Radio English

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Russell T Davies, who is one of the UK’s most successful television writers. He describes himself as a gay writer and we explain the words ‘queer’, ‘straight’ closetness’ and ‘out’ that are used in the interview. We also discuss some of the useful phrasal verbs that are used      to potter about, to churn out and to sail through.

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Wendell Pierce, who is a famous American actor. We discuss the terrible racism he suffered as a child with words such as, ‘segregated’ and ‘sub par’. We also explain some of the words used when he and Lauren Lavern talk about his career, like ‘longevity’, ‘aspiring to something’ and ‘adding a string to his bow’.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Dame Glenys Stacey, former Chief Inspector of Probation. She also worked as a solicitor and a regulator for many years. We’ll explain what it means to ‘hold someone to account’  and what is meant by having 'skeletons in your cupboard'. We also discuss the words 'hindsight', 'clear sight' and 'foresight' as well as many other useful words and phrases.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Baroness Arminka Helic. She is a politician who campaigns to prevent sexual violence in conflict zones. On a positive note, Aggie explains what ‘a sprinkling of stardust is’ and on a more serious note, we explain what ‘rape’ means and give the defiition of ‘shell shock’. We also talk about what it means to be ‘spotted, ‘smuggled’ and ‘humiliated’.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Lin Manuel Miranda, a composer and lyricist who is very well known for creating the musical Hamilton. Along with many other great words, we talk about what ‘a smash’ is and what it means if something is ‘thrilling’ and at it’s ‘peak’. We also explain the phrasal verbs ‘live up to’, set yourself up’ and ‘mess up’.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Sabrina Cohen-Hatton who is a firefighter. Along with many other great words, we explain what it means if a guy is described as ‘hunky’ or ‘Jack-the-lad’ and what it means if a man is told to ‘man-up’. We also talk about her experience of 'sleeping rough' and what it means if something is 'dehumanising'.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Thom Yorke who is the frontman of the very famous band, Radiohead. Along with many other great words, we explain what it means to be ‘spellbound’, ‘gobsmacked’, ‘stunned’ and what happens to you if something ‘blows your mind’.  We also talk about the definition of ‘elation’ and what ‘eureka moments’ are. 

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Jo Fairley who co-founded Green & Blacks, a chocolate company. There are so many words that can be used in everyday conversation. We talk about the words ‘ethical’, ‘fairtrade’ and what it means to ‘have a conscious’.  We also explain what it means to ‘bluff’, ‘to let rip’ and talk about what it means if someone ‘breaks the mould’.

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Tim Waterstone who founded the very famous chain of bookshops that have his name. We explain the language Tim uses when he talks about his vision and what he has created with phrases such ‘a cross between’,’a branch’ and  ‘a haven’. We’ll also explain what it means to ‘browse’ and to peer through something as well as many other amazing words and phrases that can be used in everyday conversational English.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Dame Sally Davies, who is chief medical officer of England. We explain the adjectives ‘sensitive’, ‘sane’, and plain speaking that she and Lauren uses to describe her character. We also talk about words that relate to her career like ‘ethics’, ‘stigma’ and ‘diversity’.

Read through the notes for this episode on my blog

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If you have enjoyed today's episode and you have found it helpful, can you help me let others know about it too? Just leave a rating and review on itunes (and subscribe if you haven't already). That would be amazing! Thank you so much!