Plain English

A radioactive capsule the size of a pencil eraser fell of a truck in Western Australia. The capsule was part of a machine used in mining for iron ore. That led mining giant Rio Tinto and the Australian government to search a 1,400-kilometer stretch of desolate highway, searching for something the size of a pea. Plus, learn the phrasal verb "set off." -- At Plain English, we make English lessons fo...

" As Netflix plans to roll out its new policies on password sharing, it faces a balancing act between two priorities: getting password-sharing viewers to pay up, while also not angering legitimate users. The authentication rules will work for the average household, but a lot of people are not average. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb ""grow up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons fo...

" After turning a blind eye for many years, Netflix is now planning to tighten its rules around password sharing. Out of 215 million paying accounts, the company says, perhaps 100 million share a password with someone outside their household. The company plans to use authentication codes and other tools to determine who is part of the main account and who is not. Plus, learn the English expression...

" Big technology (and non-tech) companies are laying off thousands of workers. It's the first round of layoffs in many years, so how are employers (and employees) handling it? It's not easy on either side of the table. Plus, learn the English expression ""bulk up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can b...

" Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand at age 37; she was the world's youngest female country leader. Her COVID policies were harsh, but effective, and she won high approval from New Zealanders. But after five years in office, she resigned, letting another minister lead her party into the next elections. Plus, learn the English expression ""overstay your welcome."" -- At Plain Engli...

Natural gas stoves have many advantages, but they may come with some health hazards. Are electric stoves any good? And what about induction? We talk about the pros and cons of each in today's lesson. Plus, learn the phrasal verb "win out." Mentioned in this episode: Ready to improve your listening? Ready to listen fast? Improve your listening with the fast version of this and every episode. The fu...

" Actor Alec Baldwin and another crewmember have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, after a gun accidentally fired and killed a cinematographer during the filming of a movie in 2021. Plus, learn the English expression ""meet the definition."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: htt...

" Death is forever, but at many cemeteries, a burial plot may not be. That's because some cemeteries are running out of space for new caskets. What can be done about it? Here are some ways different cultures deal with this grave problem. Plus, learn what it means to be 'short' (but not in stature). -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, i...

" FTX was a cryptocurrency futures exchange. However, the firm suddenly collapsed into bankruptcy in late 2022, leaving millions of customers without their deposits. The 30-year-old founder is charged with fraud and could face over 100 years in jail. Plus, learn English phrasal verb ""pay up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, inclu...

" Copyright on films, drawings, and literature lasts a long time...but it doesn't last forever. While classic novels have been in the public domain for decades, some Hollywood icons like Winnie the Pooh are entering the public domain, allowing anyone to create re-makes of beloved characters. Plus, learn English phrasal verb ""slim down."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern...

" How does a bank get in trouble? It's usually one of two problems: a liquidity crisis or a solvency crisis. Both are bad, but a solvency crisis is worse. Knowing this can help us understand the crypto crises of the present day. Plus, learn English expression ""sour on."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript,...

" Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is a great place to explore the best of Irish culture: the music, the drinks, and the literature. While you're there, you can also explore the Irish Emigration Museum, cross the Ha'Penny bridge, and fill up with a full Irish breakfast. Plus, learn the English expression ""plan ahead."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern wor...

" A new drug has been shown to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease by targeting protein buildup in the brain. While this drug makes just a small difference, it opens up a new avenue for treatments in the future. Plus, learn the English expression ""show promise."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, ca...

" Qatar, the first World Cup host in the Middle East, faced criticism for its migrant labor system and human rights record. Critics questioned whether the country won the rights to host the tournament fairly. But it was time for the World Cup to go to the Middle East--and Qatar wasn't nearly as bad as some previous hosts. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’...

" The World Cup was full of on- and off-the-field stories. Argentina won in a thrilling final on penalties, making host Qatar the real winner. Morocco carried the banner of the Arab world into the semifinals. Germany and Belgium took early flights home. Plus, learn the English expression ""grow closer."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English les...

" As the world flips the calendar to 2023, we discuss four stories that will have an impact in the next twelve months. How long will the war in Ukraine last? Will China experience a nasty wave of COVID? Can central banks avoid causing a recession? And how bad is the damage to crypto? Plus, learn the English expression ""be intent on."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern wo...

" Our current calendar is the Gregorian calendar and it's over 400 years old. But the basics (12 months, 365 days, leap years) have been in place for over two thousand years. A small change brought it closer into alignment with the astronomical year, but it's still not perfect. Plus, learn the English expression ""seek to."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Tod...

" ""Peanuts"" characters Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, and more, entertained millions of readers for half a century. Charles Schulz, the creator, drew every one of his 17,000-plus comics by hand. Plus, learn the English term ""comic relief."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found...

" Christmas-themed movies are almost as old as the movies themselves. In today's lesson, you'll hear about four classic Christmas movies from four different decades (and two movies that don't count!). Plus, learn the English expression ""fend off."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https...

" In this first of our four holiday specials, we talk about a snowmobiling, a cold-weather activity that's only possible in parts of the world that get a lot of snow. A snowmobile is like a jet-ski, only for snow. Plus, learn the English expression ""familiar with."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can...

" Forget pushy salesmen and rows of mattresses to try in a store: the new way to buy a mattress is online. New direct-to-consumer companies are upending the industry, focusing on quality, value, and the customer experience. Even better: the mattresses are comfortable. Plus, learn the English expression ""fine-tune."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s ful...

" A pair of Venezuelan immigrants to Miami pulled off a bold scheme to defraud members of their country's elite. These individuals were under sanctions, so they couldn't visit their luxury properties. So the Venezuelan couple took out loans on those properties, and used the money to live large. Plus, learn what it means to be ""in the dark."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the mo...

" American real estate is considered a safe asset for wealthy people in unstable economies. They like to buy luxury homes in the U.S. because real estate is considered a guard against inflation. Plus, the legal rights are strong and their home governments can't (usually) access that wealth. Today, you'll also learn the English expression ""cook up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons fo...

" As fighting continues, Ukraine's railways have adapted to move refugees, supply the front lines, and keep exports flowing. The rail network has proved critical to Ukraine's war effort and its morale. Employees work long hours and comfort passengers in distress. Plus, learn the English phrase ""work around the clock."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s...

" A new law in New York City requires all job postings to include a ""good faith"" range of base pay. The purpose is to help jobseekers negotiate fairer compensation. The law's authors hope the new rules reduce the pay disparity between men and women. But there are ways around the law. Plus, learn the English expression ""push the envelope."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the mo...