Plain English

The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is erupting and sending lava flowing through residential areas, putting homes and businesses at risk. Gas and steam are coming out of new cracks in the earth that opened up after a series of earthquakes last week. Several residents were given only minutes to evacuate their homes and head for safety. We also discuss the English phrase “head for” on today’s program. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/45     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Eighty years ago, the original Superman cartoon was published in issue #1 of Action Comics—and the modern-day superhero genre was born. What began as a simple cartoon by two teenagers in Ohio turned into one of the most recognizable characters in comic book history. Over the years, several other superheroes have followed in the footsteps of the Man of Steel, but none has had quite as much staying power as the original. We also discuss the meaning of “staying power.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/44     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Leaders of North and South Korea met in a historic one-day summit at the border of their two countries to negotiate the formal end to the Korean War. Though fighting stopped over sixty years ago, the countries have remained in a state of war ever since. North Korea has also promised to close its main testing site for nuclear weapons. Learn the English phrasal verb “hash out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/43      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Raúl Castro will formally step aside as Cuba’s president and Miguel Díaz-Canel, the vice president, is the Communist Party’s nominee to replace him. The 57-year-old was born after Fidel Castro took power in the Cuban revolution, but has been a loyal servant to the party and the government, so it’s not clear if Cuba will change after a new generation takes over the presidency. Plus, we review the English phrase “to keep a low profile.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/42      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

The music world was shocked at the news that Swedish DJ Avicii, known for his high-energy concerts, was found dead in the Middle Eastern nation of Oman. He was 28. Avicii had retired from touring, citing the negative effects on his health of the touring lifestyle. But he continued to release albums, including one last year. In the second half of the show, we review the English phrase “take its toll.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/41      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

The US government released a 90-page memo detailing much of the evidence they plan to use in the trial of drug lord Joaquin Guzman, also known as El Chapo. Among the charges are that he personally interrogated rivals, had them killed, and ordered their bodies burned in a hole in the ground. El Chapo pulled of two dramatic prison escapes—and in today’s episode, we’ll talk about the English phrasal verb “pull off.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/40      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Canada is mourning the loss of 16 people in a tragic bus crash that killed junior hockey players, coaches, and staff on their way to a playoff game. Ten of those killed were players between the ages of 16 and 21. Across Canada, people paid tribute by placing hockey sticks outside their homes and businesses. In the second half of the show, we discuss the English phrase “come to grips.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/39  Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the ex-president of Brazil who was convicted of corruption as part of the country’s massive ‘Car Wash’ scandal, surrendered to police last week after a tense three-day standoff that pitted his supporters against police. The ex-president is in jail while he appeals his conviction. Plus, we review the English phrase, “give voice to.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/38     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani started the 2018 year in America’s Major League Baseball and hopes to become the first player to be both a superstar pitcher and a superstar batter since Babe Ruth revolutionized the sport 99 years ago. He’s off to a great start with two dominant pitching performances and three home runs. Plus, we talk about the English phrase “flip a switch.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/37     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigns amid a corruption scandal. The ex-President left after having alienated his supporters and antagonized his opponents in Congress. His resignation comes after he pardoned another ex-president, Alberto Fujimori. In the second half of the episode, we talk about the English expression “the last straw.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/36      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French and Chinese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English with podcasts! Use Plain English and other podcasts to build your English vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and speak English better.