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12 English Podcasts Every English Learner Should Listen To

Want to improve your English, but dont want to look at any more textbooks?

If so, Ive got the answer youve been searching for English podcasts.

Why Learn with English Podcasts?

English language podcasts are an excellent way to learn English quickly.

You can listen to them anytime anywhere at your desk or while youre on the move. What better way to pass the
time during a long commute than by immersing yourself in an entertaining podcast?

With a little dedication, English language podcasts will help you quickly improve your listening skills and proficiency.

To get you started, Ive selected some of the best podcasts on the net. Their styles and approaches are different, but
all offer expert tuition and guidance:

12 English Podcasts for English Learners and ESL Students

The English We Speak (iTunes website)

Put down your textbook for a moment and learn from some of the most knowledgeable
experts of the English language, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). This
English language learning podcast series focuses on everyday phrases and slang.
What you will hear is the kind of English spoken by real people all the time and will
help you to speak more like a native speaker.

The podcasts are published weekly, and each one has a bite-sized duration of 3-4
minutes. Examples of common English expressions explored in the series are: use
your loaf, skeletons in the closet and take the mickey.

The English is spoken at a slightly slower speed than normal. Every syllable is enunciated clearly. The typical format
involves two presenters having a conversation with each other. Sound effects are frequently used to give the
impression that the teachers are in different locations.

Podcasts in English (iTunes website)

Variety is the spice of life and thats exactly what these terrific podcasts give you
spoken English in an assortment of settings. Who said language learning cant be fun
and exciting?

Podcasts in English.com is a comprehensive English language learning podcast

series with programmes for beginners, intermediates and upper intermediates. There
are also podcasts for those who need to use business English. The short lessons are
conducted entirely in English and feature conversations between two English
language speakers.

They cover a broad range of topics encompassing nearly every facet of life. Some of the subjects you may hear
being discussed are the Winter Olympics, horse riding experiences and Facebook. The podcasts are short,
challenging and supported by transcripts, worksheets and vocabulary tasks.

Listen to English (iTunes website)

This is a popular podcast series and its easy to see why it has so many fans. The
format is very simple and deserves a round of applause, with a host who speaks
engagingly for about five or six minutes on a particular topic. Listen to English aims to
help the English language student improve their speaking skills and enhance their
vocabulary.

Examples of subjects from previous podcasts include carrying a dog on an escalator

and school dinners. The host speaks at a moderate pace and his diction is perfect.
Every word is distinct and easy to make out. Accompanying each audio lesson is a
full transcript linked to grammar and vocabulary notes and quizzes. To date, more than 200 podcasts have been
published.

English Class 101 (iTunes website)

Theres something for everyone here, in a podcast series for all experience levels. You can
choose from four levels of learning to match your needs absolute beginner, beginner,
intermediate and advanced. The podcasts are presented by two hosts who also act out
different scenes. Once a scene has been performed it is repeated at a much slower speed.

The next section of each podcast provides some culturally relevant information. This is
followed by a focus on vocabulary and phrases, and definitions of some of the words the
listener has just heard. The concluding section of each podcast covers grammar. These
English language podcasts are conducted at a moderate pace.

Elementary Podcasts by the British Council (iTunes website)

Three cheers for the UKs British Council who have come up with a very helpful series
of English language podcasts for the beginner and intermediate learner. Unusually for
language learning podcasts these lessons are quite long, at about 25 minutes. You
can, of course, listen in one sitting. But one of the joys of podcasts is you can pause
when you want and pick up where you left off when theres more time.

The hosts of each edition take the listener through a number of different scenarios.
These are acted out in dialogue and are the kind of situations people experience every
day. The podcasts also include broader discussions of some of the topics. The
presentation is lively, upbeat and engaging, and the English is spoken at near normal speed. There is a lot of good
accompanying material, some of which can be read beforehand to help the listener make the most of each lesson.

Splendid Speaking (iTunes website)

Hone your fine language skills to perfection by taking time out to listen to Splendid Speakings intriguing podcasts.
They are designed for the advanced language learner who can speak reasonably good English. The podcasts offer a
fascinating approach to learning the language. Each lesson features interviews and discussions with non-native
English language speakers. The recordings also include expert feedback about their performances. Not only is this
a very instructive way to learn, but its also fun to hear how other learners are coping with the language. You may be
able to spot some of their mistakes!

Better at English (iTunes website)

Better at English is an eclectic mix of English language podcasts featuring real conversations with native speakers.
The topics range from the serious to the silly and light-hearted and are conducted at normal speed. Listening to real,
natural-sounding conversations is a superlative supplement to classroom and textbook learning. Unlike anything
else, this familiarizes the student with the pace of the language and some of its idioms and common expressions.
Better English is suitable for the intermediate student and above, or for the beginner who really wants to challenge
themselves. These English language podcasts are accompanied by transcripts and vocabulary notes.

Voice of America Learning English (iTunes website)

This is a wonderful podcast series that really mixes it up. Theres so much variety
hear that the listener is really spoilt for choice.

Voice of America is an English language news and information service that provides a
series of multi-genre programmes in English. In the audio section there is 1) a weekly
global news programme 2) a science documentary strand 3) programmes about the
history of America and American cultural life and 4) a series on American English
idioms. All the programmes are narrated in English spoken at a slower speed than
normal.

Voice of America is a great addition to the language students arsenal of learning tools as it adds variety to structured
lessons and conversation-based tuition. As with conventional radio programmes, each podcast is divided into
segments and uses music and sound effects to provide a rich audio experience.

Business English Pod (iTunes website)

If you are going to be doing business in English speaking countries then this podcast
series is your brilliant boardroom primer.

Business English Pod is an immersion into the language and conventions of the
business world. The series covers the integral language required for every
conceivable business situation. The episodes follow a simple structure with the host
speaking for a few minutes on a set topic. There are transcripts, quizzes and
vocabulary guidance accompanying each podcast.

The series assumes the student already has a reasonable working knowledge of
English, but it doesnt assume too much. The English is spoken at about three quarters of normal speed and is
therefore quite easy to follow. As you might expect, the diction is perfect. Business English Pod provides a good
insight into how business is conducted in English-speaking companies. In addition, the lessons offer valuable
listening and comprehension practice.

Culips ESL Podcast (iTunes website)

Whether you can barely say hello in English or can talk fluently in the language for
several minutes, there are some real gems for you here a podcast series for all
levels of English language learner. Whats really great about the Culips site is that
there are four different podcast styles. The Close Up podcasts feature recurring
characters in a variety of situations. During each episode the host focuses on
vocabulary, expressions, idioms and slang. There is also a small amount of grammar.
Chatterbox podcasts feature real conversations between people, while Catch Word
podcasts are centred on one word only and its meanings and uses. Curious
Questions is a podcast devoted to answering listeners questions.
These are intelligent, practical and well put together podcasts. They are all conducted in English and most of time
this is spoken at slightly less than normal speed.

ESL Pod (iTunes website)

The English as a Second Language Podcast has a vast library of episodes (more than
900 and still going strong). The host for the ESL podcast is Dr. Jeff McQuillan and the
other voice you will often hear belongs to Dr. Lucy Tse. Both have PhDs in applied
linguistics. The core of each podcast is an acted out dialogue between two
characters. The rest of the episode then concentrates on key words and their uses
and meanings. The English is spoken at about half normal speed and is therefore,
quite easy to follow. Each podcast is accompanied by a learning guide.

Lukes English Podcast (iTunes website)

Luke is a qualified English language teacher and stand-up comedian who provides an
engaging and entertaining podcast series. His intention is to make you laugh while
you learn and he provides a rich mix of subject material. A quick look at the titles of
some of the podcasts reveals such instalments as Doctor Who Episode Language
Analysis, The Prawn Story and English Premier League Football.

For many of the podcasts Luke is the sole narrator, although real-life conversations
also feature. He has a warm, engaging voice that draws in the listener. Whats more
his stories are so well structured that you are eager to hear the next sentence. The
English is spoken at normal speed and transcripts are available.

Other Resources for Learning with English Podcasts

Need more information on English podcasts? Just follow the links and youll find more great resources for improving
your English.

Great Teachers: List of some nice English podcasts which havent been mentioned here. Their focus is on podcasts
that feature one teacher, who directly talks to the listener.

Smart Learning: Top 10 Free Business English Podcasts and Audio Resources : If you want to improve your business
English, make sure you check out this list. Note that theyre mainly authentic content for native speakers, rather than
for ESL learners.

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