To be a scatterbrain = to be forgetful or absent-minded

My maths teacher is a real scatterbrain, she always forgets what homework she has given us.


To have a memory like a sieve /sɪv/ = to forget things easily and quickly.

I have a memory like a sieve, I can’t even remember what I had for dinner last night!


To fall through the cracks = to be forgotten by a system

Too many children with disabilities fall through the cracks in the education system. Then they can’t find a job because they have no qualifications.


To be on another planet = to be forgetful or absent-minded (living in your own world).

My sister left her keys in her flat yesterday and was locked out. I think she is on another planet sometimes.

Forgetting

Listen and fill in the gaps


At school I had a teacher who just used to make us [1] _______ everything by heart. I didn’t enjoy it that much, but sometimes we had to have a [2] ____ at using those ideas in a [3] ________, and I felt that was much more beneficial. You know, [4] _________ up other people’s ideas, and thinking out of the [5] ________, I found that really useful.

Learning Listening Task

An unexpected adventure

Spending Money 1

AI Dictation FAST

Karen: Hey Maria, how are you doing today?
Maria: Hi Karen, I'm good, thanks! But I've been feeling a bit off colour lately. Do you think I should start eating some superfoods?
Karen: Maybe! But listen, have you heard about the gut microbiome? They say it has a big impact on how you feel.
Maria: The gut what?
Karen: (Laughs) The gut microbiome! It's all the tiny bacteria living in your stomach. Apparently, having a healthy mix of these bacteria can help with digestion, energy levels, even your mood!
Maria: Wow, I never knew that! So how do I get a healthy gut?
Karen: Well, eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is a good start. They have fibre, which those good bacteria love!
Maria: Interesting. And what about superfoods? Are they good for the gut too?
Karen: Some might be! Things like berries, yogurt with probiotics, and even fermented foods like kimchi could be helpful. They all have different benefits.
Maria: Kimchi? Isn't that really spicy?
Karen: (Laughs) It can be! But you don't have to eat just kimchi. There are lots of other options. Maybe we can research some healthy recipes together this weekend?
Maria: That sounds great, Karen! Thanks for the advice. Maybe with a healthier gut, I'll have more energy too!

Diet and Health

Breaking News - Crime

Having chosen their destination, Emma and John now had to book the flights, decide where to stay, what to visit and make a budget.
Booking the flights was a piece of cake because there was a budget airline that went from London to Vienna so they used that one.
Organising accommodation was not so straightforward. They could opt for a hotel or an apartment. Emma preferred the idea of a hotel in the middle of town, where everything was taken care but John was up for renting an apartment on Airbnb because of the independence it gave them.
They mulled it over and Emma tried talking John into the idea of booking a hotel, a nice hotel so they didn't have to worry about self-catering or cleaning. John was hesitant, but in the end he agreed to throw caution to the wind and splash out on a four star hotel slap bang in the city centre.
Finally, when it came to budgets they both agreed. They weren't used to budgeting for holidays. They both felt it was a one-off, so they would spend as much as they wanted to have a good time. 


Holiday Nightmare

Do you like ___?

Do you like cats?
Do you like dogs?
Do you like Picasso?

Would you like to ____? 

Would you like to come?
Would you like to help me?


There are lots of _____ 

There are lots of people here
There are lots of cars on the road


I’m going to ___

I’m going to go home
I’m going to have a cup of tea


I used to _____ 

I used to smoke, but I’ve quit
I used to like it, but not anymore

She has been ____ 

She’s been on holiday 
She’s been away 
She’s been ill 


Have you ever ___?

Have you ever been to London? 
Have you ever met him before?


I would have ____

I would have helped, but I was busy
I would have gone, but I had no money

Common Grammatical Chunks

The Museum Visit 

Maria and Fatima were walking around the Botin museum in Santander. 

“Do you like Picasso or Van Gogh?” asked Maria. Fatima said she actually liked both. 

“Would you like to come to the first floor with me,” asked Maria, “there are lots of amazing Picasso paintings there. I’m going to go up there right now.” 

“Actually I’ll pass,” said Fatima. She used to love visiting museums, but nowadays she found it quite tiring. After a while, all the paintings seemed to be the same. So, she went for a cup of tea. 

Some twenty minutes later, Maria joined her at the café.

“I would’ve got you a coffee, but I didn’t know how long you would be!” said Fatima apologetically. “Don’t worry, I would’ve got here sooner, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the paintings,” replied Maria. 

They sat down and began to discuss art together, “Have you ever been to the Prado museum in Madrid?” asked Fatima. “There are lots of great Picassos there too.”


“I was going to go with my girlfriend, but she’s been too busy recently. It’s a piece of cake for me to get time off work, but not for her. But I would like to go sometime.” said Maria. 

“Yes, you must go, it’s amazing.”

After discussing more paintings, they both finally finished their coffees and headed out into the street, feeling refreshed and delighted to have had a nice cultural morning together.

The Museum Visit

Listen and guess the missing words (the whistled words)

Listening Task: Neighbours

Listening Task: Neighbours (FULL)

Qualities inventors need

Jack: Hey, Sarah. I read this thing about renewable energy yesterday. Honestly, I don’t get why people are so obsessed with it.

Sarah: Are you serious, Jack? It’s cleaner, better for the environment, and it’s the only way forward. How can you not see that?

Jack: Sure, it sounds nice in theory, but do you know how much it costs to set up solar panels? Regular people can’t just afford that.

Sarah: Come on, Jack. Yeah, it’s pricey at first, but it pays off over time. And there are programs and subsidies to make it easier for people to switch.

Jack: Oh yeah? And what about when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing? How do you get your “clean energy” then?

Sarah: Ever heard of batteries? We can store the energy now. Plus, you can use renewables alongside other sources when needed. It’s not rocket science. (=it’s not too difficult)

Jack: So basically, we’re still using coal and gas. Doesn’t that defeat the whole point? (= destroy the idea)

Sarah: It’s better than doing nothing, Jack! At least it’s a step in the right direction.

Jack: A step that destroys the environment in other ways. Have you seen those wind farms? They ruin landscapes, mess up wildlife, and kill birds.

Sarah: Oh, please. You’re telling me wind turbines are worse than burning coal? Be serious!

Jack: I’m just saying they’re not as eco-friendly as people like to think. You can’t just ignore the downsides.

Sarah: And you can’t keep making excuses for not changing! Fossil fuels are wrecking the planet, and we’re running out of time.

Jack: I’m not making excuses. I’m being realistic! Renewable energy has its flaws, and people need to stop pretending it’s perfect.

Sarah: No one’s saying it’s perfect, Jack, but doing nothing is a million times worse. What’s your solution then? Just keep burning coal forever?

Jack: No, but we need proper solutions, not just trendy ideas that sound good on paper.

Sarah: Trendy ideas? Wow, Jack. Maybe you should start thinking about the future instead of staying stuck in the past.

Jack: And maybe you should stop acting like renewables are some kind of magic fix. (= a magic solution / a magic bullet / a silver bullet)  

Sarah: Whatever, Jack. You do you. I’ll stick with progress.

Jack: Fine. Just don’t expect me to jump on the bandwagon.

Sarah: Trust me, I wasn’t counting on it.


Environment Conversation in a Coffee Bar

I usually do this activity on the weekend. If it’s sunny, I like doing it in the park, around dawn time when there is no one around, as I can get a bit self-conscious. But sometimes I just do it at home. It helps me stretch, breathe, and feel more relaxed. It’s quiet, and I do it alone although I know some people prefer to do it with a group. I enjoy it both indoors and outdoors.

1. Alice Leisure Activities

I really enjoy this activity, it’s really just about getting together with a friend. We sometimes meet up at someone’s house or at a café, talk for hours, maybe tell a joke or two. Inevitably, someone will have a funny anecdote (=short story) to share. But my favourite moment is when we get the microphone out and start to blast out (=play loudly) our favourite tunes (=songs, melodies). It’s my favourite way to disconnect (=to unwind, relax) and I really feel it does me the world of good.

2. Archie Leisure Activities

When I feel stressed or tired from work, I do this to clear my head. I just put on my trainers (=running shoes) and start. I don’t go too far, just once or twice around the block usually. The fresh air really helps, and I always feel more peaceful afterwards, on top of that it’s a low-budget activity, as all you need is a pair of shoes.

3. Brian Leisure Activities

This is something I picked up from my grandmother. It’s a quiet activity, and I usually do it in the evening while listening to music or watching TV. Some days, I can just while away the hours doing it, as it’s a very time-consuming activity, but one I love. Sure, you need focus and patience, but it helps me concentrate. I make scarves and sometimes give them to friends.

4. Glenda Leisure Activities

After dinner, I often sit down in front of the screen and turn it on. I choose a new episode and keep watching until I feel sleepy. Sometimes I lose track of time! I know it’s not the healthiest habit, but it helps me switch off and unwind (=relax) after a long day.

5. Paddy Leisure Activities

The Leisure Time Song

A Busy Life Part 1

Good morning, everyone! I'm Sarah, and I’m a career counsellor. Today, I want to talk to you about something that's probably keeping many of you awake at night (=makes you worry, what makes you think a lot)– making plans for your future.

Do you like to plan?

In my experience, most students your age fall into three categories when it comes to planning. First, there are the "super planners" – you know who you are! You've got everything mapped out (=planned): graduate in June, start your dream job in September, buy a house by thirty, travel to fifteen countries before you're forty. I admire your organisation!

Then we have the "flexible planners." You've got some ideas – maybe you want to work in marketing, or you're thinking about doing a master's degree. You've got a general direction, but you're open to opportunities that come your way.

Finally, there are the "live-in-the-moment" people. You're focused on getting through your final exams, and honestly? That's perfectly valid too. Not everyone needs to have their entire life figured out at twenty-two.

Now, let's talk about why planning can be incredibly helpful. First and most obviously, it gives you direction. When you know where you want to go, it's much easier to make decisions. Should you take that internship? Does it fit with your goals? Planning helps you say yes to the right opportunities and no to the wrong ones.

But here's the thing – and this might surprise you – planning can sometimes work against you. How? Well, first, it can make you incredibly rigid. I've counselled students who were so attached to their plan that they missed amazing opportunities because those opportunities didn't fit their predetermined path.

Life rarely goes according to plan. The job market changes, new industries emerge, personal circumstances change. If you're too focused on Plan A, you might miss out on an even better Plan B. 

Over-planning can also create enormous pressure. I've seen students have panic attacks because they're not hitting the milestones (=reaching an important moment) they set for themselves at eighteen. Remember, plans should serve you, not stress you out.

So here's my advice: Make plans, but hold them lightly. Think of your plan as a GPS system. It gives you a route to your destination, but if a road suddenly closes, it recalculates. Your life plan should be able to recalculate too.

And remember, there's no single "right" path. Your journey will be uniquely yours. You've got this, and I'm rooting for (=to support and cheer on) every single one of you.


Making Plans

Psychologist: 
So, Alex, can you tell me a bit about what usually happens when you get into an argument?
Alex: Uh, yeah… I guess I just lose my temper. It builds up, and then suddenly I just explode and I end up shouting. I know it doesn’t help, but I can’t stop myself sometimes.
Psychologist: That sounds really frustrating. Do you remember the last time it happened?
Alex: Yeah, it was with my brother. He was teasing me about being late. He made some stupid joke in front of our friends and I flew off the handle. He just wouldn’t shut up, so it escalated and I started saying things I didn’t really mean. We didn’t speak for two days, although we eventually made up.
Psychologist: And how did that make you feel afterwards?
Alex: Honestly? Regret. I always feel bad when I overreact. It’s like - I don’t know - I guess…I sometimes make a mountain out of a molehill.
Psychologist: That’s a common pattern. One thing that can help is learning to pause and breathe before reacting. Just stop and feel inside your body. Do you sometimes feel a heat inside your stomach when you are angry? 

Alex: Yes, exactly, I can usually sense a burning heat!
Psychologist:
Well be aware of that. Just recognising it can sometimes help.
You know, arguments often come from not feeling heard, so talking things out calmly can really help.
Alex: I try, but when I’m angry, it’s hard to keep my cool.
Psychologist: It takes practice. Next time, maybe bite your tongue, walk away, and come back when you’re calmer. You know, you don’t have to win every argument.
Alex: Yeah… I guess I need to work on that.


Psychologist and a young adult with anger management issues.

Leisure Time Song

Patience and Praise

Spot the grammar mistakes

First Dates and The Weather

5 Mistakes 

So... where are you from?

I’m from Madrid. And you?

London. Land of grey skies and eternal drizzle.

Yeah, I’ve heard [1] the weather there is pretty miserable.

That’s an understatement. It rains on and off [2] all of the year. What’s the weather like in Madrid?

Mostly sunny and dry. In summer, it’s boiling hot—like 40 degrees sometimes. You walk outside and feel like a roast chicken.

Sounds intense. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
I actually love cooler temperatures. I think [3] The Autumn is my favourite season—crisp air, blue skies, mild weather. And you?

I like cloudy days, weirdly. I know... I don't know why exactly - they just make me feel calm. [4] Too much sunny sun makes me sleepy.

Do you check [5] the weather forecast every day?

Liam: Only when I’m planning something outdoors. But the forecast is rarely accurate in London anyway.

2. First Dates and Weather (Mistakes)

Good morning, Jessica. You know I was looking at some sport statistics the other day and here's something that shocked me - studies show that during major sporting events like the Olympics, viewing preferences between men and women are nearly identical, completely breaking traditional assumptions about sports watching.

That's fascinating Chris, though I've noticed some sports still show some pretty clear demographic splits - you know like, mostly men leaning towards watching high-intensity sports, like rugby or boxing. 

Well, you're right about that. Take UFC fights - still heavily male-dominated. But then look at gymnastics during Olympics season, and it's a totally different story. What really interests me is how these patterns are shifting.

Yes, and here's a great example. I find the growing number of men who watch female football, which has become super popular in so many countries by the way, is fascinating - and indicative of this change away from 'sports for men to watch' and 'sports for women to watch'.


Very true. So what do you make of the whole team versus individual sports debate?

You know, it's complex. The data shows team sports dominate TV ratings - like, the NFL consistently pulls in massive numbers across all demographics. But then you've got these incredible moments in individual sports that capture everyone's attention.
Like when Simone Biles, the female gymnast, competed in Tokyo - those viewing numbers were astronomical in the USA.

Exactly, and that's where I think sports viewing is headed. The old assumptions about gender preferences and team versus individual sports, they're becoming less relevant. It's more about the quality of competition and personal connection to the athletes.

Hmm... so you're saying we're moving toward a more unified sports audience?

Well, the trends certainly suggest that, right? As you mentioned earlier - look at how women's football has exploded in popularity, or how mixed doubles tennis draws huge crowds! 
I'd say, it's becoming less about who's watching and more about what makes great competition.


keithohare

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