Plain English | Learn English | Vocabulary, News, And Culture At The Right Speed For English Language Learners

Pack your sunscreen and your swimsuit! In the second episode in our occasional series on destinations, we explore the US and British Virgin Islands. Whether you like relaxing vacations on the beach or you need to stay active, you can find the right vacation speed here. The Islands are the perfect place to snorkel around coral reefs, explore a shipwreck, or just sip some Ting as you enjoy the sunset. Plus, learn the English phrase “take the edge off.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/138     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Italian and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com **NEW** Connect with us on WhatsApp! Send a message to +1 312 967-8

For just the second time since the global AIDS epidemic began almost 40 years ago, HIV has been eliminated from a patient’s body. But scientists are not calling the breakthrough a “cure,” since the procedure is not applicable to most people with HIV. Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that is resistant to HIV, and they have given that mutation to another patient. Unfortunately, that requires a dangerous procedure: a bone marrow transplant. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb “fight off.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/137     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Italian and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com **NEW** Connect w

Who knew organizing your home could be this much fun? Marie Kondo is bestselling author and has her own Netflix show; the Japanese organizing consultant was even spotted at the Oscars this year. Her message is simple: you should organize your possessions by category and only keep the things that spark joy in your life. If you don’t want to take something into your future, you should thank that object and discard it. Plus, learn the English phrase, “have a knack for.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/136     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wh

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large area in the ocean between California and Hawaii where almost 2 trillion tiny pieces of discarded plastic have accumulated and have not escaped, thanks to ocean currents and winds. A young Dutch entrepreneur invented a contraption to clean up the garbage, but the first tests of the device were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, other scientists wonder if the attempt to clean up the area could do more harm than good. Plus, learn what it means to take something in stride. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/135     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program,

Organizers of the Paris Olympics in 2024 want breakdancing to be among the sports featured in the City of Lights. If selected, it would join skateboarding, climbing, and surfing among the newer Olympic “sports” aimed at appealing to a younger generation. Breakdancing is the most popular type of hip-hop dance and originated in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Plus, learn the English expression “to the untrained eye.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/134     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others disc

The trouble was just beginning for Norwegian Air when one of its planes had to make an emergency landing in Iran. The low-cost airline had no personnel in Iran, and American sanctions made it difficult to import the parts it needed to get its plane out of the country. The plane was stranded for over 70 days before Norwegian finally fixed it and brought it home. Plus, learn the English phrase “by the day.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/133     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Ne

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín Guzmán, better known as El Chapo, was convicted in an American court and will spend the rest of his life in jail, without possibility of parole. But the Sinaloa Cartel he co-founded and led for decades still thrives, as do other drug cartels in Mexico. Will El Chapo’s conviction slow the drug trade, or will it be business as usual? Plus, learn the English phrase “a slew of.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/132     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Neve

Fifty-nine new emojis were approved in 2019 and the main theme is individuality. Emojis that allow you to express a disability include a hearing aid, a person with a guide dog, and a prosthetic leg. You can also show people holding hands (in a variety of skin tones and genders). Eastern culture is represented with a Hindu temple, a sari, and even an auto-rickshaw. And what would we do without the yawning face or the flamingo? Plus, learn the English phrase “hop on.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/131     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating whe

Last summer’s blockbuster movie “Crazy Rich Asians” has the outlines of a fairly typical Hollywood romantic comedy—but don’t despair, because it’s stunning scenery, extravagant parties, and excellent soundtrack are more than enough to keep you entertained. The all-Asian cast is just a bonus. Plus, learn the English phrase “measure up.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/130     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at h

We got a lot of feedback from Plain English listeners about modern mating. Enjoy this bonus episode that features viewpoints from your fellow listeners! Normal episodes will resume on Monday. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www.plainenglish.com/mail  Subscribers get exclusive links for further reading and additional practice with common English words and phrases. Learn English the fun way: with a podcast in English! Listen to an American English podcast that you enjoy and understand -- all at a slower speed than normal. | Aprende inglés gratis en línea con nuestro curso. Se habla a una velocidad lenta para que todos entiendan. ¡Aprende ingles con nosotros ahora! | Aprenda Inglês online grátis com o Plain English, a uma velocidade menor

In just twenty years, the internet has revolutionized the search for a romantic partner. One third of marriages in the US begin online in some fashion and studies say such couples stay together longer, and are happier, than those that begin offline. Seniors, people in rural areas, religious minorities, and same-sex couples all benefit from the new dating dynamic. But there are some drawbacks, including the potential for social isolation. Plus, learn the English phrase “lend itself.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/129      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a re

A blast of Arctic air clobbered the Midwest of the United States at the end of January, bringing life in the major cities and the farms and fields to a halt. Businesses told workers to stay home, airlines canceled flights, and the infrastructure of life strained under the frigid temperatures, which reached minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit. Your host managed to disappear during the cold temps. Plus, learn the English term “Good Samaritan.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/128     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help ot

A dam in Brazil collapsed, burying the town of Brumadinho under a deadly river of mud. The dam was meant to contain the byproducts of mining operations. The mine operator, Vale, was involved in a previous dam collapse just a few years ago. Over 115 people were confirmed dead and over 200 missing. Questions emerged about whether the dam was inspected properly or whether corners were cut in construction. Plus, learn how to say events “unfold” in English. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/127      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you lis

After several years in which big-name entertainers have been found to have mistreated others, viewers are left with a thorny question: can you still enjoy the work of a person who has done wrong? One viewpoint is that art and artist should be totally separate; you can enjoy the artwork and punish the artist separately. Another view is that the works of disgraced artists should be discarded. Is there a middle ground? Plus, learn English phrase “sit well.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/126     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you li

Juan Guaidó, recently elected leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly, declared himself the legitimate president of his country, in one of the strongest challenges to date to Nicolas Maduro’s government. The United States, Canada, Brazil, and other countries in the Americas also recognized Guaidó, while European countries are pressuring Maduro to hold new elections. Learn the English phrase “gain traction.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/125      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program.

In the first of an occasional series on destinations in the English-speaking world, we explore Toronto, Canada’s largest city and its financial center. Thanks to Canada’s welcoming immigration policy, Toronto is rich in diversity (which inevitably leads to delicious food). Visitors can explore museums, take a hike, enjoy the theater, or go out in the distillery district. Sports fans can see the Stanley Cup—awarded to the best team in Canada’s favorite sport, ice hockey. Today, you’ll also learn the English phrase “spoiled for choice.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/124     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainen

Drone delivery is already a reality in some parts of the world, but challenges remain before it can expand. For one thing, drones need to be able to avoid crashing into each other. Governments also need to set the rules for flights of drones. Even so, they hold the promise of reducing delivery costs and increasing availability in remote areas. Dinner by drone, anyone? Plus, learn the English phrase “inch closer.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/123     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the pro

We’ve all done it: instead of asking a real doctor about our symptoms when feeling sick, we pull out our smartphones and ask “Dr. Google.” While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, you should be careful before trusting what online search results tell you about your health. Plus, learn what it means to “go down a rabbit hole.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/122      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episode! Sign up to receive updates from Plain English at http://www

Each year, thousands of mothers travel to Canada just to have a baby. They leave a month later, with a passport for their newborn. Some companies in China offer full-service birth tourism services, just like a travel agency. It’s perfectly legal, but should it be? Some Canadians think so-called birth tourism is an abuse of the system. Plus, learn what it means to test someone’s patience. Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/121     Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Never miss an episod

The new Netflix film “Roma,” directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is an intimate black-and-white portrait of an upper-middle-class family in Mexico City in the 1970s—and the way the film’s hero, Cleo, is both part of the family and apart from it. The film is a triumph for Cuarón and also for Yalitza Aparicio, the actress who plays Cleo. It was her first role in a movie. Plus, learn the phrasal verb “kneel down.” Read the full transcript of this episode at http://www.plainenglish.com/120      Transcripts are always free and available now! ¿Hablas español? Você fala português? Parles-tu français? 你会说中文吗？日本語を話せますか？ The episode transcripts include instant translations from English to Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Japanese. Hover over or tap a highlighted word for the translation. Connect with Jeff on Twitter (@PlainEnglishPod) and Facebook (PlainEnglishPod). Or e-mail jeff@plainenglish.com If you like the program, please leave a review or rating wherever you listen. It will help others discover the program. Nev