Episodes
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Legal doping and robots: Is this the future of sport? - AIRC645
What happens when athletes can use any performance-enhancing drug they like, and when robots start competing alongside them? In this episode, we look back at the fall of cyclist Lance Armstrong, and discuss the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas and the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Is...
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Expressing interest and surprise in English - AIRC644
Have you ever heard some surprising news and not known what to say? Or found yourself replying "Really?" to absolutely everything? Today we're looking at how to express interest and surprise in natural English. From "Has he?" to "You're joking!", we'll explore the little expressions that make...
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When to use 'whether' and 'if' - AIRC643
Have you ever wondered whether you should use whether or if in English? They can seem very similar, and in many sentences both are possible. But there are some important differences between them, and knowing when to use each one can make your English sound much more natural and accurate. So, in...
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Dance vocabulary and dancing expressions - AIRC642
In today's podcast, we are going to talk about something that most people can connect with in some way: dancing. Whether you love dancing, hate dancing, dance professionally, or only dance when nobody is watching, there's a lot of useful English connected with this topic, so put on your dancing...
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South African English Vocabulary - AIRC641
Congratulations to Reza for passing the C2 exam in Valencian. Absolutely lekker news! Apologies for the delay in replying to your voice messages, but we're back and ready to go! Today we've got a message from Rocío from Cádiz and then we're heading all the way to South Africa to explore South...
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Reduplication: words that are repeated - AIRC640
Chop-chop! That's enough chit-chat! Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of today's podcast which talks about words like chop-chop, chit-chat and nitty-gritty. You might think that our podcast episodes are just thrown together 'willy-nilly', but nothing could be further from the truth. We'll help…
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Wildfires and fire vocabulary - AIRC639
Forest fires are becoming more common in many parts of the world. At the time of recording, there are terrible wildfires blazing in France, Spain, Canada, Italy and many other countries. Every summer, we see dramatic images of burning forests, smoke-filled skies and firefighters working…
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Why English jokes are funny - learn English humour and wordplay - AIRC638
Some people say that if you can laugh in another language, you're no longer just learning it, you're starting to live it! Many English learners discover that understanding grammar is one thing, but understanding humour is something completely different. English jokes often depend on double...
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Living in a Multicultural Society - AIRC637
The world has never been more connected. Whether you live in a large city or a small town, you're likely to meet people from different countries, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. This diversity has brought exciting opportunities, but it has also raised important questions. How do different...
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Advanced English verb tense review - AIRC636
If you're a regular listener to the podcast, there's a good chance you've already mastered the basic English tenses. If so, congratulations! You've got the foundation. But if you've ever wondered why native speakers say "I'll have finished by Friday" instead of "I'll finish by Friday" or "I'd…
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Advanced modifiers for comparatives and superlatives - AIRC635
If you've been studying English for a while, I'm sure you remember learning basic comparatives and superlatives and seeing expressions like 'bigger than', 'more expensive' and 'the best/worst' in your coursebook. But native speakers don't stop there! At a more advanced level, if we want to say…
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Two Roads: Understanding The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - AIRC634
We haven't spoken about poetry for a while, so in today's episode we'll explore one of the most famous poems in English literature, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. We'll read the poem and break it down in simple, clear English to help you understand both its meaning and its language. We will...
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The vocabulary of movement | Walk, Stroll, Wander, Leap & More - AIRC633
Have you ever noticed that English has dozens of different ways to say "walk" or "run"? Someone can stroll through a park, march in a protest, wander around a city, limp home after an injury, or leap over a puddle. In this podcast, we're exploring the language of movement. You'll learn verbs,...
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Bring, Take & Fetch Explained: Common Mistakes and Everyday English Expressions - AIRC632
Have you ever wondered whether you should say bring, take, or fetch? These three common English verbs seem simple, but they cause confusion for many English learners. In today's podcast, we'll explain the differences between them, explore common collocations and expressions, look at useful…
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How to deal with stress and anxiety in English exams - AIRC631
Have you ever walked into an English exam feeling prepared, only to find that your mind suddenly goes blank? Maybe you've forgotten vocabulary you use every day, misunderstood simple listening questions, or struggled to answer speaking prompts that would normally be easy. If this sounds familiar,...
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Football, Money and Power: How Corruption Changed the World Cup - AIRC630
Regular listeners may have noticed that we tend to avoid speaking about politics and current affairs. After all, the aim of this podcast is to help you improve your English, not to complain about all the bad things that happen in the world. However, something happened recently during the 2026…
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English Vocabulary for the City - AIRC629
Have you ever gone for a walk in a city and wondered what some of the things you see are called in English? This is a thought that occurred to Marta, one of our regular listeners, and today we're going to explore some English vocabulary and collocations for the city. Whether you live in a big…
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Zdenek and Craig Talk Football | World Cup 2026
Craig and Zdenek discuss their backgrounds and passion for football. Zdenek, an English teacher from the Czech Republic, has been teaching since 2011 and hosts the Footglish podcast. They share their experiences with football, including Zdenek's support for Arsenal and Craig's mixed feelings…
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Caravans, Campervans, and Motorhomes - AIRC628
Travelling by caravan, campervan, or motorhome has become a popular way to explore the world with freedom and flexibility. In today's episode, we'll look at the differences between these vehicles, useful vocabulary, common expressions, and some fun facts about life on the road. We'll also discuss...
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Gym vocabulary for fitness trainers - AIRC627
Whether you work in a gym, watch fitness videos online, or simply want to improve your English, learning gym vocabulary can help you communicate more naturally and confidently. In this episode, we'll explore essential words and expressions used by fitness trainers, discuss common gym situations,...
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Come and go - AIRC626
Today we're going to explore two very common English verbs that often confuse English learners: come and go These verbs all describe movement, but the difference depends on direction. In other words, whether something moves towards the speaker, away from the speaker, or goes somewhere and…
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Why you still sound awkward in English (and how to fix it) - AIRC625
You've reached an advanced level in English—but something still feels off. Maybe you sound too formal, a bit unnatural, or not quite like a fluent speaker. In today's episode, we'll explore why that happens and how you can sound more effortless and natural. Show notes and more podcasts to improve...
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Colour Idioms - AIRC624
Have you ever wondered why someone would be 'green with envy' or why a 'golden opportunity' is so much better than a regular one? English is a very visual language, and today you'll learn some colour-based idioms that will help make your spoken and written English a bit more colourful. Show notes...
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How to Rent a Car in English: Key Phrases for Your Next Trip - AIRC623
Renting a car in another country can be stressful, especially if you're not sure what to say. From insurance questions to understanding the contract, it's easy to feel lost. But don't worry—today we'll walk you through the essential English phrases step by step. Show notes and more podcasts to...
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What did the Romans ever do for us? - AIRC622
What did the Romans ever do for us? We can see their influence everywhere: in the roads we travel on, the laws we follow, even the words we speak. In this episode, we'll explore how an ancient empire didn't just conquer lands, it laid the foundations for modern civilization. Show notes and more...
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The Moon | vocabulary, collocations, expressions, facts and idioms - AIRC621
Today's episode is all about The Moon. You'll learn useful vocabulary, common collocations, simple expressions, and a few easy idioms. You will hear phrases like "once in a blue moon" and "shoot for the moon," and learn how to use them in everyday English. Show notes and more podcasts to improve...
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Describing Physical Appearance in English - AIRC620
In today's episode, we're focusing on how to describe physical appearance in English. This is a key skill for everyday communication—whether you're describing a friend, identifying someone, or telling a story. We'll look at useful vocabulary, natural expressions, and tips to help you sound more...
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Gender-neutral English: modern vocabulary in an age of equality - AIRC619
Language is constantly evolving, and one of the most noticeable changes in modern English is the move towards gender-neutral vocabulary. In this episode, we'll explore how English has developed from gender-specific words like fireman and policeman to more inclusive terms like firefighter and…
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Concessive Clauses and Inversion - AIRC618
Today's episode is inspired by a message from one of our listeners who's been exploring concessive clauses—and finding them a bit tricky to use naturally in conversation. If you've ever wondered how to say things like "Strange as it may seem" or "Try as he might" without getting lost halfway...
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Arctic vs Antarctica: What Makes the Poles So Different? - AIRC617
In this week's podcast, we'll explore how these icy worlds differ in geography, wildlife, climate, and human presence. We'll also look at useful vocabulary and expressions to help you talk confidently about polar regions in English, whether you're just chatting with a friend or taking an English...
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The Many Meanings of "Box" in English | Idioms, Collocations & Vocabulary - AIRC616
The word "box" seems simple, but it appears everywhere in English. We use it for physical objects, technology, business, sport, and even psychology. In this episode, we'll explore how this small word creates many useful expressions such as think outside the box, ticking a box, or box office...
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While, whilst, though, although and other linking words - AIRC615
In today's episode, we'll explain the difference between though, although and while/whilst, look at how they are used in real sentences, and explore when you should use them in everyday English. You'll also learn how to use some other linking words that may be confusing. Show notes and more...
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English words we love and hate - AIRC614
Can you feel a certain way about a word? Do you like some words more than others? English is full of fascinating vocabulary and today we're going to talk about words we love and words we dislike. We'll explore why certain words make us feel good and why others make us uncomfortable. Show notes…
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As Cool as a Cucumber! Learn Popular English Similes & How to Use Them - AIRC613
In this podcast, you'll learn how to make your English more colourful and descriptive. We are looking at similes—a type of figurative language that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." Show notes and more podcasts to improve your English at: http://www.inglespodcast.com/...
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Meditation – What it is and how to practise it - AIRC612
In this podcast, you'll learn what meditation really is, how to start doing it, and why it can improve concentration, mood, and even language learning. Many people think meditation means emptying your mind — it doesn't. Meditation is actually training your attention. You'll learn how to do that...
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Vowel Sounds in English – Monophthongs & Diphthongs - AIRC611
In this podcast, you'll learn how to improve your English pronunciation by understanding English vowel sounds — especially the difference between monophthongs (single vowel sounds) and diphthongs (moving, blending or sliding vowel sounds). We'll guide you through all the English vowel sounds.…
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Speaking to babies and young children - AIRC610
Today we're going to talk about something very familiar to parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who spends time with little children: baby talk. Baby talk includes the special words, sounds, and games adults use when talking to babies and young children. Scientists call this child-directed...
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The British Police - AIRC609
When people talk about the British police, they often imagine one single organisation. In reality, policing in the UK is more complex. The British police system is made up of several different forces, each responsible for a specific region and operating under slightly different laws and…
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Australia - AIRC608
Long time listeners to the podcast may remember that in the past we've spoken about a variety of different countries including Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Chile, to name but a few. In this episode, we go down under to talk about Australia in answer to a listener request. So, take off...
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Is Chivalry dead? - AIRC607
This week, we ask the question, 'Is chivalry dead?'. When was the last time someone held open a door for you to walk through, or helped you to put your coat on? In this episode, we'll briefly explain the origins of chivalry and look at some modern-day examples to see if chivalry, good manners and...
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Making Small Talk - AIRC606
In today's podcast, you'll learn how to make small talk, chit-chat, and casual conversation so that you'll know what to say next time you want to start, and continue, an informal conversation in English. Show notes and more podcasts to improve your English at: http://www.inglespodcast.com/ Las...
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The articles (the, a, an, zero) in English: revisited - AIRC605
This week's episode is sponsored by italki. Follow the link below, sign up for free and book your first class. Use the promotional code "INGLES1" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. https://go.italki.com/ingles1 In today's podcast,...
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Informal British English vocabulary - AIRC604
In this episode, we're exploring everyday British English words that you'll often hear in real conversations across the UK. From informal phrases like "cheers" and "knackered" to classic expressions such as "take the mickey", we'll look at what they really mean and how to use them naturally. Show...
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A Brand NEW Year: Vocabulary and expressions with the word 'new' - AIRC603
This week's episode is sponsored by italki.com. Follow the link below, sign up for free and book your first class. Use the promotional code "INGLES1" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. https://go.italki.com/ingles1 Happy New Year…
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Nursery rhymes for pronunciation practice - AIRC602
In this podcast, we explore a fun and effective way to improve your English - using nursery rhymes. You might think these simple songs are just for children, but they are actually perfect tools for advanced learners. Nursery rhymes are full of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition — all of which help you...
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Imperial and metric weights and measures - AIRC601
This week's episode is sponsored by italki.com. Follow the link below, sign up for free and book your first class. Use the promotional code "INGLES12" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. https://go.italki.com/inglespodcast12 Today...
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New words that have recently become common in English - AIRC600
This week's episode is sponsored by italki. Follow the link below, sign up for free and book your first class. Use the promotional code "INGLES12" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. https://go.italki.com/inglespodcast12 In this...
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Things are not the same as they used to be - AIRC599
This week's episode is sponsored by italki. Sign up for free and book your first class! Use the promotional code "INGLES12" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. Use this link: https://go.italki.com/inglespodcast12 When we were…
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From Snooze Buttons to Ice Cream Cones: Inventions That Changed Our Lives - AIRC598
Have you ever wondered who invented the snooze button, or how the ice cube tray came to be? In this episode, we'll tell you some fascinating stories behind fourteen everyday inventions—from the mop and vacuum cleaner to the T-shirt and toilet paper. Some are clever, some are curious, and all have...
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Changing Verbs and Adjectives into Nouns - AIRC597
This week's epidode is sponsored by ITALKI Sign up for free and book your first class! Use the promotional code "INGLES" when you pay for your first lesson and you'll get a €5 discount on your first class of at least €10. Use this link: https://go.italki.com/inglespodcast In this podcast, you'll...