Telling Time in English Podcast Made Simple for Beginners
Welcome to a practical and motivating lesson focused on telling time in English for beginners. In this Easy English Podcast episode, Mike and Anna guide you step by step through real-life conversations about clocks, schedules, and daily plans.
This episode is specially designed for A1–A2 learners who want clear structure and simple explanations. Instead of complex grammar, you will learn through repetition, listening, and natural dialogue.
✨ You will discover how to use quarter past, quarter to, and half past correctly.
✨ You will practice English time phrases for beginners in real situations.
✨ You will build real confidence in telling time in English clearly and naturally.
Through everyday examples—meeting a friend, catching a train, going to class—you will understand how native speakers talk about time. By the end of the episode, you will be able to say the time clearly, understand others easily, and use common English time expressions in your daily life.
If you want a simple, supportive, and structured way to improve your English speaking skills, this lesson on telling time in English is the perfect step forward.
Essential Telling Time Vocabulary (A1–A2 Level)
Clock /klɒk/ — noun → a device that shows the time.Schedule /ˈskedʒuːl/ — noun → a plan of activities and times.
Quarter /ˈkwɔːrtər/ — noun → fifteen minutes; one part of an hour.
Half /hæf/ — noun → thirty minutes; one of two equal parts.
Meeting /ˈmiːtɪŋ/ — noun → a planned time to see someone.
Class /klæs/ — noun → a lesson at school or a course.
Leave /liːv/ — verb → to go away from a place.
Start /stɑːrt/ — verb → to begin something.
Morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ — noun → the early part of the day.
Evening /ˈiːvnɪŋ/ — noun → the later part of the day after afternoon.
Useful English Phrases
What time is it? → You ask this when you want to know the time.It is quarter past ten. → It is 15 minutes after ten.
It is half past two. → It is 30 minutes after two.
It is quarter to six. → It is 15 minutes before six.
It is nine p.m. → The time is nine in the evening.
The meeting starts at eight. → The meeting begins at eight o’clock.
I usually leave at six. → I go away from home at six o’clock.
My class is at half past two. → My lesson begins at 2:30.
The train leaves at eight a.m. → The train goes at eight in the morning.
Let’s meet at quarter past seven. → Let’s see each other at 7:15.
English Quiz – Test Your Vocabulary
Practice English Writing – Discussion Questions
1. Why is telling time in English important in daily life? Give 2–3 examples from real situations (for example: meetings, school, transport).2.Which time expressions are easy or difficult for you (quarter past, half past, quarter to)? Explain why and give 2 examples.
👉 Try to answer these questions in the comments below the page! This is very important for practicing and remembering what you learned.
Podcast Transcript – Telling Time in English
Mike: Hello and welcome to the Easy English Podcast Show! I am Mike, and I am so happy to be here with you today.
Anna: And I’m Anna! Hi everyone! Are you ready to look at your watch? Because today, in our podcast, we are talking about clocks and schedules!
Mike: That’s right! Time is everything. Today, we are learning about telling time in English. It helps us meet friends, catch buses, and start our day on time.
Anna: Exactly! By the end of this episode, you will be able to say the time clearly and understand when someone tells you the time. You will learn how to tell the time in English with real confidence!
Mike: Please, don’t worry about mistakes. Even native speakers sometimes get confused with time! Just listen, relax, and enjoy the lesson.
Anna: We are here to help you. You are doing a great job just by listening. Let’s start our English time for beginners podcast lesson!
– Natural Conversation: Planning the Day in English
Mike: Now, let’s listen to a short, simple English telling time conversation. Imagine Anna and Mike are planning their day. Listen to the phrases we use.
Anna: Mike, what time is it right now? I don’t have my phone.
Mike: Let me see… It is exactly nine o’clock in the morning.
Anna: Oh! It is early. What time is our coffee meeting with Sarah?
Mike: The meeting is at quarter past ten.
Anna: Is that 10:15 a.m.?
Mike: Yes, 10:15 a.m. We have one hour.
Anna: Good. And what time is your English class in the afternoon?
Mike: My class is at half past two.
Anna: So, at 2:30 p.m.?
Mike: Exactly. And I have a gym class in the evening too.
Anna: Wow, you are busy! What time is the gym?
Mike: It starts at quarter to seven.
Anna: That is 6:45 p.m. You need to leave the house early!
Mike: Yes, I usually leave at six o’clock.
Anna: Well, you have a very busy day today, Mike!
Mike: I do! But I like to be on time.
– Key Time Expressions in English Explained
Anna: That was a lot of English clock vocabulary! Mike, let’s explain some of those phrases for our listeners.
Mike: Great idea. Telling time English A1 A2 is easier if you think about the “quarters” of the clock.
Anna: Yes! First, let’s look at “quarter past”. This means fifteen minutes after the hour. For example, 10:15 is “quarter past ten.” Repeat after me: quarter past.
Mike: And then we have “quarter to”. This means fifteen minutes before the next hour. So, 6:45 is “quarter to seven.” It is almost seven o’clock!
Anna: It is okay if this feels a little strange. You are doing great. Now, what about “half past”?
Mike: “Half past” is thirty minutes. So, 2:30 is “half past two.” It’s like the clock is cut in half! Repeat after me: half past.
Anna: These are basic English time phrases that people use every single day.
Mike: You don’t need to remember everything today. Just listening to these English time expressions is a big step.
Anna: Exactly. Every time you listen, you learn more. We are so proud of your progress! Now, let’s see these words in real life.
– Real-Life Practice for Telling Time in English
Mike: Now, let’s see how these words live in our real lives. Because time is more than just numbers on a clock!
Anna: You are so right, Mike! Imagine you are at a train station. You look at the big screen, turn to the person next to you, and ask: “What time is it?”
Mike: The screen says 8:00. The worker says: “The train leaves at eight o’clock in the morning.” That is 8:00 a.m.!
Anna: Or imagine you are meeting a friend for lunch. Your friend calls and says: “Let’s meet at half past one in the afternoon.”
Mike: That is 1:30 p.m.! It is a very common way to use English time expressions when we make plans.
Anna: And what about dinner? Maybe you have a table at a restaurant at quarter past seven in the evening.
Mike: That sounds like a lovely dinner! That is 7:15 p.m. We use a.m. for the morning and p.m. for the afternoon and evening.
Anna: These basic English time phrases help you stay organized. It makes you feel so much more confident when you learn English time!
Mike: Yes! Whether it is quarter to nine or twelve o’clock, you are learning to speak to the world in English.
– Speaking Practice: Say the Time with Confidence
Anna: Now, it is your turn to speak! This is your special English speaking practice daily routine for time! Are you ready? Don’t be shy—speak out loud!
Mike: I will say the phrase, and then there will be a pause for you. Repeat after me. Let’s start with the question. “What time is it?”
Anna: Great! Now let’s try a full hour. Repeat after me: “It is ten o’clock.”
Mike: Excellent. Now, let’s try the quarters. Repeat: “It is quarter past four.”
Anna: Very good! Now let’s try the other side of the clock. Repeat: “It is quarter to six.”
Mike: Now, the middle! Repeat after me: “It is half past two.”
Anna: Now let’s add the time of day. Repeat: “It is eight a.m.”
Mike: And the evening! Repeat: “It is nine p.m.”
Anna: You are doing so well! Every time you say these phrases, your brain understands how to say the time in English a little better.
Mike: It is okay if you feel a little slow. Take your time! You are doing a truly great job today.
Anna: Yes, you are! Take a deep breath. You are speaking English!
– Progress Check: Test Your Time Vocabulary
Mike: We are almost at the end of our lesson today! You have worked so hard. Let’s do a quick checkpoint to see your progress. I will ask you two simple questions. Are you ready?
Anna: I know you can do it! Just take a breath and speak. You are ready for this.
Mike: Question number one. The clock says 3:30. How do you say that in English?
Anna: That’s right! It is half past three. Or three-thirty! Great job.
Mike: Now, question two. It is 5:45 in the evening. How do you say that using a quarter?
Anna: Yes! It is quarter to six p.m.! You are doing amazing.
Mike: See? At the start of this episode, we said you would be able to say the time clearly and understand others. And look at you now!
Anna: Every small step matters. You are building your confidence, one word at a time.
Mike: You are doing great. Truly great. Be proud of yourself today! We are so happy to be your teachers.
– Conclusion: Master Telling Time in English
Anna: Thank you so much for listening to us today. It was so much fun to talk about clocks and schedules with you!
Mike: If you liked this telling time in English lesson, please like the video and subscribe to our channel.
Anna: And write a comment! Tell us: What time is it in your city right now? We want to know!
Mike: Your support is very important. It helps us create more useful podcasts for you and for learners everywhere.
Anna: Thank you for listening to Easy English Podcast Show.
Mike: Have a beautiful day and keep practicing your English clock vocabulary.
Anna: Goodbye everyone!
Mike: Goodbye!