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Learn English with free ESL podcasts

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Learn English with free ESL podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent and enjoyable way to increase your listening fluency and pick up new words, in context.

There is a great selection of English podcasts for learners.

But there are also many not-so-good, irregularly updated and expensive subscription podcasts out there.

The following are the best of the best free ESL podcasts, from podcasters who have been around for years, consistently delivering excellent material to English language students.

(This post contains an affiliate link for my favourite podcast - I love it!)

  • ESL Pod has a variety of topics and posts several new podcasts each week, complete with learning guides.
  • EnglishClass101.com is my favourite, mostly because I use the company’s excellent Japanese and German podcasts myself! Transcripts and additional resources and tools are available for paid members.
  • Podcasts in English offer many podcasts on a variety of themes and levels. Additional worksheets are available for members.
  • Luke’s English Podcast has both audio and video recordings with transcripts available from his blog.
  • A Cup Of English has dialog-style podcasts with transcripts available on the blog.
  • Breaking News English hosts a huge number of blog posts and podcasts with additional resources for all levels of English learners. Themes are taken from current news and events.

The BBC offers several free podcasts for English learners, most published once a week.

  • Lingohack reviews current news and events, and explains the vocabulary and grammar used in video podcasts.
  • English You Need and The English We Speak focus on sounding natural while using common words and phrases instead of textbook English.
  • 6 Minute English is a short program on useful phrases for everyday situations.
  • English At Work is for those who need to use English in business. Chinese have additional programs available: Learning English for China.

If you have a favourite that I haven’t mentioned, let me know in the comments below!

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Categories | LEARNING
Tags | listening, language learning
01 Oct 2013