Radio English

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with John Cooper Clarke, a poet. There are masses of great words! We explain some of the positive adjectives he uses, like ‘sensational’, ‘uplifting’ and  ‘flourished’ and talk about the meanings of the phrasal verbs to ‘knock around’, ‘catch on and take off.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Marcus Wareing, a very well-known British chef. There are some great words that he uses to describe people.  He talks about himself as ‘sharp and a ‘stickler for precision, his mum as ‘houseproud’ and his dad as a ‘rock’. We also explain some of the idioms in the interview. ‘Putting the cart before the horse’, the ‘seeds of something being sown’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Sue Biggs, the director of the Royal Horticultural Society. As well as some great gardening terms,like ‘trowel’, ‘cultivate’ and being ‘green fingered’,  there are some very useful words that describe feeling strong emotions, such as something ‘stirring your emotions’ ‘to wow’ and ‘being smitten.’

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Jared Diamond, a writer and academic. We explain terms that are used to describe him, such as ‘versatile’, a ‘polymath’ and having ‘constructive paranoia’. We explain words that he uses when talking about the reasons for his research, like ‘predisposed’, ‘precipitant and ‘impetus’.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Emily Eavis who is the co-organiser of the world famous Glastonbury festival. We explain the words ‘mind boggling’ and ‘logistical’ that are used when they talk about the organisation required. We also explain some of the many phrasal verbs in the interview. Such as to take on, chip in and put on.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with an extremely successful musician called Nitin Sawhney, who also produces and composes music. As well as discussing musical terms such ‘jams’ and ‘riffs’. We explain what a ‘visceral’ reaction is, feeling ‘empowered’ and what  it means to get a ‘buzz’ from something,

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with peace campaigner, Professor Monica McWilliams. She is also an academic and former politician.We explain adjectives that are used to talk about challenges, such as  ‘arduous’ and ‘daunting’ and explain what it means if something is ‘ironic’ or ‘profound’. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with Lubaina Himid, a contemporary artist that won a famous art prize in 2017. We explain some of the adjectives that are used  - Exuberant, bitter-sweet about and devastating and phrasal verbs, such as to wash over and soak up. 

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with a successful magician! (Or as he describes himself a mentalist, illusionist and author). His name is Derren Brown. As well as learning about some great vocab for talking about magic, we explain some of the adjectives he uses to describe himself, such as ‘precocious’, sceptical and soppy. We also talk about the words and phrases used to explain why he does what he does, such as the ‘urge’ to impress and ‘getting a kick’ out of something.

In today’s episode we’re discussing the radio 4 Desert Island Discs interview with the hugely successful make-up artist, Pat McGrath. As well as learning some great make-up vocab, we’ll explain the physical actions of sneaking, prancing and ripping and some expressions that are used to describe being nervous and excited along with many more words and phrases.