to England with my two young children. You will also hear me teaching a lot of the words, phrases and expressions that I used in my stories. The entire premium series will be available for premium subscribers this week, but here is a free sample for subscribers of the free version of my podcast. Links below for more information about my premium podcast series.

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LEP Premium is my paid podcast series, in which I teach vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. There are 200+ episodes, video versions & PDF worksheets. It is designed to be used via a podcast app on your phone.

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⦿ More information about LEP Premium

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