" Check-writing is a low-tech, burdensome, and time-consuming form of payment. Some countries, like China, South Korea, and Japan, completely skipped personal checks and went straight from cash-based systems to electronic payments. So why are some of the world’s most advanced nations still writing personal checks? Plus, learn what it means to “reverse course.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be fo...
Jun 07, 2021•26 min•Ep. 370
" Every 11 seconds, a company is a victim of a ransomware attack. Often, companies discreetly pay the ransom to avoid embarrassment. But recently, a ransomware attack unintentionally shut down the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies 11 states in the U.S. with their gasoline. Apparently, the hackers didn’t intend for the massive disruption, they just wanted the ransom money. Plus, learn “lock out.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, in...
Jun 03, 2021•20 min•Ep. 369
" China is the world’s most populous country, and according to the recent 2020 census, China now has 1.41 billion people. But over the last ten years, China only added 72 million people – the country’s slowest population growth rate since the 1960s. So, what’s the big deal? We’re diving into it on today’s lesson. Plus, learn “make up.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainengl...
May 31, 2021•25 min•Ep. 368
" What is cognitive switching? It’s when you switch your attention from one task, or one type of task, to another. Cognitive switching could be robbing you of up to 40 percent of your daily productivity, and it may be increasing your potential to make mistakes. Plus, learn what it means to “leave off.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/367 -- Learning English sh...
May 27, 2021•24 min•Ep. 367
" A metro overpass collapsed in Mexico City as a train was traveling over it. Before the deadly accident, it was obvious there were structural problems with the line. There were cracks in the concrete, and the whole structure shook when trains went by. But little was done to repair it, and riders kept riding. Plus, learn “in charge of.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plaineng...
May 24, 2021•20 min•Ep. 366
" This lesson reviews the latest news on previous Plain English topics: justice for George Floyd in the Derek Chauvin case; Volkswagen’s all-electric passenger van is coming soon; Tokyo is still planning on hosting the Olympics this summer; WeWork is hoping for a smoother second initial public offering, and more. Plus, learn “hold firm.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainen...
May 20, 2021•21 min•Ep. 365
" Cicadas are one of nature’s strangest mysteries. Trillions of insects live underground for 17 years and all emerge at the same time for a few weeks, mate, and die shortly after. Then, the 17-year cycle repeats. The biggest cohort of them all – Brood X – is about to emerge in the US. Plus, learn “live on.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/364 -- Learning Engli...
May 17, 2021•20 min•Ep. 364
" European soccer fans erupted in protests across the continent after the Super League announcement on April 12, and it didn’t take long for teams to start backing out of the league. This lesson pulls back the curtain on the greed-driven Super League model that flopped. Plus, learn “at the mercy of.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/363 -- Learning English shou...
May 13, 2021•23 min•Ep. 363
" On April 12, twelve of Europe’s most elite soccer clubs announced they would withdraw from the UEFA Champions League and form their own “Super League.” They promised excitement and drama for fans and more money for club owners. They certainly delivered on their promise for excitement and drama, but not in the way they expected. Plus, learn “shell out.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at...
May 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 362
With more than a year of work from home experience under our belts, we have some specific ideas to upgrade work from home tools and technology. We’re ready for video calls to be less awkward and exhausting. Attention product designers and developers, this one is for you! Plus, learn “filter out.” Get this full English lesson, including transcripts, fast audio, and more, at https://plainenglish.com/361 Mentioned in this episode: Ready to improve your listening? Ready to listen fast? Improve your ...
May 06, 2021•19 min•Ep. 361
" With more than a year of work from home experience under our belts, we have some specific ideas to upgrade work from home tools and technology. We’re ready for video calls to be less awkward and exhausting. Attention product designers and developers, this one is for you! Plus, learn “filter out.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/361 -- Learning English should...
May 06, 2021•26 min•Ep. 361
" In an exciting final day of competition, Hideki Matsuyama held off last-minute comeback attempts from two challengers to win the 85th Masters golf tournament. His win made him the first Japanese player to win a major golf tournament. Plus, the backstory on why Matsuyama is a Japanese hometown hero, and learn what it means to “let loose.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plain...
May 03, 2021•25 min•Ep. 360
" 40 percent of Americans were able to work remotely during the worst parts of the pandemic. Some of those people are still fully working from home, some are part-time at home and part-time in the office, and others have fully returned to their office work environments. This lesson dives into the great remote work debate of 2021. Plus, learn “hand-in-hand.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found...
Apr 29, 2021•21 min•Ep. 359
" Many American and Canadian border towns operate as one big town. The border is simply an invisible boundary that residents cross several times each day. But during the pandemic, the border was closed to non-essential traffic. This divided towns, families, lovers, and even left some towns completely isolated. Plus, learn “closely-knit.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainen...
Apr 26, 2021•23 min•Ep. 358
" Which vaccine should I get? How many doses do I need? Will there be side effects? Allergic reactions? What about protection from all of the new variants? As the world launches its vaccination efforts, we are answering five frequently asked COVID vaccine questions. Plus, learn “a feature, not a bug.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/357 -- Learning English sho...
Apr 22, 2021•27 min•Ep. 357
" How would you like to work from the beaches of Barbados? Or perhaps you’d rather experience the shopping and architecture of Dubai? A growing list of countries are now offering extended-stay visas to attract remote workers. The trend started several years ago, but has accelerated since the pandemic sent most white-collar workers home from the office last year. Plus, learn “get around.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including ...
Apr 19, 2021•22 min•Ep. 356
" In the early 2000s, Blockbuster Video was a thriving business. It had 9000 locations in 14 countries around the world. But their dominance in the video rental market did not last forever. Today, just one store remains, and it’s in a mountain town in central Oregon. Plus, learn “at its peak.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/355 -- Learning English should be f...
Apr 15, 2021•22 min•Ep. 355
" In March, a massive cargo ship called the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal for six days. The canal is one of the most important routes in global trade, and just six days without it revealed just how fragile the global supply chain is. The effects will likely be felt worldwide for months. Plus, learn “back up.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/354 -- Lea...
Apr 12, 2021•22 min•Ep. 354
" Volvo’s recent announcement to be fully electric by 2030 and move sales online is a huge stray from the car dealership model, which has been around almost as long as cars have. The age-old model is ripe for disruption, and this may be the start of something transformational. Plus, learn what it means to “stay on top of” something. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish...
Apr 08, 2021•22 min•Ep. 353
" Non-fungible tokens, or NFT’s, are the latest craze in the online world. NFT’s offer a way for digital artists to sell their artwork, and recently, a digital piece sold for a record $69.3 million. How it all works is a little confusing, but this lesson breaks it down. Plus, learn what “bragging rights” are. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/352 -- Learning Eng...
Apr 05, 2021•28 min•Ep. 352
" Vaccine passport: the idea that once you get a vaccine, you can use a smartphone app to prove you’re vaccinated and have access to some pre-COVID activities. This sounds great – in theory. But several countries have adopted vaccine passports, and there have already been issues. Plus, learn “weight on your shoulders.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/351 -- Le...
Apr 01, 2021•23 min•Ep. 351
" Before the pandemic, there were many companies that were resistant to offering employees flexibility to work from home. A lot has changed over the past year, and companies are increasingly open to remote work options. This could mean more opportunity for neurodiverse employees, who struggle in traditional office environments. Plus, learn “catch-all.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: ...
Mar 29, 2021•25 min•Ep. 350
" Duty-free shopping is a strange loophole in the retail industry. You can buy expensive, luxury items without paying the usual hefty taxes, but only international travelers can take advantage. For this reason, duty-free shops are usually located in airports. Without international travel, the duty-free industry did not fare well – except in one place. Plus, learn “add up.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcri...
Mar 25, 2021•23 min•Ep. 349
" For years, sports betting was illegal in most of the United States. But in 2018, a Supreme Court ruling opened the door for individual states to legalize sports gambling. Things are ramping up as sports leagues are trying to rebound from a lost year due to COVID. The sports landscape is changing, for better or worse. Plus, learn “stay out of it.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: http...
Mar 22, 2021•24 min•Ep. 348
" The ‘Nomadland’ cast only had two professional actors, and the rest were people that actually live the nomad life in America. The unconventional cast helped portray the real-life community behind the movie with depth and feeling. In this lesson, you’ll meet some of them and hear about their lives off-screen. Plus, learn what it means to “make ends meet.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found ...
Mar 19, 2021•19 min•Ep. 347
" Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’ explores the reality of nomad life in America through the lens of a widow forced into life on the road. It takes you through an exciting and mysterious plot and might even convince you that all who wander are not lost. This one is worth watching. Plus, learn “run into.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/346 -- Learning English should b...
Mar 15, 2021•20 min•Ep. 346
" This winter has brought snow to some unlikely places. Alongside the once-in-a-century pandemic, Madrid, Jerusalem, and parts of the American south all had record-breaking once-in-a-century winter storms this year. This caused a rush of excitement for some, and very dangerous and life-threatening conditions for others. Plus, learn “resort to.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://...
Mar 11, 2021•19 min•Ep. 345
" The sleepy town of Serrana, Brazil was selected as the site for an important vaccine experiment. We know that coronavirus vaccines are effective at preventing symptoms, deaths, and serious cases. But we still don’t know whether vaccinated people can transmit the disease to others. Brazilian and Chinese researches and the residents of Serrana are on a mission to find out. Plus, learn “get in on the action.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full Engli...
Mar 08, 2021•19 min•Ep. 344
" Jeff Bezos founded Amazon from his Seattle home in 1994. Since then, Bezos has built Amazon into the world’s largest online retailer. Twenty-seven years and billions of dollars later, Bezos is planning to step down as Amazon’s CEO and transition to executive chairman later in 2021. Plus, learn “step back from.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/343 -- Learning...
Mar 04, 2021•21 min•Ep. 343
It was only a matter of time before the pandemic made its way into pop culture, and some TV shows have already started airing COVID-19 inspired storylines. But is it too soon? This lesson evaluates three popular TV shows that incorporated the coronavirus Mentioned in this episode: Ready to improve your listening? Ready to listen fast? Improve your listening with the fast version of this and every episode. The full-speed version is a fresh recording and it sounds just like someone speaking to a n...
Mar 01, 2021•25 min•Ep. 342
