Teaching English
10 English Podcasts Every English Learner Should Listen To
● 1. The English We Speak (BBC)
This English language learning podcast series focuses on everyday phrases and slang. The podcasts are published weekly.
● 2. EnglishClass101 by Innovative Language
There’s 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.
● 3. Elementary Podcasts by the British Council
Unusually for language learning podcasts, these lessons are quite long, at about 25 minutes. All scenarios 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.
● 4. Splendid Speaking
The podcasts are designed for advanced language learners who can speak reasonably good English. Each lesson features interviews and discussions with non-native English language speakers.
● 5. Better at English
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. Better English is suitable for the intermediate student and above. These English language podcasts are accompanied by transcripts and vocabulary notes.
● 6. Voice of America Learning English
In the audio section, there are
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.
● 7. Business English Pod
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.
● 8. Culips ESL Podcast
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.
● 9. ESL Pod
The English as a Second Language Podcast has a vast library of episodes (more than 900 and still going strong). The core of each podcast is an acted out dialogue between two characters. The rest of the episode then concentrates on keywords and their uses and meanings.
● 10. Luke’s English Podcast
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 the subject material.