5 Best Podcasts for English Learners

Listening and studying with podcasts is one of the most effective ways to improve your English. Podcasts are a fantastic way to ameliorate your English skills. You can not only listen to actual English conversations and hear how words are spoken, but you can also listen to them whenever you want and pause or rewind anytime — you can practise at your own pace!

But which podcasts should you use if you want to improve your listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary? Well, let’s first find out what podcasts are. 

Podcasts come in various formats, but the most popular are audio tracks on a variety of subjects. Simply put, podcasts are similar to radio shows that you can download and listen to at your convenience.

Why are podcasts considered good resources to learn English?

1. They are free, and anyone can access them. 
2. It is user-friendly, and you can technically access it from any device.
3. They help improve your vocabulary, speaking, and listening skills.

Where to find podcasts?

You can download apps on your smartphone that can help you download or listen to podcasts. If you have a laptop or PC, you can download the iTunes application for free, then search for the kind of podcasts you want to listen to.

So, what are the best podcasts for English learners?

1. ESLPod

Anyone who wants to improve their English language skills should check out ESLPod. It has more than 900 episodes to download and two hosts. Both have PhDs in Applied Linguistics. Each episode incorporates two actors acting out dialogue, while the rest of the episodes point out the key terms and phrases from the conversation, explain their meaning and ways to use them.

2. Better at English

Better at English is a fantastic alternative if you are ready to listen to conversations at a native speaker’s pace. The series, which are aimed at intermediate-level learners, covers various fascinating topics, ranging from critical discussions to lighthearted chats. Listening to these pods will help you familiarize yourself with the English language’s rhythm and speed, as well as learn some of the common phrases used by native speakers. Besides that, you will be able to download a transcript of all the conversations as well as some vocabulary notes, along with each episode.

3. EnglishClass101

This innovative English language podcast series is appropriate for learners at all levels. It offers four different levels of learning series for an absolute beginner, beginner, intermediate and advanced. The podcasts are presented by hosts who act out numerous scenarios. A scene is performed once and then repeated at a much slower pace. Every episode of the podcasts contains various pieces of information and topics. This is followed by vocabulary and sentences, as well as meaning for some of the words used in conversation. Each podcast series concludes with a discussion on critical grammar points.

4. Elementary Podcasts

The Elementary Podcasts is a helpful series hosted by the British Council for beginners and intermediate learners. Each podcast episode lasts approximately 25 minutes. The hosts of each episode walk the viewer through a variety of situations. These are situations that people face on a daily basis and are played out in conversation. Some of the subjects are often discussed in depth in the podcasts. The episodes are energetic, upbeat, and entertaining, with English dialogues spoken at a pace that is close to perfection. It also comes with helpful supporting material, some of which are ahead of the podcast episodes to help you be prepared in advance and get the best out of each episode.

5. All Ears English

If you are at an intermediate level and want a little entertainment along with learning, AllEars English is an excellent option. It is an American English podcast led by two ESL teachers, Lindsay from Boston and Michelle from New York. The podcasts discuss American culture and describe confusing terms politely and entertainingly in short multiple series. In addition, they make an effort to communicate with intermediate English speakers and concentrate on developing their English language skills in daily situations. Another excellent quality of this podcast is Lindsay and Michelle’s expertise in IELTS preparation, so it is an excellent option for IELTS aspirants.