))
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 a ...
…
continue reading
🇬🇧 EXCITING topics in EASY English ❤️ Pre-intermediate & Intermediate Listening. 📆 Podcasts every 1st + 15th! ✅ Subscribe to never miss content! ✍ Website & Activities: www.simpleenglishlistening.com ☕ Buy Me A Coffee: https://bmc.link/simpleenglish ▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SimpleEnglishListening 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simpleenglishlistening 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/simpleenglishlistening ✨ PRO TIP: The best way to learn is to listen to and read as much Engl ...
…
continue reading
Today's story: Many English words come from French, but some, like fiancé, façade, and résumé, keep their original spellings, accents, and even gendered forms. To make things even more confusing, some of these words don't mean the same thing in French and English. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/750 -- Upgrade all your skills in En…
…
continue reading
1
How to Stress Less and Feel Calm (Using 1st Conditional)
26:45
26:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:45
Transcripts & Stories: www.simpleenglishbooks.com Visit my website for my new Snow White eBook (4,400 words, with audiobook and PDF). Welcome to my podcast! Here, I speak in simple English about exciting topics and stories. 👍 Perfect for intermediate (A2, B1, B2) English learners. ⭐ Every 1st & 15th day of the month. ▶️ Youtube ☕ Buy Me A Coffee ✅ …
…
continue reading
1
Notre Dame reopens after six years of restoration
14:19
14:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:19
Today's story: Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral was nearly destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019. In the years since, thousands of artisans and specialists worked to restore the 850-year-old cathedral. The roof was rebuilt using oak from French forests. The massive pipe organ was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. The limestone exterior was pres…
…
continue reading
1
'SNL' celebrates 50 years of late-night comedy
15:19
15:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:19
Today's story: Saturday Night Live, or SNL, is a late-night comedy show that mixes short sketches, parodies, and music. The sketches poke fun at everyday situations, celebrities, products, and current events. What makes it special is that it's written quickly each week and performed live before a studio audience. This year, it celebrates its fiftie…
…
continue reading
Today's story: English isn’t descended from Latin, but some Latin phrases have made their way into everyday use. This lesson explores eight Latin phrases, such as ""circa,"" ""quid pro quo,"" and ""status quo,"" that are still used in English today, plus some fun facts about Latin's influence on other fields. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainen…
…
continue reading
Today's story: Neon signs have lit up city streets for about a century. But building owners are increasingly swapping hand-blown neon tubes for sleek LED bulbs. The new bulbs are cheaper, easier to maintain, and more energy-efficient. But the old neon signs are a nostalgic part of urban history. What will cities be like without them? Transcript & E…
…
continue reading
1
Britain debates: Should assisted dying be legal?
17:33
17:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:33
Today's story: The British Parliament recently voted to advance a bill that would legalize medically-assisted dying in England and Wales. Supporters argue that those with terminal illnesses should have the right to avoid suffering at the very end of their lives. Opponents are concerned about social pressure, a slippery slope, and the role of doctor…
…
continue reading
1
Why all-night parties are fading worldwide
13:41
13:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:41
"Today's story: Nightclubs around the world are closing their doors earlier than ever before, and some of the world's biggest party hotspots are hosting fewer all-night parties. Club owners and party organizers face tighter regulations and higher costs. But the real culprit is simply that this generation of young people is less interested in club c…
…
continue reading
1
The tradition of Girl Scout cookies in the U.S.
13:07
13:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:07
Today's story: Every winter, Girl Scouts and their parents fan out across schools, offices, and community events, soliciting orders for cookies. Customers have just one chance per year to satisfy their cravings for Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, and Samoas. But it’s not just the customers who benefit—the girls learn skills like sales, planning, and custome…
…
continue reading
1
Jimmy Carter was America's best ex-president
15:01
15:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:01
Today's story: Jimmy Carter, who died at the end of 2024, was America's 39th president. His term in office was marked by challenges, and he suffered a lopsided loss in the 1980 election. But after he left office, he founded one of the most influential global nonprofits. The Carter Center has had an extraordinary positive impact on humanity in areas…
…
continue reading
1
Big questions on Australia's new social media law
17:09
17:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:09
Today's story: Australia’s new law bans children under 16 from social media, but two key questions remain: how will platforms verify user ages, and what exactly counts as a social media platform? So much of the online world has at least some social component: will teen book nerds be kicked off Goodreads? Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish…
…
continue reading
1
New Australia law: no kids under 16 on social media
14:12
14:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:12
Today's story: Australia has passed a law that will prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The law aims to protect kids from cyberbullying and mental health issues, but critics say it's an unfair restriction on kids' freedom to connect online. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/740 …
…
continue reading
1
Why, exactly, is processed food bad for you?
17:07
17:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:07
Today's story: Processed foods are widely considered unhealthy and are associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. But what, exactly, is unhealthy about them? New research attempts to tease out which processed foods are most associated with bad health. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/739 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.co…
…
continue reading
Today's story: Here are three major stories to follow in 2025: Donald Trump’s return and its impact on global trade, the potential endgame for the Ukraine-Russia war, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business and society. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/738 Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/738 -- Upgrade all…
…
continue reading
1
New film starring Tom Hanks commemorates 'Mr. Rogers'
21:13
21:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:13
Over the course of 31 years and over 900 half-hour episodes, Fred Rogers was a friendly television neighbor and mentor to generations of American children, who knew him as simply "Mr. Rogers." A new movie, starring Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers, explores the impact he had on children. He wasn't afraid to confront topics big and small and always spoke to …
…
continue reading
1
The five-star rating system isn’t working (Rave about)
28:45
28:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:45
Leaving a five-star review has become customary for any experience that is excellent, good, average, or even acceptable, and anything below five-stars means terrible in the world of online reviews. As consumers, this system isn’t helpful in identifying the true high performers, and it makes it difficult for people or businesses to stand out from th…
…
continue reading
1
Behind the wheel of a Tesla test drive (Check the boxes)
26:47
26:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:47
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to take a Tesla out for a spin? It has all the ordinary features of a luxury car, plus all of the benefits – and thrills – of an electric car, like instant acceleration. Plus, Teslas have a feature that might make you less stressed in traffic, and you’ll learn “check the boxes.” On Monday, the lesson will focus…
…
continue reading
Christmas-themed movies are almost as old as the movies themselves. In today's lesson, you'll hear about four classic Christmas movies from four different decades (and two movies that don't count!). Plus, learn the English expression "fend off." Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/532 -- Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the be…
…
continue reading
Today's story: Giving gifts is a waste of money. That's the conclusion of economic studies that show the ""deadweight loss"" that occurs when givers buy gifts the receivers don't want very much. But even with this loss, a good gift can still be worth it...if done right. Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/737 -- Upgrade all your skills in English…
…
continue reading
1
What's the most popular type of book? (Hint: 😘)
25:02
25:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:02
Today's story: Romance novels are the bestselling genre in publishing, outselling thrillers, mysteries, and self-help books. This story explores what makes a book a romance, the genre’s rich history, its subgenres, and how e-readers and self-publishing have fueled its success. Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/736 -- Upgrade all your skills in …
…
continue reading
1
‘Long Island’ is a worthy sequel to ‘Brooklyn’
21:08
21:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:08
Today's story: Colm Tóibín's novel ""Brooklyn"" introduced readers to Eilis Lacey, a young woman from Ireland who emigrated to America in the 1950's. The story won wide praise and found commercial success; it was adapted into a movie in 2015. Now, the Irish author is back with a sequel, titled ""Long Island"" and set in the 1970s. Transcript & Exer…
…
continue reading
Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from one part of the body to another. It's also a critical ingredient in life-saving treatments. It's easy and safe to donate plasma, but the world still faces a shortage. Is it time for more countries to a…
…
continue reading
Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichés. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman, ""Deep Work"" by Cal Newport, and ""The Power of Habit"" by Charles Duhigg offer fresh perspectives on managing time, focusing deeply, and building positive habits. These books go beyond fluff to pro…
…
continue reading
1
Searching for life on one of Jupiter's moons
17:42
17:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:42
Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASA’s latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiter’s orbit in 2030. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced instruments, the spacecraft will take photos of what astronomers think is a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of one of Jupiter's many moons. Transcr…
…
continue reading
1
The best side dishes for American Thanksgiving
20:19
20:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:19
Today's story: Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey; it’s also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to tart cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, these traditional dishes add color and flavor to every American Thanksgiving table. Transcript & Exercises: https://plain…
…
continue reading
1
He's back: How Trump returned to power in 2024
27:30
27:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:30
Today's story: After losing in 2020, Donald Trump faced widespread criticism and seemed politically finished. However, a combination of Joe Biden's policy choices and Trump's resilient, disciplined 2024 campaign led the former president to an improbable comeback. He became only the second person to win the presidency after once having lost it. Tran…
…
continue reading
