Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb 👍🔪 (Learn English with a Short Story) [973]

[974] In this episode I read out lots of haiku poems, explain their meaning, discuss what they make me think and feel, and use them to teach you some vocabulary. The haikus I read include some traditional Japanese ones translated into English, plus more modern ones written in English by writers from around the world. Some of these haikus are meditative, some are sad, some are funny and some find a way to capture feelings that are otherwise difficult to put into words.Get the episode PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Haiku-in-English-974.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/02/02/haiku-in-english-974/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back by popular demand, here is another Sherlock Holmes short story on LEP. This one tells the suspenseful tale of a young engineer 👷 who accepts a well-paid but mysterious job. In classic horror movie style, he ignores so many red flags 🚩 and warnings ⚠️ and ends up paying the price for it! But, can Holmes and Watson make sure that justice is served? I tell the story and explain some details and words along the way. Story text and summaries available on the episode PDF.Get the PDF with story text, vocabulary list and vocabulary quiz here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/26/sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-the-engineers-thumb-learn-english-with-a-short-story-973/Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/26/sherlock-holmes-the-adventure-of-the-engineers-thumb-learn-english-with-a-short-story-973/Sign up to LEP Premium 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[972] I talk with multilingual actor Ivan Doan about his multicultural background, his learning of languages and his work as an actor. Ivan shares his insights and experiences of learning English, dealing with different accents in film & TV roles, and the importance of mindset and discipline in his life. There are plenty of language learning insights in this episode, which I summarise at the end. Full transcript available.Get the episode PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Identity-Mindset-Accents-Learning-English-with-Multilingual-Actor-Ivan-Doan-972-Transcript.pdfEpisode page with language learning insights 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/19/learning-english-accents-identity-mindset-with-multilingual-actor-ivan-doan/Sign up to LEP Premium (20% off until 31.1.26) 👉 www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[971] Part 2 of 2. Here is the continuation of last week's episode about changes you can make to your lifestyle, mindset and habits in order to become a better learner of English in 2026. Each of these tips is backed up by scientific research from the fields of psychology and psycholinguistics, with insights into human behaviour and thinking processes that result in better learning. Full PDF available.Get the episode PDF here 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-Science-based-Life-Hacks-to-Improve-your-English-Learning-Potential-PART-2-971.pdfEpisode page on my website 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/12/9-science-based-life-hacks-to-improve-your-english-learning-potential-part-2-971/20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 (hurry hurry hurry) 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[970] Part 1 of 2. An English podcast about simple habits you can introduce in your life, to be in top condition for learning English all year long. This is all backed up by scientific research into how our brains work, how we learn language, and how little changes in our behaviour can help us perform better and achieve more in the time we are given. Includes top advice for preparing yourself to be a great learner of English in 2026. Part 2 will be available next week.Get the episode PDF 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-Science-based-Life-Hacks-to-Improve-your-English-Learning-Potential-PART-1-970-1.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2026/01/05/9-science-based-life-hacks-to-improve-your-english-learning-potential-part-1-970/20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premiumlearn English, English learning tips, English listening practice, English podcast,British English, Luke’s English Podcast, language learning science,learning habits, habit formation, neuroscience of learning,improve your English, English fluency, ESL podcast,1 percent rule, atomic habits, marginal gains,new year habits, motivation for learning,cognitive performance, how to learn English Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[969] It's time for the annual World News Quiz with 20 questions about some of the curious news stories of 2025. Stephen Devincenzi from the SEND7 podcast is the quizmaster. Can you I improve on my poor performance from last year? Can you beat me? Take a trip through some news highlights from this year. Full transcript available as usual.⛑️ Donate to MSF today to help people in need https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WORLD-NEWS-QUIZ-2025-with-Stephen-from-SEND7-Podcast-969-TRANSCRIPT.pdf🔗 Episode page with questions and answers 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/29/world-news-quiz-2025-with-stephen-from-send7-podcast-969/🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 https://lep.supercast.com🎧📰 Listen to SEND7 podcast here 👉 https://pod.link/1505603790 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[968] The Collins Dictionary Words of the Year is a list of 10 words which capture the cultural zeitgeist - the spirit of the times that we are living in now. These are new words, picked by Collins, which reflect big issues that people have been talking about over the last 12 months. In this conversation, Amber, Paul & I discuss the impact of AI, the ways social media is affecting people's behaviour, how people are using technology to control their health, the strange habits of tech leaders, and more. Pick up new words and listen to conversation about big issues in society. Full transcript available.🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/25/the-words-of-the-year-2025-with-amber-paul-968/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transcript-968-The-Words-of-the-Year-with-Amber-Paul-1.pdf🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[967] A conversation in the podcastle with my pals Amber & Paul. In this one we chat about Paul's ambitious international marathon plans (what is he running from exactly?) what Amber knows about the famous robbery of the Louvre this year, and Paul's dramatic "Jason Bourne" situation which he faced in West Africa recently. Listen to some spontaneous conversation between friends in English. Full transcript available.🔗 Episode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/22/robbing-the-louvre-escaping-to-nigeria-with-amber-paul-967-catching-up-16/📄 Get the PDF transcript 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Transcript-967-Catching-Up-with-Amber-Paul-16.pdf🏆 20% off LEP Premium until 31 January 2026 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[966] Here is a super-long seasonal rambling episode, which you can listen to while wrapping presents, finishing some last-minute gift shopping, or (if you don't celebrate Christmas) just doing whatever you normally do in December. This is a long one, but the more you listen, the more it will help your English! 💪🎅📄 Get the PDF with all my notes here https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Ramble-Before-Christmas-966-Episode-PDF.pdf🔗 Episode page on my website https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/15/the-ramble-before-christmas-966-listen-learn-english-with-luke/🏆 20% off LEP Premium in Dec & Jan https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium🎁 Give LEP Premium as a gift (also 20% off in Dec/Jan) https://lep.supercast.com/gifts/newJoin me as I chat to you in English for nearly 3 hours about:- LEPster listening habits in 2025 (Spotify Wrapped) 🎧- Messages and emails with funny stories from LEPsters 📧- Bits of grammar & vocabulary teaching ✍️- ChatGPT's questionable teaching skills 🤖🤔- AI hallucinations 😵‍💫- Dreaming in English 💭- Responses to recent episodes 💬- 12 jokes dissected in the Comedy Corner 😂 🐸- More funny comments from my daughter 👧- Another dramatic Hollywood action movie screenplay 🎥...and finally a vocabulary quiz for the whole episode. ✅All of that in your Christmas stocking 🧦 this week, with cosy log fire background sounds 🔥 as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[965] 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 classic scary tale which will give you a chill, while you stay cosy and warm indoors this winter. Listen and I will explain a lot of vocabulary which comes up in the story.Get the episode PDF with story text and word list 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Kit-Bag-Learn-English-with-a-Short-Story-965.pdfEpisode page 👉 https://teacherluke.co.uk/2025/12/08/the-kit-bag-learn-english-with-a-short-story-965/LEP Premium 20% off in Dec and Jan 👉 https://www.teacherluke.co.uk/premium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.