//podcastplus.net/feed/english-as-a-second-language-esl-podcast-learn-english-online~9a2af9fc A podcast for those wanting to learn or improve their English - great for any ESL or EFL learner. Visit us at http://www.eslpod.com. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:17:40 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273767/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995967-44100-2-aec9f217eb934e05.mp3 Topics: American Presidents – Barack Obama; Famous Songs – “Anchors Aweigh”; diffidence versus timidity versus shyness; receipt versus reception; no problem versus not at all versus no big deal Words:community organizerhealthcare candidate rising star biracial campaign slogan grassroots polarized affordable anchor ashore foam diffidencetimidity shyness receipt reception no problem not at all no big deal Wed, 27 Apr 2016 07:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273767/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995967-44100-2-aec9f217eb934e05.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273758/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995964-44100-2-7a640d42f8bce49c.mp3 Let’s not talk about the topic of today’s episode right now. So, how’s your day going?Slow dialog: 1:25Explanations: 4:00Fast dialog: 18:29Lila: Why aren’t you dating? I have so many friends who would love to go out with you.George: Let’s change the subject. Talking about my love life isn’t very interesting.Lila: But really, you’re not getting any younger and…George: Moving on! Have you seen any good movies lately?Lila: Listen, all of your friends are settling down and you don’t want to go through life alone and lonely…George: That reminds me, didn’t you say that you were going to get another dog so that Rover isn’t lonely when you’re not home?Lila: Forget about my dog. You remember Rachel, don’t you? She just broke up with her boyfriend and she’d be perfect for you.George: Speaking of Rachel, how is her mother? Wasn’t she in the hospital?Lila: If Rachel isn’t your type, how about Amina? She has great legs and I know you’re a leg man.George: And now for something completely... Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:15 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273758/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995964-44100-2-7a640d42f8bce49c.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273772/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995966-44100-2-a75f22a73bf335b1.mp3 Topics: Famous Americans – Muhammad Ali; The Golden Gate Bridge; valuable versus invaluable; north/south versus northern/southern; common ground and universal experience Words:to take upprofessionallyagile to reign nationalist social activist to be drafted to indict bridge strait fog precautiondizziness valuable invaluable north / south northern / southerncommon ground universal Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:00:15 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273772/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995966-44100-2-a75f22a73bf335b1.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273763/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995965-44100-2-15200c289e741900.mp3 Topics: Famous Americans – Charles Schultz and Peanuts; The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve; to be pleased to versus to be happy to versus it’s (one’s) pleasure to; to sit versus to seat; willy-nillyWords:cartoon freelance folks memoir tomboy national park national preserve glacier mine to designate volcano to be pleased to to be happy to It’s (one’s) pleasure to to sit to seat willy-nilly Wed, 14 May 2014 07:00:15 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273763/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995965-44100-2-15200c289e741900.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273757/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995958-44100-2-7df1c310065337fd.mp3 Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode.Slow dialog: 1:11Explanations: 3:17Fast dialog: 16:18Stocker: Can I help you find something?Meg: Yes, I’m looking for coffee.Stocker: That’s on aisle 3. Let me show you where it is.Meg: Thanks. Hmm, I don’t see the Jitters brand that I normally buy.Stocker: It looks like we’re out of stock. We should get another shipment next week. Meg: Okay, I’ll check back. I’m also looking for the Fructose brand soda, but I didn’t see it in the soda aisle. Stocker: I’m afraid that’s been discontinued. Their parent company no longer makes soda. Meg: Really? I love Fructose soda. How about the Mushy brand bread? I didn’t see it when I checked the bread aisle.Stocker: We no longer stock the Mushy brand. There were so quality control issues at the company, so we’ve pulled all of their products from the shelves. Can I help you find anything else?Meg: No, I guess I’ll just have to try some new ... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:00:15 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273757/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995958-44100-2-7df1c310065337fd.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273764/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995963-44100-2-31529876dfb02151.mp3 Take a look in the mirror and see if you recognize yourself in these descriptions of the beautiful people.Slow dialog: 1:30Explanations: 3:18Fast dialog: 17:55Pamela: You know that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth, right?David: That’s because I’ve never seen so many beautiful women in one place before. Why have I never been to this beach before? Look at her! She’s a hottie!Pamela: Isn’t that what you said about that woman over there? David: No, I said she’s a babe. Look at the way she sways when she walks. Pamela: Stop ogling her or her boyfriend or husband is going to come over here.David: I’m not ogling. I’m admiring the perfection of the female body. Pamela: You’re undressing her with your eyes. Avert your gaze before you regret it. Oh, wow!David: What? Pamela: Check out that guy over there. Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome!David: That pretty boy over there? He’s too into himself. Look at the way he’s posing so every woman on this beach can get a look at him. He’s nothing b... Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:00:15 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273764/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995963-44100-2-31529876dfb02151.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273754/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995961-44100-1-836acb5e54196f15.mp3 Lights! Camera! Action! We’re off to the movies. Learn how to talk about seeing a good film in this episode.Slow dialogue: 0:57Explanations: 2:37Fast dialogue: 15:35Martin: What did you think of that movie?Joanna: It was okay, but I’m not really into big-budget movies with a lot of special effects and big-name stars.Martin: Oh, you’re a film snob. I bet you only watch indie films made on a shoestring budget with low production values.Joanna: No, that’s not true. I just don’t like crowd-pleasers that are predictable. I like movies that stretch the imagination and have some artistic value.Martin: You mean you like those weird movies with no plot and a lot of strange characters. They’re artsy, but leave you totally confused.Joanna: I don’t mind some ambiguity, if that’s what you mean. Martin: Well, I’m going to see the new Spiderboy movie next week. I don’t suppose you want to come?Joanna: Spiderboy? I’ve been looking forward to seeing that movie.Martin: But it’s a big-budget blockbuster.... Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:00:54 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273754/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995961-44100-1-836acb5e54196f15.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273759/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995962-44100-2-b5898cd28db2fd2f.mp3 Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast.Slow dialog: 0:57Explanations: 3:42Fast dialog: 21:10I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home. As soon as I walked in the door, though, the phone rang. Paolo: Hello.Evelyn: Hi, could I speak to Tony?Paolo: He’s not here right now. Can I take a message?Evelyn: Do you know when he’ll be back? Paolo: No, I don’t.Evelyn: Okay. I’ll call back later. Thanks. ……Ten minutes later, the phone rang again.Paolo: Hello.Pam: Hi, is Tony there?Paolo: No, he’s out.Pam: Could I leave a message?Paolo: Sure. Give me a second to get something to write with…Okay, I’m ready.Pam: Could you tell him that Pam called and ask him to call me back as soon as he can.Paolo: Does he have your number?Pam: He should, but I’d better give it to you. It’s 279-555-6347.Paolo: Okay, I’ll tell him.Pam: Thanks.…..As soon as I put down the receiver, the phone rang again. I couldn’t believe it.Paolo: Hello.Susan: Hi, is this Tony?Paolo: No, I’m his roommat... Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273759/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995962-44100-2-b5898cd28db2fd2f.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273755/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995957-44100-2-38b286c63b6b3b80.mp3 Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast.Slow dialog: 0:54Explanations: 2:29Fast dialog: 12:46I was negotiating a contract with a new business partner, and we had a meeting to clarify the terms.Bill: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct?Ms. Samuels: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training?Bill: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms.Ms. Samuels: Yes and no. Let me see if I can clarify that. The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months.Bill: Could you elaborate on that?Ms. Samuels: Sure. What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it’s in writing. Bill: Let me see if I have that right. This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn’t cancelled, continues for another six months. Is that right? ... Sat, 28 Jan 2006 02:00:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273755/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995957-44100-2-38b286c63b6b3b80.mp3 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273756/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995960-44100-2-5835c073fe703a37.mp3 Learn how to make a hotel reservation in English in this podcast.Slow dialog: 1:27Explanations: 4:21Fast dialog: 14:53I just finished a huge project at work and I needed some down time. I decided to take a short vacation. I liked the idea of a long weekend out of town. My friend Sara offered to let me crash at her place in San Francisco, but I decided to stay at a hotel instead. Sara has a couple of roommates and I thought it might be too crowded. I called the toll- free reservation number for a major hotel chain. The reservation agent was very helpful, after I got through the long phone tree.Agent: Dutton Hotels. How may I help you today? Jeff: I wanted to check rates and availability for your San Francisco location. Agent: Certainly, I can help you with that. Will that be the downtown or waterfront location?Jeff: The waterfront location.Agent: What date do you plan to check in?Jeff: I'd like to check in on October 12th and check out the 15th. Agent: Okay, let me see what we have. For how many?Jeff: One. And... Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:20:00 +0000 https://anchor.fm/s/4834ccfc/podcast/play/25273756/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-0-16%2F145995960-44100-2-5835c073fe703a37.mp3