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Audio tools to improve your English
What are English audio tools?
- These are programs or clips you can listen to. They help improve your English.
- You can listen to them anywhere. You can use them on your way to work, while relaxing at home, or while doing household chores.
- There many audio tools. You can
- listen on a website
- save podcasts to listen to at a later time
- install an app on your mobile phone
- Most of audio tools are free.
- They will help you get used to hearing how English words are pronounced.
- They can help you learn to speak like a native faster.
English podcasts
Better at English – (For intermediate learners. Available on iTunes or the website).
- The audio files are on:
- grammar
- language learning strategies
- other aspects of the English language.
- These will help you get used to hearing a normal English conversation.
- You can download podcasts or read the dialogues.
- There is a bonus vocabulary lesson in each podcast.
Business English Pod – (For intermediate learners or for beginners who want a challenge. Available on iTunes or the website).
- The lessons are about different business situations.
- Only premium members can download the transcript, quizzes and lessons.
- But it has many free podcasts you can listen to online or download.
Voice of America – (for various levels of English. Available on iTunes or the website).
- Many topics are about American culture. But there are also topics of general interest.
- It has Learning English Broadcast
- It is a daily, 30-minute program.
- It talks about global news and information.
- It has vocabulary and grammar tips.
- It also has Radio Programs
- audio materials such as narrated short stories and articles on lifestyle and health.
- you can choose on the audio menu. It is at the upper right hand side of the webpage.
- Narrations are done at a slower pace. Past lessons may be downloaded.
- Transcripts of the audio files have a vocabulary lesson at the end.
Culips ESL podcast – (for various levels of English. Available in iTunes , Android or RSS or on the website).
- This site is for those who want to learn conversational English.
- It has:
- Chatterbox Episodes
- Catch Word Episodes
- Simplified Speech Episodes
- Real Talk Episodes
- The podcasts have learning materials:
- transcripts
- detailed explanations
- quizzes
- But the learning materials are not free. They are for members only.
News and current affairs websites
News in Levels – (various levels, audio files can be accessed on the website).
- It has latest news in three levels: elementary (1), intermediate (2) and advanced (3).
- You can read or listen to the articles on the page.
- A video news version can also be seen on the lower part of the page.
- Level three has a vocabulary lesson explaining difficult words in the article.
- It has suggested activities at the end to help improve your reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills.
Breaking News English – (for various levels, can be accessed on the website).
- Features news articles written for various English language levels.
- For each level, the news is narrated in various speeds.
- Aside from audio resources, it has a variety of learning activities for spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Lingohack from BBC Learning English – (for intermediate learners, can be accessed on website).
- Video news and current features are presented as language lessons.
- Words and phrases are defined. Language exercises are at the end of each transcript.
- All lessons can be downloaded in audio or pdf.
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