VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English artwork

VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English

1,197 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★ - 496 ratings

Learning English programs use a limited vocabulary and short sentences. They are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Our broadcasts were formerly known as Special English.

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Episodes

Learning English Podcast - April 11, 2024

April 11, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, where will China sell all its extra cars and solar panels?; the company OpenAI announces voice cloning but delays release because of possible misuse followed by a discussion about the risks of the voice-producing tool; then, ‘summer fun’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 10, 2024

April 10, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, why are some people left-handed?; an essay from Ukraine about the beautiful town of Skhidnytsia; U.S. officials say air quality is a problem followed by a discussion about connections between air quality, climate and attendance; then the word ‘dispersed’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 09, 2024

April 09, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, the Vatican declares opposition to sex change operations and surrogacy; what is the bests-selling vehicle in the U.S.?; a study says humans give animals more viruses followed by a discussion about zoonosis; then, short form pronouns on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 08, 2024

April 08, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a civic group aims to educate Taiwanese about false news; NASA's Mars explorer arrives at new spot in its search for water followed by a discussion another Mars exploring rover; then, hard and soft skills on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 07, 2024

April 07, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is tested; herders in Norway must feed their reindeer; essays get much more important on college applications; explore the meaning of ‘bogus’ on Words and Their stories followed by a discussion about false and real things.

Learning English Podcast - April 06, 2024

April 06, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, music star Beyonce takes up country music; a Thai city faces problems with monkeys; a question about ‘different than’ and ‘different from’’ followed by a discussion about ‘from,’ ‘than’ and ‘then’; finally, ‘A Pair of Silk Stockings’ by Kate Chopin on American Stories.

Learning English Podcast - April 05, 2024

April 05, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, World Central Kitchen targets hunger in many places; stories of water shortages around the world; writing feedback for listeners’ letters about East Asian national dishes followed by a discussion on word choice; then, a look ahead to tomorrow’s Ask a Teacher.

Learning English Podcast - April 04, 2024

April 04, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Europe builds a powerful laser with Nobel-Prize-winning technology; a legal settlement orders Google to destroy users’ personal information followed by a discussion about how the settlement might affect the future; then, ‘can’ and ‘can’t’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 03, 2024

April 03, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a U.N. report says the world wastes 19 percent of its food; coffee and culture in Ukraine; a study finds a link between free school meals and reduced obesity in children followed by a discussion about ‘eligible’; then, ‘recycling’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 02, 2024

April 02, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Google launched Gmail on April 1, 20 years ago; people are using chatbots to help with mental health followed by a discussion noting that chatbots are not for emergencies; then, ‘tons of’ and similar expressions on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - April 01, 2024

April 01, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, the Netherlands’ hyperloop center aims to develop transportation technology ; bamboo is getting popular in Uganda; NASA plans many observation projects for April’s total solar eclipse followed by ‘why solar eclipses are different lengths’; then, fast speech on Lesson of the day.

Learning English Podcast - March 31, 2024

March 31, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, could the Francis Scott Key Bridge have been saved?; bird flu is killing seals worldwide; Germany aims to increase educational choices for its young people; what are a person’s ‘true colors’ followed by a discussion about one’s true nature and what it means to be ‘true blue.’

Learning English Podcast - March 30, 2024

March 30, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, famous cherry trees in Washington D.C. are to be removed for a renovation project; AI robots are being used to write letters; we answer a question about kinds of sentences followed by a discussion about clauses; then, ‘Pigs Is Pigs’ by Ellis Parker Butler on American Stories.

Learning English Podcast - March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, more details about NASA’s spacecraft that crashed into an asteroid; small living spaces are becoming common again; a study looks for stars that eat planets; signs of the Easter holiday on Everyday Grammar followed by a chat about an Easter tradition at a local Christian church.

Learning English Podcast - March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, coffee growers worry about new EU rules; Florida approves a law banning children under 14 from having social media accounts followed by a discussion on how the law will be enforced; then, all about stereotypes on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Ukrainians in Kherson face the pain of war; Palestinians in Gaza eat herbs because of war; Australia places controls on foreign students followed by an explanation of why Australia is limiting who enters the country; then, the word ‘migraine’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, people in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta are leaving for cities to escape poverty; a treatment used to fight leukemia is being tested on brain tumors learn followed by a discussion about therapy; then tag questions, like questions about the weather, on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, an essay about how Ukrainian schools are changing; a study shows the brain does less to use a native language; SpaceX Starship test is a qualified success followed by a discussion about the continuing rocket tests; then, ‘bored’ and ‘boring’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, South Korean researchers create a ‘beef rice’ combination; trucks are crashing into wooden bridges in America; why are fewer Chinese students are coming to the U.S. for college?; learn about ‘ancient history’ followed a discussion of why it does not always mean the distant past.

Learning English Podcast - March 23, 2024

March 23, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a law in Senegal has increased the number of women in politics; an AI robot in the Netherlands teaches itself to pick sick tulips; we answer a listener’s question about ‘live’ followed by a discussion about heteronyms; then, Mark Twain’s short story, ‘A Californian’s Tale.’

Learning English Podcast - March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, sports fans use mathematics, artificial intelligence to predict basketball championship; native and industry are in conflict in South America’s ‘Lithium Triangle’; two listeners tell us about their dreams on Everyday Grammar followed by a discussion about mothers' importance.

Learning English Podcast - March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, marriages in South Korea rise a little buy population concerns continue; U.S. libraries say they are payng to much for electronic books followed by a discussion about the popularity of e-books; then, ‘usual’ and ‘unusual’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a California lawmaker aims to legislate for happiness; one researcher says students learn a lot from disturbing books followed by a discussion about the debate over disturbing subjects in school; then, an essay on a traditional Ukrainian food; Lesson of the Day: ‘organic.’

Learning English Podcast - March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, all about this year’s vernal equinox: it marks the start of spring; the U.S. food and drug agency approves a weight loss drug for heart disease; then, feeling homesickness on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a special essay from Ukraine about flowers and gardening; avian influenza is killing wildlife in South America; then learn about the total solar eclipse visible in North America on April 8 followed by a discussion what people might see; then intonation on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, India enacts a law said to favor citizenship for non-Muslims; fears grow of fake videos made with AI influencing elections; the winter sport of skijoring; more Indian students are coming to America; and “going against the grain’ followed by a discussion about its meaning.

Learning English Podcast - March 16, 2024

March 16, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a new, small study says there might be a link between plastic particles and heart disease; we answer a question about ‘just’ and ‘only’ followed by a discussion about using the words; then ‘A Piece of Red Calico’ by Frank Stockton on American Stories.

Learning English Podcast - March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28 MB

On today’s podcast, the European Union approves a law overseeing artificial intelligence; learn the mathematics of Pi Day; a wildlife groups dresses up like foxes to raise a orphaned baby fox; how we talk about food on Everyday Grammar; an a contest-winning Ukrainian writer tells us about Ukraine.

Learning English Podcast - March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, why a Filipino man turned his home into a library; a Greek grandma makes scarves for poor children; an industry group releases a report on auto-assist driving rating most systems ‘poor’ followed by a discussion about automaker reaction; then, ‘filler’ words on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Haiti’s prime minister resigns as lawlessness spreads; a U.S. agency wars that marine coral will die off soon; a study looks at how 15-year-olds learn in five countries and a discussion on findings about technology and learning; then, ‘school district’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Britain’s Princess Kate apologizes for changed photo; a Pacific grey whale is found in the Atlantic Ocean; scientists are growing small tissue organs using cells from pregnant women followed by a discussion on organoids; then, pronunciation and fast speech on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 11, 2024

March 11, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Dovbush Rocks: a special place in Ukraine; ‘Invader’ is France’s traveling street artist; latest research suggests less oxygen on Jupiter’s moon Europa followed by a discussion on why earlier estimates were wrong; then, word stress on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 10, 2024

March 10, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a study uncovers secrets of star sand dunes; Europe’s Digital Markets Act pushes changes on big internet companies; Dartmouth University’s basketball players join a union; what does it mean to ‘take the plunge’ followed by a personal stories about moves big and small.

Learning English Podcast - March 09, 2024

March 09, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a small clothing maker in Rome is behind 17 Academy Awards; Russia and China are aiming to put a nuclear reactor on the moon; we answer a listener’s question about ‘yet’ followed by a discussion; and part two of Stephen Crane’s short story ‘The Open Boat’ on American Stories.

Learning English Podcast - March 08, 2024

March 08, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Miami Beach adds security measures to deal with vacationers; Boy from Gaza gets medical care in U.S.; oil drilling in DRC Congo has environmentalists worried; then, indefinite pronouns in ‘Fast Car’ on Everyday Grammar followed by a discussion about the song’s meaning.

Learning English Podcast - March 07, 2024

March 07, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a member of the first team to climb Mt. Everest says the area is now crowded and dirty; find out how radio waves can make ‘virtual fences’ keep for farm animals followed by a discussion about how they work; then, Anna Matteo is the special guest on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 06, 2024

March 06, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, U.S. officials aim to investigate “smart” cars made in China; U.S. educators are considering a ban on phones in schools followed by a discussion about why the issue is coming up now; a special essay about a town destroyed in Ukraine’s war; then, “vibrate” on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 05, 2024

March 05, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, for Tahiti, hosting Olympic surfing is not so simple; an electronic implant in the brain might help people with depression followed by a discussion about clinical trials and the Food and Drug Administration; then “dreams” on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 04, 2024

March 04, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, three lessons that can be learned from the war in Ukraine; researchers find that a NASA mission to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid completely reshaped the target body followed by a discussion about such missions; then reduced forms on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - March 03, 2024

March 03, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, U.S. health officials say older adults should get another COVID vaccination; a professors’ group speaks out about changes at New College of Florida; scientist have a theory for how human ancestors lost their tails; all about ‘the riot act’ followed by a discussion criticism.

Learning English Podcast - March 02, 2024

March 02, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a pilot from Cyprus takes on making a famous traditional cheese; a U.N. report on waste calls for new rules and treaties; we answer a listener’s question about ‘must’ and ‘have to’; then, part one of the short story ‘The Open Boat’ by Stephen Crane on American Stories.

Learning English Podcast - January 07, 2024

January 07, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Harvard’s president resigns over charges of plagiarism; a grandmother in Chile is also a top online video gamer; ‘coloring inside the lines’ and other expressions followed by a discussion about ‘outside the box’; then the life and path to the presidency of Donald Trump.

Learning English Podcast - January 06, 2024

January 06, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, in the birthplace of fireworks, a debate over whether they should stay legal; Ugandan lawmakers consider banning homemade drink; a listener question about the word slender followed by a discussion about related words; part two of ‘Rappaccini’s Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Learning English Podcast - January 05, 2024

January 05, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, the latest on an airplane accident in Tokyo involving a passenger airplane made of composite materials; a teenager defeats a famous, old video game; then, the grammar of a popular song followed by a discussion about ‘personification.’

Learning English Podcast - January 04, 2024

January 04, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, millions of Afghans are displaced within their own country; Japanese researchers say they have broken the world’s record for internet data speed followed by a discussion about some of the technologies involved; then, supporting opinions on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - January 03, 2024

January 03, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, a powerful earthquake strikes western Japan; woman praises ‘cat therapy to help disabled; early childhood education followed by a discussion about the word ‘advantage;’ then a look at the word ‘overtaken’ on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - January 02, 2024

January 02, 2024 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, NASA aims to use human-like robots for jobs in space; we talk with two teachers who feel connected to the world in different ways; will a costly, new treatment for sickle cell disease be successful in controlling the disease?; and the past perfect tense on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - January 01, 2024

January 01, 2024 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, Louisianna’s Creole culture means different things to different people; Mexican women grow cannabis as a business; the top space stories of 2023 including NASA’s recovery of space rocks from an asteroid; then workplace terms on Lesson of the Day.

Learning English Podcast - December 31, 2023

December 31, 2023 00:30 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, some of the top higher education stories in 2023; what do you do with old solar panels? Recycle them, of course; idioms using the word ‘goal’ followed by a discussion about setting New Year’s goals; then the presidency of Barack Obama on America’s Presidents.

Learning English Podcast - December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023 00:30 - 29 minutes - 28.1 MB

On today’s podcast, remembering those we lost in 2023 including Sandra Day O’Connor and Henry Kissinger; a listener’s question about the difference between ‘change’ and ‘vary;’ and the short story ‘Rappaccini’s Daughter’ by Nathaniel Hawthorne on American Stories.