Learning English doesn’t have to be boring or difficult—podcasts make it easy and fun! Whether you’re just beginning or looking to fine-tune your skills, there’s a podcast for every level. In this post, we’ll walk you through the best English podcasts across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, and share expert tips on how to make the most of your listening time to boost your language skills.
4 Best English Podcasts for Beginners (Pre-A1, A1, and A2)
If you’re new to English or just starting to get comfortable with the basics, these podcasts are perfect for you. With simple language, clear pronunciation, and helpful explanations, they’ll help you gain confidence and improve quickly.
- Stuff You Should Know (SYKY) Genre: Society and culture
SYKY is a fantastic podcast for beginners, featuring hosts Josh and Chuck who break down interesting topics in a relaxed and engaging way. You’ll love their conversational style, which makes complex ideas easy to grasp. With transcripts available for most episodes, you can follow along and improve both your listening and reading skills. Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartPodcasts - Culips ESL Podcast Genre: Language learning
Hosted by professional English teachers, Culips offers a fun and informative way to learn English. With over 800 episodes, you can explore everything from everyday conversations to idioms and slang. Plus, their study guides and interactive transcripts ensure that you’re learning the material in depth. Where to listen: Culips ESL Podcast website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts - LearnEnglish Podcast from the British Council Genre: Language learning
Perfect for beginners, this podcast is designed to help you learn English in real-life situations. Whether you’re A1 or B1, each episode comes with a transcript and exercises, so you can test your comprehension and improve your speaking skills. It’s especially useful for learning British English. Where to listen: British Council website, App Store, Playstore - Luke’s English Podcast Genre: Learners of English as a foreign language
Luke’s podcast brings a fun, friendly, and humorous approach to learning English. With over 600 episodes, he explains everything from grammar rules to phrasal verbs in a conversational tone, making learning feel like a chat with a friend.
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Luke’s English Podcast’s official website
4 Best English Podcasts for Intermediate Learners (B1 and B2)
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to level up! These podcasts are ideal for learners who have a solid foundation but are looking to expand their vocabulary and improve fluency.
- 6 Minute English from the BBC Genre: News and vocabulary
Each episode of this podcast is just six minutes long—perfect for busy learners. These bite-sized episodes cover current events, new vocabulary, and interesting topics, making it a great way to improve listening skills in short bursts. Transcripts are also available to ensure you catch every word. Where to listen: Spotify, BBC Learning website - Business English Pod Genre: Business English
If you’re looking to enhance your professional vocabulary, this podcast is your go-to source. With over 600 episodes, Business English Pod covers everything from presentations to meetings, teaching useful phrases, idioms, and cultural nuances in the workplace.
Where to listen: Business English Pod website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts - English Learning for Curious Minds by Leonardo English Genre: Society and culture
This podcast explores fascinating topics like historical figures, cultural phenomena, and strange facts about the world. The clear explanations and storytelling make it an excellent choice for intermediate learners who want to expand both their vocabulary and knowledge of the world.
Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube - Espresso English Podcast Genre: Language learning
If you’re looking for quick and practical lessons, this podcast is ideal. With over 350 episodes covering everything from grammar to everyday conversations, Espresso English delivers concise, easy-to-digest lessons that fit into your daily routine.
Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts
4 Best English Podcasts for Advanced Speakers (C1 and C2)
At the advanced level, you’ll want podcasts that challenge your skills and help you express yourself more naturally in English. These podcasts are packed with sophisticated language and engaging topics.
- The Feel Good English Podcast Genre: Self-improvement
Skip the boring grammar lessons and dive into topics about personal growth, inspiration, and practical advice, all delivered in clear and engaging English. This podcast helps advanced learners expand their vocabulary while staying motivated to continue learning.
Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, The Feel Good English Podcast website - The English We Speak Genre: British culture/lifestyle
Short but highly effective, each three-minute episode of this podcast focuses on British idioms and expressions. It’s perfect for advanced learners who want to familiarize themselves with conversational English, especially if you’re planning to spend time in the UK.
Where to listen: BBC website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify - Overheard at National Geographic Genre: Nature/science
This podcast gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the world of National Geographic. From stories of explorers to scientific discoveries, Overheard takes you on an intellectual journey that challenges your listening and comprehension skills.
Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, National Geographic website - Serial Genre: True crime
One of the most well-known podcasts, Serial dives into real-life mysteries with compelling storytelling and investigative journalism. It’s an excellent choice for advanced learners looking to tackle complex narratives and improve their listening skills in English.
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Serial’s official website
5 Expert Tips to Learn English Faster Using Podcasts
Now that you know which podcasts are best for each level, here are five expert tips to make the most of your podcast listening and accelerate your learning:
- Listen Actively: Don’t just let the words wash over you—actively engage with the material. Pause, rewind, and repeat phrases to ensure you’re understanding and remembering them.
- Take Notes: Jot down new vocabulary, idioms, and expressions that you hear. Review these notes regularly to reinforce your learning.
- Use Transcripts: Many podcasts provide transcripts. Use them to follow along and ensure you’re catching every word.
- Mix Podcast Genres: Experiment with different genres (e.g., business, storytelling, news) to learn diverse vocabulary and expand your range of understanding.
- Practice Speaking: After listening to an episode, try summarizing it in your own words or repeating sentences aloud to improve your speaking and pronunciation skills.
Final Thoughts
Podcasts are an amazing tool for anyone learning English, offering an engaging and accessible way to immerse yourself in the language. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, the podcasts listed here are perfect for helping you improve your listening, vocabulary, and fluency. Start listening today, and remember that consistency is key to mastering English!
Pro Tip: Consider pairing your podcast listening with the International English Test (IET) to officially measure your progress and certify your skills.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
