English Tips and Tricks

13. First Pages - Nineteen Eighty-Four

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Another new series - First Pages ... a read-through and discussion of meaning and new vocabulary of the openings of famous novels, for B1+/B2 learners aiming for proficiency, hopefully giving you the confidence to read on in the novels.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode:

Get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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12. Sentence starters: Let's face it / Funny you should ask

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Two handy little sentence starters today for awkward or interesting moments in a conversation.

Transcript and key vocab here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yYyixdp2e0beMfWOxfuWYADeP5oPgkmC/view?usp=sharing

Get in touch with your questions: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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11. Colourful Language - Bloody hell

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In today's episode, we continue a new series called 'Colourful Language', looking at how to swear like a native speaker in English. In this second episode, we'll be looking at the word 'bloody' and how it's used in popular films and polite society.

Link to PDF transcript of the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ih4e1Dx_xJmb5DUKlCiyC5G2JXr3fqeC/view?usp=sharing

Get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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10. Zombie English: Wait for things to blow over

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Another new series - Zombie English... giving idioms and vocabulary from zombie films, like the excellent Shaun of the Dead. Today's idiom is 'Wait for things to blow over'.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgdlmKVjdFmdLOAAyEv0qpoyrLineveO/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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9. How to talk about ... heatwaves

Fri, 29 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Another new series - How to talk about... giving key vocabulary about current topics like AI, Donald Trump and today, heatwaves.

Transcript and key vocabulary in the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UTBUs6EuqPGVZCHF4-mpceXYid8pLd-v/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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8. Colourful Language - Damn It All

Thu, 28 May 2026 08:07:35 GMT

In today's episode, we start a new series called 'Colourful Language', looking at how to swear like a native speaker in English. In this first episode, we'll be looking at the word 'damn' and how it's used in popular films and polite society.

Link to PDF transcript of the episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Euknml_a8zJ-okzCyQ_XbCPEd0002bss/view?usp=share_link

Get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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7. Pro-Tips: Simpler reads to avoid frustration

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Reading can be a great way to improve your English and build vocabulary - just make sure you choose the right book!

Links:

Penguin Readers: https://www.penguinreaders.co.uk/books/
excerpt: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/excerpt
elegant: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/elegant
poignant: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/poignant
grasp: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/grasp

Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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6. Pro-Tips: Listen to podcasts you’re genuinely interested in

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

The most self-defeating episode ever? Or a really useful pro-tip to help you improve your listening skills? You decide!

Vocabulary links:

Chore definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chore
Naturally definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/naturally
Self-defeating definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-defeating
Handy definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/handy
Hooks definition (the final definition): https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hook?q=hooks
Geopolitics definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/geopolitics

Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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5. Sentence starter: How come

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

A handy little sentence starter for questions that seek to understand the reason for something.

Useful vocab from today's episode:

How come dictionary definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/how-come
Meta definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meta
Recessive definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/recessive
Keen definition: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/keen

Do get in touch with any questions you have about learning English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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4. Repurposed Vocabulary: Adjacent

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Why is everything being called something-adjacent these days? What is its meaning and should you try using it?

Links:

The New York Times article cited: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/style/are-you-adjacent.html
Merriam Webster definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjacent

Do get in touch with any questions about English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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3. Metaphors and Macbeth

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Life's but a walking shadow...and some other useful metaphors that could help spice up your English!

Do get in touch with any questions about English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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2. Sentence Starter: The thing is...

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we'll look at a useful little sentence starter for a very specific occasion.

If you have any questions or comments, do get in touch: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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1. Sentences beginning with What.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:51 GMT

Today, we’ll take a quick look at sentences starting with the word what. You’ll be used to seeing What being used as a question word, such as in the question, such as What’s up? But what can also be used as a sentence starter.

Do get in touch with any questions about English: englishtipsandtricks@protonmail.com

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