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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

13:41

How coffee is prepared around the world

Plain English ·

2026/02/23

Today's story: Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, but not everyone drinks it the same way. The two most popular styles, espresso and filter coffee, were invented in Europe. Turkish coffee is most similar to how people drank coffee centuries ago. And Cuba and Vietnam have their own unique styles. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/841Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/841--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the

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13:26

Expression: Get around

Plain English ·

2026/02/19

There's no getting around it: you need to learn the English expression "get around"Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-around--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English

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16:50

What does it mean to be a ‘millionaire’?

Plain English ·

2026/02/16

Today's story: A “millionaire” is someone with a net worth of one million dollars. But the reality of a million dollars today is very different from when the word entered English in the late 1700s. Today’s millionaires are more likely to drive ordinary cars, live in the suburbs, and manage their own daily chores than live the lavish lifestyles we often associate with the word “millionaire.”Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/839Get the full story and learning resources:

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16:36

World Cup tickets: What fans need to know

Plain English ·

2026/02/09

Today's story: The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. FIFA says it has received over 500 million ticket requests. So what do fans need to know if they want to attend a game? It probably depends on the type of game they want to see—there might even be some last-minute bargains. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/837Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/837--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the

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12:21

Expression: Turn in

Plain English ·

2026/02/05

Learn the English expression, "turn in."Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-in--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!See translations of the hardest words and

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11:40

Canada’s oldest company closes its doors

Plain English ·

2026/02/02

Today's story: The Hudson’s Bay Company started as a fur trading monopoly in British North America, thanks to a royal charter signed by King Charles II. It later became a retail empire with department stores across Canada. But after years of falling sales and intense competition from big-box and online retailers, the company shut down for good in 2025. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/835Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/835--Plain English helps

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11:02

Expression: Fall for

Plain English ·

2026/01/29

Learn the English expression "fall for" (hint: it's not something you want to do!)Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/fall-for--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English

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16:04

The crackdown on scam compounds

Plain English ·

2026/01/26

Today's story: Southeast Asia has become the global hub of online scams, where scammers in massive compounds target workers around the world. China and the United States have begun pressuring governments in the region to shut down the scam compounds. But it's still not clear if these efforts will make a difference. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/833Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/833--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about

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11:36

Expression: Get rid of

Plain English ·

2026/01/22

Learn how to use the English expression, "get rid of". What things do you need to get rid of?Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-rid-of--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain

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16:55

LEDs are making our world cooler and bluer

Plain English ·

2026/01/19

Today's story: LEDs have replaced older light sources in homes, offices, cars, and city streets. They are more efficient, longer-lasting, and more flexible. But unlike older lights, LEDs often give off cooler, bluer light. This shift in color temperature affects how our surroundings feel—and may even affect our sleep. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/831 Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/831--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn

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09:37

Expression: To have your work cut out for you

Plain English ·

2026/01/15

Learn what it means to have your work cut out for you (hint: it's not about cutting).Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/have-your-work-cut-out-for-you--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words

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13:01

Winemakers are in trouble

Plain English ·

2026/01/12

Today's story: Wine has been part of daily human life for centuries, and today it's produced in 70 countries. But winemakers and vineyards are facing their biggest challenges in a generation. Droughts, fires, and rising temperatures threaten crops. And younger consumers drink less alcohol (and less wine specifically). Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/829Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/829--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn

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12:34

Expression: Keep your options open

Plain English ·

2026/01/08

Learn how to use the expression “keep your options open,” a phrase people use when they haven’t yet made a decision.Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/keep-your-options-open--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be

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13:28

How Labubus became so popular

Plain English ·

2026/01/05

Today's story: Labubu is a mischievous, rabbit-eared character created by illustrator Kasing Lung. Chinese toymaker Pop Mart has turned Labubu into a global toy craze, using gamified sales tactics and regularly releasing new collectible sets. Fans can’t get enough. They film themselves opening the famous “blind boxes,” take photos with their Labubus, and bid up the value of their favorites online. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/827Get the full story and learning resources:

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04:12

Learn the best expressions at PlainEnglish.com

Plain English ·

2026/01/01

We're starting the new year right at Plain English, with a new learning path to help you learn the best English expressions.At PlainEnglish.com, we have a library of hundreds of lessons about common English expressions, from "figure out" to "make a difference" to "cater to."And now, it's easier than ever for you to learn the expressions that are best for you.If you're not yet a member, you can create an account now (it's free) at PlainEnglish.com/joinIf you are a member, the new learning paths have

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15:08

Cognitive switching is killing your productivity...

Plain English ·

2025/12/29

Revisit this classic lesson on cognitive switching from the Plain English archives: What is cognitive switching? It’s when you switch your attention from one task, or one type of task, to another. Cognitive switching could be robbing you of up to 40 percent of your daily productivity, and it may be increasing your potential to make mistakes.Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/cognitive-switching--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the

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15:45

Who deserves the San Jose's treasure? [archive]

Plain English ·

2025/12/25

Enjoy this episode from the Plain English archives (with a recent update for 2025): The San José, a Spanish treasure ship carrying gold, silver, and valuable jewelry, sank off the coast of Colombia in 1708. The shipwreck, and its treasure, have been untouched for over 300 years. Now, the government of Colombia is working to bring the treasure to the surface. But who is its rightful owner?Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/san-jose-treasure/ --Plain English

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18:18

Five timeless Christmas stories

Plain English ·

2025/12/22

Today's story: Classic stories are an important part of Christmas traditions for both kids and adults. They teach values of generosity, family, love, wonder, and belief. Here are five that stand the test of time: <em>The Snowman</em>, <em>The Polar Express</em>, <em>The Legend of the Poinsettia</em>, <em>A Christmas Carol</em>, and <em>How the Grinch Stole Christmas!</em>Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/826Get the full

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16:23

'A Man on the Inside' is a sweet, intergenerational...

Plain English ·

2025/12/18

Today's story: Ted Danson stars in *Man on the Inside*, a warm, thoughtful comedy about a retired professor who becomes a private investigator. The show gently explores themes of aging, intergenerational relationships, and finding purpose later in life, all wrapped in a light mystery and comedic tone.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/825Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/825 --Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear,

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12:57

All about live Christmas trees

Plain English ·

2025/12/15

Today's story: Though most Christmas trees are plastic, millions of families like to get live Christmas trees every year. Real trees are grown at special Christmas tree farms and they take many years (and twice-a-year trimming) to mature into the picture-perfect trees you see in family photos.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/824Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/824 --Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural

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