Learn everyday English by listening to podcasts in a series created by the British Council
Do you enjoy listening to podcasts?
In this section, listen to our series of podcasts for learners at A2 English level (pre-intermediate) and B1 English level (intermediate). The episodes are divided into different sections, from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.
You will improve your listening comprehension and develop your vocabulary. Each recording has a transcript and interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.
Podcasts series 1
Learn everyday English by listening to our podcasts in series 1. All the episodes in the first series are divided into different sections, from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.
You will improve your listening comprehension and develop your vocabulary. Each recording has a transcript and interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.
Episode 01
Welcome to LearnEnglish podcasts! In this episode the presenters, Tess and Ravi, introduce themselves, and their guests talk about Angelina Jolie, New York City and celebrities who work for charity. You can also meet Carolina, a Venezuelan student who’s coming to live in the UK.
Episode 02
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about weekends away, and their guests talk about Shakira and dancing tango in Argentina. You can also follow Carolina’s journey in the UK. Will she find her way out of the airport?
Episode 03
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about clothes, and their guests talk about the designer of Apple products, Jonathan Ive, and women’s football. You can also follow Carolina on her journey from Venezuela to the UK. Will she find her suitcase?
Episode 04
In the episode Tess and Ravi talk about how they’re feeling, and their guests talk about Bob Marley, an unusual festival and British money. You can follow Carolina’s journey by train from London to Newcastle. Will she catch her train?
Episode 05
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about pets, and their guests talk about Didier Drogba and life in New Zealand. You can also follow Carolina’s adventures in the UK as she arrives at her student accommodation in Newcastle. Will she make some new friends?
Episode 06
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about travel problems, and their guests talk about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and life in Kazakhstan. You can also follow Carolina as she settles in to student life and finds out all about student clubs and societies. Will she join a student club?
Episode 07
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about their families, and their guests talk about Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Muhammed Yunus and life in Cairo. You can follow Carolina in Newcastle, but in this episode she’s not feeling very well. Will she have to go to see a doctor?
Episode 08
In this episode Ravi asks Tess a favour, and their guests talk about British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough and Christmas in Prague. You can follow Carolina as she visits a pub with some friends. What will she think about British pubs?
Episode 09
Tess and Ravi are making plans for the weekend, and their guests talk about the cartoonist Matt Groening and the Indian film industry. You can also follow Carolina as she starts to enjoy life in Newcastle and invites some new friends to dinner. What do you think she’ll cook for them?
Episode 10
This is the final episode of the first series, and to celebrate we’ve put together the best bits from Series 1. How much do you remember from the previous episodes?
Podcasts series 2
Learn everyday English by listening to our podcasts in series 2. All the episodes in the second series are divided into different sections, from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.
You will improve your listening comprehension and develop your vocabulary. Each recording has a transcript and interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.
Choose an episode
Episode 01
Tess and Ravi talk about birthdays, and their guests talk about knitting and favourite food. Carolina, the student from Venezuela studying in Newcastle, goes shoe shopping. What type of shoes will she choose?
Episode 02
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk about restaurants, and their guests talk about Albert Einstein and shopping. You can also follow Carolina as she meets her course tutor. Will she get good feedback on her essay?
Episode 03
In this episode Ravi asks Tess for some advice, and their guests talk about meditation and space exploration. You can also follow Carolina as she meets a friend’s family for the first time. Will she get on well with them?
Episode 04
In this episode Tess is upset about losing her cat and Ravi offers support. Their guests talk about chocolate and ways of wasting time. You can also follow Carolina as she tries some British home cooking. Will she like it?
Episode 05
In this episode Tess shares some good news with Ravi, and their guests talk about Formula 1 and telling the truth. You can also follow Carolina as she takes something back to a shop. Will she get her money back?
Episode 06
In this episode Ravi has hurt his leg and Tess persuades him to go to the doctor. Their guests talk about architect Zaha Hadid and complaining about bad service. You can also follow Carolina as she goes to the hairdresser. Will she get a new look?
Episode 07
In this episode Ravi is having a bad day and he tells Tess all about it. Their guests talk about the English city of Bath and global problems facing humanity. You can also follow Carolina as she goes away for the weekend with the Conservation Society. Will they have a good trip?
Episode 08
In this episode Ravi is planning his holiday and tells Tess all about it. Their guests talk about running in the Lake District and special talents. You can also follow Carolina on her weekend trip away. Will everything go to plan?
Episode 09
In this episode Ravi is thinking about giving up his Spanish lessons, and their guests talk about a special watch and time machines. You can also follow Carolina as she and Jamie go out for dinner. Will they have a good meal?
Episode 10
In this episode Tess and Ravi talk to Gordon about his adventures making a documentary about whales. Their other guests talk about superpowers. You can also follow Carolina as she’s getting ready to go back to Venezuela for the summer holidays. Is she excited to go home for a visit?
Podcasts series 3
Learn everyday English by listening to our podcasts in series 3. All the episodes in the third series are divided into different sections, from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.
You will improve your listening comprehension and develop your vocabulary. Each recording has a transcript and interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.
Choose an episode
Episode 01
LearnEnglish Podcasts is back! Some things are the same (Tess, Ravi and Carolina) and some things are new, for example the presenters. So whether you’re new to LearnEnglish Podcasts or have been listening since Series 1, give it a try!
Episode 02
In this episode, Carolina returns. What happened with her and Jamie? What is new in Emily’s life? Plus, Adam and Rob talk about the recipes you shared after last week’s show.
Episode 03
Tess and Ravi discuss a topic that many British people like to talk about all the time. Can you guess what it is? Adam reports on some of the different ways you said you greet each other.
Episode 04
Carolina is having some problems with money. What can she do to solve them? Adam and Rob talk about all the different types of weather you have in your countries.
Episode 05
Tess and Ravi talk about football and hooligans in the UK and how things have changed. Adam is on holiday so we only have Rob this week.
Episode 06
Carolina wants a job to solve her money problems, but will she find one? Adam is surprised about your opinions of football!
Episode 07
Adam and Rob discuss your favourite times of day. Also, Tess and Ravi talk about something British people love, but most people hate!
Episode 08
Jamie has a surprise for Carolina, who is already quite excited about her new job. Meanwhile, Rob and Adam have been waiting patiently since the last episode to talk about queuing.
Episode 09
Our listeners’ musical talents are the topic for discussion this episode. Tess and Ravi tell you all about the drink British people are famous for loving.
Episode 10
Carolina has a new job, but does she enjoy it? Rob and Adam talk about all the different things that you drink.
Episode 11
Tess and Ravi discuss something British that people think isn’t much good. Adam and Rob read your comments about your jobs.
Episode 12
Your comments about British food – and Carolina has a suggestion about a boy for Emily!
Episode 13
Tess and Ravi talk about politeness and Adam reads your comments about going to the cinema.
Episode 14
Rob and Adam see what you have to say about politeness, and Emily and Carolina discuss a certain boy…
Episode 15
Tess and Ravi discuss the most famous city in the UK – I think you know what it is! Rob and Adam read your comments about social networking.
Episode 16
Adam is impressed by how much you know about London. In Newcastle, Carolina meets a horrible customer in the shop and that’s just the start of a very bad day.
Episode 17
Tess and Ravi talk about a very famous British family and Adam passes on your kind words to Carolina.
Episode 18
Adam reads your comments about families and we find out if Carolina is feeling any better.
Episode 19
Tess and Ravi talk about a scary monster. But there’s something worse than monsters; Adam and Rob say goodbye!
Episode 20
The end is here! But not forever… This is the last podcast of Series 3. Adam talks about animal noises and we hear the latest from Carolina and Emily.
Learn everyday English by listening to our podcasts in series 4. All the episodes in the fourth series are divided into different sections, from fictional drama and jokes to quizzes and language advice.
You will improve your listening comprehension and develop your vocabulary. Each recording has a transcript and interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.
Choose an episode
Episode 01
LearnEnglish Podcasts is back! Join Adam, Tess, Ravi and a new presenter for Series 4 as they talk about pets and whether it’s true that the British are crazy about animals. Please join us, and let us know what you think!
Episode 02
Carolina and Emily are also back for Series 4! Along with Jo and Adam, they talk about the time of year when bargains can be had – the January sales!
Episode 03
Tess and Ravi talk about one of the most emblematic forms of transport in London. You guessed it! The big, red double-decker buses! Jo and Adam join them in speaking about transport.
Episode 04
Carolina and Jamie go to the pub and see something they didn’t expect. Should they tell Emily? Jo and Adam examine the pronouns Carolina and Jamie use to talk about what they saw.
Episode 05
How would you describe the British character? Tess and Ravi consider whether the British are reserved, while Jo and Adam look at negative prefixes.
Episode 06
Carolina and Jamie disagree about telling Emily about Cameron as they get ready to eat dinner, while Adam and Jo consider potatoes and the past continuous.
Episode 07
Tess and Ravi are back to talk about shopping in London, and Jo and Adam look at how to use the word ‘too’ in different ways.
Episode 08
Emily thinks Carolina should go and see Jamie’s band play, but Carolina doesn’t want to lie to her boss. Jo and Adam talk about the difference between ‘good evening’ and ‘good night’.
Episode 09
Tess and Ravi talk about a typical English drink and where to find it. Jo and Adam look at adjectives and adverbs.
Episode 10
Jamie might have the chance to follow his dream. Adam and Jo look at how Jamie and Carolina use ‘will’, ‘won’t’ and ‘might’ to talk about his future.
Episode 11
Tess and Ravi talk about pop music and Jo and Adam look at the difference between the verbs ‘hear’ and ‘listen’.
Episode 12
Carolina goes to the river and goes on a rowing boat with Jamie. Adam and Jo talk about difficult aspects of English such as homographs and homophones.
Episode 13
Tess and Ravi discuss the news and the BBC, while Adam and Jo talk about unusual words such as ‘series’ and ‘news’.
Episode 14
Carolina and Emily are in the library to study, but end up chatting. Jo and Adam chat about conditionals – sentences with ‘if’.
Episode 15
Discussing TV crime programmes, Tess teaches Ravi a thing or two about Sherlock Holmes. Adam and Jo explain how to use ‘to be born’.
Episode 16
Jamie’s taken his exam and is waiting for the results. Adam and Jo talk about the meaning of different exam results in the UK.
Episode 17
To negate or not to negate? Shakespeare and negative verb forms are the topics the team speak about in this week’s episode.
Episode 18
Carolina and Emily don’t seem to be enjoying the end-of-year party, but Adam and Jo enjoy talking about ‘everyone’ and informal ways of saying ‘How are you?’
Episode 19
Tess and Ravi finish up Series 4 talking about myths about British people, while Jo and Adam speak about false friends and how to use the word ‘actually’ to give true information about something.
Episode 20
It’s the end of Series 4! Carolina tells Emily she’s going to miss her while she studies in France. But will she be missing Jamie too? What’s Jamie going to do? Jo and Adam look at different ways of speaking about the future. It’s goodbye until the next series!
