This episode gives students of English some advice about how to answer a common question type from Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. Students will listen to some structures and phrases that will help them to compare the past and the present (in this case, relating to their hometown).

Please send me your own answers to this question, and I'll give you some advice about how to improve.

IELTS-style speaking questions

IELTS Part 3: "How has your hometown changed in the last 20 years?"

Queen Camilla revealed on The Queen’s Reading Room podcast that King Charles brilliantly does all the Harry Potter character voices — leaving his grandkids spellbound — while she claims she’s hopeless at mimicry. Join me as I read, roast, and react to this hilarious royal revelation with sarcasm.



Teacher Joseph's Podcast

King Charles’ Secret Talent: Harry Potter Voices That Even Queen Camilla Can’t Do

A calm, spoken press review covering today’s major UK news stories, read slowly and clearly for listeners who prefer measured, thoughtful audio.
In this episode:
The UK enters a new demographic era as deaths now outnumber births
A man appears in court after impersonating a naval admiral at a Remembrance Day event
New data shows adults consuming salt equal to 22 bags of crisps a day
Discussion around potential routes to another Scottish independence referendum
Ongoing legal efforts by Shamima Begum to regain British citizenship
Rising armed police deployment across Scotland
Homelessness pressures during cold winter weather
Sport: Scotland’s World Cup qualification brings a national bank holiday
Severe weather warnings affecting travel and daily life
This is a quiet press review, focused on clarity of speech, neutral delivery, and careful pacing — suitable for English learners, reflective listeners, and anyone seeking news without noise.
🎙️ Spoken calmly
📰 Based on national reporting
🕊️ No shouting, no commentary panels — just the news, read with care🏷️ 
#UKPressReview, #CalmNews, #SlowNewsEnglish, #SpokenNews, #NewsAudio, #BritishNews, #ScottishNews, #ClearSpeech, #EnglishListening, #DemographicChange, #ScottishPolitics, #CitizenshipDebate, #HomelessnessUK, #SevereWeatherUK, #WorldCupScotland, #NeutralNews, #MindfulListening, #PressReview


Calm UK Press Review - 6th January 2026

Christmas Preparations 

I talk about Marie Collett, a distinctive voice from 1980s British independent radio, best known for delivering British Airways travel news on LBC and other ILR stations.

I discuss her accent, vocal style, and on-air authority, and how radio in the 1980s framed women’s voices — particularly those associated with aviation, travel, and reassurance. Marie Collett’s delivery reflected a very specific era of British broadcasting, when accent, tone, and perceived credibility were carefully curated.

This clip looks at:

Marie Collett’s role on LBC and independent local radio

The British Airways travel news format

Accent, gender, and authority in 1980s broadcasting

How women’s voices were framed in radio news and continuity

Why these voices still stand out today

This is a reflective piece about media history, radio culture, and voice, not speculation — placing Marie Collett within the broader soundscape of 1980s Britain.

The clip presented here of the voice of Marie Collett is presented for educational purposes and is copyrighted by Global Media.

1143 Who Was Marie Collett? LBC, British Airways Travel News & Radio Style in the 1980s

In this short reflective video, I take a simple McGills bus journey service number 26 to Braehead shopping centre and walk through the shops, quietly observing what Christmas looks and feels like today. Instead of focusing on buying or rushing, I look for signs of meaning, kindness, reflection, and something deeper behind the season.

This isn’t a review of shops or a vlog about spending money. It’s a slow, observational walk through everyday spaces, asking gentle questions about what Christmas has become — and where its meaning might still be found.

A calm, reflective video for anyone who feels a little detached from the noise of Christmas but still senses there’s something important underneath it all.
