Plain English

By Jeff at Plain EnglishEducation Language Learning

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Typical duration
13 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Plain English episodes

June 11Expression: Grow up
Learn the English expression "grow up" (and why even fully grown adults sometimes need to do it sometimes)
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/grow-up
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Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
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14 min
June 08Free and cheap houses in Japan (with a catch)
Today's story: Japan has millions of vacant homes, especially in rural areas where populations are shrinking. Some of these properties, known as akiya, are sold for surprisingly low prices or even given away for free. While they attract adventurous buyers from around the world, many require extensive repairs, complicated paperwork, and a willingness to adapt to life in rural Japan. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/871
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/871
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Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
16 min
June 04Expression: Boil over
Learn the English phrasal verb, "boil over."
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/boil-over
--
Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
11 min
June 01Paris catacombs reopen after renovation
Today's story: Beneath the streets of Paris is a huge network of underground tunnels filled with the bones of millions of former residents. Originally built as limestone quarries, the tunnels became a burial site in the 1700s after Paris’s cemeteries became overcrowded and unhealthy. The city recently completed a major renovation project to preserve the catacombs and improve conditions for visitors. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/869
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/869
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Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
15 min
May 28Expression: Hold out hope
Learn the English expression, "hold out hope"
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/hold-out-hope
--
Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
10 min
May 25Route 66 and the classic American road trip
Today's story: Route 66 was created in 1926 as part of America’s new national highway system and soon became a symbol of freedom, migration, and adventure. The highway helped farmers transport goods, guided Dust Bowl migrants west to California, and later became famous for family road trips, roadside attractions, and American car culture. As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary, towns along the historic road are honoring its lasting influence on travel and tourism. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/867
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/867
--
Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
18 min
May 21Expression: Get away with
Learn the English phrasal verb, "get away with"
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-away-with
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Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com
10 min
May 18Prediction markets let you bet on world events
Today's story: Prediction markets allow people to bet on elections, weather, wars, and other real-world events. Supporters say these markets reveal valuable information more quickly than polls or experts can. But recent scandals suggest that some users may be illegally profiting from military secrets, and even manipulating events themselves. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/865
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/865
--
Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
16 min
May 14Expression: Blend in
Learn the English phrasal verb, "blend in"
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/blend-in
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Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com
12 min
May 11What it's like to ride in a self-driving car
Today's story: What's it like to ride in a self-driving car? Jeff gives you a first-hand account of his first-ever ride in a robotaxi. In cities like Los Angeles, where Waymo operates, the future is already here. Requesting a car is just like using Uber. All that's left is to sit back and let the computer do the driving. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/863
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/863
--
Plain English helps you improve your English:
Learn about the world and improve your English
Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
New stories every week
Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!
See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language.
Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
19 min

About Plain English

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Improve your English and learn about the world at the same time. Plain English brings you short, modern stories about culture, science, travel, business, and everyday life, all told in clear, natural English designed for learners.