Podcasts have become really popular in recent years, and for good reason! They are an entertaining and accessible way to immerse yourself in the English language, and there are different ones for different proficiency levels. Lots of our students use podcasts to improve their English for IELTS as part of their self-study, and we use a lot in our lessons, both in the class but also as homework activities for our English and IELTS students.

The main problem that people have with podcasts is that they do not know how to use them. Students listen, and think ‘it’s too hard! I don’t understand‘ and then give up. We are here to help you use podcasts to improve your English for IELTS and as a tool for self-study in English.

1. Choose the right podcasts to improve your English for IELTS

Selecting the right podcast is crucial. Here are some tips:

Choose topics that you are interested in

Pick topics that genuinely interest you. This will keep you engaged and motivated. If you really want to know about a topic, you will listen to it, right?

Choose topics that you do not know much about

Remember that you need to develop your ideas on a range of topics for IELTS, so also choose topics that you do not know very much about. This will help improve your understanding of new subject areas. You never know, you might find some new hobbies and interests just by trying new topics

Start at the right level

Start with podcasts that match your current language level. If you are at the intermediate level, choose podcasts aimed at students who are learning English. When you reach upper intermediate to advanced levels, you can use podcasts aimed at higher level English speakers.

Use podcasts with short episodes at first

Shorter episodes (5-10 minutes) are easier to understand and you can listen to them more than once if you do not understand the first time. When you get better at English, you can listen to longer podcasts (10-30 minutes) as you should understand most of them the first time you listen

What to do when you listen to a podcast to help you improve your English

If you are going to use podcasts to improve your listening and help you prepare for IELTS, make sure you listen actively. What is active listening? Here are the steps to take:

• Prepare: Before you listen, read a brief description of the episode to get an idea of what to expect. This is like the start of the IELTS listening exam when you look at the topic and predict what you will hear, so it will help you practice this.
• Just listen: the first time you listen, try listening to it the same way you listen in your own language. Listen and enjoy the topic and see what you learn. We know that in IELTS listening you only listen once, but now we are improving your listening skills, not testing them.
• Take Notes: The second time you listen, take notes on the main points. If there are things you do not understand, put a ? next to it so you can check it later.
• Pause and Replay: Pause and listen again if you don’t hear something important. Do not be afraid of listening many times to help you understand it. Remember, we are improving our listening at this stage.
• Use the audio script: When you have got the main ideas, listen with the audio script. Focus on parts you did not understand, especially when the people speak quickly and you miss the words.
• Make notes of key new vocabulary: use the audio script to find new words and phrases that you would like to be able to use in your own writing and speaking. Record it in your vocabulary notebook or your vocabulary app.
• Write a personal response to the podcast in your learning journal. First, write a summary of the key points that you understood. Then write a paragraph of whether you agree or disagree with the speakers and/or what you learned from the podcast. Try to use some of the new vocabulary in the summary and personal response paragraph.
• Discuss the podcast with a friend. If you are studying English with a friend, listen to the same podcast and discuss it together. You can talk face to face or on messenger. In our group speaking classes, we discuss podcasts together to share our opinions and ideas.

If you don’t want to share your ideas because you are scared of speaking English, read our blog on how to improve your speaking confidence.

Podcasts for English learners

These podcasts are aimed at people who are learning English. This means the speech will be slower and easier to understand and they will teach you things about English.

1. BBC Learning English – 6 Minute English

This podcast features discussions on a wide range of topics, from technology to culture, and they are all only six minutes long. Each episode includes vocabulary explanations and is designed to help learners improve their listening skills and comprehension.

2. Voice of America podcast

Voice of America has a range of podcasts on topics like US news and history, American stories, and different areas of learning English such as pronunciation and everyday grammar.

3. British Council Podcasts

Each episode features conversations between hosts and guests, offering insights into British life while focusing on practical language skills. The podcast emphasizes vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, making it accessible for intermediate learners. Additionally, the episodes often include quizzes and activities to reinforce learning, helping listeners improve their speaking and listening abilities in a fun and engaging way.’

4. Premierskills English

If you like football, this weekly podcast talks about British football teams and matches, including interviews with Premiership players and managers

5. SBS Learn English

To learn more about Australian culture and improve your English, this podcast from the Australian broadcast network SBS has episodes on current events and life in Australia.

Podcasts for Upper Intermediate to Advanced English users

These are aimed at high level English speakers, so they may be challenging at first, but they will help you understand English used more naturally.

1. Stuff You Should Know

Hosted by Josh and Chuck, this podcast dives deep into a wide range of topics, from science and history to pop culture. The conversational style and engaging content make it relatable and enjoyable, and you can learn about all the things ‘you should know’.

2. Fellas that were in the mood

This podcast is by some of our friends from the British Council in Hong Kong. If you are interested in movies and you like listening to other people’s analyses of popular films, give this a try. Two of the presenters of the podcast are from Venezuela and one is from Singapore and are excellent models of very high-level English speakers. The range of language that they use to describe these films should be inspiring to others.

3. BBC Live Science Podcast

This podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live covers a range of topics including interviews with scientific experts and discussions on recent discoveries to help you understand current scientific research and its implications on society. As it is aimed at a general audience, it will be accessible to you if you have an upper intermediate level of English

4. Just a Minute

This is a comedy game show where participants need to talk for 60 seconds without repetition, deviating from the subject, or hesitating. It’s a game we sometimes play with our groups of students who want to become more fluent. If you listen to it, you will hear how confident English speakers can do this task. It is funny too.

5. Serial

For fans of true crime, this podcast series analyses true crime stories, including interviews with the detectives, witnesses, and the accused to provide multiple perspectives on the events.

So what are you going to start with? Don’t get overwhelmed by the choices. Choose one, download it and listen using the instructions above. Soon you will be using podcasts to improve your English for IELTS too!

Let us know your favourite, and if you have any other suggestions please comment and share them with everyone. Why not join one of our speaking courses so you can discuss them with others?

Happy listening!