Plain English

Today's story: Though most Christmas trees are plastic, millions of families like to get live Christmas trees every year. Real trees are grown at special Christmas tree farms and they take many years (and twice-a-year trimming) to mature into the picture-perfect trees you see in family photos.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/824

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/824

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Today's story: Scientists used to rely on stickers to track monarch butterfly migration—but that only showed where a butterfly started and ended. Now, a solar-powered device called the BluMorpho is helping researchers track each step of the journey, offering new insight into one of nature’s most complex migrations.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/823

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/823

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Today's story: Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of kilometers from across the U.S. and Canada to just a few mountain forests in central Mexico. They rely on the sun, the Earth’s magnetic field, and a unique multi-generational life cycle to complete the journey. But their numbers are falling due to habitat loss and climate change.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/822

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/822

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Today's story: The United States Mint struck its final penny in November 2025, ending a 232-year run of producing the one-cent coin. The decision followed years of debate over the coin’s value, as production costs exceeded its worth and demand declined. Pennies will remain legal tender, but new ones won’t be made.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/821

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/821

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Today's story: Zippers are everywhere: on clothes, bags, and accessories. But the basic design of a zipper hasn't changed in a century. Now, though, the world's biggest zipper maker, YKK, has a new design that eliminates the tape next to the zipper's teeth. The result is a zipper that's lighter, more flexible, and better looking.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/820

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/820

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We're opening up the archives to repeat episode 223 from January 2020, just before COVID-19 halted air travel. Enjoy!

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In between economy class (in the back) and business class (in the front), airlines have created a new class of service called "premium economy." This is aimed at travelers who will pay a little more for some extra space, but can't pay the sky-high prices of a full business class seat. In this episode, Jeff reviews his experience in premium economy: he finds that it's more "economy" than "premium."

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons...

Black Friday is here, and Plain English is ready to support your English learning with a great introductory offer:

Join Plain English Plus+ today and get 3 months for the price of 1!

In three months with Plain English, you can:

** Lose the fear of speaking by joining up to 9 live Zoom calls with Jeff & JR

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** Improve your accent with pronunciation practice

** Train your ear to catch more English at full speed

...and it's all available for about half...

Today's episode is one from the archives, originally number 583. Enjoy!

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Cold plunges are the new health trend championed by high-fliers and ordinary people alike. By submerging yourself water that's 15 degrees Celsius (or colder!), you can manage stress, reduce muscle soreness, improve your concentration, and more, advocates say.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/cold-plunge

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Today's story: Parkrun is a free, volunteer-run event that takes place every Saturday morning in parks around the world. Participants run, jog, or walk a 5K route, and the focus is on community, health, and fun—not competition. What started with just 13 runners in London has expanded to over 23 countries.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/819

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/819

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Today's story: Snake bites kill over 100,000 people each year, but antivenom (the treatment for poisonous snake bites) has hardly changed in a century. Today, doctors have to know the type of snake that bit a patient, and the hospital has to have the right antivenom handy. But now, scientists are developing universal treatments that work against many types of venom. If successful, it could save lives and prevent amputations.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/818

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/818

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Today's story: Screen time among senior citizens has been growing recently, as more and more retirees use phones and tablets, in addition to time spent watching television. Online devices can help seniors keep their skills sharp, stay in touch with loved ones, and pass the time. But seniors are also vulnerable to scams and don't have the built-in social structures that younger people do.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/817

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/817

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Today's story: Publishers Clearing House made its name by offering magazine subscriptions through the mail—along with the chance to win big prizes. The lure of big winnings helped the company sell millions of subscriptions. Some winners received $5,000 a week for life. But the company recently declared bankruptcy, and the "lifetime" payments stopped.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/816

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/816

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Today's story: The White Lotus may be fictional, but the luxury hotels in the show are real—and they’re getting a lot more attention. All three seasons of the HBO hit show "The White Lotus" were filmed at Four Seasons resorts. It all started with a risky bet during the pandemic, but now the hotel chain is finally embracing its onscreen fame.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/815

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/815

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Today's story: On a Sunday morning in October, four thieves disguised as construction workers used a ladder truck and power tools to break into the Louvre museum. In just seven minutes, they smashed display cases and escaped with eight priceless pieces of French crown jewelry, including emeralds, sapphires, and pearls once worn by empresses.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/814

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/814

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In this episode from the Plain English archives, you'll learn about Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It's a great place to explore the best of Irish culture: the music, the drinks, and the literature.

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Cold plunges are the new health trend championed by high-fliers and ordinary people alike. By submerging yourself water that's 15 degrees Celsius (or colder!), you can manage stress, reduce muscle soreness, improve your concentration, and more, advocates say."

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/cold-plunge

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In this episode from the Plain English archives: Electric vehicles promised to improve safety and reduce harmful CO2 emissions, but they’re also eerily quiet, which is causing safety problems for pedestrians and cyclists. Several countries now have regulations mandating that electric vehicles make noise with external speakers, but it’s up to the car companies to decide on the sound.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/travel-dublin

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Today's story: Get ready for some updates to previous Plain English stories: New York begins rolling out containerized trash collection; Paris opens the Seine for public swimming; BTS announces a comeback; the original Birkin bag sells for a record €8.6 million; Ethiopia opens the long-disputed Nile dam; and the UK, Uruguay, and Italy take steps toward legalizing assisted dying.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/813

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/813

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Today's story: Construction on the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, is approaching a major milestone after more than 140 years. The basilica’s central tower is nearly complete, and the project is expected to be structurally finished by 2026, the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí. But more than a decade of additional work remains before Gaudí's famous basilica is fully complete.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/812

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/812

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Today's story: A British wartime propaganda poster created in 1939 featured the slogan, ‘Keep calm and carry on.’ The poster was never used and the slogan had been forgotten, until it was rediscovered in 2000. In a brand-new age, the slogan took on new meaning, and started to appear on posters, mugs, t-shirts, and countless online memes.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/811

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/811

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Today's story: Large language models like ChatGPT are increasingly sycophantic—flattering users, validating flawed reasoning, and agreeing too easily. This tendency stems from how models are trained: by rewarding responses users like. While some innocent flattery is harmless, models' sycophancy can be harmful in hidden ways. Here's what AI sycophancy is, and how to avoid it.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/810

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/810

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Today's story: Archaeologists are excavating a never-before-studied part of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried by a volcanic eruption. They’ve uncovered luxury homes, decorated bathhouses, and evidence of how residents tried to survive the disaster. These new finds offer a vivid window into Roman life—and death—in the first century A.D.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/809

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/809

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Today's story: A growing number of state and national education systems are banning cell phone use during the school day. Supporters say phones are distracting, addictive, and bad for learning. Not everyone agrees, but teachers—and even some students—say the changes are making a big difference.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/808

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/808

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Today's story: Reusable water bottles have become a big global industry, driven by health trends, social media, and changing values around sustainability and style. Brands like Stanley turned practical hydration into a fashionable status symbol—but are they environmentally friendly if you collect them and don't use them?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/807

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/807

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Today's story: For two decades, the Big Three—Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—defined men’s tennis. With Federer and Nadal retired and Djokovic aging out of contention, a new rivalry has taken center stage. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have claimed every major title in the past two years, marking the beginning of a new era.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/806

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/806

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In this lesson from the Plain English archives, you'll learn about one of Canada's sweetest exports: maple syrup. In 2021, there were fears of a shortage. This episode tells the story.

"A weaker maple syrup harvest this year put Canada in a bit of a sticky situation. As the world leader in maple syrup production, Canada had to tap into its maple syrup reserves to avoid a global shortage. Pancake enthusiasts: keep calm, there will still be syrup!"

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/maple-syrup-reserves

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Enjoy this episode from the Plain English archives. Emoji are everywhere, including some unlikely places...like the courtroom.

Court cases often hinge on what words mean. But what happens when a dispute involves an emoji? To decide cases or rule on motions, judges often have to decide what a 👍 or a 💓 means. To make matters worse, there's no emoji dictionary and not everyone agrees on what each emoji means. 🤷

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/emojis-in-court

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Today's story: How do stolen cars move around the world? Easy. They're loaded into standard shipping containers and sent overseas using the same freight network that moves legal goods. Weak customs enforcement and decentralized criminal networks help keep the operation running smoothly.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/805

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/805

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Today's story: Car theft is on the rise, and it's high tech and global. Thieves in rich countries steal luxury SUVs using relay devices and other tools, then ship them overseas to markets in Africa and the Middle East, where demand is high and oversight is weak.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/804

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/804

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Today's story: Umpire Jen Pawol made history as the first woman to officiate a Major League Baseball game in 150 years. Her milestone highlights the growing presence of female officials in men’s sports, from soccer to basketball, and the challenges they face breaking into these roles.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/803

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/803

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Today's story: Italy has approved plans for the Messina Bridge, a €13.5 billion suspension bridge linking Sicily to the mainland. If completed by 2033, it would be the world’s longest suspension bridge, but faces engineering, environmental, financial, and political challenges.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/802

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/802

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Today's story: Skinny jeans and tight-fitting clothes are out, and loose, oversized fashion is in. The shift is driven by comfort after the pandemic, greater body inclusivity, and a wave of 1990s nostalgia. Designers and retailers alike are embracing relaxed cuts for all genders.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/801

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/801

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Today's story: A playful concert tradition took a serious turn when Coldplay’s “Jumbotron Song” captured an embrace between a tech CEO and his HR director. The viral video ignited a nationwide scandal, raising questions about workplace relationships and the risks of being caught on camera.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/800

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/800

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Xoloft, Ibrance, Zocor, Mounjaro: How do drug companies come up with these names? That's exactly what we explored in this classic episode of Plain English.

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new treatment, the company creates both the generic (scientific) name and the brand name. They sound weird, but there's a method behind the madness of naming prescription drugs.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/prescription-drug-names

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It can be hard to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. An art class at Harvard takes this to the extreme. All students get an assignment during the class. They have to go to a museum and look at a painting for three hours. We didn't do that...but we came close, in this classic episode of Plain English. Here's what it's like to look at a single painting for one full hour.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/painting-challenge

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Today's story: After years of delays, Cairo’s Grand Egypt Museum is finally nearing completion. The massive museum will house over 100,000 artifacts from Ancient Egypt, including more than 5,000 items from King Tut’s tomb. Although the King Tut galleries are still closed, most of the museum is open to the public — and visitors say it’s stunning.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/799

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/799

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Today's story: Erin Patterson invited her estranged husband’s family to lunch and served them beef wellington. But her guests soon got sick, and doctors discovered the recipe had been made with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Patterson claimed it was all a tragic mistake, but inconsistencies in her story led police to suspect murder. A jury found her guilty on all counts. The case captivated news junkies around the world.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/798

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/798

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Today's story: Cities around the world are sinking due to a combination of groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, and the weight of large buildings. This phenomenon, called subsidence, can damage infrastructure, worsen flooding, and, in some places, become irreversible.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/797

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/797

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Today's story: For decades, white text on a full blue background has meant one thing to Windows users: the computer has crashed and needs to be restarted. The screen was splashed across display boards in public places during a massive outage in July 2024. But now, Microsoft is redesigning the screen, frowny-face and all.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/796

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/796

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Today's story: The western province of Alberta is moving toward a vote of independence from Canada. Polls show that only about 30 percent of residents truly want to break away. However, the growing independence movement reflects the frustration and isolation that many Albertans feel over the energy and environmental policies made at the national level.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/795

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/795

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Today's story: 'Birthright citizenship' is the legal concept that grants citizenship to children born within a country's borders, no matter the nationality of their parents. The modern version started in the United States and quickly spread to other countries in the Americas. But the rest of the world (generally speaking) gives citizenship based on the nationality of the parents.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/794

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/794

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We recently did an episode about how movie titles are translated from their original to other languages. That made us nostalgic for the days of movie rentals, and it called to mind this classic episode of Plain English about the ""last Blockbuster."

There were once over 9,000 locations of the video rental store with the eye-catching blue-and-yellow logo. But now, there is just one."

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/last-blockbuster

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It's sometimes said that the two hardest words to say in the English language are, "I'm sorry." Today, we're republishing a classic Plain English episode about how to apologize — not how to say the words, but how to form an apology to repair a relationship after you've done something wrong.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/good-apologies

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Today's story: Country music has long existed in its own space, with a dedicated fanbase and distinct sound. But recent years have seen major pop stars like Beyoncé and Post Malone embrace country elements, helping the genre reach new listeners. Streaming is also opening the door for more diverse artists and fans.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/793

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/793

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Today's story: A new global chess tour is trying to make the ancient game more exciting—for both players and viewers. Spearheaded by Magnus Carlsen, the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour shakes up traditional chess by randomizing the starting position of key pieces. The format reduces the advantage of computer-assisted preparation and rewards raw skill and intuition. The games are also broadcast with modern, viewer-friendly features like live commentary and player confessionals.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/792

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/792

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Today's story: Almost 150 people in France reported being stabbed with a needle during a summer music festival in 2025. It's just the latest in several waves of similar attacks around the world. Victims say they feel a sudden pinprick. Some later feel dizzy, nauseous, and tired. But few reported more serious symptoms and toxicology screens show only light traces of substances (if any at all). So what's the motive for these attacks?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/791

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/791

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Today's story: Orcas are the largest type of dolphin, and they're known for their intelligence. A recent study proves they are more clever than previously thought. Researchers captured video of orcas using kelp to groom each other. The behavior shows not only tool use, but also cooperation between individuals—a rare behavior for animals that live in the sea.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/790

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/790

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Today's story: You thought only the passengers rated the drivers? Think again: drivers rate passengers, too. And a low passenger rating might cost you. But it's not hard to earn a high passenger rating. To keep a high rating, don’t make the driver wait, be polite, avoid eating or drinking in the car, follow the rules, and don’t slam the door when you leave.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/789

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/789

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Today's story: A company called what3words has divided the world into 57 trillion squares, each three meters by three meters, and labeled each square with a unique three-word combination. This makes it easier to specify precise locations—even in parks, rural areas, or places without formal addresses. This can help when meeting friends or giving directions. But governments, businesses, and emergency services are starting to use the system too.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/788

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/788

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Today's story: In many parts of the world, buildings don't have formal, complete addresses that can be identified on a map. Locals often use landmarks to explain where they live. But these improvised systems come with inefficiencies and real-world consequences. It's hard for residents to get deliveries, access emergency services, or find brick-and-mortar businesses.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/787

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/787

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Leaving a five-star review has become customary for any experience that is excellent, good, average, or even acceptable, and anything below five-stars means terrible in the world of online reviews. As consumers, this system isn’t helpful in identifying the true high performers, and it makes it difficult for people or businesses to stand out from the crowd.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/five-star-reviews

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Archive episode: Today, we're opening up the Plain English archives to revisit the only episode we've ever done about...a haircut.

The mullet hairstyle is known for looking like business in the front, party in the back, and have typically been worn by men from rural, lower income areas of Australia. However, in recent years, the hairstyle has outgrown its unsophisticated reputation. The hairstyle is now popular among city-dwellers and with celebrities, and there is even a festival celebrating mullet-wearers.

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/lessons/mullets-in-australia/

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Today's story: The gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that help us digest food, regulate our immune systems, and even influence our mental health. Social media is full of (expensive) hacks to improve gut health, but scientists say the path to good gut health is simpler.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/786

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/786

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Today's story: Nate Bargatze rose to fame by rejecting edgy or controversial comedy in favor of clean, relatable humor. His everyman style and family-friendly jokes have made him one of America’s most successful comedians, with sold-out tours, Netflix specials, major media appearances, and Hollywood ambitions.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/785

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: The classic advice that breakfast is the "most important meal of the day" may be overstated. But eating a morning meal can bring important benefits to your nutrition, metabolism, and even cognitive functions. Before you write off breakfast, think about ways you can make the first meal of the day work for you.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/784

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Today's story: As students use ChatGPT to write essays, solve problems, and complete assignments, teachers are left with difficult choices. Should they try to catch cheaters? Ban devices? Or embrace AI and teach students how to use it responsibly? Many teachers are also using AI themselves, to create materials, grade fairly, and save time—but not everyone is happy.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/783

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Today's story: In just a few short years, ChatGPT has transformed what it means to be in school. Students can use AI to for help in their homework, or to do their assignments from start to finish. Educators worry that widespread cheating means that students today are not getting the problem-solving skills they'll need in the real world. "College is just how well I can use ChatGPT," one student admitted.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/782

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Today's story: High-protein foods and supplements have gone mainstream, moving beyond gyms and into everyday grocery carts. From cottage cheese to high-protein soda, food makers are cashing in on the trend. But not all sources are created equal, and nutrition experts urge caution with processed, protein-enhanced foods.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/781

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/781

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Today's story: Book and movie titles often change dramatically in translation, and the reasons go beyond simple language differences. Local publishers and distributors choose titles based on cultural context, marketing strategy, and artistic goals—resulting in everything from literal translations to poetic rewrites and puzzling name changes.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/780

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/780

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: A biotech company in Texas has created three wolf pups using DNA from extinct dire wolves and modern gray wolves. While the company claims this is the first-ever de-extinction, many scientists say the result is not a true dire wolf, but a synthetic animal that only resembles the original species.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/779

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Many major airports around the world have chapels or prayer rooms—some interfaith, some religion-specific—offering travelers and employees a quiet place for reflection, prayer, or emotional support. These spaces, first created mainly for airport staff, now serve religious and non-religious visitors alike, helping people find peace in stressful moments.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/778

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: The four-part Netflix series “Adolescence” tells the story of a teenage boy accused of murder. The story is gripping and powerful. But for viewers, the tension is enhanced by the way the series was made. Each episode was filmed in a single take, using just one camera. The creative team overcame enormous technical challenges to deliver a raw, immersive experience.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/777

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your...

Great news -- the expressions are back!

"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are available now for you to stream. Click this link to subscribe on your favorite player: https://essential-english.captivate.fm/listen

In the meantime, enjoy this sample episode!

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There are two ways to use the phrasal verb "figure out."

Number 1: "figure out" means to find the solution to a problem. Now be careful: it doesn't mean fixing a problem. It just means finding the solution.

...

Today's story: Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, announced his retirement at age 94 during his company's 2025 annual meeting. Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway, a failing textile business, into a holding company, where he pursued his disciplined value investing strategy. Over a sixty-year career, he consistently beat the market performance by a wide margin and amassed one of the world's largest personal fortunes.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/776

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Mark Carney, former head of the central banks of Canada and the UK, led Canada's struggling Liberal party to an improbable, come-from-behind victory in the 2025 elections. He focused his campaign on protecting Canada’s interests, after Donald Trump imposed tariffs and threatened to make Canada the 51st American state.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/775

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/775

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In this lesson, you heard the English expressions "keep track of" and "at the last minute." Both are part of our Essential English Expressions series. Listen to the episodes he...

Great news -- the expressions are back!

"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are available now for you to stream. Click this link to subscribe on your favorite player: https://essential-english.captivate.fm/listen

In the meantime, enjoy this sample episode!

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The English expression "make sure" means to confirm that things are as they should be, or that people have done what they should do.

You probably "make sure" all the time. When you leave your house, you make sure...

Today's story: The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, one of three major schools of Buddhism. Though he leads only a fraction of the world’s Buddhists, his influence is global due to his role as a symbol of Tibet’s struggle for religious freedom. Now the Dalai Lama is 89, and confronting the fact that he will be the first in over 600 years to die outside Tibet.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/774

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/774

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In this lesson, you heard the English expression "figure out." It's...

Today's story: LinkedIn has evolved from a resume and networking site into a platform where users share personal stories, professional lessons, and insights. Changes to the algorithm, a shift in user behavior during the pandemic, and a more civil atmosphere have turned LinkedIn into a space for authentic content and unexpected influence.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/773

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/773

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy...

Great news -- the expressions are back!

"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are available now for you to stream. Click this link to subscribe on your favorite player: https://essential-english.captivate.fm/listen

In the meantime, enjoy this sample episode!

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Learn the English expression, "Expression: Make a difference"

What does it mean to "make a difference?"

This English expression has two meanings: Number one, to have a positive impact on the world. Or number 2, to have a...

Today's story: When a pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals, made up of senior advisors, convenes at the Vatican to elect a successor. Cardinals under age 80 enter a secret Conclave inside the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in silence and prayer until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. White smoke signals the world that a new pope has been chosen.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/772

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/772

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Mass timber is a new type of engineered wood that allows buildings to reach heights once thought impossible for timber. It’s efficient to build, environmentally friendly, and gaining popularity in cities around the world, especially in Europe. But challenges like fire safety and moisture still remain.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/771

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/771

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, co...

Great news -- the expressions are back!

"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are available now for you to stream. Click this link to subscribe on your favorite player: https://essential-english.captivate.fm/listen

In the meantime, enjoy this sample episode!

--

Learn the English expression, "Expression: Look forward to"

Are you happy or excited about something in the future? If so, you're "looking forward to" it

You can look forward to an event, an activity, or even a...

Big news from Plain English....

The Expressions are coming back!

Announcing... a brand-new podcast, "Essential English Expressions"

Every episode in "Essential English Expressions" shows you step-by-step how to use an important expression in English.

All 14 episodes of Season 1 are available for you to download or stream right now!

Here is what to do:

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Today's story: Le Creuset was founded in 1925 by two Belgian entrepreneurs who revolutionized cast iron cookware with colorful enamel and thoughtful design. Over 100 years, the company evolved from a local French producer into a global kitchen brand, with fans collecting its distinctive pieces and even passing them down to their kids.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/770

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/770

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music an...

Today's story: In this episode, you'll hear updates from several recent Plain English stories. Daniel Kahneman, who wrote the book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" died at age 90. What wasn't reported at the time: he went to Switzerland to end his own life. Plus, the movie "Rust" is coming out after the fatal gun accident on set. Standardized tests are making a comeback.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/769

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/769

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: In this first of two update episodes, you'll hear the latest on several recent Plain English stories. The astronauts who were stranded in space have come home. The former Spanish soccer federation president was ordered to pay a fine for kissing a player after the World Cup. More running records fall, thanks to new shoe designs. El Salvador has dropped Bitcoin. Trump wants to pause the penny.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/768

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/768

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Today's story: Crumbl Cookies is a gourmet dessert company known for its rotating menu, bold flavors, and eye-catching pink boxes. Since its beginnings in 2017, the company has used social media virality tactics to grow (and consumers are eating it up). But do the cookies live up to the hype?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/767

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare...

Today's story: Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly every country in the world, triggering panic in global markets. But just days later, he walked back the harshest parts of the plan, leaving investors, business leaders, and political allies confused and shaken.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/766

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your...

Today's story: Top sheets are a staple in some parts of the world, while in others they’re practically unknown. In places like the U.S., Canada, and parts of Latin America, a flat sheet between you and your blanket is seen as essential. But in much of Europe and Asia, sleepers go straight under a duvet with a washable cover. So what do you say: is a top sheet essential or too much work?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/765

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events po...

Today's story: Skype launched in 2003 and transformed long-distance communication by making voice and video calls cheaper and easier. After early success, the platform was sold to eBay and later to Microsoft, where it became part of the company’s business tools. As newer apps took over the market, Skype lost relevance and will be shut down in 2025.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/764

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and mo...

Today's story: Co-living is like coworking for your personal life: flexible, furnished housing in shared spaces without the commitment of a long term lease or the need to own furniture. It can work for temporary stays and international moves, but high prices and limited privacy mean it isn’t for everyone.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/763

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or ev...

Today's story: Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, used by governments to raise revenue, protect local industries, or retaliate in trade disputes. They’ve existed for centuries, but have fallen in recent decades. But Donald Trump has made trade barriers popular again.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/762

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/762

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Today's story: Denmark’s government-run postal service, PostNord, traces its roots to the year 1624. But at the end of 2025, it will stop delivering letters. The country has seen a 90% drop in mail volume since 2000, making letter delivery economically unsustainable. While private couriers will deliver letters to some places (at a price), Denmark will become the first country to eliminate universal mail service entirely.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/761

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/761

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

...

Today's story: Self-driving cars don’t just need advanced technology—they also need a moral code. Engineers must program vehicles to make ethical decisions in life-or-death situations, such as choosing between protecting a passenger or a pedestrian. But how can a machine's software make such personal decisions?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/760

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/760

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with fami...

Today's story: Self-driving cars were supposed to be here by now—but the road to autonomy has been bumpier than expected. The technology has gotten better, but the sensors and cameras remain imperfect. Meanwhile, uncertainties in the business and legal environment have contributed to the delays. Some companies have scaled back their ambitions, while others, like Tesla and Waymo, continue to push forward.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/759

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Amazon has taken full creative control of James Bond, ending six decades of stewardship by the family of film producer Albert Broccoli. Previously, the family carefully managed the creative direction of the Bond franchise, even as big studios produced the movies. Now, Amazon may make more frequent films, expand Bond storylines, and push the character into new media like theme parks and animated specials. But some Bond fans worry the tech giant will dilute the brand and let algorithms decide the future of a beloved character.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/758

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Today's story: Manual transmissions were once a cheaper, more fuel-efficient alternative to automatics. But automatics have gotten better, and consumers overwhelmingly prefer them. Now, only about 1% of new cars in the U.S. and Canada come with a stick shift. Those who prefer to shift their own gears must pay up for a higher trim line or a performance car.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/757

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/757

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Los Angeles is facing the aftermath of both devastating wildfires and destructive mudslides. The fires burned vegetation that helped keep soil in place, leading to landslides when heavy rains arrived. Now, the city is dealing with cleanup while also rethinking building codes, infrastructure, and planning to better withstand future disasters.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/756

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/756

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Los Angeles faces wildfire risks every year due to its dry summers, drought-resistant vegetation, and the powerful Santa Ana winds. This year, however, was one of the worst in history. A series of devastating fires destroyed thousands of buildings, forced mass evacuations, and left entire neighborhoods in ashes.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/755

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even...

Today's story: Five years after the pandemic began, the fight over remote work still isn’t settled. Some companies are demanding full-time office attendance, using badge swipes and tracking software to enforce it. Others are trying to lure workers back with perks. Meanwhile, employees are pushing for more flexibility.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/754

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare fo...

Today's story: Most contractions in English are simple combinations of two words, like “you’re” for “you are.” But some contractions don’t follow the usual pattern. In this lesson, we explore three unusual contractions—“ma’am,” “o’clock,” and “ain’t”—their origins, meanings, and when (or if) you should use them.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/753

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an int...

Today's story: Scientists have discovered the ideal way to boil an egg, ensuring a perfectly firm white and a soft, nutrient-rich yolk. The secret? Alternating the egg between boiling and warm water for 32 minutes. This method preserves nutrients and improves texture—but it requires patience and precision.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/752

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an in...

Today's story: Whether you live in cold weather, plan to visit, or are just curious, it's important to know how to protect yourself from extreme cold. Learn how to layer properly, choose the right gear, and protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/751

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/751

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare...

Today's story: Many English words come from French, but some, like fiancé, façade, and résumé, keep their original spellings, accents, and even gendered forms. To make things even more confusing, some of these words don't mean the same thing in French and English.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/750

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. What...

Today's story: Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral was nearly destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019. In the years since, thousands of artisans and specialists worked to restore the 850-year-old cathedral. The roof was rebuilt using oak from French forests. The massive pipe organ was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. The limestone exterior was preserved and, where necessary, stones were replaced. New lighting and safety systems were installed. And in December 2024, the cathedral opened to the world once again.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/749

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Today's story: Saturday Night Live, or SNL, is a late-night comedy show that mixes short sketches, parodies, and music. The sketches poke fun at everyday situations, celebrities, products, and current events. What makes it special is that it's written quickly each week and performed live before a studio audience. This year, it celebrates its fiftieth anniversary on the air, always in the same time slot (11:30 p.m. on Saturdays).

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/748

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

...

Today's story: English isn’t descended from Latin, but some Latin phrases have made their way into everyday use. This lesson explores eight Latin phrases, such as ""circa,"" ""quid pro quo,"" and ""status quo,"" that are still used in English today, plus some fun facts about Latin's influence on other fields.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/747

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/747

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music an...

Today's story: Neon signs have lit up city streets for about a century. But building owners are increasingly swapping hand-blown neon tubes for sleek LED bulbs. The new bulbs are cheaper, easier to maintain, and more energy-efficient. But the old neon signs are a nostalgic part of urban history. What will cities be like without them?

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/746

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/746

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: The British Parliament recently voted to advance a bill that would legalize medically-assisted dying in England and Wales. Supporters argue that those with terminal illnesses should have the right to avoid suffering at the very end of their lives. Opponents are concerned about social pressure, a slippery slope, and the role of doctors in ending life. If the bill passes, parts of the U.K. would join several other countries in legalizing the practice.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/745

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/745

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"Today's story: Nightclubs around the world are closing their doors earlier than ever before, and some of the world's biggest party hotspots are hosting fewer all-night parties. Club owners and party organizers face tighter regulations and higher costs. But the real culprit is simply that this generation of young people is less interested in club culture than previous generations were.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/744"

Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/744

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

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Today's story: Every winter, Girl Scouts and their parents fan out across schools, offices, and community events, soliciting orders for cookies. Customers have just one chance per year to satisfy their cravings for Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, and Samoas. But it’s not just the customers who benefit—the girls learn skills like sales, planning, and customer service, and cookie sales contribute millions to their Girl Scout troops and regional councils.

Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/743

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Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.

Yo...