Learn English Podcast

📕 In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, you’ll explore a powerful list of banned books that can help you improve your English through reading. These stories were removed, challenged, or restricted for political, religious, and social reasons, but today they are considered important cultural and literary works.You’ll learn why each book was banned, what it is about, and how it can strengthen your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and overall English fluency. From easier, more accessible books to more advanced, thought-provoking novels, this episode is designed to help B2 English learners grow through meaningful, real-world input and cultural understanding.A complete vocabulary list from this episode is included so you can study the words and phrases at your own pace and begin using them in real conversations.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary list:1) Banned Book Week - A week-long event in the United States that celebrates books that have been banned or prevented from being in libraries.2) Controversial - Causing disagreement or debate.3) Rebellious - showing a desire to resist authority or control4) Bittersweet - a mixture of sadness and happiness.5) Utopia - an imagined place or state where everything is perfect.6) Satire - a literary work that uses humor or irony to criticize something.7) Explicit - often refers to content that is not suitable for younger audiences.8) Colloquial - (of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal9) Disillusioned - disappointed because something is not as good as one believed it to be.10) Censorship -the practice of controlling what people can read or see

🏄 In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, you’ll explore real California slang so you can understand native speakers and sound more natural in English. I start by explaining the stereotype of the “surfer” accent and how Californians actually speak, then show you the difference between Cali, SoCal, and NorCal. After that, we learn useful slang words such as legit, sick, gnarly, stoked, and amped, with clear explanations and many real-life examples. This episode is great for upper-intermediate English learners who want to improve listening, expand vocabulary, and feel more confident when watching TV shows, movies, or social media from California. Listen closely, repeat the phrases, and start using these expressions in your own conversations.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary list:1) Cali: Shortened version of California2) Cadence: The rhythm or flow of sounds, particularly in speech.3) Legit: Authentic, real, credible (can also mean very good or very bad)4) Sick: Can mean ill, but also used to describe something very good or impressive, or something gross.5) Epic: Grand or monumental, often describing an experience or event.6) Broke: Slang for having no money.7) Gnarly: Extremely good or bad, challenging, dangerous8) Stoked/Amped: Very excited, enthusiastic9) Conman: A person who deceives others for money.10) Crossover: When something from one area (like culture or language) is adopted into another.

⏳ Are you stuck at the intermediate level of English and feel like you're not improving, no matter how hard you try? In this episode of The Learn English Podcast, you’ll discover why so many learners hit the dreaded “intermediate plateau” and what you can realistically do to break through it. I explain how progress slows as your level increases, why most people quit at this stage, and the exact habits, tools, and mindset shifts you need to finally move forward. This episode is designed for B1–B2 English learners who want honest advice, real motivation, and a clear plan to keep improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📚Affiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msuscAffiliate link for italki: https://tinyurl.com/LearnEnglishPod📜 SOURCESSteve Kaufmann: https://www.youtube.com/@ThelinguistStephen Krashen: https://www.sdkrashen.com/Olly Richards: https://www.youtube.com/@storylearning📝 Vocabulary List:1) plateau: a period of little or no progress or improvement2) intensive study: studying something with great effort and concentration3) input hypothesis: the theory that language acquisition occurs through exposure to comprehensible input4) polyglot: a person who knows and is able to speak several languages5) opinion pieces: articles that express a person's thoughts and feelings on a particular topic6) colloquial phrases: informal expressions used in everyday speech7) metaphors: a figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another thing8) analogies: a comparison between two things that are not obviously similar9) young adult literature: books written for young adults10) AI: artificial intelligence

🎧 Are American high schools really like the movies? In this episode, I share my real experience as a U.S. high school teacher and explain what students actually see every day, from yellow school buses and football culture to cliques, announcements, and campus security. This episode helps B1–B2 English learners improve listening comprehension while learning useful vocabulary and real-life cultural details about schools in the United States. If you’ve ever been curious about American school life or want to understand movies and shows more clearly, this episode is for you.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpod📝 Vocabulary list:1) Depicted: shown or represented in a picture or description2) Adolescence: the period of time when a young person is developing from a child into an adult3) Pickup and drop-off zone: a place where people can pick up or drop off passengers4) School district: a geographical area that is responsible for providing public education5) K-9 /canine unit: a group of police dogs and their handlers6) Cliques: small groups of people who spend time together7) Marching band: a group of musicians who play instruments while marching8) Cheerleaders: people who lead cheers and dances at sporting events9) Pep rally: a meeting of students and teachers to encourage a sports team10) Intercom / PA system: a system for communicating between different parts of a building11) Bulletin: a notice or announcement

🌅 In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, you will explore the history, culture, and identity of California while improving your English listening and vocabulary skills. You’ll learn why California is called the Golden State, how the Gold Rush of 1849 led to statehood, and how the state grew to become the most populated in the United States. This episode explains California’s geography, including its beaches, mountains, deserts, and agricultural regions known as the “world’s salad bowl.” You’ll also discover why California is home to Hollywood and Silicon Valley and how these industries shaped the global economy. Designed for B1–B2 English learners, this episode helps you practice real-life English through American history and culture, with a vocabulary list included in the description to support your learning.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary list:1) Nickname - A familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name.2) Slogan - A short and memorable phrase used in advertising or associated with a particular group or product.3) Gold rush - A period when many people moved to a place where gold had been discovered in hopes of becoming rich.4) Influx - An arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things.5) Statehood - The status of being a recognized independent state.6) 49ers: people who migrated to California in 1849 during the gold rush7) Cost of living - The amount of money needed to sustain a certain standard of living, including basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare.8) Super bloom - An event where an unusually high number of wildflowers bloom at the same time, often after a lot of rain.9) California Poppy - the state flower of California10) Wildflower - A flower that grows in natural places without being deliberately cultivated.11) Giant Sequoias/Redwoods - large, ancient trees found in California12) Extinction - The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct.

✨ This week we celebrate one year of the Learn English Podcast, and I’m sharing the most important lessons from my own 20-year journey learning a second language. I open up about the mistakes I made, what finally helped me improve, and how these ideas can make your English learning faster and more effective. From classroom methods to apps like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, to input-based tools like LingQ, this episode gives you a clear and honest look at what actually works. It’s a great episode for ESL and EFL learners who want real-life English, useful vocabulary in context, and motivation for the next step of their language journey.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📜 SOURCESSteve Kaufmann: @ThelinguistStephen Krashen: https://www.sdkrashen.com/Olly Richards: https://storylearning.com/📝 Vocabulary list:1) Obstacles: Things that block one's way or prevent progress.2) Straight A student: A student who achieves the highest possible grades in all their subjects.3) In context: within a specific situation or environment.4) Cavalier: Showing a lack of proper concern; being dismissive.5) Input hypothesis: the theory that language learning occurs through exposure to comprehensible input.6) Visual flashcard: a card with a picture and a word.7) To beat ourselves up: to criticize or blame ourselves.8) To compare ourselves to other people: to judge ourselves based on the achievements of others.9) To be grateful for: to feel thankful for.

Explore the challenges of pronouncing ten tricky English words that often stump learners. Discover why 'Wednesday' isn't pronounced like it looks and uncover the nuances behind words like 'subtle' and 'squirrel.' Gain insights into mastering the American accent, particularly a neutral Southern Californian sound. Practical tips and engaging exercises are shared to boost your pronunciation confidence. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their speaking skills and sound more natural in English!

📚 School idioms are everywhere in American English, even when you're not talking about school. In this episode, you’ll learn expressions like “teacher’s pet,” “class clown,” “straight-A student,” “crunch time,” “ace it,” “hit the books,” and “pull an all-nighter.” I explain what each phrase means, how native speakers use them, and how you can use them naturally in your own conversations. This is a great episode for ESL and EFL learners who want practical vocabulary, real-life examples, and a better understanding of American school culture. Listen, learn, and improve your English one idiom at a time.🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary list:1) high school: a school for teenagers between the ages of approximately 14 and 182) teacher's pet: a student who is a teacher's favorite3) class clown: a student who tries to be funny and often disrupts the class4) straight A student: a student who consistently gets the highest grades5) head of the class/top of the class: the best student in a class6) ace it - To do very well on something, like a test or task.7) cut class: to skip a class without permission8) saved by the bell - To be saved from something unpleasant at the last possible moment, often by a bell signaling the end of a school class.9) cracking the books/hitting the books: studying10) procrastinate: to delay or postpone something11) crunch time: a period of intense activity and pressure12) cramming: studying intensively in a short period of time13) pull an all-nighter: to stay awake all night to study or work14) stereotype: a widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a person or group

Get ready for a cinematic journey with five travel-inspired films to improve your English. From the adventurous 'Into the Wild' to the transformative 'Eat, Pray, Love,' these movies will enhance your vocabulary and comprehension. Explore dark comedy in Bruges, embark on a healing journey on the Camino de Santiago, and experience the landscapes of Iceland in 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.'

🇺🇸 It’s Independence Day week in the United States, and today’s episode takes a deep dive into the story and history behind the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This lesson teaches English in context by explaining the real historical event that inspired the anthem, why Francis Scott Key wrote it, and how it became one of the most recognizable symbols of American identity. You will hear the meaning behind key vocabulary, cultural references, and the lyrics themselves so you can strengthen your English while learning about U.S. history.This episode also explains why the anthem is controversial today. We explore why the song is difficult to sing, why the lesser-known verses create debate, and how Francis Scott Key’s personal views and actions complicate the story. You’ll also learn about modern proposals for alternative anthems and why some Americans believe the song should be changed. 🔔 Follow us on social media @LearnEnglishPod and visit our website:Podcast website: https://learnenglishpod.com/Follow us on social Media: https://linktr.ee/learnenglishpodTake lessons with me: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/8531387📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbb📝 Vocabulary list:1) Commemorates - Honors the memory of a significant event or person.2) Founding - The establishment or creation of something, such as a country or organization.3) The Star Spangled Banner - The national anthem of the United States.4) Composed - Created music or poetry.5) Poetic verses - Lines of poetry.6) Twilight - The time of day just after sunset.7) Perilous - Dangerous or risky.8) Notorious - Famous for something bad.9) Abolitionists - People who supported the end of slavery.10) Problematic - Causing problems or difficulties.11) Controversial position - A stance that causes disagreement or debate.12) War of 1812 - a war fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815📜 SOURCEShttps://www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/francis-scott-key.htmhttps://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/war-of-1812https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6384919https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/pdf/ssb_lyrics.pdfhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/10/18/star-spangled-banner-racist-national-anthem/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-national-anthem-lift-every-voice-and-sing/