VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
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.
Episodes
May 2, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, Afghanistan’s Taleban rulers want to increase tourism; how did the video sharing service TikTok learn become so popular? followed by a discussion about why there is a law against its activities; then, all about being nervous on Lesson of the Day.
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May 1, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, experts are worried about bird flu among cows; a cancer patient from Laos won millions of dollars in Oregon’s lottery game; a children’s book explores language followed by details of the book and its writer; then, ‘context’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 30, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, the University of Maine builds the largest 3D printer; researchers say American need more sleep followed by a discussion on the term ‘responding’ ; five tips to get better sleep; then, intonation and question words on Lesson of the Day.
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April 29, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, a special essay about the Ukrainian town of Berdychiv; NASA has discovered methane coming from an area on Mars followed by a discussion about why scientists are interested in the gas; then, find out about English homophones on Lesson of the Day.
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April 28, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, a new ‘pillbot’ can look inside the human body; a study says nearly half of China’s cities are sinking; U.S. universities are conflicted over student protests and student safety; then, expressions about telling the hard truth followed by a chat on not ‘pulling punches.’
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April 27, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, the World Health Organization redefines ‘spread through the air’ for diseases; AI used to mix coffee in Finland; all about ‘young’ and ‘younger’ followed by a discussion on ‘younger than’; then, part one of ‘A Princess of Mars’ by Edgar Rice Burroughs on American Stories.
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April 26, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, what happened when India banned video sharing service TikTok?; state lawmakers aim to make it harder to object to books in public libraries; indigenous Brazilians are unsure about oil drilling plan; where does ‘million’ come from? followed by a discussion on Everyday Grammar.
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April 25, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, German researchers say climate change will cut everyone’s pay by 19 percent; GPS signals are being interfered with in combat areas followed by a discussion about the danger to civilian aircraft; then, ‘should,’ ‘ought to’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 24, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, the United Nations wants a treaty that controls plastics manufacturing to fight pollution; a program in Senegal puts deaf student with hearing students followed by a discussion about the term ‘opportunity’; then, ‘extinction’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 23, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, 2023 was a record year for wind energy projects; April is a big gardening month in the norther half of the world followed by a discussion about the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; then shortened forms and an unusual festival on Lesson of the Day.
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April 22, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, scientists discover a huge, ancient snake in India; April 22 marks another Earth Day; NASA thinks about controlling spending on a major Mars mission followed by a discussion about the U.S. space agency’s plans; then, talking about food trucks on Lesson of the Day.
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April 21, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, astronomers find a new black hole in our Milky Way Galaxy; a father-daughter fossil hunting team unearths an ancient ocean reptile; activists want more African students in U.S. colleges followed by a discussion about study visas; then, expressions for good and bad days.
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April 20, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, a museum in Michigan aims to tell Arab Americans’ stories; fashion models worry AI technology could put them out of a job; using ‘when’ and ‘that’ in a sentence on Ask a Teacher; then, 'The Count and the Wedding Guest' by O. Henry on American Stories.
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April 19, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, did the arrival of immigrant ease the economy in recent years?; the World Banks says least developed countries are falling behind; we answer a question about using plural or singular for teams or groups followed by a discussion with about the subject.
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April 18, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, how long has there been coffee?; Dubai’s airport records record rainfall; Bots make up nearly half of internet traffic followed by a discussion about protecting against the effects of bad bots; then, autumn fun on Lesson of the Day.
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April 17, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, a special essay explores what it is like in Kyiv, Ukraine; a company plans to test a device that links directly to the human brain; school librarians worry about banned books followed by a discussion about obscenity; then ‘complain’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 16, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, China and the U.S. are competing in drone technology; a study finds limited cancer drugs with special approval have limited success followed by a discussion on accelerated approval; then words like ‘hafta’’ and ‘everybody’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 15, 2024 • 30 mins
On today’s podcast, a special essay about the city of Mykolaiv in Ukraine; NASA is asking private companies to design a vehicle to drive on the moon followed by a discussion with more details; then, ‘good news, bad news’ on Lesson of the Day.
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April 14, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, “natural” farming is popular in India; More Americans are making online videos as a job; top colleges cost more than ever followed by a discussion about why the real cost might be lower; then ‘thanking our lucky stars’ and a conversation about good luck.
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April 13, 2024 • 29 mins
On today’s podcast, a weakness in server computers raises worry about a cyberattack; a Tokyo’s artistic toilets; Peruvian man might be oldest-ever; misinformation and disinformation followed by a discussion about the terms’ history; 'The Romance of a Busy Broker' by O. Henry on American Stories.
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