10 English Language and American Culture Podcasts
Listening to podcasts is a wonderful way to learn more about your areas of interest while on the go! In this article, you will discover podcasts with English language learning content and topics on American culture. Whether you’re out running errands around town or are commuting to work, simply put in your headphones and pick your favorite podcast on a range of themes – including science, history, and business – from the list below. Happy listening!
ESL Pod: This platform offers an assortment of English language learning podcasts: choose a podcast series by level, format (a language versus a culture lesson), or by topic (health, education, business, travel, shopping, and more).
All Ears English: Perfect for the curious and language-learners alike, this podcast spends each episode covering any sort of question you might have about the English language. Some of their most recent topics include questions of whether you “should you speak the way you write” or about “the very American use of the word ‘gotten.’”
VOA Learning English: VOA hosts numerous podcast series on a wide range of subject matters. Just a couple of these podcasts include Health & Lifestyle, US history, and Learning English Broadcast. Just choose your favorite theme and turn the volume up!
This American Life: One of America’s most popular podcasts, This American Life has been running one-hour weekly radio shows for twenty years, and has about 1 million downloads per episode. Check out this beloved podcast to discover incredible and fascinating stories from everyday people across the United States!
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Hosted by the National Public Radio (NPR), this podcast broadcasts regular episodes on pop culture topics like music, television, movies, comics, books, and so on!
Scientific American Podcast: 60-Second Science: While listening to this daily podcast that lasts only a minute, you can improve your knowledge of scientific jargon while discovering new updates on research in areas including astronomy, chemistry, biology, and more! From one of the most prestigious science journals in the world, any science-lover will enjoy this podcast.
New Yorker Radio Hour: Hosted by David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker, this podcast is presented in a format featuring weekly interviews, profiles, and humor pieces.
Entrepreneur on Fire: Perfect for any business person looking to establish a small company, this podcast covers all aspects of running a startup. Hear about success stories and top tips for improving your marketing strategies through the many interviews this podcasts conducts!
Stuff You Missed in History Class: Hosted by HowStuffWorks, a popular educational website, this series will have any history buff thrilled to explore a historical eras and events from around the world!
Here’s the Thing: With this captivating series, you can listen to host and renowned actor Alec Baldwin interview prominent artists, performers, and politicians!
Vocabulary
Running Errands: An idiom that refers to making small trips to accomplish specific goals (such as running to the store, sending mail, buying groceries)
Jargon: Specialized language or specific words and phrases used by small, professional groups and unknown to most people
History Buff: A person who loves or knows a lot about history
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Deen is a student at Washington University in St. Louis studying English Literature, American Culture Studies, and Communication Design. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the mountains, going to art museums, and eating ice cream.