English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English

On October 16th, 2017, a 52-year-old journalist was blown up in a car bomb outside her home in Malta. In part one of our three-part mini-series, we'll learn about who she was, and who might have wanted her dead. The assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia Introduction to Malta Why small island countries are more prone to corruption The early career of Daphne Caruana Galizia Why Daphne Caruana Gali...

  He was the 45th President of the USA and the most controversial in recent history. In this episode, we look at the life of Donald J. Trump and examine how he went from real estate developer to the leader of the free world. The early life of Donald Trump His paternal and maternal influences Accusations of racism against Fred Trump Avoiding getting drafted in the Vietnam War ("bone spurs") Getting...

  It's one of the most controversial topics in modern Spain; some say it's a cultural art form, and others say it's a brutal form of torture. In this episode, we look at the history of bullfighting through the ages and ask ourselves what lies ahead. The matador looks up to the crowd What happens in a bullfight The early history of bullfighting Bullfighting in the Iberian peninsula The first "anti-...

  We have been recycling for decades, yet only 9% of the world's plastic has ever been successfully recycled. In this episode, we ask ourselves the heretical question, "is plastic recycling actually worth it?" A brief history of plastic usage How much plastic do we really use? The uses (and advantages) of plastic Plastic's advantages in food production Plastic's usage in medicine Plastic as a way...

  For thousands of years, humans have had ideas about mankind's potential impact on the climate. In this episode, we look at how these ideas have changed, the men and women who have contributed to them, and ask ourselves why it has taken so long to start paying attention. Ancient ideas about mankind's impact on the climate The North American "rain follows the plough" theory Joseph Fourier & Th...

  He was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list in 1999, and he would only be removed after he was hunted down and killed by US operatives in 2011 In this episode, we will tell the story of how Osama bin Laden went from a shy, religious young boy to the world's most famous terrorist. The early life of Osama bin Laden His time at university Deciding not to join the family business The Ira...

  He was the American civil-rights leader who was a prominent spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Yet he grew too powerful and was killed by the same organisation he had represented. In this episode, we look at the amazing life, impact and legacy of Malcolm X. The assassination of Malcolm X The early family life of Malcolm X ("Little") The death of Malcolm's father The teenage years of Malcolm X Go...

  The game of chess played a vital role during the Cold War, allowing Russia and the United States to fight intellectual battles over a board game. In this episode, we'll explore how the game of chess was used in a world where nuclear weapons could not. The modern-day political impact of Chess The life of Anatoly Karpov The start of the Cold War Why chess was the battleground for the Cold War Hist...

  To some, he was a visionary who helped us understand our unconscious mind. To others, he was a sex-crazed maniac who made no contributions to psychiatry. In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating life and works of Sigmund Freud. The early life of Sigmund Freud Theories of the mind in 19th century Europe Meeting the love of his life, Martha Bernays Freud's first medical "treatment": cocaine...

  He was Britain's most famous hangman and was responsible for the executions of up to 600 prisoners. In this episode, we'll explore the curious life of a man who ended people's lives for a living. The unusual boyhood dream of Albert Pierrepoint Executions running in the family Capital punishment in the UK in the early 20th century Becoming an assistant executioner and working with his uncle Condu...

  Part three of our three-part mini-series on The Atomic Bomb. Ever since the atomic bomb was dropped, people have been asking whether it was actually necessary. In this episode, we'll explore the arguments for and against the use of atomic weapons in World War II, and look at how this has changed the world we live in. Recap of the journey to dropping the bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki The Amer...

  Part one of this three-part mini-series on The Atomic Bomb.  In this episode, we explore the discovery of nuclear fission, the key scientists involved, The Manhattan Project and the race to develop a functioning atomic bomb. Early ideas about atomism Modern atomic theory in the 19th and 20th centuries The discovery of nuclear fission War breaks out in Europe Einstein and Szilárd's letter to Pres...

  It has gone from luxury to necessity, and there are over 2 billion air conditioning units in the world today. In this episode, we'll take a look at how air conditioning got started, why people didn't mind being hot in the past, and what the true cost of staying cool might be for future generations. Staying cool is nothing new: Romans & Egyptian methods Ding Huan & the rotating fan Why pe...

  He is the world's highest-paid podcaster, and his podcast was acquired by Spotify for a reported $200 million in 2020. But who actually is Joe Rogan, and what does this deal mean for independent podcasts? Introduction to Spotify A time when you couldn't listen to podcasts on Spotify How Spotify works (as a business) The business model of most podcasts The Joe Rogan Experience podcast Who is Joe...

  It is one of London's most famous tourist attractions, and it has an amazing history that not all tourists are aware of. In this episode, we'll explore the bloody but fascinating history of London's oldest standing building. The arrival of William The Conqueror in 1066 How The Tower of London was built What The Tower of London was used for in the Middle Ages The country's most famous prison "Bei...

  Since the collapse of the USSR, London has become the city of choice for Russian oligarchs. In this episode, we'll explore how the UK's capital welcomed Russian money and why London became nicknamed "Londongrad". Roman Abramovich buys Chelsea Definition of "oligarch" Why was London the destination of choice for Russian oligarchs? London's cultural appeal The English legal system The English libe...

  Despite only educating 1% of the population Oxford and Cambridge University have a tight grip over everything from UK politics to business. In this episode, we look at what life at Oxbridge is like, why graduates often go on to such powerful positions, and see what these two universities have been doing to improve access to disadvantaged children. Global rankings of Oxford & Cambridge univer...

  The 20th century saw the creation of world-famous luxury fashion houses. In this episode, we'll explore the stories of Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Versace, and look at how they changed what we wear. The first fashion designer: Charles Frederick Worth The concept of "off the peg" clothes Coco Chanel Chanel & The Duke of Westminster The founding of Gucci The role of sanctions on Italy The later li...

  It was meant to be a simple space mission to the moon, but 56 hours into the flight tragedy struck. In this episode, we'll learn how three astronauts managed to use teamwork and quick thinking to escape death and return to Earth alive. Background to the Apollo programme The objective of the Apollo 13 mission The pilots of the Apollo 13 mission The three parts of the Apollo 13 spacecraft The impo...

  He was the Victorian era's most famous social writer, and his novels were loved by everyone from Queen Victoria to street children. In this episode we'll learn about Charles Dickens shone a light on the injustices of 19th century Britain and invented the modern idea of Christmas. Definition of "inimitable" The early life of Charles Dickens His early experience with grinding poverty Becoming a le...

  He was the peasant who went from a village in Siberia to the centre of the Russian imperial court, befriending the Tsar and Tsarina, and playing a role in the downfall of Russia’s longest-serving dynasty, The Romanovs.  In this episode, we'll learn about the unlikely but fascinating life of Grigori Rasputin. Russia in 1900 Overview of the fall of the Romanov Dynasty The early life of ​​Grigory Y...

  It is one of the most influential cities in the United States but has recently been accused of falling into disrepair, with rising homelessness and open drug dealing. In this episode, we'll look at what is happening in San Francisco, what has caused this, who and what is thought to be responisble, and what is being done to change it. The mothers' billboards: “Unfortunately, we’re just as famous...

  An interview with Lindsay McMahon from All Ears English. We discuss why learners should focus on "connection, not perfection", why this can be difficult for people, and Lindsay gives three practical tips on what you can do about this. What is All Ears English? What does "Connection Not Perfection" mean? Where does the idea of Connection Not Perfection come from? What is the problem with perfecti...

  He was a famous organised criminal known for his superior mathematical skills. In this episode, we'll learn how Meyer Lansky took the American criminal underworld by storm, built an empire and managed to evade the authorities. The early life of Meyer Lansky Befriending Bugsy Siegel & Lucky Luciano The relationship between the Jewish & Italian mobs The mob & The Prohibition Era The At...

  On 26 June 1997, an unknown author published a book called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  Harry Potter would go on to become the best-selling series in literary history, selling over 500 million copies worldwide. The journey to get there, however, was far from simple. The early life of JK Rowling Her mother's illness Getting the idea for Harry Potter Losing her mother, moving to Port...