Thinking in English
Thinking in English is a podcast for intermediate and advanced English learners who want to do more than just study grammar and vocabulary. I believe that thinking is one of the most important steps on the road to fluency. That’s why each episode explores fascinating topics, from politics, economics, and history to philosophy, science, and culture. Instead of simply learning English, this podcast helps you learn in English. You’ll expand your knowledge, discover new ideas, and improve your language skills, all at the same time. Bonus episodes and ad-free episodes, exclusive for Patreon subscribers: https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866 Join our Conversation Clubs and support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Visit the website: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/ Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English.
Episodes
October 4, 2026 • 25 mins
Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most famous historical objects in the world: the Bayeux Tapestry.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a huge piece of embroidered cloth, about 70 metres long, covered with pictures showing kings, soldiers, ships, horses and battles. It was created almost 1,000 years ago and tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in the year 1066.
The Bayeux Tapestry is in the news right now beca...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 27, 2026 • 30 mins
British food has a bit of a reputation.
I’m sure that for a lot of you, the words “British food” brings to mind boiled vegetables, overcooked meat, greasy breakfasts, and meals that are, above all, rather bland. British cuisine is often compared unfavourably with the food of countries such as France, Italy, Spain, or Japan. There is a common idea that while other countries have sophisticated culinary traditions...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 20, 2026 • 29 mins
Where is the best place to study English? Is it better to move to Britain, the US, or another English-speaking country, or can you learn just as effectively at home? Does studying in person produce better results than studying online?
Is a private one-to-one class better than a small group or a large class? What about structured lessons that teach grammar and vocabulary compared with conversation-focused classes?
In this epis...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 13, 2026 • 27 mins
Singapore is one of the wealthiest and most modern countries in the world, but that wasn’t always the case.
Today, I want to discuss the history of Singapore. We'll look at its early role in Asian trade, British colonial rule, the Japanese occupation, independence, and its transformation into one of the world's richest and most developed countries.
We'll also explore the political and social model behind Singapore's success...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 6, 2026 • 30 mins
What is corruption?
Corruption or corrupt are words that I use quite often in my episodes… but what is corruption? What forms does it take? Why does corruption happen, what damage does it cause, and why can it be so difficult to stop?
In this episode, we are going to look at different types of corruption, the political and economic conditions that allow it to develop, and some of the consequences for ordinary people and so...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
August 30, 2026 • 24 mins
Some people see failure as proof that they aren’t good at something. Others see it as an opportunity to improve. Why?
Today I want to try and answer this question by thinking about “growth mindsets”. The growth mindset concept suggests that our abilities aren’t completely fixed, and that we can improve through practice and effort.
We are going to look at what a growth mindset means, how it affects learning...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
August 23, 2026 • 33 mins
Which country shares the longest border with France?
I think most people would say Spain. Spain is right next to France in Europe. Or perhaps you might have said Belgium, Switzerland, or Italy.
But the answer is actually Brazil. Yes, Brazil. France and Brazil share a border of more than 700 kilometres. The reason is French Guiana, a territory on the northeastern coast of South America which is officially part of France.
French G...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
August 16, 2026 • 27 mins
English tests are everywhere.
Many of you listening to this episode will have spent (or currently are spending) months preparing for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and the Cambridge English qualifications. Passing a proficiency test is often required if you want to study abroad, qualify for a new job, or move to another country.
But do proficiency tests actually help you in your goal to become fluent in English? For some people,...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
August 9, 2026 • 25 mins
Today I want to discuss the history of one of the most famous cities in South America: Rio de Janeiro.
Rio is a city that had become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is known for its colourful carnival celebrations, the Christ the Redeemer statue and white beaches, and of course its association with football and samba music.
Its history is also fascinating!
Today I want to discuss how the city ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Scientists have just discovered enormous deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, or the rare earth minerals that are in smartphones and electric cars beneath your country. Is this good news?
Not necessarily. You might think that becoming “resource rich” is a great way for a country to become prosperous, but this not always the case.
Some of the world's most resource-rich countries have struggled with corruption, dictators...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
July 26, 2026 • 33 mins
Why does Canada speak both English and French? Why is Canada's head of state the King of the United Kingdom? Why didn't Canada become part of the United States when the rest of Britain’s North American colonies rebelled?
Canada is one of the largest countries on Earth. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, and all the way north to the Arctic. It has one of the world's wealthiest economies, consistently ranks a...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
July 19, 2026 • 31 mins
In 2024, Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after leading the Labour Party to one of the biggest election victories in modern British history.
Just two years later, he has announced his resignation… and Britain is once again preparing for a new leader.
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the UK has gone through an unusually high number of prime ministers. Each has promised to solve the countr...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one year.
10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have a daughter. I run a business from Japan. And I can live my entire life in Japanese if I need to.
Looking back, there are things that I'm incredibly prou...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
July 5, 2026 • 28 mins
When I think of the USA, I picture New York's skyscrapers, Hollywood movies, and Silicon Valley technology companies. I think of the world’s largest economy, and the most powerful country, with a population of more the 340 million people.
But what was the USA like when it was first founded? This year, the US is celebrating the 250th anniversary since it declared independence from the British Empire.
I thought it would b...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
June 28, 2026 • 29 mins
What is confidence? What does a confident English speaker look like? And how can you become a confident speaker?
This episode is going to try and answer some of these important questions. You might assume that someone with perfect grammar, a huge vocabulary, and a native-like accent will be a confident speaker. But that is not necessarily the case.
Over the years, I've met English learners with excellent English, but who were...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
June 21, 2026 • 32 mins
The World Cup is currently underway in North America, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about football, or soccer depending on where you are from. And specifically, we are going to explore the history of the world’s most popular sport.
Most people probably think football has always looked more or less the same. Two teams with eleven players. Referees and clear rules. Ninety-minute matches.
But that is not ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
June 14, 2026 • 27 mins
Today, we’re going to talk about Warsaw. Warsaw is the capital of Poland and one of Europe’s most resilient cities.
If you visit Warsaw today, you’ll find a modern and quickly developing European capital. There are skyscrapers, busy shopping streets, trendy cafés, and a growing economy. But history of city is dramatic and tragic.
In this episode, I am going to explore the fascinating history of Warsaw. We’...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
June 7, 2026 • 21 mins
The United Arab Emirates has announced that it is leaving OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) after almost sixty years as a member. Why does this matter?
Well, oil is still one of the most important resources in the world. The price of oil affects how much we pay for petrol, the cost of transporting food, airline tickets, electricity, and much more. When oil prices rise, the economy is also affected.
OPEC...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
May 31, 2026 • 31 mins
Thousands of years ago, Ancient Greek travellers created a list of the most extraordinary sights they encountered: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
These included places like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Colossus of Rhodes. Today though, only one still survives: the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
So, in the early 2000s, a huge international campaign called the “New Seven Wond...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
May 24, 2026 • 28 mins
Humans have been speaking languages for tens of thousands of years. We told stories around fires, passed down myths from parents to children, and memorised important information about survival and history. But for a very long time, nobody could write anything down.
Then, at some point, humans invented writing.
Writing allowed people to record laws, preserve stories, collect knowledge, and communicate across generations. Eventuall...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!