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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Host Tom Wilkinson examines what constitutes a truly significant historical event for Britain, contrasting it with common perceptions like American Independence. He then delves into four critical periods: the Norman Conquest of 1066, which reshaped language and society; the English Reformation, which altered religion and royal power; the Industrial Revolution, changing Britain's economy and urban landscape; and World War II, marking the end of empire and the birth of the welfare state. The discussion highlights how these events profoundly shaped Britain's identity and global standing.
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Recently, I have been thinking a lot about challenges that language learners face when communicating. Learning vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are obviously difficult tasks, but I think something else can be just as challenging. Context and culture. Words and grammar are not the only...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 GRAMMAR STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/comparative-and-superlative-grammar-in-1142004?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=productshare_creator&utm_content=join_link I have lived in some of the biggest cities in the world, and I...
This is a podcast feed swap with the amazing English Learning for Curious Mind Podcast In this episode of English Learning for Curious Minds, we'll explore the incredible story of Percy Fawcett, a daring British explorer who vanished in the Amazon rainforest while searching for the mythical city he called "Z." Often compared to a real-life Indiana Jones, Fawcett's life was filled with adventure, mystery, and a relentless quest to prove the Amazon held secrets beyond our imagination. Percy Fawcet...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Today I want to talk about success. I want to discuss what it means to be successful. Is success about wealth, power, or recognition? Or is it something more personal and evolving? In this episode, I’ll challenge traditional definitions of success and explore what truly matters, whether in ...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Fast fashion has revolutionised the clothing industry. Companies like Zara and SHEIN release new clothing designs at a fast past, create designs that are trending and stylish, and do it all at an affordable price. How? Today I want to define “fast fashion.” I’ll talk about the history of fa...
Football and basketball are two of the most popular sports in the world, but which one is better? Which sport has faster players? Which sport is more exciting to watch? Which sport is more popular globally? Today I want to compare football and basketball. In order to talk about this topic, and similar topics, we need to understand and know how to use comparisons of superiority and comparative adjectives! Let’s practise this grammar and discuss which sport is better in today’s episode! TRANSCRIPT...
Delve into the complexities of foreign aid, from its definitions and diverse types like humanitarian and development aid, to its official goals of poverty reduction and economic growth. The episode also uncovers unspoken motivations, traces its history from the Marshall Plan to China's Belt and Road, and critically examines controversies such as tied aid, debt traps, and political allocation, before offering a balanced conclusion.
20 EUR Off Lingoda Classes - https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglishMarch My discount code ( English, Business English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French ): THINKINGMARCH I have lived abroad for about 5 of the past 8 or 9 years. I have lived in Japan as a worker, a student, and now a spouse (and also in Taiwan as a student too). People often ask me how I moved overseas, so today I want to talk about this topic. I’ll discuss the state of migration, some of the common visa types or methods of m...
I’m sure many of you love to visit new places, but what is the best way to travel? Some people love to make their trips as cheap as possible. Others like to book first class flights that can be as expensive as a new car. Today I want to compare budget and luxury travel. In order to talk about this topic, and similar topics, we need to understand and know how to use comparisons of equality ( be as something as something )! Let’s practise this grammar and discuss the best form of travel in today’s...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Today I want to discuss Noah Webster, the man who played a major role in creating American English. We’ll talk about his life and motivations, his famous dictionary, and some of the words and spellings he changed. I’ll end by discussing whether there is a correct form of “English.” TRANSCRIPT - htt...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 Populism is on the rise. Across the world, politicians and political parties are becoming increasingly populist. Today, I want define populism. We’ll discuss what populism means, think about some examples of populism (both left-wing and right-wing), and then discuss whether populism is a negative t...
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 Since being founded in 2006, Spotify has been revolutionising and influencing the way people listen to music, discover artists, and even make careers as podcasts. At the same time, many people hav...
Donald Trump wants to buy, or take over, Greenland. Since the end of December, he has been consistently discussing the Arctic island becoming part of the USA. His son has travelled there, his has refused to rule out military involvement, and his comments have angered Denmark and other European countries. Why does Trump want Greenland? Why is Greenland currently Danish? And what will actually happen in the future? Let’s discuss this in today’s episode of Thinking in English! Transcript - https://...
Australia is banning children from all social media platforms. Under a newly passed law, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or any similar platform. Today, I want to take a deeper look at the reasons behind banning social media, as well as some criticisms and challenges. We’ll end by thinking about the question, “ Should Social Media Be Banned for Children? ” Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/01/20/should-social-media-be-banned...
STUDY PACK - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/study-packs-past-present-and-future-807289 The world was hit by a major recession in the year 2008, caused in part by a massive housing bubble in the United States. Banks had been lending money to almost anyone (even if they couldn’t afford it) and investors had been assuming that house prices would continue rising. They were wrong. Today I want to talk about the financial crisis, the housing bubble, and the man who had been predicting ...
Try LINGODA FLEX - https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear Up to 45 FREE PRIVATE Classes and 10% Off Lingoda Flex with my CODE: THINKING2025 - https://try.lingoda.com/Thinking_NewYear In 2019, I enrolled in a Chinese language school in Taiwan. Today, I want to talk about my experiences. I’ll discuss why I decided to go to a language school, what an average day at language school looked like, the benefits and challenges of language schools, and give all of you some tips and advice on how to ...
Use code GOAL for 25% your first month/year of Patreon membership - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish This episode is a little different to typical Thinking in English episodes. Last year, I publicly revealed 6 New Year’s resolutions or goals for 2024. Today, I am going to review these goals, consider whether I achieved them or failed them, talk about how to set good goals, and then end with some examples of goals to set in 2025. Hopefully this episode will motivate or insp...
PATREON CHRISTMAS SALE - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish What do you eat during the holidays? Around the world, we associate different and diverse dishes with special occasions and celebrations like Christmas. Today, I want to explore some of these dishes! I’ll talk about Christmas food in the UK (where I’m from) and Japan (where I live). I also asked the wonderful Thinking in English Patreon community to tell me the Christmas and holiday foods most popular w...
STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ Before the development of germ theory and the discovery of bacteria and viruses, medicine relied on ancient theories that often caused more harm than good. Without modern knowledge, doctors had often used dangerous procedures or had performed surgery without washing their hands. Today I want to talk about medicine before ...
Download ELSA for free and get 7 days pro membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get up to 85% off of ELSA lifetime membership by going to elsaspeak.com/redeem and use my code THINK85 Last week I came second in a Japanese language speech contest. Today, I want to talk to you all about how I prepared for giving a speech in a foreign language, explain my approach to writing and practicing speeches and presentations, and hopefully give you some useful advice on public speaki...
What are tariffs? Donald Trump has been talking about introducing and increasing tariffs on goods and products imported into the USA. Today, let’s take a deeper look at tariffs. We’ll talk about the definition of tariffs, real world examples, and the pros and cons of the US introducing tariffs! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/12/02/321-what-are-tariffs-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish TEST YOUR ENGLISH LE...
STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on "perfect" tenses) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ I have now lived in the Japanese countryside for over a year! I have experienced many interesting situations. I have discovered new interests and hobbies. I have faced significant challenges. And I have learned a lot about myself! In order to talk about my past year in Japan, and similar topics about events in the past which ...
Use Code THINKING50 for up to 50% off a Lingoda English class! Click this link for a Discount and 7 Day Free Trial ! https://try.lingoda.com/ThinkingEnglish Collins English Dictionary has just announced the 2024 Word of the Year. Let's discuss this word, as well as some of the runners up, in today's Thinking in English episode! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/18/320-what-is-the-2024-word-of-the-year-english-vocabulary-lesson/ WOTY - https://www.collinsdictionary.com/woty My L...
Nihon Hidankyo , an organisation formed by survivors of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to raise awareness and create the nuclear taboo. Today, I want to talk about the nuclear taboo and other theories that try to explain why nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945! Let’s learn about international relations and learn some vocabulary at the same time. Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/11/11/319-what-is-...
On November 5th, the United States of America will elect their next President. The two candidates this year are former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris. The election has been controversial and close. There have been assassination attempts against Donald Trump, the original Democratic candidate Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and the United States seems relatively politically unstable. This episode is not going to focus specifically on this year’s US election, bu...
In 1692, the village of Salem in Massachusetts was the location of the infamous Salem witch trials. Hundreds of innocent people were accused of witchcraft and being witches. People were executed, tortured, and imprisoned. In this Halloween special episode of Thinking in English, we are going to explore the history, causes, and legacy of the infamous witch hunt! TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/28/317-what-were-the-salem-witch-trials-english-vocabulary-lesson/ My Links ...
STUDY PACKS AVAILABLE NOW (study exercises, transcripts, downloadable audio, and an EXCLUSIVE EPISODE on mixed conditionals) - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish/shop/ Imagine if China had been the first country to industrialise and modernise. How different would the world look? What culture would be dominant? How would history have changed? Would technology and industry still be recognisable? In order to talk about this, and similar topics focused on unreal situations in the past, we nee...
Listen to Simple English News Daily - https://open.spotify.com/show/4QctJjCUuHefLzeZWDoXqc?si=a87d593d939643dd SEND7 Podcast - https://www.send7.org/ This episode is going to take a detailed look at culture shock. We’ll define both “culture shock” and “reverse culture shock” and then discuss the various stages you go through while experiencing culture shock. And at the end of the episode, I’ll share some of my experiences and give you advice on how to deal with culture shock! Transcript - https:...
Losing the ability to understand and use a language is known as language attrition. It is an incredibly common process, effecting most language learners at some point in their life, and can be really frustrating. Today, I’m going to define and explain language attrition and then will give you all some advice on how to avoid it happening to your English ability! Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/10/07/315-what-is-language-attrition-losing-your-ability-to-speak-english-english-vocab...
