Speak English with ESLPod.com - Learn English Fast

ESLPod.com•www.eslpod.com

More than 15 million people in 189 countries have learned English from Speak English with ESLPod.com. Get one free English lesson each week, including selected lessons from the ESLPod.com archive. These daily and cultural English lessons use a proven method that is fast, effective, and fun. They are brought to you by Dr. Lucy Tse and Dr. Jeff McQuillan, former professors of applied linguistics and education. Want to improve your English even faster? Become an Unlimited English member and get more than 1,800 lessons, or subscribe directly on Apple Podcasts to get three new premium lessons each week: two Daily English lessons and one Cultural English lesson. Go to www.ESLPod.com for more information.

Last refreshed: May 7th, 2026 at 1:23 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

English Cafe 552

Dr. Jeff McQuillan guides listeners through a comprehensive look at Barack Obama's journey, from his early life and education to his rise as a community organizer, lawyer, Illinois State Senator, and eventually, the first African-American U.S. President, highlighting his focus on healthcare. The episode also dives into the origins and cultural significance of the U.S. Navy's anthem, "Anchors Aweigh." Finally, it addresses listener questions, providing clear explanations for nuanced English terms like "diffidence," "timidity," and "shyness," differentiating "receipt" from "reception," and explaining informal replies like "no problem" and "not at all."

Apr 27, 2016•39 min•Season 2Ep. 8

1,150 - Avoiding Topics in Conversation

This episode uses a humorous dialogue between Lila and George to demonstrate various English phrases for avoiding sensitive or unwanted conversational topics. Dr. Jeff McQuillan then meticulously explains each phrase, such as "change the subject," "moving on," "speaking of," and "that's none of your business," providing context and usage tips. The episode offers valuable insights into navigating awkward social interactions while improving English vocabulary.

Oct 27, 2015•21 min•Season 2Ep. 7

English Cafe #517

Topics: Movies – Die Hard; American Authors – Emma Lazarus; in front of versus ahead of versus before; as if versus as though versus as for; to take stock Words: to be separated to give (something) another try to freshen up hostage safe cowboy to be descend from to be well received to dedicate to persecute to huddle to yearn in front of ahead of before as if as though as for to take stock...

Aug 26, 2015•39 min•Season 2Ep. 6

English Cafe #490

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 up professionally agile to reign nationalist social activist to be drafted to indict bridge strait fog precaution dizziness valuable invaluable north / south northern / southern common ground universal...

Feb 18, 2015•35 min•Season 2Ep. 5

English Cafe #450

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-nilly Words: 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...

May 14, 2014•35 min•Season 2Ep. 4

875 - Shopping at the Supermarket

Do you ever go to the supermarket without finding what you’re looking for? Learn more about it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:11 Explanations: 3:17 Fast dialog: 16:18 Stocker: 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 fo...

Mar 08, 2013•18 min•Season 2Ep. 3

867 - Talking About Attractive Men and Women

Hosts Pamela and David engage in a lively dialogue about people they find attractive at a beach, using numerous descriptive terms. Dr. Jeff McQuillen then meticulously breaks down the meaning and usage of phrases like "hottie," "babe," "ogle," "tall, dark, and handsome," "pretty boy," and "showing off." The episode offers practical vocabulary for discussing physical appearance and social interactions related to attraction.

Feb 08, 2013•20 min•Season 2Ep. 2

802 - Talking About Movies

In this ESLPod episode, Martin and Joanna discuss their differing movie preferences, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of related English vocabulary. Listeners learn terms for various film types, from "big-budget blockbusters" with "special effects" to "indie films" made on a "shoestring budget." The episode clarifies expressions like "film snob," "crowd-pleaser," and the nuanced meaning of "artsy," concluding with everyday idioms such as "variety is the spice of life."

Jun 25, 2012•17 min•Season 2Ep. 1

600 - Talking About Sight

If you can’t read this, then put on your glasses and listen to this episode on having bad eyes. Slow dialogue: 1:07 Explanations: 2:45 Fast dialogue: 15:19 Sue: This medication I’m taking is messing with my vision. Everything is blurry. Hamed: That’s a good reason for you to stay home from work today. Sue: I can’t. I have to give a presentation this afternoon and I can’t flake out on my coworkers. Hamed: What good are you to them if you’re blind as a bat? Sue: Everybody else will have crystal cl...

Jul 19, 2010•17 min

190 - Taking a Phone Message

Learn how to take and leave phone messages in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:57 Explanations: 3:42 Fast dialog: 21:10 I 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 ...

Aug 15, 2006•24 min

124 - Asking for Clarification in a Business Meeting

Learn how to ask for clarification in English in this podcast. Slow dialog: 0:54 Explanations: 2:29 Fast dialog: 12:46 I 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 t...

Jan 28, 2006•15 min

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android