English for Life in the UK
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
The school system in the U.K.
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How schools are organised in England. 3 people discuss their own experiences of teaching and of the school system.
Co-operatives in the U.K.
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is a co-operative? The history of co-ops in the U.K. Interviews with 2 co-operatives - Suma Wholefoods and Valley Organics. Including how they op...
Interview with an artist - Kate Lycett
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Kate about her work as a visual artist, how she goes about creating a painting, her influences and why art is important.
Farming and cheese-making in a Yorkshire town
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We interview a dairy farmer and cheese maker about the history and process of milk and cheese making. We discuss the idea of organic farming and the u...
Access to healthcare in England
09 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion with a doctor (general practitioner) and a community pharmacist about how individuals can access primary healthcare services in England
Football Interviews
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We interview 2 teenage girls about playing football and an older man about playing and watching the game. In the language support section we talk abou...
Housing in the U.K.
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to the housing manager for Calderdale, discuss owning or renting property, the problem of finding affordable housing, housing issues for refug...
Owning and managing a family bakery in the U.K.
27 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We interview the owner of a family bakery called Lottie Shaw’s. We hear about making ‘Parkin’, a traditional northern gingerbread, and the chall...
The role of a Member of Parliament
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Interview with Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax
How does Local Government work in the U.K. ?
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Councillor Jane Scullion who is the deputy leader of Calderdale Council about how the Council works, her role and why local government is...
Season 3 preview
26 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We preview the new season, explain the idea behind this season of the podcast, introduce 2 new members of the team and outline some of the topics we w...
How to learn a language
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss our personal experiences of what works in learning a language, some of the research on language acquisition, how many people listen to the ...
Theatre in the U.K. - Northern Broadsides
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We interview the Artistic Director of a national touring theatre company about what they do and how they work. We also talk about theatre in the West ...
Regional accents and dialects in the U.K.
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss and illustrate a number of the regional variations in how English is spoken in different parts of the U.K. including Yorkshire, Lancashire,...
Soap Operas in the U.K.
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A soap opera is a tv or radio drama. We interview one of the writers and ask her to explain what is a ‘soap’, talk about some of the most popular ...
Britain in the world: the G7 and other international organisations
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The G7 is meeting in the U.K. this week. This episode explains the G7 and talks briefly about other international organisations including the United N...
Seeking asylum in the U.K.: part 2 local support, the work of the St Augustine’s Centre.
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The history and work of our independent charity which specialises in support for asylum seekers and refugees. We hear the voices of some of our asylum...
Seeking asylum in the U.K. - part 1, the asylum process and experiences
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The right to asylum. How the process I supposed to work. Some of the challenges. The voices of experience from asylum seekers and refugees.
Elections in the U.K.
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In May 2021 there were local and mayoral elections in England, national elections in Scotland and Wales. We interview one of the local candidates to f...
Football in the U.K.
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the recent proposals for a European Super League. The history of some of England’s big clubs including Manchester City and Manchester Uni...
Shakespeare
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We recorded this episode on Shakespeare’s birthday which is also St George’s day. We discuss aspects of Shakespeare’s life and plays. Idioms fro...
Easter in the U.K.
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The importance of Easter to Christians and the Easter story. Easter as a pagan festival. Modern U.K. traditions at Easter. Easter in some other countr...
The census in the U.K.
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the census? Historical examples of the census. How the census changes over time. The census 2021 and how it will be used. How to talking about...
Film and Cinema in the U.K.
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
History of film. Festivals and award ceremonies, the Oscars. How films get selected and the impact of streaming. Film genres. Film vocabulary.
Wildlife in the uk
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wild animals, trees, plants and flowers in different parts of the U.K. How to talk about quantities and amounts in English.
The seasons and the weather in the U.K.
07 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The 4 seasons in the U.K. what happens and what the weather is like in each season. Weather vocabulary and phrases.
The Victorian Age
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
British history during the reign of Queen Victoria. The workshop of the world, the British Empire, the extension of the vote, the Great Hunger in Irel...
The Industrial Revolution in the U.K.
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How Britain became the first country in the world to have an industrial revolution. Inventions, transport, resistance to the changes, urbanisation and...
What and where is Calderdale?
14 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The St Augustine’s Centre is based in the town of Halifax and the borough of Calderdale. We explain the geography, history, famous places and people...
Things to do during lockdown
31 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss a range of things which people can do to look after themselves and keep busy and healthy during the lockdown caused by the coronavirus.
COVID update January 2021
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
An update on the COVID-19 virus, what is happening across the world and in the U.K. Ideas for looking after yourself and information about the vaccine...
The English Civil War
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The causes of the Civil War in England. The war itself, events in Scotland and Ireland, Oliver Cromwell. The restoration of the monarchy and the glori...
Tudor England
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief overview of the life of two of England’s most famous monarchs, King Henry V111 (8th) and Elizabeth I. In a bonus section we cover in more de...
Christmas in the U.K.
20 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A discussion of aspects of the history and traditions of Christmas in the U.K. and the importance of Christmas to Christians.
The Development of the English Language
13 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
History of English as a language. English in use today in the U.K. and around the world. The differences between British English and American English
Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans arrive in Britain
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anglo-Saxons arrive in Britain. The two St Augustines. The Vikings. The Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest. How the Normans changed Britain.
Early Britain and Roman Britain
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The early history of Britain including Stonehenge and the Bronze and Iron ages. Roman Britain including Hadrian’s Wall and Boudicca.
The United Kingdom
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An overview of the 4 countries that make up the United Kingdom. More information about each of the smaller countries Scotland, Wales and Northern Irel...
British citizenship
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Outline and discussion of the process for becoming a British citizen. Freedoms and responsibilities of citizens. The pledge and oath of allegiance to ...
U.S. Presidential election
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why the US Presidential election is important to the U.K. How the US election system works. What has happened in this year’s election and the possib...
Values and principles of British society
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Government handbook identifies 5 principles - democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance, participation. We discuss each of these and s...
English for life in the U.K.
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For anyone wanting to improve their English and learn about life in this country. Who we are and where to find us. www.staugustinescentrehalifax.org.u...
Series 2 preview
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is this podcast? What have we done so far and what are our plans for series 2? How to use this podcast to improve your English and learn more abo...
Fashion and design in the U.K.
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What we mean by fashion and design. Some famous British designers, including fashion designers. Nouns and adjectives for materials
Literature in the U.K. part 2: Poets and poetry
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Famous British poets. Personal choice of poetry by Robert Burns, Wilfred Owen and Lemn Sissay. Similes and metaphors.
Literature in the U.K. part 1
06 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Famous British authors and novels past and present. Favourite books of the presenters. The use of 1st, 2nd and 3rd person narratives in literature.
Gardens and gardening
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Famous British landscape gardeners and gardens. Gardening as a pastime in the U.K. including allotments. How to start and continue a conversation.
Architecture and buildings in the U.K.
23 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the famous architects and the buildings they designed. Our own favourite buildings. Adjectives in English and in particular the word order we ...
Driving in the U.K.
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Driving requirements, the driving test, examples of driving incidents, recognising and using modal verbs
Food in the U.K.
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Traditional British food, how our tastes have changed, recipe for shortbread, the use of the imperative tense
Land use and farming in the U.K.
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What the land is used for. Types of farming. Animal and plant based farming and food. Vegetarianism and veganism.
Climate change and the green agenda in the uk
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What we mean by climate change, the policies for the environment of the main political parties in the U.K. and what we, as individuals, can do to help...
Coronavirus and the Economy in the U.K.
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Examining the possible impact of the coronavirus on the U.K. economy, including looking at the impact on retail and tourism and the challenges ahead f...
Black Lives Matter
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Discussion of the events in the USA and around the world following the death of a black man at the hands of the police. Why this matters in the U.K. P...
VE Day in the U.K.
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Victory in Europe Day. The events leading up to it, the celebrations and the final end to the 2nd world war and what happened immediately after.
Eid in the U.K.
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Interviews with 3 Muslims living in the U.K. about their experiences of Eid in normal times and under lock down.
Welfare State and the benefit system
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the welfare state in the U.K. A brief history. The current benefit system including universal credit. Interview with one of our advisers.
Health in the U.K.
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
History of the National Health Service. How the health service works and what to do if you are ill.
Everyday life and customs
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Including greetings, neighbours, queuing and shopping, eating and meal times, and family life.
Coronavirus
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A special episode looking at the Coronavirus. We cover the main government advice, support that is available locally and ideas about how to look after...
Mass Media in the U.K.
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about newspapers, television and radio in the uk
The Law in the uk
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode includes how laws are made, the role of the courts and the role of the police. We also do a quiz about what age people are allowed to do ...
Local Government
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The structure of local government in England, the services provided by one local Council, in this case Calderdale, and how that Council is run.
The economy
14 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A look at the British economy. This includes the public sector and the money the government spends in different areas. Then we look at the different p...
Government and the British Constitution
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Systems of government. Democracy and constitution. The U.K. constitution and monarchy.
Leisure in the U.K.
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss different types of leisure activity and we focus in particular on cycling, including the Tour De Yorkshire, and walking and...
Religion in the U.K.
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode includes some information about the roles and organisation of the Church of England, the patron saints, religious festivals and other tra...
Art and culture in the U.K.
03 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss a number of famous works of art and pieces if music.
Education in the U.K.
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The different stages of the education system in the U.K. including schools and colleges. Private and state schools. The role of parents and of OFSTED....
Sport in the U.K.
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A short episode about some of the sports which originated in Britain with a particular focus on football, including women’s football.
Review of 2019 and Preview of 2020
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Looking back at the last year and forward to the next. This episode uses a variety of past and future tenses.
Britain and Europe
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We look at the recent history of the relationship between Britain and Europe and in particular our membership of the European Union and the recent dec...
The history of democracy in the U.K.
15 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded on the day of the general Election, we cover part of the development of democracy and particularly the right to vote.
Episode 3. The British Empire
30 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A brief history of the British Empire from the age of exploration through to the end of empire and the legacy of the empire today.
Medieval Britain
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the episode we cover some key events from this period including the Magna Carta, the Black Death and the Peasants Revolt. We also look at how the E...
English for Life in the U.K. Episode 1. The history of migration.
14 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An introduction to this podcast and a summary of our first session on the history of migration into the U.K.