x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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.

education language learning

All Episodes

14:44

Americans celebrate Independence Day today | Learn...

Plain English ·

2018/07/04

Happy Fourth of July! Americans celebrate their nation’s birthday by having parades, watching fireworks displays, setting off their own fireworks, and watching the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Though US independence was declared on July 4, the actual vote to become an independent nation was two days earlier, on July 2. At the end of the program, learn the English phrasal verb “go off.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/62 Transcripts are always free and

en

14:48

Messi, Ronaldo out; Spain falls in knockout action |...

Plain English ·

2018/07/02

Two soccer powerhouses fell in their first games in the knockout round of the world cup as Portugal and Argentina fell to Uruguay and France. Russia stunned Spain with a penalty-shot victory in Moscow. Brazil faces Mexico today: will Mexico finally beat the five-time champion? Plus, learn the phrasal verb shape up. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/61 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français

en

15:47

NYC to retire ubiquitous yellow MetroCards | Learn...

Plain English ·

2018/06/29

They are a ubiquitous part of live in New York City: the yellow plastic cards with a magnetic stripe called MetroCards are the way New Yorkers board the subway. But they are set to be retired in the next several years, in favor of a more high-tech way to ride the 114-year-old system of underground trains. Plus today learn the English phrasal verbs “phase in” and “phase out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/60 Transcripts are always free and available now

en

16:02

After Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, remember to...

Plain English ·

2018/06/27

TV host Anthony Bourdain and fashion pioneer Kate Spade took their own lives this month—Spade in New York and Bourdain in France. Both were successful, rich, and admired around the world, but lived with deep personal troubles. In the wake of these tragic suicides, take a moment to connect with those around you and to care for your own mental health. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/58 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala

en

13:20

Argentina in trouble, Mexico jubilant in early World...

Plain English ·

2018/06/25

Lionel Messi has been but a bystander in this World Cup as Argentina fought Iceland to a draw and fell to Croatia in its first two games, putting the soccer powerhouse in danger of elimination. Mexico’s team—and its fans—have made an impression so far. Video review reversed a penalty call for the first time in World Cup history. And tiny Iceland’s hopes are still alive. Learn how to use the expression, “over the top.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/59

en

15:26

Leftist firebrand AMLO leading Mexican election polls...

Plain English ·

2018/06/21

Andres Manuel Lopes Obrador, a leftist candidate pledging to fight corruption and revive the agricultural sector, is leading in the polls leading up to Mexico’s July 1 presidential vote. He is both similar to and very different from Donald Trump. Learn how to use the English expression “buck the trend.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/57 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français

en

15:04

Juul is latest harmful trend in American schools |...

Plain English ·

2018/06/18

Juul, the most popular brand of e-cigarettes, was designed to help smokers quit by giving them the nicotine their bodies crave without the harmful side-effects of lighting up. But now American teenagers who have never smoked are getting hooked on Juul, calling it a “harmless cigarette.” Health experts disagree. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb “sweep through.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/56 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas

en

15:03

Whether you say ‘soccer’ or ‘football’, World Cup...

Plain English ·

2018/06/14

The world’s most anticipated sporting competition, FIFA’s World Cup, starts today with a match between host country Russia and Saudi Arabia. The games will be played in 12 stadiums across Russia and will feature a brand-new soccer ball just for this tournament. Learn where they say “soccer” and where they say “football” in English. We’ll know the champion of the month-long tournament on July 15. Plus, today’s expression is “licking your chops.” Read the full transcript of this episode at

en

14:52

How many Puerto Ricans were lost in Hurricane Maria?...

Plain English ·

2018/06/11

Hurricane Maria was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the United States, but the true human damage on the island may never be known. A new study says over 4,600 people died—more than the government’s official estimate of 64. Most of the human toll came as a result of poor health care in the storm’s aftermath. On today’s episode, you’ll also learn the English phrase “go without.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/54 Transcripts are always free and

en

12:38

‘Le Spiderman’ climbs a Paris building to save a...

Plain English ·

2018/06/07

They are calling him ‘Le Spiderman’: A 22-year-old immigrant from Mali climbed the side of a Paris apartment building with only his bare hands to save a toddler who was stranded on a fourth-floor balcony. After the dramatic rescue, he met the French president and was offered citizenship—and a place in the Paris fire department. Plus, learn the English phrase “shine a spotlight.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/53 Transcripts are always free and available

en

14:29

Graffiti artists bring The Simpsons to Mexico City |...

Plain English ·

2018/06/04

A group of artists called the Night Lords has turned vacant walls into graffiti murals of The Simpsons in Iztacalco, a neighborhood of Mexico City. Over 15 murals are up and five more are on the way. Neighbors who were initially skeptical now embrace the project. Plus, learn how to use the English phrase ‘on board.’ Check out pictures of Sprayfield here: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywx5w7/artists-turned-this-neighborhood-into-springfield-from-the-simpsons Read the full transcript of this

en

14:31

Real Madrid wins 13th Champions League title

Plain English ·

2018/05/31

Gareth Bale scored two goals as a substitute and Karim Benzema scored an embarrassing goal against Liverpool goaltender Lorius Karius as Real Madrid captured its 13th Champions League title and its third in a row. It was Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth title—but his comments after the game cast doubt on his future in Madrid. Learn what it means to take someone up on an offer. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/51 Transcripts are always free and available now

en

14:23

Chinese pilot a hero after mid-air accident | Learn...

Plain English ·

2018/05/28

On Plain English’s 50th episode: Captain Liu Chuanjian landed a Sichuan Airlines flight safely after its windshield blew out mid-air, 32,000 feet above ground. The co-pilot was sucked halfway out of the plane and the temperature and air pressure in the cockpit plummeted. Captain Liu is being “hailed as a hero” for his efforts to save the plane—and learn how to use “hailed as a hero” in English. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/50 Transcripts are always free

en

13:41

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle wedding is ‘one for the...

Plain English ·

2018/05/24

Prince Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II of England, married American actress Meghan Markle in a ceremony that both honored tradition but had its own unique touch. On the morning of the wedding, Prince Harry was given the official title Duke of Sussex, and Ms. Markle, who may have to give up her American citizenship, will be Duchess of Sussex. The expression today is “one for the ages.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/49 Transcripts are always free

en

14:20

ETA, violent separatist group in Spain, disbands |...

Plain English ·

2018/05/21

The last home-grown terrorist organization in Europe officially disbanded. The Basque country’s ETA, which used violent tactics in an attempt to separate from Spain, agreed to give up its weapons and disband last month. Plus, we discuss the English phrase “fight back.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/48 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

en

13:26

Electric scooters are terrorizing American cities |...

Plain English ·

2018/05/17

Electric scooters are taking over the streets in some American cities, including San Francisco. New programs allow people to rent a scooter for $1, unlock it with their smartphones, and leave the scooters wherever they please when they are finished. Mayors and city officials aren’t happy with the rollout. Plus, we discuss the English phrasal verb “roll out.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/47 Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español

en

13:41

Brazilian claims title to biggest wave ever surfed |...

Plain English ·

2018/05/14

Nazaré, Portugal, attracts surfers and observers from around the world for its world-class surfing waves, and last November Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa set the record for surfing the biggest-wave ever, at 80 feet. The same day, a British surfer broke his back on a similar wave. The silver lining for him was that he was given the award for best wipeout—and in the second half of the show, we talk about the meaning of “silver lining.” Read the full transcript of this episode at

en

13:03

Volcano sends lava into Hawaii neighborhoods | Learn...

Plain English ·

2018/05/10

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

en

13:02

Superman turns 80 years old | Learn English phrase...

Plain English ·

2018/05/07

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

en

13:40

Korean leaders negotiate end to war after 60 years

Plain English ·

2018/05/03

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

en

883 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College