Sam works in the stupidest department of his company: the 'Synergy Snakes'. What they're actually supposed to do, he has no idea, but he's managed to create a system where he doesn't have to talk to his co-workers and does as little work as possible. The only problem is, the company is looking to get rid of some people, and Sam's an easy target...
Content warning: this episode contains rude language, sexual harassment and bullying. It is not suitable for children.
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/MakeASnake for the full transcript.
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Level: Advanced.
Genre: Drama.
Vocabulary: Synergy, Line manager, Touch base, Drill down, Filing cabinet, Get the memo, Squeeze out, Minutes, Dread, Scroll (computer), Piss, Urinal, Sexual harassment.
Setting: Modern.
Word Count: 6590.
Author: Ariel Goodbody.
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What Makes a Snake (Advanced)

Learning a language is hard, but Easy Stories in English makes it easy! Ariel Goodbody introduces each story, explaining difficult vocabulary and talking about their life. Thanks to their high energy and clear pronunciation, the stories are entertaining and simple to understand.

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced learner, there’s something for everyone. The stories cover a wide range of genres, such as fairy tales, myths and legends, drama, comedy, romance, horror, science fiction and action. There is a balance of children’s stories, as well as more mature themes for adults. While listening to the stories, you can read the transcript at EasyStoriesInEnglish.com and get both reading practice and listening practice. With enough time, you’ll find that your reading and writing skills improve as well.

Ariel Goodbody has a strong background in linguistics and language acquisition, and they base the podcast on Stephen Krashen’s theory of comprehensible input. Ariel changes the level of grammar to suit each level, but prioritise comprehension and good storytelling over anything else. Vocabulary is described using paraphrase, cultural references, pictures, intonation and sound effects. British culture, especially English culture, is naturally introduced throughout the episodes.

Ariel also has experience in theatre, and treats every episode like an audiobook performance. With character voices, dramatic timing and a range of accents, adults and kids alike will soon forget that they’re ‘learning’ at all!

Some of the most well-known stories from the podcast are: the Doggo and Kitty stories, Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tales, The Very Hungry Dragon, Sleeping Beauty, The Perfect Pet, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Why Blood is Red, Saint George and the Dragon and Pioneers of the Continuum. Many stories are adapted from famous authors, such as Edgar Allan Poe, Hans Christian Andersen, Isaac Asimov, Josef Čapek, Margery Williams and Ryuunosuke Akutagawa.

Ariel studied linguistics at the University of Cambridge and started teaching in 2018. As a language teacher, they use comprehensible input techniques such as TPRS and story listening. In 2021 they published a series of graded readers. These easy readers allow fans to get their favourite stories in a physical format.

Apprendre l’anglais facilement avec des contes de fées et histoires racontés en anglais britannique. Méthode pour étudier les vocabulaires, la prononciation, la grammaire et la lecture en anglais. Les livres audio en anglais pour les niveaux débutant, intermédiaire et avancé.

Einfach Britisches Englisch lernen mit Märchen und Geschichten. Methode, um Vokabeln, Aussprache, Grammatik und Lesen auf Englisch zu studieren. Hörbücher auf Englisch für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene.

Imparare l'inglese facilmente con fiabe e storie in inglese britannico. Metodo per studiare vocabolario, pronuncia, grammatica e lettura in inglese. Audiolibri in inglese per i livelli principiante, intermedio e avanzato.

Aprender inglés fácilmente con cuentos de hadas e historias en inglés británico. Método para estudiar vocabulario, pronunciación, gramática y lectura en inglés. Audiolibros en inglés para todos los niveles: principiante, intermedio y avanzado.

童話、メルヘン、物語でイギリス英語を学ぶことがやさしくさせるイージー・ストーリーズ・イン・イングリッシュ。アリエル・グッドボディはきれいなブリティッシュイングリッシュの発音で新しい単語を説明して、毎週のストーリーを語る。初級、中級、上級の生徒にむかうオーディオブックで英語文法や英語読書をアップさせる勉強取材。

通过英国英语的童话故事和故事轻松学习英语。学习英语的词汇、发音、语法和阅读。为初学者、中级和高级学生提供英语的有声读物。

Легко изучать английский язык с помощью сказок и историй на британском английском. Методика изучения словарного запаса, произношения, грамматики и чтения на английском языке. Аудиокниги на английском языке для начинающих, студентов среднего уровня и продвинутых студентов.

تعلم الإنجليزية بسهولة مع القصص الخرافية والحكايات باللغة الإنجليزية البريطانية. طريقة لدراسة المفردات والنطق والقواعد والقراءة باللغة الإنجليزية. كتب مسموعة باللغة الإنجليزية للمبتدئين والمتوسطين والمتقدمين.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Fiction

Language Learning

In this episode, I brainstorm a story with Alastair Budge. We start with the concept of someone from Antarctica moving to London and experiencing culture shock and peculiarities of life in the UK. We come up with cultural references and humorous situations involving misunderstandings about British culture. After this episode, Alastair went off and wrote the story, which I then edited, and next week you'll be able to hear the recorded version.
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Together for the full transcript.
Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RpDGfqiOP8
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Level: Advanced.
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Let's Write a Story Together! with Alastair Budge (Advanced)

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SqPoEVhjGnU
In this episode of Easy Stories in English, Ariel Goodbody, the host, discusses a recent controversy involving a blasphemous phrase in a podcast episode titled 'The Holy Cat,' leading to its removal after feedback from Muslim listeners. Ariel apologizes and reflects on the learning experience. Additionally, Ariel talks about experimenting with recording formats and locations for YouTube, changes to the availability of episode transcripts, and premium content adjustments. Ariel also shares personal updates, including a recent live stream, an Easter experience, a mindset shift in professional self-perception, pricing adjustments for teaching services, efforts to improve the YouTube channel, upcoming birthday plans, and a collaboration with Alistair from English Learning for Curious Minds. The episode concludes with a promotion for Ariel's English classes and an invitation to subscribe to the email newsletter for live stream notifications.
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Blasphemy! (Conversation)

An old man lives in an old house. The house is so old that it has changed shape and many things are broken. Every day, the man must climb up a big hill to get to the kitchen. Lots of people tell him he needs to leave the house, but the old man refuses. But one day, the house makes sure he will never leave.
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/House for the full transcript.
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Level: Pre-Intermediate.
Genre: Horror.
Vocabulary: Crooked, Moisture, Warp (wood), Hook, Zip-line, Roll, Fern, Drain (noun), Plumber, Association, Pretend.
Setting: UK.
Word Count: 1753.
Author: Ariel Goodbody.
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A Crooked Old House (Pre-Intermediate)

Dinewan gets married to Bohra the kangaroo, and they go for a walk in the desert. But Dinewan soon gets bored. Bohra is a magic kangaroo, and his spirit can walk through the sky. Dinewan thinks it would be interesting to see Bohra's spirit...
Go to EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Emu for the full transcript.
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Level: Beginner.
Genre: Children's.
Vocabulary: Emu, Kangaroo, Feather, Spirit, Desert, Shelter, Scratch, Hole, Thorn, Rub, Twig.
Setting: Australia.
Word Count: 741.
Author: Ariel Goodbody.
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The Emu and the Kangaroo (Beginner)

In this episode, I talk about the kinds of performance I've been doing recently - storytelling in a sauna, spinning a tale at the London Esperanto Club, improvising at an open mic night, moderating a talk-show discussion and singing in a church choir. I've been busy this past month! No wonder I've been a bit sick, but hopefully my croaky voice won't stop you from enjoying this episode :)
Get the transcript for this episode by joining Easy Stories in English Premium! Your support is appreciated! (after you join, go to this episode's description on the Premium feed to get the transcript link)
Level: Intermediate.
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What Makes a Snake (Advanced)

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