VOA Learning English Podcasts

Learning English programs use a limited vocabulary and short sentences. They are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Our broadcasts were formerly known as Special English.

Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! We are an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday English vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you speci ...

New developments in science, space exploration, environment and technology

How Americans use English grammar in everyday conversation.

Arts & Culture is our weekly program about music, pop culture, society and life.

As It Is takes a daily look at issues in the news in the United States and around the world.

Learn English as you read and listen to news and feature stories about health, medical and lifestyle topics.

Do you have a question about English? Go ahead and Ask a Teacher.

Learning English is VOA’s multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. Learning English began as Special English, which Voice of America launched in 1959. Special English newscasts and features were a primary fixture of VOA’s international shortwave broadcasts for more than half a century. In 2014, our line of products was expanded to include more English teaching materials, and the service became known as Learning English.

A short video explaining an expression used in American English

Words and Their Stories programs explain idioms and expressions that many learners of American English find difficult to understand.

A short video explaining a word or term used in news stories

Innovations and trends in education in the United States and around the world.

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What is the best way to learn English? How can I improve my English more quickly? If you are asking these questions, this Podcast is for you! ALsensei is an English Teaching Professional who has been helping people with how to improve English and Communication skills in Japan for over 18 years! He has worked with people from all backgrounds and levels including consulting at Global Fortune 500 companies and teaching at a prestigious university in Tokyo. However, on the English 2.0 Podcast yo ...

George Washington. Abraham Lincoln. John F. Kennedy. Millard Fillmore? Some U.S. presidents are better known than others. “America’s Presidents” tells each of their stories: when they lived, what they were like, how they governed, and why Americans remember them.

Learn English as you read and listen to a weekly show about education, including study in the U.S. Our stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.

Are you an English learner? Do you have a smartphone? Great! You can learn English "on the go" with content published on www.learningenglish.voanews.com ( We do not own any of our content. Not in any way affiliated with VOA )

U.S. History explains the history of the United States. Each report tells how the country and its people have developed.

Learn English as you read and listen to a weekly show about developments in science, technology and medicine. Our stories are written at the intermediate and upper-beginner level and are read one-third slower than regular VOA English.