Podcast

Hello and welcome to News in Simple English — the podcast where we talk about the world, slowly and clearly. I am Luna.

And I am Jake. Every day, we take three short news stories and explain them in easy English. Perfect for your coffee break!

Today: why European cities are planting more trees, what a new study says about walking, and a happy story about a lost parrot.

Hello and welcome to News in Simple English. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. Three short stories today, in easy English. First story: trees.

Many European cities are planting thousands of new trees. Paris, Madrid, and Vienna have big plans. Why? Because summers are getting hotter, and trees make streets cooler.

Scientists say one big tree can cool a street like ten small air conditioners. Also, people feel happier on green streets. That's a nice bonus.

So when you see a new tree in your street, remember: it's small now, but it's working hard. Second story: walking.

A new study from London says twenty minutes of walking every day is very good for your heart. You don't need to run. You don't need a gym. Just walk.

Twenty minutes — that's a walk to the station, or one stop earlier off the bus. Small change, big result. And now… the parrot.

Yes! A parrot called Mango flew away from his home in Manchester. Three days later, a woman found him in her garden and took him to the vet.

And here is the surprise: Mango opened his beak and said his full home address. The vet called the family — and Mango went home for dinner.

Lesson of the day: teach your parrot your address. That's all from us. Listen again tomorrow — same time, simple English. Bye!

Hello! Story Time — a short story in easy English. Our words today: a lighthouse — ein Leuchtturm. A keeper — ein Wärter. A storm — ein Sturm. And safe — sicher.

Ready? Here is the story.

Tom was a lighthouse keeper. He lived alone on a small island, with one cat and one radio. Every night, he climbed the tower and turned on the big light.

Question one: Who lived with Tom? … Yes — one cat and one radio. No people!

One night, a big storm came. The rain was loud, and the wind was strong. But Tom climbed the tower, because the light helped the ships. That night, a small fishing boat was on the water.

Question two: Why did Tom climb the tower in the storm? … Right — because the boats needed the light.

The boat saw the light. It turned — slowly, slowly — and came into the little harbour. Tom went out into the rain. The fishermen were cold and wet, but they were safe. The cat slept by the fire and did not help at all.

Last question: Did the cat help? … No! It slept. Cats are cats.

That's our story. See you next time — and keep your light on. Bye!

Everyday English — real conversations for real situations. Today: the café. I'm the customer. Luna, you're behind the counter. Action!

Hi there! What can I get you?

Hi! Can I get a flat white, please? And… what's that cake in the window?

That's our carrot cake — it's very popular today. Would you like a slice?

Go on then, I'll have a slice too. Sorry — could you repeat the price?

Sure! That's four fifty for the coffee, and three twenty for the cake.

No problem. Can I pay by card?

Card is fine. Take a seat, I'll bring it over. Are you new in the neighbourhood?

Yes, just moved here last week. You have great coffee — I'll definitely come back.

Lovely to hear! Here's your order. Enjoy!

Three key phrases, nice and slow: 'Can I get a flat white, please?' … 'Sorry, could you repeat that?' … 'I'll definitely come back.' Try them this week. Bye!

Grammar in Conversation — real talk, real grammar. Today: why do we say 'I have been to Rome' but also 'I went to Rome'? Luna, tell me about your trips.

OK! I've been to Italy four times. I love it. Last spring I went to Rome for a week — the food was incredible.

Stop right there. You said both forms in two sentences! 'I HAVE BEEN to Italy four times' — no date, it's your whole life until now. That's Present Perfect.

And then: 'Last spring I WENT to Rome.' Last spring is finished, it has a date — so it's Past Simple. The date decides!

Exactly. Try my story: I've never been to Japan, but I've always wanted to go. Two years ago I booked a flight… and then the trip was cancelled.

Beautiful! 'I've never been' — your life until now. 'Two years ago I booked' — finished, dated. And 'was cancelled' — passive, bonus points!

So the rule hiding in our chat: no date and still true now? Present Perfect. A date or a finished story? Past Simple.

Your turn, listener: answer these two questions out loud. 'Which cities have you been to?' — 'When did you go there?' Notice which form you use.

That's Grammar in Conversation. We don't drill — we notice. See you next time!

Word of the Week — one word, deeply. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. Today's word is one of the most beautiful in English: serendipity. Say it with me: se-ren-dip-ity.

Serendipity means a happy accident — when something good happens that you did not plan and did not expect. You look for one thing, and you find something better.

The story: in 1754, the writer Horace Walpole read an old Persian tale about three princes of Serendip — an old name for Sri Lanka. The princes were always making discoveries by accident.

So Walpole built the word from Serendip. Fun fact: penicillin and the microwave oven were both discovered by serendipity — scientists noticed an accident and got curious.

How to use it. It's uncountable: 'It was pure serendipity.' With 'by': 'We met by serendipity.' And the adjective — serendipitous: 'a serendipitous encounter.' Careful: don't use it for small luck like finding a parking space. It needs a sense of wonder.

Now it's your turn. Finish this sentence: 'By serendipity, I …' Maybe: 'By serendipity, I found my favourite book on a train.' Say it out loud.

That's Word of the Week. Collect beautiful words — they open doors. Bye for now!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: Used to Dance.

That's Used to Dance. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: We used to dance in the kitchen every Sunday.

Did you hear it? used to: frühere Gewohnheiten. In German: Wir tanzten früher jeden Sonntag in der Küche.. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: used to. In German: früher einmal (Gewohnheit).

And would means: damals immer (Wiederholung). Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: Bigger Every Day.

That's Bigger Every Day. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: The traffic is louder than my alarm. It is the loudest street in the city.

Did you hear it? Kurze Adjektive: -er und the -est. In German: Der Verkehr ist lauter als mein Wecker. Es ist die lauteste Straße der Stadt.. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: louder. In German: lauter.

And stronger means: stärker. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: While the Coffee's Brewing.

That's While the Coffee's Brewing. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: The kettle is singing and I am reading the paper.

Did you hear it? am/is/are + -ing. In German: Die Kanne singt gerade und ich lese die Zeitung.. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: kettle. In German: Wasserkocher.

And brewing means: brühend. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: Gonna Catch the Morning Train.

That's Gonna Catch the Morning Train. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: I am going to catch the morning train tomorrow.

Did you hear it? be going to + Infinitiv. In German: Ich werde morgen den Morgenzug nehmen. (Das habe ich vor.). Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: gonna. In German: going to (umgangssprachlich).

And suitcase means: Koffer. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: The Answer Machine.

That's The Answer Machine. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: When will you call me back tomorrow?

Did you hear it? W-Fragen: Struktur. In German: Wann rufst du mich morgen zurück?. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: answer machine. In German: Anrufbeantworter.

And to hum means: summen. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: Made of Rain.

That's Made of Rain. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: The letters were written by candlelight.

Did you hear it? Passiv: be + Past Participle. In German: Die Briefe wurden bei Kerzenlicht geschrieben.. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: candlelight. In German: Kerzenlicht.

And to carve means: einkerben. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!

Hello and welcome to englisch.music. I'm Luna.

And I'm Jake. First, let's listen to the song: Oceans of Idioms.

That's Oceans of Idioms. Now, the grammar point. Listen to this line: She spilled the beans about the surprise party.

Did you hear it? Was sind Idiome?. In German: Sie hat die Überraschungsparty verraten.. Notice how the song uses it.

A useful word from the song: to break the ice. In German: die Stimmung lockern.

And to spill the beans means: ein Geheimnis verraten. Try to hear both words when we listen again.

Now let's continue listening. You can also play the full song first on the song page.

That's englisch.music. Songs that teach. See you next time!