22+ Top Podcasts to Learn English

English is a language that is widely spoken all over the world. But does that mean everyone knows it? No. There was a student of mine who spoke Spanish as a native language. As she was planning to travel to the U.S., it was very important to improve her pronunciation. She was confused about how to work on it. I knew the best way to do that was by listening to podcasts. Thus, I took responsibility and tried to find the best podcasts to learn English.

Top Podcasts to Learn English

Podcasts are a perfect way to learn the pronunciation of the language. English is a language that requires a good pronunciation level. To make it easy for you, I am sharing the podcasts to learn the English language-

1. Espresso English Espresso 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

English is the most popular language in the world used to communicate with each other. It is the perfect way of starting the language learning journey. Before learning any new language, ensure you have a perfect knowledge of all grammar-related topics. This podcast is created as a way to discuss different grammatical tools. There are multiple episodes in it. Each episode has interesting English topics along with some common questions. More than 10 courses are depending upon different aspects. Use them to focus on each of them.

2. EnglishClass101

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

It is created by the team of Innovative Languages. The course involves important material to use. There are multiple hosts which are super native speakers of English. The podcasts are available for people at each level. It starts with keeping the beginner in mind. It also offers cultural insights and adds some extra features like quizzes and practice exercises. It includes both American and British English. In some lessons, there is a video that acts as an engaging language resource. However, to take advantage of the full course, there is a subscription plan.

3. Voice of America: Learning English 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Traveling to America but don’t know how English is spoken there? It is a website that offers different-level courses for everyone. In starting, the course is designed for beginners to teach the basics of the language.  It includes titles like Everyday Grammar and Let’s Learn English. 

The podcast created for intermediate-level learners is more exciting. It covers topics like health, science, news, etc. These topics are based on daily activities. Each podcast has a transcript to offer. When my student was using it, she was really happy. She told me how engaging and informative the lessons were. There was also a downloadable option that helped her to listen to them often. One thing that was disliked was that the easy word was explained here.

4. Learn English by British Council podcast

(Available: Spotify, Offical Website)   

This is an immersive podcast that is based on different scenarios. Each episode has a different set of dialogues in it. The dialogues are based on situations that you may have experienced with it. Despite being a native speaker, I have listened to this podcast. It feels like an amazing tool for an English learner. In some episodes, I also get some broader discussions of the topic. The material is good and is also available for reading.

5. Business English Pod 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

I have seen many people learning English tests because they want to get a good job. If your ultimate goal is to do that, I am here with an amazing podcast just for you. Business English Pod is a podcast that also provides immersive material. It covers a simple structure where the host talks about a specific topic for a few minutes.

However, everything spoken is at a slower pace than the normal speed. Due to this, a person can quickly follow what is going on in the podcast. It has transcripts, quizzes, and vocabulary knowledge. If you want to know how business is done and most of the companies, listen to this podcast. The podcast also has listening and practicing exercises. 

6. Culips   

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

It is a platform that has multiple podcasts in it. The number of episodes available is different on the app and the website. For the mobile app, there are only 200 episodes but for the website, there is a list of 600. The website is divided into 7 different series focusing on different categories. It covers every different aspect of language, from idioms to listening to interesting stories.

It is another podcast hosted by multiple native speakers of Canada. It means each episode is clear and has a natural speed. You can listen to all the episodes of this podcast freely. But there is a subscription plan if you want to get study guides. 

7. 6 Minute English from the BBC 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

In this busy world, we have forgotten to focus on the things we always wanted to. This is the case for every language learner who wants to learn something new. But not anymore. Because as the name suggests, this podcast takes exactly 6 minutes to teach a new language. The podcast focuses on news channels for intermediate learners.

Each episode has a list of vocabulary words with some interesting questions and a transcript in it. Follow it up and learn the words and phrases used in the podcast. It is the best way to learn the vocabulary in less time. Also, the speed of each episode is less than normal speed. It becomes easy to understand what is there in the podcast. 

8. English Across The Pond

(Available: Offical Website)   

Anyone who doesn’t know which English to focus on, this podcast is for you. The podcast is hosted by two people Dan and Jennifer. The podcast has a lot of content for British and American English. They both talk about multiple things including Vocabulary, idioms, history, grammar, and culture. It also has study plans and transcripts for its users.

9. Coffee Break English 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Coffee Break is a platform that offers podcasts for several other languages. In fact, it is the most common podcast in most of the podcasts list. It has Japanese, Chinese, etc podcasts. It follows a particular approach which is like the coffee break them. The podcasts are basically 15 minutes long and specially designed for the tea breaks. It is hosted by two people, Mark and Josie. In each episode, someone is invited from an English-speaking country. The other half of each episode focuses on the language and the themes of it. 

10. All Ears English Podcast 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

The most common podcast for intermediate learners. It was established in 2014 and was co-hosted by two ESL teachers Lindsay and Michelle. The only thing they did was to encourage the learners to focus on connecting with the language and not on just perfection. There were so many podcasts depending upon the American slang and how to succeed in the interview in English. I also got a full series of IELTS preparation. 

 11. English Learning for Curious Minds

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Have you ever wondered “Why is the earth a circle?” “How are humans made?” etc. If yes, I have the best suggestion for you. This podcast is for you especially if you want to learn weird and wonderful things about the world. It not only helps to know such facts but also to learn English. There are multiple topics covered on the podcast from philosophy to politics. Each episode is 20 minutes long with a transcript and vocabulary lists. The host of the podcast also has a community named Curios Minds, where people participate in events and challenges. 

12. Freakonomics Radio 

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Freakonomics Radio is one such podcast that is known for its award-winning performance. This podcast was awarded because it explodes the hidden side of everything. The podcast is basically based on the book ‘ Freakonomics books’. It is written by two co-authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, who are the host of the podcast also. As a listener, I really enjoy each episode. It covers different aspects of our lives like news, pop culture, etc. The subjects are taught at different levels. There are so many concepts and points of view to understand within the podcast.

13. This American Life 

(Available: Youtube, Offical Website)   

It is a very popular podcast in the United States. The podcast follows a particular format like a radio show. All the stories discussed are based on true events and follow a particular theme. One of the most interesting episodes that I also heard was “The Fear of Sleep”. It is basically like an interview with real Americans from the country. This is the best way to get proper knowledge of regional accents at the speed of the English spoken. It is an exciting podcast and most of the stories are funny, surprising, and moving. 

14. The English We Speak 

(Available: Spotify, Offical Website)   

BBC is a well-known name in the UK. Thus, having a series from such an organization is the biggest advantage to learn from. It is basically an English learning podcast series that helped to focus on learning the common phrases and slang. The episodes come weekly and each of them is very short, only about 3 to 4 minutes. Some of the common expressions that my student learned were

• Bob’s your uncle
• Butcher’s hook
• I was gobsmacked
• Have a chinwag
• Have a fag
• It’s raining cats and dogs

15. Breaking News English 

(Available: PlayerFM, Offical Website)   

Lsitenig news is hoppy of many. It keeps us updated with what is going on in the world outside. Well if you can relate to this, it means you love to read that too. To make your hobby into a habit to learn English, I am here with this special podcast series known as Breaking News English. There are so many good news stories to make us engaged with the content with the help of meaningful context.

Most episodes are available at the different levels. This means that each story is created in such a manner that learners of any level can easily understand it. At the beginner level, the grammar and vocabulary used is easy and less complex. However, there are many free practice exercises for each episode. 

16. The Past & The Curious 

(Available: Apple, Spotify, Offical Website, Soundcloud)   

The name itself suggests that it is all about history. It was actually created for the kids but a fresher can take full advantage of it. Like many other history-based podcasts, don’t think it is a boring podcast. In fact, it is a fun podcast. It is a podcast hosted by Mick Sullivan and is a perfect choice for any language learner. There is a huge set of vocabulary used in this podcast the facts are funny and interesting. 

17. Adept English

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

A podcast created to help English learners to improve their fluency in English. It is a perfect choice for anyone who thinks the pronunciation of English is tough. The host of it teaches words at the basic to advanced levels. Each episode or lesson has a transcript in it. It makes the resource to be more comprehensive and it only has audio recordings. 

18. Scientific American Podcast

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Offical Website)   

Does science excite you? Well, I am here with an amazing podcast for you, Scientific American Podcast. It is a podcast that covers everything related to science. The news, features, analysis, etc. It also has daily updates on important research topics. The main topics covered on this podcast are related to the scientific topics. If your dream is to work in a science-related field or love to know about it, this is the perfect podcast for you. 

19. Splendid Speaking

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Offical Website)   

Are you learning English just to get a job? Or are you going for an interview in a few days? If any of this is true, Splending Speaking is a podcast that you should not miss. Each episode of it is about interviewing non-native English speakers. This will help you understand what you can do to easily improve your English skills. Along with it, there is feedback on their performance. It not only helps my students to learn the language but also to understand what are the problems faced by other learners. If you are at the advanced level, you may also find some mistakes in it. 

20. Better @ English

(Available: Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

This is a podcast having interviews with real native speakers. The episodes are recorded at normal speed and have multiple topics to cover. When we listen to real sounds, it helps in improving the pronunciation. I would say that use this podcast along with your English textbooks. My student developed an understanding of the speed of the language and also taught some idioms and common expressions. However, always remember that this is for intermediate and above learners. There are also transcripts and vocabulary notes for each podcast.

21. The feel-good English podcast

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Self-improvement is a key to get success. Keeping this in mind, The feel-good English podcast is created. Rather than focusing on different aspects of the language, it focuses on self-improvement. Even if you have decided to choose another podcast to learn English, I would still suggest you listen to this podcast. It’s more like life coaching along with English learning. I think it’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants to become a better version of him/herself.

22. Real-life English podcasts

(Available: Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Most of the podcasts are scripted. In such a scenario it is very difficult to analyze whether is it based on true experiences or not. However, this podcast can be a big advantage to you. It is basically an unscripted conversational podcast. There are about 170 episodes covering different topics like AI, movies, festivals, etc. Each episode has a written introduction with links to related articles. 

23. Luke’s English Podcast

(Available: Apple, Youtube, Spotify, Offical Website)   

Every time someone asks me to choose a podcast, I always suggest one hosted by a teacher. Luke is a qualified tutor and at the same time is a stand-up comedian. Therefore, you can imagine how entertaining this podcast will be. The only aim of this podcast is to teach you the language while having fun in it. There are many interesting episodes with fun stories. The language used is at a slow pace with a transcript in it. 

24. News in Slow English

(Available: Apple, Offical Website)

This is again a series of podcasts that is used for many other languages. In fact, If you have seen the list of Japanese podcasts, this podcast was also there. It helps in improving listing skills by sharing news in slow English. The narrator of the podcast uses simple language which is easy to follow. Each episode comes with a transcript to help you read along with it. Different sections on the website help in understanding the podcast even better. It allows you to practice the language with the help of different examples. 

How to use podcasts to learn English?

Using podcasts to learn a new language can help in improving its pronunciation. It is the same case for learning English. There are many ways to use it to learn the language. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you understand it-

• Choose the right podcast according to your preferences. 
• Make sure to check that the podcast has a topic that excites you. 
• Give at least 10 to 15 minutes to listen to it. If you are busy the whole day, try to listen to them while traveling or doing some other work. 
• Try to change the speed of the podcast if needed. 
• Do not stick to only one podcast. It will make things boring. 

Conclusion 

Undoubtedly, English has become the most common and learned language all across the world. Although there are many platforms to learn the language, most of them do not help in getting the right pronunciation. Podcasts are the best way to do it. At present, there are more than 100 podcasts available on the internet. Therefore, I have come up with a list of the best podcasts that helped my students learn English. I have listened to many of them myself. Thus, I know how engaging the episodes are.