A, an and the are called articles: small words that go before a noun. Many languages have no articles at all, and others use them in different places. So learners translate directly and say "I need car", "Can you open window?" or "She's nurse". In this episode: • A and an: one of many, new information • The: something we both know • A or an? listen to the sound • How a, an and the sound • Listening lab • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: I've bought a new kettle — new information There's a parcel on the doorstep — first mention Can I have a biscuit? — any one It's a lovely day — describing What a mess! — an exclamation We go swimming twice a week — a here means each She's a nurse — her job My aunt's an architect — her job The kettle's broken — the one in our kitchen Shut the door — the door of this room Where are the kids? — our kids the fridge, the bathroom, the garden — there is only one in our home Has the post come yet? — today's post (British) The sun's out! — there is only one sun the best café on the high street — the best means only one an apple — starts with an A sound an egg — starts with an E sound an orange — starts with an O sound an umbrella (um-BREL-uh) — starts with an UH sound an hour (OW-uh) — the H is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound an honest answer — the H is silent an X-ray (EKS-ray) — the letter X starts with an E sound a uniform (YOO-ni-form) — starts with a Y sound a university — starts with a Y sound a useful tip — starts with a Y sound a European city (yoor-uh-PEE-un) — starts with a Y sound 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.