
The Level Up English Podcast
🇬🇧 I'm Michael Lavers and this podcast will help you improve your English. I'm an online English teacher for students learning as a second language. In this podcast, I answer your questions about learning and help you achieve your goals in British English. Once a month I talk to a teacher or expert on topics related to language.
Latest episodes

Jan 31, 2024 • 37min
#257 How to Live a Long Life (Blue Zones)
Explore Blue Zones, areas where people live long, healthy lives. Learn about the Power 9 reasons behind their longevity. Discover the importance of purpose, stress relief, and letting go of annoyances. Gain insights on tips for a long life, including a plant-based diet and eating until 80% full. Understand the advantages of a plant-based diet. Reflect on making positive changes for better health and the impact of a sedentary job and poor diet.

Jan 24, 2024 • 51min
#256 Spending 10 Days in Silence - Stories with Bree Aesie
Bree Aesie from Into The Stories Podcast joins us today for a conversation about meditation and stories. This was one of my favourite conversations yet, packed with lots of life lessons as well as English learning tips and motivation.Since Bree's podcast is all about looking at stories, we start by turning the tables on Bree and I ask her to share a meaningful story for her. We talk about her 10-day silent meditation retreat in Thailand and some of the difficulties and lessons from that experience. We delve into topics around meditation and mindfulness, and also why learning a language through stories is such a powerful and effective method. By the way, I also appeared on Bree's podcast! You can listen to our episode here where I talk about a challenging and personal experience in my 20s. Into the Story Podcast - Michael's Episode - https://pod.link/1522715603Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast256Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.Level 3 is coming to Level Up English this August! Click here to claim your 60%! Be fast! Spaces are limited.Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Jan 17, 2024 • 29min
#255 The Secret to Natural British English (Linking!)
In this podcast, the host discusses the importance of pronunciation in understanding natural spoken English. They focus on the concept of linking, where sounds connect between words. They provide examples of how phrases are pronounced differently in official and natural forms, and discuss the pronunciation of 'G' and 'T' sounds. The host also shares their experience in the UK countryside during Christmas and introduces the expression 'have the time of your life'. Listener feedback and support on Spotify are also discussed.

Jan 10, 2024 • 35min
#254 Ask Me Anything 4
The host answers listener questions on various topics including British culture, selfishness and fairness in life. They discuss passport privilege and fighting for equality, and share contrasting experiences in Georgia and Italy. The episode ends with gratitude to question submitters and encouragement for future questions.

Jan 3, 2024 • 25min
#253 Use Conjunctions to Debate in English
Let's look at some conjunctions (also known as connectives) to help improve your conversation and debating skills in English.Conjunctions are an effective way to make your sentences more complex and sound much more natural - rather than simply using a string of short, simple sentences. We'll also be looking at more phrases, such as adverbs.In this episode, I share them in a natural way while sharing my own opinions on some controversial and interesting debate topics. Can you share your own views on the topics using these conjunctions in the comments on the show notes page below?Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast253Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.Level 3 is coming to Level Up English this August! Click here to claim your 60%! Be fast! Spaces are limited.Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Dec 27, 2023 • 47min
#252 Reflecting on 2023, Planning for 2024
Welcome back to one of my favourite episodes of the year - one filled with reflections and goal-setting at the end of the year. I love this time of year because it's a natural rest point for thinking about how the previous year has gone, and what we'd like to change going forward. It's a great time to think about your goals and progress with your English learning, but also other areas too and consider what you want to get out of the next year, and your life!Join me in a slightly longer episode as we explore the topics of Successes and Struggles from the previous year, as well as different goals and plans for the next year.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast252Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.Level 3 is coming to Level Up English this August! Click here to claim your 60%! Be fast! Spaces are limited.Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Dec 20, 2023 • 56min
#251 Is English Education Broken? (Gregory Diehl)
Gregory Diehl is an English teacher and author of the new book: Our Global Lingua Franca: An Educator’s Guide to Spreading English Where EFL Doesn’t Work.It's a fascinating book looking at Gregory's experience teaching in many countries all around the world from Thailand to Iran, and we talk about this extensively in this episode. We talk about why English is so important to learn, Gregory's bad teaching experiences, the problems with school and teaching English, getting immersion, video games, and how to develop an accent. Gregory's WebsiteAmazon Link to BookShow notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast251Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.Level 3 is coming to Level Up English this August! Click here to claim your 60%! Be fast! Spaces are limited.Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessonsJoin Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.schoolBy becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Dec 13, 2023 • 26min
#250 Answer These Mixed Conditional Questions
Learn about mixed conditionals and how to confidently use hypothetical situations. The host discusses past regrets and present results, the importance of replying in the same tense, the impact of the internet on the world, and expresses appreciation for listeners and invites questions.

Dec 6, 2023 • 36min
#249 Unbelievable Statistics About the UK
Get ready to be amazed by some truly unbelievable statistics! From sleeping with comfort objects to global handwashing rates, this podcast covers a wide range of fascinating topics. Test your knowledge with a UK quiz and learn interesting facts about popular baby names. Plus, get updates on Level Up English and the benefits of becoming a member.

Nov 29, 2023 • 38min
#248 I Tracked My Language Learning for 2 Months
In this episode, the host discusses tracking their language learning progress for Japanese, Thai, and Chinese Mandarin. They explore the benefits of tracking language learning, cover updates on their YouTube channel and website, and discuss the importance of perception versus reality in tracking habits. The speaker also shares their personal experience with tracking language learning progress and analyzes their habits over a two-month period.