273 | Advanced - Short Story: The Keeper of Forgotten Dreams [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Keeper of Forgotten DreamsLevel: Advanced (C1)#Story : Adrian Locke, a rare bookseller with the ability to enter people’s dreams, has spent years helping others confront their fears and traumas. But when Elara, a young woman plagued by haunting memories, seeks his help, Adrian finds himself facing a new level of darkness. Inside her dreams, he discovers a powerful entity, the “Keeper of Secrets,” who guards the hidden traumas of others and confronts Adrian with his own past. As he battles this sinister force, Adrian realizes that he, too, has secrets he cannot escape. In freeing Elara, he uncovers a dark truth about his gift—and himself—that will haunt him forever.#Vocabulary :Sinister – having an evil appearance, dangerous.Subconscious – part of the mind not fully aware but influential.Coalesce – to come together to form a whole.Trespass – to enter unlawfully or without permission.Relentless – without stopping or giving up.#Grammar Focus:Present Perfect for Ongoing Effects Used to discuss past actions affecting the present. Example: “Adrian has spent years helping others confront their fears.”Past Perfect for Flashbacks Used for events before the main narrative. Example: “He realized with horror that he had misjudged the darkness within her dreams.”Metaphors and Imagery for Suspense Enhances emotional and visual depth. Example: “The Keeper was a shadow woven from secrets, lingering in the edges of consciousness.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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272 | Intermediate - Short Story: The Abandoned Lighthouse [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Abandoned LighthouseLevel: Intermediate (B2)#Story : Isla Thornton, a writer with a passion for uncovering mysteries, arrives in the coastal town of Grey Harbor to investigate the haunting legends surrounding an abandoned lighthouse. Locals warn her about the strange occurrences there, telling tales of the last lighthouse keeper, Mr. Elwood, who vanished mysteriously one stormy night. Intrigued, Isla visits the lighthouse, experiencing eerie sounds, whispers, and fleeting shadows that seem to hold a story. She uncovers fragments of Mr. Elwood’s life, learning of his loneliness, betrayal, and the ghostly presence that lingers. As she pieces together the tragedy of the last keeper, Isla realizes she must share his story to give his spirit peace, finally releasing him from the lighthouse.#Vocabulary :Eerie – strange and frightening, especially due to a supernatural quality.Lantern – a lamp that is typically portable and used for lighting.Betrayal – an act of disloyalty or breaking trust.Specter – a ghost or ghostly presence.Linger – to stay in a place longer than expected.#Grammar Focus:Relative Clauses Used to provide extra information about a noun. Example: “The lighthouse, which stood on the cliffs, was filled with mystery.”Past Continuous Tense Describes an ongoing action that was happening at a specific time in the past. Example: “She was climbing the stairs when she heard the tapping.”Passive Voice Used to focus on the action rather than the subject. Example: “The story of Elwood was forgotten until Isla arrived.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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7:58
271 | Beginner - Short Story: The Balloon [English Listening Practice]
Title: The BalloonLevel: Beginner (A1)#Story : It’s Lily’s birthday, and she is enjoying her party with a shiny red balloon tied to her wrist. But when the balloon accidentally comes untied and floats away, Lily is heartbroken. With her friend Max’s help, they chase after the balloon through the park, into the woods, and across a hill. After a series of adventures, they finally find the balloon resting on the roof of an old house. A kind woman helps them retrieve the balloon, and Lily is overjoyed to have it back. They return to the party with smiles, happy that they never gave up.#Vocabulary :Balloon – a rubber object filled with air or gas, often used for decoration.Wrist – the part of your arm that connects your hand to your arm.Chase – to run after something or someone.Tangle – when something gets twisted together or caught.Roof – the top covering of a building.#Grammar Focus:Simple Past Tense Used to describe completed actions in the past. For example: “Lily chased the balloon.”Prepositions of Place Words like “on,” “under,” and “in” to describe where something is. For example: “The balloon was on the roof.”Conjunctions Used to connect ideas. For example: “Max ran after the balloon, but it flew away.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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270 | Intermediate - Short Story: Beneath the Starlit Sky [English Listening Practice]
Title: Beneath the Starlit SkyLevel: Intermediate (B1-B2)Story: Seven years ago, Sienna De Luca walked away from Alessandro Marino, leaving behind not just their love but the city that had once been their world. Now, standing in a grand art gallery in Florence, she finds herself face to face with the past she thought she had buried. His paintings tell their story—the stolen moments, the whispered promises, the love that had been too much to hold onto. But when she sees the final painting—a woman walking away in the rain, just as she had that night—Sienna realizes the truth. Alessandro never let go. And neither did she. As the weight of the years presses between them, Sienna must decide—will she walk away again, or finally fight for the love that never truly left?Vocabulary:Immortal – something that lasts forever, never fading.Brushstrokes – the marks left by a painter’s brush on a canvas.Unspoken – something deeply felt but never said aloud.Hesitation – a pause due to uncertainty or doubt.Deliberate – done intentionally, with careful thought.Grammar Focus:Past Perfect Tense: “She had convinced herself that leaving was the right choice.” Describes an action completed before another past event.Modal Verbs for Speculation & Regret: “If she had stayed, would they have found a way?” Expresses uncertainty about a past event.Conditional Sentences (Type 3): “If she had never left, she wouldn’t have spent years lost in regret.” Talks about a hypothetical past event that didn’t happen. Website:https://Readiocast.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Readiolingua-------Learn English fast and easily with podcasts Conversation, Best Tips For Learning English, Improve Your English Language, Listening and Speaking through Listening, Dictation and Grammar Focus with new words, best practice to learn English online by short stories. (best practice for English Listening skills)-------#English #learnenglish #howtospeakenglish #englishforbeginners #englishtutorial #ielts #listening #englishlearning #englishpractice #learnenglish #listeningpractice #englishstory #practice #LearnEnglishfast #grammer #podcast #Englishpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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269 | Advanced - Short Story: The Guardians of the Flame [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Guardians of the FlameLevel: Advanced (C1)#Story : The story follows four Guardians—Lysandra, Caelan, Vespera, and Eirik—who protect the Eternal Flame, a sacred source of light that wards off darkness. When Miraak, a former Guardian corrupted by shadows, returns to extinguish the Flame, a fierce battle ensues. Despite their unity, Miraak's connection to an ancient darkness proves nearly overwhelming. Using the Bond, a powerful but dangerous technique, the Guardians channel the Flame's light to sever Miraak’s link to the shadows. Though victorious, Miraak’s final words—hinting at a greater darkness—linger, leaving the Guardians haunted by uncertainty and an impending sense of doom. The Flame remains protected, but shadows linger, watching, waiting for their chance to return.#Vocabulary :Encroach: to gradually move or invade something.Flicker: a brief or unsteady movement of light.Gnawing: a persistent feeling of distress.Sever: to cut or break off completely.Unyielding: not giving way under pressure; firm and resolute.#Grammar Focus:Present Perfect for Lasting Effects:Used to indicate actions that have lasting effects up to the present.Example: "The shadows have lingered, watching, ever patient."Past Perfect for Sequencing:Used to show which past action occurred first.Example: "The Guardians had won a battle, but the war had only just begun."Modal Verbs for Speculation and Uncertainty:Used to express degrees of uncertainty or hypothetical outcomes.Example: “If there is something beyond it, something darker…” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Listen English | Learn English by Short Stories
"Welcome to ListenEnglish, the ideal podcast to boost your English listening skills! Each episode features captivating stories designed for learners of all levels – from Beginner to Advanced. Whether you're learning for fun, travel, or exams, our clear and simple storytelling will help you understand spoken English more confidently. Join us, listen carefully, and improve your language skills step by step!"Watch us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ReadioLingua#ListenEnglish #LearnEnglish #EnglishListening #Storytelling #LanguageLearning #EnglishForEveryone #ImproveListening #ESL #IELTS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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