The best podcast for learning English if you like current events and trending topics. Improve your English listening, learn new words, and build your confidence with the #1 English-learning podcast focused on stories and English expressions. Join Jeff and JR every Monday and Thursday for a short English lesson. In the first half, you'll enjoy a story about something happening in the world. In the second half, you'll learn how to use a common English expression or phrasal verb. Best of all, t ...
…
continue reading
Today's story: Most American families are confronted with the decision to buy or rent a home at some point. This decision is a common one around the world, but the specific pros and cons can be different, depending on the country. Here's what the decision is like in the U.S. Learn this English expression: When someone has given you money, and you r…
…
continue reading
Today's story: American office culture isn't exactly what you see on TV. In this story, learn about the typical workday, including what time people arrive, what they wear to work, how much time they have for lunch, and how they get to the office from their homes. Learn this English expression: To 'wrap up' is to finish something successfully Full l…
…
continue reading
Today's story: It starts with a notice from a court: ""You have been summoned."" American citizens are occasionally required to appear for jury service. Most people called don't have to serve on juries. Here's what the experience is like, for selected jurors and for those who are excused. Learn this English expression: To 'check in' is to register …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What is retirement like in the United States? (Stay put)
22:39
22:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:39
Today's story: There are over 50 million retirees in the United States, about the equivalent of the entire population of Spain. Every person's retirement is different, but today, you'll learn about what retirement is like for most people in the U.S. Learn this English expression: To 'stay put' is to stay in one place and not move Full lesson: https…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Train travel in the U.S. (Up and running)
21:38
21:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:38
Today's story: Train travel is famous in Europe. In the United States, though, it's a little more complicated. But with some planning, you can make train travel part of a U.S. vacation (if you plan ahead and leave plenty of time). Learn this English expression: A system is 'up and running' when it is fully working Full lesson: https://plainenglish.…
…
continue reading
This workshop teaches you how to use "even as" to present a potential contrast in a sentence. Full workshop: https://plainenglish.com/videos/even-as Video Workshops give you all the tools you need to express more complex ideas. Workshops include: Video lesson ~10 minutes Quiz Exercises Opportunity to practice & get feedback Watch workshops free tod…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Fast Version: A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)
16:26
16:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:26
** Enjoy this fast version of Episode #700. Listen to the fast audio of our lessons by signing up for a free trial at PlainEnglish.com Today's story: America's national parks are an important part of the country's natural landscape and they attract millions of visitors per year. Some parks preserve wilderness areas. Others have pristine beaches. Tw…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)
24:21
24:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:21
Today's story: America's national parks are an important part of the country's natural landscape and they attract millions of visitors per year. Some parks preserve wilderness areas. Others have pristine beaches. Two parks include networks of caves. All are preserved for future generations and open to visitors. Learn this English expression: Someth…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Regional varieties of American pizza (Made of)
22:23
22:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:23
Today's story: You fold it in New York. You put caviar on it in California. You make in a pan for car-parts in Detroit. And you eat it with a knife and fork in Chicago. Pizza is a perfect dish for sharing at parties and around a family dinner table. But pizza is not the same everywhere. Here are four regional varieties in the United States. Learn t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
School life outside the classroom (Try out)
21:50
21:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:50
Today's story: School is about learning. But for many students, school is about so much more: sports teams, after-school clubs, drama, and free time during the school day. Learn what social and after-school life is like at a typical American school. Learn this English expression: To 'try out' is to compete for a role in a play or on a team Full les…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The typical American school day (Spread out)
22:39
22:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:39
Today's story: Math, science, history, reading. Learning these things in school is, now, almost a universal experience. But the specifics of the school day differ from country to country. Here, learn what a typical school day is like in the United States. Learn this English expression: To be 'spread out' is to have a lot of space between each one F…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
America's west: mountains, plains, and desert (Take cover)
23:14
23:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:14
Today's story: America's west is its most visually stunning region, with Rocky Mountain peaks and the bright lights of Las Vegas. The mountain west has beautiful national parks and forests. The southwest is characterized by bigger (and newer cities) and the desert. Learn this English expression: To 'take cover' is to seek protection from danger (of…
…
continue reading
Today's story: The American South used to be an agricultural region, which lagged behind the rest of the country in education, income, and modernization. But that is no more, as the South is now the destination of choice for families moving within the United States. Learn this English expression: A 'safety net' is all the things that protect you fr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What it's like to live in the Midwest (Fall on hard times)
24:30
24:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:30
Today's story: The Midwest may not have the diversity of the east or the spectacular outdoors of the west coast. But it offers a good quality of life at reasonable cost, with a diversified economy and plenty to do inside and outside. Learn this English expression: To 'fall on hard times' is to experience financial hardship Full lesson: https://plai…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A typical American household budget (All in)
21:25
21:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:25
Today's story: Have you ever wondered what a typical American family budget is like? Today, you'll learn about the spending habits of the average household. You'll learn how much typical American families spend on housing, transportation, health care, entertainment, and more. Learn this English expression: 'All in' describes the total cost of an ac…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Typical U.S. salaries by profession (Take out)
22:55
22:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:55
Today's story: Have you ever wondered about the typical salary for American workers? If so, this episode is for you. Learn what people in different professions make, from lawyers and doctors to journalists and teachers. Learn this English expression: Use 'take out' to describe obtaining a loan or insurance policy Full lesson: https://plainenglish.c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
America's best small museums (Pop culture)
20:47
20:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:47
Today's story: We've all heard of the largest museums. But the United States has many smaller museums, too, often focused on just one subject. From the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh to the National World War II museum in New Orleans, learn about some of the nation's best smaller museums. Learn this English expression: 'Pop culture' is the collec…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The best big museums in America (Make a difference)
20:29
20:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:29
Today's story: In this lesson, you'll learn about the nation's great art museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Getty Center. You'll also explore air and space, the history of the automobile, the 9/11 attacks, and the world's biggest children's museum. Learn this English expression: To 'make a difference' is …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Is west-coast living really better? (Year-round)
23:09
23:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:09
Today's story: Life on the west coast really is different. The weather is pleasant, people are healthy, and Western states are often at the forefront of cultural change. It's home to Hollywood and high-tech and has some great public universities. But car culture dominates west-coast cities. Learn this English expression: Something happens 'year-rou…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
East-coast living: the pros and cons (Focus on)
21:40
21:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:40
Today's story: The east coast of the U.S., between Washington, D.C., and Boston, is home to about 50 million people. It has rich history, great cultural treasures, top-notch universities, and four distinct seasons. But the winters are harsh, costs can be high, and the pace of life is fast. Learn this English expression: To focus on something is to …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dollar stores dominate rural America (Fall out of fashion)
22:14
22:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:14
Today's story: Dollar stores started as a novelty, a place where consumers could hunt for amusing bargains. But now, they're a big business. Customers can buy cleaning supplies, hardware, clothes, and some food there, all for rock-bottom prices. But not everyone loves dollar stores. Learn this English expression: If something 'falls out of fashion,…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bad harvests are pushing up orange juice prices (Worthwhile)
23:05
23:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:05
Today's story: Orange juice is the world's favorite fruit juice. But a series of bad harvests in Brazil and Florida is threatening the global supply. Now, producers are wondering whether to use lower-quality juice blends or add other citrus fruits to their orange juice. And farmers are asking whether it's worthwhile to plant new trees. Learn this E…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Lost luggage: What happens to it? (Track down)
22:58
22:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:58
Today's story: Have you ever wondered what airlines do with all the lost luggage? If they can't find owners after three months, they go to auction. Here's what happens to all the lost clothes, jewelry, and electronics (and how you might get in on the action). Learn this English expression: To track something down is to find it after a long search F…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Flying cars: are they finally here? (Creep closer)
21:53
21:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:53
Today's story: Almost since the invention of the car, people have fantasized about flying cars. But it has always been a dream. Now, though, new startups are ready to start transporting passengers in drone-like flying vehicles. The biggest hurdle now is not the technology, but permission from the government. Learn this English expression: A date ca…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Beethoven's hair provides clues to his hearing loss (Suffer from)
20:23
20:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:23
Today's story: A new analysis of Beethoven's hair has found elevated levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic. And while these don't explain the famous composer's death, they may explain some of his many ailments, including gastrointestinal issues, kidney disease, and, yes, hearing loss. Learn this English expression: Use 'suffer from' when someone exp…
…
continue reading