The Tell-tale Heart: Part 1 | Onestopenglish

This crime story introduces us to the storyteller, who describes how he patiently waited for the right moment to kill. In this lesson, the students will: briefly discuss the topic of murder; listen to a short extract in order to find out why the storyteller decides to commit murder; study the meaning of some key vocabulary; listen extensively for gist; examine the author’s use of assonance and onomatopoeia; predict the ending. The Tell-tale Heart: Part 1 | Onestopenglish

EL PAÍS (News in English)

Donald Trump’s mixed messages on Iran

Dear readers,

With all eyes on the Middle East, we looked at the mixed messages Donald Trump has given over the conflict: from declaring Iran has no navy to announcing that the U.S. had destroyed its naval forces.

In other news, we spoke to Cubans who have been deported from the U.S. to Mexico. "We’re all old, what are we going to do here?” asked Lázaro Ballesteros, who spent 47 of his 53 years in Miami.

We also took a look at the Obamas' multi-million dollar media portfolio and examined the prized pieces of the Gunzburg collection set to go under the hammer this month.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• Iran’s Strait of Hormuz toll: Modern piracy contrary to international law
• In Spain, a request to move Picasso’s famous ‘Guernica’ to the Basque Country sparks national row
• The Moon: The new stage for the space race between the United States and China
• How the loneliness of working from home can affect mental health: ‘The pajamas mentality is dangerous’
• Juan Verde: ‘The next president of the United States will be a Democrat and an unknown’
• The debate over Trump’s mental health: ‘Malignant narcissist ’ or ‘superhuman president’?

C2 Step into the Global Teachers’ Festival Collection 2026 (By MACMILLAN EDUCATION)

This space brings together all session recordings, presentations, and daily giveaways from the ten days of the festival. 

C1 Nature Idioms and Phrases

100 Nature Idioms & Phrases

if + should / if + will / if + would

If + should

We can use if with should to refer to events which might happen by chance or by accident:

If you should bump into Carol, can you tell her I’m looking for her? (If by chance you bump into Carol.)

If the government should ever find itself in this situation again, it is to be hoped it would act more quickly.

Conditional clauses with will or would

Will and would can be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being willing to do something’, or to refer to later results:

If Clare will meet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time. (if Clare is willing to meet us)

If you would all stop shouting, I will try and explain the situation!

If it will make you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight. (If it is true that you will be happy as a result, I’ll stay at home tonight.)

We sometimes stress the will or would, especially if we doubt that the result will be the one mentioned:

If it really would save the planet, I’d stop using my car tomorrow. (If it really is true that the planet would be saved as a result, I would stop using my car, but I doubt it is true.)

Conditionals in speaking

In speaking, we often use if-clauses without main clauses, especially when asking people politely to do things. If is usually followed by will, would, can or could when it is used to be polite:

[Shop assistant to customer]

If you would just sign here, please. (a more polite way of saying Just sign here, please.)

[A is writing something for B and having difficulty]

A: If I could have a better pen …

B: Here, use this one.

A: Thanks.

(from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/conditionals-if) 

Nature Sounds Vocabulary C1-C2

Weather Vocabulary

Vocabulary 

for 

Weather

+1,500,000 visits!!!

Today I’m incredibly grateful to all of you

—this blog has reached 1.5 million visits! 🎉

Thank you for being part of this learning community and for trusting this space to support your English journey. Your dedication and consistency are what make this possible.

Keep using this blog as a tool in your learning process—practice a little every day, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how real progress happens!

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Eleven years to reach 500,000; five and a half years to reach 1,000,000 and just thirteen months to reach  1,500,000 ... When shall we reach 2,000,000? 

Euphemism

Advanced Adverbs

Moving in the Water

How to Describe Nature in English | 1 Hour C1 Advanced English Listening & Speaking Practice

Are you Tired after Holidays?

More ways of saying TIRED

200+ Linking Words

Check them HERE.

I have no Money!

Murcia Today (News from here)

Spain tells Trump to mind his own business after US investigates Noelia euthanasia case

Clocks go forward in Spain but energy savings remain minimal

A hidden corner of Murcia has made National Geographic's list of Spain's most beautiful places

Semana Santa in Spain: How do the Spanish celebrate Easter?

Murcia crowned Spain's laziest region as a third of residents admit to doing no exercise

EL PAÍS (News in English)

To the Moon and the abyss

Dear readers,

With the Artemis 2 mission now underway, our columnist Boris Muñoz reflects on the fact that in the world we live in, creation and destruction often go hand in hand. And what is striking is that the same nation, under Donald Trump, is capable of producing two such contradictory feats simultaneously.

Despite the bad news coming out of the Gulf, the U.S. president is getting support from unexpected places. In the Canadian province of Alberta, a small but vocal separatist movement is working to drum up support to become the 51st state of America.

On the subject of Iran, Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, told EL PAÍS in a lengthy interview that if the war stretches out for more than a year, the world will enter a recession. But he seemed confident that a solution will be found and that the markets will remain strong.

We also spoke with Eliades Ochoa, one of the members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, who at nearly 80 years of age is still performing the traditional Cuban music that he helped popularize across the globe.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• The threat of the ‘Komsomolets’: A Soviet nuclear submarine has been leaking radiation from the seabed for four decades
• Easter processions in Spain in pictures: from Seville to Zamora to Málaga
• Richard Hatchett, epidemiologist: ‘The risk of a pandemic is greater today than it was in 2019’
• The ‘Narco-Architect’ who designed tunnels to bring hashish from Morocco into Spain
• NASA’s Lori Glaze: ‘Artemis 2 is a test flight. Many critical systems will be tested for the first time’
• A healthy pregnancy doesn’t depend solely on the woman: why the father’s health is crucial for child development
• Psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz: ‘Some people find unhappiness more comfortable than surrendering to love’

Self-Care Verbs

Wish, If Only and Others

Javi (EOI English Teacher) wishes to share with us a clear and brief presenta-tion. 

If only you watched it... 

It's high time you clicked here.

Walk

HEALTH Matters

Health Matters

You can find some useful vocabulary below:

Health & Medicine Phrases

Health Vocabulary

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Medical Problems

How to Write Good

April Fools' Day – the language of jokes and tricks

Read this interesting article about April Fool's Day on Cambridge Dictionary About Words Blog.

Do read the comments after the post!

The Differences Between British English and American English

There are some key differences in how English functions in the United States versus the United Kingdom. Let’s take a quick look at some fun and noteworthy examples of how English vocabulary, slang, spelling, and pronunciation can vary depending on your location.

Tense Revision

Verbal tenses for you to enjoy... Here they are (directly from English Page).

What is a Schwa?

 

Find every-thing about

Schwa

Pretty/Ugly Poem

Do the Gen Alpha Slang QUIZ

Gen Alpha Slang QUIZ I got just 5/10 :-(

EL PAÍS (News in English)

Maduro in the dock

Dear readers,

With global attention focused on Donald Trump’s “detour” in Iran, and the shockwaves the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive is sending through global energy markets, former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was scheduled to appear in court in New York Thursday on charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking conspiracy. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in January at the beginning of a judicial process that experts predict will not reach trial for another year or two.

As the conflict in the Middle East rages on, Iran on Wednesday rejected a 15-point proposal from Washington to end the fighting, and tabled counter-proposals of its own, including the recognition of Tehran’s sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, on the ground, Kurdish militias are waiting in the wings for signs of weakness from the regime to make their move. “Never in these 47 years have we been so close to seeing the Iranian regime fall,” Baba Sheikh Husseini, the leader of one of the Kurdish-Iranian militias now joined together in a coalition, told EL PAÍS.

Also this week we looked at the debate surrounding the U.S. president’s mental health, spoke to Marc Abrahams, the founder of the satirical Ig Nobel awards, and pondered a dystopian vision of the future in which the price of oil hits $200 a barrel.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• More poverty, less travel and fewer jobs: what the world would be like with oil at $200
• Matthew Lieberman, psychologist: ‘Loneliness kills in ways that aren’t obvious’
• Noelia Castillo, the young woman who fought her parents for her right to die: ‘I can’t take this family anymore’
• The return of extreme thinness disguised as health: ‘They used to tell you you were fat; now they tell you you have inflammation’
• What to know about the ‘No Kings’ protests on March 28
• ‘Prognathodon cipactli,’ a sea monster from the age of the dinosaurs discovered in Mexico
• Hannah Montana’s return 20 years later: The Disney legend who reconciled with her childhood

People Adjectives

Nationality Idioms (2)

Cartagena Holy Week 2026

Holy Week in Cartagena.

To get familiar with the vocabulary and concepts of our Easter have a look at this "Guide" to learn the basics. 

You can have a look at Holy Week Step by Step too. 

More specific info for this year: Guía de Semana Santa 2026 Radio Cartagena

Inversion

Make the Most of Your Self‑Study Time

Reviewing on your own can be incredibly productive—and surprisingly enjoyable. When you dedicate time to revisiting what you’ve learned, you can concentrate on the areas you find most challenging while also diving into stories, videos, and activities you couldn’t explore before.

🔎 Use the Labels Section

On the right‑hand side of the blog, you’ll find the Labels area. It’s perfect when you want to browse by topic. Explore categories such as:

• Idioms
• Pronunciation
• Exam practice
• And many more!

🖊 Search for Something Specific

If you already know what you want to revise, use the Search this Blog function (first icon above, on the right). Type in keywords such as:

• Passive sentences
• Article writing
• Cleft Sentences
• Inversion

You’ll quickly find posts that match exactly what you need.

🎧 Explore Reference Material

Why not enrich your learning by visiting the Reference Material section? You’ll find fantastic resources like:

• BBC World Service Documentaries, eg. Graffiti across Continents
• Advanced collocations
• C1 Grammar / C2 Grammar
• English Words you Might not Pronounce Well (presentation & handout)

… and more inspiring content to boost your skills.

🌐 Visit Recommended Websites

The Links to Visit section offers curated websites that help you stay informed and improve your English in real‑life contexts. Check out:

• SkyNews
• EL PAÍS (US Edition)
• Breaking News English

These sites make learning dynamic and engaging.

📚 Expand Your Vocabulary

If your goal is to master vocabulary in a particular field—Education, IT, Work, and more—head to IELTS Vocabulary Topics and explore focused content designed to help you grow in those specific areas.

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🔁 And There’s Even More You Can Do…

The blog offers you plenty of possibilities… but that’s just the beginning! You can also keep improving your English by weaving it naturally into your everyday activities:

• Watch your favourite TV series in the original version (with or without subtitles).
• Read about your hobbies in English... Do you like music?
• Enjoy a good novel or short stories written in English.
• Chat with your English‑speaking friends via Zoom or any other platform.
• Explore anything else that keeps you active and curious!

The idea (r) is simple: use your English as much as possible—preferably practising all skills, not just one or two—so it doesn’t get rusty during the holiday.

😄Enjoy your Easter Holiday!!!

Grammar Revision After Easter

As we come back after the Easter break, it’s the perfect moment to refocus and fine-tune your English. Whether you’re in C1 or C2, one thing remains true: strong grammar is the backbone of clear, precise, and sophisticated communication.

Over the holidays, try to set aside some time to revise key grammar points we’ve covered (or not) this year. Pay special attention to areas you’ve found challenging—advanced conditionals, inversion, modal nuances, or complex sentence structures. Don’t just read: actively engage with the material by writing your own examples.

                C1 Grammar  /  C2 Grammar

A Couple of Pages a Day
Keep Grammar Mistakes Away

Most importantly, write down any questions or doubts that come up while you revise. No matter how small or specific they may seem, they are incredibly valuable. We’ll use them as a starting point for discussion in class, helping to clarify tricky points and deepen your understanding.

Remember: the idea is not only to revise and/or learn, but also to to put the syntax into practice. So, use these grammar points both in your speech and your wrtiting.

See you after Easter—with questions! ✍️

Did you Know ALL these Acronyms?

Never Mix Up these Words (Homophones) By Lucy

 Never Mix up these Words (Homophones)

(A) Little vs (A) Few

Vocabulary for Gifts

Voca-bulary

for 

Gifts

Murcia Today (News from here)

• Spain weather forecast March 23-26: Bright and sunny, but chilly for March
• Mar Menor beaches race to be ready for easter
• Rise in hate speech linked to burka debate and Ramadan, new report finds
• "I have Down syndrome and I am not so different from you" --a mural and a message for World Down Syndrome Day

Nationality Idioms (Revision)

C2 Real & Lovely Adjectives

World Water Day

World Water Day is held on 22nd March every year. We celebrate the day to bring attention to one of the leading environmental issues, the scarcity of water. Water is life, and we cannot even imagine our life without water.

Workplace Idioms

EL PAÍS (News in English)

A booming business for Trump

Dear readers,

Donald Trump's empire has been bolstered by ties to the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, where his fortune has grown exponentially thanks to sheikhs and the cryptocurrency industry. This is the same region where Washington has now unleashed a war, in alliance with Israel, and where he plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip — destroyed by Israel — into a luxury resort.

This week we looked at the sinister insignia used by officers at Alligator Alcatraz. Experts say these patches reflect and normalize a problematic mindset, especially when they invoke violence, domination, or dehumanizing imagery.

We also looked at a mysterious Cold War-era spy system based on radio broadcasts that was primarily used by Cuba, but which seems to be making a comeback in Iran, although it is unclear who is sending the messages — and to whom.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• Cubans at their limit: ‘How is it possible that in my country they listen to anyone but the people?’
• Venezuela and Iran: Mission accomplished, again
• Trump’s desperate attempts to curb soaring oil prices
• By your command, my robot: AI war games spark debate about ethical limits
• Why some people get hooked and others don’t: genetics, childhood and brain circuits explain addiction
• Symbolic gesture by the king of Spain accelerates a thaw in relations with Mexico
• The United States loses its status as a liberal democracy: ‘Trump is aiming for a dictatorship’
• Electrodes connected to the brain allow two people with paralysis to type with their minds
• Plastics, aluminum, and microchips: What the closure of the Strait of Hormuz costs the world economy beyond oil and gas

Commas have names

Funny Commercials

The /ʒ/ Sound

The phoneme /ʒ /is perhaps one of the most difficult ones to pronounce for Spanish students, even though it is exactly the same as / ʃ / (which is usually perfectly pronounced), but voiced instead of unvoiced.

The most common words where / ʒ / appears are:

Words ending in -sual: visual, usual, casual

Words ending in -sion (but -nsion): vision

Words ending in -sure (not "sure"): treasure, leasure, exposure
 

Mixed Conditionals

Do these activities (and then correct them)

War & Battle Idioms

See all the idioms in pdf. format and with translations HERE.

C2 Quiz: '-nym' words

First read the word list here...

... and then play this Cambridge Dictionary +Plus Quiz

Adjectives Ending in -ABLE/-IBLE

Remember ALL of them are pronounced ending in /-ə.bəl / and the main stress is ALWAYS before this syllable.

Three Pronunciation Lessons (By Lucy)

Lesson 1     

Lesson 2     

Lesson 3

Take the Pronuncia-tion Test