6 Minute Vocabulary

Build your English vocabulary in six minutes. Every Monday join two of our presenters and hear about different ways to develop your vocabulary knowledge and skills.

Rank #1: Uncountable nouns.
What's more important: knowledge, money or happiness? Learn about uncountable nouns

Rank #2: In, at, on with time expressions.
Neil and Catherine look at time expressions with the words in, at and on.

The English We Speak

Every week, we look at a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang in this fun three-minute programme. From BBC World Service

Rank #1: To go around the houses.
Feifei wants to borrow Rob's car but she takes a long time getting to the point. Find out why Rob tells her not to go around the houses. And why doesn't Rob want her to drive his car?

Rank #2: Cyberbullying.
Is there someone tormenting you online? Here's an expression for when people hide behind a computer to attack others

6 Minute Grammar

Learn English grammar in six minutes. Every Tuesday join two of our presenters and learn a new key area of grammar.Our presenters include Finn, Emma, Rob, Neil, Sophie & Alice.

Rank #1: The zero and first conditionals.
Learn how to make them, when to use them and listen to some example sentences.

Rank #2: Phrasal verbs.
Learn about phrasal and prepositional verbs: break up, break down, get up, make out.

6 Minute English

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. A weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Thursday.

Rank #1: Could you give up booze for a month?.
Sam and Rob discuss the challenge of cutting down on alcohol and teach you vocabulary.

Rank #2: The decline of the apostrophe.
We discuss this punctuation mark and teach you some vocabulary along the way.

Learning English News Review

News Review shows you how to use the language from the latest news stories in your everyday English. Published every Tuesday by BBC Learning English.

Rank #1: Britain must diet, say health officials.
Health officials in the UK ask the food industry to cut calories to reduce obesity

Rank #2: It's a boy! Royal baby born.
Neil and Dan explain the language used to discuss the new royal

All Ears English Podcast

Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! We are an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday English vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you special tips on American culture, customs, etiquette, and how to speak with Americans as well as conversation and commentary on study tips, business English, life in America and Boston and New York, how to apply to university in the US, dating, travel, food and more. You'll get TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC help also from The Examiner of Excellence, Jessica Beck. This podcast is for adult students who are professionals and university students as well as ESL teachers. Join the community to learn to speak American English like a native! Connection NOT Perfection!

Rank #1: AEE 992: How to Decide When to Use British or American English.
Go here to subscribe to the transcripts

Rank #2: AEE 889: Illusion, Allusion, and Delusions.
Subscribe to the transcripts and save 50%

Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson

Luke's English Podcast is an award-winning podcast for learners of English.Listen, learn and have fun while picking up natural British English as it really is spoken.http://teacherluke.co.uk

Rank #1: 541. What British People Say vs What They Mean.
541. What British People Say vs What They Mean Examining British communication style and debunking a few myths about how British people communicate. This episode is based on a famous infographic called "What British People Say vs What They Really Mean" or "The Anglo-EU Translation Guide". It contains lots of thoughts about how direct and indirect cultures communicate with each other, and some samples of business English, with a few improvised scenarios too! Transcript available. Episode page https://wp.me/p4IuUx-8nF Spoken offer www.getspoken.com/lep 

Rank #2: 364. TEN TOP TIPS for Learning English.
LEP is back after a two-week absence. This episode is about top tips for learning English. Here are some ideas about learning English that have occurred to me in the last couple of weeks of teaching intensive general English classes at school. Click here for the page for this episode http://wp.me/p4IuUx-6D2 

Learn English | EnglishClass101.com

Learn English with Free Podcasts! Whether you are student or a seasoned speaker, our lessons offer something for everyone. We incorporate culture and current issues into each episode to give the most informative, both linguistically and culturally, podcasts possible. For those of you with just the plane ride to prepare, check our survival phrase series at EnglishClass101.com. One of these phrases just might turn your trip into the best one ever!

Rank #1: Video - American English Words of the Week #7 - Internet Lingo.
We'll correct your English! Leave us a comment on this lesson at EnglishClass101.com!

Rank #2: Know Your Verbs #44 - Verb: “Fly”.

Learning English Broadcast - Voice of America

Learning English programs use a limited vocabulary and short sentences. They are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Our broadcasts were formerly known as Special English.

Rank #1: Learning English Broadcast - January 07, 2020.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.

Rank #2: Learning English Broadcast - January 06, 2020.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.

Discovery

Explorations in the world of science.

Rank #1: Brian Cox.
Professor Brian Cox of Manchester University describes how he gave up appearing on Top of the Pops to study quarks, quasars and quantum mechanics. Although he describes himself as a simple-minded Northern bloke, he has acquired an almost God-like status on our TV screens, while the ‘Cox effect’ is thought to explain the significant boost to university admissions to read physics. He talks to Jim al-Khalili about learning to be famous, his passion for physics and how he sometimes has difficulty crossing the road. In 2005 Brian was awarded a Royal Society Research Fellowship for his work on high energy particle collisions at CERN and elsewhere – an enviable academic achievement. In 2009, he was voted one of the sexiest men alive by People magazine. He has invented a new kind of celebrity – a scientist who is regularly snapped by the paparazzi.Brian wants everyone to be as excited as he is about the laws that govern our universe - the beautiful, counter-intuitive and often weird world of quantum mechanics that explains what happens inside the nucleus of every atom, right down at the level of those exotically named elementary particles – quarks, neutrinos, gluons, muons. Challenged by Jim to explain the rules of quantum mechanics in just a minute, Brian succeeds; while conceding that the idea that everything is inherently probabilistic, is challenging. Even Einstein found it difficult. Schrodinger’s cat, or Brian Cox, for that matter, are simultaneously both dead and alive. That’s a fact. What this is all means is another question. “Am I just an algorithm?” Brian asks. “Probably”, says Jim. Producer: Anna Buckley(Photo: Brian Cox, BBC copyright)

Rank #2: Vagus Nerve.
Many people are living with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions in which the body attacks itself. Although drug treatments have improved over recent years they do not work for everyone and can have serious side effects. Now researchers such as neurologist Dr Kevin Tracey of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and rheumatologist professor Paul-Peter Tak of Amsterdam University, are trying a new approach to improving the lives of these patients. They are firing electrical pulses along the vagus nerve, a major nerve that connects the brain with all the organs. The technology to do this has been around for some decades as stimulating the vagus nerve has been used to help people who have epilepsy that is not controlled with drugs since the 1990s. Gaia Vince talks to these pioineers of this new field of research. And, she hears how there may be ways of improving the tone of the vagal nerve using meditation.(Image: Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Credit: Getty Images)

English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcast - Learn English Online

A podcast for those wanting to learn or improve their English - great for any ESL or EFL learner. Visit us at http://www.eslpod.com.

Rank #1: 875 - Shopping at the Supermarket.
Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:11 Explanations: 3:17 Fast dialog: 16:18 Stocker: Can I help you find something? Meg: Yes, I’m looking for coffee. Stocker: That’s on aisle 3. Let me show you where it is. Meg: Thanks. Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy. Stocker: It looks like we’re out of stock. We should get another shipment next week. Meg: Okay, I’ll check back. I’m also looking for the Fructose brand soda, but I didn’t see it in the soda aisle. Stocker: I’m afraid that’s been discontinued. Their parent company no longer makes soda. Meg: Really? I love Fructose soda. How about the Mushy brand bread? I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle. Stocker: We no longer stock the Mushy brand. There were so quality control issues at the company, so we’ve pulled all of their products from the shelves. Can I help you find anything else? Meg: No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new brands. Oh, yes, do you carry Worm organic apples? Stocker: We normally do, but they’re out of season right now. We won’t have any until early summer. Meg: All of this shopping and I have nothing to show for it. I guess I’m going home empty-handed. Stocker: We do have chocolate cakes and cookies on sale. Meg: I’m there! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Rank #2: 802 - Talking About Movies.
Lights! Camera! Action! We’re off to the movies. Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode. Slow dialogue: 0:57 Explanations: 2:37 Fast dialogue: 15:35 Martin: What did you think of that movie? Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars. Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values. Joanna: No, that’s not true. I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable. I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value. Martin: You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters. They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused. Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean. Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come? Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie. Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster. Joanna: I can’t watch artsy films all the time. Variety is the spice of life, don’t you think? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online

Business English Pod publishes audio and video Business English podcast lessons and online learning materials for intermediate and advanced Business English learners. The lessons cover a comprehensive range of business English skills for meetings, presentations, telephoning, negotiating, job interviews, travel, and more.

Rank #1: 925 English Lesson 19 – How to Talk about Abilities.
In today’s 925 English video lesson, we’re going to learn how to talk about abilities in english.There are lots of opportunities at work to talk about your abilities. And I don’t just mean job interviews. That’s an obvious one, but there’s also work planning, project meetings, and just discussing who should do what on a daily basis.925 English is a course of video English lessons for beginners. With 925 English lessons you can learn business English phrases and expressions to use in work and business. Members: PDF Transcript | Lesson Module | Quiz | MP3 Audio

Rank #2: BEP 318 – Business Socializing: Checking In with Clients (2).
https://traffic.libsyn.com/bizpod/BEP318-Socializing-Clients2.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today’s lesson on socializing in English with your clients on the phone. There’s an old saying that you should never mix business and pleasure. And sure, it might not be a good idea to get too close to your customers and clients. But if you are all business, and you shy away from anything personal, you’ll seem cold. And people won’t connect with you. Ultimately, you have to find the right balance. You want to be personable, but not nosy. You want to be friendly, but not pushy. And you have to take your time. A conversation with a new customer will be naturally more formal than with an established one. That’s true not only in person, but on the phone as well. In our last lesson, we learned about paying a visit to a client’s office. Today, we’ll look at checking in with a client by phone. As you’ll hear, we often make friendly conversation at the beginning of the call, and you might find yourself showing understanding of a client’s personal situation. But eventually you’ll want to switch from the personal to business. And once you’re talking business, you might mention personal connections, gauge needs, and discuss developments in your industry. This is all part of maintaining and building a relationship with your client. In today’s dialog, we’ll rejoin Markus, an account manager for a company that sells servers. Markus is calling up a client named Jana. He wants to check in with her, find out how she’s doing, and see if she needs anything. And you’ll hear him strike a balance between business and personal issues. Listening Questions 1. Jana mentions a personal issue at the start of the conversation. What is it? 2. When Markus switches from personal matters to business, what topic does he mention? 3. How does Markus ask Jana about their server needs? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module

Business Daily

The daily drama of money and work from the BBC.

Rank #1: Bosses, Babies and Breast Pumps.
Engineers showcase new technologies to help women return to work after maternity leave - but why is the engineering profession itself so male-dominated?Jane Wakefield attends a breast pump hackathon at MIT, speaking to businesses venture capitalists and campaigners such as Catherine D'Ignazio from Make The Breast Pump Not Suck. Jane also hears from engineers Emma Booth of Black & Veatch and Isobel Byrne Hill of ARUP about their experiences of returning to a very male-dominated industry after the birth of their own children, and the importance of networks such as The Women's Engineering Society. This programme was first broadcast on 19 July 2018.(Picture: Woman holds up smart breast pumps; Credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

Rank #2: LA's housing crisis.
Regan Morris looks at the housing crisis in LA where around 60,000 rough sleepers bed down each night. In a city of sky high rents and scarce availability, are dormitories the answer for young professionals struggling to rent or buy a place of their own? We take a tour of the city's 'pod' accommodation which houses multiple men and women in one room for $50 a night. We also look at zoning - a controversial policy which designates specific areas on the sidewalk for rough sleepers and would cut down the space available to bed down. And will tough restrictions on Airbnb help ease the pressure on housing?Picture description: A man closes his tent after a night on the streets of Los Angeles, CaliforniaPicture by Frederic.J.Brown for AFP via Getty Images

Global News Podcast

The day’s top stories from BBC News. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends

Rank #1: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back from royal duties.
The announcement is said to have been made without consultation with senior royals. Also: President Trump has said the military confrontation with Iran has de-escalated, and the Japanese Justice Minister rejects criticism of the country's legal system made by the fugitive Renault Nissan boss, Carlos Ghosn.

Rank #2: President Trump backs down from his repeated threat to target Iranian cultural sites.
After criticism that such attacks could constitute a war crime, Mr Trump said if that were the case, he would obey the law. Also: the foreign exchange company Travelex is being held to ransom by hackers, and a vast "star nursery" region has been found in our galaxy.

CNN 10 (video)

CNN 10 is a 10-minute digital news show that serves a growing audience interested in compact on-demand news broadcasts ideal for explanation seekers on the go or in the classroom.

Rank #1: CNN10 - 1/9/20.
Officials investigate a plane crash in Tehran, we explore the troubled history of U.S.-Iran relations, and European cities take steps to curb overtourism.