" Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has gone back-and-forth about buying Twitter over the past few months. They finally came to an agreement for Musk to buy the company, but then the stock market tanked and now Musk wants out. A state court will decide whether he has to go through with the deal. Plus, learn “side with.” -- 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/490 --...
Aug 01, 2022•23 min•Ep. 491
[Free workshop] Don't miss our free Active Learning workshop at PlainEnglish.com/active In the workshop, you'll learn: The difference between active and passive learning How to be an active learner in English How Plain English can help you be more active See it all at PlainEnglish.com/active On today's lesson: Boris Johnson stepped down as leader of Britain’s Conservative Party after three years leading the U.K. government. His tenure has had many challenges, including negotiating Brexit, leadin...
Jul 28, 2022•26 min•Ep. 489
" Twenty-one teenagers were tragically found dead in a South African nightclub after they were out celebrating the end of the school term. One survivor said she smelled a bad odor in the nightclub, but weeks later, authorities still do not know for sure what happened. Plus, learn “pass 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/488 -- Learning English should be fun...
Jul 25, 2022•24 min•Ep. 488
[Free Workshop]: Make faster progress in English by being an active learner. See a preview of our free workshop at PlainEnglish.com/active On today's lesson: A new California law mandates that high schools start the school day no earlier than 8:30 AM and middle schools no earlier than 8:00 AM. This is in an effort to work with teenagers’ biological clocks that naturally tell them to sleep around 11 and wake up around 8. But how will this work logistically? Plus, learn “stay up.” -- At Plain Engl...
Jul 21, 2022•22 min•Ep. 487
Announcing: Want to make faster progress in English? Check out our new workshop, all about active learning strategies at PlainEnglish.com/active End-of-life planning is a terrifying thing for most people to consider, but just a few minutes of planning can set your loved ones up for success with your digital assets. Last week, we covered what exactly happens to your digital assets when you die, and this lesson covers how exactly to set up your digital legacy. Plus, learn “up to date.” -- At Plain...
Jul 18, 2022•25 min•Ep. 486
" In estate planning, it’s common to think about who will inherit personal possessions, bank accounts, investments, real estate, and other property. But we rarely consider what happens to our digital assets and accounts. This lesson dives into what happens when you die – digitally. Plus, learn “in progress.” -- 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/485 -- Learning Engl...
Jul 14, 2022•25 min•Ep. 485
" BTS – the most popular band in the world –are taking a “temporary break.” The band announced the break during a live-streamed anniversary dinner party for fans. They spent over 40 minutes explaining the reasoning behind the break, and you can tell it was an emotional moment for the band. Plus, learn “loom over.” -- 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/484 -- Learnin...
Jul 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 484
" In an effort to improve company culture and employee morale, many companies have put out messaging encouraging employees to bring their “whole selves” to the workplace. But what does that mean, exactly? And should we really be doing that? This lesson puts that idea to the test. Plus, learn what “on the surface” means. -- 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/483 -- L...
Jul 07, 2022•20 min•Ep. 483
" An upstart league called LIV Golf is disrupting the tranquility that has long defined professional golf. The decision to join – or not join – the tour has torn the golf world into two. The tour is offering some of the world’s best players enormous sums of money to play, but there is controversy surrounding where exactly that money is coming from. Plus, learn “pass up.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript...
Jul 04, 2022•25 min•Ep. 482
" Journaling is an age-old practice that is known for its mental health benefits. There are many ways to keep a journaling practice that don’t require long entries on pen and paper. In fact, you don’t need to devote much time at all to experience the benefits. Plus, learn what it means to “get off on the right foot.” -- 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/481 -- Lear...
Jun 30, 2022•22 min•Ep. 481
" Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, but this year, players won’t earn any points towards their world rankings by competing in the tournament. Wimbledon is caught up in a political controversy, which led the governing body of tennis to strip it of its ATP points. Plus, learn “hand 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/480 -- Lear...
Jun 27, 2022•21 min•Ep. 480
" The world’s largest plant was recently discovered off the western coast of Australia. The plant is a ribbon weed that researchers estimate to be about 4,500 years old. It grows entirely below the surface of the water and covers and astonishing area. Plus, learn what it means to “look into” 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.com/479 -- Learning English sh...
Jun 23, 2022•20 min•Ep. 479
" Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in the over 1,000-year history of the United Kingdom. She has been Queen of the U.K. for 70 years, or since 1952, when she was just 25 years old. The U.K. through her an epic party to celebrate. Plus, learn “look down 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/478 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our ...
Jun 20, 2022•20 min•Ep. 478
" Google Maps, the world’s most popular mapping application, is known for helping people get from one place to another. But did you know that the app is packed with other hidden features? Today’s lesson covers several of those features that you might not know about. Plus, learn “brand-new.” -- 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/477 -- Learning English should be fun!...
Jun 16, 2022•21 min•Ep. 477
" The US government has kept a running list of UFO sightings since the 1940s, and until recently, the list was kept secret. Today, we’re talking about the strange history of UFO’s in American culture, including the frenzy they created in the 1960s. Plus, what to expect for the future of UFOs and learn “raise the stakes.” -- 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/476 -- ...
Jun 13, 2022•25 min•Ep. 476
" In Tuesday’s lesson, we talked about how hard seltzers have become one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the US in just the last few years. Today, we’re revealing the results of our hard seltzer blind taste test. We sampled three brands and five flavors, and let’s just say it didn’t go as we thought it would. Plus, learn what it means to “take the plunge.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, ca...
Jun 09, 2022•23 min•Ep. 475
" Hard seltzers burst on the scene just a few years ago, and now they are one of the most popular drink options among Americans. Hard seltzers are marketed as a lower-calorie option than beer and cocktails. Brands like White Claw and Truly are leading the craze, but most alcohol companies now have a hard seltzer offering. Plus, learn “fit the bill.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: htt...
Jun 06, 2022•22 min•Ep. 474
" Today, we review the latest news on six previous topics: how the Covid business winners are doing two years later, Novak Djokovic’s return to competition, a drastic price drop for a popular NFT, the surfside condo collapse, Juan Carlos settles in the UAE, and Havana Syndrome. Plus, learn “have a history 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/473 -- Learning En...
Jun 02, 2022•25 min•Ep. 473
" Buy now, pay later started as an option for people without credit cards to pay for big purchases, like furniture or airline flights, in installments. But now, people are using buy now, pay later to buy clothing, household goods, and even groceries. Gen Z might especially be in trouble. Plus, learn “egg 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/472 -- Learning Eng...
May 30, 2022•24 min•Ep. 472
" Buy now, pay later is on the rise as Americans learn to love the Brazilian way to pay. People without credit scores and credit cards are able to spread out paying off purchases over longer periods of time. Retailers love it, too, because their customers will buy more, and buy more often. Plus, learn “think twice.” -- 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/471 -- Learn...
May 26, 2022•26 min•Ep. 471
" A new highway will connect the landlocked regions of South America to the Pacific Ocean, and the first link from Paraguay was just completed. South America produces a lot of the world’s food, and the highway will help speed up exports. But not everyone is on board. The highway also threatens areas of forest and indigenous culture. Plus, learn “work on.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found a...
May 23, 2022•23 min•Ep. 470
" Labrador Retrievers are friendly; pit bulls are aggressive; poodles are playful. These generalizations are often true, but a new study shows that a dog's breed only explains a small part of its behavior. Plus, learn the English expression ""bring back."" -- 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/469 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about c...
May 19, 2022•22 min•Ep. 469
" Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and other companies, surprised the business world by offering to buy Twitter, a publicly-traded company, for about $44 billion. Not everyone took him seriously at first, but he backed up his offer with the money he needs to do the deal. Plus, learn the English expression ""come up with."" -- 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://pl...
May 16, 2022•24 min•Ep. 468
" Turkey, the country, officially changed its English name. If you Google “Turkey,” chances are there will be a mix of search results: everything from ugly birds, to a fungus, to the country itself. This bothers President Erdogan, so he decided to re-brand the country internationally from Turkey to Türkiye. Plus, learn what it means to “turn the tables.” -- 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 12, 2022•20 min•Ep. 467
" As the situation in Ukraine gets increasingly dire, Ukrainians are leaving the country in droves. Five million people have already left the country. The majority of the refugees have gone to Poland, where to many people’s shock, they are getting a warm welcome and an unexpected level of support. Plus, learn “ride 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/466 -- ...
May 09, 2022•23 min•Ep. 466
" Company mission statements are supposed to articulate what a company does and how it helps the world. Ideally, mission statements should send a positive public signal and also motivate employees – at least that’s the idea. But some company mission statements really miss the mark, and we have some examples of both the good and the bad today. Plus, learn “come away.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, ca...
May 05, 2022•20 min•Ep. 465
" Covid prompted many employees to take a step back from the endless emails and Zoom calls and reevaluate what they want out of their jobs. Many people left their jobs to find work that was more meaningful to them. But what does it even mean to have “meaningful” work? Plus, learn “day-to-day.” -- 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/464 -- Learning English should be f...
May 02, 2022•25 min•Ep. 464
" ‘Succession’ is all about media mogul Logan Roy and his children, who are all trying to succeed him as CEO of the family company. Instead of envying the rich, the overwhelming emotion we feel toward these characters is pity. The children are portrayed as the victims, not the beneficiaries, of Logan’s life and fortunes. Plus, learn “curry favor with.” -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: ...
Apr 28, 2022•27 min•Ep. 463
" Volodymyr Zelensky has emerged as the surprising hero of Ukraine’s resistance efforts, but his resume might surprise you. Before he was Ukraine’s president, he played a president on a TV show. His background as an actor has been key to his success as a war leader. Plus, learn “stand 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/462 -- Learning English should be fun!...
Apr 25, 2022•28 min•Ep. 462
" An organization dedicated to creating simpler, strong authentication – i.e. killing the password – has published a broad outline of how this will work. The end of the password might actually be in sight. But the plan requires tech companies to implement it and users to adopt it. Plus, learn “pass along.” -- 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/461 -- Learning Englis...
Apr 21, 2022•26 min•Ep. 461
