Want to improve your English, but don’t want to look at any more textbooks?
If so, I’ve got the answer you’ve been searching for – English podcasts.
Why Learn with English Podcasts?
English language podcasts are an excellent way to learn English quickly.
You can listen to them anytime anywhere – at your desk or while you’re on the move. What better way to pass the time during a long commute than by immersing yourself in an entertaining podcast?
With a little dedication, English language podcasts will help you quickly improve your listening skills and proficiency. One perk (benefit) is that podcasts often have transcripts (a written version of the audio). This means that you can listen and read at the same time, or look at a transcript if one part of a podcast confuses you.
At FluentU, we love this combination of reading, watching and listening. If you want more English listening practice before you try podcasts, check out the videos in FluentU’s library. We have hundreds of English language videos available right now, and every one has great subtitles to make learning easier.
When you’re ready to start listening to podcasts, I’ve selected some of the best podcasts on the net. Their styles and approaches are different, but all offer expert tuition and guidance:
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
11 English Podcasts for English Learners and ESL Students
The English We Speak
(iTunes – website)
Put down your textbook for a moment and learn from some of the most knowledgeable experts of the English language, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). This English language learning podcast series focuses on everyday phrases and slang. What you will hear is the kind of English spoken by real people all the time and will help you to speak more like a native speaker.
The podcasts are published weekly, and each one has a bite-sized duration of 3-4 minutes. Examples of common English expressions explored in the series are: “use your loaf”, “skeletons in the closet” and “take the mickey”.
The English is spoken at a slightly slower speed than normal. Every syllable is enunciated clearly. The typical format involves two presenters having a conversation with each other. Sound effects are frequently used to give the impression that the teachers are in different locations.
Podcasts in English
