Learn about the life of Marco Polo in this very short introduction from Do You Know Podcast — a podcast from English Plus Podcast Network.
A Short Introduction to the Ice Age
Learn about the Ice Age, what happens during an ice age and how long it lasts in this very short introduction from Do You Know Podcast, a podcast from English Plus Podcast Network.
A Short Introduction to Cats
Learn some interesting facts about cats in this very short introduction from Do You Know Podcast, a podcast from English Plus Podcast Network.
A Short Introduction to the Crusades
Learn about the Crusades, how they started and how they eventually failed in this very short introduction from Do You Know Podcast, a podcast from English Plus Podcast Network.
Oil | Short Reads
What would our world be like without oil? We wouldn’t have gasoline-powered cars. We wouldn’t have airplane fuel or oil to heat our homes. Many paints, fertilizers, and kinds of cloth are made partly from oil. So are many plastics, chemicals, building materials, and even medicines.
Alexander Hamilton | Short Reads
Alexander Hamilton set the newly created United States on solid financial footing, after the American Revolution (1775-1783) left it broke. He also pushed for a strong national government for the United States, when others favored giving strong powers to the states. Hamilton expressed his views in famous political writings known as The Federalist papers.
Discussions | on Forgiveness
Do you find it easy to forgive people? What is forgiveness and why is it so hard? What do religions say about forgiveness? In this new Discussions episode from English Plus Podcast, we will discuss all these questions and more.
Discussions | Kindness
Learn about kindness and how to talk about different aspects of kindness in this new Discussion episode from English Plus Podcast. We will discuss kindness between neighbors, altruism, Mother Theresa, and the Red Cross.
Aztec Empire | Short Reads
Hundreds of years ago, a towering temple stood at the center of what is now Mexico City. This Great Temple was a symbol of the power of the Aztec Empire—an empire that stretched across much of Mexico.
Penguins | Short Reads
Would you put on your bathing suit and jump into icy water? Would you slide down a snowy hill on your bare stomach? Imagine how cold that would feel! You would freeze. Penguins, however, do this all the time. Penguins swim in cold water. They slide on their bellies over ice and snow.
Recent Posts
The Story of Literature EP4 | The Brush and the Sword: Poetry and Philosophy in East Asia
Focusing on the interconnected traditions of China, Japan, and Korea, this episode explores a literature where poetry, philosophy, and governance are deeply intertwined. We’ll discuss the wisdom of Confucius, the breathtaking beauty of Tang Dynasty poetry, and the creation of the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji in Japan.
The Story of Literature EP3 | The Ocean of Stories: Epics and Wisdom of South Asia
This episode dives into the immensely rich and ancient literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent. We explore the spiritual depth of the Vedas and the Upanishads, and unravel the sprawling narratives and profound moral questions of the great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which continue to influence billions of lives today.
The Story of Literature EP2 | Echoes of Olympus: The Greek and Roman Foundations
We journey to ancient Greece and Rome to uncover the cornerstones of Western literature. From the epic poems of Homer and the tragedies of Sophocles to the philosophical dialogues of Plato and the poetry of Virgil, this episode explores how these classical works shaped our ideas of heroism, democracy, drama, and rhetoric.
The Story of Literature EP1 | The First Scribes: Tales from the Fertile Crescent
This episode travels back to the dawn of writing in Mesopotamia. We explore the world’s first known literary work, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and discuss how ancient civilizations in the Near East used cuneiform script not just for records, but to wrestle with the fundamental human questions of life, death, friendship, and the divine.
Author Reflection | Listening Comprehension Practice
Listen to an author reflect on their literary prize nomination. A great exercise for TOEFL/IELTS, with script, vocabulary, and a 10-question quiz to test your comprehension of personal storytelling.
The Narrative Thread: Are You the Author or the Character?
This piece explores the art of finding meaning in life by viewing our existence through the lens of a story. Delve into philosophical nuggets on free will, destiny, and memory to question whether you’re the author or the character in your own epic.