Learning English is no easy feat, but one of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in it. With all of the tools available today, there are plenty of ways to learn English, even when you’re on the go. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your language journey or you’re an advanced learner trying to perfect your skills, there are tons of top podcasts for learning English.
The best thing about podcasts is they’re easy to listen to on any device, and you can take them with you wherever you go. Whether you choose to listen to a podcast while you’re walking on the treadmill or on your way to work, you can learn English from anywhere with these podcasts.
Even though they’ve become more popular in recent years, podcasts aren’t a new idea. The first podcast was released in the early 2000s and there are currently millions of podcasts across the world. In a culture where most people are constantly on the go, podcasts are a simple way to learn about a new topic from anywhere.
It’s also helpful that most podcasts are short, giving you bite-size pieces each day so that even the busiest people can find time to listen. Some of the best podcasts to improve English are great for beginners while others are better for intermediate learners. Also, when looking for podcasts to help you learn English, keep in mind some will focus on American English while others focus on British English.
To create this list of the top podcasts for learning English, 24/7 Tempo consulted several lifestyle and language sources such as Kaplan and Rosetta Stone. (Next, check out 15 of the Best Podcasts to Help with Anxiety.)
Here are 10 of the best podcasts for learning English.
The English We Speak
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
If you’re looking for an English podcast you can listen to quickly any time of day, The English We Speak is a great choice. The episodes for The English We Speak are only three minutes long, making it easy to take a few minutes every day to learn. This program is put on by BBC and each podcast episode discusses a different English phrase or slang.
English Class 101
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
English Class 101 is a great podcast for any English learner, whether you’re a beginner or advanced. The podcast features real English conversations so you can immerse yourself in the language. When you sign up for English Class 101, you’ll get recommendations for lessons that help you meet your specific learning goals.
Luke’s English Podcast
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
Luke, the host of Luke’s English Podcast, is an English teacher with over 20 years of experience. He’s also a standup comedian so you can expect to learn and be entertained while you listen to episodes that focus on numerous aspects of British English. These episodes are longer than some other learning podcasts, with each one ranging from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
Voice of America: Learning English
- Listen on Apple
Voice of America: Learning English is another helpful podcast for learning American English. This podcast offers several programs for different levels of English speakers ranging from beginner to advanced learners. Once you get to the intermediate level, the episodes feature discussions on topics such as news, technology and culture.
English Learning for Curious Minds
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
English Learning for Curious Minds is a great choice for intermediate or advanced English learners. This podcast is fun because it covers a variety of interesting topics so you can practice English and learn about interesting topics at the same time. They cover a wide range of topics from philosophy to technology.
6 Minute English
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
6 Minute English is another podcast for English learners created by BBC. These short episodes focus on introducing new vocabulary and allow you to listen to tons of interesting topics such as dancing, pets and the Moon. 6 Minute English is meant to cover English topics related to everyday situations, making it relevant for those who are trying to learn conversational English.
Espresso English
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
Each episode of Espresso English is 5-10 minutes long. This podcast, featuring American English, covers a wide range of topics such as grammar, vocabulary and even how to stay motivated while you’re learning. If you’re ready to learn more complex topics, Espresso English also has additional courses on its website.
All Ears English
- Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, and Amazon
All Ears English is a podcast to help you become a natural English speaker. Whether you’re focusing on your pronunciation for conversational English or you want to learn business English to advance your career, the hosts offer numerous resources to meet the needs of all learners.
Coffee Break English
- Listen on Apple or Spotify
With Coffee Break English, the episodes are 15 minutes long and they’re simple enough for beginners to listen to. The goal of this podcast is to help you improve your English through short lessons. The episodes start with someone talking about one part of their life living in an English-speaking country followed by the hosts explaining the language in more depth. (Don’t miss these Must-Listen Fitness Podcasts to Keep You Motivated and Moving.)