Learn English through Short Stories - Talking about Homes

Learn English through Short Stories - Talking about Homes – Animated story | Authentic voices

Use this short story to improve your listening and reading (with subtitles) comprehension. Phrases explained.

Perfect for Exam preparation – IELTS | ESL | FCE | CAE

Here is the full transcript of my video:

Hi, my name’s Ed. Welcome to Ed explains English, life in the UK

Ahh, home sweet home!

Yes, it’s nice to go away Judy, but it’s always great to be home. An Englishman’s home is his castle.

Well it’s a shame my Englishman’s castle is an end of terrace home.
There is nothing wrong with this place my dear. We have a front and back garden, with a lawn that rivals Wimbledon’s tennis courts.

Which me and the kids are not allowed to walk on.

Well, with a park nearby, why would you want to? Besides, anything is better than the first apartment we had.

You can say that again. What a poky place that was. Couldn’t even swing a cat in there.

We didn’t even have a cat.

It’s an idiom Ed, which means it was very small. Do you remember the awful landlord we had? What was his name?

Mr Snow. You always used to say, ‘oh no, here comes Snow’.

Oh yes, I remember now. He used to say, ‘Rent money’, never a polite ‘good morning’. We weren’t allowed to have pets, so we had to hide the dog in the bedroom wardrobe.

Yes, that was funny. Apart from that, we were good tenants. The rent was cheap too. So much so, we were able to save money for a deposit on this place.

Tough times, but at least the bank gave us a mortgage. We were home owners at last. We even had enough money to furnish the place.

You’ve always been very house proud Judy, even if it’s ‘just’ an end of terrace. You are happy here, aren’t you?

Well, I have had my eye on a little bungalow in the village where your parents live.

Really? You said that you would never live too close to them.

I know, but I think I’d prefer living in a rural area, after living in an urban area all my life. Even though our neighbours are lovely, the neighbourhood where the bungalow is located, is much quieter.

No barking dogs?

What! Do you mean our dog? He’s the noisiest dog around here! Another thing Ed, the bungalow has a driveway. You wouldn’t have to wash the car on the road anymore.

Well, I would welcome that. I guess I should call up Mr Dixon, our estate agent, so he can put our house on the market.

Would we have to have one of those ‘For Sale’ signs in our front garden? What would the neighbours say?

People will find out soon enough anyway. You know how nosy, neighbours can get. Look! I can see Mable’s curtains twitching. I bet she’s an expert lip reader.

Oh Ed, you read too many spy novels. Let’s go in and have a nice cup of tea. This is still our home, for now.

Yes Judy, and home is where the heart is.

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Graphics: Freepik – Licenced user.

[humphreyowusu-ansah]

Mr. Snow sounds like a typical English Landlord😂. Useful video on the basics of real estate! Thank you Ed!

[garychristou-jowett]

I bloody love these two! Toodle pip! 😂

[stephenrichard]

More great work, Ed and Judy! The UK economy is so dependent on home ownership meaning that we have a fixation with property prices; personal wealth is almost entirely based on the value of one's bricks and mortar. After the weather, house price inflation is perhaps the second most popular topic of conversation among Brits! So, this was an excellent choice of subject for a video.

[renatestienen]

Super, ich finde Ed und Judy einfach fantastisch 👍

[viscountcharlie]

Another great video from the Ed explains English team. Keep up the good work.

[cathychristou-jowett]

Superb, descriptive and witty video on life and living in the UK, Ed 👏👏👏

[stevennikolean]

What a fantastic video. Congratulations to Judy and Ed 👏🏻👏🏻

[jensfichtner]

Schon wieder : informativ und humorvoll ein kleiner Blick in das engl. Leben. 👍😊

[ralfderreptiloid]

Again, interesting topic and I love your art style. Very beautiful illustrations!

[petercermak]

Wie immer interessant und informativ - super..

[Herminator]

Very nice video. Thank you for your brilliant work