Australian animals and nature: English Listening Practice

Beginner · A1–A2 Episode 18 of 20 · about 2 minutes · Hosts: Mel and Josh

1. Before you listen: key words

Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.

magpie a black-and-white bird
swoop fly down quickly at someone
possum a small furry animal, active at night
kookaburra a bird whose call sounds like laughing
bushwalking hiking in natural areas
joey a baby kangaroo
wildlife park a park where you can see native animals

2. Listen to the episode

Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.

3. Check your understanding

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4. Shadow the hosts

Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.

5. Talk about it

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Listening Room, episode 18: Australian animals and nature

Beginner (A1–A2) · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

magpie: ________________________
swoop: ________________________
possum: ________________________
kookaburra: ________________________
bushwalking: ________________________
joey: ________________________
wildlife park: ________________________

2. Questions

What colour is a magpie?
☐ Black and white ☐ Red ☐ Brown
What does 'swoop' mean?
☐ Fly down quickly at someone ☐ Sing ☐ Sleep
What does a kookaburra's call sound like?
☐ Laughing ☐ A dog ☐ A car
What is a baby kangaroo called?
☐ A joey ☐ A kit ☐ A cub
What should you wear when bushwalking in summer?
☐ Closed shoes ☐ Thongs ☐ Nothing special

3. Talk or write about it

Describe an animal from your country. What does it look like, and where does it live?

Transcript

Josh: G'day and welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Josh.

Mel: And I'm Mel. Today we're talking about Australian animals!

Josh: Everyone knows kangaroos and koalas. But you might not see them in the city.

Mel: In the city, you'll see lots of birds. Like the magpie, which is black and white.

Josh: Magpies sing beautifully, but in spring some of them swoop.

Mel: Swooping means they fly down at your head to protect their nest. People wear hats or helmets.

Josh: Another city animal is the possum. They're cute, but they're noisy on the roof at night!

Mel: And the kookaburra. Its call sounds like someone laughing.

Josh: Now, people always ask about dangerous animals.

Mel: Yes, Australia has snakes and spiders, but most people rarely see them.

Josh: In summer, if you go bushwalking, wear closed shoes and stay on the path.

Mel: And at the beach, swim between the flags.

Josh: If you want to see kangaroos and koalas up close, visit a wildlife park or a zoo.

Mel: Some parks let you feed the kangaroos. They're very gentle.

Josh: Here's a fun fact: a baby kangaroo is called a joey.

Mel: And kangaroos can't walk backwards!

Josh: That's true. Thanks for listening, nature lovers!

Mel: See you next time!

Answers: 1. Black and white · 2. Fly down quickly at someone · 3. Laughing · 4. A joey · 5. Closed shoes

Frequently asked questions

Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?

Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.

What English level is this episode?

Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.

Which words will I learn in this episode?

magpie, swoop, possum, kookaburra, bushwalking, joey, wildlife park. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.