What has a cheeky blackbird got to do with speaking English?

This is the second of two short episodes featuring sounds from in and around an international conference in Edinburgh, UK.

I reflect on what it means to be a good communicator in this snapshot of a global community.

👉 For a complete Tree-checked transcript, with listening activities and language notes, please sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/lKT7Va 👈 English teachers will find this particularly useful!

Follow me on Instagram: @eltreeonline

And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!

This is the first of two short episodes featuring sounds from in and around an international conference in Edinburgh, UK.

I took my microphone and did some mini interviews with English language teachers.

What do you think of their advice? Would you be able to answer these questions on the spot?

👉 For a complete Tree-checked transcript, with listening activities and language notes, please sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/lKT7Va 👈

Follow me on Instagram: @eltreeonline

And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!

Number 3 in my Cambridge English mini-series is a fantastic chat with Sarah Morgan about the C2 Proficiency exam.

Find out what she has to say about the challenges that C2 candidates face, why you might not need a teacher (!) and why lexis is a whole other ballgame at this level.

Sarah has some invaluable advice for you and this episode is essential listening if you're preparing for the Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam.

👉 For a complete Tree-checked transcript, with a vocabulary list, extra activities and language notes, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va👈

Follow us both on Instagram:

@meaningful.english

@eltreeonline

And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!

In a reflective mood at the end of the year, I give you my bird highlights of 2024 and recommend two brilliant bird-related works.

Find me on Instagram @eltreeonline to get a proper transcript of this episode.

The book is Birdsplaining by Jasmine Donahaye (published by Parthian, 2023).

https://www.walesartsreview.org/birdsplaining-a-natural-history-review/

The film is Bird, directed by Andrea Arnold, which came out in 2024.

https://mubi.com/en/gb/films/bird

Thanks for listening! Let me know what you thought of this contemplative episode of Grow Your English.

And finally, if you'd like to buy me a coffee to show your appreciation for this podcast, then you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/eltreecoffeeplease

Thank you

Tree x

In the second in a mini-series of interviews about the Cambridge English exams, I discuss the C1 Advanced exam with Jelena Petkov.

Jelena is an Advanced exam expert who knows exactly how to help her students not only pass, but pass with great scores!

Find out what she has to say about how to prepare for the exam, what makes a good study routine and why reading is so important.

You won't want to miss this insightful chat if you're preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam.

👉 For a complete Tree-checked transcript, with a vocabulary list, extra activities and language notes, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va👈

Unsurprisingly, Jelena's C1 Master Course is already full but you can sign up for her excellent newsletter here: https://sendfox.com/EnglishWithEllen

Follow us on Instagram:

@cambridgeenglish.ellen

@eltreeonline

And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!

The first in a mini-series of interviews about the Cambridge English exams, this episode is a goldmine of B2 First information.

I chat to Sangeeta Sathe, a Cambridge exams specialist who has some excellent advice for you - including how to handle the speaking test and how to activate your exam brain.

If you're preparing for the Cambridge B2 First exam, or just thinking about it, our conversation is essential listening. And it's an enjoyable, informative chat even if you're not an exam student!

For a complete Tree-checked transcript, with a vocabulary list, extra activities and language notes, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va

You can access Sangeeta's Habit Tracker here: https://subscribepage.io/makeitahabit

Follow us on Instagram:

@english_with_sangeeta

@eltreeonline

If you have ever been judged on the way you sound in English, then this episode is essential listening!

I had an excellent chat with Felicio, who is a researcher and English teacher from Brazil, all about accent bias, the phonology of listening and how to approach these important topics in English language teaching.

This episode is aimed at more advanced English learners; teachers of English will find it especially interesting.

To sign up for the complete, annotated, human-checked transcript AND listening activities to guide your ears, go to this link: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va

Find me at eltreeonline on Instagram.

Read Felicio's fantastic articles here: https://feliciodias.substack.com/ and follow felicioenglishteacher on Instagram.

Would you like to know what a Digital Retreat is and why you might need one? I talk to Sarah and Lisa about 'Relax into your English', an upcoming online event for curious English learners.

Stressed about learning more grammar? Take a break! You deserve to do something enjoyable with your language skills for once.

To sign up for the complete, annotated, human-checked transcript AND listening activities to guide your ears, go to this link: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va

@eltreeonline

@meaningful.English

@your.english.self

It's over 40 degrees in Spain (where Sarah and Lisa both live) so please excuse the occasional strange sounds from the fan - I'd rather have cool comfortable guests than absolutely perfect audio!

#relaxintoyourEnglish

This time, I bring you two creative ways to grow your English skills: singing and soundscapes.

Listen out for...

1) some ideas on how to include these creative activities in your language practice,

2) my dog trying to join in with the episode, and

3) me almost falling over as I was recording in the woods!

To sign up for the complete, annotated, human-checked transcript AND listening activities to guide your ears, go to this link: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va

In this episode, I chat to Clare Whitmell, host of the Smart English Coach podcast. We talk about why listening in English can be difficult and discuss the rhythm and musicality of the language.

I give you some tips on how to advance your listening skills, including what to do if you don't understand.

Clare is hosting the Advanced English Summit, a free online event with 10 wonderful English experts ready to share their ideas with you.

See the line-up and register here: https://english-at-home.com/summit/ or sign up via the link @eltreeonline