Radio ESOL

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, Maria talks about herself and her family.

This is the pre-entry level recording. You can also listen to Maria [beginner] and Maria [stretch & challenge].

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, Maria talks about herself and her family.

This is the beginner level recording. You can also listen to Maria [pre-entry] and Maria [stretch & challenge].

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to Mike talking to his daughter, Sarah.

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to a conversation between two students talking about safeguarding.

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to an interview with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Listen as he talks about making the UK safer for women. Sound Effects from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to two students talking about British Values.

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to two neighbours discussing how to make compost. This episode focuses on proportions. Listen to them talking about ratios. A ratio in maths is a way to compare the quantities of two or more things. Sound Effects from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to a special news report with Jim, a health expert on Willowbrook News. Listen to ways you can improve your wellbeing.

Sound Effects from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, we're going to listen to a social media influencer. Listen to the language she uses as she updates her followers.

Sound Effects from ⁠Pixabay⁠

This episode is part of a new classroom resource series, written and recorded by ESOL teachers at Leeds City College.

In this episode, Maya and David, two flatmates, are grocery shopping on a budget. Listen to them talk about rounding up numbers.

Sound Effects from Pixabay

Listen to Diane talking about her job as a sales representative.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Mike talking about his job as a radio producer.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Helen talking about her job as a police officer.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Vanessa talking about her job as a bartender.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Helen talking about her job as a radio station secretary.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Jennie talking about her job as a factory worker.

Listen to Antonia talking about her job as a newspaper sub-editor.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Vanessa talking about her job as a football referee.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Cheryl talking about her job as an arts administrator.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Chris talking about his job as a holiday entertainer.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to Karen talking about her job as a car saleswoman.

What was your job title?

What were your typical hours?

What did a typical day look like?

How did you first get into that job - did you have to train / study beforehand or did you train on the job?

What would you say were the pros and cons of the job?

What qualities would you say are needed for the job?

Listen to the description of Frank and Tomasz. Make a list of the adjectives used.

Listen to the description of Bianca and Nazia. Make a list of the adjectives used.

Listen to the description of Elena and Rose. Make a list of the adjectives used.

Special thanks to Natalia and Mabel, Entry 1 learners at Enfield Centre, Leeds City College, for taking part in this episode.

Listen to the description of Zara and Fatima. Make a list of the adjectives used.

Special thanks to Shaima and Hadja, Entry 1 learners at Enfield Centre, Leeds City College, for taking part in this episode.

Listen to the description of Naheed and Alireza. Make a list of the adjectives used.

Special thanks to Sahar and Mohammad, Entry 1 learners at Enfield Centre, Leeds City College, for taking part in this episode.

Listen to the description of Jackie. Make a list of the adjectives used. What does Jackie like doing? What does she do at weekends?

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives used. Make a list! Would you like to live in this house? Write a description of your ideal home.

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives used. Make a list!

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives and adverbs of frequency words used.

Listen to Charlotte talking about New Year's Resolutions.

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives and adverbs of frequency words used.

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives used.

Listen to the description of a place. Listen to the adjectives used.

In this episode, Vanessa talks through a Christmas cake recipe.

In this episode, Rina talks through a recipe for onion bhajis.

In this episode, Mark talks about the food he likes and doesn't like.

In this episode, Saleem talks about the food he enjoyed growing up and his love of Turkish food that he was introduced to as an adult.

In this episode, Diane talks us through a Yorkshire pudding recipe.

In this episode, Zina talks us through a Persian recipe.

In this episode, Julie talks about Japanese food and some of the Japanese dishes she enjoys eating.

In this episode, Eiman talks about traditional Sudanese food. She also talks about what food she likes and doesn't like.

In this episode, Aga talks about traditional Polish food.

She also talks about what food she likes and doesn't like.

In this episode, Hamida Khoder, a Syrian writer and artist living in Leeds, talks about her involvement in A Tale of Two Cities, a short film based on a collaborative project between a female Syrian refugee group from the organisation 'Damasq' and Leeds Arts University. The premiere of the film is Friday 28th May 2023.Free tickets can be booked by following the link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-tale-of-two-cities-film-premiere-tickets-604746642487?fbclid=PAAaZX_4wcTUiKs4NbRXy5h7UZjtiP4sSuO06STze42hmaL29FDe6OE6Yh8t4

In this episode, we hear two Entry 1 ESOL students, Alpha and Omama, talking about Ramadan and what it's like to fast in the UK.

In this episode, we hear two Entry 1 ESOL students asking and answering questions.

In this episode, we hear two Entry 1 ESOL students asking and answering questions.

In this episode, we hear two Entry 1 ESOL students asking and answering questions.

In this episode, we hear a group of Entry 1 ESOL students talking about shopping.

In this episode, we hear a group of Entry 1 ESOL students describing a friend.

In this episode, we hear a group of Entry 1 ESOL students describing a place.

In this episode, Maryam gives us some shopping tips.

What can people do to save money? 

Is it worth signing up for loyalty cards? 

In this episode, Maryam talks about skincare tips.

Do people have to spend a lot of money on skincare? 

Is the most expensive product the best? 

What's the one skin product everyone should have? 

What are the benefits of a good skincare routine? 

Where can people find skincare recipes?

In this episode, Helen takes us on a 15 minute guided meditation. 

Find a quiet space, listen and relax. 

In this episode, Helen explains what resilience is and talks through techniques we can use to help ourselves relax and feel less stressed. In a second recording, Helen takes us on a guided meditation. 

What is resilience? 

Why is it important? 

When might we need to be resilient? 

What can we do to help ourselves? 

Why are we talking about resilience now? 

In this episode, Garry talks about his time as a student at Britain's first school forpartiallysighted children and how the development of technology changed things for him. 

Photo: by Garry Cheesbrough [Those Derby Days: A history of The Derby School for the Partially Sighted, Troubador Publishing Ltd, 2017]

In this episode, we hear three Entry 1 students talking.

Meral, Rahel and Yuri introduce themselves and ask each other questions.

In this episode, we hear three Entry 1 students talking.

Yaghob, Mohamed and Amani introduce themselves and ask each other questions.

In this episode, we hear three Entry 1 students talking.

Arash, Yousef and Hassan introduce themselves and ask each other questions.

In this episode, we hear three Entry 1 students talking.  

Jahan, Khady and Basbano introduce themselves and ask each other questions. 

Asmeret and Kaltouma are students in an Entry 2 ESOL class. 

In this episode, they talk about why college is important and offer advice to other learners.

Marianna came to the UK in 2018. She started studying ESOL at the Enfield Centre, Leeds City College to improve her language and help with her search for a job. In this episode, Marianna shares her journey to the UK and talks about her studies from ESOL to GCSE courses. She is now a learning support assistant at Leeds City College for students with high needs.  

In this episode, Garry talks about his passion for painting, the creative process he goes through and what inspires him to paint. 

Photo: painting by Garry Cheesbrough

In this episode, Diane, an ESOL teacher in Leeds, talks about her Dr Martens shoe collection and how the music scene championed this British working class footwear. 

Photo: Nina Hill 

In this episode, Karen, an ESOL teacher in Leeds, talks about her personal journey with poetry.

In this episode, Vanessa, a Maths Course Leader in Leeds, talks about her sailing hobby.

Photo:Paul Hargreaves

In this episode, Arron, an ESOL teacher in Leeds, talks about tips and challenges of learning a new language. 

In this episode, Susanna Carter, iLearn Lead at Leeds City College, talks about when her love of scary stories started and what makes a good horror story.

She also talks about the iLearn Hub and how students use it to develop their study skills.  

In this episode, Alam returns to the Enfield Centre to talk about his time at Leeds City College and how he's now studying a degree at Leeds Beckett University. He also gives advice to other ESOL students. 

Transcript: 

My name is Alam. I studied at the Enfield Centre for 3 years. I did my GCSE English and maths. It was a challenge for me, but finally, it's a dream come true. What I enjoyed most about studying at the Enfield Centre was the atmosphere, the people, everything,  and I found it easier to study because I received a lot of support from my teachers. There was also a balance between academic and social activities. This helped me to grow as a person and as a student.

Studying at the Enfield Centre has enabled me to develop my career as well, as it has given me unlimited support to succeed in my studies. Being inspired by the support and teaching that I have received, I am now studying at one of the best universities in the UK to complete my degree in civil engineering, to become a chartered engineer.

As a young child, I developed a keen interest in civil engineering, shadowing my father at work, while he was coordinating a development project in the village. So since that time, engineering has been my first thought and my principal goal is to be a civil engineer.

I would like to continue with my goal by studying a masters degree. After I get my degree, I would like to work in my field.

I just want to say one message to all students who are studying at the Enfield Centre - I would like to say just one message - work hard, chase your dreams, don't give up and believe me, you can do it and you will reach your goal.

Arman came to the UK in 2015 and started studying ESOL Entry 1 at the Enfield Centre, Leeds City College in 2016. 

In this episode, Arman returns to the Enfield Centre to talk about the challenges of balancing study with work, what he has been doing in the last 6 years and what he hopes to do next. 

Augustine arrived in the UK in 2018. In this episode, he shares his journey of studying ESOL and GCSEs and moving on to Level 2 Health, Science and Social Care. 

He currently combines study with supporting other students by working at Leeds City College Students' Union. Augustine hopes to go to university next and to eventually work in a hospital or care environment where he can help people. 

Listen to students talking about their favourite person.

Part 2: Ali, Asmeret, Myassar, Abrahet, Solomon, Fikir, Jaber

Listen to students talking about their favourite person. 

Part 1:  Hadi, Fitsum, Kaltouma, Rosaria, Asmerom, Kevin

In this episode, we hear Carolyn talking about beekeeping.

In this episode, we hear Jennie talking about her allotment. Students were asked to send in questions. These are the 10 questions she answers: 

Question 1: What is an allotment? 

Question 2: Are all plots the same size? 

Question 3: Do allotments take a lot of time?

Question 4: Is an allotment only a spring and summer hobby and what can be planted in winter? 

Question 5: Do I need a lot of tools? 

Question 6: What can be planted? What are you planting? 

Question 7: What's the best time of day to spend on the allotment?

Question 8:Does everyone plant the same things? 

Question 9: Is it cheaper to grow food than to buy at the supermarket?

Question 10:What's the best thing about having an allotment? 

In this episode, we hear Wendy talking about how she enjoys arts and crafts, including painting, drawing, weaving and batik. Wendy talks about how videocalls during lockdown inspired one of her paintings. 

In this episode, we hear Hilary talking about how she enjoys walking and being outdoors to help her wellbeing. Studies and medical professionals have talked about the many benefits being outside can have, including lowering stress, blood pressure and heart rate, as well as lifting your mood and improving mental health, whether you choose to walk, run or sit in the garden! 

In this episode, we hear Sheila talking about how she enjoys running and taking part in parkrun. Parkrun takes place every Saturday / Sunday morning at more than 2,000 locations in 23 countries across five continents. 

In this episode, we hear Jenny talking about how she enjoys singing and playing the guitar. 

Written by Jennie Cole

Flo: Jennie / Elsie: Hilary / Party Host: Ahmed

With special thanks to Azmera, Pricila, Nelson, Marinela and Gheorghina

PART 4:

(car sound can be heard)

Elsie: That was a nice letter! Are you going to visit Jack in London?

Flo: Yes, it will be lots of fun.

(sound of rain)

Oh, it’s started to rain! Look at this window! (windscreen wipers can be heard)

I can hardly see through this window. (sound of the car driving along)

What a journey, it’s taken a while to get here, hasn’t it?

Elsie: Yes, but think what we’ve learnt! All those homophones we never knew existed.

Flo: Well, I KNEW the words, I just didn’t realise what they were called.

Elsie: …or that there were so many of them!

(Flo laughs)

Flo: It’s certainly made me think a little more about the language I use. Elsie: We’d better go in then!

(car can be heard to stop, door opens, then closes…) The ringing of a doorbell can be heard.

PARTY HOST:

(a party atmosphere can be heard into the background)

Hello, Flo and Elsie! It’s good to see you! Come and join the party! We’re just playing a game, here’s the clue: “a word which sounds the same but is spelt differently…”

Flo and Elsie together: (excitedly) Homophones!!

Written by Jennie Cole

Flo: Jennie / Elsie: Hilary / Party Host: Ahmed

With special thanks to Azmera, Pricila, Nelson, Marinela and Gheorghina

PART 3:

(traffic jam and car horns in distance…)

Flo: I knew we’d get stuck in the afternoon traffic! Look at the time, we’re going to be late!

Elsie: Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. (swerve of car can be heard)

Flo: I got a letter from Jack yesterday. Elsie: Oh yes? Where is it?

Flo: In the envelope there – you can read it, if you like.

TASK! (listen and change the homophone words to the correct spelling)

Elsie:

Deer Gloria,

it was so nice to here from you last weak. I would love to meat you in London next month. Do you no the name of a good hotel? My friend says a hotel called The Grand is worth trying. I’m sure you won’t be bored in London, there’s lots to sea. The whether should be warm too, though we will have to weight and sea. We could visit a museum, as it wood be such a shame to waist your time in London. I’m afraid it is very noisy here though, and you won’t have very much piece. Please right and tell me when you plan to arrive and I will meet you,

from Jack.

Written by Jennie Cole

Flo: Jennie / Elsie: Hilary / Party Host: Ahmed

With special thanks to Azmera, Pricila, Nelson, Marinela and Gheorghina

PART 2:

(car can be heard to swerve on the road)

Elsie: watch the ROAD, Flo! Be careful how you drive!

Flo: Oh, sorry, all that interesting talk on homophones has distracted me. Elsie: I WOULD have saved it until later, had I know. I’ve been reading about homophones all WEEK.

Flo: I didn’t realise how common homophones actually are. Elsie: What do you mean?

Flo: Well, just as we were talking, we said three homophones! You told me to watch the ROAD. R-o-a-d, which is what we’re driving on. This type of ROAD is a way people or vehicles pass between places. They drive from A to B on a road. But I remember when my brother RODE a horse, meaning he sat on the horse.

Elsie: Oh yes! And I just said then that I WOULD have saved all this very interesting talk, which is spelt w-o-u-l-d, meaning that perhaps I should have, but the word can also be spelt wood (w-o-o-d) which is what trees are made from.

Flo: You also said you’d been reading about homophones all WEEK, and that word can be spelt w-e-e-k, which is a period of seven days, but it can also be spelt w-e-a-k, which means a lack of strength or power.

Elsie: That’s right!

Flo: There you go again!

Elsie: What do you mean?

Flo: The word ‘right’ can be spelt r-i-g-h-t, which can mean ‘correct,’ but my friend forgot to WRITE a note, which is spelt w-r-i-t-e.

Elsie: There seems to be so many! I need a rest from talking so much. Would you mind if I had a few minutes sleep on the way?

Flo: Oh, that’s fine, Elsie. I’ll keep driving. (sound of the car cruising along the road)

Written by Jennie Cole

Flo: Jennie / Elsie: Hilary / Party Host: Ahmed

With special thanks to Azmera, Pricila, Nelson, Marinela and Gheorghina

PART 1:

(a car can be heard driving; there is the sound of a horn) 

Flo: Come on Elsie, hurry up!

(a car door opens then closes and the car sets off)

Elsie (breathless): I’m sorry I’m late, Flo!

Flo: Why are you so late? What have you been doing?

Elsie: I’ve been reading about homophones all afternoon.

Flo: Homo what? Is that a word that is spelt the same, but has a different meaning?

Elsie: No, Flo, that’s a homonym. I’ve been reading about homophones.

Flo: Tell me more, Elsie!

Elsie: Well, the word ‘homo’ comes from the Greek word ‘homos’ meaning ‘same.’ The word ‘phone’ means sound.

Flo: So that must mean homophones are words which have the same sound?

Elsie: Yes, that’s right, Flo.

Flo: Like the word stairs and stares?

Elsie: Yes! The word stairs can be spelt s-t-a-i-r-s, meaning a flight of steps, like the ones you would walk up to get to the top of a house. It can also be spelt s-t-a-r-e-s, meaning gazing very openly, which is what some of the people did to me that day I dyed my hair pink! I certainly got a lot of staresthat day!

Flo: Ahh, the day you dyedyour hair. So the word ‘dyed’ is also a homophone then, isn’t it? It can be spelt d-y-e-d, meaning ‘to colour something,’ or d-i-e-d, meaning to stop living. But why are these homo whatsits…

Elsie: Homophones, Flo.

Flo: Those are the ones. Thanks, Elsie. Why are they so important?

Elsie: It’s important to know the difference in homophones words. Though the sound is the same, the meaning is very different.

Flo: Very interesting! So let me see if I’ve understood this. Homophones are pronounced in the same way, but are spelt differently?

Elsie: That’s right.

Flo: Before I ask you anymore, I’ll just stop here for some petrol, Elsie…

(car indicator can be heard)

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Writing and Me

To complete our Refugee Week 2021 program, we hear Hamida Khoder talking about when she first started writing short stories and what inspires her to write. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

My Pecan Pie Future

Mounira, a past learner at the Enfield Centre, talks about her baking skills, how she started baking and what she hopes to do in the future. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Tarek

In this episode, we hear from Tarek, a past student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Tarek talks about his progression at Enfield and why it was important for him to learn English. He also shares his good news of graduating from Bradford University and offers advice to other learners.  

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Ousmane

In this episode, we hear from Ousmane, a past ESOL student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Ousmane talks about what he did before coming to the Enfield Centre and the special memories he has from studying there. He also explains how his mentoring experience helped to change perceptions of refugees and he tells us about his future plans to become a politician in his home country. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Aram (part 2)

This is part 2 where Aram shares memories of studying at the Enfield Centre.  Aram also talks about what he went on to do when he left the Enfield Centre. 

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Memories of Enfield & My Future: Aram (part 1)

In this episode, we hear from Aram, a past student at the Enfield Centre, part of Leeds City College. Aram tells us about the first time he came to study at the college and how he felt going to enrol and starting a new class.

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

Halaih, Ivone and Manel, Entry 2 learners at the Enfield Centre, discuss their experiences in the UK and what role their community and neighbourhood play in their lives. 

"In our culture...if we want to find another home, first we have to find our neighbour before the home. Find the neighbour before the home." Halaih

"In our country, we have a special relationship with our neighbours." Manel

"In our country, we stay at home with family, neighbours don't mix...they are very reserved." Ivone

REFUGEE WEEK 2021

A short story written by Hamida Khoder. Hamida won this year's ilearn creative writing short story competition at college for her poignant story calledNora and The War, and was invited to write a new story to read aloud on Radio ESOL for Refugee Week 2021. 

"I am really proud because I'm a refugee. My way wasn’t easy. I worked hard, I cried. I felt scared, but I didn’t give up. I don't think I am alone. I found kind people like my family who supported me and stayed with me and helped me to arrive here today."

Listen to Josephine talking about her struggles and challenges during lockdown. She talks about how lucky she felt, having family around her, and what lessons she learned during this time.  

Did Josephine enjoy lockdown?

What happened to Josephine just before lockdown?

What challenges did Josephine face during lockdown? 

What did Josephine miss during lockdown? 

What has lockdown taught Josephine? 

Listen to Salahaldein from Sudan, introducing himself and talking about coming to the UK. He also talks about some of the things he likes to do. 

When did Salahaldein leave his country? 

Where did he live for one year? 

What are his hobbies? 

What does he enjoy doing? 

Episode 4:everything's blurred

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In episode 4, we hear Elsie talking about her new glasses.

(Flo and Elsie bump into each other on the way to the shops)

Flo:Elsie! Are you okay? You look a bit flustered!

Elsie:Oh it’s you Flo! I didn’t see you there! Not really, love, not really.

Flo:What’s up, love?

Elsie:It’s these new glasses I got fitted with yesterday.

Flo:I thought you were looking different!

Elsie:Yes, the opticians said I needed glasses so he gave me these. I can’t see a thing!

Flo:Oh no … did you say anything at the time?

Elsie:I didn’t like to be rude, he was such a pleasant fellow. I thought things seemed a bit blurred. I realised there was a problem when I started talking to a lamp post in the street. I thought it were a person!

Flo:Oh love. That’s no good.

Elsie:I know. And my favourite programme is on tonight. Antiques Roadshow. I’m worried I won’t be able to see the screen!

Flo:Well, that’s no good, love. Go back to the opticians and say you need new glasses.

Elsie:Do you think so?

Flo:Definitely. I’m free this afternoon. Do you want me to come with you?

Elsie:Would you? Oh, you are a love. Thank you! We could have a cup of tea in the café on the way home.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennifer Wright

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Episode 3:that new shopping centre

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In episode 3, we hear Flo & Elsie talking about the new shopping centre.

Flo and Elsie talk on the phone:

(phone ringing, Elsie picks up)

Elsie:Hello?

Flo:Morning, Elsie, it’s Flo here.

Elsie:Oh, hello Flo, nice to hear from you.

Flo:I was ringing to ask what you were doing today. Do you want to meet in the café on the high street for a cup of tea later?

Elsie:Well, I’ve just got in, Flo. I went into town today to see that new shopping centre.

Flo:Ah yes, which one’s that then?

Elsie:You know, the one at the bottom of Albert Street, near the train station.

Flo:Oh, I haven’t been there yet. I heard it had opened last week. What’s it like, Elsie?

Elsie:It’s very cold, Flo. Very, very cold.

Flo:Oh dear. That’s not good.

Elsie:I can’t afford to shop in there, it’s for the rich folk, attract them in, not for the likes of us, Flo.

Flo:Oh dear.

Elsie:Very cold, it’s not for us poor folk who live here, more to get people to come and visit. And it’s very big. Hundreds of shops in there. How can I get round all of THEM?

Flo:I couldn’t with my bad leg. Oh dear. Maybe I won’t bother going then.

Elsie:The toilets are nice though. They’ve got those new hand driers in. Blue lights and everything. Very modern.

Flo:That sounds nice. Maybe I will go in if the toilets are nice. Can’t hurt to look.

Elsie:Well, if you do, remember it’s very cold, wrap up warm, Flo. Now what’s that you were saying about a cup of tea this afternoon…?

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennie Cole (with thanks to the 2  ladies on the local bus, who inspired this script)

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Episode 2:the price of things today

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In this second episode, we hear Flo & Elsie talking about food prices in supermarkets.

Flo:What’s that you’ve got there, Elsie?

Elsie:It’s a digestive biscuit Flo.

Flo:Oh I LOVE digestives. Especially the chocolate ones.

Elsie:I do too. But I tell you something …

Flo:What’s that?

Elsie:They haven’t half gone up in price recently!

Flo:Well you know why that is, don’t you!

Elsie:No?

Flo:Price of wheat. It’s skyrocketed. Just you look around your local supermarket you’ll notice!

Elsie:Really?

Flo:YES! Rice, bread, tea, chocolate …. Everything is more expensive now than it was this time last year. I wouldn’t mind but I’m on a pension! These supermarkets, they don’t think about that, do they!

Elsie:Oh I know what you mean … I can barely afford to feed my cat never mind myself.

Flo:It gets you down doesn’t it, Elsie.

Elsie:It really does, yes.

Flo:Here have another biscuit. While we can still afford it.

Elsie:I think I will.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennifer Wright

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Episode 1:why don't you...? 

In this 4 part series, we drop in on two characters called Flo and Elsie. In this first episode, Flo doesn't know what to do at the weekend and we hear Elsie offering lots of suggestions. 

Flo:I don't know what to do this weekend…

Elsie:Ahh, okay, erm, why don't you go to the cinema?

Flo:It's too expensive, I haven't got any money.

Elsie:Hmm, okay. Maybe you could go to the park?

Flo:Oh, it's too cold!

Elsie:Right, right okay, well, the city museum - that’s free.

Flo:Oh, it's a bit far from my house.

Elsie:Mmm, well, I don't know, maybe you could go for a run, do you like running?

Flo:Oh, I've got a bad leg!

Elsie:What about going to see a friend or going to see someone in your family?

Flo:Oh, that's a good idea!

Elsie:Yeah, yeah

Flo:Oh, thanks for that!

Elsie:It's okay.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Written by Jennifer Wright & Jennie Cole

Flo: Jennie Cole

Elsie: Hilary Gibson

With thanks to:

Jo Haver: for playing Elsie in the photographs

Trish Stennett: for taking the photographs

Chris Spencer: for recording the jingle

Listen to Roya from Iran, introducing herself and talking about where she lived before coming to Leeds. She also talks about her hobbies and what she enjoys doing.

Listen to Gheorghina talking about how she coped when she was ill with coronavirus. She talks about spending time with her family and shares her new lockdown hobby, playing chess with her son. She also tells us what this experience has taught her.