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English with Ally
Welcome to English with Ally!
I'll take you on a journey of language learning and cultural discovery! Each episode is designed to help you improve your English while exploring the traditions, culture and everyday life that make English-speaking countries unique.
From festive fun to fascinating customs, you’ll learn the language and discover the culture – one story at a time.
In season 1, we'll take a look at Christmas customs over 24 episodes exploring the secular and religious traditions of this Christian celebration.
So sit back and enjoy a backstage pass to English culture and language!
Episodes
24 episodes
Merry Christmas checklist!
Hello and welcome to English with Ally! I'm Ally and this is the grand finale of our Christmas series! Over the past episodes, we’ve explored everything from cherished religious traditions to the more quirky, secular custom...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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6:14
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Christmas Countdown: The Who, the What and the When
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, and this is episode 23, the second-to-last episode in special Christmas series. Today we’re diving into what happens on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December—as these da...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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6:06
The Birth of Christ in Poetry and Song
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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5:01
What Christmas Message did the Angels, Shepherds and Kings bring?
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a littl...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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4:07
Before Christmas: how the Story Starts
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a little listening pra...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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4:46
The Best Gift at Christmas: Acts of Kindness and Charity
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a lit...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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3:40
Christmas on the beach: How Aussies and Kiwis Celebrate
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I'm Ally, and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a li...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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4:20
DIY Christmas: How Crafting Makes the Season Special
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a lit...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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3:01
Greenery and Glitter: Exploring Christmas Décor
Hello everyone, and welcome back to English with Ally! I'm Ally, and you are listening to one of 24 episodes I'm making this December to explain different Christmas customs. Like an advent calendar, I'm...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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4:05
Santa Says: Let’s Play Some Christmas Games
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! I’m Ally, and you’re listening to one of 24 episodes I’m making this December to explain different Christmas customs and give English language learners a little culture and a lit...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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2:53
Faith and Festivity: Traditions Across Christian Faiths
Hello everyone, and welcome to English with Ally! In previous episodes, I've looked at different secular, or non-religious, customs around Christmas, but this episode will focus on religious traditions from Roman Catholic,...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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4:16
Ghosts, Greed and Redemption: Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Hi everyone, welcome back to English with Ally! Today, we’re exploring one of the most famous Christmas stories ever written: Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. We’ll look at the story, its <...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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4:24
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Hi there listener, welcome back to English with Ally! I'm Ally.Today, we’re going back in time—to Victorian England—to understand why Charles Dickens has been called “the man who invented Christmas.” Sounds dramatic, righ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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4:48
Christmas Food Traditions
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! Today we’re talking about one of the best parts of the festive season: Christmas food. From savoury dishes to sweet treats, food is at the heart of Christmas celebrations. And if you ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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3:56
Ugly Christmas Jumpers
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! This episode is about possibly the quirkiest festive tradition of them all: Ugly Christmas Jumpers. These colourful, sometimes ridiculous sweaters have become a regular pa...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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3:48
Christmas Cards
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! Today we’re talking about a lovely festive tradition - and one of my favourites - Christmas cards. Where did they come from? Why do we send them? And how has this tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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3:56
Christmas Shopping
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! It's me, Ally!Today's episode is on Christmas shopping but I also want to share a note on why today is important for Roman Catholics. Let's look at some vocabulary first:Words ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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4:32
Secret Santa
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! Today we’re talking about a really fun tradition called Secret Santa. You may have seen this played on some TV shows. What is it? Where does it come from? Who plays it? Do you know?
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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2:38
Santa Claus vs Father Christmas
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! Today we’re exploring two festive figures that many people think are the same: Santa Claus and Father Christmas. Are they really identical? Let’s find out!Santa Claus, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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3:53
Christmas Movies or films
Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! Today I'll be talking about Christmas movies – do you want to guess which films I shall talk about?Naturally at Christmas, some people may watch films about the life of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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4:25
Christmas Carols
Hi everyone, and welcome back to English with Ally! Today, we’re talking about one of the most joyful parts of the holiday season—Christmas songs. From classic tunes to cheerful carols, music is everywhere in December. But what exactly is c...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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3:02
Christmas Markets in the UK
Hello again, and welcome back to English with Ally! Today, we’re talking about something magical—Christmas markets. These festive markets pop up in towns and cities during December, and they’re full of lights, music, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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3:05
What's an Advent Calendar?
Hi everyone, and welcome to English with Ally! Today, we’re diving into something festive and fun—the Advent calendar. You’ve probably seen these colourful calendars filled with chocolates or little gifts, but do you know where they come fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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3:14
English with Ally - Christmas launch
Hello! Welcome to English with Ally – I'm Ally and over the month of December I'll take you on a journey of language learning and cultural discovery! Each episode is designed to help you improve your English while exploring the tradition...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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0:43
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