Go Beyond Just Listening

From meal-replacement powders to lab-grown meat, the future of food is already here. This blog post explores how technology, culture, and convenience are changing the way we eat - and what that means for our lives. Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to improve their listening, expand their vocabulary, and think critically about how society defines progress. Practise your English with real ideas, natural British English, and reflection questions at the end.

Learning a language as an adult can feel humbling, frustrating – and deeply rewarding. In this post inspired by English and Beyond, we explore what it’s really like to return to the classroom later in life. Perfect for intermediate and advanced English learners, it’s a reflection on ego, patience, and progress – with useful natural vocabulary for anyone studying English or another language. A reminder that learning is about consistency, not perfection.

Learn English through culture with this reflective post inspired by the English and Beyond podcast. Today’s topic: euphemisms – those polite, indirect phrases that hide uncomfortable truths. From “passed away” to “between jobs,” British English is full of ways to soften reality. But what happens when kindness turns into avoidance? This post explores how language, politeness, and culture intersect, helping intermediate English learners understand what lies behind British understatement while practising authentic vocabulary in context.

Margaret Thatcher remains one of the most divisive figures in British politics. In this English podcast for intermediate learners, we look beyond history to understand why she still provokes such emotion. Perfect for those who want to learn English through real British English stories, this post offers listening practice and vocabulary in context - exploring power, leadership, and legacy in a nation that still feels her shadow.

In this episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate Podcast, Oliver looks at how failure can lead to growth and fulfilment. Inspired by How to Fail with Alain de Botton, it explores society’s obsession with success, the lessons hidden in mistakes, and how envy shapes our ambitions. Perfect for intermediate English learners who want to expand vocabulary and discuss emotions in English.

In this first episode of English and Beyond: Intermediate Podcast, Oliver explores what love really means - how it’s shaped by culture, history, and modern life. From ancient myths to modern sociology, the episode reflects on how romantic ideals and relationships have evolved. Thought-provoking yet easy to follow, it’s ideal for intermediate English learners.