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.
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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 is one of the most powerful organisations influencing oil prices...
Discover the fascinating story behind the "New Seven Wonders of the World," from the ancient Greek inspirations to the modern international campaign. This episode details the seven chosen monuments—including the Great Wall of China, Petra, and the Taj Mahal—uncovering their historical significance and engineering marvels. It also critically examines the selection process, discussing criticisms regarding public voting fairness, commercialization, and UNESCO's distinct role in heritage protection.
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. Eventually, writing gave us books. Today, I want to explore the history of b...
The podcast delves into the concept of the American Dream, examining its historical origins and the post-WWII golden age. It critically analyzes the modern challenges, such as soaring living costs, inequality, and job market shifts, that lead many to question its attainability. The discussion also considers how the dream might be evolving, with younger generations redefining success beyond traditional metrics, and compares it to national 'dreams' in other countries.
You are invited to a party. The invitation says the party starts at 20:00. What time will you arrive? Your answer to this question has a lot to do with your culture. Some of you will have said 20:00 exactly, because that is when the part stats. Others will have said 19:45, because it is polite to be early. Others will have said 20:30… or 21:00… or later because it is awkward to arrive too early. Your answer to my question is connected to how your culture understands time: the direction of time; ...
Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the greatest minds in history. He painted some of the most famous works of art ever: the Mona Lisa, Last Supper, and more. He was also a scientist, an engineer, an anatomist, and an inventor. He is often described as the perfect example of a “Renaissance man.” A Renaissance man is someone who is skilled in many different areas, especially during the time of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a period of history when art, science, and learning were rapidly developin...
The podcast revisits the idea of boycotting the World Cup, this time focusing on the 2026 tournament hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Concerns arise from US immigration policies, travel restrictions, and questions of fan safety, leading to calls for protest and Iran's confirmed boycott. The episode defines boycotts, reviews historical examples like the Moscow and LA Olympics, and critically analyzes whether such actions truly lead to governmental change or merely impact athletes. Ultimately, it invites listeners to ponder the efficacy of boycotts in global sports.
In the 1870s, about ten percent of Africa had been colonised by European countries. But over the next few decades, over ninety percent of the continent was taken, occupied, divided, and partitioned by governments far away in places like London, Berlin, and Paris. We call this period in history the “Scramble for Africa.” In a remarkably short period of time, countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium claimed vast territories for themselves without any input from African people. By 1914,...
“I’m just not good at learning languages.” I’m sure many of you listening right now have thought this before. And I’m sure you’ve thought the opposite about people you have met in the past: “Wow, she’s so talented at English” or “He has a gift for languages.” These kinds of comments are incredibly common. Many people believe that success in language learning depends mostly on talent. Some people are just naturally good at learning English, while others aren’t. But is this true? Is talent real wh...
In 1994, the small African country of Rwanda experienced one of the worst genocides in modern history. Over a one-hundred-day period, an estimated 800,000 people were murdered. The genocide shocked the world and left Rwanda devastated. But if you visit Rwanda today, you would probably be surprised at that history. The country is often described as one of Africa’s greatest success stories. Its capital city, Kigali, is known for being clean, organised, and relatively safe. In fact, Rwanda has been...
Delve into the enigmatic history of Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, one of Earth's most isolated inhabited places. Discover how skilled Polynesian navigators settled this remote island and created the iconic Moai statues. The episode also examines theories of environmental collapse, the impact of European contact and colonialism, and the ongoing debate about the repatriation of cultural artifacts like the Moai from international museums.
What does poverty really mean? When we hear the word poverty, I think many of us imagine extreme situations, like homelessness, starvation, or people living in very poor conditions. But poverty is far more complex, and far more widespread, than we often realise. According to the United Nations, more than 700 million people (around 10 percent of the world’s population) still live in extreme poverty. These people are surviving on less than two dollars a day. And despite decades of progress, this n...
Do you know how to ask great questions? A few years ago, back in 2022, I released an episode called How to Ask Better Questions in English . And today’s episode is an update to that original one. The core idea is the same, because it’s still important, but a lot has changed since then. I’ve changed as a podcaster and an educator, and I think English learners’ needs have changed too. In fact, the way we use English in 2026 is very different from how we used it just a few years ago. We now spend m...
Is it becoming harder to move to a new country? Everywhere seems to be tightening the rules. Canada, the US, Australia, Europe, Japan, the UK. Countries that once focused on attracting people are now focused on control, limits, and conditions. And these changes are happening fast. If you’re thinking about moving to the UK, already living in the UK, or interested in how the world and immigration is changing, I think this episode matters to you. Because what’s happening in British immigration poli...
Berlin is one of the most iconic cities in the world. Few cities have been destroyed so completely, divided so deeply, and then rebuilt so many times. Understanding Berlin’s past helps us understand the development of Germany and Europe. The rise of empires, the impact of nationalism, the horrors of totalitarianism, and the tension of the Cold War are all part of this city’s history. Berlin’s story is not just local; it reflects some of the biggest political and social forces of the last 800 yea...
Every time you type a message, unlock your phone, or trust a computer to make a decision, you’re relying on the ideas of someone you may never have heard of and probably never learned about at school. That person is Alan Turing. He was a British mathematician, logician, and wartime codebreaker, and one of the most important figures in modern science and technology. Turing helped lay the foundations of modern computing. He played a crucial role in breaking Nazi codes during the Second World War. ...
Grammar Study Pack - https://www.patreon.com/posts/prepositions-of-148657101?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Last year, I was walking on the street back home in the UK, and I started noticing just how many security cameras there were around me. There were cameras on lampposts , cameras in shops , and cameras at train stations , quietly watching people come and go. Once you start looking for them, you see them everywhe...
Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. We use it to write emails, generate images, recommend videos, and even help study English. Some people believe AI will completely change the world, just like the internet did. Others are more sceptical and worry that the excitement has gone too far. Every day on the news, we hear about new AI startups worth billions of dollars, governments investing huge amounts of money, and tech companies racing to become the next AI leader. There is a lot of op...
Today we’re going to explore a topic that I notice again and again whenever I work with bilingual people, speak with people who are studying a second language, and actually notice inside my own family: code switching . You’ve probably done it yourself. You start a sentence in English, suddenly use a word from your native language, then switch back again. This is a form of code switching and is extremely common. Code switching happens all around the world, in every culture, anywhere multilingual ...
Grammar Study Pack - https://www.patreon.com/posts/prepositions-of-148657101?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link People often say history repeats itself… but does it really ? When we look back at the past, certain events feel strangely familiar. Pandemics that spread across the world. Wars that change everything. Economic crashes that seem to happen just when people feel most confident about the future. Even though the de...
In the 19th century, a quiet, curious naturalist named Charles Darwin proposed a theory that went on the shake science, religion, and philosophy. Darwin introduced a new way of thinking about life itself. His theory of evolution by natural selection revealed that every species (humans included) changes over time, adapts to its environment, and shares common ancestors. In today’s episode of Thinking in English, I want to explore the life of Charles Darwin, look closely at his most important disco...
People love to debate history, especially when it comes to who was first . Last year, I made an episode about the oldest country in the world . I argued that the answer might be San Marino, because it has a long, continuous history as an independent state. And the reaction from listeners was… quite intense! I received comments from people around the world saying things like: “No, Egypt is older!” or “China has been around for thousands of years!” or “What about Iran?” . All of these arguments we...
This episode delves into the fascinating history of Australia, starting with the first Aboriginal Australians who arrived tens of thousands of years ago. It covers the impact of European contact, the establishment of British penal colonies, and the country's journey to federation and independence. Learn about the development of modern multicultural Australia, its economy, society, and current challenges, all while improving your English vocabulary.
Interested in joining Patreon in 2026? 20% off with code 2026 - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Last year, I made an episode where I openly shared my goals and New Year’s resolutions for 2025 . Now, it’s time to look back and see how I did. In this episode, I’ll review my 2025 goals. I’ talk about what I achieved, what I only partially achieved, and where I failed. And there were definitely some failures. I’ll also share my personal and professional goals for 2026 and hopefully give yo...
This is a short end-of-year bonus episode of Thinking in English . In this episode, I share a few important updates as we move towards the new year. The Thinking in English AGM 2025 (Bonus Episode) Free to listen to on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866 20% of Annual Patreon Memberships ( Use Code 2026 )- https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Peter's English Courses (Write THINK in the "extra" box for a Free month Patreon subscription) https://peter-english.com/courses Learn...
Interested in Joining the Thinking in English Patreon in 2026? 20% Discount is you use the code 2026 - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish Welcome to a special Thinking in English Christmas episode ! Today’s lesson isn’t about Santa Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees, or anything you might normally expect at this time of year. Instead, I want to talk about a place that literally carries the name Christmas: Christmas Island. Christmas Island sounds like a cheerful and festive place. Photos of...
In a world of social media, fake news, and deepfakes… how can we know what’s true anymore? The phrase “post-truth” has become one of the defining ideas of our time. Politicians lie without consequence , misinformation spreads faster than facts, and many people seem to trust their feelings more than solid evidence. As a result, truth itself seems less influential than emotion or personal belief. In today’s episode, we’re going to explore what it means to live in a post-truth society…. a society w...
Today I want to talk about one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. A genius who, with almost no formal training, made mathematical discoveries that still astonish experts today. His name is Srinivasa Ramanujan, and his story is as extraordinary as the mathematical formulas he created. Despite growing up in poverty and facing enormous challenges, Ramanujan produced ideas that continue to shape modern mathematics. This episode is part of my Greatest Scientists Series , where we explore the...
Thinking in English BLACK FRIDAY SALE (50% Off Annual Memberships) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish What is the EU? Is it just a group of countries in Europe? Is it a trade bloc? Or is it something much more complex? When people talk about the EU, they often mention things like the Euro, the Schengen Zone, or European laws, but many people don’t actually know what the EU really is or how it works. In today’s episode of Thinking in English , I want to explore the European Union, whic...
Thinking in English BLACK FRIDAY SALE (50% Off Annual Memberships) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish The biggest city in North America isn’t New York or Los Angeles, it’s Mexico City. Mexico City is also the oldest capital city in the entire Americas and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. Today, this enormous metropolis is home to over twenty million people. But its story began centuries ago, long before the arrival of the Spanish, when it was an island city built by the A...
