Plain English

By Jeff at Plain EnglishEducation Language Learning

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per episode

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Plain English episodes

February 26Expression: Run out
Learn the English expression "run out" (and listen until the end to hear what Jeff's first boss said he can *never* run out of...)
Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/run-out
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Mentioned in this episode:
Hard words? No problem
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Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.
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14 min
February 23How coffee is prepared around the world
Today's story: Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, but not everyone drinks it the same way. The two most popular styles, espresso and filter coffee, were invented in Europe. Turkish coffee is most similar to how people drank coffee centuries ago. And Cuba and Vietnam have their own unique styles. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/841
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/841
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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
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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.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
14 min
February 19Expression: Get around
There's no getting around it: you need to learn the English expression "get around"
Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-around
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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
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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.
Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
14 min
February 16What does it mean to be a ‘millionaire’?
Today's story: A “millionaire” is someone with a net worth of one million dollars. But the reality of a million dollars today is very different from when the word entered English in the late 1700s. Today’s millionaires are more likely to drive ordinary cars, live in the suburbs, and manage their own daily chores than live the lavish lifestyles we often associate with the word “millionaire.”
Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/839
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/839
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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
17 min
February 09World Cup tickets: What fans need to know
Today's story: The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. FIFA says it has received over 500 million ticket requests. So what do fans need to know if they want to attend a game? It probably depends on the type of game they want to see—there might even be some last-minute bargains. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/837
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/837
--
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
17 min
February 05Expression: Turn in
Learn the English expression, "turn in."
Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-in
--
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
13 min
February 02Canada’s oldest company closes its doors
Today's story: The Hudson’s Bay Company started as a fur trading monopoly in British North America, thanks to a royal charter signed by King Charles II. It later became a retail empire with department stores across Canada. But after years of falling sales and intense competition from big-box and online retailers, the company shut down for good in 2025. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/835
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/835
--
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
12 min
January 29Expression: Fall for
Learn the English expression "fall for" (hint: it's not something you want to do!)
Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/fall-for
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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
12 min
January 26The crackdown on scam compounds
Today's story: Southeast Asia has become the global hub of online scams, where scammers in massive compounds target workers around the world. China and the United States have begun pressuring governments in the region to shut down the scam compounds. But it's still not clear if these efforts will make a difference. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/833
Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/833
--
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
17 min
January 22Expression: Get rid of
Learn how to use the English expression, "get rid of". What things do you need to get rid of?
Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-rid-of
--
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
12 min

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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.