エピソード

  • 1249 Scotland’s Drug Death Crisis: Europe’s Drug Death Capital | English News Podcast

    1249 Scotland’s Drug Death Crisis: Europe’s Drug Death Capital | English News Podcast
    2026/09/23
    Scotland continues to have the highest drug death rate in Europe. New figures show that 1,133 drug-related deaths were registered in Scotland in 2025 — an increase of 11% on the previous year. In today’s English news podcast, I look at Scotland’s continuing drug crisis, why the country has become known as the drug death capital of Europe, and some of the issues behind these disturbing figures. We also look at the growing danger from synthetic drugs, including powerful opioids such as nitazenes, and the challenge facing Scotland as it tries to reduce drug-related harm and deaths. This short podcast is designed for English learners who want to improve their listening skills while following real news and current affairs from Scotland and the UK. Topics include: Scotland drug deaths, drug addiction in Scotland, Scotland news, UK news, public health, drug policy, synthetic opioids, nitazenes, Glasgow, English listening practice and English vocabulary. Source discussed: BBC News, 23 September 2026. #Scotland #DrugDeaths #ScotlandNews #DrugCrisis #UKNews #EnglishListening #LearnEnglish #EnglishPodcast #CurrentAffairs #BritishEnglish
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    11 分
  • Neil McTaggart's Crossing (17): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1248)

    Neil McTaggart's Crossing (17): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1248)
    2026/09/14
    Chapter 17 – Word from the River Neil tells Robert about the rider who watched the house the previous night. Before they can discuss it, a messenger arrives with troubling news: a body has been found by the river, but its identity is unknown. Robert leaves to find out more. Neil stays with his aunt as they wait for word of Thomas. Neil McTaggart's Crossing is a historical fiction audio serial following a young Scottish emigrant from Kilbirnie as he begins a new life in 1920s Canada. Read and listen to the complete story: https://teacherjoseph.com/neil/ Episode details: - Chapter: 17 – Word from the River - Podcast: 1248 - Duration: 5 minutes 30 seconds - Setting: 1920s Canada, with family connections to Kilbirnie, Scotland - Themes: family, disappearance, uncertainty, fear and belonging #NeilMcTaggart #NeilMcTaggartsCrossing #HistoricalFiction #ScottishEmigration #Scotland #Canada #Kilbirnie #ScottishHistory #CanadianHistory #Audiobook #AudioDrama #PodcastFiction #Storytelling #FamilyHistory
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    6 分
  • 1247 A Visit to Greggs | British Coffee, Food & Everyday English

    1247 A Visit to Greggs | British Coffee, Food & Everyday English
    2026/09/12
    Come with me on a visit to Greggs, one of the best-known food and bakery chains in the UK. In this episode, I stop for a coffee at Greggs and use the visit as an opportunity to talk about everyday life in Britain. For English learners, places like cafés, bakeries and coffee shops are great places to hear and use the kind of natural English that people speak every day. Greggs is a familiar sight on British high streets, selling coffee, sandwiches, pastries, sausage rolls and other food to take away or eat on the go. But what is it actually like to visit one? Join me for some real-world British English listening practice while discovering another small part of everyday UK culture. This podcast is designed especially for English learners and non-native speakers who want to understand not only the English language, but also the places, habits and culture they may encounter while living in or visiting Britain. 🎧 Natural British English listening practice ☕ Coffee and café vocabulary 🇬🇧 Everyday life in the UK 🗣️ Real English in a natural setting 🥐 British food and high-street culture #Greggs #BritishCulture #LearnEnglish #BritishEnglish #EnglishListening #EnglishPodcast #EnglishLearners #LifeInTheUK #EverydayEnglish #BritishFood #UKCulture #LearnBritishEnglish
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    7 分
  • 1246 UK Funeral Customs Explained | British Culture & English Listening Practice

    1246 UK Funeral Customs Explained | British Culture & English Listening Practice
    2026/09/12
    What happens at a funeral in the UK, and what customs and traditions are commonly followed? In this episode, I talk about funeral customs in Britain, including some of the traditions, expectations and practices surrounding death and funerals in the UK. It’s a subject that we don’t always talk about openly, but funeral traditions can tell us a great deal about a country, its history and its culture. This episode is particularly suitable for English learners who want to improve their listening skills while learning more about everyday life and culture in the United Kingdom. As well as the customs themselves, listen out for useful English vocabulary connected with funerals, mourning, bereavement and remembrance. 🎧 Natural British English 🇬🇧 British life and culture 🗣️ English listening practice 📚 Vocabulary in context #BritishCulture #LearnEnglish #BritishEnglish #EnglishListening #UKCulture #BritishTraditions #FuneralCustoms #EnglishLearners
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    7 分
  • 1245 What Is Emergency Services Day? | UK Culture for English Learners

    1245 What Is Emergency Services Day? | UK Culture for English Learners
    2026/09/09
    🇬🇧 What is Emergency Services Day in the UK — and why is it held on 9 September? In this English listening and British culture video, I talk about Emergency Services Day, sometimes known as 999 Day, which recognises the work of the emergency services in the United Kingdom. But I also give my own, slightly more critical view. Do we really need another special day? What does it say about British society and the way we commemorate public services? This is a chance for English learners to practise listening to natural British English while learning about life, customs and culture in the UK. 🎧 Listen for useful vocabulary connected with: • emergency services • British society and culture • commemorations and special days • expressing opinions and disagreement • police, fire and ambulance services Whether you agree or disagree with my opinion, use the video as an opportunity to listen to authentic English and learn something about contemporary British culture. #LearnEnglish #BritishEnglish #BritishCulture #EmergencyServicesDay #999Day #EnglishListening #UKCulture #EnglishLearners
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    13 分
  • 1243 Fight Procrastination Day: Stop Putting It Off and Start Today

    1243 Fight Procrastination Day: Stop Putting It Off and Start Today
    2026/09/06
    Today is Fight Procrastination Day, a day dedicated to tackling those things we keep putting off. In this episode, I take a look at procrastination, why it can be so easy to delay the things we know we need to do, and how simply getting started can sometimes be the hardest — and most important — step. Whether it's work, studying, exercise, household jobs or a personal goal that's been sitting on your to-do list, Fight Procrastination Day is a good excuse to stop saying "I'll do it tomorrow" and make a start today.
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    7 分
  • 1242 Richard O’Sullivan, Mr. T on Netflix & Driverless Cars in London

    1242 Richard O’Sullivan, Mr. T on Netflix & Driverless Cars in London
    2026/09/04
    In today’s podcast, I look at three very different stories making the news. I reflect on the death of British actor Richard O’Sullivan, remembered especially for Man About the House and Robin’s Nest. I then turn to Mr. T — forever associated with B. A. Baracus in The A-Team — and a new documentary on Netflix. Finally, I look at driverless cars in London and what the arrival of autonomous vehicles could mean for the capital. Three very different stories bringing together memories of classic television, popular culture and a glimpse of how technology could change everyday life.
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    6 分
  • Neil McTaggart's Crossing (16): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1241)

    Neil McTaggart's Crossing (16): A Story of 1920s Scottish Emigration to Canada (Podcast 1241)
    2026/08/27
    Chapter 16 – Thomas Is Missing Thomas has been missing for three nights. Uncle Robert grows quieter and more anxious while rumours spread about a gang of strangers staying in town and asking questions. Neil joins a search along the river and through the woods, but nobody finds a trace of Thomas. That night, a mysterious rider stops at the edge of the moonlit yard and watches the house before disappearing among the trees. Neil begins to wonder whether Thomas simply disappeared—or whether someone wanted him gone. Neil McTaggart's Crossing is a historical fiction audio serial following a young Scottish emigrant from Kilbirnie as he begins a new life in 1920s Canada. Read and listen to the complete story: https://teacherjoseph.com/neil/ Episode details: - Chapter: 16 – Thomas Is Missing - Podcast: 1241 - Duration: 7 minutes 31 seconds - Setting: 1920s Canada, with family connections to Kilbirnie, Scotland - Themes: disappearance, rumours, fear, family, mystery and belonging #NeilMcTaggart #NeilMcTaggartsCrossing #HistoricalFiction #ScottishEmigration #Scotland #Canada #Kilbirnie #ScottishHistory #CanadianHistory #Audiobook #AudioDrama #PodcastFiction #Storytelling #FamilyHistory
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    8 分