Improve Your English Listening with Real Conversations (Intermediate) | English Podcast!

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:01]This is Max and Mia podcast.

[00:00:05]>> Hello everyone and welcome back to Max and Mia podcast.

[00:00:10]>> Good to have you here with us today.

[00:00:12]>> So before we get into things, Max, can I ask you something?

[00:00:17]>> Go ahead.

[00:00:18]>> Do you remember the first time you had to ask for directions in a place you didn't know at all? Like you had no idea where you were. Oh, that feeling. Yes.

[00:00:30]That mix of Okay, stay calm and total panic at the same time.

[00:00:36]>> Right. And somehow you still had to talk to a real person and figure it out. I think a lot of people listening right now know exactly what that feels like.

[00:00:48]>> It's one of those situations where you think, "I need the right words and I need them now." which by the way is kind of what today is all about. We have three conversations lined up that are genuinely useful for everyday life, especially if you're in a new country and still finding your way around.

[00:01:11]>> These are the kind of situations that come up all the time and having the right language for them makes a real difference.

[00:01:19]>> Ready?

[00:01:20]>> Let's go.

[00:01:25]All right, let's get into the first one.

[00:01:28]And this one I think is something a lot of people can relate to.

[00:01:33]>> Definitely. And just a quick note before we start, today's conversations are intermediate level. So somewhere between A2, B1, and even B2. But if you're looking for something a little more basic or maybe you want more of a challenge, we do have other episodes on the channel for that too. So feel free to explore, >> right? There's something for everyone.

[00:02:01]But today, no more waiting.

[00:02:03]>> Today's first conversation is about claiming a misconnecting flight.

[00:02:09]You know, one of those situations where everything goes wrong at the airport and suddenly you're standing at a desk trying to explain your whole situation in a language that isn't yours.

[00:02:23]>> It happens more than people think.

[00:02:26]Delays, gate changes, tight connections.

[00:02:29]Travel always finds a way to surprise you.

[00:02:32]>> And being ready for that kind of moment can really make a difference. There's actually a saying in English that fits perfectly here. Better safe than sorry.

[00:02:44]>> Which basically means it's better to be prepared for something bad than to deal with it unprepared.

[00:02:52]>> Exactly.

[00:02:53]Okay, let's get into it.

[00:02:56]>> Excuse me. Hi. I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need some help. I just landed from Madrid about 40 minutes ago and I missed my connecting flight to Toronto. It was supposed to leave at 3:15 and I I don't know. By the time I got through passport control, it was already too late.

[00:03:15]>> Okay, don't worry. Let me take a look.

[00:03:17]Can I have your boarding pass and your passport, please?

[00:03:21]>> Yes, of course. Here you go. I do have all my documents. It's just that the line at passport control was incredibly long and no one told me there was a gate change. My original gate was B7, but then it moved to D12. And I had no idea until I checked my phone, and by then >> I understand. It says here, "Your flight from Madrid was delayed by about 25 minutes. Is that right?"

[00:03:45]>> Yes, exactly. We landed late. It wasn't my fault. I mean, I didn't miss the flight because I was late or anything like that. The delay cost it.

[00:03:54]>> Right. I can see that on the system. So, since the delay was on our end, we can rebook you at no extra cost. The next available flight to Toronto departs at 7:40 this evening. Would that work for you?

[00:04:06]>> 7:40. Okay, that's like 4 hours from now. I mean, it's not ideal, but I don't really have another option, do I?

[00:04:15]>> Unfortunately, that's the next one we have tonight. There is another flight tomorrow morning at 6:55 if you'd prefer, but I'd imagine you'd rather get there today. No, no. Tonight is better.

[00:04:26]Let's go with the 740. Is it the same airline or >> It's a partner airline, but your baggage will be transferred automatically, so you won't need to collect it and check it in again.

[00:04:37]>> Oh, that's actually a relief. I was worried about that. What about the seat?

[00:04:41]Last time something like this happened, I ended up in a middle seat for an 8-hour flight, which was not fun.

[00:04:47]>> Let me see what's available. I can offer you a window seat in row 24 or an aisle seat in row 31. Which would you prefer?

[00:04:56]>> The aisle, please. Definitely the aisle.

[00:04:59]>> Done. So, I'm booking you on flight AC 872, departing at 7:40 from gate C4.

[00:05:06]You'll need to be there at least 40 minutes before departure.

[00:05:10]>> C4. Got it. And is there anything I can get in the meantime, like a meal voucher or something? I haven't eaten since this morning and I've been running around this airport for the past hour.

[00:05:21]>> Yes, absolutely. Because the delay was caused by us, you're entitled to a meal voucher. Here you go. It covers up to 15 at any of the restaurants on level two.

[00:05:31]>> Oh, brilliant. Thank you so much. I have to say I was pretty stressed when I came over here, but you've been really helpful.

[00:05:38]>> No problem at all. These things happen more often than you'd think. Just make sure you're at gate C4 by 7:00 at the latest.

[00:05:46]I will. Thanks again. Really >> have a good flight, Mr. Allen. Take care.

[00:05:51]>> Okay. Wow. Just listening to that stresses me out a little.

[00:05:56]>> Right. Missing a connecting flight is genuinely one of the worst feelings.

[00:06:01]You're tired, you're confused, and suddenly you have to explain everything in another language.

[00:06:08]>> And what I liked about Allan in that conversation is that he didn't panic. He was frustrated, sure, but he stayed polite and that actually helped things move along much faster.

[00:06:22]>> Exactly. So, let's talk about some of the things that stood out. First one, and this is a big one for me, it wasn't my fault. I mean, did you catch that?

[00:06:35]>> Yes. And that I mean is so natural. It's not really adding information. It's just giving him a second to explain himself without sounding aggressive. A lot of learners skip that kind of filler, but it actually makes your English sound much more real.

[00:06:55]>> Same with I don't really have another option, do I? That little do I at the end is what we call a question tag. He's not genuinely asking. He already knows the answer. It's more about expressing how he feels about the situation.

[00:07:14]>> A bit resigned, a bit frustrated, but still polite. And speaking of polite, notice how the agent said the delay was on our end. That phrase on our end is really common in customer service. It means on our side, our responsibility.

[00:07:33]Very useful to recognize when someone is taking accountability. And then there's you're entitled to as in you have the right to this. This is yours. Not a gift, not a favor. Something he deserved because of the situation, >> which is important to know because a lot of people in that situation don't ask.

[00:08:00]They don't know they can.

[00:08:03]>> Knowing the right words really does change things. Okay, one more.

[00:08:09]Brilliant. Short, spontaneous, very natural. It's common in British English as a way to react positively to good news. You might also hear great, perfect, or that works for me in similar moments.

[00:08:26]>> So, the key takeaway from this conversation is stay calm, be clear about what happened, and don't be afraid to ask. The words are there, you just need to use them.

[00:08:40]>> Well said. All right, moving on to our second conversation of the day. And this one is also something that can happen to pretty much anyone.

[00:08:51]>> You go out for dinner with some friends, you have a great time, and then the bill arrives and something doesn't add up.

[00:09:00]Maybe there are items on there you didn't order or something got charged twice.

[00:09:06]>> It's an awkward moment because you don't want to make a scene. You don't want to seem difficult, but at the same time, it's your money and there's clearly been a mistake.

[00:09:17]>> And that's exactly the point. It was a mistake. So, how do you handle it in English without sounding rude or making things uncomfortable?

[00:09:27]That's what this next conversation is about.

[00:09:31]>> Ready?

[00:09:31]>> Let's go.

[00:09:34]>> Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt. Hi. Could I speak with the manager or whoever handles billing? There seems to be a small issue with our check.

[00:09:42]>> Of course, that's me. Is everything okay?

[00:09:45]>> Yeah. Yeah, the food was great.

[00:09:46]Honestly, it's just I was going over the bill and a couple of things don't quite add up. I don't think it's intentional or anything. It's probably just a mixup, but I wanted to sort it out before we pay.

[00:09:58]>> Sure, no problem. Let me have a look.

[00:10:00]Can you show me?

[00:10:01]>> Yeah. So, right here, we've got two portions of garlic bread listed, but we only ordered one. And then this one, the grilled salmon. We didn't have that at all. We were a table of four, and nobody ordered fish tonight.

[00:10:14]>> Oh, I see. Let me check the order here.

[00:10:17]You're right. I'm sorry about that. It looks like the salmon was meant to go to table 9, not table 6. That's definitely our mistake.

[00:10:24]>> No worries. It happens. I figured it was something like that. And the garlic bread thing, I'm not sure how that ended up doubled either, but >> yeah, that shouldn't be there. I'm going to take both of those off right now.

[00:10:35]Give me just a second.

[00:10:36]>> Thank you. I appreciate it. And while you're at it, I just want to double check one more thing. We ordered two glasses of the house white, but I'm seeing three on here.

[00:10:45]>> Three glasses of white. Let me see. H.

[00:10:49]Yeah, that does look like an extra one.

[00:10:52]Did anyone at the table maybe order a second glass at some point?

[00:10:55]>> I mean, possibly, but honestly, I don't think so. We had a bottle of red between us for most of the evening. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but I'm fairly sure it was two.

[00:11:06]>> Okay, I trust you on that. I'll take the third one off as well. I'd rather sort it out properly than have you leave feeling like something wasn't right.

[00:11:13]>> That's really decent of you. Thank you.

[00:11:15]I wasn't trying to make a fuss. I just noticed it and thought it was worth mentioning.

[00:11:20]>> No, absolutely. You did the right thing.

[00:11:22]These things slip through sometimes, especially on a busy night like tonight.

[00:11:25]I'm really sorry for the inconvenience.

[00:11:28]>> Honestly, don't worry about it. Like I said, the food was brilliant, and the service was great, so this doesn't change any of that.

[00:11:34]>> I'm glad to hear that. Okay, so I've removed the salmon, one of the garlic breads, and the extra glass of wine.

[00:11:40]Your new total comes to 67 lbs. Does that look right to you? Let me just Yeah, that looks much better. That makes sense now.

[00:11:48]>> Perfect. And again, I'm sorry about the confusion. I'll make sure to flag it with the kitchen so it doesn't happen again.

[00:11:53]>> No need to apologize. Really, these things happen. We'll definitely be coming back, so just make sure you remember us next time.

[00:12:01]>> I'll do my best. Thank you so much for your patience and for pointing it out so nicely. Have a great rest of your evening.

[00:12:09]>> Okay. I love that conversation because Tom handled it so well. Like there was never a moment where it felt tense or uncomfortable, >> which is exactly the goal, right? Nobody wants a confrontation over a bill. You just want to fix it and move on. And the way he opened was really smart. There seems to be a small issue. Not you charged me wrong. Not this is a mistake.

[00:12:40]Just there seems to be an issue.

[00:12:44]>> That word seems is doing a lot of work there. It keeps things open. It doesn't point fingers. And then he follows it with it's probably just a mixup which again takes the aggression completely out of the situation. And that's something worth practicing. Honestly, in English, how you frame something matters just as much as what you're actually saying.

[00:13:12]>> Let's talk about it doesn't quite add up. That's a really natural way to say that the numbers don't make sense, that something is off. You'll hear this a lot in everyday situations, not just restaurants. And then there's I figured it was something like that. Super casual, very native. It's a way of saying I assumed, I suspected. It shows you're not surprised and you're not making a big deal out of it.

[00:13:46]>> One that I really liked was I wouldn't say it's impossible, but that's a great example of softening your position without backing down completely. He's not saying yes and he's not saying no.

[00:14:01]He's leaving room for doubt while still making his point.

[00:14:05]>> Very diplomatic. And the staff did something really good, too. I trust you on that. Short, simple, and it immediately diffuses any tension. It basically says, "I believe you. Let's move forward." And then Tom wraps it up beautifully with I wasn't trying to make a fuss. That phrase to make a fuss means to complain or cause a scene. And by saying he wasn't trying to do that, he reassures the staff that this was never personal.

[00:14:43]>> The whole conversation is honestly a masterclass in being assertive without being rude. you can stand your ground and still leave everyone feeling good about the interactions, >> which when you're speaking a second language is not always easy, but it's absolutely something you can learn.

[00:15:05]>> All right, and now we're on to our third and final conversation of the day. and this one.

[00:15:13]Okay, raise your hand if you've ever been completely lost in a metro station in a city you don't know.

[00:15:22]>> Both hands up for me.

[00:15:24]>> Same. It's a very specific kind of stress. Everything's moving fast. There are signs everywhere, lines going in different directions, and you're just standing there trying to figure out where on earth you need to go.

[00:15:41]>> And buying a ticket alone can already be confusing. The machines, the zones, the different types of passes >> exactly. So, in this last conversation, we're going to hear someone asking for directions inside a metro station. And what's great about it is that it covers a lot of the language you'd actually need in that moment. Not just where is the train, but the whole interaction >> because sometimes you need to ask someone nearby. And knowing how to do that naturally without freezing up makes a huge difference.

[00:16:21]>> Okay, last one. Let's go.

[00:16:25]>> Sorry. Hi. Excuse me. Do you happen to know this station? Well, I am a bit lost and I can't quite figure out the map.

[00:16:32]>> Yeah, sure. I can try to help. Where are you trying to get to?

[00:16:35]>> I need to get to King's Cross. I'm pretty sure I need to change lines somewhere, but I have no idea where. And honestly, the map is making my head spin a little.

[00:16:46]>> Yeah, it can be a lot at first. Okay, so you're on the central line right now, the red one. You need to get to King's Cross St. pancreas, which is on the Piccadilly line, the dark blue one. So, you'll need to change once.

[00:16:58]>> Okay, one change. That's not too bad.

[00:17:01]Where do I do that?

[00:17:02]>> So, the easiest way is to stay on this line and get off at Hullburn. That's only two stops from here. Then, from Hullburn, you pick up the Piccadilly line going eastbound, and King's Cross is the third stop. Shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes.

[00:17:15]>> Hullburn. Okay. And is it well signposted inside? Like, will I be able to find the Piccadilly line without too much trouble? Or is it one of those stations where you walk forever and still end up in the wrong place?

[00:17:28]>> Honestly, Hoburn is pretty straightforward. Just follow the signs for the Piccadilly line once you get off. It's not that deep. You'll see the color coding, too, so that helps.

[00:17:37]>> That's a relief. And I haven't bought a ticket yet. I was going to do that, but then I couldn't figure out the machine.

[00:17:43]Do you know if I need a separate ticket for the whole journey or?

[00:17:47]>> So, if you're just doing a one-off trip, the easiest thing is to get a single fair that covers both lines. The machines can be a bit confusing, but if you press pay as you go and tap your card, it charges you automatically for the whole journey. Do you have a contactless card or your phone?

[00:18:02]>> Oh, I can use my phone.

[00:18:04]>> Yeah, just tap it on the yellow reader at the gate. Same as a card. It works out cheaper than buying a paper ticket as well, so that's probably your best bet.

[00:18:11]>> Oh, wow. Oh, I didn't know that. That's actually so much easier. I was standing at the machine for 5 minutes trying to work it out.

[00:18:18]>> Yeah, most people don't realize at first the machines are fine, but contactless is just faster.

[00:18:23]>> Right. Okay. So, just to make sure I've got it. Central line toburn, change to the Piccadilly line going east. Three stops to King's Cross.

[00:18:32]>> Exactly. You've got it. And if you're ever unsure on the platform, just check the board. It shows the final destination of the train, so you'll know if you're going the right way. That's really helpful. Thank you. I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, to be honest.

[00:18:46]>> Don't worry about it. Everyone's been there. First time on the tube.

[00:18:49]>> Is it that obvious?

[00:18:52]>> A little bit. Yeah, but you'll get the hang of it. It's actually pretty logical once it clicks.

[00:18:56]>> I hope so. Thanks again. Really, you've been a lifesaver.

[00:19:00]>> No problem. Good luck.

[00:19:03]>> Okay, that last exchange between Sara and the local guy was so real. Like you could genuinely picture that happening.

[00:19:14]>> Exactly. And what made it work was how Sarah opened. She didn't just walk up and say, "Where is King's Cross?" She said, "Do you happen to know this station?" Well, that phrase, "Do you happen to know?" is one of those things that separates someone who sounds natural from someone who sounds like they're reciting from a textbook. It's polite. It's soft. It gives the other person an easy way out if they can't help >> and it immediately sets a friendly tone.

[00:19:51]The whole conversation stayed warm because of how she started it.

[00:19:56]>> Then there's the map is making my head spin. That's an idiom and a really useful one. To make your head spin means something is confusing or overwhelming you. And notice she didn't say the map is confusing. She said it's making my head spin, which is much more vivid and much more human.

[00:20:20]>> Right? And the local responds with it can be a lot at first. Again, no technical language, just natural. A lot here doesn't mean a large quantity. It means overwhelming, intense. Context changes everything with expressions like that.

[00:20:41]>> One I want to highlight is shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes. That structure shouldn't take more than is incredibly practical. You can use it for time, for effort, for pretty much anything. It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. It shouldn't take more than two stops. Learn that one. Use it.

[00:21:06]>> And then Sara asks something really smart. She says, "Is it one of those stations where you walk forever and still end up in the wrong place?" Now, grammatically, that's quite a long sentence, but it's completely natural and it shows personality. She's not just asking for information. She's expressing a feeling and that's what makes real conversation feel alive.

[00:21:36]>> The local answers with it's not that deep, which is a very casual way of saying it's not that complicated.

[00:21:45]Literally, the word deep has nothing to do with a metro station, but in informal English, it means complex, layered, difficult to navigate.

[00:21:56]really good one to have in your back pocket.

[00:21:59]>> Then we get your best bet as in the best option available to you. Your best bet is to take the pick a dilly line. It's not formal at all. It's the kind of thing you say to a friend and it makes the advice feel less like an instruction and more like a genuine recommendation.

[00:22:21]And then at the end, Sarah summarizes everything back. Central line to Hobburn. Change to the Piccadilly line going east. Three stops to King's Cross.

[00:22:33]That technique, repeating the information back to confirm you understood, is not just useful for learning. It's something native speakers do all the time. It shows you were listening and it gives the other person a chance to correct you if something was wrong, >> which is so important when you're in a real situation and you genuinely need to get somewhere.

[00:23:00]>> And she closes with you've been a lifaver.

[00:23:05]Literally, a lifesaver is someone who saves your life. But in everyday English, it just means someone helped you out a lot when you really needed it.

[00:23:17]Completely natural, totally normal to say to a stranger.

[00:23:21]>> The whole thing is a great example of how you don't need perfect grammar to communicate well. What you need is the right phrases, the right tone, and the confidence to start the conversation.

[00:23:35]And honestly, that's a good way to sum up everything we covered today.

[00:23:40]>> Three very different situations. An airport, a restaurant, a metro station.

[00:23:47]But in all three of them, the person who came out on top wasn't the one with the biggest vocabulary.

[00:23:54]It was the one who stayed calm, used the right words for the moment, and wasn't afraid to speak up.

[00:24:01]>> That's really what this is about. not being perfect, being functional, being understood, and getting what you need.

[00:24:10]>> And look, if you made it through all three conversations today and followed along, that already says a lot about where you are with your English. A two or B1, it doesn't matter. You're here, you're listening, you're putting in the work. That counts for more than people realize. Language learning is not a straight line. Some days things click and some days they don't. But every episode you listen to, every phrase you pick up, every time you catch something you wouldn't have caught before, that's progress. Even if it doesn't feel like it.

[00:24:51]>> So keep going. Seriously, the discomfort you feel when you're not sure of a word or when you freeze for a second, that's not a sign that you're failing. That's exactly what learning feels like.

[00:25:05]>> And we'll be back with more conversations, more situations, more of the kind of English that actually comes up in real life.

[00:25:14]>> Thank you for spending this time with us today. It really does mean a lot that you choose to learn with Max and Mia podcast.

[00:25:23]>> Take care of yourselves >> and we'll see you in the next one.

[00:25:30]>> To keep taking your English to the next level, click on the next video or explore the others we've made for you.