Learn English Podcast

☕ his episode explores four holiday drinks Americans look forward to each winter — Pumpkin Spice Latte, Hot Apple Cider, Sparkling Apple Cider, and Eggnog. Each drink is explained through history, ingredients, traditions, and how people enjoy them today.This episode is ideal for English learners who want to improve listening and understand U.S. culture in a real, relaxed way. Listeners learn vocabulary naturally and hear how Americans talk about tradition and seasonal celebrations.🔔 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 list1) Seasonal Drinks: Beverages associated with a specific time of year, such as fall and winter.2) Juggernaut: A term used to describe something extremely popular or powerful, like the pumpkin spice latte.3) Customary: traditional or commonly done in a particular society.4) Hard drink: A drink containing alcohol.5) Visually Appealing: Attractive in appearance; something that looks nice.6) Seasonal Flavorings: Ingredients or tastes associated with fall and winter spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and cloves.7) Carbonated: containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, making the liquid fizzy8) Custard: a thick, creamy dessert made from milk, eggs, and sugar9) Frothy: having a light, airy, foamy texture10) Caught fire: Became very popular.

🎖️ Veterans Day is one of the most meaningful holidays in the United States — but why November 11? In this episode, listeners learn the history of the holiday, beginning with the 1918 armistice that ended World War I. We also explore how the celebration expanded to honor all American veterans, and how the U.S. remembers those who served today.Through stories, culture and real examples, this episode helps English learners build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and better understand an important part of U.S. history.🔔 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) veteran: a person who has served in the armed forces2) commemorate: to remember or celebrate something officially3) truce: an agreement to stop fighting for a time4) federal holiday: a holiday observed by the federal government of the United States5) military cemetery: a cemetery where only veterans are buried6) Sacrifice: the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else7) Patriotic: having or expressing devotion to one's country8) Hesitant: reluctant, unsure, or unwilling to take action9) Decimated: to destroy or kill a large proportion of10) Proclaim: To declare something officially or publicly.

🎃 This episode explains how Halloween is celebrated in the United States and why it has become one of the most popular American holidays. Dr. C explores the history of Halloween, where the traditions come from and how American families celebrate today.Listeners learn about costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, school events and front-yard decorations. The episode provides listening practice at an intermediate level and helps English learners understand real cultural context with clear, natural language.This is a great episode for English learners who want to build vocabulary, understand U.S. holidays and learn how to talk about celebrations in everyday conversation.🔔 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) to date back: To originate from a particular time in the past.2) spirit: A supernatural being or force.3) bonfire: A large outdoor fire.4) costume: Clothing worn to disguise oneself or to represent a character.5) All Saints Day: A Christian holiday celebrated on November 1st.6) trick-or-treating: The practice of children going door-to-door on Halloween asking for candy.7) jack-o'-lantern: A pumpkin with a carved face and a light inside.8) to carve: To cut or shape something from a solid material.9) to scoop out: To remove something with a scoop.10) to get into the spirit of something: To enjoy or participate in something enthusiastically.

🧟‍♂️ In this episode of the Learn English Podcast, listeners explore five classic Halloween movies that can help improve vocabulary, listening comprehension, and cultural understanding. The episode explains why these films are watched every October in the United States and how they became part of American Halloween tradition.Each movie summary includes plot notes, cultural details, and suggestions for how English learners can use films as language practice. Listeners will learn movie-related vocabulary, improve recognition of spoken English, and discover which streaming platforms may offer these titles. This episode is designed for global English learners who want engaging listening practice with a seasonal theme.🔔 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/8531387Streaming guide: https://www.justwatch.comhttps://watchany.stream/📚Affiliate link for italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary List:1) Spooky: Scary, frightening, or mysterious.2) Gory: Shockingly violent or bloody.3) Slasher film: A horror film featuring a masked killer who brutally murders a group of people.4) Lead character: The main character in a story.5) Iconic: Very famous and widely recognized.6) Dark humor: Humor that is based on dark or disturbing subjects.7) Cult classic: A film or other work that has gained a loyal following over time.8) Cult following: A group of people who are devoted to a particular person, thing, or idea.9) Witch trial: A legal proceeding against a person accused of being a witch.10) Phenomena: A remarkable or exceptional event or person, often used to describe something very successful or impressive.11) Decapitated: Having had one’s head cut off.12) Cultural impact – The influence or effect something has on society, values, or traditions.

🧠 Motivation is one of the most important parts of language learning—especially when progress feels slow. This episode explores why motivation fades, how to build long-term study habits, and how to keep improving even when English feels difficult.Listeners will learn practical strategies for goal-setting, tracking progress, taking breaks without guilt, and staying consistent through the intermediate plateau. Perfect for English learners who want to stay inspired and confident on the path to fluency.🔔 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 italki: https://www.italki.com/en/i/ref/GBBdbbAffiliate link for Lingq: https://www.lingq.com/?referral=msusc📝 Vocabulary List:1) Motivation: the reason for doing something2) Seek out: try to find3) Plateau: a period of little or no progress4) Phenomenon: an unusual or interesting event or fact5) Reevaluate: assess something again6) Nebulous: unclear, vague7) Stagnating: failing to progress or develop8) Burnt out: exhausted, tired9) Regressing: becoming worse10) Engaging: interesting and involving

📏 Why is the U.S. still using inches, feet, and miles while the rest of the world measures in meters and kilometers? This episode explains how the American measurement system developed, why metric conversion is difficult, and what keeps the U.S. from switching even today.Listeners will hear the historical background of both systems, common student struggles, and the role that money and everyday habits play in keeping customary units alive. This episode is designed for intermediate English learners who want to understand cultural differences through real American examples.🔔 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) customary units: a system of measurement used in the United States, based on British imperial units.2) graduate degree: a degree earned after completing a college or university program.3) consensus: a general agreement.4) Straightforward: Easy to understand or simple; not complicated.5) Legislation: Laws or legal regulations enacted by a governing body.6) Incentive: Something that motivates or encourages someone to take a specific action.7) Discomfort: A state of unease or lack of comfort; feeling awkward or uncomfortable in a situation.8) Monetary: Related to money or currency; often used in the context of costs or financial considerations.9) Point of reference: A basis for comparison or understanding.10) off the top of my head: without thinking about it carefully.11) to get the hang of something: to learn how to do something.12) Take into consideration: To think about or include something in your thought process.

💬Americans love the word “dude”—but it doesn’t always mean the same thing. In this B2 English episode of the Learn English Podcast, listeners explore one of the most flexible slang words in American English and learn how it can express surprise, anger, excitement, or disappointment with just one change in voice. This episode is ideal for intermediate English learners who want to understand real conversations and pick up natural expressions.The host walks through the history of “dude,” from the 1800s to surf culture in California and Hawaii, and then breaks down how modern speakers actually use it in daily life. Listeners hear clear examples, including the phrase “Dude, seriously?”, and learn when it is friendly, when it sounds rude, and when it shows strong emotions. This episode helps ESL/EFL learners around the world build vocabulary, improve listening skills, and feel more confident using American slang 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) per se: in itself, by itself2) dude: a casual term used to address a male or female3) well-dressed: wearing stylish and fashionable clothes4) rugged: strong and sturdy, and usually more rural5) ranch: a large farm, especially one used for raising livestock6) Vernacular: the everyday language spoken by a particular group of people7) Ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere8) derogatory: insulting or disrespectful9) inflection: the rise and fall of the voice in speech10) cut off: to interrupt someone or something

📅 Why do so many Americans skip vacations? In this episode, listeners learn how U.S. work culture influences vacation habits, why paid time off is limited, and why some workers feel pressure to stay on the job even when they need a break.The episode explains what “working to live” vs. “living to work” means, how vacation policies differ between companies, and how workplace expectations affect daily life. It also shares real examples and stories that show why paid time off can be difficult to use.This episode is made for English learners who want to understand American culture more deeply while improving listening skills through natural language and real-world context.🔔 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) stereotype: a simplified and often negative image or idea of a particular type of person or thing2) work culture: the shared beliefs and practices of a company or industry related to work3) paid time off: time away from work for which an employee is still paid4) to live to work instead of working to live: to prioritize work over personal life5) Contract worker: An employee hired for a specific task or period, usually without long-term employment benefits.6) Promotion: the action of raising someone to a higher office or rank.7) Falling behind: to fail to keep up with others or with what is expected.8) Burnout: physical or emotional exhaustion, typically resulting from intense or prolonged stress or frustration.9) Counterintuitive: Contrary to what one would intuitively expect; surprising.10) Great Resignation: a term used to describe the large number of people who quit their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.📜SOURCESBBC: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211209-why-its-so-hard-for-some-workers-to-ask-for-time-offBloomberg News: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-30/less-than-half-of-us-workers-use-all-their-vacation-days#xj4y7vzkg

🏫 This episode explains when the school year starts in the United States and why many students return to class before summer ends. Listeners learn how school calendars changed over time, why schools used to begin in September, and why most now open in August or even late July.The episode also covers holiday schedules, funding rules, and standardized testing, which all influence how schools choose their start date. Ideal for English learners who want to understand American culture and improve listening skills through real topics.🔔 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) public school: a school that is funded by the government2) trend: a general direction in which something is developing3) line up with: to agree with or match something4) Labor Day: a holiday celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of September5) school district: a group of schools that are administered by the same governing board6) federal regulation: a rule or law that is made by the federal government7) standardized test: a test that is given in the same way to students in many different schools or places8) semester: one of two periods into which an academic year is divided9) summer break: a period when schools are closed during the summer10) back to school time: the time when schools reopen after summer break11) dead time: time that is wasted or not used productively12) Fahrenheit: a temperature scale used in the United States

⏳ Many English learners reach a point where progress feels slow — the intermediate plateau. This episode explains what it is, why it happens, and how long it may take to move beyond it. Listeners will learn how fluency hours are estimated and why the number varies depending on your native language and daily study habits.The episode also discusses research-based fluency timelines, including guides used by language experts and by the U.S. Foreign Service. Learners will walk away with a clearer understanding of their own English-learning journey and how to estimate realistic progress goals. Perfect for intermediate and advanced learners who want motivation, structure, and a better sense of what fluency really requires.🔔 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) Plateau: a period of little or no progress2) Polyglot: a person who knows and can speak several languages3) Tune in: to start listening to a radio or television program4) Hurdle: an obstacle5) Ballpark figure: a rough estimate6) To be on your mind: to be thinking about something7) To go through something: to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation8) To run across: to meet or find by chance9) To get to the heart of something: to understand the most important part of something10) To set realistic goals: to establish goals that are achievable📜SOURCESStorylearning: https://storylearning.com/DreamingSpanish: https://www.dreamingspanish.com/methodU.S. State Department: https://www.state.gov/foreign-language-training/