Plain English

Plain English


Latest Episodes

The five-star rating system isn’t working (Rave about)
December 30, 2024

Leaving a five-star review has become customary for any experience that is excellent, good, average, or even acceptable, and anything below five-stars means terrible in the world of online reviews. As consumers, this system isnt helpful in identifying th

Behind the wheel of a Tesla test drive (Check the boxes)
December 26, 2024

Have you ever wondered what its like to take a Tesla out for a spin? It has all the ordinary features of a luxury car, plus all of the benefits and thrills of an electric car, like instant acceleration. Plus, Teslas have a feature that might make you

4 classic Christmas movies (Fend off)
December 23, 2024

Christmas-themed movies are almost as old as the movies themselves. In today's lesson, you'll hear about four classic Christmas movies from four different decades (and two movies that don't count!). Plus, learn the English expression "fend off."Full lesso

What is the purpose of giving gifts?
December 19, 2024

Today's story: Giving gifts is a waste of money. That's the conclusion of economic studies that show the ""deadweight loss"" that occurs when givers buy gifts the receivers don't want very much. But even with this loss, a good gift can still be worth it..

What's the most popular type of book? (Hint:
December 16, 2024

Today's story: Romance novels are the bestselling genre in publishing, outselling thrillers, mysteries, and self-help books. This story explores what makes a book a romance, the genres rich history, its subgenres, and how e-readers and self-publishing ha

‘Long Island’ is a worthy sequel to ‘Brooklyn’
December 12, 2024

Today's story: Colm Tibn's novel ""Brooklyn"" introduced readers to Eilis Lacey, a young woman from Ireland who emigrated to America in the 1950's. The story won wide praise and found commercial success; it was adapted into a movie in 2015. Now, the Iri

Should donors get paid for plasma?
December 09, 2024

Today's story: Plasma is a light-yellow liquid that makes up about half the volume of our blood. It plays an important role carrying substances from one part of the body to another. It's also a critical ingredient in life-saving treatments. It's easy and

Three self-help books that really help
December 05, 2024

Today's story: This story explores three impactful self-help books that break away from the usual clichs. ""Four Thousand Weeks"" by Oliver Burkeman, ""Deep Work"" by Cal Newport, and ""The Power of Habit"" by Charles Duhigg offer fresh perspectives on m

Searching for life on one of Jupiter's moons
December 02, 2024

Today's story: The Europa Clipper, NASAs latest mission to explore potential life in the solar system, is set to arrive at Jupiters orbit in 2030. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced instruments, the spacecraft will take photos of what as

The best side dishes for American Thanksgiving
November 28, 2024

Today's story: Thanksgiving isnt just about the turkey; its also about the delicious side dishes that complete the holiday meal. From savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes to tart cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, these traditional dishes a