Plain English

" The texts seem innocent at first: a case of mistaken identity or a request for advice. But for many victims, these random messages were the first step in an elaborate scam that cheated them out of all their savings. ""Pig butchering"" scams build confidence with their victims over weeks months; then, they trick victims into ""investing"" in fake cryptocurrency accounts. Plus, learn what it means...

" From ""Monster"" to ""Making of a Murderer,"" true crime has never been as popular as it is now. Many of these, though, are fictionalized, meaning the dialogue and details are invented to fit the overall story. Producers of these have a responsibility to the truth, but so do the viewers. Plus, learn the English phrase ""go about your business."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for t...

" In the ultra-competitive world of streaming, Netflix has found a worldwide hit: its series called ""Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."" In ten parts, the series tells the story of one of America's most notorious serial killers. While the facts of the story have been known for some time, the series tells the story from a new perspective. Plus, learn the English expression ""take liberties."" --...

" Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, will return to presidency in Brazil, after defeating incumbent Jair Bolsonaro by 50.9% to 49.1%. The election marks a stunning comeback for Lula, who held the presidency from 2003 to 2010, but later served 18 months in jail for corruption. His third win, however, was his narrowest and he will preside over a divided country. Plus, learn the English expres...

" The World Cup is the most-watched sports tournament in the world, and the 2022 edition starts Monday in the desert nation of Qatar. Here are some facts to get you ready for the big tournament. Plus, learn what it means to ""risk it."" -- 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://plainengli...

" Elon Musk, the world's richest man by some measures, has purchased Twitter, a social media network, for $44 billion, using a mixture of his own money and loans. Like many things with Musk, this was hardly straightforward. Plus, learn the English expression ""stand to."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript,...

We all know that different countries call things differently (lift vs. elevator, for example). But even within the U.S., there are surprising differences in vocabulary. And these differences persist, even though much of the media is national. So grab a so Mentioned in this episode: Ready to improve your listening? Ready to listen fast? Improve your listening with the fast version of this and every...

" Today's lesson is a look back at some recent lesson topics. Just months after the exit of Boris Johnson, British politics was plunged into tumult. Just one result: a recent prime minister was compared to a head of lettuce. Plus, learn the English expression ""distance yourself."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free t...

" America's national immigration policy has been broken for decades. Now, border state governors and big-city mayors are locked in a fight, with newly-arrived immigrants caught in between. It's a summary America's political and cultural dysfunction, all in one depressing story. Plus, learn the English expression ""find your way."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world....

" The British Broadcasting Corporation turns 100 years old this month. The BBC started as a way for radio makers to convince people to buy a ""wireless."" Today, it supplies news, entertainment, and education to hundreds of millions of people every week. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at:...

" If an asteroid were on a collision course with Earth, could we avoid disaster by pushing the asteroid off course? That's the question NASA attempted to answer by crashing an unmanned craft into a real asteroid. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb ""set off."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be fo...

" Natural gas powers factories, heats homes, and generates electricity. And in Europe, much of the gas supply came from Russia. However, Europe is in a rapid transition away from Russian gas as a result of the war in Ukraine. The transition is not easy. Plus, learn the English phrasal verb ""run on."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson...

" The world of chess has been turned upside down after Norwegian Magnus Carlsen accused American teenager Hans Niemann of cheating. Though Niemann's rise has been swift, there's no evidence of foul play--except for the two times he previously admitted to cheating. Plus, learn the English expression ""stop short of."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s ful...

" One of the most famous strategy games in human history, chess spread around the world over 1,000 years ago. Though the rules have changed a little, the biggest change has come with the advent of computers and their victory over human champions. Plus, learn the English expression ""tailor made."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, in...

" A new type of tomato is about to hit American grocery stores. It’s purple, it has enhanced nutrition, and it’s genetically-modified. But will the purple tomato be able to overcome skepticism about genetically-modified foods? This lesson might debunk some of the misconceptions you have about GM foods. Plus, learn what it means to have “an edge.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for th...

" Are ESG funds all that they’re cracked up to be? Last week’s lesson covered what ESG investing is, and in theory, investing in companies that want to do more good sounds like a pretty good thing. However, today’s lesson covers that in practice, these ESG funds are coming up short. Plus, learn to ""welcome with open arms."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Tod...

" ESG stands for “environmental, social, and governance,” and ESG investing is a way to funnel your investments toward companies that meet higher standards in these three categories. Not only that, but sponsors of these funds promise that ESG funds will make the same return, or an even better return, in the long run. Plus, learn “nagging doubt.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the...

" A first-place finish at the Colorado State Fair art competition is sparking debate in the art community about whether AI-generated art should be considered art. The winning piece at the fair was an AI-generated image, and critics argue that the art was created by a machine, not a person, and so it isn’t art. But AI supporters beg to differ. Plus, learn “sift through.” -- At Plain English, we mak...

" As Queen Elizabeth II grew into adulthood, it was increasingly clear that she would, someday, be queen. But no one thought it would happen as soon as it did. This lesson covers her unlikely path to the monarch, the story of how she found out she was queen in the Kenyan countryside, her legacy, and more. Plus, learn “open the door.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern worl...

" Britain and the world are mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She died peacefully at the Balmoral Castle in northern Scotland earlier this month at age 96. She served as Britain’s monarch for 70 years, and upon her death, her son, Charles, became King. Plus, learn what it means to “pay respects.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English les...

" 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. Plus, learn “ca...

" Chilean voters recently voted not to adopt a proposed constitution. It all started in 2019, when in response to protests, Chileans first voted on whether they wanted a new constitution. The results showed that they did – sort of. Then, over the course of the past three years, a group of mostly left-leaning representatives drafted a new constitution, and this lesson dives into why it failed to pa...

" Reeling from burnout and an always-on culture, many in Gen Z are subscribing to #QuietQuitting, the idea that they shouldn't give too much at work. But there are multiple interpretations to the term and career coaches warn of the consequences. Plus, learn the English phrase ""above and beyond."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, in...

" Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's decided not to sell its product in the Palestinian territories, claiming that it didn't want to be part of an illegal occupation. But that stance got the company in trouble with its parent company. And the conflict turned ugly. Plus, learn the English expression ""take exception to."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full...

" Ben & Jerry’s has always taken a unique approach to running its business. When they were acquired by Unilever, they made some unique demands, and Unilever accepted. The company is also known for taking progressive stands on social issues. But recently, their approach has gotten them into a bit of a sticky situation. Plus, learn “come in.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the mode...