Hearing a language is one of the hardest parts of the language learning process. And listening to podcasts in English is one of the best ways to do so in any situation. You can even download them and listen to them on a plane…

Listen as many times as you need, or even download the transcripts to make sure you are picking up every single word.

However, we understand that it might be difficult to find the right one. Maybe you’re looking for a specific accent, topic, or level. And there are thousands of options. That’s why we have put together a useful list of our 10 favorite podcasts to learn English, specifying the country, level, topic, etc. Follow along! 

The English We Speak

Provider: BBC

Country: UK

When: Weekly

Duration: 3-4 minutes

Level: Intermediate

Topics: Varied

Notes: Learn must-have sentences with these short episodes. If you’re a busy person with no time looking to improve your conversational English quickly, this is your podcast. 

Caught red-handed – The English We Speak

Learn an expression about being caught doing something wrong.

1. Caught red-handed 01:59
2. Rabbit on 01:55
3. Thanks a bunch 02:12
4. Slow walk 01:55
5. Take something to heart 02:07

Elementary Podcasts

Provider: British council

Country: UK

When: Weekly

Duration: 10 minutes

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Topic: from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.

Notes: This podcast is perfect for those of you who are starting to listen to English. Get ready for some perfect English accent. 

ESL Pod

Provider: British council

Country: Not specified 

When: Daily

Duration: 15-30 minutes

Level: Intermediate-Advanced 

Topic: this service is not free. But if you are looking for a more intensive and curated content, you might be interested on the site. 

What If World

Provider: Mr. Eric

Country: UK

When: Weekly

Duration: 20 minutes

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Topic: General knowledge, crazy facts

Notes: Made for children but suitable for everyone! Each week, Mr. Eric takes a “What if?” question from a kid and spins it into a story for all of you. 

This American Life

Provider: Public radio

Country: US

When: weekly

Duration: 1 hour

Level: Advanced

Topic: Each week they choose a theme and put together different kinds of stories on that theme.

Notes: This is one of the most famous and interesting podcasts out there, especially if you are interested in American life and culture. Definitely challenging to understand.

Overheard at National Geographic

Provider: National Geographic

Country: US

When: Weekly

Duration: 30 minutes

Level: Advanced

Topic: Nature, adventure and science

Notes:  follow explorers, photographers, and scientists to the edges of our big, weird, beautiful world.

The Writer’s Voice

Provider: The New Yorker

Country: US

When: Weekly

Duration: 40-50 minutes

Level: Advanced

Topic: Literature and culture

Notes: The New Yorker is definitely one of my favorite magazines, especially since I moved to New York. If you are interested in culture and personal stories around it, this is the best podcast for you. Also, this is the perfect opportunity to put your New York slang into play!

Here’s the Thing

Provider: WNYC Studios

Country: US

When: Weekly

Duration: 30-70 minutes

Level: Advanced

Topic: Creativity, gossip

Notes: Join Alec Baldwin into the lives of artists, policy makers and performers.

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Actors Studio with Ellen Burstyn & Estelle Parsons – Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin

This past year marked the 75th Anniversary of the Actors Studio, the nonprofit organization that has shared “truth in acting” with decades of film, television and theater professionals, including some of the biggest names in the business. This episode is the first in a series of conversations with some of those responsible for the studio’s success. Alec currently serves as Co-President of the Actors Studio and had the opportunity to speak with two leaders within the institution: Co-President Ellen Burstyn, who joined the studio in 1967, is known for her roles in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,”“The Exorcist,” and “Requiem for A Dream” – and also has the distinction of winning the “Triple Crown of Acting:” an Oscar, a Tony and two Emmy Awards. Alec then speaks with Co-Associate Artistic Director Estelle Parsons, who has been with the studio since 1962. Parsons earned an Academy Award for ”Bonnie and Clyde,” the second film she ever made, and has earned five Tony nominations and two Obies in her illustrious career. The two remarkable women share their stories of finding their way to the Actors Studio and the impact it had on their careers – and their craft. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Actors Studio with Ellen Burstyn & Estelle Parsons 53:34
2. Sammy The Bull: From Omertà to Podcast 49:09
3. Daniel Weiss on the Met’s Legacy 41:55
4. Hatice Cengiz and the Legacy of Her Slain Fiancée Jamal Khashoggi 32:45
5. Here’s the Thing: Trailer 01:34

TED Radio Hour

Provider: NPR

Country: US

When: Weekly

Duration: 40-60 minutes

Level: Advanced

Topic: Life and challenges

Notes: TED Radio Hour investigates the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Mind, Body, Spirit – Part 1 – TED Radio Hour

For millennia, humans have debated the mind, body, spirit connection. But today, the phrase sounds trite — a hallmark of the #selfcare industry. Over the next three episodes, TED speakers will investigate fresh perspectives on how we think, move, and feel. This hour: the mind. Guests include animal behaviorist and autism activist Temple Grandin, podcast host and meditation advocate Dan Harris, neurointerventionist and entrepreneur Tom Oxley and poet Sarah Kay Starting Wednesday, March 22, TED Radio Hour Plus subscribers will get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without ads. Sign-up at plus.npr.org/ted.

1. Mind, Body, Spirit – Part 1 50:45
2. Why We're Living Longer 50:11
3. Humor Us 50:50
4. Small But Mighty 50:20
5. Bucking the System (2021) 50:49

Stuff You Missed in History Class

Provider: Stitcher

Country: US

When: Biweekly

Duration: 30-40 minutes

Level: Advanced

Topic: History

Notes: Great vocabulary… and amazing content. Suitable for all ages! You could learn incredible facts such as these ones about Brooklyn…

Augustin Daly – Stuff You Missed in History Class

Augustin Daly is often described as a foundational figure of the U.S. theater. He wrote, adapted, and produced dozens of plays in the 19th century, and he created a theater company that produced many stars of the New York stage. Research: “Augustin Daly Enjoins Dixey.” New York Times. March 22, 1896. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/03/22/105744198.html?pageNumber=3 “Augustin Daly Recovers From Illness.” New Yor Times. June 6, 1899. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/06/06/118938057.html?pageNumber=7 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Augustin Daly". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Jul. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augustin-Daly Powell, Wiliam S., ed. “Dictionary of North Carolina Biography.” North Carolina Press. 1979-1996. “Dramatic Copyright.” New York Times. Dec, 18, 1868. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1868/12/18/issue.html “Augustin Daly’s Victory.” New York Times. July 11, 1885. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1885/07/11/103630354.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 Daly, Augustin. “Divorce: A Play of the Period in Five Acts.” ACTED AT THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME, SEPTEMBER 5th, 1871. NEW YORK: PRINTED AS MANUSCRIPT ONLY, FOR THE AUTHOR. 1884. https://archive.org/stream/divorceplayofper00daly/divorceplayofper00daly_djvu.txt Brown, Thomas Alston. “A History of the New York Stage From the First Performance in 1732 to 1901.” (Reprint) Legare Street Press. 2022. “Mr. Daly’s Opening Play.” New York Times. October 5, 1888. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1888/10/05/106197330.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 “Mr. Daly’s New Drama.” New York Times. Oct. 25, 1888. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1888/10/25/106200311.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 “Funeral of Augustin Daly.” New York Times. June 19, 1899. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/06/19/100446037.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 Dithmar, Edward A. “The Career of Augustin Daly.” June 18, 1899. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/06/18/117925544.html?pageNumber=30 “Intimate Glimpses of Augustin Daly.” New York Times. October 7, 1917. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/10/07/96274408.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 Jaworowski, Ken. “Review: ‘Leah, the Forsaken’ is an 1862 Drama With Modern Resonance.” New York Times. Feb. 21, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/theater/leah-the-forsaken-review.html Eytinge, Rose. “The Memories of Rose Eytinge: Being Recollections & Observations of Men, Women, and Events, during Half a Century.” New York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1905. Daly, Joseph Francis. “Life of Augustin Daly.” Macmillan. 1927. “Augustin Daly.” New York Times. June 9, 1899. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/06/09/101231584.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. Augustin Daly 35:39
2. SYMHC Classics: U.S.S. Akron 27:14
3. Behind the Scenes Minis: Murder and Vivisection 26:49
4. The Brown Dog Affair 37:55
5. Alma Petty Gatlin’s Trial 35:21

You can find more podcast ideas on fluentu’s website. And if you are looking for some other ideas to try at home, check these tips to avoid getting crazy at home, or practice your reading with these amazing books set in NYC.

And check our Adult English courses for an in-depth learning experience with the best language school in New York…

And if you are tired of listening and cannot wait to start speaking… join our Live in NY Conversation class, fully online!