Top 3 podcasts that helped me improve my IELTS Listening Skills

The great part about podcasts is that you can listen to them everywhere. And great ones help you develop your English listening skills.

I am a big fan of podcasts in general. I listen to podcasts when I’m doing many activities outside of my work, for example, while cooking or walking my dog.

A good podcast in English also helps you practice listening to passages in English with a lot of information. Although we tend to listen more passively to podcasts, it still helps us get used to listening to recorded content.

The similarity between podcasts and IELTS Listening recordings is that the information from both types comes in bulk, which means listeners must pay laser focus to grab the main ideas and retain the information they get.

What makes IELTS Listening more challenging is that you have to answer a few questions related to the recordings. So, preparing and getting used to listening to similar types of recording is necessary and helpful.

Phone with a podcast player open.

If you are new to English podcasts, here are 3 that I would recommend to start with. Note that the links open up to Apple Podcasts, but you can search for them on the podcast player of your choice.

1. Ted Talks Daily

Every weekday, TED Talks Daily brings you the latest talks in audio. Join host and journalist Elise Hu for thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable — from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between — given by the world’s leading thinkers and creators. With TED Talks Daily, find some space in your day to change your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and learn something new.

Apple Podcasts

2. Side Hustle School

A daily show for everyone who works a regular job and wants to start an income-earning project on the side. In each episode, listeners will hear a different story of someone who’s started a side hustle—along with what went well, how that person overcame challenges, and what happened as a result. The show is written and hosted by Chris Guillebeau, the New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup, The Happiness of Pursuit, and other books.

Apple Podcasts

3. Grammar Girl

Five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing and feed your love of the English language. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer. Grammar Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

Apple Podcasts

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Word of the day

Explicit

adjective
UK /ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/ US /ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/
 
Clear and exact
 
Examples:
 
I gave her very explicit directions how to get here.
 
explicit about: She was very explicit about (= said very clearly and exactly) what she thought was wrong with the plans.
 
make something explicit: I wasn’t aware that I would be paying – you certainly didn’t make it explicit (= state it clearly).

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Huyen Nguyen

Founder of Practice9, creator of IELTS with Huyen. Huyen has 11 years of experience with IELTS, overall 8.5.

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