Speaking & Listening - ESL/EAL - English as a Second/Additional Language - Library Guides at Texas State Technical College

Movies & Documentaries

YouTube

VOA Learning English
This Voice of America channel features news and human interest stories in American English, but spoken 33% slower than regular broadcast speed to make it easier to follow along. Through this method of immersive learning, students can explore a wide range of English vocabulary subjects.
Listen and Read Along
This is exactly what it sounds like: listening to stories and reading along with them by following a highlighted word. Students can hear pronunciation and intonation while getting a better grasp on sentence structure within the English language.
TOEFL TV
Here, students can get English-learning tips and learn about questions that appear on the TOEFL test.
Rachel's English
Host Rachel offers a plethora of videos to help students learn all about American English pronunciation, including specific sounds you should make, as well as mouth position. New videos are uploaded to the site each week.

Podcasts

Learning English Through Football
Helps students interested in football improve their English language skills.
VOA Learning English Podcast
Podcasts cover various topics including health and lifestyle, science, technology, culture, and news, which can be particularly helpful for chatting with friends in English. All podcasts come with a transcript to help you follow along.
English Learning for Curious Minds
Covers a wide range of topics, from history to philosophy, politics to technology. Each episode is about 20 minutes long and comes with a transcript, vocabulary list, and subtitles. Besides the podcast, Leonardo English also has a thriving community of “curious minds” participating in different events, challenges, and courses.
All Ears English
All Ears English is another great option if you already have an intermediate level of English and want a little more entertainment. In very short episodes, they discuss American culture and explain confusing English expressions in a friendly and fun way. Their motto is “connection NOT perfection,” so expect a focus on everyday English as it is spoken in the real world!
This American Life
This American Life is a great choice for English learners who want an insight into American culture. It is a mixture of journalism and storytelling, focusing on real-life tales from citizens of all regions of the United States.
Crime Junkie
A podcast dedicated to the true crime. In each 50-minute episode, the presenters discuss a different murder. They go into gruesome detail and give their theories on any unsolved aspects of the crime. It will make you shiver, but fans say it’s truly addictive. Hopefully, you won’t need to use any English vocabulary you learn with this podcast!
Overheard
Overheard is about the discussions Nat Geo employees have had while taking breaks. Expect crazy stories from explorers, photographers, and scientists from around the world.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Looking to learn more English but want to laugh as you do so? Comedy Bang! Bang! episodes begin as celebrity interviews but soon descend into chaos. Expect sketches, silly catchphrases, and improvisation games. If you’re new to the show, the annual review episodes are a good place to start.

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Movies & Documentaries

YouTube

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