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PODCAST

Plain English

Jeff at Plain English

Improve your English and learn about the world at the same time. Plain English brings you short, modern stories about culture, science, travel, business, and everyday life, all told in clear, natural English designed for learners. You’ll grow your vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and build your confidence one episode at a time. Like the show? Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com and get a personalized learning path.

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All Episodes

20:30

Copyright starting to expire on Hollywood icons |...

Plain English ·

2023/01/26

" Copyright on films, drawings, and literature lasts a long time...but it doesn't last forever. While classic novels have been in the public domain for decades, some Hollywood icons like Winnie the Pooh are entering the public domain, allowing anyone to create re-makes of beloved characters. Plus, learn English phrasal verb ""slim down."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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25:07

Past banking crises hold lessons for crypto | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/01/23

" How does a bank get in trouble? It's usually one of two problems: a liquidity crisis or a solvency crisis. Both are bad, but a solvency crisis is worse. Knowing this can help us understand the crypto crises of the present day. Plus, learn English expression ""sour on."" -- 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/540 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons

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24:18

Dublin: Guinness, whiskey, music, literature, and...

Plain English ·

2023/01/19

" Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is a great place to explore the best of Irish culture: the music, the drinks, and the literature. While you're there, you can also explore the Irish Emigration Museum, cross the Ha'Penny bridge, and fill up with a full Irish breakfast. Plus, learn the English expression ""plan ahead."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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21:01

New drug reduces progression of Alzheimer's | Learn...

Plain English ·

2023/01/16

" A new drug has been shown to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease by targeting protein buildup in the brain. While this drug makes just a small difference, it opens up a new avenue for treatments in the future. Plus, learn the English expression ""show promise."" -- 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/538 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons

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19:19

Qatar: pros and cons of first Middle East host |...

Plain English ·

2023/01/12

" Qatar, the first World Cup host in the Middle East, faced criticism for its migrant labor system and human rights record. Critics questioned whether the country won the rights to host the tournament fairly. But it was time for the World Cup to go to the Middle East--and Qatar wasn't nearly as bad as some previous hosts. -- 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/537 --

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17:34

Four stories from the 2022 World Cup | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/01/09

" The World Cup was full of on- and off-the-field stories. Argentina won in a thrilling final on penalties, making host Qatar the real winner. Morocco carried the banner of the Arab world into the semifinals. Germany and Belgium took early flights home. Plus, learn the English expression ""grow closer."" -- 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/536 -- Learning English

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21:41

Stories to watch in 2023 | Learn English phrase...

Plain English ·

2023/01/05

" As the world flips the calendar to 2023, we discuss four stories that will have an impact in the next twelve months. How long will the war in Ukraine last? Will China experience a nasty wave of COVID? Can central banks avoid causing a recession? And how bad is the damage to crypto? Plus, learn the English expression ""be intent on."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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19:18

Why is New Year's Day on January 1? | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2023/01/02

" Our current calendar is the Gregorian calendar and it's over 400 years old. But the basics (12 months, 365 days, leap years) have been in place for over two thousand years. A small change brought it closer into alignment with the astronomical year, but it's still not perfect. Plus, learn the English expression ""seek to."" -- 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/534 --

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17:39

'Peanuts' showed the world through children's eyes |...

Plain English ·

2022/12/29

" ""Peanuts"" characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, and more, entertained millions of readers for half a century. Charles Schulz, the creator, drew every one of his 17,000-plus comics by hand. Plus, learn the English term ""comic relief."" -- 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/533 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about

en

13:52

4 classic Christmas movies | Learn English phrasal...

Plain English ·

2022/12/26

" 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."" -- 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/532 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about current

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15:07

The cool way to get around is on a snowmobile | Learn...

Plain English ·

2022/12/22

" In this first of our four holiday specials, we talk about a snowmobiling, a cold-weather activity that's only possible in parts of the world that get a lot of snow. A snowmobile is like a jet-ski, only for snow. Plus, learn the English expression ""familiar with."" -- 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/531 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are

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20:28

Trust us: buy your next mattress online | Learn...

Plain English ·

2022/12/19

" Forget pushy salesmen and rows of mattresses to try in a store: the new way to buy a mattress is online. New direct-to-consumer companies are upending the industry, focusing on quality, value, and the customer experience. Even better: the mattresses are comfortable. Plus, learn the English expression ""fine-tune."" -- 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/530 -- Learning

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19:42

Venezuelan elite victims of luxury-home scam | Learn...

Plain English ·

2022/12/15

" A pair of Venezuelan immigrants to Miami pulled off a bold scheme to defraud members of their country's elite. These individuals were under sanctions, so they couldn't visit their luxury properties. So the Venezuelan couple took out loans on those properties, and used the money to live large. Plus, learn what it means to be ""in the dark."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

en

18:45

How the super-rich protect their assets in U.S. real...

Plain English ·

2022/12/12

" American real estate is considered a safe asset for wealthy people in unstable economies. They like to buy luxury homes in the U.S. because real estate is considered a guard against inflation. Plus, the legal rights are strong and their home governments can't (usually) access that wealth. Today, you'll also learn the English expression ""cook up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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18:47

Ukraine's 'second army' of rail workers | Learn...

Plain English ·

2022/12/08

" As fighting continues, Ukraine's railways have adapted to move refugees, supply the front lines, and keep exports flowing. The rail network has proved critical to Ukraine's war effort and its morale. Employees work long hours and comfort passengers in distress. Plus, learn the English phrase ""work around the clock."" -- 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/527 --

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22:55

New York says to job posters: Show them the money |...

Plain English ·

2022/12/05

" A new law in New York City requires all job postings to include a ""good faith"" range of base pay. The purpose is to help jobseekers negotiate fairer compensation. The law's authors hope the new rules reduce the pay disparity between men and women. But there are ways around the law. Plus, learn the English expression ""push the envelope."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

en

19:03

What is the 'pig butchering' scam? | Learn English...

Plain English ·

2022/12/01

" The texts seem innocent at first: a case of mistaken identity or a request for advice. But for many victims, these random messages were the first step in an elaborate scam that cheated them out of all their savings. ""Pig butchering"" scams build confidence with their victims over weeks months; then, they trick victims into ""investing"" in fake cryptocurrency accounts. Plus, learn what it means to ""show your true colors."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. --

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22:43

Ethics of making (and watching) true crime | Learn...

Plain English ·

2022/11/28

" From ""Monster"" to ""Making of a Murderer,"" true crime has never been as popular as it is now. Many of these, though, are fictionalized, meaning the dialogue and details are invented to fit the overall story. Producers of these have a responsibility to the truth, but so do the viewers. Plus, learn the English phrase ""go about your business."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:

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17:51

Netflix's newest hit: a true crime series about a...

Plain English ·

2022/11/24

" In the ultra-competitive world of streaming, Netflix has found a worldwide hit: its series called ""Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."" In ten parts, the series tells the story of one of America's most notorious serial killers. While the facts of the story have been known for some time, the series tells the story from a new perspective. Plus, learn the English expression ""take liberties."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson,

en

23:45

Another populist falls: Lula ousts Bolsonaro in...

Plain English ·

2022/11/21

" Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, will return to presidency in Brazil, after defeating incumbent Jair Bolsonaro by 50.9% to 49.1%. The election marks a stunning comeback for Lula, who held the presidency from 2003 to 2010, but later served 18 months in jail for corruption. His third win, however, was his narrowest and he will preside over a divided country. Plus, learn the English expression ""on a technicality."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. --

en

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