LearnEnglish Elementary Podcasts are for learners at Elementary level or who are who are trying reach CEF Level A2 (Council of Europe Framework of Reference). For this trial period, we will publish a new podcast every month .
- First, download the podcast. You can do this in different ways: for more information, see here.
- Second, download the Pack. Right-click on the link, and choose 'Save target as...', and save the Pack on your computer.
- Third, print the Pack. The Pack is normally about 16 pages long.
Note: Some printers will let you print on both sides of a page, and on others you can print two pages side-by-side.
- In Acrobat, choose 'File' | 'Print'. In 'Page scaling', choose 'Multiple pages per sheet'; and in 'Pages per sheet', choose '2'.
- Alternatively, click on the 'Properties' box next to the name of your printer. Choose the 'Finishing' tab (if this is available). Then select 'Print on both sides' and choose 2 'pages per sheet'.
Why not buy a folder to keep all your LearnEnglish print-outs in? Then you can always find your English notes, Packs and vocabulary lists, etc.?
The Pack has two parts.
Part 1
While you listen
Part 1 is an exercise to help you when you listen to the podcast for the first time.
- Decide whether you want to listen to the Podcast on your computer (e.g., at home) or on a mobile device like an mp3 player (e.g., on the bus going to work).
- Get ready to listen. You'll need a pen.
- Get Page 1 of the Pack and read through the questions. This will give you an idea of the programme you are going to listen to.
- Read the questions and instructions carefully. Sometimes you must listen for the 'right' answers. But in some of these questions, you must choose the one answer that is not possible, or wrong.
- Listen to the whole podcast and try to answer the questions while you listen.
- Check your answers on the answer page (normally the last page of the Pack). How many did you get right? Write this down on the answer page. This means if you listen to the podcast again later (say next month), you can print off another Page 1, do the exercise again, and see if you have improved!
Part 2
Section 1 is based on the Introduction. This section looks at the kind of language and topics we often use when we want to start and continue friendly conversations.
- Suggestion: One way to use this is to read the transcript, and then look at Tom's tip in this section. You can then do some exercises to help you to learn the common phrases. A good idea is to practise these with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English.
Section 2 is based on someone talking about somebody or something they like. This section helps you to practise speaking for a little bit longer – for example, when you're explaining something, or telling people something about yourself.
- Suggestion: The best way to practise is with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English. If you can't find someone, you can send us* a paragraph in English. Or send us* an audio/video file.
top
Section 3 is based on the Quiz. This helps you to learn the meaning of new words and how to remember them.
- Suggestion: You can write your answers on our Pack. You might want to use a notebook or part of your folder to make your own word lists and maps.
Section 4 is based on 'Our Person in...'. It helps you to listen to other people speaking for a little longer than they speak in a conversation, like a radio or television news report. When people prepare written reports, they are often a little more formal, and use more complex words and structures.
- Suggestion: The notes here are to help you to think of things to say, and the best order to say them. Make notes and then join these together to make a paragraph. Why not send it to us?*
top
Section 5 is based on 'Your Turn'. It helps you to listen to and understand people giving their opinions.
- Suggestion: Look at the phrases that the people use. Sometimes they don't use complete sentences. Write down notes and then say what you think. Record yourself or your friends and send us* what you think about the topic via e-mail or audio/video files.
Section 6 follows Carolina – a young woman who has come to the United Kingdom (UK) to live, study, and to have fun exploring a different country and culture. Listening to this can help you if you find yourself in a similar situation. You will see that there is often more than one way of saying the same thing in English.
- Suggestion: listen to Carolina on the podcast, and do Exercise 1 as you listen. Then try the rest of the exercises.
top
Section 7 is a joke. A joke is normally a funny story you hear and tell someone else. But you can also describe funny things that happen to you. The most important thing is to watch your friends to see if they are enjoying the story or not – then you can make it longer or shorter.
- Suggestion: Listen to the joke on your computer/mp3 player. Then put the lines in the right order. Then look at the notes and tell the story without looking at the script... Then, think of a funny story that you know. Write down the most important words in English (use a dictionary?). Then try telling the joke. Why not send it to us*, either in an e-mail or as an audio/video file?
Section 8 is Tom the Teacher. These are more traditional exercises. They look at being accurate in English, and often use the type of exercises you may find in English tests and exams.
* In some sections we invite you to write texts and send them to us. You should follow the links on our website to do this. Sometimes it is best to write your texts using your computer's word processing software, and then copy and paste your text into the message area on the page on our website. If there is no space, send it to us via email.
Note: if you send texts to us, you are giving us the right to publish your writing or audio/video files on British Council websites and other teaching and learning materials – this will help other people to learn. We cannot correct texts to return to you. Unless you tell us not to, we will publish your name but not your e-mail address. We may edit or make some changes to your text if it is difficult to understand.
| 
