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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!--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/airlines-try-to-split-the-difference-with-premium-economy --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all ab

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** Learn to express your ideas with in-depth workshops** Improve your accent with pronunciation practice** Train your ear to catch more English at full speed...and it's all available for about half the price of one hour with an English teacher!Use this link & coupon code to sign up today:https://plainenglish.com/join/plus-monthly/?coupon=BF25NEW

Today's episode is one from the archives, originally number 583. Enjoy!--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 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners:

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/819Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/819 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate Engl

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/818Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/818 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words

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/817Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/817 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not

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/816Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/816 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves

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/815Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/815 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a spe

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/814Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/814 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a spe

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.--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 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to n

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 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a

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/813Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/813 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have hea

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/812Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/812 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise mi

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/811Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/811 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed t

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/810Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/810 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard i

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/809Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/809 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a spee

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/808Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/808 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learner

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/807Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/807 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for i

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/806Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/806 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right f

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 --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 reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas