Boxcar English

It’s impossible to know where you were born. Have you ever thought about that? Being born is something that nobody remembers. Well, everybody that I have ever asked has told me they don’t remember being born. And they always act like it’s a strange question to ask. I can tell because they laugh a little bit when they say, “No, I don’t remember being born.” It seems silly because it seems obvious. Everyone knows that no one remembers being born. But, at the same time, almost everyone believes they know where they were born. Really, the best we can do […]

This episode continues the story begun in episode 052: Postcards from Janet. In that episode, my cousin Janet sent me a postcard to tell me she was coming to visit in April. Well, it’s April now and Janet came with her two kids, Buddy and Eddie. I was going to take the kids to the playground, but it rained! I had to think of something — and I remembered something my Uncle Jerry — Janet’s dad — did with us on a rainy day a long time ago when we were kids. Transcript sample: ====== Welcome to Boxcar English Where […]

How do you feel? Read this as you listen: Welcome to Boxcar English  Where there’s always room for you My name is Karl, but you know that. It’s good to see you again. Get on this train, let’s ride, old buddy! Let’s ride buddy! I’ve got another something to say for you … I’m happy right now. I feel happiness. Today, I am full of happiness. Happiness comes and happiness goes. I may not be happy tomorrow. I may not be happy in an hour. But I am happy now. Why am I happy? Why am I so happy, you […]

There’s a last time for everything… This is less of a story, and more thinking about that idea. Write me your thoughts, on last times… And don’t worry, my friends, we have a lot more good times together in Boxcar English! ============ Visit our website: boxcarenglish.com Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast — Your host, Karl, is also Big Kitty, a musician: alegendinthefieldofentertainment.com Write Karl a message at [email protected]

Some things are easy to get used to — like sunny, warm weather. I got used to that kind of weather, then the weather changed. And so I have felt a little sad, a little down. But I know how that feeling works — because I’m used to it. Send me an email at [email protected], and tell me about something you’re “used to.” Visit our website: boxcarenglish.com. Take conversation or writing lessons with me. (I’m really good at helping you edit papers) Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast — only €1 a month helps so much! Your host, Karl, is […]

I walked to the flea market — where people sell their old things. I was a little scared, because I thought ICE might be there. Spoiler: they weren’t! boxcarenglish.com patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

Bliss is a feeling that can come at any moment. And it doesn’t always make sense. This is my story of feeling bliss. Send me an email at [email protected]! Ask about my writing lessons! boxcarenglish.com patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

This is about odd jobs — little jobs to do here and there. Not a “full-time” job, but an odd job. It’s also about seeing someone who looks just like you. It feels strange, huh? See episode 050 for how to use this podcast to improve your English! Write me an email at [email protected]! Visit our website at boxcarenglish.com And support us on Patreon at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

About a car crash. I hate getting into a car crash. Vocabulary: Rattled! Write me at [email protected], about a time when you were scared, but you tried to make sure that another person was not scared. Visit the website at boxcarenglish.com and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

Sometimes, a road does not lead directly to a destination. I took a strange road that led me to a new appreciation of my health. Please contribute to our Patreon: patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast boxcarenglish.com

I found an old book called The Fabulous Adventure of Life. It’s true, this life is a fabulous adventure… Write me at [email protected]. Tell me your story. Join my upcoming English writing class — more information soon. Visit our website: boxcarenglish.com Subscribe to our Patreon for only 3€ a month, chat with me (Karl), and have all the transcripts patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

I was enjoying the Winter birds so much I went to the library to find a book about them so I could learn their names. and I was thinking about the way those birds sound like the word “pink” not the color, but the way the word sounds how do you say “pink” in your language? WRITING EXERCISE: Take the phrase “I can’t help but feel…” and make sentences with it. If you start each line with this, “I can’t help but feel…” you can make a poem out of it. There are more instructions at the end of the […]

This is about Pink, my cute cat, who cut me… Tell me about your cat — send me a message, preferably a vocal message, to [email protected] Please support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast. For just 3 euros a month you can get all the transcripts to all episodes and chat with me, Karl… and I’ll help you personally with your English. Send me your writing by email and I’ll correct it — first time’s for free. It helps!

What happened to me when ICE came to my door. Learn how to tell Knock-Knock jokes. And some practice with what to say to ICE agents if they come to your home. Please visit immigrantjustice.org if you need any help. And if you can donate some money to them, please do. (Just in case you aren’t sure, this is an entirely fictional podcast) boxcarenglish.com patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast (Transcript available here)

I received a postcard from my cousin, Janet. I hadn’t seen her in years, but she’s going to come visit me — with her two young children! Phrase to remember: by the way – use “by the way” when you want to say something that is not directly related to the conversation Go to boxcarenglish.com for more podcasts Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast ! (for 3€ a month you get all the transcripts and live chats with me!) Send me an email at [email protected]. Please send me a voice message that I will put in a future podcast!

Boxcar English! Learn English through stories… See episode 050 for ideas about how to use this podcast to improve your English. Write or send me a voice message to [email protected] ! I’m working on a podcast with your voices in it. Support the podcast and get all the old transcripts, so you can read along — so helpful! — at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast And see boxcarenglish.com for more! Check out my music at alegendinthefieldofentertainment.com and bigkitty.bandcamp.com

This is a different kind of episode, where I talk about 4 (or 5) ways to use this podcast to learn English. (I give writing lessons! I also change my prices depending on what country you come from, because I know that money is not equal between all countries. So send me an email, let me know where you’re from, and we’ll work it out so you can afford it!) Also, I want to make an episode of Boxcar English with YOUR voices in it… so please send me an audio recording of yourself (you can just make this on […]

I spent Christmas alone this year… I was lonely, so I walked to a restaurant that is always open: the Waffle House. This is my story of Christmas at the Waffle House.

The last part of this everyday, yet strange, story… Spoiler: I survived! Otherwise, the whole series would be over, wouldn’t it? boxcarenglish.com patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

Part 3 of the Lake House story… The strange shape turns out to be… Visit boxcarenglish.com and patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

Here’s part 2 of this story! We take a ride on a boat on the lake… and I learn some history — there are entire towns under the water… I have to try to see them! If you’re new to Boxcar English, this podcast is easy to understand, if you’re learning English and have about a B1/B2 level. I speak clearly and slowly, and I use simple words, but the phrasing is authentic, American English. This is also a human experience, and at no point do I use Artificial Intelligence — in fact, I don’t use artificial intelligence for any […]

I went to a lake house over the weekend and it was very good, but also very, very bad… So much happened on the trip that I divided the story into four parts. If you’re new to Boxcar English, this podcast is easy to understand, if you’re learning English and have about a B1/B2 level. I speak clearly and slowly, and I use simple words, but the phrasing is authentic, American English. This is also a human experience, and at no point do I use Artificial Intelligence — in fact, I don’t use artificial intelligence for any purpose in my […]

I was feeling tired, so I slept longer than usual. I had a strange dream. Then I had to pee. Then I realized that I was sick… When I’m sick, I really miss being healthy. When I’m healthy, I don’t appreciate it enough. Please support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast Check out our website at boxcarenglish.com Karl also makes music. Check out bigkitty.bandcamp.com…

Here is the story of my Thanksgiving — for you. This year, I spent Thanksgiving with my grandmother at her retirement home. It was a funny, sweet, everyday type of moment. It was so beautiful. Please support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast. You can ask me, Karl, all the questions you want there, in the chat. And you get all the transcripts — and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m going to post this one on my website. Then you can read along as you listen. It’s such a helpful way to learn a language. Click here to read the transcript […]

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, school ends at 12 noon, and that gives an interesting feeling to the day. On this day, I felt like I did when I was a kid, and as I was cleaning up, I found a green magic marker. It made me really want to draw with markers like that… I’ll let you find out the rest by listening along… If it helps you to read along to the words, you can do that. I make a transcript for every episode and you can get those by supporting the podcast on Patreon for as little […]

Have you ever gotten a surprise call? I got one when I was at work telling me my Grandmother was in the hospital. I had to ask my boss to leave work to see her. She understood, and let me go. This is the story of what happened that day. It was almost like a dream, but there I was, in reality. Please visit boxcarenglish.com for more podcasts and lessons, and support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast for more human-centered, AI-free, gentle, supportive, and effective English-learning entertainment! Write to me at [email protected] – I’d love to read some of your letters […]

There’s an election, and the voting happened at the school where I work. This is about how I went to vote and what happened that day and the day after. Please check out our page at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast And do leave us a review on the podcasting service you use. Send me an email at [email protected]

I found some sunglasses on a sunny day… and they made me think. Go to Patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast to support us. And Boxcarenglish.com for more!

The final installment of grandpa’s visit to Haytown. An ending, but a new beginning as well. Thanks for listening! Let me know how your English is coming. Check out the website for more: boxcarenglish.com Join our Patreon to chat with me and get transcripts: patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

The weekend is here! I take my Grandpa to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate. Visit boxcarenglish.com for more podcasts and lessons Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

This story is about my Grandpa visiting my house. My grandpa has a lot of dogs and cats, and he brought them all to my house — including a tiny kitten! Sometimes English learners get confused by the words “fun” and “funny.” This episode can help you out. Read this: “I noticed that Shelby was acting funny. That’s my dog. Shelby is her name. She was acting funny. I mean, she wasn’t acting normally.” This type of language is easiest to learn through stories like the ones you hear in Boxcar English. I hope it’s useful to you! Please find […]

A drive in the country. Let’s take a look at three of the natural, American-style phrasings used in this episode: 1–“It sounded like they hadn’t had a chance to speak in a long time” You can say “it sounds like” in the same way as “it looks like” or “it appears”! “to have a chance” – to have an opportunity “to speak” in this case means the birds haven’t had a chance to speak to each other! 2. “We drove off” — we drove off? That means we started driving, and sounds like the drive will go a long way! […]

I could not find my username. I could not find my password. And, I admit it, I cried. Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast and get some bonus stuff! Find more and take lessons with me at boxcarenglish.com

This episode is about how our lives are full of magic. I saw a star in the hole in the clouds, and it seemed to want to say: “Hey Karl, don’t forget that your life is full of magic.” I want to hear from you: what’s an experience you’ve had of the magic of life? Join me at Patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast, and help build a community of people who want to improve their English in a human, creative, community-forward way. You can see more at boxcarenglish.com.

I had a dream about eating some very delicious blue fruit. It was so inspiring. I felt good all day. And I took my dog on a walk in the woods. We saw a dead deer. That’s the type of story you get on Boxcar English, ones that show thinking and feeling in the English language. No AI is used in the creation of this podcast — it’s a human production! Visit boxcarenglish.com to learn how to take lessons with me. Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

Karl talks to a friend about prisons. And something unexpected happens. Who is responsible? No one knows. This episode includes some adult themes, so be aware of that if you feel any sensitivity to those things. Take lessons with me at boxcarenglish.com. And support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast. Thanks for listening!

It’s no fun to have car problems. Karl wants to leave work, but his car won’t start. It’s cold outside, and there’s nobody around to help. Then, a possum comes through the parking lot… Go to boxcarenglish.com for more episodes and lessons. Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

If you haven’t listened to Grocery Store (Part 1) I recommend you do before listening to this episode! More essential vocabulary-in-use in this video! Do you know a lot of words but have trouble putting them together so they sound natural? That’s exactly what this podcast is meant to help with. I mean, every episode of it, not just “Grocery Store (Part 2)!” If you want lessons to help you use these podcasts to the best of your ability, go to boxcarenglish.com and click on “LESSONS!” If you want the transcripts — for as little as the price of a […]

Karl skips lunch and is very hungry after work. But, having no food, he has to go to the grocery store! What do you think he will cook? Visit boxcarenglish.com for more podcasts and to take lessons with the creator of this podcast!

It’s finally warm enough for Karl to go out wearing only a T-shirt. He takes Shelby out to the park where he sees some kids playing baseball. And he remembers what he felt like as a kid, and how it’s different than he feels now, in a good way. Visit boxcarenglish.com to listen to more podcasts. Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcasts

After a long day of hard work, it’s nice to be able to sit for a minute and relax. It really feels just right. It really — hits the spot. Take English lessons using creative writing techniques with me at BoxcarEnglish.com And support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast.

This is a dreamlike story. But it is not a dream… Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between life and dreams. Please visit the Boxcar English website: boxcarenglish.com And support the podcast on Patreon to receive all our transcripts: patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast

What would you do if you were a millionaire? This episode talks about what Karl would do… Thanks for listening! Listen to Boxcar English and learn to think in English! Transcripts make learning easier! Join the Boxcar English Patreon (patreon.com/BoxcarEnglishPodcast) for access to all transcripts! Follow the podcast on TikTok (@boxcar.english) and Instagram (@boxcar_english)… And listen to the music of Big Kitty, the creator of this podcast!

Sunday is a day of rest for many, especially when it’s raining outside. But sometimes things get in the way. Please leave a review for the podcast! Follow the podcast on Instagram @boxcar_english and TikTok @boxcar.english and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast where you can get transcripts and live chats! Visit boxcarenglish.com to take lessons with me Thank you!

In this episode, you’ll learn some ways of talking about your dreams. Sometimes dreams are hard to describe. This story shows how our character, Karl, uses English to describe things that are out of the ordinary. Karl goes to the mountains with his grandmother. They rent a little house by a stream. It’s quiet there and Karl sleeps very well. And as he and his grandmother have breakfast, he tells her about a very strange dream he had… Support the podcast at patreon.com/boxcarenglishpodcast and take lessons with me! Send Karl an email. His address is [email protected]

Karl sees eleven deer in his yard. He wishes they would let him pet them. They, of course, do not. Then he thinks about one time when he ate deer meat. Support the podcast at patreon.com/BoxcarEnglishPodcast. You’ll get access to all the transcripts! And more things. Great things. Visit Boxcarenglish.com to take lessons with me. I can teach you all kinds of stuff about English. I love teaching writing, and how to be a creative writer. Do you want to write a novel in English? Let me help you.

Find out how to use vocabulary like “grossed out”! Enjoy a tale of a friendly, absent-minded janitor! Learn English with useful, everyday language that’s not too hard to understand! Get the transcript by supporting the podcast for as little as 3 euros at patreon.com/BoxcarEnglishPodcast And take lessons with the real Karl (as real as Karl gets, at least) — see how at boxcarenglish.com/lessons

Karl gets sick and goes to visit the doctor… He’s worried he didn’t really need to go. But it’s important to see the doctor when you’re sick. This is a great way to learn about how to speak in an important situation. This podcast works even better with the transcript! You can get them for just the price of a cup of coffee at the Boxcar English Patreon page !

This episode is about how watching a movie makes you feel. It’s about watching an action movie. It’s about feeling like you can do all the things you see in an action movie… Have you ever felt this way before? Tell me about it, at [email protected]

There are some essential phrasal verbs in here! Especially if you’re in the USA. Such as : “pull over” – this means to stop your car on the side of the road. It’s what you have to do when a police car flashes its lights behind you. Fortunately, nothing bad happens during this police stop. But it’s never fun being stopped by the police! And it’s better if you know what to do in case it happens. And if you drive in the United States, it is very likely to happen!