Fun English Lessons
This ESL podcast is a comedy style talk show done by two Canadian brothers living in Shanghai, China. Fun to listen to and a great way to improve English.
112_sleep

This ESL Podcast is about sleep and insomnia  Learn about some sleeping problems and learn English.

Dialog:

A:  I haven’t been sleeping well lately.  I’m tired all day but I can’t seem to fall asleep at night.

B:  Have you had problems with insomnia before?

A:  I’ve always been a light sleeper but I’ve never experienced anything like this.  It’s been like this for over 2 months now.  It started after I got my new job. 

B:  Is the job causing you much stress?  Worrying or thinking too much can negatively affect people’s sleep.

A:  I don’t think so.  It’s a really relaxing job and I don’t think about it too much when I’m home.  The only thing I can think of is that I drink more coffee now than I used to.  I didn’t think that would be much of a problem since I don’t drink any after I get home. 

B:  Caffeine stays in the system for a long time.  Try not drinking any coffee past noon.  You might also want to do some yoga or other relaxation techniques before bed.  You want to be in a relaxed state well before you get into bed.  It will make falling asleep much easier. 

A:  What about drinking alcohol before bed.  I find it helps me sleep.

B:  You can if you want, but don’t have too much.  Too much alcohol will decrease the quality of REM sleep.  

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Direct download: 112_sleep.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:03am EST

108_good_advice

This ESL Podcast is about getting good advice for your life.  Learn English for daily conversation and have fun listening.


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Direct download: 108_good_advice.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:11am EST

104_green_tea

This ESL podcast is all about the health benefits of drinking green tea.

Reading:

- Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants.  Antioxidants are particles that remove the charge from the free radicals moving around the body.  Over time, free radicals damage the body.  Free radicals are said to cause cancer, heart disease, aging, and many other problems.

– Green tea helps boost the immune system.  The immune system is the body’s own natural defence system against viruses and bacteria.  If we didn’t have an immune system, we would die from a common cold.  A healthy immune system helps us to get sick less often.

– Green tea helps to suppress appetite.  This indirectly helps people to maintain a healthy weight.

– Green tea helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.  Maintaining stable blood sugar levels reduces the risk of aquiring type 2 diabetes.   

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Direct download: 104_green_tea.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:37am EST

100_happiness

This ESL podcast is all about true happiness.  It was inspired by a Harvard professor who teaches a popular course on the subject.

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Direct download: 100_happiness.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:52pm EST

096_sleep_in

This ESL podcast is about sleeping in.

Dialog:

A:  Hello

B:  Hey.  Why haven’t you been picking up?  I’ve been trying to reach you for the past 3 hours.  I guess you forgot our tennis match.

A:  What time is it?

B:  It’s already 9:30.

A:  Really?  I guess my 20 minute power nap turned into a good three hours.  I even slept through my alarm

B:  What were you so tired from?

A:  I only got 2 hours sleep last night.  I felt fine all day but I just crashed as soon as I got in the door.  Sorry about that.  Let’s reschedule for tomorrow.

B:  Ok

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Direct download: 096_sleep_in.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:46pm EST

092_lifestyle_change

This ESL podcast is about a guy who desperately needs to make a lifestyle change.

Dialog:

A:  I’ve finally come to grips with the fact that I’ve gotta make some major changes in my lifestyle.

B: What’s going on?

A:  These past few months I’ve been staying up late and then sleeping in. Then I feel guilty when I wake up so I usually eat a comfort food like pizza to make myself feel better.  Then I feel bad from eating the pizza so I have a few beers to relax.  Then because of the beers I can’t go to the gym. At 10 pm or so I finally start to feel good and watch several hours of TV while thinking about how the next day will be different.

B:  That’s quite a vicious cycle.  We’ve all been there though.

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Direct download: 092_lifestyle_change.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:00pm EST

088_rent_increase

This ESL podcast is about learning how to negotiate to get what you want.

Dialog:

Add and I were outside the other day on the starbucks patio near our apartment.  We were both in great moods while enjoying our coffees and the sunshine.  We were minding our own business when all of a sudden our landlord rudely interrupted our peaceful afternoon with a phonecall.  She wanted to jack up our rent by 25%.  I tried to bargain with her but it was no use.  In the back of my mind I knew I was fighting a losing battle.  The rent in the city had been going up for quite a while and we knew that sooner or later this was bound to happen.      A:  I’m trying to renegotiate my salary with my boss.

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Direct download: 088_rent_increase.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 12:56am EST

084_queer_eye

This ESL podcast is about a reality TV show about 5 gay guys.  It's called, "Queer Eye for the Straight guy"

Dialog:

Last night, Add and I watched an episode of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy".  It is a TV show staring 5 gay guys.  Each episode they take a typical straight guy who needs tips on fashion, grooming, and interior design.  Yesterday’s episode was hilarious!  A guy from Colorado and a girl from New York City were dating online for 6 months.  This show was about preparing both of them for their first meeting. Everyone was expecting fireworks
When they finally met in person it was a total disaster.  The guy was acting really awkward and there was no chemistry whatsoever.  It was obvious that he was interested in her but she didn’t feel the same way.  There was a lot of awkward silence during the date and his lame attempts at humour only made the situation worse.  You could easily tell from her body language that the date wasn’t up to her expectations.

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Direct download: 084_queer_eye.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:59pm EST

080_thailand_trip

This ESL podcast is a fun free style chat about our latest trip to Thailand.


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Direct download: 080_thailand_trip.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:42am EST

076_strict_parent

This ESL podcast is about strict parents and how a couple of young guys might deal with them.

Dialog:

A:  Are you going to Sara’s party this weekend?

B:  I can’t.  I’m grounded.

A:  What did you do this time? 

B:  My mom lost it on me when she found out I had a porno magazine in my room.  She told me I’m not allowed to watch TV or meet any friends for a week. 

A:  Your mom is pretty strict.  Do you think there is any way you can get her to make an exception for the party?

B:  No way.  My mom is a total psycho about these things.  She’s so stubborn when she makes her mind up about something. 

A:  Well, you can’t miss the party.  It’s going to be amazing.  You should sneak out of your bedroom window when she’s asleep and go to the party for at least a couple hours. 

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Direct download: 076_strict_parent.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 4:00am EST

072_advertising

This ESL podcast is a dialog between two co-workers about making a tv commercial.

Dialog:

A:  Would you mind helping me with a tv commercial for a new expensive anti-aging cream?

B:  Who are we targeting?

A:  Wealthy housewives in their late 20′s and early 30′s.

B:  What angle are you going for?

A:  I was thinking about making the woman feel self-conscious about looking older, and then showing that our product would make them feel young again. 

B:  Ok.  What about also making them feel that the reason their husband hasn’t been spending as much time with them as before is that their skin is looking older?

A:  Perfect!

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Direct download: 072_advertising.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:34am EST