
Plain English
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 current events and trending topics.
Improve your English listening: Plain English episodes go a little slower than native speed so you can understand every word and improve your English listening little by little.
Your host is Jeff. He's a native English speaker from the United States and he's committed to helping you improve your English skills with real-life stories—not textbook exercises.
==> Want more? If you like listening to our episodes and want to do more with us, then join us at https://plainenglish.com/join/ (PlainEnglish.com), where you can take quizzes, do interactive exercises, watch step-by-step video lessons, get expert feedback on your writing, practice speaking in English on live Zoom calls…and much more!
👉 Visit https://plainenglish.com/join/ (PlainEnglish.com/join) to start for free
Latest episodes

Jan 22, 2024 • 20min
The southern accent is fading away (Fade away)
The podcast discusses the fading away of the Southern accent, specifically in urban areas, and explores the perception and origins of the accent within the United States. It examines the factors influencing the shift of the accent and compares it to the fading away of childhood memories. The concept of 'fade away' is explored in relation to various topics, including music, presents, and celebrity influence.

Jan 18, 2024 • 20min
'Golden Bachelor' shows a new kind of reality: dating over 60 (Angle for)
'Golden Bachelor' is a reality dating show for people over 60, challenging stereotypes and sparking conversations about love and aging. The success of the show is discussed, along with the tactics of angling for personal gain in various contexts, including politics and reality TV.

Jan 15, 2024 • 20min
The backlash against too much tipping (Once in a while)
This podcast explores the controversy and frustration surrounding tipping in the United States, discussing the increase in tipping during the pandemic and the backlash against excessive tipping. It addresses the pressure felt by customers and explores the confusion surrounding tipping in various establishments. The hosts also teach the expression 'once in a while' and discuss its meaning and usage.

Jan 11, 2024 • 19min
Theft at the British Museum (Go missing)
" When a private dealer of gems and jewels noticed a great bargain on eBay, he had no idea that it would eventually lead him to uncover a major scandal at the British Museum, one of the world's pre-eminent cultural institutions. But that's exactly what happened. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/639 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about current events and trending topics you care about: business, travel, technology, health, science, politics, the environment, and so much more. Our free English lessons always include English expressions and phrasal verbs, too. -- Learn even more English at PlainEnglish.com, where we have fast and slow audio, translations, videos, online English courses, and a supportive community of English learners like you. Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com/Join -- Aprende inglés gratis en línea con nuestro curso de inglés. Se habla a una velocidad lenta para que todos entiendan. ¡Aprende ingles con nosotros ahora! | Aprenda Inglês online grátis com o Plain English, a uma velocidade menor, para que todos possam entender. Contact: E-mail jeff@plainenglish.com | WhatsApp +1 312 967 8757 | Facebook PlainEnglishPod | Instagram PlainEnglishPod | Twitter @PlainEnglishPod "

Jan 8, 2024 • 19min
New York gets serious about its trash (Get rid of)
New York City's trash problem and the mayor's plans to combat rat infestation. The challenges of trash collection in tall residential buildings. Different methods of disposal and the concept of 'getting rid of'. Decluttering tips and upcoming changes in the podcast.

Jan 4, 2024 • 19min
McDonald's is making changes to its burgers (Fall behind)
" McDonald's is preparing to roll out big changes to its number-one menu item: burgers. The world's biggest burger chain says it will adjust how its patties are grilled and how its burgers are assembled in a bid to make them more palatable to consumers. The changes will apply to the Big Mac and to its other burgers. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/637 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about current events and trending topics you care about: business, travel, technology, health, science, politics, the environment, and so much more. Our free English lessons always include English expressions and phrasal verbs, too. -- Learn even more English at PlainEnglish.com, where we have fast and slow audio, translations, videos, online English courses, and a supportive community of English learners like you. Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com/Join -- Aprende inglés gratis en línea con nuestro curso de inglés. Se habla a una velocidad lenta para que todos entiendan. ¡Aprende ingles con nosotros ahora! | Aprenda Inglês online grátis com o Plain English, a uma velocidade menor, para que todos possam entender. Contact: E-mail jeff@plainenglish.com | WhatsApp +1 312 967 8757 | Facebook PlainEnglishPod | Instagram PlainEnglishPod | Twitter @PlainEnglishPod "

Jan 1, 2024 • 21min
The hard work after a snowstorm (Buy in bulk)
The podcast discusses the hard work and tasks that local governments have to perform after a snowstorm, including street clearance and transportation of snow to designated dumps. It also covers measures taken for road safety, challenges faced by warm weather cities during snowstorms, and the concept of buying in bulk.

Dec 21, 2023 • 20min
Six ways to fail (Root cause)
" Failure is part of life. But not everything that goes wrong is the same. Sometimes, we should assign blame. Other times, failure is a good thing. A Harvard professor put failure into six categories. Knowing them can help you understand the things that go wrong in your own life. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/635 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about current events and trending topics you care about: business, travel, technology, health, science, politics, the environment, and so much more. Our free English lessons always include English expressions and phrasal verbs, too. -- Learn even more English at PlainEnglish.com, where we have fast and slow audio, translations, videos, online English courses, and a supportive community of English learners like you. Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com/Join -- Aprende inglés gratis en línea con nuestro curso de inglés. Se habla a una velocidad lenta para que todos entiendan. ¡Aprende ingles con nosotros ahora! | Aprenda Inglês online grátis com o Plain English, a uma velocidade menor, para que todos possam entender. Contact: E-mail jeff@plainenglish.com | WhatsApp +1 312 967 8757 | Facebook PlainEnglishPod | Instagram PlainEnglishPod | Twitter @PlainEnglishPod "

Dec 18, 2023 • 19min
Drought in Panama complicates canal traffic (In place)
The podcast discusses the drought in Panama and its impact on the Panama Canal, resulting in reduced crossings and higher costs for shippers. It explores alternative routes and transportation methods. The podcast also touches on the concept of 'in place' and discusses Apple's succession plan for Tim Cook. It mentions the translation feature in the podcast's plus membership and the system for translating content. The policies in place, such as social distancing during the pandemic and restrictions by the Panama Canal Authority due to the drought, are also discussed.

Dec 14, 2023 • 21min
Iceland braces for a volcanic eruption (Up close)
The podcast discusses the potential eruption of a volcano in Iceland and the precautionary evacuation of a town. It explores the geological factors behind the increased seismic activity, the discovery of a new corridor of magma, and the cyclical nature of volcanic activity. Additionally, the hosts explore the remixing in country music and the concept of 'up close' in different contexts.