Podcasts are fantastic tools for enhancing your English listening skills. They offer the flexibility to practice anytime, whether you’re cooking, walking your dog, or commuting. The best podcasts for learning English are those that discuss everyday topics like love, careers, parenthood or health and fitness. These podcasts often introduce new vocabulary, expressions, idioms, slang, and various accents. Additionally, a good podcast should be funny and entertaining to get you hooked!

Here are three podcasts that I would recommend to my students:

The Moth (Estimated level B2-C1)

Description: “The Moth” features people from all walks of life sharing their personal stories. These narratives cover a wide range of human experiences, from love and heartbreak to career triumphs and personal challenges.

Benefits: This podcast helps listeners get accustomed to different accents and storytelling styles. It introduces a lot of everyday vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

Why It’s Entertaining: The real-life stories are often emotional and compelling, making listeners laugh, cry, and everything in between.

No Such Thing As A Fish (B1-B2)

Description: Created by the researchers behind the British TV show “QI,” this podcast presents bizarre and fascinating facts each week. The hosts’ witty banter and humorous approach make it highly engaging.

Benefits: This podcast exposes listeners to British accents and slang while expanding their general knowledge and vocabulary in a fun way.

Why It’s Entertaining: The quirky facts and the hosts’ humorous discussions ensure that listeners are both educated and entertained.

Desert island discs: (B1-B2)

Description: “Desert Island Discs” is a beloved and long-running podcast that invites well-known guests to imagine themselves cast away on a deserted island. Each guest selects eight pieces of music, one book and one luxury item to accompany them. Through these choices, they share their life stories, revealing personal insights and memories associated with their chosen items.

Benefits: “Desert Island Discs” helps students learning English improve their listening skills and expand their vocabulary through engaging and authentic conversations with native speakers.

Why It’s Entertaining: The engaging concept of selecting music, a book, and a luxury item for a deserted island scenario adds a creative and intriguing twist, making each episode both fun and revealing.

These podcasts not only improve  your English listening skills but also make the learning process enjoyable and engaging. By listening to real-life stories, interesting facts, and insightful interviews, you can expand your vocabulary, understand different accents, and enjoy some humor along the way. Happy listening!