Grow Your English with Tree

AI can generate an answer in seconds, write an essay in moments, and pass a university module with a merit. But in removing all the friction, has it also removed the thinking? Kasia Truszkowska joins me on the podcast to discuss how educators and students can navigate AI with integrity.

👉 For a proper learning transcript, with free listening & vocabulary practice activities, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va 👈

Kasia's book is called Reclaiming Thinking: Education in the Age of AI and you can get it here: https://oxfordaicentre.com/book

Visit my website: https://www.englishlanguagetree.com/

For the last of my episodes with exam experts, I spoke to Helen Louise all about the Occupational English Test, a qualification for healthcare professionals.

It's a wonderful chat about a test I didn't know much about. I hope you find it interesting!

👉 For a proper learning transcript, with free listening & vocabulary practice activities, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va 👈

Helen offers support to professionals preparing for these versions of the exam: dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy and speech pathology. Find out more on her website: https://linkelt.co.uk/

And check out my new website at www.englishlanguagetree.com

In the second part of my chat with IELTS expert Ste Sharpe, we bust myths, talk about accent and consider 'aha' moments!

If you're taking the Academic IELTS test, or preparing students for it, then this is for you.

👉 For a learning transcript, with IELTS-style listening & vocabulary practice activities, language notes and a spotlight on intonation, please sign up here: subscribepage.io/lKT7Va 👈

Find out about Ste's IELTS speaking course at www.eltwithste.com

And check out my new website at www.englishlanguagetree.com

Take part in The 12 Days of Listenmas and you could win a lesson with me!

...Open until 5th January 2026....

This mini episode is an invitation for you to join my listening challenge.

Download the Listenmas activity sheet here to get started.

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

This episode features music from The Fitzwarren Collective from Somerset, UK.

Need to know about Academic IELTS? The next episode in my exams mini-series is a super interview with experienced IELTS teacher Ste Sharpe.

Ste has some great advice about preparing for the test. Is doing mock tests the best way to improve? Do you need an actual teacher? Listen to find out...

If you're taking the Academic IELTS test, then you do not want to miss this episode!

If you're an IELTS teacher, I have created some listening and vocabulary activities for you to use with your students.

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

Follow us both on Instagram:

@@eltwithste

@eltreeonline

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

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!