Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson
Episodes
The Kit-Bag (Learn English with a Short Story) [965]
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It is traditional to tell a scary story at Christmas time, so here is one for this year's festive season. The Kit-Bag by Algernon Blackwood is a class...
A Cosy Rambling Episode at Home [964]
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this audio-only episode today you can join me at home as I potter around, and take time to relax while recording a rambling episode for you to enjo...
Talking Therapy, Mental Health & Counselling with Emma Camara Ortega [963]
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[963] Emma Camara Ortega and I worked together as English teachers years ago, but since then Emma has become a licensed counsellor and therapist - hel...
The Door in the Wall 🚪 (Learn English with a Short Story) [962]
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[962] Time for another short story on LEP. This one is about a man who has a wondrous experience as a child, which then haunts him for the rest of hi...
Emma from MmmEnglish and Hey Lady! [961]
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
[961] Emma Jakobi is the host of MmmEnglish on YouTube, and now the online community Hey Lady! In this episode Emma joins me for a chat about living o...
Fine Distinctions & Subtle Shades of Meaning 📖 (with Eli Burnstein) [960]
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A particularly useful and interesting episode for you today - a conversation about English words which are very similar, but crucially, not the same. ...
How to Learn English with my podcast 🎧 [959]
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
People keep asking me in comments, "How can I learn English with your podcast?" so in this episode I am answering that question as simply, directly an...
A Free Sample of LEP Premium Series 71 🏆 Vocabulary & Pronunciation [958]
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up to LEP Premium here 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premiumIf you have ever wondered what happens in premium episodes, this episode will sh...
More Questions of English & Listener Comments 🙋🏽♀️ Bits & Bobs 5 [957]
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How many words are there in English? How many do you really need to know? And how many words have I spoken on this podcast? 🧐 Also, what is shadowi...
Thompson Originals 💿 (A Chat with My Brother) [956]
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My brother James joins me again on the podcast for a rambling chat about diverse topics such as: trousers 👖 sandwiches 🥪 gangster films 🍿 the...
Let’s do a REAL C1 English Test! 🙇♂️ (CAE Use of English) [955]
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 949 I did an online test which claimed to be for C1 level, but let's be honest - it was more like an intermediate level, the questions were...
Holiday Hell 🔥 Serious Sandcastles 🏰 & AI Inbreeding 🤖 with Amber & Paul [954]
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Pod-Pals are back on the podcast for another catching up session! Recorded just after the summer holidays, there is talk of Paul's hatred of the b...
A game of “Would You Rather?” with my daughter 👧 [953]
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My 7-year-old daughter joins me again as co-host in this fun episode. We play "Would you rather?", a conversation game in which we ask each other ridi...
The Trip to Norway 🇳🇴 Learn Vocabulary in Context [952]
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A description of my recent family holiday to Norway 🇳🇴 including rambling about how I can't stand beach holidays 🏖️, chasing my son around ...
Questions of English & Listener Comments 🙋Bits & Bobs 4 [951]
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dealing with some questions from listeners about pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, namely how to know when 'd is had or would (in writing and pro...
The Flatmate from Japan Returns🚶♂️Travelling Tales & More [950]
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Peter, my old flatmate from Japan, is back on the podcast after his previous appearance 11 years ago! We chat about travelling experiences, teaching E...
Let’s Take a C1 Grammar Test 📋 and critique it [949]
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I take a typical multiple choice grammar test that you can find online, explain the answer to each question and give mini grammar less...
Workplace Scenarios 👷 Role Plays for Practical English [948]
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this fun and practical episode I dive into realistic workplace English through improvised role-play conversations. Designed to help you boost your ...
Technology in Everyday Life [Part 2] 👨💻 The Choices We Make / Topic Discussion & Vocabulary [947]
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives, and the vocabulary of technology today. This episode f...
Technology in Everyday Life [Part 1] 👨💻 The Choices We Make / Topic Discussion & Vocabulary
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about choices we have to make relating to technology in our everyday lives. I'll be discussing contemporary tech-related issues su...
Funny English Errors, Corrected ✍️ [945]
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes it is fine to laugh at the mistakes that we make in English (I do it in French) and so in this episode let's look at some English errors tha...
Listen & Learn English with Luke 🎧 This is SOMETHING! [944]
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I take you on a big rambling journey through all sorts of English-learning goodness (and nonsense). We start by pondering what makes a...
943. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of SILVER BLAZE 🐎 (Learn English with a Short Story)
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time for another Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast, because: Why not? I have adapted the text into modern English...
942. The ASMR Zen School of English ☁️🧘 Learn English and Relax
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Improve your English and reduce stress with this unique ASMR-style episode ☁️ 🧘. Join me for a relaxing, meditative journey featuring calm back...
941. The Man Who Could Work Miracles ✨ (Learn English with a Short Story)
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with a short story on LEP. In this episode I am reading "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" by HG Wells (adapted into modern English). Fir...
940. Our favourite things to do in London 🇬🇧 (Part 2)
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here is the second part of this double episode all about great things to see and do while in London 🇬🇧. Listen to my friends and family talking ...
939. Our favourite things to do in London 🇬🇧 (Part 1)
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here is part 1 of a double episode about London 🇬🇧 and great things you can see and do there 🎡. Listen to my friends and family describing th...
938. Film Club: Monty Python’s Life of Brian (with Antony Rotunno)
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A return to Luke's Film Club with a conversation about one of the funniest and most controversial films of all time, also voted one of the UK's favour...
937. A Birthday Ramble / The Spinning Wheel of Random Questions
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's my birthday 🥳 so join me for a relaxed and light-hearted ramble, first with some comments about recent episodes and other podcast housekeeping...
936. How AI can Boost your English with Podcasts ✨🎧 (feat. Alastair Budge)
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m joined by Alastair Budge from Leonardo English to explore how you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to boost your English, especial...
935. Terrible Traffic Jams & Self-Driving Cars 🚗 (Topic & Vocabulary)
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the exciting topic of driving, getting stuck in traffic jams, the future of our roads and how self-driving cars might be the...
934. Sign Language is Fascinating 👋 with Siobhan Dodd
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered about sign language, how it works and if it is similar to other languages like English? In this conversation I speak to Siobhan...
933. The Best Expressions in English are from Shakespeare ✍️ Learn English Vocabulary
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello! In this episode I focus on English expressions and idioms that originated in the works of William Shakespeare and are still...
932. What is so great about Shakespeare? 🎭 (with Mum & Dad)
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk to my parents about the topic of William Shakespeare. We discuss the enduring appeal and significance of William Shakespeare's ...
931. Overcoming Fears 😰 with Zdenek
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features a conversation with Zdenek about fears and anxieties experienced in everyday life. We explore common fears such as dri...
930. Can I eat my cat? 😿 Weird Google Questions, Answered (Topics + Vocabulary)
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about the bizarre and funny questions that people input into Google. I explore and answer some of these questions, explaining some voc...
929. Sarah Donnelly: The Only American In Paris 🇺🇸🇫🇷 US vs UK Accent Quiz
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Donnelly comes back onto LEP to catch up and to tell us about her stand-up special, now available to watch on YouTube, and to do a British Engli...
928. The Abduction 🛸 (Learn English with a Short Story)
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with another short story on Luke's English Podcast. This one is about a learner of English who has an extraordinary experience. Listen t...
927. Walk & Talk: Medieval Museum ⛫🦄 (with Amber, Paul & Kyle)
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, it's here - the medieval museum episode with Amber & Paul. Join us as we visit the museum of the middle ages in Paris. Learn about the hi...
926. Oral Storytelling Traditions and the Mental Health Benefits of Listening to Podcasts ☀️🎧
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The other day I was thinking about how podcasts must be good for your mental health, and how this could be connected to the tradition of collective or...
925. Walaa’s Experience in Syria - Walaa Mouma Returns (Part 2)
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Walaa was first on this podcast in episode 703 she talked about living in Syria as a student during the civil war (or people’s revolution) but ...
924. Walaa Mouma Returns (Part 1) 📚 PhD Studies in Wales & Teaching English for Refugees
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Walaa Mouma returns to the podcast after 4 years to give us an update about her academic studies and personal story, including getting married and mov...
923. A Rambling Exercise for Fluency 🗣️ Late-Winter 2025 ❄️☀️
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A rambling episode full of spontaneous speaking from me to you. Topics include; an exercise for you to practise your spoken fluency 🗣️, the benef...
922. Words of the Year 📖 (with Amber)
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amber joins me for a discussion of some words which reflect various cultural movements of the last 12 months or more. Learn some trending words and li...
921. From Comedy to Cosy Crime 🎤📚 (with Ian Moore)
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ian Moore returns to the podcast to talk about his career shift from stand up comedy to writing "cosy" crime novels. After several decades as a profes...
920. Animal Vocabulary Quiz 🐎 (with my daughter)
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know more animal vocabulary than my 6-year-old daughter? Find out in this episode which covers over 60 items of vocabulary for describing anima...
919. Catching Up with AMBER & PAUL #14
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Another fun chat with my friends Amber Minogue & Paul Taylor. This one was recorded in early January and we talk about running & fitness 🏃,...
918. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 💎 (Learn English with a Short Story)
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for another classic Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Arthur Conan Doyle on the podcast. This time it is The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle ...
917. Listener Stories 🥷 How LEP has helped my listeners with their English ⭐️ Success & Advice
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a listener-generated episode, meaning that the content is mostly written by listeners of this podcast. In this one I read out various comments...
916. Learning English in 2025 📈 with Luke’s English Podcast
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A lengthy New Year's message about how to improve your English through consistent podcast listening. This episode details how regular listening improv...
915. The World News Quiz 2024 🌍 with Stephen from SEND7 Podcast
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me for a quiz about some curious stories from the news this year (2024). Stephen Devincenzi from the SEND7 Podcast is the quizmaster for the thir...
914. A Midwinter Ramble ❄️ Luke’s English Podcast
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An end-of-year rambling episode with some seasonal good wishes 🎄, comments on recent episodes 🎧, an update about upcoming content 📲, anecdote...
913. The Snowman ⛄️ (Learn English with a Short Story)
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to a short story and learn some useful English vocabulary in the process. This one is called The Snowman - a mysterious winter tale about a cre...
912. Bits & Bobs 3 📚 Questions of English (Part 3) More Listener Comments
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part three of a series featuring collected bits & bobs for the podcast, with mini-lessons on vocabulary and grammar. Topics include listener comme...
911. FUNNY ENGLISH SIGNS 🪧 Explained (Part 2)
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
(Part 2 of 2) Let's continue where we stopped in the last episode, by going through the rest of my list of funny English signs 🪧 from around the wo...
910. FUNNY ENGLISH SIGNS 🪧 Explained (Part 1)
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's look at some funny examples of badly-worded signs from around the world (including UK & USA), which show the ambiguity and unintended conseq...
909. The Existential Threat of AI to Human Civilisation 😃 (Topic & Vocabulary)
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the important topic of AI and human civilisation, and teaches plenty of vocabulary on the subject. I analyse an interview with a...
908. Bits & Bobs 2 📚 Questions of English (Part 2) Listener Comments
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Responding to comments from listeners on various episodes in the LEP archives, including how to get a TEFL certificate, linking /r/ sounds, being a fl...
907. Catching a Cold / Travelling with Children / LEP Premium Sample Episode [P64]
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a free sample of LEP Premium. The episode contains clips from my recent premium series: P64, in which I told a couple of anecdotes about catch...
906. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe 🖤😱 (Learn English with a Short Story)
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode for Halloween I read out a classic work of gothic horror fiction by Edgar Allan Poe, then go through each line and explain vocabulary ...
905. 49 Random Jokes, Explained 🐸 ✂️ (Dissecting the Frog)
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. You can learn from it, but the frog dies in the process.Let me tell you 49 jokes (of varying quality). Ho...
904. Bits & Bobs 📚 Questions of English (Part 1)
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first part of a series in which I share various little things which I have collected over the years for this podcast, including questions ...
903. Reading from my Japanese hospital diaries 📘 (Sept 2002)
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By popular demand I have chosen to publish this episode! In 2002 I ended up stuck in a Japanese hospital feeling very ill and confused. I ended up sta...
902. "A Year on the Fosse" by Rick Thompson (English History & Wildlife) Dad's New Book 📕 Out Now
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with my dad about his new book, which is about the history and wildlife of a famous Roman road which passes right through the heart of ...
901. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of The Speckled Band (Learn English with a Short Story)
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with another classic Sherlock Holmes mystery story by Arthur Conan Doyle. In this episode my aim is to help you to understand and enjoy ...
900. Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results (with Amber & Paul)
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a catchy title! Episode 900 is here, and what better way to celebrate than by inviting my pals Amber & Paul back onto the podcast? Amber &...
899. Back on the Mic: September 2024 Ramble & Grammar Tangents 🎙️ 📖
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rambling about being back after the summer break, with regular moments of grammar analysis. Includes a lot of tangents, funny moments and analysis of ...
898. How to Learn Vocabulary 📚 (and not just stare at word lists)
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In April I did a Zoom workshop about how to learn vocabulary. This is the audio version of the workshop, which I recorded more recently. Learn how to ...
897. Dysfluent 🤐 (Learn English with an Interactive Story)
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Dysfluent" is a piece of interactive fiction, all about communication. The story shows what it is like to live with dysfluency - a condition which ma...
896. A Rambling Chat with Martin Aaron
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Aaron is an old friend of mine from the days when I taught English in London. In this episode we chat about being an English teacher, travellin...
895. Books 📚 Farts💨 & Ghosts 👻 (with Anna Brooke)
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talking to author Anna Brooke about her book Monster Stink, the sequel to Monster Bogey (Chicken House publishing). Anna is a travel writer and author...
894. LEP Live in Paris! ✨ Live Podcast Recording (Summer 2024)
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A rambling episode recorded on-stage in front of a live audience in Paris in July 2024. Join my audience and me, as I share scenes from the screenplay...
893. The Mystery of Lord Lucan (with Alastair Budge)
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talking about the story of Lord Lucan, the British aristocrat who disappeared in 1974 after the murder of his nanny and attempted murder of his wife. ...
892. You're not a LEPster, by any chance, are you? (July 2024 Ramble)
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me on another rambling episode as I encourage ninjas to come out of the shadows 🥷, touch on some present perfect continuous verb forms 🔁, g...
891. The Bilingual Journalist (with Charles Pellegrin)
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talking to bilingual journalist Charles Pellegrin (France 24) about how the conventions of broadcast journalism influence the way the English is used ...
890. The Simulation 💻 ✨(Learn English with a Short Story)
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with a short story.Listen & repeat after me if you'd like to practise your pronunciation.Learn some vocabulary in the second half of...
889. Job Interview Swagger (with Natasha V. Broodie)
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Natasha V. Broodie returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, which is full of advice for success in job interviews. Natasha has a lot of job ...
888. UK General Election 🗳️ / Euro 2024 ⚽️ (The Rick Thompson Report: June 2024)
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My dad returns to talk about the current political situation in the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election to take place on 4 Ju...
887. Walk & Talk: Health & Diet (Phrasal Verbs)
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me as I take a walk along the embankment of the river Seine from Louvre to Pont Marie in the centre of Paris. This time the topic is health and d...
886. Networking in English 🗣️ (with Rob from The Business English Podcast)
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I am joined by Rob from The Business English Podcast, and we are talking about networking in English. 🗣️ Networking is when you s...
885. Still Raining, Still Rambling (News, Comments, Questions, Guitars & Music)
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hang out with me while the rain pours down outside 🌧️ and in this episode I'll talk about the problem of "faffing around" 😵💫 , podcast n...
884. British Music: Madness (with James)
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with my brother about one of the most successful British bands of all time - Madness. We talk about the story of the band, our early me...
883. A Last-minute Rambling Episode
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A spontaneous monologue about being taken by surprise by public holidays in May (in France), a podcast recommendation, and seeing a hard-rocking and h...
882. 47 "Funny" Country Jokes, Explained 🌍 😂 Learn English with Humour
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a list of jokes about different countries which I found on the website Bored Panda. I'll tell you the jokes and then explain them all (dissecti...
881. Reading the news with a foreign accent (with Barbara Serra)
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Serra is an award-winning Italian journalist who has spent much of her career reading the news in the UK on various high-profile well-establis...
880. Is Paris ready for the Olympic Games 2024? 🏊 (Article + Vocabulary)
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I read an article about Paris' preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games, discuss the issues, summarise the article and explain plenty of vocabulary. Is...
879. Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques for Spontaneous Speaking 🗣️ with Matt Abrahams
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Top tips for spontaneous speaking 🏆 with communication expert Matt Abrahams, a professor at the Stamford Graduate School of Business, California. M...
878. From Learning to Teaching and Beyond (with Elena Mutonono)
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
These days Elena Mutonono is an experienced business coach who helps online English teachers to gain independence and control over their own careers, ...
877. How to Learn Vocabulary | A Conversation with Clare Whitmell
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation is a preview of my Zoom workshop on Thurs 18 April 2024 at 10AM (UK time), as part of the Advanced English Summit. In my workshop I ...
876. Thoughts & comments on recent episodes / A Spring Equinox Ramble 2024
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to me rambling about Daylight Saving Time, weird AI generated images for Luke's English Podcast, and lots of comments and responses to recent e...
875. Aepyornis Island by HG Wells 🏝️🥚 (Learn English with a Short Story)
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with another short story. I'll read the entire story to you, and then go through the text again explaining and clarifying the main event...
874. Walk & Talk: PARIS
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here is an episode in which I walk through the streets of Paris, rambling about a particular subject. This time the subject is Paris itself. This summ...
873. Luke takes the MBTI Personality Test
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The MBTI Personality Test (aka "16 Personalities") is a very well-known and widely used test which claims to be able to give you a "freakishly accurat...
872. The Birthday Party (Learn English with a Short Story)
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn English with another short story. This time it's a 300-word story by Katherine Brush often used in literature classes, full of vivid imagery and...
871. Rambling through my episode archive / Listener Comments / Gold YouTube Creator Award
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A very long rambling episode with a big mix of vocabulary, stories about my trip to Rome, comments from listeners, lots of thoughts about episodes I'v...
870. Kate Billintgon moved to Taiwan 🇹🇼
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Returning guest Kate Billington suddenly decided to move to the other side of the world, to Taipei in beautiful Taiwan. In this episode we talk about ...
869. Working at UNESCO 🏛️ English in International Diplomacy
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In international diplomacy, "communication is everything". This is the main point of this conversation, in which I talk to my friend who works for the...
868. How the USA is changing (with Lindsay McMahon from All Ears English)
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talking to Lindsay from All Ears English about social, economic and political changes happening in the USA (and the UK) at the moment.Includes some ra...
867. Multimodal Communication (with Nik Peachey)
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the different modes of communication that we use beyond the 4 linguistic skills of reading, writing, listening speaking. My ...
1 Million Subscribers on YouTube 🎉
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here are my reactions to getting 1 million subscribers on YouTube, and probably 1 million+ on audio platforms too!Listen to me rambling on my own and ...