In many languages, every syllable takes about the same time, like the steady tick of a clock. Learners bring this habit into English. They say "I. In this episode: • Stress-timed english • Content words and function words • The beat drill • Home sentences on the beat • Shadowing drill and an invented scene • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: kettle, milk, keys, school — nouns put, find, leave, eat — main verbs cold, late, tired, lovely — adjectives a (uh) — a slice of toast the (thuh) — the bin to (tuh) — time to go of (uv) — a bowl of cereal and (un) — salt and pepper can (kuhn) — I can do it for (fuh) — it's for you at (ut) — at home your (yuh) — your shoes was (wuz) — it was late CATS CHASE MICE — three beats, no small words the CATS will CHASE the MICE — still three beats; the, will and the are squeezed the CATS have been CHASing the MICE — still three beats; even more is squeezed KIDS EAT TOAST — three beats the KIDS will EAT some TOAST — three beats the KIDS have been EATing the TOAST — three beats I'll PUT the KETtle ON — I'll make tea (casual) Have you GOT your KEYS? — do you have your keys? (huv-yuh GOT yuh KEEZ) We're OUT of MILK — there is no milk left Can you SHUT the DOOR? — please close the door (casual) It's TIME for SCHOOL — we need to leave now Where's your COAT? — I can't see your coat I'm in the KITchen — come and find me here Pop it in the BIN — throw it away (casual) GOOD MORning — a greeting Have you HAD your BREAKfast? — did you eat? The TOAST is BURNT — it is too dark PASS me the BUTter — please give me the butter (casual) Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.