Plain English

Canada’s Liberals stage an improbable comeback

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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-b...

Expression: Make sure

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Great news -- the expressions are back!"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are av...

Dalai Lama leads Tibetan Buddhists from exile

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

LinkedIn is now a place to share

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: LinkedIn has evolved from a resume and networking site into a platform where users share personal stories, professional lessons, and in...

Expression: Make a difference

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Great news -- the expressions are back!"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are av...

How a new pope is chosen

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Cardin...

These new high-rises are made of wood

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 efficien...

Expression: Look forward to

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Great news -- the expressions are back!"Essential English Expressions" is a brand-new podcast from Plain English. All 14 episodes from Season 1 are av...

Big news: The Expressions are back!

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Big news from Plain English....The Expressions are coming back!Announcing... a brand-new podcast, "Essential English Expressions" Every episode in "Es...

Le Creuset turns 100

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Le Creuset was founded in 1925 by two Belgian entrepreneurs who revolutionized cast iron cookware with colorful enamel and thoughtful d...

Updates: Daniel Kahneman, new euro, Rust movie

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Updates: Astronauts home; running records fall; no more Bitcoin in El Salvador

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Crumbl cookies are dessert for the social media era

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Crumbl Cookies is a gourmet dessert company known for its rotating menu, bold flavors, and eye-catching pink boxes. Since its beginning...

Trump's tariff chaos rattles world economies

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly every country in the world, triggering panic in global markets. But just days lat...

Should you use a top sheet?

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Microsoft hangs up on Skype

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Skype launched in 2003 and transformed long-distance communication by making voice and video calls cheaper and easier. After early succ...

Co-living is like coworking at home

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why do tariffs exist?

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, used by governments to raise revenue, protect local industries, or retaliate in trade disputes. Th...

Denmark to stop delivering mail after 400 years

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The ethics of self-driving cars

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The self-driving future is running late

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

James Bond’s future is now in Amazon’s hands

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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....

The decline of the stick-shift in North America

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Manual transmissions were once a cheaper, more fuel-efficient alternative to automatics. But automatics have gotten better, and consume...

LA battles mudslides after devastating wildfires

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Los Angeles is facing the aftermath of both devastating wildfires and destructive mudslides. The fires burned vegetation that helped ke...

The fires that wiped through Los Angeles

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Los Angeles faces wildfire risks every year due to its dry summers, drought-resistant vegetation, and the powerful Santa Ana winds. Thi...

The remote-work battle rages on

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 at...

These contractions break the rules

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Most contractions in English are simple combinations of two words, like “you’re” for “you are.” But some contractions don’t...

The secret to a perfectly boiled egg

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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? Al...

How to survive extreme cold temperatures

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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....

English words borrowed from French

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Many English words come from French, but some, like fiancé, façade, and résumé, keep their original spellings, accents, and even ge...

Notre Dame reopens after six years of restoration

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 speciali...

'SNL' celebrates 50 years of late-night comedy

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 every...

Latin phrases that are part of English

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ph...

The slow decline of neon signs

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Britain debates: Should assisted dying be legal?

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The British Parliament recently voted to advance a bill that would legalize medically-assisted dying in England and Wales. Supporters a...

Why all-night parties are fading worldwide

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"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 hosti...

The tradition of Girl Scout cookies in the U.S.

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Every winter, Girl Scouts and their parents fan out across schools, offices, and community events, soliciting orders for cookies. Custo...

Jimmy Carter was America's best ex-president

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Jimmy Carter, who died at the end of 2024, was America's 39th president. His term in office was marked by challenges, and he suffered a...

Big questions on Australia's new social media law

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Australia’s new law bans children under 16 from social media, but two key questions remain: how will platforms verify user ages, and ...

New Australia law: no kids under 16 on social media

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Australia has passed a law that will prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The la...

Why, exactly, is processed food bad for you?

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Processed foods are widely considered unhealthy and are associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. But what, exactly, is unhea...

Three big stories to watch in 2025

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Here are three major stories to follow in 2025: Donald Trump’s return and its impact on global trade, the potential endgame for the U...

What is the purpose of giving gifts?

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Giving gifts is a waste of money. That's the conclusion of economic studies that show the ""deadweight loss"" that occurs when givers b...

What's the most popular type of book? (Hint: 😘)

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Romance novels are the bestselling genre in publishing, outselling thrillers, mysteries, and self-help books. This story explores what ...

‘Long Island’ is a worthy sequel to ‘Brooklyn’

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Colm Tóibín's novel ""Brooklyn"" introduced readers to Eilis Lacey, a young woman from Ireland who emigrated to America in the 1950's...

Should donors get paid for plasma?

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from o...

Three self-help books that really help

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichés. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman...

Searching for life on one of Jupiter's moons

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASA’s latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiter’s orbit in 203...

The best side dishes for American Thanksgiving

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey; it’s also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stu...

He's back: How Trump returned to power in 2024

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: After losing in 2020, Donald Trump faced widespread criticism and seemed politically finished. However, a combination of Joe Biden's po...

Got camel milk? Now, more people do (Cut back on)

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Camel milk, long consumed by nomadic societies in desert regions, is now increasingly available for order around the world. Known for i...

Greenland bets on responsible tourism (Fall from grace)

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Greenland, a vast but sparsely populated island, is investing in new airports and sustainable tourism strategies to attract internation...

Lost Mozart composition found in German archives (Every now and then)

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: A hand-copied manuscript of a musical composition believed to have been written by Mozart has been discovered in the archives of a Germ...

The return of the backflip in figure skating (Give away)

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The backflip has been a controversial move in figure skating for decades. It was first performed in high-level competition at the 1976 ...

Haggis: Scotland's most famous recipe (Out of reach)

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from various animal organs mixed with oats and spices. In the traditional recipe, it's cooke...

Scientists map a fly's entire brain (On a roll)

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Scientists have completed a ""connectome"" of an adult fruit fly, mapping all 140,000 brain cells and the 55 million connections betwee...

What Election Day is like in the U.S. (Pull off)

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: When the sun rises on Election Day, about half of Americans will have already voted. But here's what the experience is like for the ten...

Dengue in Italy, M-pox vaccines, and Netflix’s new 'Monsters' (Sooner or later)

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Dengue fever has spread to Italy, which has seen 500 cases this year. M-pox vaccines are now being distributed in Africa for the first...

Build more homes? Now, some say ‘yes’ in my backyard (Out of touch)

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Across the English-speaking world, the cost of housing (to buy or to rent) has far outpaced increases in incomes. That has caused gover...

‘Emily in Paris’ is the show France loves to hate (Keep an eye on / out)

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Netflix recently released season four of its hit show ""Emily in Paris."" Television critics in France and the U.S. panned the show for...

Why only 538 votes decide the U.S. presidency (On track)

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: America’s complicated system of choosing a president can be traced back to its origins as a union of individual states. The process i...

James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93 (Up in the air)

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: James Earl Jones, the actor known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, overcame a childhood stutter an...

How much power does a vice president really have? (On the same page)

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The American vice president's primary function is to be available in case a president can't continue in office. Besides that, the VP is...

The U.S. election is too close to call with one month left (Hand in hand)

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: With just a month left until Election Day, the U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is extremely close. Both c...

Parents and school shooters: who's responsible? (Take advantage of)

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: School shootings are sadly, tragically common in the United States. Now, prosecutors are bringing murder or manslaughter charges agains...

How to get a Birkin handbag (Deal with)

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The Birkin might be one of the coveted handbags in the world. Part of its appeal is its exclusivity: you can't just buy one in online o...

Somehow, Abercrombie & Fitch is popular again (Take it easy)

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: For a generation of Americans, the brand Abercrombie & Fitch was synonymous with overpriced, exclusive clothing for teenagers (and ...

Matthew Perry and the drug that killed him (As far as I know)

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Matthew Perry, the actor who played Chandler on the popular TV series 'Friends,' died of an overdose of ketamine in 2023. Last month, f...

Do men need to wear ties anymore? (Close call)

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Neckties were adopted in France in the 1600s as a symbol of power and respect. For many, they were a required part of business dress du...

Two astronauts are stranded in space (Short run / long run)

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore left Earth on June 5, planning to be in space for eight days. But thrusters on the Boeing St...

Why women's clothing sizes are so confusing (In touch)

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Generations ago, women went to seamstresses for custom-made clothes. But today, many women's fashion brands use standard sizing that di...

'Massacre law' in Turkey threatens street dogs (Get out of hand)

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Turkey's parliament recently passed a law aimed at removing millions of dogs living on the street. The law doesn't specifically require...

Biden's awful debate and the rise of Kamala Harris (Down to the wire)

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: At age 81, Joe Biden was the oldest person ever to seek the U.S. presidency. And while voters had concerns about his age, he easily won...

Summer 2024: Three months that felt like decades (Get out of)

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: From an attempted assassination of Donald Trump to a landslide election in the UK to an uplifting Summer Olympics, the summer of 2024 w...

Buying vs renting a home (Pay back)

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Most American families are confronted with the decision to buy or rent a home at some point. This decision is a common one around the w...

Office culture in the U.S. (Wrap up)

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: American office culture isn't exactly what you see on TV. In this story, learn about the typical workday, including what time people ar...

Jury duty: what it's like (Check in)

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: It starts with a notice from a court: ""You have been summoned."" American citizens are occasionally required to appear for jury servic...

What is retirement like in the United States? (Stay put)

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: There are over 50 million retirees in the United States, about the equivalent of the entire population of Spain. Every person's retirem...

Train travel in the U.S. (Up and running)

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Train travel is famous in Europe. In the United States, though, it's a little more complicated. But with some planning, you can make tr...

Fast Version: A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

** Enjoy this fast version of Episode #700. Listen to the fast audio of our lessons by signing up for a free trial at PlainEnglish.comToday's story: A...

A quick tour through America's national parks (One of a kind)

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: America's national parks are an important part of the country's natural landscape and they attract millions of visitors per year. Some ...

Regional varieties of American pizza (Made of)

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: You fold it in New York. You put caviar on it in California. You make in a pan for car-parts in Detroit. And you eat it with a knife an...

School life outside the classroom (Try out)

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: School is about learning. But for many students, school is about so much more: sports teams, after-school clubs, drama, and free time d...

The typical American school day (Spread out)

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Math, science, history, reading. Learning these things in school is, now, almost a universal experience. But the specifics of the schoo...

America's west: mountains, plains, and desert (Take cover)

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: America's west is its most visually stunning region, with Rocky Mountain peaks and the bright lights of Las Vegas. The mountain west ha...

America's South is booming (Safety net)

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The American South used to be an agricultural region, which lagged behind the rest of the country in education, income, and modernizati...

What it's like to live in the Midwest (Fall on hard times)

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The Midwest may not have the diversity of the east or the spectacular outdoors of the west coast. But it offers a good quality of life ...

A typical American household budget (All in)

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Have you ever wondered what a typical American family budget is like? Today, you'll learn about the spending habits of the average hous...

Typical U.S. salaries by profession (Take out)

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Have you ever wondered about the typical salary for American workers? If so, this episode is for you. Learn what people in different pr...

America's best small museums (Pop culture)

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: We've all heard of the largest museums. But the United States has many smaller museums, too, often focused on just one subject. From th...

The best big museums in America (Make a difference)

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: In this lesson, you'll learn about the nation's great art museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and th...

Is west-coast living really better? (Year-round)

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Life on the west coast really is different. The weather is pleasant, people are healthy, and Western states are often at the forefront ...

East-coast living: the pros and cons (Focus on)

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The east coast of the U.S., between Washington, D.C., and Boston, is home to about 50 million people. It has rich history, great cultur...

Dollar stores dominate rural America (Fall out of fashion)

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Dollar stores started as a novelty, a place where consumers could hunt for amusing bargains. But now, they're a big business. Customers...

Bad harvests are pushing up orange juice prices (Worthwhile)

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Orange juice is the world's favorite fruit juice. But a series of bad harvests in Brazil and Florida is threatening the global supply. ...

Lost luggage: What happens to it? (Track down)

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Have you ever wondered what airlines do with all the lost luggage? If they can't find owners after three months, they go to auction. He...

Flying cars: are they finally here? (Creep closer)

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Almost since the invention of the car, people have fantasized about flying cars. But it has always been a dream. Now, though, new start...

Beethoven's hair provides clues to his hearing loss (Suffer from)

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: A new analysis of Beethoven's hair has found elevated levels of lead, mercury, and arsenic. And while these don't explain the famous co...

Heat pumps: the green way to heat a home (Heat up)

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: Most homes in cold-weather places have furnaces or boilers to provide heat indoors. These are effective and are relatively cheap to ins...

Mona Lisa background: mystery solved? (Stand up to scrutiny)

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's story: The Mona Lisa is the most famous portrait in the world, but much is not known about it. The background shows a lake, rock formations, a...