Lesson 1.2 — Talking about the news (Spoken English B1)

Listen first

Two coworkers discuss a headline about a train strike. Notice "apparently" — the speaker is passing on news they didn't confirm, which is honest and very common.

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New vocabulary — tap to hear

Did you hear about…?/dɪd ju hɪr əˈbaʊt/ · the standard way to raise a story 🔊

Apparently,/əˈpɛrəntli/ · "I heard this but can't fully vouch for it" 🔊

If you ask me,/ɪf ju æsk mi/ · flags a personal opinion, informal 🔊

It's blown out of proportion./bloʊn aʊt əv prəˈpɔrʃən/ · idiom: exaggerated 🔊

I can see both sides./aɪ kən si boʊθ saɪdz/ · a diplomatic reaction 🔊

That doesn't surprise me./ðæt ˈdʌzənt sərˈpraɪz mi/ · reacts to predictable news 🔊

Now say it

Tap the phrase to hear it, then press the mic and repeat — we score your pronunciation for real (Chrome/Edge).

« If you ask me, it's been blown out of proportion. » 🔊

Rush "if you ask me" as one quick unit, then slow down on "blown out of proportion" so the opinion lands.

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Pronunciation

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Read the dialogue

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Did you hear about the train strike next week? 🔊Raises a story with a question

Apparently they want better pay. Honestly, I can see both sides. 🔊Summarises, then reacts diplomatically

If you ask me, the whole thing's been blown out of proportion. 🔊Flags a strong personal opinion with an idiom

Really? That doesn't surprise me, though — it happens every year. 🔊Reacts with mild surprise, then agrees

Grammar in focus · reported speech with "say" and "tell"

To pass on news, use the present for current facts: "They say it's about pay" or "They want more money." Keep it simple — you don't always need to shift tenses. A common slip is "He said me…" — in English you "tell" someone but "say" to someone: "He told me" or "He said to me," never "He said me."

Full lesson: say, tell and reported speech

Write it yourself

Pick a story you saw this week. Write 3 sentences: one to summarise it, one for your view, one guessing what happens next.

Your answer

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Tip for this task
Don't copy the headline's exact words. Reword it — "Prices are going up again" beats reciting a full formal headline you half-remember.

Quick check

An adaptive quiz confirms you've got it and schedules the right words for review.

1. You want to pass on news you heard but haven't confirmed. Which word fits?

2. "It's been blown out of proportion" means the story has been…

3. Which sentence is correct English?

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