English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcast - Learn English Online

If you drive too fast, you may get into trouble. Learn how to avoid that in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:10 Explanations: 2:42 Fast dialog: 15:39 Angel: Why are you driving at a snail’s pace? Georgina: This is an infamous speed trap. I don’t want to get a ticket – again. Angel: I don’t see any squad cars along the road. Are you sure this is the right stretch of road? Georgina: I’m sure. Those cops are crafty. They hide out...

Rich man, poor man – everyone goes to the bank at some point. Learn how to talk to someone at your bank in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:08 Explanations: 3:22 Fast dialog: 15:44 Bank Teller: Can I help you? Antonio: Yes, I’d like to deposit this check. Bank Teller: Please fill out a deposit slip and be sure to endorse the check on the back. Antonio: Here you are. I’ve already filled out a slip and signed the check. I’d also l...

Topics: American Movies – The Manchurian Candidate; blue laws; expression versus term versus idiom; What name do you go by?; en masse Words: thriller prominent to brainwash assassin to incriminate sleeper agent nightmare to commission blue law Sabbath to reserve to repeal car dealership expression term idiom What name do you go by? en masse

What could be more fun than going to a lot of meetings? Learn how to talk about different kinds of business meetings in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:08 Explanations: 2:58 Fast dialog: 14:31 Susanna: All right, then. This meeting is over. We’ll meet again next week for a status update. Juan: Hey, do you have a few minutes to talk about tomorrow’s teleconference? Susanna: Sorry, I’ve got to run. I’m late for my department’s weekly b...

Modern parenting can be a real disaster. Learn why in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:19 Explanations: 3:50 Fast dialog: 15:53 Mrs. Mason: So, how did things go? Carl: Well... Mrs. Mason: What’s the matter? Didn’t you and Jason have a good time while I was away? Carl: It was interesting. He was a little willful. Mrs. Mason: Yes, he can be a little strong-willed at times, but if you just do what he wants or give him wha...

Topics: American Presidents – Dwight D. Eisenhower; path versus route versus track; stuff; anon Words: combat invasion affable D-day to set the stage to fit in in a landslide down-to-earth to balance the budget desegregation Eisenhower doctrine military-industrial complex path route track stuff anon

Be the guy people hate by playing practical jokes on everyone you meet today. Learn more in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:13 Explanations: 2:51 Fast dialog: 14:32 Patricia: What are you doing? Luis: I’m setting up a practical joke for Bobby. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he walks outside and finds his bike in pieces. It’ll be the best prank ever! Patricia: You’re not really going to take apart his bike, are you?

Will eating genetically modified foods improve your English? Find out the answer in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:15 Explanations: 3:04 Fast dialog: 14:10 Ralph: What’s that? Nicky: It’s a bigger and better tomato. It’s been genetically modified. Ralph: You’re not going to eat that, are you? Nicky: Of course I am. I’m making a salad. Want one? Ralph: No way. I don’t want to eat something that’s been geneti...

Topics: Ask an American: Inventing Frozen Foods; prize versus accomplishment versus award versus reward; what the heck?; wholesale Words: canned food disaster freezing point block to rot to thaw out mushy to bar freezer infrastructure distribution notion prize accomplishment award reward what the heck? wholesale

We’re going on strike here at ESL Podcast very soon. Listen to this episode to find out why. Slow dialog: 1:08 Explanations: 2:55 Fast dialog: 15:29 Norma: What is this? Jimmy: It’s a flyer for a meeting I’ve called to talk about forming a labor union here. Norma: Here? Do you think the management will let us? Jimmy: They can’t stop us. We’re working longer and longer hours and we need to demand higher pay. We also need...