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In this episode, we discuss the B2 Speaking question: “Should children under 16 be banned from social media?” You’ll learn how Australia is becoming the first country to introduce this kind of ban — and the key arguments on both sides. We’ll go over essential vocabulary like grooming, harmful content, cyberbullying, get around the rules, invasive, and inaccurate, plus natural phrases to help you express your opinion clearly: in my view, one concern is that…, on the one hand / on the other hand, supporters argue that…, it might lead to…, and there’s a risk that…. You’ll also get a simple “two-side debate” speaking exercise you can do by yourself to practise discussion skills for the B2 exam.

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In this episode, we explore the B2 Speaking question: “Would you buy from a brand that treats its workers badly?” We look at the recent controversy around Shein’s first physical store opening in Paris — and what it says about fast fashion, ethics, and everyday choices.

You’ll learn five natural chunks you can use to talk about this topic: convenient / affordable / accessible, treats its workers badly, when money’s tight, demanding better conditions, and being held accountable. You’ll also hear my honest take on where we can draw the line between affordability and responsibility.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice?
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Get in touch: kristian@kristiandegroot.com

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Download the transcript here.

In this episode, we discuss the B2 Speaking question: “Would you agree to be interviewed by an AI system?” You’ll hear about a real case where a British writer refused an AI interview — and learn three natural chunks you can use to share your own opinion: it didn’t sit well with me, I can see both sides, and strike the right balance. You’ll also hear my personal take on how AI might change job interviews — and where we still need a human touch.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice?
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👉 45-minute sessions for €20, or €150 for 10 lessons (€15 each).
Your first lesson is risk-free — you only pay if you’re happy afterwards.
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In this episode, we explore the B2 Speaking question: “Do smartphones make us more connected, or more lonely?” You’ll hear my honest answer — plus two natural chunks you can use to sound fluent when talking about technology or modern life: a double-edged sword and glued to [something]. You’ll learn how to use them naturally in real conversations and get examples you can reuse right away.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice?
I offer private English conversation lessons — real topics, real feedback, real progress.
👉 45-minute sessions for €20, or €150 for 10 lessons (€15 each).
Your first lesson is risk-free — you only pay if you’re happy afterwards.
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Subscribe to the newsletter:
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You can now also join the podcast on YouTube — share your thoughts, ask questions, and join the conversation in the comments.

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Download the transcript here.

In this episode, we discuss the question: “Do you think people should love their jobs, or just see work as a way to earn money?” You’ll hear my honest, scripted-natural answer — followed by a breakdown of three useful chunks: pay the bills, figure it out by doing, and get to have. You’ll also review a quick grammar point on using preposition + verb-ing naturally in your own answers.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice?
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👉 45-minute sessions for €20, or €150 for 10 lessons (€15 each).
Your first lesson is risk-free — you only pay if you’re happy afterwards.
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Download the transcript here.

In this episode, we explore the B2 Speaking question: “Do you believe motivation is something people are born with or can learn?” You’ll learn five natural chunks to discuss motivation clearly and confidently: have a natural drive, develop self-discipline, stay motivated, rub off on others, and set achievable goals. These phrases will help you sound fluent and natural when talking about habits, goals, and personal growth.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice?
I offer private English conversation lessons — real topics, real feedback, real progress.
👉 45-minute sessions for €20, or €150 for 10 lessons (€15 each).
Your first lesson is risk-free — you only pay if you’re happy afterwards.
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Download the transcript here.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “Do you think exams are the best way to test students’ knowledge?” You’ll discover three comparison phrases that help you give clear, balanced answers — including rather than, better suited for, and depends on.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice? I’ve just created a complete B2 Speaking Exam program with structured audio training and live coaching sessions. It’s designed for students who are serious about passing. Learn more here.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “Do you believe people will live longer in the future?” You’ll discover five natural chunks that make your answer sound fluent and confident — including medical advances, take better care of themselves, life expectancy, cope with, and depends on your lifestyle.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice? I’ve just created a complete B2 Speaking Exam program with structured audio training and live coaching sessions. It’s designed for students who are serious about passing. Learn more here.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “What qualities make someone a good colleague?” You’ll discover three natural phrases that make you sound fluent and confident — including do their part, feel included, and positive attitude. You’ll also learn the meaning of pick up the slack — a great idiom for teamwork questions.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice? I’ve just created a complete B2 Speaking Exam program with structured audio training and live coaching sessions. It’s designed for students who are serious about passing. Learn more here.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “What are some dangers of sharing personal information online?” You’ll discover five natural chunks that make you sound fluent and confident — including lose control over your information, identity theft, end up in the wrong hands, give away personal details, and keep things private.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice? I’ve just created a complete B2 Speaking Exam program with structured audio training and live coaching sessions. It’s designed for students who are serious about passing. Learn more here.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “Do you believe machines will ever replace human creativity?” You’ll hear a full model answer and discover three key phrases that make you sound confident and natural — including machines can replace human creativity, it feels a bit artificial, and express something unique.

P.S. Want 1-1 practice? I’ve just created a complete B2 Speaking Exam program with structured audio training and live coaching sessions. It’s designed for students who are serious about passing. Learn more here.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “How should cities deal with increasing levels of tourism?” Instead of giving basic answers like “There are too many tourists,” you’ll discover 5 natural chunks that make you sound fluent and confident — including protecting local businesses, invest in infrastructure, get packed, spread tourism evenly, and feel pushed out.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to handle the controversial exam question: “Do you think zoos are a good thing or a bad thing?” Instead of giving a flat answer, you’ll get five powerful phrases that help you sound balanced, structured, and exam-ready. These expressions — like I’m in two minds about this and In an ideal world... but in reality — work not only for zoos, but for any controversial topic that comes up in Parts 3 and 4 of the exam.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the Part 1 question: “Are clothes important to you?” Instead of giving a flat answer like “I like nice clothes,” you’ll get five natural collocations that make your English sound clear, confident, and exam-ready. We’ll cover phrases like dress casually, express yourself, make a good impression, keep up with fashion, and suit someone — with a short model answer to show how they fit together naturally.

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In this first Speaking Drill episode, we’ll take one practical phrase — lend me a hand — and practise it through six short drills. You’ll repeat, change tense, say opposites, make substitutions, find synonyms, and finish with a true sentence of your own. By the end, you’ll be able to use lend me a hand naturally when you’re put on the spot in the exam.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “Why do people need friends?” We’ll take one useful chunk — support — and make it more flexible with natural idiomatic expressions like be there for, lend a hand, and stand by. You’ll also learn their opposites, so you can sound more precise and confident in the exam.

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In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the question: “Is it useful to listen to podcasts made for language learners?” Instead of repeating the same words, you’ll practise building flexibility with synonyms and opposites — so your answers sound more fluent and natural.

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Hey, it’s Kristian here with a quick update.

I’ll be back with the regular podcast next week.

Last week I released my new course — and over the weekend, thanks to feedback from the very first students, I realized there was a chance to make it even better.

So this week I’m putting my full focus on improving the course. And next week, I’ll be back with new podcast episodes.

Thanks so much for your patience — and if you’re already in the course, you’ll get the complete upgraded version very soon. Check your inbox for a personal note from me.

Download the transcript here.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to answer the common Part 1 question: “What do you like about your hometown?” Instead of giving flat, simple answers like “It’s nice,” you’ll get 3 natural chunks you can use right away to sound more fluent and confident at B2 level.

Grab the course here:
Crack B2 Speaking Part 1 — 10 audio lessons to turn the words you know into phrases you can actually use when you're put on the spot. Just €9.99, with lifetime access.

Join the newsletter here:
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Thanks for listening!

Download the transcript here.

In this episode, you’ll move from knowing vocabulary to actually using it under exam pressure. This is your first speaking drill: two short exercises that help you turn passive collocations into confident speaking.

What you get:
✅ A confidence-builder with renewable energy sources
✅ A challenge drill with reduce your carbon footprint
✅ Practice flipping tenses and swapping words to make the phrases flexible

Don’t just listen — join in, repeat out loud, and feel the difference. This is how you prepare to speak automatically in the exam, without freezing.

Want daily B2 practice?
Get a 4-minute vocabulary quiz to help you build confidence for exam day: https://subscribepage.io/b2firstacademy

Next up:
In Episode 65, Kristian reveals his brand-new audio course — 10 complete lessons with 100 key expressions and drills just like today’s. Don’t miss it!

Thanks for listening!